What a Contrast

Here are two VIA trains from this week, and what a contrast between them!

First up was VIA 693 aka the Hudson Bay on Tuesday. We have some pretty nice autumn colours this year, and you can see them as VIA 6452 approached Shaftesbury Boulevard on its way out of town.


There was a brush fire a bit south of the tracks and the VIA crew were warned about the lack of visibility. The fire had been burning for a few days and Tuesday's high winds were not helping.


Fast forward to Thursday noon and it was snowing! The whole day was miserable with mixed snow and rain. I only shot the Canadian because I had to go out for an errand.


What a difference two days made.


Epilogue: The Grey Cup train was in Portage la Prairie today and hopefully the weather was a bit nicer there. John at the CP Rail Manitoba and Minnesota Sub blog caught the train in Minnedosa, and I plan on seeing it Saturday morning.

VIA 693 and VIA 1

Here are VIA 693 from Tuesday and VIA 1 from Thursday.

VIA 693, ex-Hudson Bay, first. I waited just west of Carman Junction for the train in the bright sunshine. I had brought along my Canon S3 to use as a video camera, but when I went to set up I realized I forgot the tripod. I didn't even have my GorillaPod with me so there was no place to set the camera down and take decent video. Oh well.

I mentioned previously that shooting the Hudson Bay is a bit dull, so I figured I would try a little blur shot. I set the shutter speed on my T1i to 1/30s and took this shot.


I'm fairly pleased with the outcome. The engine nose could be a bit sharper. I shot each car as it went by and then got the David Morris Going-Away Shot™.


Note the bit of yellow behind the train, canola in a far-away field. I have to find a place to shoot trains with canola in the foreground!

I went out on June 28 (Thursday) to shoot the Canadian. I waited a little west of Shaftesbury Boulevard for VIA 1 and it came along on time.


This time I remembered the tripod. Here's the video from my Canon S3.


As soon as the Canadian went by, I took off in pursuit. I was hoping for a stop signal at Diamond or at least a Limited to slow it down enough for me to catch up. I was held up by a slow driver on Wilkes so I didn't draw abreast of the train until after the hotbox detector at mile 10. Unfortunately VIA called out "Clear to Diamond" so there would be no chance to get ahead. I pointed my camera out the side window of the car and took a few pacing shots totally blind. I was quite pleased with how this one turned out.


I didn't even have to level the horizon!

After that I slowed and the Canadian disappeared in the distance. I turned around and headed back east... only to.... well, that's another post.

Recent VIAs

Here are a few recent VIA trains that I've seen.

On April 23 I shot the Canadian rocketing out of Winnipeg. I was near Diamond but I didn't have a lot of time to get ready. I got this shot of VIA 1 but did not get the full consist, since the train was zooming along at 60+ MPH.

That was fast!

On May 5 I had a busy day of railfanning (to be detailed in another post) and I made sure to see the Canadian first. This time I was at St. James Junction.


Nice to see the big summer trains again.


Here's the video. I shot it with my Canon S3 mounted on my GorillaPod so it's pretty low to the ground.


Finally, I shot the Hudson Bay VIA 693 leaving Winnipeg on June 20. This was taken just west of Shaftesbury Boulevard. This is a very typical 693 with two engines, a baggage car, two coaches, a diner, and a Chateau car.


The going-away shot... notice the large backup light on the end for the long backup move into Thompson.



It's been a while since I've shot VIA 693! I'm much more interested in the Canadian because A) it's much longer, and B) the equipment varies. The Winnipeg-Churchill train tends to have two units and exactly the same type of cars on it every time. Not quite as interesting but hey, it's a train, it's all good!

Recent Sightings

It's almost the end of 2011... almost time to switch to a new calendar! Here are a few trains I saw in late December.

I made a point of seeing Tuesday's VIA 693 (Hudson Bay) because I thought the blue-and-yellow VIA 5649 might be on the end. It wasn't, but it was a good first test of my new lens.


To be honest, it was a grab shot as I wasn't expecting to see it. I was fortunate that it was about half an hour late leaving Winnipeg.

This morning, December 30, I went prowling around CN territory to see what was going on. There were a couple of humpyard sets of GP38s and slugs working, but no trains in evidence. Up at Transcona, CN 106 was in the yard and about to get refueled.


CN 2693 and CN 5702 were on the head end, and there was an SD70M-2 part way through the train as a DPU engine but I didn't catch the number.

Back in Symington, a four-unit set was running light through the yard: CN 8960, CN 2416, IC 2716, and CN 2295. I took photos but they were quite backlit. I saw another two unit set with a black IC engine but I wasn't able to get a shot before they zoomed out of sight.

I hope to post once more for tomorrow before wrapping up 2011.

Extra Sleepers

After my visit to the Winnipeg Maintenance Centre, I realized I hadn't been shooting the Winnipeg-Churchill train (VIA 693) much lately. I resolved to remedy that, and I started on Tuesday. I went to Carman Junction to wait. The Hudson Bay was more or less on time and I grabbed a few shots.




As they passed I sprinted to my car, hoping that they might slow down before Diamond. Being a good railfan, I had parked it facing the right way.

I caught up with them just past the detector at mile 10. As I approached Diamond I saw they were slowing, so I hopped out of the car just short of the stop sign. They paused very briefly and then headed out.


The trailing unit was VIA 6449, which I saw in the WMC. They had three Chateau sleepers, two more than the usual consist.

Winnipeg Content!

Maybe you're tired of Maritime content, so here's some actual Winnipeg content... fresh from Tuesday!

I went out at noon to shoot the Hudson Bay aka VIA 693.  I went north on Waverley Street and saw a big line just south of the tracks, but no train, so something must have just gone by. I turned left onto the Sterling Lyon Parkway and soon I saw a container train... edging east.  I turned around and crossed Waverley heading toward Portage Junction, hoping to get there before the train.  I figured I had a fighting chance despite the many stop signs, because the train was just getting underway.  Long story short, I made it to Heatherdale Avenue just south of the Junction before the train did.

The train was CN 116 and had nothing unusual for power, CN 2530 and CN 2336.




I waited there for the Hudson Bay to show up, but what came around the corner was not VIA 693. It was train CN 101, with engine CN 8912 on the point.



They were not rolling very fast, and in fact it was clear that CN 101 was coming to a stop short of Waverley Street.

So, CN 116 rolling east on the north track, CN 101 stopping on the south track... how is VIA 693 going to get through?  I figured that 693 must be east of this mess and would come through on the north track past 101... in good time.

I headed to St. James Junction to have a chance of seeing the Hudson Bay without 101 blocking the shot. Soon I saw a CP train heading north on the La Riviere sub. While I waited for them to come closer so I could shoot them, a gentleman who works in the nearby warehouse told me that CP ran a 187 car train over the La Riviere a week previous. That's quite a train for this little branch line!

The power for the CP train turned out to be CP 3027 and daughter CP 1127. Since the light isn't good here for a head-on shot, I elected to include the Golf Dome in the shot.



After a few minutes of waiting, VIA 693 finally showed up. Faded VIA 6421 and refurbished VIA 6452 provided the power for a typical consist: baggage, 2 coaches, diner, Chateau sleeper. I didn't get the numbers of the diner and the sleeper.



I assume CN 101 started up after the Hudson Bay went through, but I did not wait around for them. I hear they had 222 cars and 13,940 feet of train!  There must have been a couple more engines scattered through the train. In the past I've noticed that 101 has one or two engines on the head end and one on the tail.

Friendly Passengers

I caught yesterday's Hudson Bay VIA 693 heading out of Winnipeg on its way to Churchill. The train had VIA 6420 leading as they left Foreman Hunt's work limits.


As usual I used the patented Bill Linley method of recording car numbers by shooting every car. When I was shooting the second coach I noticed passengers looking at me so I kept shooting them as it went by. Nice to see some waves!


Have a good trip!

Canada Geese

The Canada Geese have arrived in Winnipeg for their yearly honkfest. Witness these two geese frantically flying out of the way of the Hudson Bay.


VIA had just finished crossing over from the south to the north track, and would accelerate up to track speed (40 MPH) after crossing the St. James diamond.


Just prior to that, BNSF Manitoba brought their engine, BNSF 2756, and one gondola back from the CN Fort Rouge yard. They did the same maneuver, crossing from the south track to the north track, then taking the switch to their yard.

Video: The Pas - Churchill by train

I stumbled across this video featuring the Hudson Bay (VIA 693) from The Pas to Churchill. It features F units on the front end, and was filmed in October 1997. Most of the video is onboard, from a Park car. Great shots.

Skyline on the Hudson Bay

I had a tip that Tuesday's Hudson Bay aka "Winnipeg-Churchill train" would have a Skyline car in place of the usual diner car. I went up to Wilkes Avenue by mile 10 to get the train. The Hudson Bay was a little over 30 minutes late leaving the station. After seeing several CN trains (another blog post), it was time for the Hudson Bay to make the scene. I parked on La Fleche Road just west of the Perimeter Highway. There was a large snow mound there, so I set up on that for some height. The Hudson Bay rolled by just after 1 PM at a fairly slow speed.

Nice toot and bell from the engineer. Full consist

They were following CN 105, which was itself crawling along due to some congestion around Elie. I understand the Hudson Bay stopped at Diamond for a while to wait for 105 to clear the block.

Sunday's Hudson Bay

The kids and I went up to Wilkes Avenue to get the Hudson Bay on Sunday. First we went west to near Diamond, and waited and waited. I didn't have the scanner with me so I had no idea when VIA would actually show up.

After a while the kids were getting anxious and hot, so I drove up to Diamond to check the lights - dark. Then I drove east on Wilkes, and encountered headlights a little east of Carman Junction. I pulled over and grabbed these shots from the side of the road.

The train had consecutive engine numbers 6446 and 6445, with the usual baggage car, two coaches, diner and sleeper. I keep hoping to see a dome on this train!

Focus... Focus!!!

My first outing shooting trains with my Canon T1i was a disappointment, I'm afraid.

My youngest son and I drove up to Wilkes Avenue to catch the departing Hudson Bay (VIA 693) Sunday at noon. As it happens, a CN freight was heading west first. I think it was CN 781 but I'm not sure. I pointed the camera and started shooting...

All very nice until you expand the image and notice that it is blurred.

I was shooting in full auto and the flash popped up when I was shooting. I think it was firing the flash while I was shooting and expecting that to make a difference. The manual says it will attempt to illuminate backlit subjects.

I didn't notice that it was blurred, because it looked fine in the viewfinder. The Hudson Bay came along and I shot it too... also blurred.



Needless to say, I was disappointed when I loaded the images on my computer.

On our way up Wilkes, we saw CN 7238 and slug 200 stopped at the former Winnipeg Intermodal Terminal and shot them. These turned out fine, because the train wasn't moving.

There is a sports mode on the camera and I think I will try that next time. I really hope it brings better results. It's a learning experience!

Today's Hudson Bay

I was visiting with Roger the collector in Lasalle this morning. I left with a boxful of timetables and magazines, and as I drove to the Perimeter Highway I noticed the time was right for the Hudson Bay to leave Winnipeg. The kids and I drove up to Wilkes Avenue and went out to just east of Diamond to get the shot. Within two or three minutes after we unloaded, I heard the train blowing for the crossings to the east. At 12:27 the Hudson Bay came into view.

Here's the consist.

Another Three-Way

Another Hudson Bay, another three-way meet.

I went to see the Hudson Bay at noon on March 30, and found a three-way meet setting up. The north track was out of service west of St. James Junction, with CN 112 coming east, and VIA 693 (the Hudson Bay) and CN 787 going west. The plan was to bring the Hudson Bay up just west of Waverley Street on the south track, followed by CN 787, then run CN 112 onto the north track and go by the two trains.

At 12:24 VIA 693 crossed Waverley Street and stopped short of the CN-CP diamond.




Next, CN 787 pulled up behind them. They were too far away to get shots from Waverley Street and I was not going to trespass by walking down the tracks.

Next, CN 112 crossed over from the south track to the north track in front of VIA 693, then proceeded past. I pushed the limit of the zoom on my Canon S3 to get this shot. Note the solid red signals that VIA is seeing.


CN 112 rolled by me. They stopped with the head end in Fort Rouge yard for a minute, then carried on again.


The Hudson Bay got the green light and took off. Finally, CN 787 went by with IC 2723 and ex-BC Rail 4653.




Maybe we will see if April 6 is another Three-Way Tuesday.

The Canadian and the Hudson Bay

I shot a "twofer" of passenger trains early this week. The first was the Canadian on Monday. I decided to head to Waverley Street to shoot it, given the mild weather. It's no fun to stand there in -30C temperatures, believe me. I parked and started jogging to the tracks. Just as I arrived, I saw the Canadian and the crossing lights came on. I barely had time to get my camera out! I guess they made very good time from the station.

Consist

On Tuesday I went up to Waverley a few minutes earlier to ensure I had time to set up. As I parked an eastbound CN freight was rolling through the crossing with CN 8852 and CN 8869 for power. I think it must have been CN 114, given the time and the mixed freight on the head end followed by containers. One unusual thing in the consist was a few trailers on flat cars (TOFC), something you don't see very often these days.


The Hudson Bay (VIA 693) was very prompt on Tuesday.

Consist

It's great to be in a city with two passenger trains... especially when both have the stainless steel cars. :)

Action at St. James Junction

I went up to St. James Junction in the bitter cold to see the Hudson Bay today. On my way there I noticed a northbound CP train waiting to cross the diamond. There were a couple of railfans camped out there, as well as a stopped train on the north track. It turns out the train was CN 314, stopped just short of Waverley Street. Shortly a set of headlights could be seen on the south track and the Hudson Bay was upon us with five-eyed VIA 6438 leading the way.

You can find the Complete consist here


CN 314 cleared the junction soon after the Hudson Bay went by, and then the CP northbound came through, with CP 3028 and 1128 pulling a relatively short train of about 15 cars. It had one unusual car, a depressed center QTTX car.

Soon enough CN 115 showed up, rolling by with CN 8885, CN 5675 and CN 5727 pulling a whopping 156 cars. 114/115 have junk cars at the head end before the containers, much like the former CN 148/149 did in the Maritimes.


Within 10 minutes another train rolled by. This was CN 198, fresh from Prince Rupert with a solid container train. I just stayed long enough to shoot the head end, CN 2542 and ex-BC Rail 4650.


By this time, both my video camera and still camera were complaining of low batteries (due to the cold). Time to leave!