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A restored steam locomotive that’s on a tour from Calgary to Mexico City will be stopping in Moose Jaw this weekend.
The steam tour will take the locomotive through Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, and then back again. The tour is thanks to the Canadian Pacific Railway celebrating its merger with Kansas City Southern.
CPKC was created in April of 2023 when CP Rail and Kansas City Southern merged to create the only rail network in North America that connects Canada, the United States and Mexico. The tour will make multiple stops throughout its journey.
The locomotive is to make stops in Calgary, Moose Jaw, Minot, N.D., Saint Paul, Minn., Franklin Park, Ill., Davenport, Iowa, Kansas City, Mo., Shreveport, La., and finally Laredo, Texas, with the ultimate end goal of Mexico City.
While the train is at those stops, people in the communities will have the opportunity to tour the train and learn a little bit about its history.
People in Moose Jaw will have the chance to check out a restored steam locomotive this weekend. Credit: CPKC
Terry Cunha of CPKC told The Evan Bray Show that the train being used for the tour is about as unique as it gets.
“The Empress, which was built in 1930, is a very unique locomotive. As it’s a steam locomotive, it’s much different than what you’d see today, as all the locomotives are diesel-operated,” said Cunha.
He said that when it comes to the tour, there’s a lot to do.
“In each of our stops, the locomotive will be spotted to allow individuals to come in, take pictures, see it and ask some questions from our engineers on site who were part of the two years of work that was done to bring the Empress back to its original position and allow it to operate and travel across these six weeks,” Cunha said.
“We’ll have our mini puffer-belly train allowing children to participate and get some free rides. We’ll also have a museum attached where individuals who are interested in the history of both CP Rail and Kansas City Southern will be able to enter the trailer and read about the history of the two entities and what our future looks like together as one.
“And then a lot of community members are coming out to participate. There will be face-painting and colouring, and it’ll be a great celebration.”
The locomotive is to arrive in Moose Jaw on Sunday and is to be open to the public from noon until 4 p.m.
