Features:

Empress Returns • by Justin Franz — Ahead of a highly anticipated trip to Mexico, go behind the scenes of the restoration of Canadian Pacific H1b 2816 and climb aboard the final test run in October 2023 on the CPKC main line.

Jim Shaughnessy’s Canadian Steam Finale • by Justin Franz and Scott Lothes — In the 1950s, photographers from across North America ventured to Eastern Canada to capture the final days of steam power on Canadian Pacific and Canadian National.

Southern’s Royal Hudson • by Ron Flanary — Long before Canadian Pacific 2816 ventured south, sister locomotive 2839 spent two years working for Southern Railway, powering excursions through unfamiliar territory.

Canadians at Strasburg  • by Steve Barry —In Pennsylvania’s Amish Country, two Canadian National steam locomotives earn their keep leading excursion trains on one of North America’s oldest heritage railways.

Departments:

Departures — commentary: Alexander Benjamin Craghead

Railnews — top news stories and photos from our readers

Transit Currents — transit news: Bob Gallegos

Railroadiana — new product, book, and video reviews

Timetable — railroad event listings submitted by our readers

LocoNotes — diesel spotters: Kenneth M. Ardinger

Through My Lens — trackside memories: Kevin EuDaly Ode to the SD18

Destinations — Detours and distractions: Jason Paul Sailer Where to Find Canadian Steam

Preservation Topics — Railway preservation: Justin Franz Where Have All the G5s Gone?

The Observation Car — Culture, art, film, and food: David C. Lester

Painting Canadian Steam: David A. Oram

Markers — Additional thoughts from your editors

Parting Shot — A.J. Shewan