| By: | Philip M. Goldstein |
| Dates: | 5/25/2024 - 5/25/2024 |
| Album Info: | CP #2816 “Empress” [4-6-4 Hudson]
Montreal Locomotive Works
c/n 68535
built: December 1930
retired: May 26, 1960
preserved: January 1964
restored: August 16, 2001
driver diameter: 75”
wheelbase, total: 80.52’
wheelbase, engine: 39.50’
wheelbase, drivers: 13.17’
overall length: 91’ 1”
tractive effort 45,254 foot pounds
adhesive weight: 194,000 lb
loco weight: 351,200 lb
tender weight 291,000 lb
total weight 643,100 lb
fuel type: oil (converted from coal for restoration)
fuel capacity (original) coal: 30,000 lbs
water capacity: 14,000 gallons (US)
firebox grate area: 80.80 sq ft
boiler pressure: 275 psi
heating surface area:
firebox: 352 sq ft
tubes and flues 18.25 ft
total surface 5,475 sq ft
tubes: 62 - 2.25”
flues: 171 – 35”
superheater area: 1,640 sq ft
cylinders: two
cylinder size: 22” bore × 30” stroke
valve gear: Walschaerts
maximum speed: 100 mph
power output: 4,700 hp
CP 2816 History:
After being retired in 1960; 2816 was sold to F. Nelson Blount, who added it to his Steamtown, U.S.A. collection in Bellows Falls, Vermont.
After Blount died in an airplane crash in 1967; Steamtown relocated to Scranton, PA in 1984. In 1986, Steamtown was acquired by the US National Park Service. It was decided that 2816, along with several other locomotives that were operated by Canadian railroads were not central to the core focus of Steamtown; so 2816 was declared surplus and offered for sale, along with other locomotives.
#2816 was then reacquired by the Canadian Pacific in 1998, and crews from BC Rail were hired to extensively restore it to operating condition.
In 2001, the Empress returned to service, and it was used by the CP in occasional excursion service as part of their steam program. In late 2012, CP discontinued their steam program, and #2816 remained stored at the CP's headquarters in Calgary, Alberta.
In 2023, what with the CP merging with Kansas City Southern (KCS) to become the new Canadia |
