The hot, sunny weather has finally arrived.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/45587056[/vimeo]
Defect detector reported 41ºC ambient temperature - the rattlers were probably sweating, too.
It wasn’t a busy day, but I got a few trains along with a few chuckles listening to the scanner. 
Heck of a layout ya got there, looked almost real. Is that the new Phoenix P99 with traffic sounds I’ve heard so much about?
Great vantage point.
While driving along the Thompson there was plenty of chatter on the scanner … OK, here comes the eastbound Rocky Mountaineer - get that some other day.
Still more chatter from the crew(s) at Spences Bridge. When I got there … three eastbound freights divided over the available sidings, the long DPUed coal empty split and stuck on different tracks. Too much train and barely enough track. Looked like they had to let the RM get ahead of them.
But once ready they sure put the pedal to the metal!
The second train was strictly boxcars, hmmmmm … no idea what they shipped in those.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/45608247[/vimeo]
Didn’t hang around for the coal unit train to get reassembled, but I would have had I known there was a block on the westbound line. Watching close up how long it would take … I heard the story on another occasion from an engineer who mentioned the elaborate routine.
For all those who “thrive” on the sound of rushing water (and usually rush for the bathroom) this one shows just how much water is presently coming down the Thompson. The coal unit train is a coincidental feature.
I planned chasing the Rocky Mountaineer last Monday - that was rained out. Then it was to happen yesterday - rained out isn’t the word. Major thunderstorm fronts (with corresponding warnings) along the route down the Canyons.
SWMBO reminded me that I already had two umbrellas, one for me and one for the camera… it wouldn’t have been so bad. 
In lieu of filming it was placing rock to get yet one more mountain on the GRR and we’re also building a rock garden along the driveway.
Oh BTW RM has a new routine this year, the East- and the Westbound consists go through the canyons the same day, they pass each other at approx Boston Bar/North Bend. Next target date Friday (lots of sun in the forecast), Monday is rain and more rain. GRRRRR!
PS Note to Rooster: pictures will follow!
PPS The dusty rock get washed in the storm!
Finally, finally! Yesterday was railfanning day. Kamloops to Boston Bar/North Bend.
What a shocker on CP! Looks like that “American Invasion” is changing the face of trains big time in little time. I won’t mention what it sounded like on the scanner, in certain offices or from employees. It’s the “new brooms clean well” syndrome. The problem with that? There’s a lot of dust flying and time will tell who will be choking on it! It was best summed up by someone over at competitor CN, using that rotating index finger on the side of the head.
Videos coming up a bit later today, new locations and vantage points.
Oh yeah, it was nice and warm, one of the CN foremen asked me if it was warm enough. :lol: Yes it was, but I have a feeling that the air conditioner in my Montana was a bit more efficient than the open windows on their pick-up. 
Here’s what came first.
I knew if I get there early enough - Jct of Hwy99 and the TCH East of Kamloops - I’d get the RM.
As there were some fog patches on the way along 99 I was hoping that there would be some in the South Thompson valley towards Chase - nope no such luck, would have made for some special scenes - it was a nice sunny morning.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/47190078[/vimeo]
Lots of morning commuter traffic along that stretch, would be nice to shoot from the other side of the river but to get there is a pain!
As mentioned previously, I usually check in with the RTC at the different locations. Yesterday the word at CN was that the westbound would be leaving in an hour, that left enough time to check what was up at CP - a bit of a zoo - then gas up at 6cents less than Vernon, get a snack at Tim’s and be on the way. Pick a good spot where the east- and westbounds can be shot in one go and wait.
Eastbound CN Intermodal showed up first.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/47195298[/vimeo]
I guess on windy days in our dusty climes I should get in the habit of cleaning the lens before each segment. Doesn’t show on the dinky 3" LCD, but with the sun just right it shows later on.
A shorty - both the train and the clip - just a local on it’s way to Kamloops. [vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/47202126[/vimeo] Interesting conversation in Kamloops in which order which trains need to get into the yard - it’s that new broom business - and since Kamloops yard is really not large one better get it right the first time around.
(http:///F-PIX/LSC/KamloopsYard.jpg)
I guess it was the wrong time to quietly ask what traffic was expected in the Canyons. “I have not the slightest idea what’s going to roll” Hmmmmmm.
As I have mentioned (once or twice 
:P) my “dumb luck” seems to be along on many of the trips.
The following two clips one couldn’t plan better if trying. :lol:
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/47212132[/vimeo]
First a unit train of coal empties going East when around the bend a Mixed Manifest appears.
Next, a few miles West, the tailend of a Westbound exits the scene just as a Grain Empties shows up on the Eastbound track. Now that is what I call SWEET, even if I have to say so myself.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/47216127[/vimeo]
Yep, you just gotta love it!
A few more from last Tuesday
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/47261087[/vimeo]
…
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/47284355[/vimeo]
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[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/47287284[/vimeo]
…
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/47325646[/vimeo]
And there are still more to come. Tuesday was a very busy day! 
Five days on the road through the mountains; a few videos coming up.
First one of a mixed manifest freight at Albert Canyon - between Revelstoke and Glacier BC. This is right beside a popular camping site; could be interesting for late evening shots … that is if I ever get back to camping or stick around way past my usual bed time. :lol:
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/48699901[/vimeo]
Nope, we didn’t come across bears that day, they were probably sleeping in the shade.
Same train, different time, different place. Now on the East slope of Rogers Pass coming down the Connaught Track - that’s the older, higher line with the steeper grades.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/48702429[/vimeo]
According to Google Earth it’s 1.15 miles from the cam to the train.
Looking great HJ…keep 'em coming. And thanks too.
Thanks Randy!
A long Westbound Intermodal climbing the 1% grade in the Beaver Valley leading to the Macdonald tunnel. The train is crossing the lower Mountain Creek bridge.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/48707216[/vimeo]
One day soon I’ll need to find out what the average tonnage is on those long Intermodals.
Our visitors could hardly wait to see the Rocky Mountaineer on its typical route
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/48713209[/vimeo]
Even though that replacement engine was a bit of a let down.
Kicking Horse Pass was on the schedule for next day.
A real CP Intermodal - none of that Hunter Harrison crapola - was Eastbound a few miles west of Field, that left enough time to set-up on the road bridge just as the train comes off the Ottertail Diversion just outside the Field Yard limit.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/48743596[/vimeo]
After poking around Field - there are some neat structures - we headed up to the viewing spot for the spiral tunnels. Along with what seemed like thousands of people. Well it is that touristy thing at that spot. Next on the agenda was Wapta Lake. A super spot when the weather is nice.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/48755038[/vimeo]
Someone from the Good Old USA asked me to add some map info to the video so it is easier to find the locations. And since I was at it I marked the camera location and the approximate sweep of the segment starting with video # 200.