Part of the second batch of Hudsons delivered, Canadian Pacific H1b #2816 became a celebrity when it was restored back to operation by CP in 2001. #2816 is the only surviving member of the H1a or H1b classes, having originally been preserved at Steamtown in the United States before being purchased and restored by CP in 1998.

As part of its restoration #2816 was converted to burn oil and was paired with an original oil tender from a Royal Hudson. A radio and ditch lights were fitted to bring 2816 into compliance with modern standards, and a second generator was added to help power these new devices. Finally, a second whistle was added alongside of the stack.

Developed with the help and guidance of CP’s steam restoration team, Rapido’s HO scale model of #2816 will include the correct oil tender, working ditch lights, and the additional details added to the loco for its excursion working. The loco will be sold in a high-quality custom wood display box. It will be a fantastic addition to any collection!

During its post-restoration career #2816 gained the nickname the “Empress” as it hauled excursions across Canada and into the US. It even became a film star, garnering a leading roll in the spectacular IMAX film “Rocky Mountain Express” in 2011.

Designed by Chief of Motive Power & Rolling Stock Henry Blane Bowen, Canadian Pacific’s H-1a and H-1 b class 4-6-4 Hudson locos were state-of-the-art steam power when delivered. A total of twenty locos were delivered in two batches of ten each. The first batch, numbers #2800-2809, were delivered in 1929 and classified H1a. The second ten, numbers #2810-2819, were delivered in 1930 and were classified H1b. These locomotives were used on mainline passenger trains across the CP’s system. So success full were they that CP used their design as the basis for its later H c/d/e “Royal Hudsons” seven years later. Both classes survived intact until the end of steam, with the first retirements not coming until 1957.

Rapido’s H1a/b HO scale models are based on our hugely successful Royal Hudson. We are offering several different detail variations which allow you to model these locos at any point throughout their service life, including the preserved #2816.

The Rapido Trains HO scale CPR H1a/b Hudson locomotive features:

• Designed from prototype drawings and measurements
• Road number specific factory applied details for each unit
• Separately applied metal hand rails and grabs
• Blackened wheels and driving rods
• Correct cylinders and valve gear
• Smooth-running drive train
• Correct coal tenders for regular service units
• Correct oil tender for #2816
• Early or later style walkways
• “Elephant Ear” smoke deflectors on correctly numbered models
• Working headlight, marker lights, classification lights, interior cab lights and backup lights (DCC controlled)
• “Flickering” fire box in detailed cab (DCC controlled)
• Metal Macdonald-Cartier Knuckle Couplers mounted at the correct height
• DCC sound version includes synchronized chuff, accurate whistles, bells, air pumps, generator, safety valves and many other effects! (Not all sound features of DCC sound units will function in DC mode)
• Accurate and complete piping, underbody and tender details
• Accurate paint and decoration
• 22” Minimum radius