17 January 2007
Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson Number 2839
Sylmar California USA - Canadian-Pacific Royal Hudson
number 2839 was built in 1937 by Montreal Locomotive Works, a division of American Locomotive Works (ALCO). The Hudson type is a
"4-6-4" wheel arrangement, meaning it has 4 leading wheels, 6 driving wheels, and 4 trailing wheels.
Locomotives of the 4-6-4 wheel arrangement were pioneered on the New York Central, and so named after the Hudson River.
This wheel configuration allowed a much larger boiler to be used, resulting in higher steam pressure and higher speed. 2839 is coal
fired and the large tender can hold 21 tons of coal and 14,400 gallons of water.
The "Royal" designation was granted to the entire class of 65 Canadian Pacific Hudson type locomotives after King George VI
and Queen Elizabeth crossed Canada by train from Quebec to Vancouver in 1939 powered by Hudson class locomotives. The Royal train
performed perfectly over the 3,224 mile trip greatly impressing the King. After the trip the entire streamlined Canadian Pacific
Hudson class of locomotives were granted Royal status and allowed to display crowns on their running boards. Royal Hudson's achieved
great success as high-speed passenger locomotives. Top speed was in excess of 90 mph. 2839 was retired from service by
The Canadian Pacific Railway in 1960 after more than 3 million miles and sold to a group of American investors who restored the
beautiful locomotive to operating condition for use on The Southern Railway. The Southern used the Hudson for years for rail fan
excursions. After the Southern stopped the excursions 2839 retired to eastern Pennsylvania where it was scheduled to be returned to
service on a tourist railway. Unfortunately, these plans fell through and 2839 was in danger of being scrapped when the Nethercutt
Collection learned of its fate. The Nethercutt Collection purchased the locomotive in 1999 and moved it to California and immediately
began a total restoration. The restoration was completed in April 2002 in time for a 5 Apr 2002 dedication ceremony.
Now, the 1937 Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson number 2839 resplendent in its Royal Maroon, gold leaf, gloss black, and brushed stainless
steel livery, is a testament to the grand era of steam and streamlining.
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