I had my 53rd birthday this week. I know it’s not as impressive a milestone as passing the half century mark, but it’s something to be noted and appreciated. Every day is a gift, and I appreciate that I am still here and able to enjoy life to the fullest. That being said, the pandemic … 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
This is more of a series of photos than a real “railfan story”. I went out on April 26, 2020 to look for trains. I really didn’t see much, but I did spot this Loram grinder in the back track at Dugald, Manitoba. I took a few photos from the ground, then flew my drone … Read more
On April 25, 2020 I decided to take a run down the CP Glenboro subdivision. This track used to run between Winnipeg and Souris, Manitoba. In 2016 the center section between Rathwell and Nesbitt was removed, so now it is in two sections. I had been down to Elm Creek before but never to the … Read more
On the evening of April 14, 2020 I went out for a bit of railfanning. I took my usual route “A” of heading counter-clockwise around the city, crossing the CP Emerson, CN Sprague, CN Redditt and CP Keewatin subdivisions in sequence. The Sprague subdivision had a train heading out of CN’s Symington Yard, so I … 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
After my success with the sunset meet I wrote about recently, I wanted to go out at last light again and photograph more trains. I puttered around the house until it was close to sunset, then hit the road east toward the CN Sprague and CN Redditt subdivisions. There was nothing happening on the Sprague … Read more
I had to run an errand for my wife on the evening of August 29. After I did that, I decided to see if anything was happening on the CN Sprague subdivision. As I approached the area, I saw an eastbound train leaving Symington Yard. I gave chase along the Trans-Canada Highway, which parallels the … Read more
After hearing that the La Salle grain elevator was demolished on August 22, I decided to go there the next morning to photograph the wreckage. Moments after I started driving, I saw fog – lots of fog. I’m no stranger to fog. I lived in the Halifax, NS area for three years and saw fog … 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