Swift Current residents can witness a piece of history come to life at the end of this month, as a fully restored steam-powered passenger train rolls through the city on its way to Mexico City. 

The 1930 locomotive will be the first of its kind to traverse Canada, the United States, and Mexico in one trip – celebrating one year of Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). 

Spokesperson for CPKC, Terry Cunha, has witnessed extraordinarily positive feedback from the public since announcing the tour dates.  

“Speaking to many people in the communities that we're visiting, there's without a lot of passion behind it,” he said. “We're very excited as many people are, and I can only assume part of it has to do with its amazing history.” 

Built in December 1930 by Montreal Locomotive Works, The Empress was originally intended for fast freight and passenger service. It worked primarily in Eastern Canada before retiring in May 30 years later. 

It then served as a roving steam-powered ambassador for Canadian Pacific throughout Canada and the U.S. before being placed in storage in 2012.  

The historic Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour kicks off on April 24 at CPKC’s headquarters in Calgary, Alta., parking in Moose Jaw four days later as the first of 11 stops for tour events. 

While it’s unknown exactly when The Empress will pass through Swift Current, residents can track its whereabouts once the train initiates its trip and plan to watch as it rolls through. CPKC reminds the public to be safe and stay off of the tracks and rights-of-way.  

The steam locomotive will be travelling at 50 miles per hour on its journey, covering approximately 250 miles every day. 

“The ability to refurbish a 100-year-old train that was very instrumental back in the 1930s and have it come out and visit these 11 communities over the six-week period is an exciting opportunity,” Cunha said. "We appreciate the excitement that we're seeing from many people across all the three nations that we're going to visit.” 

The Empress's stops are as follows:

  • Calgary, Alta., April 24 

  • Moose Jaw, Sask., April 28 

  • Minot, N.D., April 30

  • St. Paul, Minn., May 3 

  • Franklin Park, Ill, May 8

  • Davenport, Iowa, May 10 

  • Kansas City, Mo., May 18

  • Shreveport, La., May 24 

  • Laredo, Texas, May 28

  • Monterrey, Mexico, May 31 

  • Mexico City, Mexico, June 4