Class I Briefs: UP, CPKC

PCC Welding instructor Todd Barnett on Nov. 10, 2022, discussed the amenities of the mobile training center with Union Pacific. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of PCC)

Union Pacific’s (UP) Mobile Welding and Skills Training Center opens in Portland, Ore. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) completes refurbishment work and testing of the 2816 steam locomotive.

Portland Community College (PCC) announced via an X (formerly Twitter) post the grand opening of the UP Mobile Welding and Skills Training Center.

This program, PCC says, will allow the college’s welding training to expand its reach and help develop the region’s skilled trade workforce.

“We’re excited to provide students who may have previously faced barriers with access to high-demand industries,” wrote PCC in the post.

PCC first reported that the center was under construction at the Swan Island shipyard in November 2022.

“Thanks to our partnership with and generous support from UP for making this program possible,” the college wrote in the post.

CPKC announced via a LinkedIn post that its heritage stream crew has completed refurbishment work and testing of the 2816 steam locomotive, the Empress, in preparation for the Class I railroad’s North American tour scheduled to depart Calgary on April 14, 2024.

A brief video of the iconic steam locomotive is available here.

Further Reading:

• Watch: 2816 Passes Boiler Test
• CPKC a ‘Powerful Combination’