Canadian Pacific 35508 Water Tender (HO scale)

Description

In 1998, the Canadian Pacific Railway made the historic decision to commence what ended up being one of the most extensive steam locomotive restorations ever attempted.  Canadian Pacific 2816, later known as the Empress, which had been retired in 1960 and donated to Steamtown National Historic Site, was repatriated and sent to BC Rail’s North Vancouver steam shops for return to operation.

As part of the project, former Delaware & Hudson 4-6-6-4 #1517’s tender, by then stored as work service car #35508, was also rebuilt to serve as an extra water tender for the thirsty steam locomotive, since water facilities had been closed and dismantled since the end of the steam era.  The car was fitted with MU passthrough cable connections, fire hose fittings for refilling, and it’s brake system brought up to standard.  It was also given a new coat of paint to match the Canadian Pacific passenger paint scheme used on steam locomotive tenders, with a large Tuscan red panel, and gold border and lettering.

This car then followed 2816 on most of her excursions throughout the 2000s and early 2010s.  In 2012, following the termination of the steam program, the car was covered in a tarp and stored outside at CP’s Calgary Ogden headquarters.  In 2023, the car was refurbished and prepared for 2816’s historic 2024 trip from Calgary to Mexico City.

Our HO-scale model kit represents this very unique piece of railway equipment as she appeared during 2816’s excursion career!

Our model will feature:

• Working backup lamp (DCC optional, magnetic wand control for non-DCC supplied models)
• Keep alive capacitor compatible with both standard magnetic wand and ESU LokPilot 5 FX decoders
• Etched metal detail parts
• 3D printed body, underbody, and exterior details
• Designed for Kadee #5 and #58/#158 couplers with #242 gearboxes at correct height – included with Full and 2816 Edition kits
• Detailed instructions for assembly, including all optional or third party details
• Correct 10′ wheelbase GSC Commonwealth tender trucks with pickups

As of September 30, 2024, pre-release reservations have been closed.  But don’t worry, this kit will be available for general purchase soon!