CPR 2850 at Vancouver:

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?s ... rchive.jpg

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?s ... rchive.jpg

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?s ... rchive.jpg

Has anyone ever seen color photos of this train? I understand the engine was blue for this occasion. It's now at Delson, in standard CPR red/black.

I have seen color photos of #2850 in blue for the occasion. I believe CPR painted the backup engine #2851 blue as well.

CNR streamlined Northern #6400 was also used during the 1939 visit, and it was also painted blue. Here is a shot of it in blue, and a picture of it today in the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa.

When I saw #6400 at the Museum of Science & Technology in September, 2000 it still had the crowns on the running board skirts. Did some anti-royalist at the Museum make off with them?

Are you sure it wasn't 2858 you saw the crown on? The CPR Royal Hudson is sitting in the same pavilion as 6400.

Bob,

I remember both engines well enough to know the difference. I am definitely talking about CN6400, the only surviving streamlined 4-8-4 from either CN or GTW.

If I remember the Trains article on the Royal Hudons right the CP got permission to keep the royal crown markings on the entire class after the end of the royal visit, as a "reward" for the way the locos performed without delay. The CN loco didn't work nearly as much of the tour and they may not have asked such permission. In any case they needed permission to use or keep that marking on the loco. Perhaps someone in Canada can clarify.

After doing a little research and asking a couple of people in the know, just as I suspected, 6400 has NEVER had the crown on it while in its green livery. Not even while in the Canada Science and Technology Museum. Sorry.