West Coast Railway Heritage Park

While Royal Hudson #2860 enjoyed its new public life as a primary attraction at the Heritage Park, efforts began to assess the work required to return her to steam.  After careful review by many steam experts, it has been determined that the current boiler can, in fact, be repaired and the estimated costs for this work plus the re-bricking of the firebox is $500,000. This has been set as the target for the first phase restoration, and should allow the 2860 to return to steam operation for a period of at least ten years.

Plans are to then generate further funding while the engine operates again under steam, for a future major overhaul project estimated to cost up to $2 million. This would be done in the 2012 time frame, and would then render the engine operable for at least another 50 years.

Royal Hudson #2860 is now secure and faces an exciting future. As part of Canada's second largest collection of heritage railway rolling stock, she has a place of prominence at the head of the WCRA's collection. With a full service restoration shop on site, her future looks bright. And, WCRA's self supporting business model assures her preservation for future generations.

Plans are to use the Royal Hudson #2860 on specialty rail tours (something the WCRA has 40 years of experience with) starting in 2005 and also for the classic engine to play a major role in the planned 2010 Winter Olympics as both a promotional vehicle as well as a unique transportation service during the Games themselves.

It is important that the era of steam railroading in Canada be preserved, and an operating steam locomotive is the only was to truly appreciate this era of technology and what it meant to the development of our country... and Royal Hudson #2860 is the lead part of that story.

The steam locomotive remains the most fascinating machine ever developed by man, and draws crowds wherever it goes.

Royal Hudson #2860 will remain a prime example of this technology for millions to enjoy.

Read the complete story about the Royal Hudson on the West Coast Railway website.