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

A Bounty of Magazines

Railway magazines

I feel fortunate that there are so many good train magazines available today. Here are four: CN Lines, CP Tracks, Branchline, and Railroad Heritage. All are worth subscribing to, and I do! I’ll give a brief overview of each so you can make your own decision. CN Lines As the name suggests, this magazine covers … Read more

Night Elevators

Grain elevator at night with aurora borealis

After seeing STEVE – and the rest of the aurora borealis – and the Milky Way – I still felt great, even at 1:30 AM. I decided to fulfill a long-held wish – photograph the Oberon grain elevator at night.

Trains of Newfoundland – Coming Soon!

Trains of Newfoundland book cover

I’m very excited to hear that Ken Pieroway’s new book, “Trains of Newfoundland“, is due for release this month! Ken has written several books on railways and trams in Newfoundland, and this one promises to be another great one. You can read my review of Streetcars of St. John’s to see what great work Ken … Read more

Nineteen Years

Three Trains

I buy slides and negatives on occasion. Mostly I am looking for places I have been, or locomotives that interest me – GMD1s, RS18s or VIA F units, for example. I recently acquired a slide of a westbound CN train at Lac Baker, New Brunswick dated September 30, 2000. I was interested in that one … Read more

Retracing Your Route

Map of CN railway passenger routes in 1974

I get railway-related inquiries every few weeks via email. They found my web site and have a technical question about trains, or a question about railway history, or just want to say “hi”. Most frequently, I get a question like the one from Diane below. Often people are doing genealogical research and want to know … Read more

Food on the VIA Rail Canadian

Breakfast on the train

I recently rode the VIA Rail “Canadian” from Winnipeg, MB to Sioux Lookout, ON and back. On that trip I had the opportunity to eat two meals aboard the train. I’ll share them here so you can get an idea of the meal experience, coach class. I need to emphasize that I was in coach … Read more