WMRC members old and new reunite at the CPKC Final Spike steam tour event

Seen at the CPKC Final Spike steam tour stop in Winnipeg from right to left are WMRC President John Bate, his wife Karen Bate, Karen's sister, Larry Leavens, and Luca Maytas.

What a party CPKC threw in Winnipeg on July 6! And nothing brings model railroaders and rail fans together like a classic steam engine like the 2816 Hudson, which was displayed in Manitoba for the first time in 17 years. 

It was a model railroaders and rail fans homecoming day, as members old and new flocked to the CPKC rail yards to view this magnificent engine and its consist, which included and SD70 in heritage fleet colors, an F7 AA lash-up and a fleet of classic passenger cars painted in CP maroon and black livery.

It was truly the railroad lovers event of the year, or any other year, as thousands of people stopped by to view the train for the four hours it was on display.

 

 

Cliff Davidson, John Morris and Brian Schuff chat with a CPKC rail worker who was part of the staff of the final spike steam tour.

 

 

Tommy and James South, former youth members of the WMRC, are all grown up! Tommy is living the dream working as a conductor with CN Rail.

 

 

Long time members Gary Stempnick and Norm Leathers also attended the event. Norm is recovering from a hip injury, but nothing was going to stop him from seeing The Empress!

 

 

Canadian Pacific reveals their heritage fleet paint scheme

How cool is this? CP Rail has revealed a set of SD70ACU locomotives done in their iconic and beloved maroon and grey paint scheme.Up until now, CP and CN have been the very last class 1 railroads who had not painted heritage colors on any of their modern locomotives. In the early 2000s, it painted a GP38-2 and FP9s used for its business train and other excursions.

CP will be painting a total of 10 units, five with block lettering and five with script lettering. The other eight locomotives will be painted in heritage colors by the end of the year. The locomotives are expected to be in service primarily in Western Canada. Rail fans all across the country can't wait to see these modern locomotives with that classic paint scheme in action!