31 May 2003
2816 Breakfast for Learning Tour 2003 to Toronto
31 May 2003 - Ontario - Bryce Lee
The 2816 is moving with the following consist:
CP 2816 4-6-4 MLW
CP 35508 Auxilary tender from D&H Challenger now watertender
CP 403390 Boxcar 29114 (somebody read the AEI scan hence the 403390 number)
CP 401750 Boxcar double door becomes a stage
CP 96 Power/Steam Generator Car CC&F
CP 102 Coach named Dominion
CP 101 Club Car named Lauentian
CP 83 Business Car named Lacombe
31 May 2003 - Winnipeg - Paul Smith
CPR 2816 experienced a mechanical problem enroute between Brandon and Winnipeg. Her left side main rod bearing was found to be running
hot. A stop was made at Portage la Prarie to allow it to cool and be inspected. The train carried on and arrived 2 hours late in
Winnipeg as it was run at reduced speed due to the bearing problem. The train backed down the La Riviere Subdivision to it's display
location at the Clifton Community Club.
Later that evening, a decision was made to replace the bearing. Fortunately, the 29000 series express box car is oufitted as a small
machine shop including a lathe. The machinist crew member worked through the night to make the bearing and install it on the engine. In
addition, a repair was made to the throttle assembly on top of the boiler.
After completing our shift at the diesel shop at 8:00 a.m., myself and a friend headed over to see the train. There, we talked to the
machinist who told us about the work done as he was completing the job.
He worked all night in the dark and the rain. Ironically, he was located about a mile from a major CP repair facility, the Winnipeg
Diesel Shop. Had the Company decided to move the engine to our shop, he could have worked in a warm, dry, well lit shop. I can't speak
for everyone in the shop, but in spite of our lack of knowledge of steam power, I know that the men I work with would have been ready
and willing to offer any assistance that we could give. But, as my friend said, the guy that made that decision slept all night
somewhere that was warm and dry. Oh well, that's railroading for you!
6 June 2003 - Kleinburg - Bryan Passifiume
On its way to CP Toronto Yard in Scarborough, Ontario, 2816 made a short whistle stop in Kleinburg, Ontario (north of Toronto) along
the CP Mactier subdivision. The train and her crew were welcomed by Pierre Berton, who has written extensively on Canadian History and
the railway that helped build her. Mr. Berton is also a resident of Kleinburg.
10 June 2003 - Hamilton - Steve Host
2816 reached Aberdeen Yard in Hamilton on 10 Jun 2003.
12 June 2003 - Woodstock - Walter Wingham
After driving one and a half hours in the rain to Woodstock, I was determined to see this beauty no matter what the weather was going
to throw at me. As the rain increased at times to monsoon levels, I proceeded to map out my plans for the day; London, Thamesford,
Woodstock, and other spots to get "the photo".
I decided to check for 2816 information on the internet at the library about 11:00 to see what the latest news was. I couldn't believe
my eyes, 2816 was on the ground in Windsor.
I headed to the CP yard to see if I could get more information from the CP train crews. Speculation was it would be
re-railed about 22:00 or maybe they would run in the morning.
After planning for 6 months, everything was in the toilet as far as times were concerned.
Checking with the Breakfast for Learning info person, I was informed that 2816 would be in Woodstock between 19:00 and 20:00. There
were many conflicting reports with no one who seemed to actually know.
As the hours and rain continued, CP 5570 passed westbound through the Woodstock yard at 19:10 and we were able to pickup the
conversation between London yard and the crew. They were saying 2816 was still in Chatham and at least 3 hours away. More rain, more
delays, what next? I had obtained the number of the Windsor dispatcher, don't ask me how, so I called them and asked them to check
their board to see if they could give an exact location of 2816. They confirmed they showed it just passing through Chatham.
Finally after more rain 2816 finally arrived in Woodstock under jet-black skies and light rain at 22:50 Thursday night,
12 June 2003. Picture taking was a challenge but hopefully tomorrow would be better. I spent the night talking to rail
fans that were also spending the night in their car hanging around the rail yards. CP kept us busy with lots of traffic with at least
15 long freights passing in the night.
Needless to say, Friday opened as another steely gray day. 2816 was scheduled to leave at 08:00 but due the late arrival, it was
delayed until 10:10.
The CP staff must have felt we deserved better so produced lots of steam and even stopped on the girder bridge so we could get some
great pictures. A special "engineers tip of the hat" to the whole crew. Also a special thanks to CP, CP police, and all those
involved for allowing us full access to the engine and their property.
14 June 2003 - Toronto - Steve Host
The public purchased tickets for $25 for a special GO Transit sightseeing train pulled by 2816 from Toronto Union Station to Milton and
return with an intermediate stop at the Streetsville GO station. Proceeds from ticket sales support Breakfast for Learning, a
non-profit organization dedicated to supporting child nutrition programs across Canada.
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