Really interesting to watch the CP Rail workers maintain this stretch of track in the Rockies back in the 1950's. Hard work for sure but I suspect it was really rewarding. A few car cameos as well. I suspect non-train buffs even will find this enjoyable.
I've got some old home movies from the late 50's from my dad's trip from Saskatchewan to the coast, before the Rogers Pass was open to vehicle traffic. Autos were loaded onto rail cars in Golden, then off loaded in Revelstoke.
Thanks Todd, These NFB shorts were staples of our education curriculum back in the early 60's, we so looked forward to Film day at school. This one is produced in 1958, just awe inspiring now, can't imagine what it would be like as young boy now. So much Pride Hope and promise in those days, were we ever proud to be Canadians.
My route how each day from Downtown Toronto takes me on a good less traveled way home through the Don Valley and there is a level crossing, has to be one of the few left in the big city, at places the road is literally 20 feet from the tracks as they meander along the Don River. I often have to stop at the crossing and in the summer twice a week at precisely 5:45 pm the Canadian passes that crossing heading into or from Union Station. The Canadian is that iconic stainless steel passenger train with the distinctive observation and dinning cars seen in the film. Remarkably it still runs having been ordered in 1953. It is a sight to behold.
I have an artist friend who is a railroad artist, he's been to every place mentioned in that film and has an album of all of the stations across Canada from photos he personally took and shots of the famous passes and tunnels. He uses these to paint his works of art. Have a look at his incredible talent," The Canadian, The pride of Canada":
-- Edited by 73SC on Thursday 15th of March 2018 10:55:34 PM
It's on my bucket list to take the Canadian on a trip to the Rockies.
It would be cool in one of the panoramic upper lounge seats for sure!
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
It's on my bucket list to take the Canadian on a trip to the Rockies.
It would be cool in one of the panoramic upper lounge seats for sure!
FYI - The Canadian takes the northern route (Edmonton / Jasper) through the Yellowhead Pass, and totally bypasses the real scenic stuff in the Rockies. To see the good stuff in the Rockies, you need to take one of the high dollar tourist only trains, The Rocky Moutaineer, or the one operated by CP.
It's on my bucket list to take the Canadian on a trip to the Rockies.
It would be cool in one of the panoramic upper lounge seats for sure!
FYI - The Canadian takes the northern route (Edmonton / Jasper) through the Yellowhead Pass, and totally bypasses the real scenic stuff in the Rockies. To see the good stuff in the Rockies, you need to take one of the high dollar tourist only trains, The Rocky Moutaineer, or the one operated by CP.
Friends did it a couple of years ago and it cost $4,500 each from Toronto.
I just watched the film, very neat. I've likely driven Calgary / Vancouver a couple hundred times, and the drive through the Rockies is very enjoyable when not dodging novice drivers pulling trailers.
The highway drives right beside the tracks for much of the journey, and I recognize many of the scenes. As indicated in the film, the tracks are no longer at grade through Rogers Pass, having gone underground over 100 years ago in deeper and deeper tunnels for them to go through. The most recent 9.1 mile long "Mount MacDonald Tunnel" was completed in the late 80's, and carries the westbound traffic.
