CP2816 . . . What Happened?

Terry Danks posted:

This loco is close to my heart. I photographed it at Steamtown in Scranton as it mouldered away. I was totally clueless that, as I stood beside it in 1997, likely the paperwork to bring it home for restoration was likely already in progress.

So, CP brought it home, spent two VERY big ones restoring it to "new penny" condition, ran it a few times and . . . . what?

I appreciate it usually comes down to $$$. CP is a working railway concerned with stock shares rather than a Canadian heritage organization. But what happened? Change of management? 

Yes.

What?

E. Hunter Harrison took over, and he is "anti-steam".

Where is 2816 now?

In some sort of shop building in Calgary.

Is it undercover or, once again, mouldering in the elements? Museum-bound?

Under cover, but probably NOT museum bound.

Will it likely ever run again?

Probably not under the current management.

If so, what are they waiting for?

The entire current management of CP to change?

 

I saw 2816 steaming up close and personal 10 years ago or so, but I don't hold out much hope for seeing it again while Harrison is in the engineer's seat at CP.

It is a rather sad state of affairs isn't it? Of the seven major railroads, who really has a steam program anymore? Not sure we can even say UP, as theirs is sketchy at best these days.

Here's a shot from happier times...

Hunter Harrison is a crotchety old guy. With any luck he will retire relatively soon,  and Pershing Square Capital will lose interest in the Canadian Pacific, as their "Don Quixote-esque" pursuit of Norfolk Southern collapses. Then, perhaps, more "civilized" management will return to CP.

Even a more "civilized" new management may not be interested in a steam program.

Rusty

Rusty Traque posted:

Even a more "civilized" new management may not be interested in a steam program.

Rusty

Exactly! Plus, most if not all, of the "2816 steam crew" has departed, especially the manager.

Too bad SNHS didn't lease her to CP instead, with a clause to reclaim their property if it isn't operated or displayed for more than x years at a time...

All railroads care about anymore is hauling freight and making money. Steam is a luxury. At least NS is doing more 611 trips and UP 844 is supposed to run this year.

Robert K posted:

All railroads care about anymore is hauling freight and making money. Steam is a luxury. At least NS is doing more 611 trips and UP 844 is supposed to run this year.

Close.  All care about anymore is making money, without considering ethics.  Sure, one has to put food on the table. Companies and stockholders need to make a MORAL return on their money.  And a railroad does not have to run steam.  Minus those , however; I wonder what Charles Dickens would think of today's situation.

Dominic Mazoch posted:

Robert K posted:

All railroads care about anymore is hauling freight and making money. Steam is a luxury. At least NS is doing more 611 trips and UP 844 is supposed to run this year.

Close.  All care about anymore is making money, without considering ethics.  Sure, one has to put food on the table. Companies and stockholders need to make a MORAL return on their money.  And a railroad does not have to run steam.  Minus those , however; I wonder what Charles Dickens would think of today's situation.

Wow. 

I never realized running a steam locomotive in today's world was of great moral importance. 

Morale importance, maybe...  But moral?

Rusty

One of my Weaver brass models.

 You would think, we are approaching a point, where many of those sitting at board room tables, would ask the question:  " What's Steam???" 

Mike CT posted:

One of my Weaver brass models.

 You would think, we are approaching a point, where many of those sitting at board room tables, would ask the question:  " What's Steam???" 

It is too beautiful, and those fools too old, for that to happen anytime soon.

FYI

 CP is currently advertising to hire someone to head their "Heritage" locomotive program (run #2816)

 Any takers?

Al

albertstrains posted:

FYI

 CP is currently advertising to hire someone to head their "Heritage" locomotive program (run #2816)

 Any takers?

Apparently not, as they have advertising/searching for pretty long time. 

Al

 

albertstrains posted:

FYI

 CP is currently advertising to hire someone to head their "Heritage" locomotive program (run #2816)

 Any takers?

Al

 

Apparently no one wants a job, where they are likely to be Fired before they Start, at least as long as Hunter is a the helm.

Doug

Why would CP advertise that when Hunter wants nothing to do with steam while he is in charge? Do you remember Expo 86 in Vancouver? Several steam locomotives were unable to go there from the US because at the time BN had a strict no steam policy and guess what, Hunter Harrison was working for BN then.

Robert K posted:

Why would CP advertise that when Hunter wants nothing to do with steam while he is in charge?

You're asking us?

Do you remember Expo 86 in Vancouver? Several steam locomotives were unable to go there from the US because at the time BN had a strict no steam policy and guess what, Hunter Harrison was working for BN then.

The 2816 is probably locked away and will continue to be so as long as Hunter Harrison is head of CP. Mainline steam in Canada is dead for now. I don't even think the Royal Hudson in Squamish is running because of insurance problems running over CN what used to be BC Rail.

mark s posted:

Hunter Harrison is a crotchety old guy. With any luck he will retire relatively soon...

A lot of these corporate execs can't even dress themselves in the morning without the help of their spouses.  And in many cases, all these modern-day steam excursions are "pet projects" of a very select few CEO's.  If they buy in, enjoy the ride while you can.  If not, there's no reasoning with them... it's off the table for discussion.  Been around these types in my corporate years... and don't miss it one iota.

David

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

mark s posted:

Hunter Harrison is a crotchety old guy. With any luck he will retire relatively soon...

A lot of these corporate execs can't even dress themselves in the morning without the help of their spouses.  

David

 

I do agree for fat too many in the Boardrooms across America!

Dominic Mazoch posted:

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

mark s posted:

Hunter Harrison is a crotchety old guy. With any luck he will retire relatively soon...

A lot of these corporate execs can't even dress themselves in the morning without the help of their spouses.  

David

 

I do agree for fat too many in the Boardrooms across America!

Sure that they aren't in BOREDrooms?