notes from song writer Dave Baker on Royal Hudson (continued)
The Royal Hudson, numbered 2860, was built in the 1930’s and saw service for many years as a Canadian Pacific Railway steam locomotive in central B.C. Many of the Hudsons of that era were designated Royal Hudsons in honour of the royal visit by King George and Queen Elizabeth in 1939. The royal train that crossed Canada was pulled by Hudson 2850.
In the late 1960’s, the locomotive was saved from the scrap yard by a party who intended to use 2860 as a museum piece. When that venture failed the locomotive was eventually purchased by the B.C. Government who restored it to operating condition. For nearly 20 years, 2860 pulled a tourist train from North Vancouver to Squamish. Once again an extensive repair to the boiler was required. The locomotive was purchased by the West Coast Rail Association who financed the repairs that were needed to restore 2860 back to operating condition. Today, the locomotive sees occasional tourist train service.
