CP fires up loco 2816!

@jhz563 posted:

Story link here

CP fires up 4-6-4 for evaluation.   Let the speculations fly!!

No need for speculations. Spokesperson, Andy Cummings, from CP makes it pretty clear in the linked article.

Yup, the CP press room does try to downplay any mainline steam, but plans can always change.
But hey, at least 2816 is running, and we can all hope that - maybe in the not so distant future - mainline steam will be used as a positive PR took again.

@Carl Peduzzi posted:

Yup, the CP press room does try to downplay any mainline steam, but plans can always change.
But hey, at least 2816 is running, and we can all hope that - maybe in the not so distant future - mainline steam will be used as a positive PR took again.

Interesting that they took the time and resources to fire the engine up and check it. My guess is that right now this is not part of a program to have mainline steam, that they likely were looking for quick wins for the replacement of the holiday trains with a virtual event and thought of this engine. That said,the fact they kept the engine and didn't donate it all these years, that it was kept in some kind of running order that they were able to fire it up, says something, especially since this happened under an executive environment that was extreme beancounter in its focus. We can only hope as railfans that they do have a longer term goal, maybe they got inspired by the Big Boy program and decide to do something.