MTH - Premier Steam Locomotives - 4-6-4 Royal Hudson - O Scale 3 Rail - (Hi-Rail Wheels)

In 1939 King George VI, accompanied by his wife Queen Elizabeth, became the first reigning British monarch to visit Canada. For 31 days Their Majesties toured their Canadian Dominion from coast to coast in a 12-car train described by the Canadian Pacific as "regal in appearance, luxurious in interior decorations and appointments," and "in every way a home and a castle." The King, being something of a railroad buff, occasionally rode in the cab, and after one such cab ride the Queen was heard to remark, "That was a thrilling experience." The Canadian National used four different locomotives to handle the eastbound leg of the trip. The Canadian Pacific, however, handled its 3,224-mile westbound leg with a single locomotive, streamlined Hudson No. 2850, except for some assistance over mountain passes. In recognition of 2850's flawless performance, the Canadian Pacific was granted permission to designate its entire class of streamlined Hudsons as "Royal Hudsons," with the engines wearing the royal family crown on their running boards. If ever a locomotive was granted knighthood, this was it.