JAMIE'S RANDOM AMERICAN RAILWAY PHOTOS.

[jamie92208]

Good morning again from a rather warm Charente.   The Tardis has now crossed into Canada after a stop at the border for passport inspection. I seem to remember that we arrived in Vancouver at about midnight at the CN station to the east of the city centre.  My two old aunts met me and I stayed with them for the next few days. They were very good hosts and took me round to various places.  We went over to North Vancouver via the Seabus ferry.

Quite an interesting concept with no mooring lines.  Hydraulic catches held it in place in the two docks.  I also went up Grouse Mountain on the cable car. A lovely city.   I even sampled a professional lacrosse brawl, sorry, ice hockey match.  Two 80 yr old's cheering every time blood dripped onto the ice.

 

Anyway I discovered that there was a steam excursion up to Squamish on BC Rail so on what I think was the 13th June 1978 found me heading across the bay again to North Vancouver station where a gleaming Royal Hudson and 14 coaches in CP livery was waiting.  Here we are setting off.

As we left we passed BC Rail boxcars.

With occasional interlopers in view.

And even a BCR loco.  I think an Alco of some description as we passed under the Lions gate bridge.

The line up to Squamish is certainly not straight but that gave me chance to get some good shots of our loco.

It was turning into another good day out.

 

Jamie

 

 

 

 

Edited April 10, 2022 by jamie92208

[Mike_Walker]

1 hour ago, jamie92208 said:

And even a BCR loco.  I think an Alco of some description as we passed under the Lions gate bridge.

 

A Montreal-built RS10.

[mdvle]

8 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

And even a BCR loco.  I think an Alco of some description as we passed under the Lions gate bridge.

 

At the time of your visit Canada still had tax rules that encouraged domestic manufacture of locomotives, so the odds of seeing an actual Alco are quite low.

 

So for the diesel era EMD created GMDD (in London ON) to make EMD locos in Canada (and there can be subtle differences even before getting into things like CN's safety cab) and MLW (Montreal Locomotive Works, sold to Bombardier in 1988) created designs based off of Alco products.  CLC (Canadian Locomotive Works) did Baldwin and Fairbanks Morse stuff in Canada for a short period.

[F-UnitMad]

15 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

 

As we left we passed BC Rail boxcars.

I note you've captured a gantlet track in those photos - presumably for a weighbridge, with the scales in the white hut. 

[jamie92208]

6 hours ago, F-UnitMad said:

I note you've captured a gantlet track in those photos - presumably for a weighbridge, with the scales in the white hut. 

I had no idea but it looks likely.

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good moaning again from a rapidly warming piece of the Charente.   The Tardis is now set to 13th June 1978 and we are aboard an excursion to Squamish, hauled by a Royal Hudson.

There was obviously a lot of work going on to strengthen bridges.  The uploader is up to it's tricks again.

It really was a beautiful run up along the shore line.

At Squamish, I'd booked a flight package that included lunch and a flight over the nearest icefield.  However that was cancelled due to the weather but they did give me a lunch voucher .  I had time to watch the local lumber operation.  I was fascinated with this sequence.  The lorries would arrive at a large set of sheerlegs looking like this.

The load was then dumped in the harbour to be marshalled by little tugs,

Then the trailer was picked up and put on the tractor unit to go back for another load.

At some point our loco went away to be turned, with its support coach. It really looked magnificent.  Oh that it had been a Selkirk.

More tomorrow.

 

Jamie

Edited April 10, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good moaning again, it's not as warm today so a bit more comfortable.   However we are still at Squamish on 13th June 1978. The Royal Hudson was ready to set off so it was time to get back on the train.  The journey was just as scenic on the way back.

At North Vancouver  I got a chance to visit the cab.  This panel that allowed the engineer to control diesels was of interest.

As were the engineers controls.

I also needed to get an idea of the size of the driving wheels so Beverley (Yes another one) acted as a size comparison for me.

She then gave me a bit of a tour of the city.  One of the places we went to was Stanley Park and the totem poles.  26 years later on a silver wedding trip, my wife and I visited again.  Beth thought they looked rather nice.  I replied, "Don't you remember them"  There was then an icy voice near my right ear which said, "It wasn't me that you came here with when you first saw them".  Doh.

Anyway I was dropped back at my aunt's in time for them to take me our for a lovely meal at the Old Cannery that looks down the harbour to Stanley Park.  The next day was departure day and Phil and Marj took me in to town.  The Canadian still departed from the centre of town from the old CP terminus.

Another lovely city, now for another long train ride.

 

Jamie

Edited April 10, 2022 by jamie92208

[pH]

10 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

Anyway I was dropped back at my aunt's in time for them to take me our for a lovely meal at the Old Cannery that looks down the harbour to Stanley Park. 

 Very lucky you! 
 

Unfortunately, you’ve used the wrong tense. The Cannery was closed several years ago, as the dock area is now behind security barriers.

 

https://www.bcliving.ca/historic-cannery-restaurant-to-close

[Kris]

11 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

She then gave me a bit of a tour of the city.  One of the places we went to was Stanley Park and the totem poles.  26 years later on a silver wedding trip, my wife and I visited again.  Beth thought they looked rather nice.  I replied, "Don't you remember them"  There was then an icy voice near my right ear which said, "It wasn't me that you came here with when you first saw them".  Doh.

 

Awkward. 

[Northroader]

There’s a place with a load of totem poles just like that tucked away in Windsor Great Park. I suppose you didn’t take the missus there either?

[jamie92208]

3 hours ago, pH said:

 Very lucky you! 
 

Unfortunately, you’ve used the wrong tense. The Cannery was closed several years ago, as the dock area is now behind security barriers.

 

https://www.bcliving.ca/historic-cannery-restaurant-to-close

Fortunately I was able to take Beth there, along with Marj (the surviving aunt) in 2004.

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good morning from the Charente.  The Tardis is still in Vancouver on the 14th June 1978.   From where the previous photo was taken things looked rather different then.  Railway yards where the cruise terminal is now. I'm not sure but I think that the train ferry to Vancouver Island went from this area. I would be surprised of any of these shunters are still in existence.

The interior of the CP station didn't disappoint either.

Aunt Phil got this photo of me in travelling mode.  I still use that rucksack today. It leaves my arms free to push wheelchairs and manage luggage.  It also raises eyebrows amongst some security staff but it has served me well. I will not comment on the flared jeans.

After saying thank you and goodbye to Phil and Marj I got my luggage on board and then went walkabout with my camera.   This colourful boxcar caught my eye.

Even better was out train.   All stainless steel coaches with a park series dome observation at the rear and these two immaculate F units up front. Though the ticket said VIA, the train was all CP. FPA9's I think.

Anyway at about 6pm, IIRC, we headed east and before long were alongside the Fraser River.

Ahead the various ranges of the Rockies and some more famous railway summits.

 

Jamie

 

Edited April 10, 2022 by jamie92208

[pH]

23 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

Even better was out train.   All stainless steel coaches with a park series dome observation at the rear and these two immaculate F units up front. Though the ticket said VIA, the train was all CP. FPA9's I think.

 

To paraphrase Mr. Morecambe - all the correct letters, but not in the right order. #1406 is an FP9A. Going by the grilles, I think the second unit may be an FP7A, but I wouldn’t swear to that.

Edited June 17, 2021 by pH
Spelling

[F-UnitMad]

36 minutes ago, pH said:

To paraphrase Mr. Morecambe - all the correct letters, but not in the right order. #1406 is an FP9A. Going by the grilles, I think the second unit may be an FP7A, but I wouldn’t swear to that.

5 grilles - it's a second FP9A.

Also of interest, ditch lights were fitted on Canadian locomotives some years before they became standard on US engines.

As for flared trousers - they were all you could get at the time. The current term is "Period clothing". 

At least you weren't wearing a tank top as well...

[jasond]

Aaaah flares, 'I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet' down the King's Road, Chelsea ... ex-Navy flared trousers.  As the retired sailor said in his letter to the Daily Mirror, "I could take two paces forward and no-one knew I'd moved!"

 

Jason

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, jasond said:

Aaaah flares, 'I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet' down the King's Road, Chelsea ... ex-Navy flared trousers.  As the retired sailor said in his letter to the Daily Mirror, "I could take two paces forward and no-one knew I'd moved!"

 

Jason

Yes, I seem to remember specifying the size of the flare when buying 31" comes to mind.  At least they weren't  loon pants.

 

Jamie

Edited June 17, 2021 by jamie92208

[The Lurker]

The picture taken from along the Fraser River is timeless; it feels very like the view of the last time I did the trip in 2017. 

[pH]

2 hours ago, F-UnitMad said:

5 grilles - it's a second FP9A.

 

As I said, I wouldn’t swear to it being an FP7A. I was going from the pictures on this page of CP F-units in the 14xx series:

 

http://www.mountainrailway.com/CP 1400 Page 1.htm

 

In general (there are a very few exceptions), those identified as FP9As have the same grille arrangement as #1406 and those identified as FP7As have the grille arrangement on the second unit in Jamie’s photo.

 

 

[F-UnitMad]

18 minutes ago, pH said:

 

As I said, I wouldn’t swear to it being an FP7A. I was going from the pictures on this page of CP F-units in the 14xx series:

 

http://www.mountainrailway.com/CP 1400 Page 1.htm

 

In general (there are a very few exceptions), those identified as FP9As have the same grille arrangement as #1406 and those identified as FP7As have the grille arrangement on the second unit in Jamie’s photo.

 

 

Sorry, my wording was bad - I should have said 'louvres' rather than 'grilles'.

The F9 & FP9 had 5 bodyside louvres, the closest one to the cab door being in front of the forward porthole. F7s & FP7s had 4 louvres, none in front of the forward porthole, which was closer to the cab than on the F9/FP9.

The bodyside louvre & porthole arrangements are identical on those two locos; ergo the 2nd is also an FP9.

Still whatever they were, I'm not at all jealous, in any way whaysoever, of Jamie & his Tardis...

 

[pH]

You’ve really got me interested in this! (Isn’t insomnia great?). Rapido have descriptions and prototype pictures on their website of GMD FP7s and FP9s, which differ in details from the EMD versions (CP’s locos were GMD built). The pictures show grille arrangements which indicate the second unit is a GMD FP7A. 
 

(I’m off now to try to get back to sleep. If I don’t answer further posts, it doesn’t mean I’m in a huff.)
 

 

[jamie92208]

56 minutes ago, F-UnitMad said:

Sorry, my wording was bad - I should have said 'louvres' rather than 'grilles'.

The F9 & FP9 had 5 bodyside louvres, the closest one to the cab door being in front of the forward porthole. F7s & FP7s had 4 louvres, none in front of the forward porthole, which was closer to the cab than on the F9/FP9.

The bodyside louvre & porthole arrangements are identical on those two locos; ergo the 2nd is also an FP9.

Still whatever they were, I'm not at all jealous, in any way whaysoever, of Jamie & his Tardis...

 

There are plenty more F units to come.

 

Jamie

[F-UnitMad]

1 hour ago, pH said:

Rapido have descriptions and prototype pictures on their website of GMD FP7s and FP9s, which differ in details from the EMD versions (CP’s locos were GMD built).

Ah, I see. GMD - vs - EMD.  In which case I bow to Rapido's superior knowledge. 

 

And I thought the most difficult F-Unit I.D. problem was between late-phase F3s and early phase F7s...  

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

5 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

The interior of the CP station didn't disappoint either.

 

It's not too shabby these days, either.  The Younger Gerbil-Fritters studied at University of British Columbia in 2018 and had lunch in the excellent restaurant in the station.

 

 

 

[Johann Marsbar]

When I was last in Vancouver back in 2002, there was a Brewpub - Steamworks - located in part of the former CP station, which we used most evenings. It still appears to be in business today.

[pH]

1 hour ago, F-UnitMad said:

And I thought the most difficult F-Unit I.D. problem was between late-phase F3s and early phase F7s...  

 

You mean F5s?