Merry Christmas!

Although this year I have been pretty quiet in terms of posting my railfan adventures does not mean that I haven't been out! Infact I have been quite busy, traveling the province and some of the maritimes (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) either by car or by train.

Though not too many pictures were taken, and those that I did take are now lost (Long complicated story.) However in April, June, August, September I have traveled the Ocean between Halifax and Campbellton. Though now it is well known, the section of track between Rogersville and Bathurst is pretty much all slow order, I don`t recall going any faster than 35 Mph and between Campbellton and Bathurst it`s between 45 - 55 Mph. The Irvings got a big chunk of government money to upgrade their lines between St John and St Stephan, CN is putting a bit of cash into the Newcastle sub, between Campbellton and Moncton, lot`s of ribbon rail being laid and new ties as well.

With that being said, now on to something a littler more festive. Although not in the Maritimes here is the Canadian Pacific "Holiday train" and from my family to yours have a happy and safe Christmas! And remember to keep chasing those trains, Safely!

Hit or miss...

As some of you may already know I am for railway safety for everyone, especially railfans. So Here is an interesting video. I must say though it is a little disturbing, however the message contained therein is very strong.

Spring is here and I'm out and about again!

So here it is that time of year again and as you can see I have been out doing some railfanning! Yes it's been an interesting winter here in Halifax with the little to no snow and the trains coming in and out of the port city has been fun and interesting.

My self and a couple of other railfans in the area have been busy over the winter, chasing trains and what not. One other item of interest that I have been busy with or rather involved with is, I am a member of a rail sub commitie part of the Nova Scotia Ecoloigy action center here in Halifax. For now I'll keep it at that because this topic is deserving of it's own post. But for now I can say I am a member of this board and we are working hard to bring the best in rail transportation to the Maritimes!

In the mean time I have observed VIA 6443 sitting at the Halifax station I assume it was VIA 14. The rear of the unit has a rather interesting hub I am rather curious as to what it is and it's purpose. In the picture below you will see what I mean.

I know it is not the best picture but this is all I have for now. so till the next time have fun and keep chsing those trains! Oh and by the way a new CN121 video is on Youtube.

121 into the sunset

With the days getting longer and more sunlight I find my self out a little more offten catching 121. Tonight was one of those nights in more ways than one. Just as i was heading through fairview I could see 121 waiting by mile 7 for RTC to give them the green light. As I had passed Rockingham yard though it quickly became a different story.

As I approched mile seven 121 was on the move. I tried my best to head them off at Bedford station but with the traffic lights and other traffic working against me it just wasn't going to happen. So my only other chance to catch 121 is on Monday evening. Hopefully I'll be able to catch them then. I'll try for Windsor Jct on Monday. Till then, have fun and keep chasing those trains.

VIA Derailment.

So to make my first entry in almost six months I am sadded to say that this will be a bad one. VIA #15 the Ocean heading to Montreal deariled early this morning with somewhere around a hundred passengers on board. Thankfully no one was seriously injured. In all there were seven minor injurys. The conductor was hurt but not serious according to CBC he was the most injured out of the seven. Officals say (unoffically) it was the track switching mechnicism that caused the derailment. VIA has yet (As of the time of writting this) made offical what the cause is. In the derailement my baby 6400 is seen in this video by the CBC; on her side with both headlights busted and I'm pretty sure with a ruptured fuel tank. I hope my favorite locomotive survives the incident and is back on the rails and thundering down the lines in no time!

In the mean time here are a few pictures of 6400 on rails. I didn't catch the number of the other locomotive that was involved.

Well I know it isn't much but that's all I can find at this time. Till the next time, have fun and keep chasing those trains!