23 April 2007
Rail Travel Tours packages up the “return of steam” to Winnipeg with a weekend of rail travel featuring a trip behind CPR locomotive Empress #2816
Rail Travel Tours packages up a weekend of scenic rail travel and Qu’Appelle Valley tour featuring a return trip to Winnipeg behind CPR’s restored steam locomotive, The Empress #2816 from Broadview, Saskatchewan to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Scheduled for Friday, 17 August to Sunday, 19 August 2007 for only CAD$465 (per person based on double occupancy) the tour begins with a ride on VIA Rail’s Canadian from Winnipeg through scenic parts of Western Manitoba and into Saskatchewan. Visit Melville, Saskatchewan, with two nights hotel stay, and celebrate the city’s 100th anniversary and tour of the Valley and area attractions. Transfer south to Broadview, Saskatchewan and board the steam train for the return trip on the CPR main line to Winnipeg for a better part of Sunday. For more details or to book while the limited space remains contact Rail Travel Tours at 204-897-9551 as soon as possible.
CPR #2816 in Winnipeg, 1 July 2003.
Source: Rail Travel Tours
The CPR Empress locomotive 2816 re-entered active service in 2001 as a roving ambassador for Canadian Pacific Railway. CPR’s 2816 is a class H1b Hudson-type locomotive built by Montreal Locomotive Works in 1930. CPR Empress is now the only surviving H1b Hudson and is one of only a handful of preserved and operating CPR steam locomotives in North America. Initially the locomotive ran westward out of Winnipeg to Calgary its final revenue run on 26 May 1960. Having logged more than two million miles in active service, 2816’s fires were extinguished. After a complete three-year rebuild, 2816 is restored to the original specifications with external details from the 1930/40s.
Friday afternoon meet and greet at Winnipeg’s Union Station before departing on VIA’s westbound Canadian. Travel through Western Manitoba and a portion of Saskatchewan enjoying the views of the prairies, the Assiniboine Valley along the CN main line. Onboard the Canadian those travelling will enjoy dinner on the train prepared by VIA Rail chefs and the views from the dome car. Saturday tour to the nearby Qu’Appelle Valley and visit to the town of Fort Qu’Appelle and attractions before returning to Melville to enjoy a group supper. Sunday morning will be transferring to Broadview, where the group will board the coach assigned to us pulled by Canadian Pacific Railway steam locomotive #2816 for the return trip to Winnipeg. Those on the tour will be travelling on the CPR main line through southwestern Manitoba to view Brandon and the Carberry area from the rails. The train is scheduled to arrive back in Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon for the end of the tour.
For more information:
Rail Travel Tours
123 Main Street - Box 44
Winnipeg MB R3C 1A3
Telephone: (204) 897-9551
Fax: (204) 897-9572
Email: railtraveltours@mts.net
Web site: www.railtraveltours.com
