24 August 2005
Airdrie Plays Host to Historic Lady
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Airdrie - Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Empress locomotive 2816 is back in commission.
On 31 Aug 2005, the restored vintage steam engine will pass through Airdrie as part of a Western Canadian tour and
locals can experience a taste of the past as passengers of the renowned locomotive on one of two separate tours through the city.
Standing 4.6 metres tall, with a length of 27.8 metres, the Empress 2816 was capable of reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h. Built in
Montreal in 1930 at a cost of $116,555, the Empress was one of the last operating CPR steam locomotives.
CPR owned and operated 3,257 steam locomotives during its eight-decade steam era from 1881 to 1960. The company built
1,056 of these locomotives in Montreal over that timeframe. The Empress is the last survivor of 51 non-streamlined
locomotives that CPR bought or built at the onset of the Great Depression.
Only 48 of the 3,257-strong steam fleet survive today, the majority on static display. The CPR Empress is one of the
last operating CPR steam locomotives in North America.
The Empress first ran between Winnipeg and Calgary and later served routes throughout Ontario and the West. The 2816 locomotive
completed its final trip 26 May 1960, after 30 years of service. By that time the steam engine had traveled more than
3.36 million kilometres.
In March 1999, the Empress underwent a 30-month major overhaul and was restored to its 1950s appearance, complete with
accessories from the 1930s and 1940s. It was also converted to burn oil instead of coal, making it cleaner and easier to operate. It
has since been booked for passenger rides throughout Western Canada in support of local charities.
On 31 Aug 2005, ARRES (Airdrie Regional Recreation Enhancement Society) will sponsor a passenger daytrip, which will
allow 100 local residents the opportunity to ride the steam engine.
At 6:45 a.m., buses will depart for Red Deer from East Lake Recreation and Wellness Centre and at 9 a.m. the Empress will roll out of
Red Deer enroute to Airdrie. Tickets for the journey are available at the rec centre for $50 each and all proceeds will go to ARRES'
Moving the Community Forward programs.
The vintage locomotive will also be bound for Calgary later that day. Departing from Airdrie at 12:45 p.m., the steam engine will
arrive at its destination in the Stampede city at 1:15 p.m. One-way tickets for this segment are $45, with proceeds going
to Breakfast For Learning, a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for child nutrition programs.
To purchase tickets, contact Erin Jones at 1-800-627-7922, ext. 4258.
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