From May 2-11, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent. Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted. Here, the train trundles across the Des Moines River bridge in Ottumwa, IA, preparing to make a stop at the yard office just up ahead.
