Slides From Alberta

CN train rolling through Drumheller Alberta on a rainy day in 1993

Here are some slides I purchased recently, all featuring trains in Alberta. Unfortunately I don’t know who was the photographer for any of them. The lead slide shows a westbound CN train rolling through Drumheller, Alberta in 1993, led by CN 2454 and another cowl unit (CN 53xx?). Clearly it was a dreary rainy day. … Read more

QNX

QNX Multiuser, Multitasking, Realtime, Networking Operating System

I came across this card recently and it brought back a flood of memories. I spent a lot of time with QNX. But what is QNX? And what is this card for?

CP Employee Pass from 1942

Railway pass for E.F. Nason from 1942

I purchased this Canadian Pacific Railway Lines employee pass recently from an online auction site. It was issued to an F.A. Nason, Signal Helper, and expired on December 31, 1942. It was signed by W.E. Merchant.

A Computer Geek: University

Composite image of four Student Union cards for Steve Boyko with photos

I studied at the University of New Brunswick. I have to be honest and say that I never really considered any other university. The “other” university in Fredericton was/is St. Thomas University (STU) and they didn’t offer computer science degrees. I didn’t want to live away from home – too expensive and too scary – so I applied to UNB and was accepted.

Dale Wilson RIP

I was saddened to hear that Dale Wilson died on May 5. Dale was a well-known railway historian and photographer who wrote several books, many focused on the Algoma Central. I have one of his books, Algoma Eastern Railway, and I’ve read a couple of others via our local library. He was a great writer. … Read more

FOMO

Canadian Pacific business train west of Winnipeg, Manitoba

You may have heard the acronym FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out. Many railfans have this affliction, and I have suffered from it myself. You hear about some special train or locomotive coming through your area and you feel like you have to go see it because other people are.

The Rail Relocation Zombie

View of a busy railway yard in Winnipeg

A recent CP derailment has put life back into the rail relocation zombie, the shambling agglomeration of ideas to move the rail yards and lines out of downtown Winnipeg that just won’t die.

RIP Pat Kennedy

Dr. J. Patrick Kennedy, founder of OSIsoft, died in early April at the age of 79. He will be missed. Who was Dr. Kennedy, or Pat as most people knew him? And why am I writing about him here? Pat was a brilliant engineer, a savvy entrepreneur and a genuinely caring person. He was one … Read more

A Computer Geek: BBSes

Broken US Robotics modem

Today we take computer networking for granted. In fact, most people don’t even think of it at all. The fact that the device in your hand can load a web page halfway across the planet in a few seconds is taken for granted. It wasn’t always this easy. In fact, it was downright difficult.

Eastend Scenic Rail Tours

Colour photograph of a green and black locomotive with a yellow nose, numbered 6311 with the words "Canadian National" on the side.

The quiet town of Eastend, Saskatchewan has become the home of perhaps the largest collection of ex CN, ex VIA Rail equipment in the world. Gary Southgate, a farmer from North Battleford, SK, has been collecting railway equipment for a decade. He has purchased ex VIA Rail blue and yellow passenger equipment, and locomotives, and … Read more