19 March 2007
Return of the Royal Hudson
White Rock British Columbia - The Royal Hudson number 2860
is an ex-Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Hudson type steam locomotive. The first Hudson type built for the CPR was produced
in 1929 by the Montreal Locomotive Works in Montreal, Quebec. All of the best features of North American locomotive design were
incorporated into the Hudson and a real effort was made to give them clean cut lines. In all, 65 of these beautiful locomotives were
produced for the CPR.
Number 2860 was the first of the last five Hudson locomotives to be produced for the CPR in 1940. The Hudson achieved great success as
a high speed passenger locomotive, quickly making previous types obsolete. Her top speed was in excess of 90 mph (144 km/h). The CPR
used the Hudson for freight duties as well, making it a truly versatile locomotive. Number 2860 operated on the CPR mainline between
Revelstoke and Vancouver until the 1960's when steam engines were retired and the Royal Hudson was relegated to the scrap line.
In the 1960's, a museum group from Vancouver (with the help of the City) rescued the 2860 from the Winnipeg scrap line, brought it back
to Vancouver, cosmetically restored it and displayed it on several occasions. But political winds changed and once again the 2860 found
itself languishing in the CPR Vancouver roundhouse.
It wasn't until the early 1970's that Premier Dave Barrett had an idea for a new tourist attraction that would be a revival of the
steam train era with the Royal Hudson running on the provincially-owned BC Railway. The Royal Hudson was once again
restored and in June of 1974 steamed back into service five days a week, round trip between North Vancouver and Squamish. The excursion
was immediately successful and operated for 25 years becoming a tourism icon for BC, known around the world, and one of Vancouver's top
ten attractions.
During those successful years, the Royal Hudson visited the City of White Rock twice to commemorate anniversary celebrations - the
first in 1982 for the City's 25th Anniversary and again in 1997 for it's 40th celebrations.
But in 1999, when the Hudson was put away for the winter tourism off-season, the inspections were not successful and it
was deemed unfit for service until a rebuild could be completed in 2001 or 2002. Another change in the provincial government lead to
the end of the steam program at BC Rail and by 2002, the Royal Hudson was back in storage in North Vancouver.
A private proposal was put together by the West Coast Railway Association (WCRA), the District of Squamish, and the Vancouver tourism
community to acquire and preserve the Royal Hudson for restoration and return to operation. In May 2002, the Royal Hudson was towed to
the WRCA Heritage Park in Squamish, cleaned up, painted, and immediately put on display for the public. Over the next few years,
donations and sponsorships were sought to help pay for the millions of dollars needed in repairs and the restoration work began.
Finally, in September of 2006, the Royal Hudson made its triumphant return to steam and will operate in 2007 attending special events
and hauling public excursions.
Sunday, 15 Apr 2007 - the City of White Rock's 50th Anniversary - will be the first public excursion for Royal Hudson
2860 since 1999. Don't miss out on this historic event!
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