Dear Minot:
Our community’s history as a railroad town is well-documented. In fact, the Great Northern Railway laying track here is the reason Minot came into existence in 1886, and we continue to be a proud railroad community to this day.
Railroad history is evident throughout Minot, with a railroad museum and historic buildings like the Depot downtown. And we’re reminded multiple times a day of our railroad history and tradition when the trains rumble through town en route to destinations around the United States.
Long before Minot became a military town, it was indeed a railroad town. That history will be enhanced this spring, when one very special train visits our community.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City has announced its historic Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour, which begins April 24 at CPKC’s global headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, and ends June 4 in Mexico City, Mexico.
But along the way, the historic 2816 steam locomotive will make a series of stops in only 11 railroad communities, including Minot.
Here are some of the details:
- The train is scheduled to be on display in Minot on Tuesday, April 30. It will be parked on north Main Street near the historic depot in the same area where the annual holiday train stops.
- Visitors are encouraged to take photos and video of the historic train, but guests are not allowed to board the actual train.
- The Puffer Belly Express, a quarter-scale steam locomotive model, will welcome guests for rides at some of the planned public stops.
- A traveling exhibit that highlights the history of CPKC will also be on display.
For railroad enthusiasts and history buffs, this event is a dream come true. It’s a chance to see a piece of railroad history up close and personal. On the entire trip, the train is stopping at only 11 places, including Calgary, Alberta, Moose Jaw, Sask., Minot, N.D., St. Paul, Minn., Franklin Park, Ill., Davenport, Iowa, Kansas City, Mo., Shreveport, La., Laredo, Texas, Monterrey, Mexico, and Mexico City, Mexico.
The 2816 is a piece of history. According to CPKC, the 4-6-4 Hudson-type steam locomotive was built in 1930 by Montreal Locomotive Works, and was originally intended for fast freight and passenger service. The locomotive worked primarily in eastern Canada until retiring in May 1960. It avoided being scrapped but was in poor condition until being restored in 2001. It served as a roving steam-powered ambassador for Canadian Pacific throughout Canada and the United States before being placed in storage in 2012.
Now, after more than a decade, the 2816 has been fully restored and inspected, and is ready to steam again. You can find more information about the 2816 and its historic trek at https://www.cpkcr.com/en/community/final-spike-steam-train
It’s truly an honor for our community to be included in the list of destinations on the 2816’s route. It’s also a tribute to Minot’s railroad history, and to the people of our community who continue to embrace our rich railroad history and culture.
I can’t wait for April 30. I hope you’ll join me downtown to get a close up view of this magnificent steam engine on its journey from Canada to Mexico.
You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.