Canadian Pacific 2816 "Empress" Across Iowa: The Final Spike Tour

Canadian Pacific 2816, or the "Empress" is steaming across Canada, the United States, and Mexico on what owners CPKC dub: "The Final Spike Tour". This one of a kind international tour is bringing the Hudson to small and big cities alike, over hills and plains, and to the dry and tropical regions of Mexico. Out in Iowa, there was certainly no shortage of people out to see the shiny grey and maroon steam locomotive. Hundreds to thousands drove both congested and desolate roads in search of a good shot. Thankfully the weather was perfect with partly cloudy skies paired with a pleasant 70°F (21°C) air temperature. Despite the traffic and some spots being cramped, people were generally respectful of each other and the chase was pretty fun! A few friends and I followed the excursion on May 11th from Letts to Sewall, Iowa. It was a trip I most certainly won't forget.

Canadian Pacific 2816, a 4-6-4, was built in December 1930 by the Montreal Locomotive Works. Designated as H-1b, the Hudson led fast passenger trains across Canada until its retirement in 1960. Afterwards it lived on display at Steamtown, U.S.A. until 1998 when Canadian Pacific reacquired the engine. Empress returned to steam in 2001 and was used in excursion service as part of CP's steam program. Trips ranged from the mountains of British Columbia to the urban sprawl of Chicago, Illinois. After a change in CEO's, CP's priorities shifted and in 2012, the steam program was discontinued, and the Empress was placed in storage at the railway's Ogden Yard in Calgary, Alberta. Rumors of 2816's return to steam floated around in 2020 when it was steamed up to analyze its condition. The next year, Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern were proposing a merger. CP's CEO, Keith Creel, stated that if the merger were approved, 2816 would run a massive mainline excursion to celebrate. As we now know, in 2023 the merger was approved and 2816 underwent repairs and did some test runs. On April 24th, 2024, the Final Spike Tour began, departing Calgary with a final destination of Mexico City. Traveling across Canada, the US, and Mexico, the Empress will be the first steam locomotive to travel all 3 countries.

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