The southeast will see a fully restored steam train rolling through Estevan on a trek from Calgary to Mexico at the end of the month.

The Final Spike Steam Tour will begin at the CPKC head office in Alberta on April 24. The Empress Steam Engine will then make its way down the track stopping in 11 cities along the way. The cross-continental journey will conclude in Mexico City in early June. The tour also marks the first anniversary of the CP Rail and Kansas City Rail merging.

"We’re very excited about and we’re hearing a lot of great excitement in the communities across North America,” said Terry Cunha, spokesman for CPKC.

The locomotive was built in December 1930 by Montreal Locomotive Works. It was originally intended for passenger and fast freight service. It worked in Eastern Canada for nearly 30 years before it was retired in 1960. The Empress was then used as a roving steam-powered ambassador for the Canadian Pacific Railway in Canada and the United States before being placed in storage in 2012. Cunha added that the original engine has been refurbished and that it is steam-powered, rather than a modern diesel-powered train.

“It's very exciting for anyone who’s a fan of rail or trains and the rail history and seeing its evolution from steam to diesel locomotive,” said Cunha, "it’s just a great way to celebrate what’s evolved over this past century and to see a great part of history as it comes through your community.

At the scheduled stops individuals can ride on the mini train, The Puffer Belly Express. They will also be able to speak to members of the team and learn more about steam locomotives.

The Empress will be making a stop in Moose Jaw on April 28, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Then on the morning of April 29, the train will pass through Estevan, on route to Minot North Dakota where it is scheduled to stop from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

“It’s an opportunity to take part in the community and see this fascinating piece of history as it travels through the community,” said Cunha.