The pfa in my new cp royal Hudson calls it the royal pilot train. was that the name of the main passenger train when pulled by steam.
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It was just called the Royal train. I've never heard the term pilot used until MTH came out with the engine.
If memory serves me, #2850 and it's consist was painted in the special blue and silver livery, that the Royals rode on.
Engine #2851 was in charge of the "pilot" train, which carried the Press and Officials following the progress of the Royal tour.
The pilot train preceeded the Royal train by an hour.
Safety and security were stringent, in that all rail traffic were held behind spiked switches and no rail movements allowed until after its passing.
The pilot train was painted in standard CPR colors but the 2851 had raised numerals installed on the wide running boards as did the 2850. Both locos maintained these features after the Royal tour service.
Al
Engine #2851 was in charge of the "pilot" train, which carried the Press and Officials following the progress of the Royal tour.
The pilot train preceeded the Royal train by an hour.
Safety and security were stringent, in that all rail traffic were held behind spiked switches and no rail movements allowed until after its passing.
The pilot train was painted in standard CPR colors but the 2851 had raised numerals installed on the wide running boards as did the 2850. Both locos maintained these features after the Royal tour service.
Al
From the London (Ontario) Public Library Site -
CN 6401 leading the Royal Pilot Train in 1939
Description:A black and white photograph of Canadian National Railways Engine 6401 which pulled the pilot train, arriving at Glencoe, Ontario prior to the arrival of the royal train carrying King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth.
Notes:The pilot train for the 1939 royal tour ran about 30 minutes before the train carrying the royal couple to ensure the track ahead was safe and to carry the press and others not with the royal party. Source: CN Lines Magazine volume 12, Number 3 (www.cnlines.com)
A model of this locomotive was offered by Weaver about ten years ago.
The 2851 has the Royal Pilot Train sound file while the blue 2850 has the Royal Train sound file. The Pilot Train ran about 30 minutes ahead of the Royal Train carrying press and other officials.
You folks seem to be confusing/mixing the Canadian Pacific "Royal Hudson" road numbers, also offered by MTH, with the photo & description of that Canadian National locomotive.
Did both the CPR and CN handle the royal family, and did they both use "pilot trains"?
The CPR and CNR handled both trains. CPR 2850 handled the western leg I believe and CNR 6400 handled the eastern leg. It's been awhile since I did my research so I apologize for any incorrect information.
The Royal Hudsons get most of the press there days, but the 1939 CNR/CPR Royal Train excursion in both Canada and the States was a much more elaborate operation than may be generally appreciated. There's a good bit of info readily available on the web. A copyrighted locomotive and equipment roster may be found here -
