The Porter – First Impressions

Ad for The Porter

The CBC TV series “The Porter” is out – at least, the first episode is – and it’s a visual delight. From the opening scene, set in Club Stardust and filled to bursting with Black life and music, through its numerous train-based scenes, “The Porter” is a meticulously detailed view of Black life from the … Read more

My Experience With Redbubble

Wheat field with grain elevator

As a photographer, I’m always looking for ways to feature my photos and make some income from them. I dabble in stock photography, I sell photos directly to people, I sell calendars and books, and I sell my photos on print-to-order sites like Redbubble. I am being compensated with a gift certificate for writing this … Read more

Let’s Talk

Picture of Steve Boyko

Every year, Bell hosts their “Let’s Talk” day where they contribute 5 cents toward mental health initiatives in Canada for every tweet, text, call, and now TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk. This year, I’m talking about my own mental health.

1992 Operation Lifesaver Train

Train by large CN building in London Ontario

I saw this interesting negative on eBay and had to have it. It’s pretty rare to see such an odd combination of locomotives and cars on a train, so after a few days and a few dollars, it was mine. I knew that the train was in London, Ontario (the CN building behind it is … Read more

Looking Back, Looking Forward

VIA Rail train in Moncton

As I write this on the morning of January 1, 2022, I am conflicted about what to write. It’s generally expected that one would reflect on the past year, celebrating triumphs and mourning losses, while sharing plans for the new year. However, the way forward isn’t clear to me and I definitely look back on … Read more

Support a Railway Organization

Steam locomotive

I try to support various railway-related organizations, either through money, time or exposure, to help them on their missions to preserve and promote railway history. Here are a few that I support. I hope you will consider supporting them. If you have your own favourite museum or organization, please promote them in the comments. The … Read more

Happy Holidays

No matter how you celebrate the end of December – or if you celebrate it at all – I hope you have a wonderful time and best wishes for 2022 and beyond. Thank you for stopping by and we’ll see you again in the new year.

New Chaleur Timetables

Title of railway timetable

You may know that I collect railway paperwork, specifically timetables and train orders. I have a pretty large timetable collection, and for years I’ve shared some scans online (links below). Recently I’ve been drawing a map for a project that Richard Manicom and Bill Linley are working on. I’ll likely share the map here in … Read more

Two GWWD Images

Here are a couple of negatives I purchased on a popular online auction site. I don’t know who the photographer or photographers are. GWWD 101 GWWD 101 was a GE 44-ton industrial locomotive, built in September 1949 and purchased new by the Greater Winnipeg Water District Railway. My 1983 “A Trackside Guide to Canadian Railway … Read more

My 54th Birthday

Railway caboose under roof

As my 54th birthday approached, my wife suggested that we do something to commemorate it. In these pandemic times, it’s hard to plan anything too extravagant, and to be honest 54 is not really a milestone birthday… not like my 50th! (psst, my book makes a great Christmas present) Until then, my only plan was … Read more