$8,000 Worth of Luxury

The train pictured on the front of this post card pictures one of the heights of luxury available in Canada. The Royal Canadian Pacific consists of 10 Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) 1920’s era business cars coupled to two 1950’s locomotives all of which have been restored to their original splendor. Period furniture, silver settings, brass accents, walnut paneling and open vestibules are the pinnacle of a bygone tradition of elegance. Subtly add modern amenities the discerning traveler would expect, complimented by gourmet cuisine, fine wines along with unsurpassed hospitality and you are presented with the Royal Canadian Pacific.

The Royal Canadian Pacific luxury train brings to life the nostalgia associated with the romance of rail travel. Life on board the Royal Canadian Pacific is relaxed, pampered…in short, fit for royalty. Stepping on board is akin to stepping back in time to an era of elegance, grace and classic luxury; a place where the view outside your window is unspoiled and timeless - oblivious to the rush of today’s world. Canadian Pacific’s passenger cars were custom built in Montreal at the CPR Angus Shops. This facility, initiated in 1902 by William Van Horne, then President of Canadian Pacific Railway, allowed CP to build their own rolling stock. The locomotive in the front (#1400) was built by General Motors Diesel, Ltd.[it is the Canadian arm of General Motors' Electro-Motive Division (GMD), which was established during the late 1940s] as FP7A #4099 (1953). It was sold to VIA (1978), became VIA #1400, and then renumbered by VIA to VIA #6550 (1981). Sold to Nebkota Railway (1994) and became #55. Acquired by CP (1998), repainted into the Maroon/Grey paint scheme and numbered CP #1400, used in "Royal Canadian Pacific” train service. It was retired on December 14, 2011 and replaced by FP9u units #4106-4107. After it was cosmetically restored (2018). It was put on display with CP #29 steam locomotive at Ogden Park, Ogden, and Calgary AB. The passenger cars that make up the Royal Canadian Pacific are beautifully re-finished and fully restored to their original splendour. The Mount Stephen car, named after CPR’s first president, was originally built as the CPR Director’s day car. This car was also used to host a number of Royalty and dignitaries for Canadian tours. The locomotives that took the place of 1400 and 1401 were also built by GMD as CN FP9A #6515 (1/1957). They were also sold to VIA (1978), became VIA #6515. After being remanufactured at Pointe St. Charles, Montreal QC (7/1984) they were renumbered to VIA #6307. Eventually they were sold to Ohio Central (4/2002). It was then acquired by CP for its Royal Canadian Pacific train service (2006). It was repainted in the Maroon/Grey "Script" paint scheme at NRE, Capreol, ON. (4/2007). Then it was used in Royal Canadian Pacific train excursions as well as special occasions. Today, as the tail-end lounge or “observation” car, the Mount Stephen is the hub of activity for Royal Canadian Pacific. The Craigellachie dining car, a refurbished 1931 sleeper, was named for the location of the driving of the last spike of the transcontinental railway. This beautifully finished car seats a maximum of thirty-two guests for meal service, and can be configured as a meeting room for corporate clients. The Strathcona, Van Horne and Royal Wentworth were all business cars built by Canadian Pacific expressly for its senior executives in 1926 and 1927. These cars feature a lounge area, a dining area, staterooms and open vestibules. The Banffshire (1926) and the N.R. Crump (1930) sleepers provide Royal Canadian Pacific guests with luxury accommodation in private staterooms. Royal Canadian Pacific has partnered with some of Canada's most elite tourism experiences at various destinations throughout our excursions. These off-train activities include golf at some of the world's most renowned championship courses, fly-fishing on Canada's pristine rivers and lakes, and interpretive tours that share Canada’s unique heritage. The average per person price of a Royal Canadian Pacific six day/five night luxury rail cruise is CAD $8,000 plus 5% GST. You can read more about this luxury train on their website: http://www.royalcanadianpacific.com/ The post card was published by Steamscenes. I don't know any more about them this week than I did last week.