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Equipment Roster of the 1939 Canadian Royal Train
 
 
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This list is a work-in-progress -- and probably always will be. Any additions or corrections, please email.
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ROYAL TRAIN LOCOMOTIVES
NOTES
Locomotives are in the order they pulled the train.

Canadian National #6028, a U-1-b 4-8-2 mountain type. This locomotive pulled a test run consisting of six of the Royal Train cars on May 1, 1939 along the St. Lawrence River from Montreal to Brockville, Ont. This locomotive was specially painted in a royal blue -- with the royal coat of arms -- for service on the Royal Train. It didn't get to pull the train with the Royals aboard until the train was Eastbound in the last few days of the Royal Tour (see below).

718 Southern Railway #718 This 4-4-0 locomotive was not Canadian by any means, but it was the first locomotive to pull Their Majesties on their trip to Canada -- in this case from London to the port at Portsmouth.

Canadian Pacific #2850, a Class H-1-d 4-6-4 Hudson type, specially painted in royal blue and silver with gold trim just for the Royal Tour of 1939. The locomotive pulled the Royal Train over its entire Westbound journey. It bore the royal arms over its headlight and Imperial Crowns decorated each running board. Preserved at Exporail in Delson, Quebec.

5117
CN Steam Canadian National #5117, a J-4-d 4-6-2 pacific type. Pulled the Royal Train from Westminster BC to Kamloops Jct. Painted in a royal blue -- with the royal coat of arms -- for service on the Royal Train.
Canadian National #6057, a U-1-e 4-8-2 mountain type. This locomotive pulled the eastbound Royal train from Kamloops to Jasper. W.H.Skippen was one of its engineers. Painted in a royal blue -- with the royal coat of arms -- for service on the Royal Train.
Canadian National #6047, another U-1-e 4-8-2 mountain type. This locomotive pulled the eastbound Royal train from Jasper to Nakina, Ont. Painted in a royal blue -- with the royal coat of arms -- for service on the Royal Train.

Canadian National #6400, a 4-8-4 streamlined Confederation (Northern) type, specially painted in royal blue with gold trim just for the occasion. Bore the royal coat of arms in service. Preserved at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa.

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NYC Steam New York Central #?, a J3 4-6-4 Super Hudson type. The locomotive took over from CN 6400 on the American side of the International Bridge at Niagara Falls, NY and hauled the train to Buffalo, NY.
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PRR Steam Pennsylvania Railroad #? & ?, both K-4 4-6-2 pacific types. Double-headed the Royal Train from Buffalo, NY to Baltimore, MD.
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PRR Electric Pennsylvania Railroad, a GG-1 electric type. Took the Royal Train from Baltimore, MD to Washington, DC.
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PRR Electric Pennsylvania Railroad #?, a GG-1 electric type. Took the Royal Train from Washington, DC to Jamesburg, NJ.
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PRR Steam

Pennsylvania Railroad #?, both K-4 4-6-2 pacific types. First, the locomotives double-headed the Royal Train from Jamesburg, NJ to Redbank, NJ -- where the Royals disembarked to later rejoin the train in NY. The double-headed steamers then pulled the Royal Train, sans Royals, to Union, NJ.

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PRR Electric Pennsylvania Railroad #?, a GG-1 electric type. Took the Royal Train, without the Royals aboard, from Union, NJ to New York's Penn Station.
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NH Electric New Haven Railroad #?, a GG-1 electric type. Took the Royal Train, without the Royals aboard, from New York's Penn Station to Mott Haven Yard, NY.
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NYC Steam New York Central #?, a J3 4-6-4 Super Hudson type. The locomotive took the Royal Train, without the Royals aboard, from Mott Haven Yard, NY to Poughkeepsie New York Yard and on to Hyde Park, NY to await the return of the Royals. The locomotive then pulled the train to Troy, NY.
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D&H Steam Delaware & Hudson Railroad #? & ?, both 4-6-2 pacific types. Double-headed the Royal Train from Troy, NY to Delson, Quebec.

Canadian Pacific #2850, took over duties once again and pulled the Royal Train from Delson to Sherbrooke, Quebec.

2625
2658
CP Steam Canadian Pacific #2625 & 2658, both G2 4-6-2 light pacific types. Double-headed the Royal Train from Sherbrooke to Joffre, Quebec.

Canadian National #6028, a U-1-b 4-8-2 mountain type. This locomotive had pulled a test run of the Royal Train back on May 1. Finally it got to pull the Royal Train with the Royal on board -- from Joffre, Quebec to Newcastle, New Brunswick, where the Royals disembarked and motored to Fredericton.

2657
CN Steam Canadian National #2657, a 4-6-2 pacific type. The track from Fredericton to St. John, NS was not heavy enough to support the Royal Train, so this small locomotive pulled a lighter train of four day coaches and a lounge car over this route with the King and Queen on board. The locomotive and cars were not specially painted for their royal service.

Canadian National #6028, a U-1-b 4-8-2 mountain type. This locomotive next pulled the Royal Train (without the Royals) from New Brunswick to Saint John. Then, with the Royals back on board, the train continued to Tormentine where they disembarked for a boat trip to Prince Edward Island. The train, with 6028 in the lead, met the Royals again in New Glasgow and the locomotive triumphantly took them to their final Canadian destination, Halifax, NS.

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ROYAL TRAIN CARS
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The cars of the Royal Train were decorated in royal blue with a car-length band of aluminum running across the window area. The aluminum panels were applied in diamond-shaped designs to flash more brilliantly in the sun. Above and below the windows were thin gold bands running the length of each car. The last two cars, where the King and Queen stayed, carried the royal coat of arms in the center under the windows. Each car featured a radio and telephone. The six Canadian National cars were prepared at their Point St. Charles shops. The six Canadian Pacific cars were prepared at their Angus shops. All but the last two cars of the train carried the royal cypher and crown centered below their window lines and a royal crown at each end of the blue stripe above the window line.
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Baggage CP End Door Baggage Car 4473. Contained a small Bellis & Morcom generator to supply the train with electricity, powered by steam from the locomotive. Also contained a set of six floodlights to illuminate the train and its surroundings at night.
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Baggage - Sleeper CP Baggage Sleeper 4484. Contained refrigerated food storage and a telephone PBX switchboard to connect the train with telephone service at various stops. Also contained a steam pressing table, ironing board and storage for uniforms and linens. The car also provided sleeping quarters for some of the train's staff.
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Diner CN Dining Car 1330 -- the latest type put into service -- with seating for 40.
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Sleeper CP Sleeping Car 'Viceroy' -- provided sleeping quarters for several Canadian Mounties, plus a barber shop.
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Chambrette CP Chambrette Car 'Grand Pre' -- held the Train Office and provided sleeping accommodations for several officials. The car now resides at the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel in Cranbrook, B.C and may eventually be restored to its Royal Train livery.
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Business CN Business Car 99. Used by the Lord-in-Waiting and the Lord Chamberlain.
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Compartment CN Compartment Car 'Atlantic' 1196 used by other members of the royal party.
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Private CP Private Car 'Wentworth' used by the Prime Minister and his staff. Currently in service as the "Royal Wentworth" with the Royal Canadian Pacific Tour Train out of Calgary.
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Compartment CN Compartment Car 'Pacific' 1197 used by other members of the royal party.
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Chambrette CP Chambrette Car 'Grand Manan'. Provided accommodations for the personal servants of Their Majesties.
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Government CN Governor General's Car #2. This car featured a large sitting room, and, ahead of that, a dining room with seating for 12. The car carried the royal coat of arms centered below the windows. Preserved at Exporail in Delson, Quebec.
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Government CN Governor General's Car #1 - Open end observation car. Contained two bedroom suites for the King and Queen, a sitting room overlooking the rear platform, and two bedrooms for members of the royal staff. The car carried the royal coat of arms centered below the windows. The royal couple only left the train overnight in four places during the tour -- Ottawa, the Rocky Mountain resorts of Banff and Jasper, and Victoria, BC. Preserved at Exporail in Delson, Quebec.
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PILOT TRAIN LOCOMOTIVES
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The Pilot Train accommodated security personnel, correspondents, photographers and radio commentators. It preceded the royal train by 20-30 minutes.
2851
CP Steam

Canadian Pacific #2851, a Class H-1-d 4-6-4 Hudson type. Matched 2850's performance in hauling its train 3,224 miles across Canada without replacement or breakdown. No special paint for the royal tour.

Canadian National #5118, a J-4-d 4-6-2 pacific type. Pulled the Pilot Train from Westminster BC to Kamloops Jct. No special paint for the royal tour.
Canadian National #6058, a U-1-e 4-8-2 mountain type. This locomotive pulled the eastbound Pilot Train from Kamloops to Jasper. No special paint for the royal tour.
6048
CN Steam Canadian National #6048, another U-1-e 4-8-2 mountain type. This locomotive pulled the eastbound Pilot Train from Jasper to Nakina, Ont. No special paint for the royal tour.
6401
CN Steam

Canadian National #6401, a 4-8-4 streamlined Confederation (Northern) type. No special paint for the royal tour.

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PRR Steam Pennsylvania Railroad #? & ?, both K-4 4-6-2 pacific types. Double-headed the Pilot Train from Buffalo, NY to Baltimore, MD.
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PRR Electric Pennsylvania Railroad #?, a GG-1 electric type. Took the Pilot Train from Baltimore, MD to Washington, DC.
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PRR Electric Pennsylvania Railroad #?, a GG-1 electric type. Took the Pilot Train from Washington, DC to Jamesburg, NJ.
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PRR Steam

Pennsylvania Railroad #?, both K-4 4-6-2 pacific types. First, the locomotives double-headed the Pilot Train from Jamesburg, NJ to Redbank, NJ. Then double-headed the train to Union, NJ.

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PRR Electric Pennsylvania Railroad #?, a GG-1 electric type. Took the Pilot Train from Union, NJ to New York's Penn Station.
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NH Electric New Haven Railroad #?, a GG-1 electric type. Took the Pilot Train from New York's Penn Station to Mott Haven Yard, NY.
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NYC Steam New York Central #?, a J3 4-6-4 Super Hudson type. The locomotive took the Pilot Train from Mott Haven Yard, NY to Poughkeepsie New York Yard and on to Hyde Park, NY to await the return of the Royals to the Royal Train. The locomotive then pulled the Pilot Train to Troy, NY.
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D&H Steam Delaware & Hudson Railroad #? & ?, both 4-6-2 pacific types. Double-headed the Pilot Train from Troy, NY to Delson, Quebec.
2851
CP Steam

Canadian Pacific #2851, took over duties once again and pulled the Pilot Train from Delson to Sherbrooke, Quebec.

2609
2629
CP Steam Canadian Pacific #2609 & 2629, both G2 4-6-2 light pacific types. Double-headed the Royal Train from Sherbrooke to Joffre, Quebec. No special paint for the royal tour.

Canadian National #6030, a U-1-b 4-8-2 mountain type. Pulled the Pilot Train from Joffre, Quebec to Newcastle, New Brunswick, where the Royals disembarked the Royal Train and motored to Fredericton. The locomotive then pulled the Pilot Train to Saint John. No special paint for the royal tour.

Canadian National #6036, a U-1-b 4-8-2 mountain type. This locomotive pulled the Pilot Train from Saint John to the end of the tour in Halifax, NS. No special paint for the royal tour.

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PILOT TRAIN CARS
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The cars of the pilot train provided accommodations for correspondents, photographers, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and excess baggage that would not fit on the royal train. No special paint for the royal tour.
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Baggage CN Baggage Car 8726
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Baggage CN Baggage Car 8719
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Baggage CN Baggage Car 8728 Contained a power generator for the train, a photographic darkroom, and a post office.
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Baggage - Sleeper CP Baggage Dorm 4489 Preserved at the Shogomoc Railway Museum in Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick.
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Diner CP Diner 'Ardencaple', an 'A' Series 36-seat dining car built in 1931. Sold in February 1962.
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Sleeper CN Sleeping Car 'Bowmanville'
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Sleeper CN Sleeping Car 'Edmonton'
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Sleeper CN Sleeping Car 'Kamsack'
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Sleeper CN Sleeping Car 'The Pas'
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Sleeper CP Sleeping Car 'Slocan City', S Class
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Sleeper CP Sleeping Car 'Silverton', S Class
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Sleeper - Lounge CP Lounge-Sleeper 'River Clyde'
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Sleeper Pullman Sleeping Car, added for the US portion of the tour.
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Sleeper Pullman Sleeping Car, added for the US portion of the tour.
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Diner PRR Dining Car, added for the US portion of the tour.
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GUARD TRAIN LOCOMOTIVES
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The Guard Train is shrouded in mystery. If you know anything about the Guard Train or when and why it was used on any portion of the route, please contact researcher Larry Shaak, author of Royalty Rides the Rails and us here at ThemeTrains.com.
6052
CN Steam Canadian National #6052, a U-1-e 4-8-2 mountain type. This locomotive pulled the Guard Train ahead of both the Pilot Train and the Royal Train at least from Watrous to Melville on the Eastbound leg. No special paint for the royal tour.
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Acknowledgments
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Research resources include: Larry Shaak, Mary Jayne & John Z. Rowe, Adolf & Okan Hungry Wolf, everyone at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, Jerry Laboda's Passenger Car Photo Index, George Elwood's Fallen Flags, Don Stack's comprehensive UtahRails.net website. Many thanks to all who have contributed to keeping track of the histories of the railroad equipment of the 1939 Royal Tour of Canada!
 
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