Steam & Excursion > CPR #1201 on Royal Duty

1977 saw Queen Elizabeth II celebrate her Silver Jubilee. A Royal visit to Ottawa (Ontario) was therefore in the cards.

On Sunday, October 16th, a special train took the Queen and Prince Philip on a quick trip from Ottawa West to Wakefield, QC.

On Friday October 14th I was on-board a special that was run from Montreal to Toronto via Ottawa behind CNR #6060.

On the Friday #1201 was being prepared for her Royal duties. The day was raining and dull when our special pulled into the Museum of Science and Technology, 1201's home. Unfortunately 6060 and 1201 never got close enough for passengers to get a photo of both engines.

included in the Royal train were vice-regal cars #3 & 4. these used to be numbered #'s 1 & 2 but when the new vice-regal cars were delivered they acquired the higher numbers. Earlier that summer I spotted these 2 cars en-route to Montreal in the consist of a CNR freight. The raison d'etre did not dawn on me until we were in Ottawa that morning. These cars were actually in the Royal Train of 1939 which was famous for a few reasons. It was the first time that the reigning Monarch(s) had ever visited Canada.(King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother.) This was also the beginning of the legend of the CPR's Royal Hudson #2850.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/18 13:52 by 4489.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/18 13:52 by 4489.

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