Photo Gift Guide

Picture of grain elevator over desk

If you’re looking for some gift ideas for your favourite railfan, I have a few suggestions for gifts featuring photos. I use Redbubble to sell a variety of products featuring my photography (you can view my portfolio here). One of the main reasons why I like Redbubble is because they have such a huge range … Read more

Travel by Rail from Berlin to Cologne

Berlin Hauptbahnhof sign

My wife and I went to Germany in late 2021 to visit the Christmas markets. After we toured the markets in Berlin, it was time to travel to visit the Christmas markets in Cologne. We arrived at Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof (central station) well before our train’s scheduled departure time. It’s better to be early than late… … Read more

Riding Berlin’s Public Transit System

German S-Bahn crossing the Oberbaumbrücke

My wife and I visited Germany in late 2021 to tour the famed German Christmas markets. We visited Berlin, Cologne (Koln) and Frankfurt during our 12 day visit. We used public transit in each city, and in this post I’ll share a few photos and comments on Berlin’s subways and trams. Berlin’s public transit system … Read more

A Sunset Trio

Three trains

This post has been in “draft” state for more than three years. It’s maybe a stretch to call it a “draft”, as it was just a title and the words “August 18”. I had to do some detective work! First, I determined that I meant August 18, 2019. Next, I went to Lightroom and saw … Read more

Why I Was In the USSR

Two people in a rowboat

After I wrote about our apartment in Moscow, a few people asked why I was in the Soviet Union at all! The short answer was that my father – Sergeant George Boyko – was posted to the Canadian embassy. Canada has embassies in most countries. Embassies serve several functions, including serving their visiting citizens, working … Read more

Our USSR Apartments

Steve doing homework

We stayed in two different apartment buildings during our two-year stay in the USSR in the late 1970s. We were in the first apartment for the vast majority of our time in Moscow. I think we stayed in the second one for about six weeks as we had to vacate the first one for the next occupants. I don’t remember it very well.

Giving Thanks

Aurora behind a railway crossing

Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. For me, it’s a time to reflect on the many blessings we have. I’m thankful that my wife, children and I are all healthy. I’m thankful that we have a roof over our head, good jobs that provide enough income that we don’t worry about money, and that we … Read more

Spanish Trains

Trains in the Barcelona train station

I attended a conference in Barcelona in the fall of 2018. I was fortunate to have my wife accompany me, and we made a vacation out of it by adding a few days at the start of the trip to tour the city. Barcelona is a great city and I’d love to go back.