The second post in this series comprises images, courtesy of Reg Aitken, showing the Canadian operated by CP from Alberta west, into the Mountains. Part one has brought us into Alberta. We'll start with Medicine Hat, where a Dayliner is waiting on the station tracks:
Lake Louise, where a maroon heavyweight consist can be seen on the adjacent track. Hey Junior, get behind the line! Banff Park is the Park car.
Lake Louise's log-cabin station presents a healthy hike for those sleeping car passengers:
People pictures! Taken at a station stop, these kids are under Mom's watchful eye in what looks like a sleeping car:
"Let us out!", or "Look at those mountains!"
Hand-made signage showing the Spiral Tunnel trackage. Was this on a bus tour?
Details that will interest some readers. Canadian Pacific did not spend a lot of money adorning their stepboxes...
The craggy precipices of Mount Dennis and Mount Stephen always provide an impressive backdrop for any CP train. Not the least of which of would be The Canadian in any era, replete with Chateau Jolliet, Manor and Chateau sleeping cars behind a diner:
Travelling near the tail-end has its advantages. Mount Burgess and Mount Field are to the northeast of the Park car at the east end of Field yard. Waterton Park is the Park car:
Mystery (to me) yard in mountains. Standard high-switchstand at left with oval CP mainline switch target and kerosene switch lamp!
Low clouds among the mountains at Revelstoke. Chateau Latour is behind the diner:
Details. Car number and beaver shield:
Running extra...
You like Classic Consists? Check out these CPR - Consist Pattern Records from the Streamliner/late steam era.
Six-month anniversary of starting my retirement adventure and loving it! Six months ago today I had our tickets in hand for our Western Swing. So many times since then I have found myself saying, "I wouldn't be doing [activity] right now were I still at work." Blogging always did fit in around the work schedule, however! Retirement 'gift' (as if it's not enough of a gift on its own!) arrived yesterday:
In an online Classic VIA Rail group to which I belong, there's an ongoing discussion about what constitutes the now-viewed-as-classic era of VIA. We ain't in it, but here's a classic look to a current scene. Today at Belleville, it's VIA No 51 Eng 6402:
Great photos of a lost era. I love those old stainless cars. And the scenery can't be beat.
ReplyDeleteCP knew what they were doing when they inaugurated The Canadian. Still surviving over 60 years later. VIA couldn't maintain access to the classic CP mountain scenic locations, but at least Rocky Mountaineer does.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Tim. I was really lucky to come by these images courtesy of my late friend.
Eric
An epic flashback! Love these pics. To have been around back then when passenger trains were still somewhat common. I was born too late.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chris and Connie.
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure to be able to share these vintage views - glad you enjoyed them!
Eric
Please don't mention Rocky Mountaineer in the same discussion as these glorious pics. They are a prime reason as to WHY VIA Rail is not currently travelling on CP's southern mainline. It is purely political, and anyone privy to the true back-door dealings knows this is a fact. RMR feels its "their" route, in perpetuity !!
ReplyDeleteEven if one HAS the loot for that trip, it is NOT obviously on stainless Budd equipment, and worst of all, does NOT travel in the winter months ! How does THAT help someone going skiing in Revelstoke, Banff or Lake Louise ? Or to Grey Cup ?(this yr hosted by Calgary )
Heck, even in July for the darn Stampede, Rocky M. doesn't even GO right to Calgary any longer, terminating the past few seasons in Banff !!
So yah, great pics and captions under ea pic, but it simply makes true passenger- train lovers weep for an era long gone !
Bob W (Vancouver)
Thanks for your comment, Bob.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned RMR merely because we met Tim and his wife while aboard the Canadian eastward, and they had been fortunate enough to ride both.
In a future post, the whole RMR to VIA transition could be explored. I have material documenting this process. Certainly, RMR does not purport to provide a basic transportation service!
I'm glad I was able to share these views of a bygone era!
Eric
The first two images are from Medicine Hat. I remember as a kid visiting the station when VIA still ran on the CPR south line through the Hat....
ReplyDeleteGreat series! The golden years of railway travel in Canada, I so wish I could have been there to experience it in person.
The Spiral Tunnel train schedule signs are a nice touch, though now it's hard to see the tunnels with all the trees... Thanks again for sharing.
Thanks, Jason, for confirming the Hat photos. Will revise.
ReplyDeleteI remember riding through Alberta on the CP line and seeing all those turquoise AWP elevators!
Though the Spiral Tunnels are indeed tree-shrouded, and apparently going to stay that way, we were able to happen upon a train negotiating them this past June. Amazing engineering that has stood the test of time.
Eric
Yeah, I railfanned that area by the tunnels in September 2018. It was interesting, but challenging to catch the train going in/out of the tunnels.
ReplyDelete