Canada’s rich railroading heritage comes alive in this beautifully crafted 2011 $20 pure silver coin. Mintage is 10,000 coins. HST/GST exempt.

The Design:

Its design embodies all the character of old-world engraving with the added depth and dimension created by a proof finish. The name “D-10” engraved along the edge is yet another unique feature that makes this coin a must-have for train enthusiasts of all ages.

Great Canadian Locomotives:

Moving people and goods across Canada has been a challenge from the moment the first Europeans began settling on its eastern shore. Those who chose to venture west disappeared into the wilderness for months, if not years.

Even as rugged settlements gave way to cities and towns, traveling between them remained a time-consuming and arduous task—until the 19th century when iron tracks began weaving their way across the continent. They lifted the isolation that plagued countless communities and revolutionized everyday life for Canadians. Never had it been easier to get a passenger or merchandise from here to there.

For almost 60 years, the D-10 locomotive was the backbone of Canadian freight. Between 1905 and 1913,
Canadian Pacific Railway built a total 502 locomotives that could be seen in every freight terminal from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. The first D-10s entered service between Sudbury (Ontario) and Winnipeg (Manitoba) but these massive and versatile ten-wheelers weren’t limited to freight; they also provided passenger, yard, pusher and work service. For three decades, more than one in seven locomotives was a D-10 until they were gradually retired from revenue service between 1938 and 1960.

The D-10 was a star for its uncomplicated and reliable design. It offered features that were typical of 19th-century engines while incorporating the latest innovations such as piston valves and simplified valve gear. The D-10 was also central to the research and development of Canadian Pacific’s superheater, an energy-saving device that became integral to railways across North America.

A preserved D-10 (engine 999) can be seen at the Canadian Railway Museum (Exporail) in Saint-Constant (Quebec). It’s easily identifi ed by its distinctive CPR-designed half-moon headlight and is the final locomotive to be showcased in the popular Great Canadian Locomotives Series.