Portage-Toronto on the Super Continental, August 1978

My sister and I are waiting to depart Portage a Prairie on Friday, August 25, 1978. We had spent a few days visiting relatives after arriving on the westbound Super Continental. After boarding our Dayniter, we were seated in the car's smoking area until Winnipeg. By the way, Burlington Northern sold me that GN Rocky travel bag for $5.00! 

Observed into Winnipeg:
9471, 9586, 9489, 9597, 9591, 79451, 79479
Winnipeg: CN 4239, 1069, and lots of switchers:1368, 1366, 1357, 7180, 7224, 7159, 1362, 7176.
Cabooses 79741, 79239, 79703, 78362 end-cupola, 79550
2023 WB 9662-5059

Overnight, 20-30 young female Junior Rangers boarded at Sioux Lookout around 0400. They were distraught about leaving their male Junior Rangers behind - lots of tears for miles, keeping us awake!

More notes, again showing the domination of GP40-2L(W)'s on CN's northern Ontario freights, as well as the number of wooden, end-cupola cabooses still in service:
Saturday, August 26, 1978
WB 9655-9481
WB 9547-9640-79605
0915WB 9626-9629-9424-79589
9635-9513-79598
WB 9484-9517-79270
9610, 9632 (photo above), 9571, 9508, 9466, 4517
Cabooses 79712, 79699, 79599, 79239, 79703, 78905 end-cupola, 79603, 79706
WB 5535-9552-79325
WB 9540-9524-9559-79200
At 1600 9604-9599-79863
WB 1618 9557-9560-79690
9652, 9538, 5581
At 1636 Oba: ACR 159-168, caboose AC 9605
Hornepayne 4517
Super supper! Hot beef sandwich.

Sunday, August 27, 1978
9663, 9666
Cabooses 79573, 78362 end-cupola, 79550, 79540, 79861
Capreol 9410
Sudbury 1264, CP 7011
Orillia 79389, 78437 end-cupola.
4508 separating Toronto and Montreal sections at Capreol

We were the first to board the train in Toronto. Train was fast to Kingston. Arrived 10 minutes late. Arriving back in Kingston (below - L.C. Gagnon photographs). His photo caption (second photo below) noted that Dr and Mrs Eugene Forsey were boarding the train. Dr Forsey was a Canadian constitutional expert and former Senator.

After crossing under the tracks to the parking lot, check the classic late-70s vehicles in this photo of the three-unit train departing eastward.

Running extra...

Meme-a-post, this time with a certain front-man. Guess who!