10 Questions for Jack Hykaway

This series is modeled after the "Interesting Railfan" series in Railroad magazine from years ago. I'm asking each railfan 10 questions, some standard and some customized for the particular person. I hope you enjoy it. (See all in the series)

I put 10 questions to Jack Hykaway, a young and very talented photographer and videographer based in Winnipeg.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, I am currently studying at the University of Manitoba in pursuit of a degree in Civil Engineering. Four weeks into my first year and I haven't yet been lost on campus -- only lost in Physics class... ;)

When I'm not at school, I'm probably at the rink. I am the skip of a competitive junior men's curling team; my team and I have competed as high as the provincial level, and we are determined to -- one day -- compete on the national stage. We curl in different tournaments nearly every weekend during the season to keep our game sharp -- it's a game of inches and competition is fierce in Manitoba.

2. Where’s your favourite place to railfan?

My favourite spots are all right at home here in Manitoba. We have so much variety in Winnipeg or within one-to-four hours driving distance from the city -- from the cliffs of the Canadian Shield in the east to the valleys and rolling hills out west. There's always something different and new to shoot, and the changing seasons put a new twist on old spots.

VIA 1 departs Rivers, Manitoba

3. If you could railfan anywhere, anytime, where and when would it be?

If I could go back in time, I'd love to shoot the final years of Southern Pacific's presence on the Sunset Route in California and Arizona. I've always had a soft spot for the SP's "bloody nose" paint scheme and it's tough to beat the high-desert's spectacular scenes.

4. What’s your favourite railway?

I don't really have a preference or a favourite carrier - so long as there's a train in front of my lens, I'm not picky! But if I had to choose it would probably be the BNSF -- they have a really sharp paint scheme.

BNSF 6127 pauses with an incredible watercolour sky in Emerson, Manitoba.

5. Photos or video?

Video. Definitely video. I've been intrigued by trains my whole life, but when I first began photographing them I jumped right in to shooting video. I'm not sure what it was that attracted me initially -- perhaps it was the ability to capture the sound and the movement of the train -- but I've stuck with video ever since, improving my shooting and editing skills along the way.

6. How is working for the Winnipeg Railway Museum?

One really couldn't ask for a better summer job! I've expanded my knowledge of the rich railway heritage on the prairies while simultaneously gaining valuable employment experience. I always enjoy "talking trains" with railfans from all corners of the country who visit the museum, exchanging trackside tales and directing them to the best spots around Winnipeg.

7. What makes your photographs different from other railfans?

My priority while out shooting isn't to capture only the train, but the scene through which it passes. I try to incorporate elements of the surrounding scene into the image, whether it be buildings, signs, people or scenic elements to add to the story depicted in the photograph.

Sometimes the focus of the image isn't on the train at all, but of something in the foreground while the train passes by in the background. Often times I will shoot a wider-angle to capture the whole scene, I feel that my work differs slightly to the "traditional" railfan photograph in that sense.

CN GMD1 No. 1405 chugs across the Seine River in Winnipeg, Manitoba

8. You were recently in the USA photographing trains. What did you find different about railfanning in the US?

One of the biggest differences I noticed is the sheer amount of business south of the border compared to in Canada. There is much more freight on the move in the US and therefore there is a much larger variety of operations there; from a nearly-endless array of shortlines/industrial jobs to several long-haul Class I carriers, railfans can pick and choose what they prefer to shoot.

A southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service skirts the Pacific Ocean at Trestles Beach, California

With a different country comes a different culture and attitude around photography, especially in a post-9/11 era. For the most part, the US is pretty good; many cities feature established Railroad Parks. However, foreign visitors must always be extra cautious while shooting in the US -- obey all signs and regulations just as you would at home; no shot is worth a potential charge and a lengthy chat with a customs officer on the way home...

9. Can you provide one piece of advice for young railway photographers?

"Views" or "Likes" online don't matter. Take the advice of others, develop your own photographic style and keep building on that, no matter how people online react; it's your hobby, you can do with it what you please, as long as you are respectful to railroad employees and the "No Trespassing" signs. In short, do whatever is fun for you, and stick to that!

10. Do you have any projects you’re working on or planning for?

One big project on my plate at the moment is to work through and edit the footage I shot in California; I think I shot close to 150 GB of footage there -- there's lots to sift through! Some longer-term projects include doing more nighttime videography, I also have a vague plan in the works for an article I would like to have published in TRAINS Magazine.

CPR at Molson, Manitoba

Thanks, Jack! To see more of his work, visit his YouTube channel.

See all 10 Questions entries

A Prairie Railfanning Adventure (Guest Post) - Part 2/2

Local railfan Jack Hykaway shared this great railfan adventure. Follow Jack on YouTube! He included so much content and so many photos that I have broken it into two parts (Link to part 1)

VIA 2 Arrives

A backlit VIA 2 rolls into Melville six hours behind schedule

Melville is a crew change point for VIA and for most CN trains, and when a fresh VIA crew showed up at the station, I knew the train must be close. I asked the engineer what time the train would be due in the station, “It shouldn’t be long now, the train is very close” he replied.

The engineer waited on the platform with myself and the retired CN employee. He informed us that he would have the pedal to the metal for the trip to Winnipeg and that we would only be meeting three westbounds on the trip to Union Station.

Finally, at 6:30, the distinct sound of a VIA horn shattered the silence. The train crawled into Melville station, running six hours behind schedule. I was anxious to get on and relax for the ride to Winnipeg.

I was welcomed onboard by the Service Manager, and he showed me to a free seat. I didn’t spend a minute in my coach seat. Instead, I made a bee-line up to the dome car. It was completely empty, which gave me the opportunity to grab the best seat available.

VIA No. 2 departing Melville

At 6:40, the two F40PH-3 locomotives rumbled to life, and with a jolt, the train started rolling forward. The locomotives hustled the long train out of the yard and onto the mainline. The wind was behind the train and with 6,000 horses on the head-end, we were doing good track speed in no time flat.

Outside of Melville, we met an intermodal, led by a CN SD70M-2 and an IC Deathstar SD70

By the time we reached Cana, we were doing 80 MPH with nothing but clear signals stretching to the horizon. We maintained the aggressive pace through Waldron, Bangor, Atwater, and Zeneta, but we slowed for the sharp curves near Yarbo and Gerald.

Both F40s belch fumes as they spring along the mainline near Yarbo, SK at 80 MPH

The Mosaic K2 Potash Mine near Gerald, SK

Large potash mines dominate the landscape in this region. Mosaic has two huge mines near Yarbo, on the North and South sides of CN’s mainline. Since Melville, a few other passengers joined me in the dome, and they were admiring the impressive mines. A VIA crewmember was quick to inform the passengers over the PA system that what they were looking at was a potash mine.

VIA No. 2 about to cross the impressive trestle near Gerald, SK

After crossing the impressive trestle at Gerald, the engineer opened the taps on the F40s and we were making good time again by the time we reached Spy Hill, SK. As we crossed into Manitoba, the train began its descent into the Assiniboine River Valley, which meant we could no longer keep our fast pace.

A wide shot of the interior of the dome in the skyline car

This is the most scenic part of the seven-hour journey. The tracks cling to the side of the valley wall as they descend towards St Lazare, MB. Three quarters of the way down, a spur branches off to the south of the mainline. This line swings back into Saskatchewan to connect the Potash Corp potash mine at Rocanville, SK with CN’s mainline. At St. Lazare, VIA 2 crossed the Assiniboine River on a through truss bridge, then the train tilted around a broad corner and followed the meandering course of the Assiniboine River on the valley floor.

The train flies through the through truss bridge near St Lazare, MB

Immediately after crossing the bridge, VIA No. 2 passes through St Lazare proper, and swings around a corner as it passes through town

A scenic highlight on the trip and a favourite railfanning spot among prairie railfans is the impressive trestle at Uno, MB. At approximately 1,500 feet long, it feels as if the train is floating in mid-air while crossing the impressive structure. Passengers sitting behind me in the dome scrambled to grab photos of the spectacular views down the valley at this location.

The power passes the station sign at Uno, MB.
In a few minutes the train will be high above the valley floor on the impressive Uno trestle.

As we left the Assiniboine River Valley behind, passengers filed out of the dome car, leaving only me and a few others to enjoy the views. At Arrow River, the sun’s position made for an interesting shot as the train swung around the broad curves.

The sun reflects off of the shiny roofs of VIA’s classic Budd equipment
as the train passes through Arrow River, MB

As the track straightened out for the run to Rivers, the engineer let the horses run on the two F40s once more.

VIA 2 exits the Assiniboine River Valley near Miniota, MB.
The train is passing under an old wooden bridge just outside of town

The train brakes were applied when we encountered a Diverging-to-Stop signal at the west end of Myra Siding. It was a perfect meet with a westbound freight – neither train had to stop.

VIA 2 met CN 2239 at Myra Siding as it headed west with a long string of manifest freight in tow.

VIA 2 got back onto the mainline and the train drifted into its station stop in Rivers, MB just as the sun was falling behind the horizon.

VIA 2 gets clearance, and proceeds out onto the mainline following a meet at Myra

Sunset in the Skyline

The train was only stopped in Rivers for a few minutes before we departed for Winnipeg in the fading light.

Departing Rivers, MB with darkness quickly falling

There was still enough light outside to make out the overpasses at Grants and at Moffat – both of which are popular railfanning locations, but there were no railfans waiting on us tonight.

Darkness fell by the time we reached Harte, and the train pierced through the night for the rest of its trip to Winnipeg.

Rounding the curve at Grants Cut. Note the Panorama Car a few cars back in the consist

We made good time to Portage La Prairie thanks to recent track work at Firdale. At PlaP, we stopped for ten minutes to let a handful of passengers disembark. From there, there was nothing but double track between us and Union Station, except for a few hundred yards of single track at Nattress, where the mainline crosses the Assiniboine River again. The engineer skillfully guided the train through the fog at a blistering 80 MPH along this double track superhighway. We cruised by two stopped intermodal trains waiting for us to clear the single track at Nattress, then we were the only train on the line until we reached Winnipeg.

LED signals light up the night as the train speeds towards Winnipeg

It wasn’t long before locations familiar to me, such as Calrin and Diamond, flashed by the windows in the darkened dome. We rounded the curve at Portage Junction at about 12:50 AM.

The train finally pulled through the train shed at Union Station in Winnipeg at 1:00 AM, only five and a half hours after leaving Melville.

Number 2 would be cleaned and serviced in Winnipeg in just half an hour. Re-boarding for the trip through Ontario would commence at 1:45, and departure would be somewhere around 2:00, putting the train a mere two hours behind schedule – not bad for a train that rolled into Melville six hours late!

Thank you, Jack, for this great guest post! Check out Jack's great videos on YouTube.

Back to part 1

A Prairie Railfanning Adventure (Guest Post) - Part 1/2

Local railfan Jack Hykaway shared this great railfan adventure. Follow Jack on YouTube! He included so much content and so many photos that I have broken it into two parts.

A Prairie Railfanning Adventure

My family and I headed west through the prairies this past weekend to visit family in Saskatchewan. Our bags were packed and we were out of the house by 8:00 on Friday morning, a little earlier than we would've normally left for this trans-prairie trip. We left with time to spare because somehow I had managed to convince my parents and sister to stop at a well-known railfanning location for a picnic lunch. We made terrible time through rush-hour traffic in the city, then on the highway, construction along the TCH slowed us even more. Construction was constant - huge stretches of highway were being redone, so the normal four-lane 110 KM/H speed limit was reduced to 80, and in some places to as low as 60, and traffic marched westward in a single-file line.

It was almost 11:30 AM by the time we finally reached Brandon, which is normally only a two hour drive from Winnipeg. CN's main line from Winnipeg to PlaP was bustling with activity, but as we sped under the main line at Brandon North, all was quiet. About an hour later, we arrived at my picnic spot, near Arrow River, MB, just as an eastbound was passing through. That construction along the TCH had cost me a train! We lugged our cooler up the hill anyways, and my parents and sister sat down for some lunch while I set up my tripod and hoped to catch another train at this scenic spot.

I was halfway through my chicken sandwich when my dad pointed at the horizon. “Is that a train?” I jumped up and turned my attention to the eastern horizon – sure enough, a flickering light was cresting the hill in the distance. I got ready to capture the train coming past the grain elevator at Quadra, a mile or two away from where I was set up.

CN 347 glides past the Grain Elevator near Arrow River, MB.

The train turned out to be CN 347, with two SD70M-2s easing a solid block of empty centerbeam flatcars through the sweeping curves at Arrow River. This was the only train I saw during my short time trackside.

(Ed: you might remember I was in Quadra recently, but I didn't see any trains)

We were running tight for time, as we still had many hours of driving ahead of us. After packing up and picking off several wood ticks, we continued west to our destination, Wynyard, SK.

Saturday

Saturday morning, I joined my family on an adventure to downtown Wynyard to visit Home Hardware. They don't have any Home Hardware stores in Winnipeg and mom wanted to check out their cool spinning mops and other handy gadgets. Dad was interested in the comfy Adirondack chairs they had in stock, and my sister and I were passing the time trying on some very stylish sunglasses.

We walked along the tracks on the way to the store, so I snapped a few photos of the small CP yard and station in Wynyard.

CP’s yard in Wynyard, SK. A third GP20C-ECO is hiding behind the two others on a farther track

The old CP station in Wynyard sits boarded up

The yard looks healthy, contrary to what we're seeing here in Winnipeg. A few dozen tanks and hoppers sit in the yard while a trio of GP20C-ECO units sit just beyond the cars. CP also built a new yard office in town, and it seems crews have been busy along the Sutherland Sub just west of town. A new crossing, a pair of crossovers and two ribbon-rail mainlines stretch to the horizon out of the west end of town.

Later on that afternoon I had some free time, so I went back down to the tracks to see what I could see. A CP truck was waiting by the station so I figured a train must be close, as most trains stop to change crews here. I was right - in a few moments a light crested the hill and CP 298 rolled into town.

CEFX 1046 leads CP train 298 out of the yard at Wynyard, SK

CEFX 1046 was in charge of train 298 this day. The train did some switching out of the east end of the yard before it continued east. Jack posted a video:


As the train completed its switching and started to depart, my dad and I drove out of town a few miles and searched for a photogenic spot. We checked out a spot in the hamlet of Mozart, but the light wasn't quite right there, and it wasn’t the shot I was after, so we headed back to the highway and we continued east. The pit-stop at Mozart almost cost me the train, as when we arrived at my chosen spot, the train was only a mile or so behind us and it was doing good track speed. We drove down a sandy grid road for a quarter-mile, and I sprung out of the car to set up. The wind was really howling in this part of the prairie, so I used the car as a wind-block to capture a stable shot of the train streaking through the green farmland.

CEFX 1046 has the short manifest train rolling through the prairies at track speed

A CP toaster brought up the rear of CP 298, and if you look closely directly above the hopper car in front of the DPU, you can barely make out the large grain elevator in Wadena, SK, about 13 miles to the north.

A CP Toaster is shoving hard on the rear end of CP 298

Dad and I were back in Wynyard in time for dinner, and I went to bed satisfied with the shots I had taken.

Sunday

VIA’s cookie-cutter station building
sits beside the impressive CN station,
currently being restored

We headed back toward Winnipeg on Sunday morning, but the railfanning was far from over. My parents agreed to drop me off in Melville so I could catch VIA 2 and take the train back to the city.

I was on the platform at 12:30 PM, which is the train's regular arrival time for Melville.

Unsurprisingly, it was running late. A quick call to VIA's 1-800 number revealed that No. 2 was running a couple hours behind schedule and was estimated in the station at 4:00 PM. A three-and-a-half-hour wait wasn't so bad - CN kept me entertained with train after train through town.

A dash of blue is trailing three CN units
on a westbound Intermodal train.
This train is slowing for a crew
change at the west end of the yard

It was bittersweet seeing those trains, as it was likely that most would end up delaying VIA 2 even further. One train pulled into town from the east and sat on the track nearest to the station for over two hours. A retired CN employee was waiting to catch the VIA with me at the station, and we were discussing different theories as to why the train had been sitting in town for so long. As it was nearing 4:00 PM, the freight train was still blocking the track closest to the station. This is the only track VIA can use to pick up/drop off passengers in Melville – passengers aren’t allowed to cross the tracks here to board the train due to safety concerns.

CN 2500, a C44-9WL is accelerating out of Melville Yard with a long intermodal train in tow

The freight train refused to move, and other trains were going around it on the siding. I called the VIA hotline again, and found out my train had been delayed until 5:30 due to the freight traffic. I conveyed the bad news to my fellow passenger, and I decided to grab some supper at the CO-OP nearby and go for a stroll to see the sights in downtown Melville.

A pair of AC units led a manifest freight into Melville on the mainline. This train was sitting on the mainline for two hours before continuing west.

When I returned to the station with some supper and a few snacks for the train ride, the hiss of air brakes releasing was a welcomed sound. The AC units on the head end of the massive freight train pulled the slack from between the cars, and with a bang, the train was on the move again.

It was nearing 5:30, and even with the track cleared, there was still no sign of VIA. At a quarter to six, I called one last time, and they claimed that VIA No. 2 was still scheduled to arrive at 5:30 in Melville – that shows just how much the folks working at VIA’s call centres know.

Will VIA 2 finally arrive? Was Jack stranded in Melville for days? Find out next time in the exciting conclusion to Jack's Prairie railfanning adventure!

Read part 2!

Fantastic Compilation Video

There was a railway Slide Night this past Tuesday at the University of Manitoba, organized by Mark Perry and Jeff Keddy. There were some great presentations by Mark, Jeff, Steve from the Winnipeg Streetcar 356 group, and Isaac R. I was super impressed by this compilation video from Jack Hykaway. This video could easily be on a DVD for sale - the narration is great, the video quality is excellent, and the editing is top notch. Give it a view... it's worth 17 minutes of your time.

After that, go to Jack's YouTube channel and view the full-length videos that went into this compilation! Thanks should go to Jack for allowing me to embed this.

CP and CN for the Holidays

Both CN and CP ran special trains for the holiday season in Winnipeg in the past few days. CP ran its Holiday Train again (for the 17th season) and it was in Winnipeg on Friday December 4th. CN ran its employee special train over three days, beginning on the 4th - so on Friday we had both railways running Christmas holiday trains. I only saw the CP Holiday Train but other railfans saw the CN trains.

The CP Holiday Train in Meadows, MB by Jack Hykaway

The 2015 CP Holiday Train

It was a mild but windy night on Friday night, and I was out early to catch the train coming to its parking spot by Panet Road. I decided to shoot it just east of the highway 59 overpass. I parked close to the scheduled stopping point and walked to the overpass. I looked around a bit and decided to go up on the "shoulder" of the overpass to get a bit of height.

I set up my tripod and started fussing with my camera to lock in the focus in the dark. As I was doing that, my tripod blew over!

I guess it was good that I didn't have my camera on it yet.

I lowered the tripod and kept my leg against it to stabilize it. I was using my 50mm f/1.8 lens because it's the most light sensitive lens I have. I put the lens in manual focus - since it's a prime lens you can't zoom anyway - and the camera in manual mode.

Soon the train came into view and rolled on past my lens.

The 2015 CP Holiday Train

Once it passed, I walked back to the main scene. There was quite a large crowd and the performers sounded great. I dropped off my donations to Winnipeg Harvest (a great organization my family and I support) and took some photos.

Here I was using my tripod like a "selfie stick", holding it up over the crowd after setting off the 2 second timer and hoping for the best.

The performers were Devin Cuddy and Kelly Prescott.

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

There were quite a few people up at the head end, and as usual it was difficult to get a clear shot. The CP Police and other CP personnel were very much in evidence, keeping people from standing between the rails and unfortunately also standing in the shots. I didn't fret too much about it this year.

CP 2323 and the Holiday Train in Winnipeg

Jack Hykaway caught it both before and after Winnipeg - in Whitemouth as it rolled on by, and by the Meadows grain elevator Saturday as it headed toward Portage la Prairie. Check out Jack's YouTube videos!


So that was CP. The consist (courtesy of Jesse McLaughlin) was:

1. CP 2323 (GP20C-ECO)
2. CP Box Car 220305 Lettering Light Car (Canadian)
3. CP Box Car 220009 Lettering Light Car (Pacific)
4. CP Box Car 220592 Lettering Light Car (Holiday)
5. CP Box Car 220219 Lettering Light Car (Train)
6. CP Box Car 220127 Decoration Light Design Car
7. CP Box Car 220300 Decoration Light Design Car
8. CP Converted Box Car (Generator) 220458 Decoration Light Design Car
9. CP Box Car 220508 Decoration Light Design Car
10. CP Stage Car 42901 
11. Dominion (ex-CN/VIA Coach)
12. Banffshire (Stateroom)
13. Killarney (Dining / Observation)
14. Van Horne (Lounge / Observation)

The CN Christmas Train

The CN Christmas train ran from Symington Yard to Waverley Street and back, twice a night at 5 and 7 PM. I didn't get out to see it but Taylor Woolston did, and took some great video of the train at several locations.


CN wins on the power department with E9A CN 103 accompanying CN 5755 and the four VIA coaches (8139, 8144, 8118 and 8116 I'm told). It also had a caboose, Operation Lifesaver CN 77014.

The CN train was only for employees. I understand the CN train is only going to a few locations - Saskatoon and Edmonton, maybe? It is also raising money for charity. Last year it was for the Christmas Cheer Board, an organization my family supports.

Did you get a chance to see the CP or CN holiday trains?

Extra: Check out this super cool drone video of the US Holiday Train.

Further reading:

• CN Christmas train in 2014
• CP Holiday Train in 2014
• Combined US-Canadian Holiday Train in 2014
• CP Holiday Train in 2011