In these trying times, it’s hard to stay positive. With the pandemic still raging – and here in Manitoba, worse than it ever has been – it’s difficult to see any silver lining. I’m generally a positive, “things will work out” kind of guy. I don’t spend a lot of time dwelling on bad things … Read more
Thank you to all the men and women who have served our country. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice and all have been changed by the experience. Let us support, help and remember them. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the … Read more
I had an hour to kill one June evening this year, so I headed over to the Osborne Village area of Winnipeg. My intent was to look for different photo angles in the area. I decided to visit the Osborne Station on Winnipeg’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. Here’s a map I drew of the … Read more
In my review of In The Shadow of Giants by Norman Helm, I mentioned that when the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway was absorbed into the CPR, some of the TH&B was kept by Canadian Pacific. The TH&B’s GP7 and GP9 locomotives had their short hoods chopped, and were repainted into red CP Rail colours. … Read more
Back in May I posted about Nick Lafreniere’s “Lego Canadian” and “Lego Corridor” projects to get the LEGO Group to issue the VIA Rail “Canadian” and/or the “Corridor” train as LEGO kits. He needs 10,000 supporters for it to be considered, and he’s just over 75% there on the “Canadian”. Click the button below to … Read more
I’ve been contemplating offering one or two 2021 calendars, featuring trains and/or grain elevators. I polled my mailing list and blog readers, and the results are here. People were most interested in large train calendars, but there was enough interest in any case for me to proceed. I ordered one large grain elevator calendar. After … Read more
Back in August 2007, I traveled the length of the Gaspé Peninsula with my friend and fellow railfan David Morris, chasing the VIA Rail train. I wrote about it long ago in Steve and Dave’s Excellent Gaspe Adventure, but I thought I’d write about a piece of it here. Also, I think the links in … Read more
September 21-27 is Rail Safety Week in Canada. Rail safety organizations, like Operation Lifesaver, will be working to raise awareness of rail safety and hopefully decrease the number of rail incidents and fatalities. Unfortunately this week is especially needed this year, as 5 people died at railway crossings in Manitoba in the past 5 weeks, … Read more
Thank you to the 43 who took the time to complete my survey about calendars for 2021. I appreciate it! I asked three questions: Are you interested in purchasing a calendar featuring grain elevators in Manitoba? Are you interested in purchasing a calendar featuring Canadian trains? If you are interested in purchasing a calendar, would … Read more
The Cranbrook History Centre, home of the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel / Trains Deluxe, recently announced that they are releasing nine cars from their collection of passenger rail cars. It might be a bit shocking but these things happen. Organizations have limits on funds and volunteer time… especially time. Restoring and preserving century-old railway … Read more
