April 21, 2007
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last updated: 05/08/07
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© 2000-2007 Dave Honan
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I spent Saturday focusing more on decoding ATCS control points on CP's Mountain Subdivision
than photography, but I didn't spend the whole day staring at the computer screen...
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| Rogers, BC |
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While waiting (and waiting and waiting) for an eastbound to come down the Connaught Track, I
took a couple minutes to photograph Mount Pearce and my Jeep on the road connecting Rogers to
the Trans-Canada Highway. |
| Rogers, BC |
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Closer to the top of the road I found this Cat D5C lettered for "CPR Engineering Services."
I surmise the dozer is used to keep the road down to Rogers open during winter. |
| Golden, BC |
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The eastbound finally showed up and I chased it back to Golden, looking for shots and unable
to find anything particularly pleasing before KC Junction. CEFX 1036 was in charge as the train
rumbled into Golden.
The dispatcher was in the midst of running an incredible nine consecutive westbounds over the
Mountain Sub, and five had departed Golden while I waited for the eastbound to arrive. Not wanting
to give up the opportunity for some easy decoding on the west side of Rogers Pass, I headed west
on the TCH. |
| Greeley, BC |
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I managed to overtake four of the train between Donald and the east portal of MacDonald Tunnel,
and ended up driving over the fifth as it transited the tunnel. Unfortunately, I didn't find any
decent and safe photo spots until nearly Revelstoke (I include "safe" because I arrived at one decent
spot to find a small black bear sitting on the tracks), so I set up at Greeley (per the map, known
as "Greely" to the railroad). As the westbound fleet approached, an empty coal train passed eastbound,
and the calls of "Look good on the north side" and "Look good on the south side" that shortly followed
indicated that it was time to get ready for some action. My shot of the first westbound, a loaded sulphur
train, was spoiled by clouds, but I have no complaints about this view of the next westbound gliding
downgrade with Albert Peak looming in the distance. For the sake of it, I turned around for a going-away
shot of the train rolling through the Greely crossovers. |
| Albert Canyon, BC |
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Knowing full well that heading east would only mean more trains, I headed back up the pass to
see what I could find. I missed one train, but west of Albert Canyon came across this neat spot,
where I set up for CP 9523 West running alongside the Illecillewaet River. |
| Downie, BC |
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Further up the pass, CP 8556 West is in charge of a loaded coal train approaching the end of
single track at Downie. I wish I'd seen this shot when the sun was out... Something to remember
for next time. |
| Albert Canyon, BC |
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After photographing the coal train, I decided to turn around and train my 300mm lens on a
nearby peak (which I believe to be Mount Klotz). I was struck by the distinct contrast in texture
between the rocky ridges and the snow-filled bowl and quickly set about composing and making this
photograph.
With the light fading and facing a three-hour drive back to Radium Hot Springs, I gave up on shooting
any more westbounds and headed back east. |
| Golden, BC |
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Coming down from the pass near Rogers I heard a couple crews talking about the Canucks and
realized the empty coal train I had seen earlier was meeting the last of the nine westbounds at
Beavermouth. This would give me the opportunity to decode a couple more bits at KC Junction, so I
detoured there on the way into Golden. As the train called past the signal at Forde, nine miles to
the west, I happened to glance in the mirror and was struck by how the snow-covered mountains were
glowing in the fading light. The reflection of the train's headlights as it approached the home
signals added the finishing touch to one of my favorite photos from the trip. |
I stopped for dinner at the Golden A&W once again, then managed to avoid hitting any deer on
the 75-minute run back to Radium Hot Springs. I was eager to get some sleep so I could be ready for
more exploring on Sunday...
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