RIP Bruce Chapman
I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Bruce Chapman. I never met him, but I felt I knew him (somewhat) through his many contributions to Branchline magazine.
steve
Riding Portuguese Rails
My wife and I traveled to Portugal in May 2022. Portugal was one of those countries that are a little off the European tourist beaten path, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I really knew about Portugal was that it wasn’t Spain and they don’t speak Spanish. Our plan was to fly into … Read more
Faithfully
It’s hard to overstate the importance that the band Journey had in my teenage life. I lived and breathed the band, although I never saw them in concert. They were by far my most favourite band, and I was devastated when they broke up.
Riding the Agawa Canyon Train
I had the pleasure of riding the Agawa Canyon Tour Train recently. I was working with Rail Travel Tours as a co-guide for almost 50 guests touring railway and other attractions in northern and western Ontario. For me, and I think many of our guests, the Agawa Canyon train was the highlight of the trip.
Review: The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers is a book by Daniel de Visé about the movie of the same name, and the band, and its two founders, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Mostly, though, it’s about the comedic, talented and self-destructive force that was John Belushi. It’s chock full of detail, from the obtuse to the titillating. The … Read more
Wordfish
Sometimes I feel words stirring below the surface of my mind, little word minnows darting about, seeking to join together into sentences and paragraphs. Now and then a phrase jumps out, flashing silvery in the wan mind-light, before splashing down and wriggling under the surface again, leaving rippling rings of thought and inspiration. Over time, … Read more
Sudbury-White River Service
VIA Rail provides passenger service between Sudbury and White River, Ontario using two or three self-propelled rail diesel cars (“RDCs”). This is classified as “remote service” and is intended to serve communities in this remote area with passenger service, since road access is sparse to non-existent.
Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag
James Brown was singing about an old man trying something new – maybe a dance move – but I’m writing about an actual bag, a new camera bag.
The Agawa Canyon Tour Train
The Agawa Canyon Tour Train in northern Ontario is a long-running tourist attraction that brings thousands of visitors to the remote and beautiful Agawa Canyon. Canada’s famed Group of Seven painters traveled this route and painted several gorgeous views of the area. Today artists and tourists alike enjoy the views.