Laredo Texas USA - With SD70ACU number 7013 and two FP9 diesels at the head end, Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 2816 pulled into Laredo on 11 Jun 2024 after recrossing the Rio Grande at the International Railway Bridge, reentering the United States.
 
Roughly 2 weeks prior on 30 May 2024 the Empress led the three diesels and office car special in the opposite direction as it began traversing Mexico as part of CPKC's Final Spike steam tour.
 
The 12 day round trip between Laredo and Mexico City, the final display stop on 7 Jun 2024 of the outbound transnational journey, has recently been the center of discussion due to its significant highs and tragic lows.
 
Whether or not the latter played into the decision for the diesel helpers to lead 2816 in the first leg of its return trip has yet to be confirmed by CPKC.
 
It has been recently reported that the train departed Laredo on the morning of 13 Jun 2024 with the steam locomotive on the head end again.
 
According to the tour's website, the return schedule (revised in late May) called for a 15 Jun 2024 departure from Laredo with a public display stop on 6 Jul 2024 in Winnipeg.
 
2816 would then return to its home of Calgary on 10 Jul 2024 completing the Final Spike steam tour.
 
CPKC has yet to confirm whether the display stop and remaining schedule will see another revision.
 
Author unknown.