The locomotive The empress (The Empress 2816), of the Canadian company Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)is on tour in three North American countries: Canada, United States and Mexicoas part of the celebration of Spike Steam Final Tour (Tour of the last nail of the steam train), and whose tour will end in Mexico, where locomotive enthusiasts and the general public will be able to access it to contemplate it in all its splendor.
There Empress 2816it's a steam locomotive Hudson type 4-6-4 built in 1930 by Montreal Locomotive Workshara. It was initially intended to freight and passenger servicefor which he served in Canada for almost 30 years before retiring on May 26, 1960.
Since then, it has served as “ambassador“roving steamer” Canadian Pacific, throughout Canada and the United States, before being stored in 2012. Now the engine has been carefully prepared to travel again; The journey began on April 24, at Calgary, Albertaand will end in Mexico City, which will be the first time the three countries will be interconnected by rail.
“This particular journey across the continent of steam locomotive 2816 serves to remember our past and celebrate our future. We are excited to share this extraordinary experience with our network communities as we mark one year of our CPKC journey. The anniversary steam tour Final tip “It will be the first steam passenger train in North America that will cross Canada, the United States and Mexico in a single trip. » noted the company.
According to its portal, unlike diesel locomotives, no two steam engines are the sames ; Each hand-built locomotive bears the marks of its builders: tons of steel and plumbing that begin as a product in the shop, “and grow into a story on the rails; a synthesis of science and art.
At its final stop, people will be able to see 2816 up close, learn about the locomotive and the history of the CPKC. Plus, they can enjoy the Puffer Belly Express mini train, a 1/4 scale model steam locomotive, for free.
People will then be able to appreciate the imposing CDMX locomotive June 7 in the Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca Street and Río San Joaquín Avenueat the town hall of Miguel Hidalgo, among the 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Entrance will be free and you can ride the carriages and take photos. However, you are not allowed to travel there.
In total you will carry out 11 stops between Calgary and CDMX:
- Calgary, Alberta. | April 24
- Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. | April 28
- Minot, ND | April 30
- St. Paul, Minnesota. | May 3
- Franklin Park, IL. | May 8
- Davenport, IA | May 10
- Kansas City, MO | May 18
- Shreveport, Louisiana| May 24
- Laredo, TX | May 28
- Monterrey, Mexico | May 31st
- Mexico City, Mexico | June 4
Unfortunately, a journey that should have been a joyous one was overshadowed on Tuesday when, while traveling through the Mexican state of Hidalgo, a woman died after attempting Take one selfie too close to the slopes.
The young woman was next to a group of people waiting for the passage of The empress 2816 in Nopala de Villagrán, Hidalgo. Her intention was to take a photo with the locomotive behind her, but her head was hit by the piston and she fell dead instantly from the severe bruising caused by the locomotive.
After this incident, the company recommended on its social networks to maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from the passage of the train, because it is wider than it appears at the speed it is going, and any part of it could hit another person.
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