CPR G2 Pacific 2559 south of Owen Sound

Saturday, March 28, 1959 at Holland Centre

Without having to incorporate everything I research or write into a book for print publication, I have more leeway to explore steam railway topics of interest. Especially those in my home province of Ontario, Canada. And especially those which weren’t covered in my many books—Canadian Pacific operations, for instance.

Over the next several posts, we’re going to take a deep dive into the story behind this picture (and others my late father took on Saturday, March 28, 1959) at Holland Centre, south of Owen Sound, on the CPR:

We went over some of the background of this story in an email about a year-and-a-half ago, as the image was shortlisted for my 2024 calendar.

So, stay tuned! I expect to make a final post on Sunday (two days from now) concerning the few books that remain in the inventory.

Then, a day or two later, we’ll delve into the “story behind the story”. We’ll explore all of this and more:

• the class of engine to which number 2559 belonged

• the roundhouse to which she was assigned at the time (and how the remaining steam power there was allocated)

• the particular train assignment on the CPR’s Owen Sound Subdivision at the time (and before, and after)

• the line itself, including other operations of the era

Aside from previews, each of these planned posts will be for paid subscribers. But you may “unlock” a given paid post of your choice on a one-time basis. Alternatively, you can sign up for a free trial subscription of one week’s duration, which will cover two or three of the posts for sure.

Until Sunday, then…