June 21, 2020

A Trip on The Rocky Mountaineer

Since my very first 'Canada by Train' post documenting our journey on VIA Rail seemed well received, I thought I might post some pics from a different train route through Western Canada.

Canada has two major Class 1 transcontinental railroads - Canadian National (CN) & Canadian Pacific (CP). CP was the first to be built through Canada and was a major factor in the creation of Canada as a country, as completion of a transcontinental railway was a condition of British Columbia joining the new Confederation of Canada.

Of the two railroads, only the CN line still has transcontinental passenger service in the form of VIA Rail Canada's 'Canadian' which traverses the country and the Canadian Rockies on the northern route through Jasper, Alberta.

The CP route, which runs through the Rockies further south through Banff, Alberta has no transcontinental passenger service. However there is a seasonal, regional tour train named the 'Rocky Mountaineer' which runs through the Canadian Rockies from Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia over the tracks of the Canadian Pacific and is the only way for tourists to travel on the CP line through southern Alberta and British Columbia.

A few years back, my wife & I decided to book a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer and thought we might share some pics.

So without further ado, for those interested in taking another scenic land cruise, here are a few pics from our website, https://northamericabyrail.info/

Hope you enjoy!

FIRST, A PIC OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER RUNNING ALONG THE KICKING HORSE RIVER, NAMED FOR THE PACKHORSE THAT KICKED & KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS JAMES HECTOR OF THE PALLISER EXPEDITION WHILE SEARCHING FOR A ROUTE THROUGH THE CANADIAN ROCKIES


NOW FROM EAST TO WEST: CALGARY, AB, STARTING POINT FOR THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER TOUR TRAIN


CANADIAN PACIFIC 2-10-4 'SELKIRK' TYPE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE #5931 ON DISPLAY IN CALGARY, AB


ONBOARD THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER, PASSING THE THREE SISTERS AT CANMORE, AB. AS SEEN FROM THE OPEN-AIR OBSERVATION PLATFORM OF THE DOME CAR


TRAVELING ALONG THE BOW RIVER WEST OF BANFF, AB


ROCKY MOUNTAINS EAST OF LAKE LOUISE


CANADIAN PACIFIC STATION AT LAKE LOUISE, AB


VINTAGE HEAVYWEIGHT PASSENGER CARS AT LAKE LOUISE STATION


ROCKY MOUNTAINEER NEAR STEPHEN, BC


PASSING THROUGH THE YOHO VALLEY


TRAVELLING THROUGH THE KICKING HORSE PASS ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER


MOUNT STEPHEN TO THE LEFT


PASSING DEMOLISHED ROAD BRIDGE, KICKING HORSE CANYON


CANADIAN ROCKIES AT LEANCHOIL, BC


THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER IN THE KICKING HORSE CANYON


PASSING THROUGH THE SELKIRK RANGE AT GLACIER, BC


MEET WITH A CP FREIGHT LED BY CEFX AC4400CW #1057, REVELSTOKE, BC


MEET WITH THE CANADIAN PACIFIC EXECUTIVE TRAIN LED BY CP FP9 #4107, REVELSTOKE, BC


CP CABOOSE AT REVELSTOKE, BC


CROSSING THE COLUMBIA RIVER LEAVING REVELSTOKE


BAR AREA IN THE FRONT OF THE DOME CAR. NEAR SHUSWAP LAKE, BC.


BACK ONBOARD THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER LEAVING KAMLOOPS, BC, AFTER AN OVERNIGHT STAY


PASSING THROUGH THE ARID THOMPSON RIVER CANYON NEAR ASHCROFT, BC


BIGHORN SHEEP


COYOTE, LEFT OF CENTRE IN PHOTO


BALD EAGLE


VIEW FROM BACK OF TRAIN AT A ROCK SLIDE DETECTOR FENCE IN THE THOMPSON RIVER CANYON.


ROCKY MOUNTAINEER IN THE THOMPSON RIVER CANYON


VIEW FROM REAR OF TRAIN PASSING THROUGH A TUNNEL AT LASHA, BC


PAINTED CANYON REGION OF THE THOMPSON RIVER CANYON


CISCO, BC, IS WHERE THE CANADIAN PACIFIC & CANADIAN NATIONAL LINES CROSS EACH OTHER


IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER DOME CAR, TRAVELLING THROUGH THE COAST MOUNTAINS NEAR BOSTON BAR, BC


CROSSING THE FRASER RIVER AT VANCOUVER, BC


ROCKY MOUNTAINEER PULLING INTO THE STATION AT VANCOUVER, BC

June 14, 2020

A Rare-Mileage trip on the 'Montana Daylight'

Years ago, I had the opportunity to ride a passenger train on a route that today would be considered "rare mileage" by railfans and thought I might share some pics.

From 1995 until 2004, a tour train known as the ‘Montana Daylight’ used to run over a portion of the old Northern Pacific Railway's (now Montana Rail Link) mainline on a 2-day journey from Sandpoint, ID to Livingston, MT, via Missoula, MT, where an overnight stop-over was made (passengers could overnight in one of the local hotels which along with meal service, was included in the price of the tour).

The Montana Daylight ran on a section of the route of Northern Pacific’s premier passenger train, the ‘North Coast Limited’, which itself ran all the way from Seattle to Chicago, as did it’s replacement – Amtrak’s ‘North Coast Hiawatha’ which ran until 1979.

These pics were shot with a Nikon F60 using Kodachrome 64 slide film and later "hillbilly scanned" by photographing the slide projections with my then-new Nikon D50 digital SLR.

Not my best work - but since neither Amtrak's North Coast Hi nor the Montana Daylight are running anymore, I for one will always cherish these views of a streamlined passenger train running on this now-freight-only line through southern Montana.

Pics from my website at https://northamericabyrail.info/

Cheers, Pete

FIRST, A SHOT OF MY FAVORITE SPOT ONBOARD THE TRAIN. IN THE DOME CAR ON THE MONTANA DAYLIGHT. BEARMOUTH, MT


NOW FROM WEST TO EAST. ON THE EASTBOUND MONTANA DAYLIGHT, DEPARTING SANDPOINT, ID, AMTRAK STATION


NEAR THOMPSON FALLS, MT


DINING CAR ON THE MONTANA DAYLIGHT


LOWER LOUNGE IN MONTANA DAYLIGHT DOME CAR


MONTANA DAYLIGHT DESCENDING EVARO HILL WEST OF MISSOULA, MT. DUST DEVILS IN THE BACKGROUND.


MONTANA RAIL LINK SD19 #651 ON THE POINT OF THE MONTANA DAYLIGHT, MISSOULA, MT


NORTHERN PACIFIC 4-6-0 TYPE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE #1356, MISSOULA, MT


DOME-SLEEPER-LOUNGE CAR ‘BELLA VISTA’ ON TAIL END OF MONTANA DAYLIGHT, MISSOULA, MT


DOME CAR ‘CITY OF LIVINGSTON’, MONTANA DAYLIGHT, MISSOULA, MT


MONTANA RAIL LINK SD19 #652 ON THE MONTANA DAYLIGHT, MISSOULA, MT


ON THE MONTANA DAYLIGHT, LEAVING MISSOULA EASTBOUND


ABANDONED MILWAUKEE ROAD RIGHT OF WAY, RUNS PARALLEL TO MRL - NEE NORTHERN PACIFIC - MAINLINE


MONTANA DAYLIGHT CROSSING AUSTIN CREEK TRESTLE IN MULLAN PASS


LOOKING BACK AT AUSTIN CREEK TRESTLE


ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER AT LOMBARD, MT


MONTANA DAYLIGHT PASSING UNDER THE OLD MILWAUKEE ROAD BRIDGE AT LOMBARD, MT


LOOKING BACK AT MILWAUKEE ROAD BRIDGE, LOMBARD, MT


REAR VIEW OUT OF DOME CAR, LOMBARD, MT


LOGAN, MT


MEET WITH A BNSF FREIGHT, LOGAN, MT


MODEL RAILROAD ON DISPLAY AT LIVINGSTON DEPOT, EASTERN TERMINUS OF THE MONTANA DAYLIGHT

June 6, 2020

By Rail to The Maritimes on the Ocean Limited - a photo gallery

The ‘Ocean’ is Canada’s longest-lived named train, inaugurated July 3 1904 & running on the same route for over a century. It’s original name was ‘The Ocean Limited‘ to reflect its status as a fast, limited-stop express train & since the 1970's is operated by VIA Rail Canada over the route from Montreal, Quebec and through New Brunswick to Halifax, Nova Scotia on the Atlantic coast.

Back in the day the train consist would have been steam-hauled heavyweight passenger cars. In the 21st century of course more modern equipment is used. In 2002 VIA Rail re-equipped the 'Ocean' with European-made long distance rolling stock, with the exception of a vintage American built dome car at the rear, making this train unique among VIA Rail's fleet.

One summer several years back my wife and I had the opportunity to ride this train. As 'luck' would have it, a few days before the trip, I tripped & fell with my camera around my neck, landed on top of it and cracked my lens!

In a great amount of pain, I checked into the local hospital with my wife accompanying me and was diagnosed with a fractured rib. The Dr. said there was nothing to do but let the rib heal on its own. Not to be deterred, I went to a local camera store, bought a new lens, and in a few days off we were to Halifax. The nightly adventure of trying to climb into my upper berth in our bedroom on a moving train - with a cracked rib - was interesting to say the least...

Once again, as a weekend distraction, we thought we might share some pics below from our website at: https://northamericabyrail.info/

Hope you enjoy!

Cheers, Pete

FIRST, A VIEW OF ‘THE OCEAN LIMITED’ AT HALIFAX FROM THE WESTIN NOVA SCOTIAN HOTEL


NOW FROM WEST TO EAST: ONBOARD THE ‘OCEAN LIMITED’ LEAVING MONTREAL, QC


CROSSING THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER EAST OF MONTREAL, QC


MONT ST. HILAIRE, QC


RENAISSANCE DINING CAR ON THE 'OCEAN LIMITED'


RENAISSANCE LOUNGE CAR ON THE 'OCEAN LIMITED'


RENAISSANCE SLEEPING CAR BEDROOM - DAYTIME SETUP


RENAISSANCE SLEEPING CAR BEDROOM - NIGHT TIME SETUP


PARK CAR TAIL-END LOUNGE ON THE 'OCEAN LIMITED'


VIEW FROM THE VESTIBULE OF THE PARK CAR. MATAPEDIA, QC


TRAVELLING ALONG THE RESTIGOUCHE RIVER, THE TRAIN ACROSS THE VALLEY IS THE ‘CHALEUR’ BOUND FOR GASPE, QC


LOOKING BACK FROM UPPER LEVEL OF PARK CAR. MORRISSEY ROCK TUNNEL WEST OF CAMPBELLTON, NB


THE ‘OCEAN LIMITED’ ROLLS THROUGH CAMPBELLTON, NB, IN THE EARLY MORNING LIGHT


A BEAVER DAM NEAR MONCTON, NB


SACKVILLE, NB, VIA RAIL STATION


TIDAL FLATS NEAR TRURO, NS


SUSPENSION BRIDGE OVER HALIFAX HARBOR


PASSING BEDFORD BASIN ON THE APPROACH INTO HALIFAX, NS


CONTAINER SHIP IN PORT, HALIFAX, NS


ENTERING HALIFAX UNION STATION


THE ‘OCEAN LIMITED’ AFTER ARRIVAL AT HALIFAX UNION STATION


PARK CAR ON THE TAIL-END OF THE ‘OCEAN LIMITED’ AT HALIFAX UNION STATION


BOARDWALK ALONG THE WATERFRONT, HALIFAX HARBOR


WWII ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY CORVETTE HMCS 'SACKVILLE' ON DISPLAY, HALIFAX WATERFRONT


SKYLINE OF HALIFAX, AS SEEM FROM THE FERRY ACROSS THE HARBOR TO DARTMOUTH, NS

May 30, 2020

Florida-bound on Amtrak's Silver Meteor

Good afternoon DU'ers,

With all the non stop depressing news, first about the pandemic, then the grave injustices still being inflicted on vulnerable groups - especially people of color - and with the hope that America will emerge from this as once again being a beacon and inspiration for all peoples, I though it might be time for another weekend distraction with a few pics from a somewhat better time, and about a completely different subject.

Back in 2015 my wife and I decided to forgo the dreary weather up here in Canada and head south to Florida. Instead of flying or driving, we chose to take the train (naturally, as those who are familiar with my prior posts will know).

For those interested in taking a land cruise down the eastern seaboard to Miami, my wife and I often travel by train and thought we might share some pics from our trip a few years back on Amtrak's "Empire Service" train from Buffalo to New York City, and then aboard Amtrak's "Silver Meteor" from New York to Miami, and finally by rental car to the Florida Keys.

The pics are from my website, https://northamericabyrail.info/

Hope you enjoy,

Best Regards, Pete

4:30am at Buffalo-Depew Amtrak Station. Waiting for Amtrak's 'Empire Service' train that will take us to New York City


Passing a New York Central 0-6-0 type steam locomotive on display at Utica Amtrak Station


Along the Hudson River south of Albany, NY


Passing Bannerman's Castle on the Hudson River


Storm King State Park, Cold Spring, NY


Along the Hudson River at Croton-Harmon, NY


US Post Office Building, New York City. Photographed during our layover in New York while changing trains


The Empire State Building, taken during our layover at Penn Station.


Onboard Amtrak's 'Silver Meteor' departing Penn Station for Miami, with the dining car crew working to prepare this evening's meal.


Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer. Fresh Tilapia


Entering Philadelphia, PA


Entering a tunnel at Baltimore, MD


Engine change in Washington, DC. The electric locomotive that pulled our train from New York is uncoupled...


...and replaced by diesels for the rest of the trip to Miami


Bedroom on Amtrak's Silver Meteor, set up for day use


Passing swamplands near Savannah, GA


Approaching Deland, FL Amtrak station


Entering Winter Park, FL


Approaching Winter Park Amtrak station


Passing a fountain in downtown Winter Park


Winter Park Amtrak station


Entering Orlando, FL


Passing an orange grove south of Orlando


Leaving the Silver Meteor at Miami Amtrak Station


View of Miami Beach as seen from our hotel


Collins Ave, Miami beach


By rental car to the Keys along the Florida Overseas Highway


Mangroves in the Florida Keys along Overseas Highway


A shot of a rooster wandering the streets in Key West, FL


The lighthouse at Key West, FL

May 23, 2020

A trip to Atlantic Canada on the Chaleur

Good Saturday Morning, DU'ers,

For those interested in taking a scenic land cruise across Eastern Canada from the comfort of your computer or smartphone, my wife and I often travel by train and thought we might share some pics from the route of VIA Rail's 'Chaleur' which runs from Montreal to Gaspe, Quebec, on Canada's East Coast.

The pics are from my website, https://northamericabyrail.info/

Hope you enjoy!

FIRST, A PIC OF THE 'CHALEUR' AT GASPE, QC. VIA F40PH-2 #6424 ON THE POINT


DEPARTING MONTREAL FOR GASPE ON THE 'CHALEUR'


CROSSING THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER


MOUNTAINS NEAR ST. HYACINTHE, QC


DRUMMONDVILLE, QC


ALONG THE RESTIGOUCHE RIVER


MATAPEDIA, QC. TO THE LEFT IS THE 'OCEAN', VIA RAIL'S TRAIN TO HALIFAX


NEW CARLISLE, QC


PORT DANIEL, QC


FISHING BOATS AT PORT DANIEL, QC


PORT DANIEL TUNNEL


EAST OF PORT DANIEL, QC


CROSSING A TRESTLE AT PABOS MILLS, QC


WEST OF CHANDLER, QC


SHIP IN HARBOUR AT CHANDLER, QC


ALONG THE BEACH AT CHANDLER, QC


GRANDE-RIVIERE, QC


LIGHTHOUSE, GRANDE-RIVIERE, QC


TRESTLE EAST OF PERCE, QC


PERCE ROCK AS SEEN FROM THE 'CHALEUR'


MOUNTAINS NEAR BARACHOIS, QC. PART OF THE APPALACHIANS.


BRIDGE NEAR BARACHOIS, QC


TOWN OF GASPE, QC


CHATEAU-CLASS SLEEPING CAR ON THE REAR OF THE 'CHALEUR' AT GASPE, QC

May 10, 2020

By Steam Train over Letchworth Park - Grand Canyon of the East. A Rare-Mileage trip on the Erie Ltd.

Happy Sunday Morning, DU'ers,

For those interested in taking a scenic land cruise through Upstate New York from the comfort of your computer or smartphone, in 2015 my wife & I were passengers on the "Erie Limited": a one-time specially-chartered train recreating the original Erie Railroad train of the same name and pulled by Nickel Plate Road Steam Locomotive #765 on a rare-mileage trip over the former Erie Railroad's now freight-only line between Buffalo and Corning, NY.

The route runs over the Genesee River at Letchworth State Park, sometimes known as the 'Grand Canyon of the East', and along the scenic Canisteo River Valley.

For this railfan, it was a treat to ride not only on track that hasn't seen regular passenger train service in nearly half a century, but to do so behind a steam locomotive as well.

The pics are from my website, https://northamericabyrail.info/

Hope you enjoy!

NICKEL PLATE ROAD 2-8-4 BERKSHIRE CLASS STEAM LOCOMOTIVE #765 ON THE POINT OF THE 'ERIE LIMITED', BUFFALO, NY


GREAT NORTHERN DOME CAR 'PRAIRIE VIEW' ON THE ‘ERIE LIMITED’


IN GREAT NORTHERN DOME CAR 'PRAIRIE VIEW' ON THE ‘ERIE LIMITED’, NORFOLK SOUTHERN BISON YARD, BUFFALO, NY


DEPARTING BISON YARD, BUFFALO, NY


VINTAGE CAR, GRISWOLDS, NY


RAILFANS AT THE STATION IN ATTICA, NY


CROSSING TONAWANDA CREEK, ATTICA, NY


RAILFAN ON ROOF OF HOUSE


CROSSING PORTAGEVILLE BRIDGE, LETCHWORTH STATE PARK, PORTAGEVILLE, NY


OVER THE GENESEE RIVER, LETCHWORTH STATE PARK - 'GRAND CANYON OF THE EAST'


HORDES OF RAILFANS AT PORTAGEVILLE, NY


HORNELL DEPOT


VIEW FROM REAR OF GREAT NORTHERN DOME CAR 'PRAIRIE VIEW', HORNELL, NY


CROSSING A CULVERT, HORNELL, NY


FORMER ERIE RAILROAD, NOW ALSTOM, ERECTING SHOPS AT HORNELL, NY


NORFOLK SOUTHERN BAY-WINDOW CABOOSE, HORNELL, NY


FORMER ERIE RR TRI-LIGHT SIGNAL MAST IN THE CANISTEO RIVER VALLEY


NKP #765 PULLS THE ‘ERIE LIMITED’ THROUGH THE CANISTEO RIVER VALLEY


STEAM IN THE CANISTEO RIVER VALLEY


RAILFANS SHOOTING OUR TRAIN, CANISTEO RIVER VALLEY, NY


REMAINS OF FORMER ERIE RAILROAD WATER TOWER, ADDISON, NY


STATION, ADDISON, NY


PERSON IN CHERRY PICKER WATCHING OUR TRAIN, CORNING, NY


CROSSING THE CANISTEO RIVER, CORNING, NY


NORFOLK SOUTHERN LOCOMOTIVE SHOPS, CORNING NY


NORFOLK SOUTHERN SD40-2 #3491, NORFOLK SOUTHERN SHOPS, CORNING NY


CROSSING A CREEK AT CORNING, NY


ON BOARD THE ‘ERIE LIMITED’, ENTERING CORNING, NY


CORNING, NY


NKP #765 PULLS THE ‘ERIE LIMITED’ FORWARD THROUGH THE WYE AT CORNING, NY


BACKING THROUGH THE WYE AT CORNING, NY


PASSING COAL TRUCK THAT WILL REFUEL NKP#765


FORMER ERIE RR DEPOT, CORNING, NY


IN THE LOUNGE OF SEABOARD LINE SLEEPER-LOUNGE CAR 'HOLLYWOOD BEACH', CORNING, NY


VIEW FROM REAR VESTIBULE OF PULLMAN CAR 'DOVER HARBOR', CORNING, NY

April 25, 2020

I've been working on the railroad (a video & some pics of my Lionel train collection)

Hello again DU'ers,

Being a few weeks into the lockdown here has given me time to further engage in a lifetime hobby of mine: model railroading.

Though nowadays the hobby seems to be in decline, with a demographic consisting mainly of boomers - and gen-x'ers like myself - in the postwar period having a Lionel train set for the kids was almost as much a part of the American Dream as a house with a picket fence and a car in the driveway. And after declining sales in the 60's, Lionel trains had made a comeback in the 1970's - with the trains being marketed more as collectibles for grown-ups rather than as toys for children.

I've been collecting Lionel trains for most of my life and thought I'd share a video and some pics showcasing the layout I've built & train collection I've acquired over the years since receiving my first Lionel train set when I was 8 years old.

So here is a short video (and below that, some pictures) showcasing my 8 x 9 foot Lionel O-gauge three-rail layout and my O-gauge model train collection – featuring engines & rolling stock from Lionel, MTH, Weaver, Williams, Atlas-O, K-Line, Ready Made Trains & Buffalo Creek Graphics. Steam, diesel & electric power. Passenger & freight.

Over 150 pieces of rolling stock in 10 minutes! From my web page at: https://northamericabyrail.info/model-railroading/

Hope you enjoy, and keep safe.

Layout Video:


Layout Overview Pic:


Train Pics:

Lionel/MPC Canadian Pacific F3 A-B-A & GP9 diesels pulling “The Canadian”


MTH Canadian Pacific FA2 A-B-A & GP9 diesels on the “Expo Limited”


MTH Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson steamer with a local freight


MTH Canadian National SW8 diesel with a transfer freight


MTH Canadian National Bullet Nose Betty steamer pulling the “Inter-City Limited”


MTH Canadian National F3 A-B-A & GP9 diesels pulling the “Super Continental”


Custom-painted MTH VIA Rail F3 A-B-A diesels with the “Skeena”


Williams Pennsylvania GG1 electric on the “Broadway Limited”


Williams Burlington E7 A-A diesels with the “Denver Zephyr”


Lionel/MPC Southern Pacific Daylight steamer with the “Coast Daylight”


Lionel Trains Inc Erie Lackawanna PA1 A-A diesels pulling the “Phoebe Snow”


MTH Canadian Pacific RS3 diesel with a branchline freight


MTH Ontario Northland E8 A-B-A diesels with a time freight


Weaver Canadian Pacific Empress steamer with the “Dominion”


Lionel Trains Inc Canadian Pacific F3 A-B-A diesels pulling the “Atlantic Limited”


Lionel Postwar Milwaukee Road GP7 diesel with a local freight


Lionel Postwar Union Pacific Alco A-A diesels with a time freight


Lionel/MPC Grand Trunk Western GP7 diesels with the “Maple Leaf”


Lionel Trains Inc Canadian Pacific GP9 diesel with a time freight


MTH Canadian Pacific E8 A-B-A diesels with a dead freight


Lionel/MPC Milwaukee Road EP5 electric & SD18 diesel pulling a time freight


Corgi TTC PCC streetcar

April 20, 2020

To Yellowstone Park and Seattle on Amtrak's Empire Builder

Hello Again, DU'ers,

In the summer of 2016 my wife & I took a ride on Amtrak's "Empire Builder" from Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington with a stopover in Whitefish, Montana to visit Yellowstone National Park and thought we might share some pics.

I'll be the first to admit that pictures cannot do justice to actually seeing the scenic wonders of Yellowstone Park, and the blast furnace sounds and the sulfur smells of its geysers in person.

However if you are looking for a diversion from news about the pandemic, and are ready to channel your inner Lewis & Clark, then I hope you'll join us for a virtual journey across the Pacific Northwest!

The pics are from my website, https://northamericabyrail.info/

Hope you enjoy!

Chicago Union Station's Great Hall


Onboard Amtrak's Westbound "Empire Builder" departing Chicago Union Station


Chicago Skyline as seen from the train


Passing through Wisconsin Dells


Crossing the Mississippi River near Winona, MN


Onboard the Empire Builder racing through the badlands near Williston, ND


The Empire Builder at Havre, MT, fueled & ready for its haul over the Great Divide.


Great Northern 4-8-4 type steam locomotive on display in Havre, MT


Sweet Grass Hills, MT


National Park Service volunteers provided a running commentary onboard the train. The Empire Builder closely follows the route of the Lewis & Clark expedition. Photo taken with permission.


Two Medicine, Montana. Crossing the highest trestle on the Empire Builder's route


Glacier Park Amtrak Station


Onboard the Empire Builder, roaring through the Rockies, Glacier National Park, MT


Glacier Park, MT


Front of our train entering a snowshed in Marias Pass


Front of our train entering a tunnel, Glacier Park, MT


Detraining at the Whitefish, MT Amtrak station.


By rental car driving south along Flathead Lake


(Edited to add the following three pics of preserved railroad equipment encountered on our drive through southern Montana-for the benefit of railfans commenting on my thread below )

Burlington Northern caboose on display at St Ignatius, MT


Northern Pacific 4-6-0 type steam Locomotive on display in Missoula, MT


Milwaukee Road EF4 class electric locomotive on display in Deer Lodge, MT


Driving along the Jefferson River Canyon


Yellowstone National Park, West Entrance


Antique 1937 Yellowstone tour bus


Silex Spring, Fountain Paint Pot Geyser Basin


Clepsydra Geyser, Fountain Paint Pot Geyser Basin


Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park


Grand Canyon & Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River


First time we ever saw a wild bison. Yellowstone National Park


Back onboard the Empire Builder. Station stop at Wenatchee, WA


Along the Columbia River near Wenatchee, WA


Climbing the front range of the Cascades near Leavenworth, WA


On board the Empire Builder rolling through the Cascade mountains


Waterfalls in the Cascades


Bavarian architecture at Skykomish, WA


Onboard the Empire Builder, passing wreck of World War II minesweeper 'Pacific Queen' in Puget Sound


Entering downtown Seattle


King Street Station, Seattle - final stop on the Empire Builder's route


Pikes Place Market, Seattle, WA


Ballard Locks, Seattle, WA


Seattle Skyline & Space Needle as seen from Kerry Park

April 11, 2020

The World's Longest Electrified Railroad

Hello again DU'ers!

About two decades ago, I went on a road trip across the Pacific Northwestern U.S. to photograph what remained of what was once the world's longest electrified railroad, and thought I might share a few pics here for trivia's sake and to offer a little distraction from the somber news about the global pandemic.

The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, also known as the Milwaukee Road, was the last transcontinental railroad to be completed across the Western United States in 1909.

In 1914 it also became the only transcontinental railroad to be electrified. By 1927 approximately a third of the route between St. Paul & Seattle, a total of 660 route-miles, was under the wires - making it the world's longest mainline railroad electrification at the time!

For nearly six decades, smooth, silent hydroelectric power was used to power both passenger & freight trains through the Rocky & Cascade mountains of Montana, Idaho and Washington - with a fleet of 116 electric locomotives of five different types ultimately placed into service. There were two electrified sections - the 440 mile Rocky Mountain Division and the 207 mile Coast Division - separated by a 216 mile un-electrified section known as "The Gap".

In the 1970's the Milwaukee Road, facing bankruptcy, became interested in selling off instead of renewing the electrification assets and, in the midst of an oil embargo, made the controversial decision to phase out electric operations in June of 1974.

However the Milwaukee's pulling of the plug on its electric operations was to no avail. The railroad entered bankruptcy, and in March 1980 the Milwaukee Road abandoned its Pacific extension- thus becoming the largest railroad to disappear from the map of the United States.

In my pictures below (originally shot on Kodachrome 64 slide film and which can also be seen on my website, https://northamericabyrail.info/ ) I've attempted to show both what was lost and also what remains of the Milwaukee Road's Pacific extension:
The bridges, tunnels, and rights-of-way; the engines and rolling stock preserved in various museums; the stations that served the passengers and the substations that supplied the power - frozen in time waiting for a train that will never come.

Also - in addition to my pictures below - I've included links to vintage images from other photographers that I found on the web, so that viewers may do a "now versus then" comparison.

Hope you enjoy.

My photograph of a Milwaukee Road boxcab electric locomotive on display in Harlowton, MT. Harlowton was the beginning of the 440 mile electrified Rocky Mountain Division which extended to Avery, ID.


A vintage photograph of a pair of boxcabs in the Deer Lodge, MT locomotive shop - still in revenue service (photographer unknown)


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road shunting locomotive used at Deer Lodge, now on display in Harlowton, MT


A vintage photograph of the same Deer Lodge shop switcher in operation (photographer unknown)


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road wedge plow on display in Harlowton, MT


A vintage photograph of another plow when it was a functioning part of the Milwaukee's once-vast system (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the former Milwaukee Road roundhouse in Harlowton, MT - now a home for 4-legged horses instead of iron ones


A vintage photograph of the Harlowton Roundhouse serving in it's originally intended purpose (John Rust)


My photograph of the former Milwaukee Road engine facilities, water tower & freight yards at Harlowton, MT


A vintage photograph of the Milwaukee Road engine facilities at Harlowton, MT (Michael Sol)


My photograph of the old Milwaukee Road depot at Ringling, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight passing the depot at Ringling, MT (Steve Schmollinger)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road bridge over the Missouri River at Lombard, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road passenger train crossing the bridge at Lombard, MT (Sanford Goodrick "Under Milwaukee Wires" )


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road class EF4 "Little Joe" electric locomotive on display in Deer Lodge, MT
(These General-Electric-built export locomotives, originally destined for Russia & named after Joseph Stalin, were undeliverable after the 1948 embargo of the Soviet Union so instead the Milwaukee Road bought them in 1950)


A vintage photograph of a pair of "Joe's" in revenue service at Deer Lodge, MT (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the east portal of the Milwaukee Road's old Pipestone Pass Tunnel


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight exiting the west portal of Pipestone Pass tunnel (Ron V Nixon "Museum of the Rockies" )


My photograph of an abandoned Milwaukee Road boxcar at Vendome, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Rd freight beginning its climb to the continental divide at Vendome, MT (John Dziobko)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road depot in Missoula, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight passing the Missoula depot (photographer unknown)


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road bay window caboose on display at Alberton, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road bay window caboose in operation (photographer unknown)


My photograph of a Wylie Controller from a "Little Joe" electric locomotive on display in the Alberton Museum
(Named for its inventor, Milwaukee Road electrical engineer Lawrence Wylie, this controller enabled the Little Joe electric locomotives to run together in multiple unit lashups with diesels)


A vintage photograph inside the cab of a "Joe", the Wylie controller's handle is immediately to the left of the two gauges (used to show traction motor amperage and train speed) (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road depot in Alberton, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight passing the depot in Alberton, MT (Ron V Nixon "Museum of the Rockies" )


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road trestle at Saltese, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight crossing the trestle at Saltese, MT (Chris Bradley)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road's Dominion Creek trestle at Bryson, MT


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight crossing the Dominion Creek trestle at Bryson, MT (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road's St Paul Pass tunnel at East Portal, MT


A vintage photograph of a set of Milwaukee Road engines running light at East Portal, MT (Bill Hooper)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road's St Paul Pass tunnel at Roland, ID


A vintage photograph of the Milwaukee Road's St Paul Pass tunnel at Roland, ID (Ron V Nixon "Museum of the Rockies" )


My photograph of Milwaukee Road trestles in the Bitterroot mountains, St Paul Pass, ID


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight crossing a trestle in the Bitterroots (Michael Sol)


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road Tunnel in the Bitterroots


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road Tunnel in the Bitterroots (Victor Hand)


My photograph of the old Milwaukee Road depot at Avery, ID


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight passing the depot at Avery, ID (Steve Schmollinger)


My photograph of the site of the former Milwaukee Road yard & right of way at Avery, ID


A vintage photograph of the Milwaukee Rd yard at Avery, ID, with tracks and trolley poles still in place (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road trestle over Lake Chatcolet. This location was in the un-electrified gap between the electrified Rocky Mountain and Coast Divisions.


A vintage photograph of the Milwaukee Road trestle over Lake Chatcolet (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the former Milwaukee Road yard at St Maries, ID, now in use by the St Maries River RR


A vintage photograph of the Milwaukee Road yard at St Maries, ID (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road bridge over the Columbia River at Beverly, WA. This was part of the Coast Division electrification.


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight crossing the bridge over the Columbia River at Beverly, WA (Rob Leachman)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road substation at Cle Elum, WA
(These substations converted 100,000 volts AC from the hydro companies into 3,000 volts DC for the locomotives)


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight passing the substation at Cle Elum, WA (photographer unknown)


My photograph of the Milwaukee Road's Snoqualmie tunnel


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road freight exiting the tunnel at Snoqualmie, WA (photographer unknown)


My photograph of a Milwaukee Road trestle in Snoqualmie Pass


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road passenger train crossing a trestle in Snoqualmie Pass (photographer unknown)


My photograph of Seattle's Union Station


A vintage photograph of a Milwaukee Road passenger train departing Seattle's Union Station (Michael Sol)

April 5, 2020

Rocketing to Rupert on "The Skeena" (And by Ferry to Vancouver Island)

Last summer my wife & I took a ride on "The Skeena" - VIA Rail Canada's train that operates through the Northern British Columbia Rockies on a 2-day journey from Jasper, Alberta to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, via Prince George, BC, where an overnight stop-over is made (passengers can overnight in one of the local hotels).

The train is often ironically referred to by it’s unofficial moniker – the "Rupert Rocket" and is classified as a remote essential service by the Federal Government of Canada.

Interesting fact: Prince Rupert, on the Northern British Columbia coast, is only 40 miles from Alaska!

From Prince Rupert, we took the BC Ferry 'Northern Expedition' on a 16 hour day cruise to Port Hardy, BC on the northern tip of Vancouver Island and from there rented a car and drove to Tofino on the west coast of the island.

Though the weather didn't always co-operate and the train was late due to a huge amount of freight traffic (it was scheduled to arrive in Prince Rupert at 8pm on the second day, we didn't arrive until 4am the next morning) the trip was very enjoyable.

For those cooped up at home listening to the endless depressing news about the pandemic, we thought we might once again offer a little distraction & share a few pics from our website at: https://northamericabyrail.info/

Hope you enjoy!

VIA Train #5 - The 'Skeena' - at Jasper, AB being readied for departure to Prince Rupert, BC.


Jasper VIA Rail Station


Onboard the westbound Skeena departing Jasper, AB


The westbound Skeena travelling along Moose Lake


Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, 12,972 ft. Summit is only visible on average 16 days per year.


Coach seating on VIA Rail's Skeena


Scenic dome section in Park car on VIA Rail's Skeena


Bullet Lounge in Park car on VIA Rail's Skeena


Travelling through the Rocky Mountains, Harvey, BC


Travelling through the Rocky Mountains, Dunster, BC


Onboard the Skeena in the Rockies west of McBride, BC


By train along the Fraser River


250 meter tunnel west of McBride, BC


Onboard the Skeena in the Rockies & along the Fraser, west of McBride, BC


View from rear of train crossing Hansard Bridge over the Fraser River


Prince George, BC, VIA Rail station


Onboard the Skeena running along Fraser Lake


Lunch in Touring Class on the Skeena


Along the Endako River


Onboard the Skeena along Burns Lake


Burns Lake, BC, station stop


Onboard the westbound Skeena east of Houston, BC


Meet with a CN ballast train near Telkwa, BC


Onboard the westbound Skeena at Smithers, BC, VIA Rail Station


Coast Mountains west of Smithers, BC


Onboard the Skeena departing Smithers, BC


Hudson Bay Mountain & Kathlyn Glacier


Crossing a trestle in Bulkley Canyon at dusk


Entering a tunnel in Bulkley Canyon at dusk


Prince Rupert, BC, VIA Station & Ferry Terminal


View from Highliner Plaza Hotel, Prince Rupert, BC


Outside cabin on the BC Ferry 'Northern Expedition' headed from Prince Rupert, BC to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island


Island and mainland-bound ferries passing each other


Cruising BC's inside passage


View from Glen Lyon Inn, Port Hardy, BC


Canadian Forest Products steam locomotive on display at Woss, BC


By rental car through Vancouver Island. Cameron Lake, BC


By rental car through Vancouver Island. Kennedy Lake, BC


Pacific Sands Hotel, Tofino, BC


Beach at the Pacific Sands Hotel, Tofino, BC


Totem Pole, Tofino, BC


Harbor, Tofino, BC


Pacific Terminus, Trans Canada highway, Tofino, BC