Steam Trains and Engines

Shortly before the war, when railways throughout North America were vying with the motor car and aeroplane for passenger traffic, many systems were changing to the relatively new diesel locomotive for high-speed haulage. Thus the famous ' Burlington Zephyr' of 1934 was followed by the Union Pacific's ' City of Denver,' and in 1936 the Santa Fe ' Super Chief' was turned over to diesel traction.

Nonetheless a number of railroads still pinned their faith to the steam locomotive and, after a lapse of twenty years since the last ' Atlantic ' type had been built in America, the Milwaukee Road built a number of these 4-4-2s for ultra-high speed lightweight expresses between Milwaukee and Chicago. Over the border the Canadian Pacific designed in 1936 an unusual 4-4-4 with 6 ft. 8 in. wheels, partial streamling and the very high boiler pressure of 300 Ib. per sq. in. Five of them were built, known as the ' Fla ' or' Jubilee ' class. Designed for hauling train of 200-500 tons at speeds up to 90 mph these interesting locomolives were followed by Class ' F2a ' with 6ft 3in wheels and 16^ in. x 28 in. cylinders driving the second axle, thus reducing the wheelbase.

The war naturally put .an end to high-speed running in Canada, trains rapidly became too heavy for the 'Jubilees,' and most of them ended their days in Montreal- Quebec City passenger service. They were notable however, in being the last North American steam locomotive built specifically to win passengers back to the railway.