After whining that we probably would not get to see CP 2816 while it was in Montreal, lady luck has smiled. After tying up our power at the St. Luc coal chute (actually a fueling platform today, but still called the coal chute), I noticed a string of red passenger cars outside the diesel shop. The auxillary tender was at the end, so I surmised the engine might be inside. We drove the van over by the door and beheld an impressive sight.

My engineer, a onetime Steamtown employee, had applied the engine's last coat of paint in Vermont, and we were both awed at seeing the onetime cadaver in such gleaming condition. Bob, our veteran driver who well remembered steam on CP commuter trains, was also impressed. The fire was out and there was no pressure on the gauge, but it didn't matter. A quick walk-around and cab visit were all we had time for anyway.

Aside from the usual ditch lights, the engine looks pretty authentic on the outside. The cab is the cleanest I've seen since CP 1201, and has a few modern switches, a radio, 26 brake system and oilburning controls.

On the other side of the shop was the rest of the train, plus two of the F units and the newer hood unit that travels with it. We did not have time to explore those.

CP has obviously put heart and soul into this train and I think Mr. Van Horne might be smiling in his mausoleum. Too bad they don't lavish such care on the rest of their equipment and physical plant, but fortunately they treat us employees pretty well. How long any of these things will last is matter for conjecture.

And though our visit was quite brief, we were on holiday overtime (double time and a half). I guess one could not ask for more than that...

ryarger@rypn.org

Bob;

2 things:

1) I was lucky to spend about 1 hour looking her over last summer from the ground when she was in steam in Toronto. (it was at Union Station; there was nobody around, except for the security guard, who looked the other way!)

I saw her at Smiths Falls, Ontario last Saturday. Crowds galore, and CP keeping people well away from the charter train. My wife and kids were with me, and we drove a couple of km's out of town, and saw her thunder past, with 17 odd cars, and NO DIESELS! She arrived in Montreal steam only.

Agree that she is a beauty; last summer I wrote to the head of CPR thanking him for doing this.

2) CPR 1201 was maintained by the Canadian Federal Government; the main person was Dave Elliott. Dave maintains the Shay we "play with", Dave's commitment to excellence is something we can all look up to. I have included (again) a link to my pics of the Shay.

John Stewart
Ottawa, Canada.



Dave Elliott's Shay ;-)

Is the Empress still going to pull a trip out of Montreal on the tenth?
Al

azubal@nycap.rr.com

Al;

I don't know; I'm not really in the loop. I do know that she is supposed to leave Montreal on the 11th to go to Toronto.

Maybe someone else on this list has more information.

John Stewart

> Is the Empress still going to pull a trip
> out of Montreal on the tenth?
> Al


Dave Elliott's Shay ;-)

It's not often that we in the preservation movement get to repay a little of our corporate benefactors' generosity.

The opportunity came for the Smiths Falls Railway Museum last Saturday morning. A CP pensioner who had spent time visiting 2816's crew dropped by and mentioned they were badly in need of a grease gun. He wondered if we might have what they needed.

Shortly thereafter, our grease gun (fabricated by one of our members for CN 4-6-0 1112's rods) made a speedy trip across town in my Corolla and was lent to Canadian Pacific for the duration of 2816's transcontinental trip.

It sure felt good to know we were able to help our friends at CP a little!

And if you happen to photograph 2816's crew using a hand grease gun, I'd love to see some scans!

Smiths Falls Railway Museum
s.c.hunter@sympatico.ca

The Empress will indeed be doing an excursion on june 10. This is a fundraising activity for Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum and the restoration of CPR 7077. Tickets are $100Cdn, include trip and box lunch. A tax receipt for a $50 charitable donation will be issued.

Tickets may be purchased by phoning (450) 638-1522. There are a few seats left.

Kevin Robinson

> Al;

> I don't know; I'm not really in the loop. I
> do know that she is supposed to leave
> Montreal on the 11th to go to Toronto.

> Maybe someone else on this list has more
> information.

> John Stewart


kevin.robinson@exporail.org