The last of the great streamliners rolls across this great land, carrying on a grand tradition started almost seventy years ago.
One wonders if Norris Crump would recognize his train today. Sure, it carries the same name, but it runs on the rails belonging to what was the CPR’s fiercest competitor. I suppose CN still is CPKC’s fiercest competitor, but not for passenger services. The CPR lost interest in that long ago.
I ventured out to record the passage of Crump’s legacy recently. The westbound Canadian was running mostly on time, so it would arrive in Winnipeg near sunset.
I entertained the thought of shooting the streamliner rolling through the automated rail inspection portal at Vivian, but I was just this much too late and settled for a long shot that included the portal.
By this time, the low sun had ducked behind clouds so I was deprived of direct sun on the train’s nose. No matter, this train looks great in any light.
Besides, the Canadian is one of the few trains that looks at least as good going away as it does on the approach.
This was the only train I photographed that evening. It was all that I had hoped for.
You’re right in that this train is one of the few that you almost look forward to the going away shot as much as the approaching shot. I hope to one day catch this train in the wild.