Canadian Pacific Railway 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive number 2816 stopped at Banff, Alberta - Date/Photographer unknown.

24 May 2011

Canadian Pacific's 2816 Empress Steam Train Launches Summer Tour Benefiting the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Calgary Alberta - Canadian Pacific's 2816 Empress steam train will take to the rails this summer making stops in more than 40 communities. Canadians are invited to experience rail history and ride one of the very few remaining preserved steam locomotives in operation today. Tickets can now be purchased through CP's designated steam program charitable partner, the Children's Wish Foundation.
 
This is the second year that CP's 2816 Empress steam program has partnered with Children's Wish Foundation to sell tickets for this unique rail experience. Last year, $50,000 was raised through ticket sales, allowing five special children with life threatening illnesses to receive their ultimate wish.
 
Built by Montreal Locomotive Works in December 1930, the CP 2816 Empress is a class H1b Hudson-type steam locomotive. It is now the only surviving H1b Hudson and is one of only a handful of preserved and operating Canadian Pacific steam locomotives in North America. Restoration of CP 2816 Empress began in 1998 and was completed in 2002. The vintage steam locomotive and support cars are roving ambassadors for Canadian Pacific's 16,000 employees in 1,100 communities across North America.