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

En Route

Blurred boxcars past a railway crossing sign

My first railfanning of 2022 was done en route between the city dump* and Ware House Hobbies, on January 8. * I suppose I should call it the “Brady Road Resource Management Facility” like the city does… I waited outside the gates of the landfill until they opened at 9 AM sharp, then did my … Read more

Bracketing Christmas

VIA Rail train in winter

I hope the end of the year was good for everyone. I was off work for a few weeks and I really enjoyed the rest, and especially the presence of our daughter home from university for the holiday. Despite “not feeling it” I did do a bit of railfanning, on Christmas Eve and on Boxing … Read more

Railfanning With Jason, 2021 Edition

Person and train in snow

These days, it’s hard to get together with people. You don’t want to spread anything and of course there are rules about gatherings. My friend Jason contacted me late in 2021 to let me know his family was going to be in Winnipeg over the holiday break to visit family, and asked if I was … 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