The first oil-burning steam locomotive in a series of conversions which will make all mainline Canadian Pacific passenger power between Winnipeg
and Calgary oil burning left Winnipeg recently pulling the transcontinental Dominion westbound. A 2800 class Royal Hudson it was converted from coal to
oil burning at Weston shops here, and is the first of 16 to be so treated. It is burning Alberta oil.
E.G. Bowie, superintendent of motive power and car department, who supervised the switchover, said the entire order would be finished by February of 1950. He rode the train through to Calgary to check the first run in regular service.
W. Manson, vice-president of the prairie region, who authorized the change, said it would greatly assist the growing Alberta oil industry by providing a stable market for the residual fuel oil from prairie refineries thereby permitting further expansion in the production of gasoline and light distillates for prairie distribution.
Oil storage is already provided at Winnipeg, Moose Jaw, and Calgary, the refueling points, he said, and Alberta oil already is in use on the mainline from Calgary to Vancouver and on the Calgary-Edmonton line.
For the passenger a cleaner ride, free from cinders and reduction of coaling stops, are among advantages resulting from the conversion, which follows by six months the start on a similar program for 100 steam locomotives used in southern British Columbia and between Calgary and Edmonton.
The engine in the present conversion is a famous one in the C.P.R. motive power lineup. Ever since No. 2850 of that class, done up in royal blue and silver, hauled the Royal Train from Quebec City to Vancouver in 1939 all succeeding 2800's have carried a crown on the running board front by royal permission.
and is reprinted here with their permission.
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