tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38006419063656594912024-03-13T02:16:37.047-07:00Trains, Planes, Ships and StoriesWelcome to this collection of stories and personal recollections. I hope you find something of interest. Cheers!
Grant BaileyGrant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-67786563750111507812012-11-07T17:42:00.000-08:002012-11-29T19:29:15.086-08:00A Remembrance Day Tribute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">With each passing year, the ranks of surviving WWII veterans
continue to dwindle. My father is one of
those veterans, now in his 89th year.
When I was growing up, he rarely spoke of his experiences in the war. It is hard to say why, but I suspect the
ongoing pressures of a career and raising a family were simply more important
than taking the time to talk about the war.</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5mnH9hvjmI/UJsGGweRnkI/AAAAAAAACuo/ObIT2JLxIt0/s1600/R.M.+Bailey+Navy+Scrapbook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5mnH9hvjmI/UJsGGweRnkI/AAAAAAAACuo/ObIT2JLxIt0/s200/R.M.+Bailey+Navy+Scrapbook.JPG" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R.M. Bailey's Navy Scrapbook</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">And today, suffering from dementia, it is difficult for him to recount
his wartime memories, that chapter of his life now locked away from the rest of
the world in an aging mind. Fortunately
several years back I recovered Dad’s navy scrapbook.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>It provides a significant glimpse into this
period of his life and tells the story of a crew of young men and their ship,
all of who played such an important role in making possible what we enjoy
today.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGt_4a8scHU/UJsGyXAtl5I/AAAAAAAACuw/IOutxeDWUOw/s1600/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGt_4a8scHU/UJsGyXAtl5I/AAAAAAAACuw/IOutxeDWUOw/s200/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+(1).JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navy Telegraphist Ron Bailey</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">My dad, Ron Bailey, joined the Royal Canadian Navy at
H.M.C.S. Unicorn (Saskatoon)
on April 19, 1943, two days before his 19th birthday. They called these young men Prairie
Schooners, most of them having never even seen an ocean. After enlisting, he was first posted to
H.M.C.S. York (Toronto) and then to H.M.C.S.
Cornwallis (Digby, N.S.) for training. After Cornwallis, he was sent to H.M.C. Signal
School in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec
where he qualified as a telegraphist.
With his training complete, he was then sent overseas on the S.S. Nieuw
Amsterdam sailing from Halifax for Greenoch, Scotland.</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lcK_bj7hKg/UJu-Gvw8rvI/AAAAAAAACwo/zNu1fY6xgTs/s1600/nieuw_amsterdam_ww2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lcK_bj7hKg/UJu-Gvw8rvI/AAAAAAAACwo/zNu1fY6xgTs/s200/nieuw_amsterdam_ww2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Nieuw Amsterdam was a large ocean liner
that had been converted for troop service.
In this configuration, what was once the luxurious first class dining
room was completely filled with bunks stacked three high to accommodate the
young men going to war. Many would not
return. During the war years, the Nieuw
Amsterdam transported 378,631 troops, sailing some 530,452 miles. She survived the war unscathed and
subsequently plied the oceans of the world for Holland America Line well into
the 1970's.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">From Greenoch, Dad was posted to H.M.S. Ferret in Londonderry where he was drafted to serve on the H.M.C.S
Matane. The Matane was a River Class
frigate, built by Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal, Quebec. She was launched on May 29<sup>th</sup>, 1943
and commissioned on Oct. 22, 1943, her pendant being K444.</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jpdROWxZxgs/UJsIIls15DI/AAAAAAAACvA/mhXHVj3YK18/s1600/Subs0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jpdROWxZxgs/UJsIIls15DI/AAAAAAAACvA/mhXHVj3YK18/s200/Subs0034.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMCS Matane - K444</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In April of 1944 she joined escort group EG9
as the Senior Officer’s ship and served mainly on escort and patrol duty in
U.K. waters. On July 20<sup>th</sup>,
1944 the Matane was hit by a German bomb off Brest in the Bay of Biscay and
was badly damaged.</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UKRwkybn4AQ/UJsIh0RLj1I/AAAAAAAACvI/yz6Dtq4f-5Y/s1600/Subs0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UKRwkybn4AQ/UJsIh0RLj1I/AAAAAAAACvI/yz6Dtq4f-5Y/s200/Subs0047.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K444 under repair - Dunnstaffnage</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Three crew members were
killed and several others injured.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>After
eight months of repair in Dunnstaffnage, Scotland the Matane was again ready
for action in early 1945. It was at this
point that my Dad joined the crew of at least 140 other crewmen in Londonderry.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arguably the most significant event in the life of the
H.M.C.S. Matane is well detailed in my Dad’s scrapbook through pictures,
officer's reports, and naval messages.
On May 13<sup>th</sup>, 1945 she set sail from Greenoch,
Scotland to escort convoy
JW67 to Murmansk, Russia. On May 16<sup>th</sup> Coastal Command
received a message from the Norwegian destroyer Stord stating “Have met German
convoy steering 230 degrees speed 10 knots in Vestfjord consisting of 16
U-boats and 5 merchant ships. They say
they are routed Narvik to Trondheim. Is this in order?” Shortly thereafter, a message was received
from Admiralty, “Captain (D)17<sup>th</sup> is to detach one escort group
forthwith to intercept convoy of 16 German U-boats and 5 merchant ships
reported in Vestfjord. U-boats are to be
escorted to Loch Eribol and merchant ships to be directed to Trondheim.”</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uRbgGyKTM2Y/UJsJXTPqCaI/AAAAAAAACvQ/9FdkuLZBCpU/s1600/Intercepting+German+U-boats+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uRbgGyKTM2Y/UJsJXTPqCaI/AAAAAAAACvQ/9FdkuLZBCpU/s200/Intercepting+German+U-boats+(2).JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intercepting German U-Boats</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">EG9, including the Matane were split away from convoy JW67 and sent to
intercept the subs. Though hostilities
in Europe had ended just days before, it was
unclear what reaction the German U-boats would have to being intercepted. As it turned out, there were 15 U-boats and
five merchant ships.</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-uS38AKB8A/UJsJuUFq-gI/AAAAAAAACvY/iuQcACnsQf8/s1600/Intercepting+German+U-boats+(8)+-+Appoaching+the+Aviso+Grille.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-uS38AKB8A/UJsJuUFq-gI/AAAAAAAACvY/iuQcACnsQf8/s200/Intercepting+German+U-boats+(8)+-+Appoaching+the+Aviso+Grille.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Aviso Grille</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two of the merchant
ships were quite notable, one being the Aviso Grille, Hitler’s one time
personal yacht, and another being the Stella Polaris, a luxury Norwegian cruise
ship that had been seized by the Germans in 1940. The Germans surrendered peacefully.</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lcOw8au2I-o/UJsKYma-5RI/AAAAAAAACvg/qxpqMBpCWqw/s1600/Boarding+U-boats+and+Surrender+Terms+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lcOw8au2I-o/UJsKYma-5RI/AAAAAAAACvg/qxpqMBpCWqw/s200/Boarding+U-boats+and+Surrender+Terms+(7).JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain of the Matane Boards U-boat</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Boarding parties were arranged and surrender
terms were dictated to the German crews.
The Senior German Officer of the convoy was Captain Suhren (Iron Cross
and Oak Leaf 39) who on request stated that he was Senior Officer Arctic and
Barents Sea and that this was the last of his command. Under orders of the German High Command he
was withdrawing his Command from Narvik and proceeding to</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWEo_Mey8ws/UJsK4I3pIJI/AAAAAAAACvo/3jOK9UJeY6U/s1600/Boarding+U-boats+and+Surrender+Terms+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWEo_Mey8ws/UJsK4I3pIJI/AAAAAAAACvo/3jOK9UJeY6U/s200/Boarding+U-boats+and+Surrender+Terms+(3).JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Communicating Surrender Terms</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trondheim.
The Canadian boarding officer from the Matane asked if the Senior German
Officer had read and understood the terms of surrender and if his U-boat
commanders also understood these terms.
Captain Suhren stated that all ammunition had been landed, no mines were
carried, pistols were removed from all torpedoes and that Commanding Officers
of the U-boats would comply with the terms of surrender. He was then ordered to inform his U-boat
commanders that if any attempted to scuttle or submerge, the boat would be
destroyed and no mercy would be shown to the crew. Captain Suhren was granted one last
request. He sent a final message to all
of the U-boat commanders, “Farewell my U-boats, we have worked well together,
don’t be downhearted. Goodbye. Suhren.”</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htxmd5AV6go/UJsLx4bCFgI/AAAAAAAACvw/ez8EBcmOFaM/s1600/Boarding+U-boats+and+Surrender+Terms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htxmd5AV6go/UJsLx4bCFgI/AAAAAAAACvw/ez8EBcmOFaM/s200/Boarding+U-boats+and+Surrender+Terms.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although fraternization between the German and Canadian
crews was strictly forbidden, it appears that socializing took place with the
seaman from the two countries trading money and badges. I suppose that it won't blemish my dad's navy
record to now admit that he took part in this fraternization. His scrapbook contains German bills that he
received in trade for Canadian paraphernalia.
It would be interesting to know if any of these bills have any value
today.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPyGKbsviu8/UJsMAzBTI1I/AAAAAAAACv4/DdKF7jE-dYI/s1600/HMCS+Matane+-+At+Sea+R.M.+Bailey+checks+Depth+Charges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPyGKbsviu8/UJsMAzBTI1I/AAAAAAAACv4/DdKF7jE-dYI/s200/HMCS+Matane+-+At+Sea+R.M.+Bailey+checks+Depth+Charges.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R.M. Bailey checks the depth charges - HMCS Matane</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">EG9 and the Matane successfully escorted the German U-boats
through very rough seas to Scotland. It
was a 36 hour passage. Though the war in
Europe was over, this was not to be the Matane’s last duty. Her final engagements were escorting convoys
between the U.K and Gibraltar. Navy authorities considered that all U-boats
were not accounted for and there could still be U-boats turned rogue on the
prowl. Thus convoys continued to be used
after hostilities had ended. In a
recollection of the final engagements of the Matane, an officer from the ship
wrote: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">“The next day I received a general message from the Admiral
stating that all available officers and men had to be on the jetty at 1400h to
be marched ashore. This was a mystery;
however, we did as we were ordered and mustered on the jetty at the appointed
time, leaving only a skeleton crew aboard.
At 1400h sharp a Chief Petty Officer from the Royal Navy met us and
informed me we had to march to the local theatre and he would show us the
way. After questioning him it was
obvious he knew as much as I – nothing.
When we were seated in the theatre with the other ship’s companies the
Admiral appeared on the stage and informed us he had just received uncensored
films from the German concentration camps.
He felt that there were horrible sights, but assured us we had a right
to see them to give us a better understanding of what we had been fighting for. He was right, they were horrible. On the way back to the ship the men were
silent, and even today, 40 years later, I still get vivid flashbacks of those
scenes. I don’t regret seeing it, as I
felt some of the younger men hadn’t a clue what we had been fighting against. Some time later, one of the seamen said he
“didn’t understand it, as those guys on the subs seemed like decent
fellows”. I didn’t attempt to enlighten
him as I knew I would get out of my depth.
However, it is my understanding that not one seagoing German seaman was
ever tried for war crimes.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">My Dad was part of the Matane's crew at that point in
time. He has never spoken of seeing the
film.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jWGDrgDfuGw/UJsMe4FfBTI/AAAAAAAACwA/h6kOSbxs8fM/s1600/HMCS+Matane+-+At+Sea+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jWGDrgDfuGw/UJsMe4FfBTI/AAAAAAAACwA/h6kOSbxs8fM/s200/HMCS+Matane+-+At+Sea+2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMCS Matane at Sea</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">On June 17<sup>th</sup>, 1945 the Matane sailed from
Greenoch escorting another convoy bound for Gibraltar. Just south of Ireland
the ship received a signal detaching the Matane from the convey and ordering
her to Esquimalt, B.C., likely in anticipation of the ship being required for
the war with Japan. In early July, after sailing through the
Panama Canal and a five day stop in San Diego, California, the Matane arrived
in Esquimalt. Over 40% of her crew had
volunteered for Pacific action, but it was not to be. Two nuclear bombs sealed the fate of the
Japanese and the war was over on August 15<sup>th</sup>, 1945. Dad was discharged from the navy on November
19<sup>th</sup>, 1945. He went on to a
successful career, raised a family, and has lived a rich and rewarding
life. When I look at Dad, the men and
women of his age, and what they have accomplished and left behind, I truly feel
that they have earned the title of “the greatest generation”.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgoCXR2Gu2o/UKAui-m2Z4I/AAAAAAAAC3Q/dp4HKvVBPDc/s1600/Matane+in+Oyster+Bay+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgoCXR2Gu2o/UKAui-m2Z4I/AAAAAAAAC3Q/dp4HKvVBPDc/s200/Matane+in+Oyster+Bay+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matane's Hull in Oyster Bay - Circa 1950's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for the Matane, she was paid off into reserve in Esquimalt on February 11<sup>th</sup>, 1946. She was sold in 1947 and her hull was
ingloriously sunk in 1948 to form a breakwater in Oyster
Bay, B.C. She acted as a
breakwater until 1973</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Rv1x_pk6gY/UJsNFMc3BzI/AAAAAAAACwQ/Np_j9trg35I/s1600/Matane%27s+Hull+in+Oyster+Bay+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Rv1x_pk6gY/UJsNFMc3BzI/AAAAAAAACwQ/Np_j9trg35I/s200/Matane%27s+Hull+in+Oyster+Bay+2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnant's of HMCS Matane today - F. Hansen Photo</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">when she was deemed either an eye sore or
navigational hazard and blown to smithereens. Despite this final insult, a picture that I
found on the web reveals that there are still remnants of the Matane that can
be seen at low tide in Oyster Bay. I intend to take my son there next summer, to
see if we can salvage even a small piece of scrap iron to keep with my Dad’s
scrapbook. If we are successful it will
act as a lasting reminder of a fine ship and her proud crew, and a significant
chapter in Canadian history.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lest we forget.</span></span><br />
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<u>More Pictures from R.M. Bailey's Navy Scrapbook</u><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5VGVtuwH1s/UJ6CAb9O4vI/AAAAAAAACzA/qz69_eON7FE/s1600/R.M.+Bailey+Certificate+of+Naval+Service.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s5VGVtuwH1s/UJ6CAb9O4vI/AAAAAAAACzA/qz69_eON7FE/s320/R.M.+Bailey+Certificate+of+Naval+Service.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxG6ek5Dkhs/UJ6CHzDbZKI/AAAAAAAACzI/7lDK0XyGjeE/s1600/Wireless+Telegraphists+Graduating+Class+1944+-+St.+Hyacinthe,+QC+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxG6ek5Dkhs/UJ6CHzDbZKI/AAAAAAAACzI/7lDK0XyGjeE/s320/Wireless+Telegraphists+Graduating+Class+1944+-+St.+Hyacinthe,+QC+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1944 Telegraphers Graduating Class - St. Hyacinthe, QC</td></tr>
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Evolutions - Tobermory, Scotland<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0BZLHU2R2NI/UJ6ChTbeYQI/AAAAAAAACzo/lnHoWIi3rDk/s1600/Evolutions+Tobermory+Scotland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0BZLHU2R2NI/UJ6ChTbeYQI/AAAAAAAACzo/lnHoWIi3rDk/s320/Evolutions+Tobermory+Scotland.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evolutions - Tobermory, Scotland</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS Widemouth Bay passing Matane a depth charge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS Widemouth Bay</td></tr>
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HMCS Matane - Crew members</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhrtDJQCimo/UJ6C8HpujgI/AAAAAAAACz4/njuZTVvfQIY/s1600/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+(2a).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhrtDJQCimo/UJ6C8HpujgI/AAAAAAAACz4/njuZTVvfQIY/s320/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+(2a).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erffie - The ship's mascot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKqnmIL2Hao/UJ6H9I1q-II/AAAAAAAAC18/NbWKR0v_Gpw/s1600/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKqnmIL2Hao/UJ6H9I1q-II/AAAAAAAAC18/NbWKR0v_Gpw/s320/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+%25288%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ron Young with Erffie</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WWHizyR9y8A/UJ6DJpR8hRI/AAAAAAAAC0I/8ZoIiDCvzuE/s1600/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WWHizyR9y8A/UJ6DJpR8hRI/AAAAAAAAC0I/8ZoIiDCvzuE/s320/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+(4).JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoeman Gene Toban with Erffie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zq7OVyIqa3Y/UJ6DKWcVp9I/AAAAAAAAC0Q/RXGw6LZ3rnY/s1600/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zq7OVyIqa3Y/UJ6DKWcVp9I/AAAAAAAAC0Q/RXGw6LZ3rnY/s320/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+(5).JPG" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roland Pettis and Junior Travers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jautwZC5sqA/UJ6DKz6M6-I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/R-4zVcx-xWU/s1600/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jautwZC5sqA/UJ6DKz6M6-I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/R-4zVcx-xWU/s320/HMCS+Matane+-+Crew+Pictures+(6).JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Yuill and Larry Fergusen</td></tr>
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Intercepting German U-Boats off Coast of Norway<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n92PdX5pVrs/UJ6D6Wpt4NI/AAAAAAAAC0g/aIQ10HOK96A/s1600/Intercepting+German+U-boats+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n92PdX5pVrs/UJ6D6Wpt4NI/AAAAAAAAC0g/aIQ10HOK96A/s320/Intercepting+German+U-boats+(3).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Convoy to Gilbraltar<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-dl04XMuKU/UJ6EaPecPyI/AAAAAAAAC1g/Rr00qYs5xqE/s1600/HMCS+Matane+-+At+Sea+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-dl04XMuKU/UJ6EaPecPyI/AAAAAAAAC1g/Rr00qYs5xqE/s320/HMCS+Matane+-+At+Sea+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMCS Matane</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch of Bermuda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-duGaTzkWP5E/UJ6Is7zZkyI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/BsruqWSuZmo/s1600/Convoy+to+Gilbralter+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-duGaTzkWP5E/UJ6Is7zZkyI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/BsruqWSuZmo/s320/Convoy+to+Gilbralter+(4).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rough sea from the quarterdeck of HMCS Matane - Bay of Biscay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtL-yByIgLk/UJ6K188FbLI/AAAAAAAAC2k/uiFpvcdZahs/s1600/Gilbraltar+Harbour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtL-yByIgLk/UJ6K188FbLI/AAAAAAAAC2k/uiFpvcdZahs/s320/Gilbraltar+Harbour.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gilbraltar Harbour</td></tr>
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HMCS Matane - Final Resting Place, Oyster Bay, B.C.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaA34lfGKQ4/UJ6Lg2Bk5gI/AAAAAAAAC20/A3uk8joMwHI/s1600/Matane%27s+Hull+in+Oyster+Bay+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaA34lfGKQ4/UJ6Lg2Bk5gI/AAAAAAAAC20/A3uk8joMwHI/s320/Matane%27s+Hull+in+Oyster+Bay+3.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matane's Hull in Oyster Bay, Circa 1960's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcMFMO0uSjM/UJ6LiU668hI/AAAAAAAAC28/Fm7Tzuywj0s/s1600/Matane%27s+Hull+in+Oyster+Bay+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcMFMO0uSjM/UJ6LiU668hI/AAAAAAAAC28/Fm7Tzuywj0s/s320/Matane%27s+Hull+in+Oyster+Bay+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matane's Hull in Oyster Bay today - F. Hansen Photo</td></tr>
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Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-54875957086353870312011-12-29T19:40:00.000-08:002012-02-09T18:34:13.788-08:00My Dog Story<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was lucky to have had a privileged childhood. I had good parents, I was given great experiences, I was able to participate in whatever activities interested me, and usually I had most of the possessions that were important to a kid of my generation. But despite how fortunate I was, there was always one thing that was missing. I never had a dog. For whatever reason, my parents drew the line at getting a dog and I went through childhood having to play with other people’s dogs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Years later, in 1994, I stumbled across a lost puppy on the Kettle Valley railway trail above Kelowna. I happily claimed the puppy as my own, at least until the rightful owners claimed her back (about 2 minutes after I found her). But that small taste of dog ownership hooked me and I convinced my wife that it was time to get a dog. A quick look in the classified section of the Vernon Morning Star indicated that there was a litter of flat coated retriever puppies available in Lumby. We knew nothing about flat coated retrievers, but we phoned the breeder and were quickly convinced that this was a great dog to own. She told us that they are a beautiful jet black retriever without the heavy undercoat of a golden, that they are light shedders, and that they have a lively, happy, and friendly personality. A quick visit to the breeder’s farm and we were goners.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L5Wo-ggRVeI/TzR_KAMtymI/AAAAAAAACaU/SRAUo8Zqsjo/s1600/1994-11+Kali+%289%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L5Wo-ggRVeI/TzR_KAMtymI/AAAAAAAACaU/SRAUo8Zqsjo/s200/1994-11+Kali+%289%29.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Bonnie-Rae and I will never forget the look of those puppies jumping up to greet us with front paws hanging over the kennel wall, tails wagging and tongues hanging out. Two weeks later, when the puppies were 10 weeks old, we chose our female. When we got her home, we took her for our first walk down to the shore of Kalamalka Lake. While we were there she jumped up onto a dock and surprised herself by walking right off the end of a dock. After being submerged for a brief moment, instinct kicked in and she immediately began swimming. This was the start of a love affair with water and we decided right then and there to call her Kali, short for Kalamalka.</span><br />
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</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6M8LyVuEccg/TzR_S9dd_RI/AAAAAAAACac/QNFvdRxjGl0/s1600/1995-10+Vernon+%2810%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6M8LyVuEccg/TzR_S9dd_RI/AAAAAAAACac/QNFvdRxjGl0/s200/1995-10+Vernon+%2810%29.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Kali turned out to be a wonderful dog. She was everything that the breeder had described and more. The flat coated retriever is a happy and active breed that makes for a great outdoor companion and affectionate family pet. They don’t bark much and they are as friendly as can be. If you are looking for a guard dog, don’t choose a flat coat, unless of course you want any intruders to be happily greeted by a tail wagging dog.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab3NKX-Q4hc/TzR_5MxZf8I/AAAAAAAACak/Jz9bp6fRFq8/s1600/1995-06-13+to+23+%2826%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab3NKX-Q4hc/TzR_5MxZf8I/AAAAAAAACak/Jz9bp6fRFq8/s200/1995-06-13+to+23+%2826%29.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Kali loved swimming. While we lived in Vernon I used to take her down to Rattlesnake Point every night where she would swim and retrieve sticks to her heart’s content. Right through the winter, as long as the lake wasn’t frozen she would continue to swim. When we moved to North Bay, our home on Trout Lake was pure dog heaven. Kali ran free and spent hour after hour in the lake, pouncing at whatever it was that she would stare at in the water. When I went for a swim, she would join me. When we went paddling, she would join us, swimming alongside our canoe until we would have to take her back to the shore for fear of exhausting herself.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67bRFv5Zp9M/TzSAPP1-RDI/AAAAAAAACas/avM4-686kCs/s1600/1995-06-13+to+23+%287%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67bRFv5Zp9M/TzSAPP1-RDI/AAAAAAAACas/avM4-686kCs/s200/1995-06-13+to+23+%287%29.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Like all dog owners, I have no shortage of stories that I can tell. But one that is worth sharing is the time that Bonnie-Rae and I took Kali down to the pet beach in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park one hot summer day. There was another young couple down there who were wading knee deep in the water as their dog swam. The fellow had shorts and no shirt and the young lady was wearing a sun dress which she was holding up on her thighs. She was quite attractive and I must admit that my concentration wasn’t totally where it should have been. After a few minutes of wading around, the young fellow took a dive into the water and was coaxing his girlfriend to join him. It wasn’t quite that simple for her. She had a sun dress to contend with, and there were strangers on the beach. Regardless of this, I could see the temptation in her eyes and imagine that her thought process went something as follows; “that guy is with his wife, my bra and panties are no different than a bikini, and it is too nice not to swim”. Next thing I know, the young lady was slipping the sundress up over her head and off it came. She promptly scrunched it up in a ball and threw it towards the beach. At that moment, Kali spotted the flying dress and decided that it was play time. Before that sundress even hit the beach, Kali caught it and ran off into the bush. The young lady was left standing in the water in bra and panties, watching as her sundress disappeared into the woods in the mouth of our dog. As she turned to look at me, all I could do was shrug my shoulders and say “I trained her to do that”.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ9ZOalWsqs/TzSAmYoG74I/AAAAAAAACa0/4tfXD6xbjEQ/s1600/1998-10-12+Mr.+Baldy+Hike+%284%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ9ZOalWsqs/TzSAmYoG74I/AAAAAAAACa0/4tfXD6xbjEQ/s200/1998-10-12+Mr.+Baldy+Hike+%284%29.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">We had nine wonderful years with Kali. She was healthy and active right until the end when cancer wasted her away in the course of five short weeks. On December 22, 2003, just before Christmas, we had to put her down. For all those people who have gone through that experience, you will identify with our feeling of sadness and loss in the weeks to follow. I will always be grateful to our neighbour Chris who went out to our back lot and dug a grave through the snow and frozen earth while we were gone at the vets. When we returned, Chris was there waiting for us and we gently placed Kali down into her final resting place, not too far from the shore of Trout</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVYnzxOkrvU/TzSA1d_b0BI/AAAAAAAACa8/3bt249jiKNU/s1600/DCP_3349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVYnzxOkrvU/TzSA1d_b0BI/AAAAAAAACa8/3bt249jiKNU/s200/DCP_3349.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Lake. After a simple little ceremony, Chris and Mary invited us over for lunch, knowing that some comfort and good friendship would be appreciated on that particular day. </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> <span style="line-height: 115%;">After losing a dog, life goes on and things gradually return to normal. Soon you are left with all of the great memories. We’ve got another dog now, another flat coat. Although Tara is much different than Kali, she is every bit as great a dog, and by the way, she loves swimming in the Fraser River!</span></span>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-39350157702718952082011-10-30T10:16:00.000-07:002011-11-05T08:36:02.988-07:00A Special Day on the 2816On September 16th, 1998, we handled a special train across the OVR. CP had just repatriated the 2816 from the US National Parks Service Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton Pennsylvania and was moving the old Hudson across the country for a complete restoration in the BC Rail steam shops in Vancouver, B.C.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Lmwcyo43pg/Tq19YzZs8NI/AAAAAAAAAtY/Wg89cuhci-c/s1600/0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Lmwcyo43pg/Tq19YzZs8NI/AAAAAAAAAtY/Wg89cuhci-c/s200/0082.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2816 arrives in North Bay, Ont. - Sept. 16, 1998</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As well as the 2816, the train included other heritage equipment and we found it fitting to call one of our "vintage" crews for the trip across the OVR. Hugh Cubitt and John Farrell skillfully commanded the train over the double sub run from Smiths Falls to North Bay that day. Although the existence of the train was not publicized, the rail buff network was in high gear and a significant crowd had gathered to greet the train on its arrival into North Bay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXZnhhw8YBs/Tq1_LvU4W0I/AAAAAAAAAuo/QYddltMADEw/s1600/0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXZnhhw8YBs/Tq1_LvU4W0I/AAAAAAAAAuo/QYddltMADEw/s400/0084.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Farrell and Hugh Cubbitt on the 2816 in North Bay - Sept. 16, 1998</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3476Tbxck-g/Tq1-XeAS7VI/AAAAAAAAAtg/AYt34k3yLao/s1600/2003-06-05+CPR+2816+on+Mactier+Sub+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3476Tbxck-g/Tq1-XeAS7VI/AAAAAAAAAtg/AYt34k3yLao/s200/2003-06-05+CPR+2816+on+Mactier+Sub+%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2816 Arrive in Parry Sound - June 5, 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Five years later, the 2816 was restored and doing one of its cross Canada tours. I was invited to ride in the head end for the trip between Parry Sound and Mactier. CP did some pretty decent things for me in my time on the OVR, but this was certainly a highlight<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWbbFlF4Qek/Tq2AThWY82I/AAAAAAAAAuw/0v2SJJR51oM/s1600/2003-06-05+CPR+2816+on+Mactier+Sub+%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kWbbFlF4Qek/Tq2AThWY82I/AAAAAAAAAuw/0v2SJJR51oM/s200/2003-06-05+CPR+2816+on+Mactier+Sub+%252816%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the cab at track speed on the Mactier Sub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>that I will always be grateful for. Riding in a Hudson steam locomotive at track speed on the mainline of the CPR is an experience that doesn't present itself often. The locomotive was in fine form that day, pulling a good looking consist free from the indignity of an accompanying diesel locomotive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1UW7ATNwvA/Tq2Avthc2kI/AAAAAAAAAu4/LHDS68V6XBE/s1600/2003-06-05+CPR+2816+on+Mactier+Sub+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1UW7ATNwvA/Tq2Avthc2kI/AAAAAAAAAu4/LHDS68V6XBE/s400/2003-06-05+CPR+2816+on+Mactier+Sub+%252813%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2816 on the bridge in Parry Sound - June 5, 2003. James Brown Photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWpx01mv8zk/Tq2BTFPAMXI/AAAAAAAAAvA/nPyR0VQIIO4/s1600/2003-06-05+CPR+2816+on+Mactier+Sub+%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWpx01mv8zk/Tq2BTFPAMXI/AAAAAAAAAvA/nPyR0VQIIO4/s200/2003-06-05+CPR+2816+on+Mactier+Sub+%252823%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival in Mactier - June 5, 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The 2816 program must cost CP a small fortune. Whether it indirectly contributes to the company's bottom line and makes sense for shareholders, I'll leave that for others to decide. But in terms of good will, publicity, community relations, and providing employees and Canadians with a proud connection to the past, the 2816 continues to pull through for CP!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jR_Ai5buBck/Tq2BlZcyGqI/AAAAAAAAAvI/laNS4MeuySY/s1600/2003-06-05+CPR+2816+on+Mactier+Sub+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jR_Ai5buBck/Tq2BlZcyGqI/AAAAAAAAAvI/laNS4MeuySY/s400/2003-06-05+CPR+2816+on+Mactier+Sub+%252822%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-66526417494413797302011-10-23T15:15:00.000-07:002011-11-26T17:06:47.973-08:00First Timber TrainShortly after I arrived at the OVR, we were approached by a group who were interested in running a passenger excursion train between Mattawa and Temiscaming. While these sorts of projects are typically met with much skepticism, we were in the short line business and open to any sort of new revenue. The group had also involved a knowledgeable, experienced and highly respected railroader which certainly gave the project some legitimacy. After several meetings, we agreed to operate a proof-of-concept train, to be run on October 5, 1997. This was essentially the first "Timber Train", using an OVR crew, a couple of RaiLink GP-9's, and six Ontario Northland coaches. October 5th turned out to be a beautiful fall day and the run was certainly a success. Although I don't claim to be a photographer, I am quite proud of a few of the pictures that I captured that day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VQGYjJ3sWg/TqSKyMjC86I/AAAAAAAAAsY/N_QCwh9jdoo/s1600/1997-10-05+1+First+Timber+Train+at+Eau+Claire+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VQGYjJ3sWg/TqSKyMjC86I/AAAAAAAAAsY/N_QCwh9jdoo/s320/1997-10-05+1+First+Timber+Train+at+Eau+Claire+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Timber Train at Eau Claire on the North Bay Subdivision.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nGzSkgefUk/TqSKy5xO57I/AAAAAAAAAsg/GRugzQba6jM/s1600/1997-10-05+1+First+Timber+Train+at+Eau+Claire+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nGzSkgefUk/TqSKy5xO57I/AAAAAAAAAsg/GRugzQba6jM/s320/1997-10-05+1+First+Timber+Train+at+Eau+Claire+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ex Southern Pacific RaiLink GP-9's on the head end.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zo5Rf248iN4/TqSKznrdisI/AAAAAAAAAso/OOODMtPVaHo/s1600/1997-10-05+4+MP+Bob+Wood+on+First+Timber+Train.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zo5Rf248iN4/TqSKznrdisI/AAAAAAAAAso/OOODMtPVaHo/s320/1997-10-05+4+MP+Bob+Wood+on+First+Timber+Train.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Member of Parliament Bob Wood on the first Timber Train</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mAdq5fnqjns/TqSK0Zw3wpI/AAAAAAAAAsw/chI7bGrgtaQ/s1600/1997-10-05+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mAdq5fnqjns/TqSK0Zw3wpI/AAAAAAAAAsw/chI7bGrgtaQ/s320/1997-10-05+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Mattawa from the Timber Train</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Osh93eOgsZY/TqSK1FWWBMI/AAAAAAAAAs4/cFgDZw1hZkU/s1600/1997-10-05+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Osh93eOgsZY/TqSK1FWWBMI/AAAAAAAAAs4/cFgDZw1hZkU/s320/1997-10-05+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Timber Train heading up the Temiscaming Sub. into Quebec</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUeurzFxD-I/TqSK2Jy2FSI/AAAAAAAAAtA/Tbgi6IJ6rmA/s1600/1997-10-05+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUeurzFxD-I/TqSK2Jy2FSI/AAAAAAAAAtA/Tbgi6IJ6rmA/s320/1997-10-05+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the Timber Train at MP 23</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zvI1YMKwfcc/TqSK3AciH6I/AAAAAAAAAtI/5CsyfWFIKU0/s1600/1997-10-05+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zvI1YMKwfcc/TqSK3AciH6I/AAAAAAAAAtI/5CsyfWFIKU0/s320/1997-10-05+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ottawa River and beautiful fall colors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFpxWYD-ZCo/TqSK3yXFYxI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/7vkJQY0Va6o/s1600/1997-10-05+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFpxWYD-ZCo/TqSK3yXFYxI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/7vkJQY0Va6o/s320/1997-10-05+12.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Timber Train Crew</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>The crew on that original train from left to right were Danny Moore, Don Cousineau, Dennis Higgins, and Angie Cerisano.Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-31576653589525988392011-10-15T08:08:00.000-07:002011-10-17T17:41:12.098-07:00CN Detours on the OVR<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">* Photos marked with an asterick courtesy of Raymond Farand </span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">For a brief period in the early days of the Ottawa Valley Railway, we would frequently handle CN detour trains. At the time, I was the General Manager of the OVR freshly arrived from CN and Daryl Duquette was the Manager of our Rail Traffic Control Center having recently arrived from CP.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKPb11APyC0/Tpmie4aBq_I/AAAAAAAAAro/aBYgR75Rcqw/s1600/0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKPb11APyC0/Tpmie4aBq_I/AAAAAAAAAro/aBYgR75Rcqw/s200/0033.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nov. 16, 1997 - CN Train 204 in North Bay </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The fellows in CN’s OMC knew me well and Daryl had all the necessary connections in CP, so it didn’t take much for us to get detours set up when a request from CN would come in. In fact, it was often done so quickly and discreetly that CP’s Network Management Center in Calgary had no idea that we were detouring the competition’s trains over what were essentially CP lines. Once discovered, I believe CN found</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IXaZARxt1IU/TpmmBG_7W-I/AAAAAAAAAsA/qtyXPi9BbxQ/s1600/Image+GALLERY+10+-+CN+detour+204+at+Deux-Rivieres+18Nov97+Low-Resolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IXaZARxt1IU/TpmmBG_7W-I/AAAAAAAAAsA/qtyXPi9BbxQ/s200/Image+GALLERY+10+-+CN+detour+204+at+Deux-Rivieres+18Nov97+Low-Resolution.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">* Nov. 18, 1997 - Another 204 at Deux-Rivieres</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">this outlet surprisingly convenient, at least until May 14, 1998. On that date, Fred Green had arranged for CP business car Strathcona to be deadheaded into North Bay to entertain Tembec’s president and other senior Tembec executives. Tembec was a major CP account at the time and it must have been contract renewal time or something of the like. I was also invited to join the group, which was a nice gesture on CP’s part. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">As background, shortly after I had taken my position with the OVR, RaiLink purchased several MLW M-420's and Bombardier HR-412’s from CN. Three of them ended up on our roster in North Bay.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Iks_vYmBh8/Tpmd54r-49I/AAAAAAAAArY/HNsbzSsyJLo/s1600/3509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Iks_vYmBh8/Tpmd54r-49I/AAAAAAAAArY/HNsbzSsyJLo/s200/3509.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3509 in North Bay Yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">On the same evening that we were entertaining the Tembec executives in the Strathcona, the 3509, still looking very much like a CN locomotive, was busy switching the yard. Also, on the same day, it just so happened that we were handling CN detour trains. As we sat in the back of the business car enjoying drinks and hors-d’oeuvres , I sensed that Fred Green was getting irritated by what appeared to be a CN engine switching the yard. Then, with classic timing, CN's train 104 appeared from the west off the Cartier Subdivision, a long and solid double stack led by impressive new locomotives. Although he kept quiet, the look on Fred’s face said it all, “What the hell is going on here”!! It also didn’t help matters when one of the Tembec executives asked, “Weren’t those CN locomotives on that train”? I explained to the group that we were detouring CN trains due to a derailment on their Bala Subdivision, but Fred Green didn’t seem overly impressed. When he got back to Calgary, he must have asked some questions because in no time we received a call from CP’s NMC asking us about these detour trains! They made it very clear that the NMC was to be involved in any future detour arrangements, and from that point forward, the CN detours pretty much dried up. When CN sold their Beachburg Subdivision to the Ottawa Central, it made the possiblity of future detours even more remote. The OCR didn’t have enough crews to handle extra trains so interchanging the trains in Pembroke was no longer an option. Despite the barriers, on November 23, 1999, a CN freight train hit a tractor trailer on a farm crossing on the Kingston Subdivision and derailed. An opposite direction VIA train then slammed into the freight train and derailed. It was a mess and over the following two days, we handled what would be the last CN detours across the Ottawa Valley Railway, bridging the trains over the entire route between Smiths Falls and Sudbury.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTq0foXAIRE/TppAt1olhKI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/ic8CrZPgwdg/s1600/CN+detour+104+at+Carleton+Place+25Nov99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTq0foXAIRE/TppAt1olhKI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/ic8CrZPgwdg/s200/CN+detour+104+at+Carleton+Place+25Nov99.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">* Nov. 25, 1999 - Last Detour, CN Train 104</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I always regretted the end of the detours. When we were handling those trains it showed the true potential of the Ottawa Valley as a co-production route. It was an exciting period, watching the trains of both railways using the most direct route between Montreal and Western Canada. When it was finished, it just seemed like an opportunity lost.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">As an aside, following the evening with the Tembec officials, CP asked if we could store the Strathcona in North Bay until its next assignment.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhsNoTWZ0NM/TpmtSQniHaI/AAAAAAAAAsI/mH2e8G0Ga_I/s1600/0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhsNoTWZ0NM/TpmtSQniHaI/AAAAAAAAAsI/mH2e8G0Ga_I/s200/0041.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CP Business Car Strathcona in N.Bay Yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We accepted without hesitation, said it would be in good hands, and took possession of the keys. Although I was not so bold as to use the car for an inspection trip across the OVR, it sure did make for a nice setting for an OVR staff meeting!! </span></span>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-17623857390803808852011-10-12T21:38:00.000-07:002011-10-15T06:54:30.933-07:00Ride the Rails PackageFrom 1991 to 1993 I was Track Engineer on CN's Saskatchewan District. Track Engineers at the time were assigned hi-rail vehicles to encourage us to get out of the office and into the field with our employees. Not a bad way to make a living, as long as the trains stayed on the track! In 1992, I was assigned one of CN's first hi-rail equipped Ford Explorers . It was a nice compact vehicle, at least in comparison to the Suburban that had preceded it, and the 4x4 really made it a good smaller inspection vehicle for two people and gear.<br />
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Before or after inspection trips, I would often take the vehicle home and have it parked in our driveway. Our neighbours in Saskatoon were a couple of Yuppies who had everything. Fancy home, nice clothes, European cars. We certainly couldn't keep up with them, nor did I have any desire to try. But despite the fact that Lisa drove a Saab, she was always commenting about that fancy Ford Explorer with the "Ride the Rails" package, and jealous that she couldn't have one.<br />
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Here are a couple of shots from one of my inspection trips with the Ford Explorer. It is April 1992 and we are on the Rivers Subdivision in the signaled siding at Wattsview, Manitoba. #2 is scooping us at 70 mph.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUSYO89C8LM/TpZo8M2D-FI/AAAAAAAAAq4/PZazTziS2qA/s1600/1992-04-08+Wattsview%252C+Manitoba+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUSYO89C8LM/TpZo8M2D-FI/AAAAAAAAAq4/PZazTziS2qA/s320/1992-04-08+Wattsview%252C+Manitoba+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTGt2CV9GmU/TpZpDaf0hlI/AAAAAAAAArA/3BSUFpstA_c/s1600/1992-04-08+Wattsview%252C+Manitoba+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTGt2CV9GmU/TpZpDaf0hlI/AAAAAAAAArA/3BSUFpstA_c/s320/1992-04-08+Wattsview%252C+Manitoba+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-663978498272538372011-09-12T21:30:00.000-07:002011-10-29T09:39:52.443-07:00World Trade Center Remembered<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lB3abt3z_6Q/Tm7Z6Ic0i0I/AAAAAAAAAqo/F7cNYKTnA9s/s1600/1992-10-Bermuda+Cruise+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lB3abt3z_6Q/Tm7Z6Ic0i0I/AAAAAAAAAqo/F7cNYKTnA9s/s200/1992-10-Bermuda+Cruise+%252811%2529.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>Through this past weekend's coverage of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I couldn't help but remember a trip that my wife and I made to New York City in 1992. It was a beautiful October weekend and we spent three glorious days exploring the amazing city of New York, mostly on foot. We were typical tourists, and one of the highlights of the trip was our visit to the "Top of the World Observation Deck" in the south tower of the World Trade Center. That particular day was not unlike 9/11. Clear blue skies, no wind, pleasant temperatures. One couldn't ask for better conditions to take in the view of Manhatten and the surrounding area from the best vantage point in town. I've included a few shots of the view from the top.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMceGN4hCPI/Tm7Z97viXVI/AAAAAAAAAqw/hLd2Ad5lxLE/s1600/1992-10-New+York+%252835%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMceGN4hCPI/Tm7Z97viXVI/AAAAAAAAAqw/hLd2Ad5lxLE/s400/1992-10-New+York+%252835%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4xH0E7DXM4/Tm7Z-j2oVUI/AAAAAAAAAq0/lVkosMClBfo/s1600/1992-10-New+York+%252836%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4xH0E7DXM4/Tm7Z-j2oVUI/AAAAAAAAAq0/lVkosMClBfo/s320/1992-10-New+York+%252836%2529.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>There is nothing that I can say or write about 9/11 that hasn't been said before. For my part, I will always remember the two towers that dominated the Manhatten skyline, and the day that brought them down. I was glad to see that a beautiful and fitting memorial has finally been opened where the towers once stood. We will visit there one day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JU1BhnE1Jw/Tm7Z8hVwhQI/AAAAAAAAAqs/xR_0KlsV4EY/s1600/1992-10-Bermuda+Cruise+%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JU1BhnE1Jw/Tm7Z8hVwhQI/AAAAAAAAAqs/xR_0KlsV4EY/s400/1992-10-Bermuda+Cruise+%252815%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-69668856543090038232011-06-24T22:25:00.000-07:002011-12-22T18:59:25.303-08:00Jethro Tull<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I first saw Jethro Tull in Maple Leaf Gardens in 1977. Even though the group was five years beyond the height of their success, they were still a very popular band selling out arena shows worldwide. When the 1977 Toronto concert was announced, one of my classmates suggested that we should get tickets. It didn’t take much convincing. I had been a huge Jethro Tull fan through the early 1970’s and this would be a great opportunity to finally see them. When the night of the concert</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SuBBKgZCCV0/TgVv8wGat6I/AAAAAAAAApo/EpsEqUOJr6M/s1600/Jethro+Tull+-+1977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SuBBKgZCCV0/TgVv8wGat6I/AAAAAAAAApo/EpsEqUOJr6M/s200/Jethro+Tull+-+1977.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jethro Tull - 1977</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> arrived, it was nothing short of an experience. I can still remember the impact of Ian Anderson and his flute, this skilled musician and showman performing like a crazed madman belting out what are now classic Jethro Tull tunes.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Jethro Tull has always had a distinctive sound. Ian Anderson is probably one of the best performing artists that rock has produced. Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung, Crest of a Knave . . . all terrific albums that are still on my favourite list. Last Sunday, my son and I caught Jethro Tull at the Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver. As a</span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C0prMMQHgfg/TgVwcWqCwSI/AAAAAAAAAps/HSqDGPu_VBw/s1600/2011+06+19+Jethro+Tull%252C+Vancouver+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C0prMMQHgfg/TgVwcWqCwSI/AAAAAAAAAps/HSqDGPu_VBw/s200/2011+06+19+Jethro+Tull%252C+Vancouver+%25284%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jethro Tull in Vancouver - 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">father, I wanted my son to see Jethro Tull. Though I knew the experience would be a far cry from an arena show of the 70's, at least he would get a taste of the old minstrel and his band. Life's a long song, and I am happy to report that this was a great Father's Day event forty years after the release of their masterpiece album Aqualung.</span></span></div>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-8044013208547241072011-02-24T20:14:00.000-08:002011-02-26T21:12:25.053-08:00SS Rotterdam<div class="MsoNormal">On September 13, 1958 Queen Juliana of the Netherlands christened the SS Rotterdam, a magnificent new ocean liner built for the Holland America Line. At 748 feet and 38,650 tons, she was a large ship, but more significant was her modern new look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B29xnwOfyIY/TWcmAafQ3dI/AAAAAAAAApE/pba5o6gN-hk/s1600/Rotterdam-Brochure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B29xnwOfyIY/TWcmAafQ3dI/AAAAAAAAApE/pba5o6gN-hk/s200/Rotterdam-Brochure.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Absent from the Rotterdam was the traditional funnel, replaced by a deckhouse mid-ship and twin uptake pipes above her machinery located aft. Her modern design was groundbreaking and set the stage for many ship designs to come, but combined with this new look remained the gracious lines of a classic ocean liner.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--i4vzH36Kc4/TWcnzXBDd3I/AAAAAAAAApI/WuDJF0mDLtw/s1600/1994-09-15+Rotterdam+Cruise+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--i4vzH36Kc4/TWcnzXBDd3I/AAAAAAAAApI/WuDJF0mDLtw/s200/1994-09-15+Rotterdam+Cruise+%25284%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Rotterdam was designed for both transatlantic service and ocean cruising. The transatlantic business dried up in 1969, but she continued on as a hugely successful cruise ship remaining in the service of Holland America Line for over 38 years. Renowned for her annual round the world cruises she became known as “the Grande Dame” of the seas. However by the mid 1990’s her days were numbered with the impending new SOLAS regulations and Holland America wanting to upgrade their fleet. In September of 1997 she was sold to Premier Cruises. Renamed the SS Rembrandt, the ship continued cruising for three more years until the end came abruptly in September of 2000 when Premier Cruises suddenly went bankrupt. At that time the former Rotterdam was ingloriously impounded in Halifax harbour.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhuD3CWuzOc/TWcl9oOZLXI/AAAAAAAAApA/tlwMaiRYleg/s1600/1960+-+Rotterdam%252C+New+York+City%252C+Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhuD3CWuzOc/TWcl9oOZLXI/AAAAAAAAApA/tlwMaiRYleg/s200/1960+-+Rotterdam%252C+New+York+City%252C+Cropped.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rotterdam in Hoboken, N.J 1960</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">In 1960, my father snapped this photo of the Rotterdam as we arrived in New York City on a cruise from Bermuda. She was a brand new ship at the time and very much lived up to the promotional slogan, “The ship of tomorrow, today”. As I grew up, this picture continued to intrigue me and I resolved that someday I would be a passenger on the Rotterdam. That opportunity finally came in September of 1994 when the much older Rotterdam was scheduled to do a three day cruise out of Vancouver up the Straight of Georgia into the far reaches of Bute Inlet, down to Seattle, then back to Vancouver. Bonnie-Rae and I were living in Vernon at the time, so the logistics and cost</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9OULkvma6U/TWcooIZgeiI/AAAAAAAAApQ/DYolIv7wVBc/s1600/1994-09-16+Rotterdam+Cruise%252C+Butte+Inlet+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9OULkvma6U/TWcooIZgeiI/AAAAAAAAApQ/DYolIv7wVBc/s200/1994-09-16+Rotterdam+Cruise%252C+Butte+Inlet+%25283%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning stroll on the promenade deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">of the cruise were very manageable. As it turned out, it was a spectacular three days and the Rotterdam certainly lived up to all of our expectations. Her elegant interiors, rich fittings and wonderful artwork remained largely intact</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HBbHDmKl1A/TWcoyeW0IKI/AAAAAAAAApU/fYHuo8NUoV8/s1600/1994-09-16+Rotterdam+Cruise%252C+Butte+Inlet+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HBbHDmKl1A/TWcoyeW0IKI/AAAAAAAAApU/fYHuo8NUoV8/s200/1994-09-16+Rotterdam+Cruise%252C+Butte+Inlet+%252810%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bute Inlet from the bow of the Rotterdam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">and she was a pleasure to cruise on. Adding to the enjoyment of the ship was the pristine beauty of Bute Inlet and gorgeous September weather. Bute Inlet is widely considered one of the grandest fjords in the world and is surrounded by rugged</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZXqi8suMj4/TWco7_Sue_I/AAAAAAAAApY/ouDiLVrzfII/s1600/1994-09-16+Rotterdam+Cruise%252C+Butte+Inlet+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZXqi8suMj4/TWco7_Sue_I/AAAAAAAAApY/ouDiLVrzfII/s200/1994-09-16+Rotterdam+Cruise%252C+Butte+Inlet+%252811%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bute Inlet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">coastal mountains that rise out of the emerald waters to heights of nearly 10,000 feet. We sailed right to the north end of the Inlet, apparently one of the first large cruise ships to do so. One couldn’t find a better setting for a cruise on the Rotterdam. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Following the wilderness portion of our cruise, we sailed down to Seattle for a marked change of pace. We enjoyed the big city, exploring Pike Place Market and other local attractions, again in</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4AqiYf8Gl4/TWcoe1CC1dI/AAAAAAAAApM/tg_wEKkOELk/s1600/1994-09-16+Rotterdam+Cruise++Seattle+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4AqiYf8Gl4/TWcoe1CC1dI/AAAAAAAAApM/tg_wEKkOELk/s200/1994-09-16+Rotterdam+Cruise++Seattle+%252811%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">gorgeous September weather. While docked in Seattle, I took this picture of the Rotterdam which is still one of my favourites of the ship. Amazingly, the SS Rotterdam has avoided the breaker’s torch on the beach in Alang, India where so many liners of her era have been scrapped. The ship now serves as a museum, hotel, and school for vocational training in the port of Rotterdam.</span>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-46087465807877914292011-02-12T10:37:00.000-08:002011-02-12T10:45:21.345-08:00Cold Weather Slow Order<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">February is a cold month on the prairies. It is a month that tends to drag people down with winter still maintaining a firm grip over the land. In our family, one event that would help break the monotony of February was my Grandfather’s annual birthday</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4FOyJ2zhrZY/TVYM9Hgle4I/AAAAAAAAAos/_o3y7E4A3s0/s1600/1992-02-16+Grandpa+Peter%2527s+103rd+Birthday+Party%252C+Saskatoon+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4FOyJ2zhrZY/TVYM9Hgle4I/AAAAAAAAAos/_o3y7E4A3s0/s200/1992-02-16+Grandpa+Peter%2527s+103rd+Birthday+Party%252C+Saskatoon+%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edmund Peters and daughter Marion Bailey</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">party in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He loved his birthdays and he had a lot of them, 104 to be exact. Each year, his offspring and friends would gather to celebrate the occasion and he would relish every moment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJUyDp-Yc_c/TVYNoylaheI/AAAAAAAAAow/2Z9y475I0Es/s1600/1991-08-09+Springview+Farm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJUyDp-Yc_c/TVYNoylaheI/AAAAAAAAAow/2Z9y475I0Es/s200/1991-08-09+Springview+Farm.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter's Farm - Hanley, Saskatchewan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">As background, Edmund Peters emigrated from Wisconsin and in 1917 homesteaded near Hanley, Saskatchewan. Together with his wife, they successfully farmed and raised a family through the ravages of the depression. He continued to work on the farm well into his 80’s.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back in February 1989, Grandpa Peters turned 100. I was living in Montreal at the time, my fiancé in Thunder Bay, and my brother in Denver, but we all made plans to attend his birthday party in Saskatoon as this was an event not to be missed. We decided we would all fly to Winnipeg and from there take the Super Continental to Saskatoon, just as we had done so many times before while growing up in Winnipeg. This turned out to be my last trip on the “Super”, and unfortunately it wasn’t the train’s finest hour.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">After meeting at the Station in Winnipeg, we boarded the train late in the evening of February 16th for what was to be an on time departure. If I recall correctly, the Super Continental originated</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgAxBeexTfo/TVYN-yzk1lI/AAAAAAAAAo0/XN674MjCpwc/s1600/VIA+at+Winnipeg_Dec80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgAxBeexTfo/TVYN-yzk1lI/AAAAAAAAAo0/XN674MjCpwc/s200/VIA+at+Winnipeg_Dec80.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary Morris Photo (Railpixs.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">in Winnipeg at the time, so it no longer truly lived up to its "Continental" name. It was a bitterly cold night and a huge arctic air mass had settled over the prairies. Despite the cold, the steam heat had the sleeping cars comfortably warm and we settled into our berths shortly after entraining. I remember having trouble getting to sleep that night and several hours passed before we departed Winnipeg. While trying to get to sleep, I could hear the activity of carman working on the train in the bitter cold. Then came a late night power change. These were all ominous signs of a bad trip to come. Once en route, I woke up at several points through the night and lifted the blind to check our progress. It was slow going and you could just tell it was one of those nights when the railway wasn’t running well. We had a long delay in Rivers, Manitoba, and then again in St. Lazare. When we got up in the morning we hadn’t even arrived in Melville yet. Saskatoon is 191 miles from Melville, and with the 40 mph blanket cold weather slow order that was in place across the entire prairies, a quick calculation indicated that we weren’t going to make Saskatoon in time for the afternoon party. We mulled over our options, but there was really little we could do.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had spent a good deal of time working on CN’s Prairie Region and still knew many of the Track Supervisors across the Prairies. When we finally arrived in Melville, I headed straight to the Track Supervisor’s office. Fortunately my old friend Tony Chartier was there. He was surprised to see me and wondered what I was doing in town. I explained that I was heading to my Grandfather’s 100th<sup> </sup>birthday party in Saskatoon, and that we were worried we weren’t going to make the party. I said “Tony, you’ve got to do something about that cold weather slow. We’ll never make Saskatoon at this pace.” He looked at me and said, “It’s policy, I can’t lift that slow order, it’s 38 below”. I couldn’t argue much, being CN’s Planning Engineer at the time, but I could tell by the look in Tony’s eyes that he was thinking about it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we got back on the train, the “Super” pulled out of Melville and was travelling at a snail’s pace on this former Grand Trunk Pacific mainline that was designed for speed. After about 10 minutes, we settled back into our seats relegated to the fact that we weren’t going to make my Grandfather’s 100th birthday party when all of a sudden we heard the sound of the F-40PH’s notching up. With a puff of black exhaust we were at 80 mph in no time. Just afterwards we overheard the conductor talking on the radio expressing his surprise that the cold weather slow had been lifted. It seems to me there was a cynical comment, something to the effect of “CN management finally waking up”. Little did he know!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFLs9-fSCxc/TVbTRqbYEgI/AAAAAAAAAo8/S0TFHCq1deE/s1600/Saskatoon+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eFLs9-fSCxc/TVbTRqbYEgI/AAAAAAAAAo8/S0TFHCq1deE/s200/Saskatoon+Station.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, thanks to the removal of the slow order, we ended up making the final hour of my grandfather’s party. As it turns out it wasn’t his last birthday, but it was my last trip on the Super Continental. When it came time to take the train home, VIA had to put us all on a bus to Winnipeg because the “Super” was trapped behind a derailment in the Rockies! The following winter, on January 14th, 1990, the Super Continental left in each direction from Winnipeg and Vancouver for the last time.</span></span>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-90259445952065178862011-01-15T22:02:00.000-08:002011-01-16T07:08:53.222-08:00The Roxboro Bullet<i>Pictures courtesy of Raymond Farand</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TTKCBOk9rpI/AAAAAAAAAoA/0gC7mYu3Cm0/s1600/CN+934+at+Mont-Royal+station+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TTKCBOk9rpI/AAAAAAAAAoA/0gC7mYu3Cm0/s200/CN+934+at+Mont-Royal+station+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>From 1988 until 1991 I did a stint at CN Headquarters in Montreal. Shortly after moving there, I purchased a townhouse in Pierrefonds, not far from the A-Ma-Baie train stop on the Deux-Montanges commuter rail line. To all of us Anglo's who worked at CN Headquarters, the train was commonly known as the "Roxboro Bullet". The commuter rail line ran from Deux-Montanges into Montreal through the old Canadian Northern Mt. Royal tunnel and was still using the original electric locomotives and coaches that had inaugurated the service back in 1918. It was reliable and handy , but far from modern or fancy.<br />
<br />
My wife and I can tell many stories from our two and a half years of commuting on the "Bullet". With no air conditioning, it was hot on the train in the summertime, and at the end of the day commuters would be in various states of consciousness. Many would be slumped over in the cramped old seats, ties loosened, mouths open, sweating, many snoring. I remember talking to one passenger who told me that he had been riding the train almost every day of his life, through day care, elementary school, high school, university, and now during his working life. He explained that he couldn't remember a single change through all of those years and he calculated that he had spent well over one year of his lifetime riding on that train. Another day, I distinctly recall taking my seat on the train in Central Station. The bench seats at each end of the coaches had quickly filled up and there was one small space left between two people on the bench across from my wife and I, perhaps 10 inches wide. A lady then boarded the train with a derriere that was considerably larger than the gap and eyed up her opportunity to take a seat. I'll never forget the incredulous look on everyone's faces as that lady shoe-horned herself into that gap. I guess when you want to sit, you want to sit!! But our most memorable moment came one cold morning standing on the platform at A-Ma-Baie. It was a typical Montreal winter day, not unlike any other, until "low and behold" the train came around the curve pulling a string ex VIA daynighter cars. The change in equipment had been totally unannounced and unexpected, and for the commuters who had been riding the "cattle cars" for years, you would think they were staring at a mirage. Once on board, it was like kids in a candy shop. Settling in to those 35 year old daynighter seats was like winning a lottery when you hadn't even bought a ticket. It made for a very pleasant ride into Montreal<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TTKIDYrTCWI/AAAAAAAAAoI/u-kWzUz67_A/s1600/CN+934+at+Mont-Royal+station+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TTKIDYrTCWI/AAAAAAAAAoI/u-kWzUz67_A/s200/CN+934+at+Mont-Royal+station+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>that day and in the days and months to follow. Through the entire two and a half years of riding the Bullet, we had the same conductor. To this day, I can still hear him calling, "A-Ma-Baie Suivant"!Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-38138285762351269942011-01-01T22:18:00.000-08:002011-01-01T22:38:39.937-08:00Life's Simple Pleasures #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TSAYkzncNoI/AAAAAAAAAn0/6-nEH01OLZE/s1600/1998-09-12+Trout+Lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TSAYkzncNoI/AAAAAAAAAn0/6-nEH01OLZE/s200/1998-09-12+Trout+Lake.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>For ten years, between 1997 and 2007 our waterfront home on Trout Lake provided a wonderful environment for raising our son Douglas. The obvious advantages of living on the water are the accessibility to swimming and other water sports in the summer, and, if your father cares to expend the necessary energy, a neighbourhood skating rink in the winter. But then one mustn't forget about fishing. Though it takes a bit more patience and is often overshadowed by the instant<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TSAZDvJJXDI/AAAAAAAAAn8/UwvI3-un1WA/s1600/2000-08-10+Douglas%2527+First+Fish%252C+13+inch+Smallmouth+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TSAZDvJJXDI/AAAAAAAAAn8/UwvI3-un1WA/s200/2000-08-10+Douglas%2527+First+Fish%252C+13+inch+Smallmouth+%25281%2529.JPG" width="130" /></a></div>gratification of swimming, Douglas and I periodically tested our luck with the rod and reel. We were lucky that smallmouth bass were there for the taking right off our dock so we didn't have far to go. Catching your first fish is a big moment, and it happened for Douglas on August 10th, 2000. The shear pleasure of the occasion is written all over his face as he proudly displays his first smallmouth.Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-41552677550999940092010-12-27T16:12:00.000-08:002011-10-29T09:40:27.468-07:00Edmonton Oilers FanEver since my son Douglas began following hockey, he has been an avid Edmonton Oilers fan. His choice of teams is slightly odd considering that he grew up in North Bay, Ontario, which is a long way from Alberta. But I guess periodic visits to his grandparents in Edmonton and the fact that the Leafs never were much of an option all had some influence on his choice of teams. Despite the Oilers less than stellar record in recent years, Douglas<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TRl4DFBPfTI/AAAAAAAAAno/u19zkoTytjA/s1600/2010+12+26_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TRl4DFBPfTI/AAAAAAAAAno/u19zkoTytjA/s200/2010+12+26_0055.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Game Warm-Up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>has remained a fan, even with our move to Vancouver three years ago. Every season we try to attend at least one Oilers game and last night was our annual opportunity to watch them face off against the Vancouver Canucks at the Rogers Arena. The Oilers played a very good game in<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TRl4JiRi-tI/AAAAAAAAAns/J8K5fzWFvBQ/s1600/2010+12+26_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TRl4JiRi-tI/AAAAAAAAAns/J8K5fzWFvBQ/s200/2010+12+26_0063.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Disappointing Loss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>the first two periods, and it was great to see their new young talent. But the Canucks came on strong in the third and finished them off with 20 seconds left in the game, providing Douglas another huge disappointment having now attended ten live Oilers games but only seeing them win twice.<br />
<br />
There were better times for the Edmonton Oilers, and it wasn't just during the dynasty of the 80's. During the 2005/2006 season, the Oilers squeaked their way into the playoffs with an eighth place finish in the standings. Then, much to everyone's<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TRku9nTCJbI/AAAAAAAAAng/VRP4GmeiIi0/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TRku9nTCJbI/AAAAAAAAAng/VRP4GmeiIi0/s200/IMG_0120.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Bay Oilers Fans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>amazement they battled their way right to the seventh game of the Stanley Cup final. It seemed to Bonnie-Rae and I that Douglas had almost willed it to happen. He had enlisted all of his friends in North Bay as fellow fans, he had chased the Oilers for signatures when we went to Denver to see them play that<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TRl6BsEWsrI/AAAAAAAAAnw/MJwx8m9xxug/s1600/100_2501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TRl6BsEWsrI/AAAAAAAAAnw/MJwx8m9xxug/s200/100_2501.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Douglas meets Chris Pronger in Denver</td></tr>
</tbody></table>season, and he had collected every piece of Oilers paraphernalia he could possibly get his hands on. Before each game he would meticulously surround himself with his Oilers collection as he prepared to watch the game on TV. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TRklwW3ExqI/AAAAAAAAAnU/ngCZrARyl1c/s1600/IMG_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TRklwW3ExqI/AAAAAAAAAnU/ngCZrARyl1c/s200/IMG_0083.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Douglas focused on a playoff game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The seventh game of the Stanley Cup final against Carolina that year was a cliffhanger. Carolina had established a 2-0 lead early on in the game, but Fernando Pisani brought the Oilers back to life by scoring on a rebound to make it 2-1 in the third. We all sat on the edge of our seats in the final minutes as I prayed for a win for the sake of my young son. But it wasn't to be and Carolina scored on an empty net in the last minute of the game, ending an amazing run for the Oilers that had been completely unexpected. Although it was a major disappointment for Douglas, the Oilers had provided the best springtime of hockey that a fan could ever hope for, and Douglas has remained loyal to the team to this day.Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-82601141339780507592010-12-18T10:34:00.000-08:002010-12-24T05:52:19.027-08:00CP Holiday Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz13_up6XI/AAAAAAAAAmA/IthKD0s1h1o/s1600/2010+12+17_2010+CP+Holiday+Train_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz13_up6XI/AAAAAAAAAmA/IthKD0s1h1o/s200/2010+12+17_2010+CP+Holiday+Train_0016.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Last night Bonnie-Rae and I ventured out to catch the CP Holiday Train on its arrival into Maple Ridge. The skies were clear and the train drew a huge crowd to the West Coast Express Port Haney station. This was the final night of a three week cross</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz2GzqIdOI/AAAAAAAAAmE/DLwdQnVATGY/s1600/2010+12+17_2010+CP+Holiday+Train_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz2GzqIdOI/AAAAAAAAAmE/DLwdQnVATGY/s200/2010+12+17_2010+CP+Holiday+Train_0011.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">country odyssey that started on November 27th in Beaconsfield, Quebec with the final stop 68 communities later in Port Moody, British Columbia. The goal of the Holiday Train is to collect food and money for local food banks and to raise awareness</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz2_ni7k9I/AAAAAAAAAmI/SEdS8lJ4_9g/s1600/Holiday+Train+at+MP70.2+Winchester+Sub+DSC_1334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz2_ni7k9I/AAAAAAAAAmI/SEdS8lJ4_9g/s200/Holiday+Train+at+MP70.2+Winchester+Sub+DSC_1334.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">in the fight against hunger. The train is highly decorated, and at each stop, it provides a box car stage, a line up of musicians, entertainers, and a CP corporate contribution to the local food bank. The communities, in turn, are encouraged to donate food and funds, all of which stays in the local communities. The holiday train provides a very special and unique family event, particularly in the smaller and sometimes remote communities where it visits. Running this train is a big undertaking and I am sure that it comes at no small cost to Canadian Pacific. Kudos must go out to CP for continuing to run this program which has raised over $4.8 million dollars and 2.3 million pounds of food for the less advantaged in the twelve years it has been operating.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For me, last night brought back memories of Holiday Train 2002, when in cooperation with CP, we ran the train across the OVR, drawing huge crowds in each of the historic Ottawa Valley communities where we stopped. Thanks to the efforts of our Trainmaster Bob Jackson, CP was convinced to leave the train in</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz3ziQ3bAI/AAAAAAAAAmM/GKbivYVY_H4/s1600/0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz3ziQ3bAI/AAAAAAAAAmM/GKbivYVY_H4/s200/0324.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">our hands on December 8th, 2002 handing it over to us in Smiths Falls, Ontario. We promptly applied our smartly decorated RaiLink GP-38's to the head end of the consist and headed west with the train early that morning. It was a bitterly cold day and if memory serves me correctly we made stops in Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Petawawa, Chalk River, Mattawa, Bonfield, and North Bay. The crowds at each stop surpassed our wildest imaginations. Obviously these towns needed some entertainment and there was a terrific line up on the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz6aCblOvI/AAAAAAAAAmk/j9TG7KAOXrI/s1600/0328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz6aCblOvI/AAAAAAAAAmk/j9TG7KAOXrI/s200/0328.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Holiday Train that year including Tom Jackson, Beverly Mahood, Duane Steele, and Amanda Stott. Some of the shows were done from the stage car, others were shorter shows done from the back of CP business car Van Horne. I can’t verify this fact but I have been told that this was and continues to be a record for the most entertainment stops in one day for the</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz5A0YyQ4I/AAAAAAAAAmU/IeWbd3Xzh2o/s1600/0324b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz5A0YyQ4I/AAAAAAAAAmU/IeWbd3Xzh2o/s200/0324b.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">CP Holiday Train. We also had our Santa, veteran CP and OVR locomotive engineer Hugh Cubitt. I can still remember Hugh as he relished his ride in the Van Horne, heading out onto the vestibule to wave at onlookers as we made our way through the Ottawa Valley. A ride in the Van Horne was a most fitting tribute for this old hogger. After all, how many tons of freight had he hauled through the Valley for CPR during his long railroad career?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz7ofgVeZI/AAAAAAAAAms/x0z-8eG_6gk/s1600/0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz7ofgVeZI/AAAAAAAAAms/x0z-8eG_6gk/s200/0326.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">In 2002, set up of the stage car was nowhere near as refined as it is now, and I can remember the feeling of relief when we completed the last show in North Bay on time and successfully. It was a tough and stressful day, opening and closing that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz4qc67LRI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/X_ArCuZqMhU/s1600/0329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz4qc67LRI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/X_ArCuZqMhU/s200/0329.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">boxcar door in the freezing cold temperatures, setting up the speakers, trying to keep the sound system working, and keeping the train on time. Watching last night’s polished and organized set up and take down made the show look like a cakewalk, a far cry from 2002.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz9mdAs4EI/AAAAAAAAAm4/xc_M90Gq9vQ/s1600/Scan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQz9mdAs4EI/AAAAAAAAAm4/xc_M90Gq9vQ/s200/Scan.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">I still have my Holiday Train CD from that year, signed by all of the entertainers who participated. It is still, by far, our family’s favourite holiday CD.</span></div>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-50914528616041859172010-12-11T13:54:00.000-08:002011-10-29T09:40:51.743-07:00Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 turns 75 this week. The first flight of this venerable old transport took place on December 17th, 1935. During its production run, 10,654 DC-3's, C-47's, R4D's and other variants were produced until the last aircraft rolled off the line in 1947. The DC-3 was an invaluable aircraft through World War II and during the Berlin airlift. Following the war, the aircraft came to define the postwar airline industry. What is more amazing is that even today, many DC-3's are still flying in commercial service, transporting passengers and cargo, and dropping skydivers. Although I watched countless DC-3's as I grew up, I have never flown in one. I had an opportunity once, back in 1986 when I had booked a commercial flight from Thompson Manitoba to some northern destination that I can't even recall. Unfortunately, I arrived at the airport a touch late that day and I had to watch as the Calm Air DC-3 taxied away for departure without me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQPvWcivT5I/AAAAAAAAAlw/eufGrAJkN9E/s1600/1978-02-25+Douglas+DC-3+Edmonton+Municipal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQPvWcivT5I/AAAAAAAAAlw/eufGrAJkN9E/s200/1978-02-25+Douglas+DC-3+Edmonton+Municipal.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Surprisingly, on scouring through my photos, I haven't taken as many pictures of DC-3's as I would have thought. Perhaps they were just too common to attract my attention. But I did find a couple of my own photos to include in this post. The first is of an Eldorado Aviation DC-3 taken at Edmonton Municipal Airport back in February of 1978. On conducting a search of the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register, registration CF-CUG no longer exists, so I assume the aircraft has either been sold out of country or no longer exists.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQVZT52kfmI/AAAAAAAAAl8/GMR0rEU2R8U/s1600/1984-05+Douglas+DC-3+Thunder+Bay+Airport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TQVZT52kfmI/AAAAAAAAAl8/GMR0rEU2R8U/s200/1984-05+Douglas+DC-3+Thunder+Bay+Airport.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>The second picture is of a Canadian Forces DC-3 taken at Thunder Bay airport in 1984. I always liked the Canadian Air Force DC-3's. They had a great look, with a paint scheme that complemented that classic airframe. The DC-3 is now 75 years old. A remarkable airplane that has withstood the test of time and continues as a reliable workhorse to this day.Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-13658109278477903252010-12-04T11:27:00.000-08:002011-01-01T10:32:39.613-08:00Life's Simple Pleasures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TPqUwLXNWsI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/LtwpFIgdo3Q/s1600/1997-08-06+Hottest+Day+in+Edmonton+34+C%252C+First+Fudgicle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TPqUwLXNWsI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/LtwpFIgdo3Q/s200/1997-08-06+Hottest+Day+in+Edmonton+34+C%252C+First+Fudgicle.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>One of the joys of raising children is watching them as they experience things for the first time. Such a moment occurred for Bonnie-Rae and I on August 6th, 1997. It was an unusually hot day in Edmonton, 34 degrees<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TPqWwUpE85I/AAAAAAAAAlU/Ug4jAG84dt8/s1600/1997-08-06+Hottest+Day+in+Edmonton+34+C%252C+First+Fudgicle+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TPqWwUpE85I/AAAAAAAAAlU/Ug4jAG84dt8/s200/1997-08-06+Hottest+Day+in+Edmonton+34+C%252C+First+Fudgicle+%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Celsius, and a cold treat was in order. We snapped a few pictures of the moment, capturing the look on Douglas' face as he enjoyed his first fudgicle. One of life's simple pleasures experienced for the first time!Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-50480846710333006862010-11-19T19:52:00.000-08:002016-06-11T04:51:14.267-07:00Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the early 1990’s, Bonnie-Rae and I lived in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. We owned a great home on Spadina Crescent East, a beautiful elm tree lined street that runs north out of the downtown area along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. We used to love to walk downtown and take part in many of Saskatoon’s summertime festivals and activities. On September 25<sup>th</sup>, 1993 we headed downtown for a</div>
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very special occasion, the unveiling of Gordie Howe’s statue, one of Saskatoon’s most famous native sons. Gordie was present at the ceremony and drew an adoring crowd. He seemed comfortable and happy to be</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TOdCYghb3pI/AAAAAAAAAlA/ZDfj7WowVKo/s1600/1993-09-25+Gordie+Howe+Statue+Unveiling+Saskatoon+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TOdCYghb3pI/AAAAAAAAAlA/ZDfj7WowVKo/s200/1993-09-25+Gordie+Howe+Statue+Unveiling+Saskatoon+%25288%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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back in Saskatoon and mingled with the crowd as if he had never left home. I had my camera with me that day and snapped several photos of Mr. Hockey. The location of the statue was on the south side of Midtown Plaza at 1<sup>st</sup> </div>
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Avenue and 20<sup>th</sup> Street. I understand that it has now been moved to Saskatoon’s Credit Union Sports and Entertainment Centre, perhaps a more fitting location given Gordie’s hockey pedigree.</div>
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Less than a month later, Bonnie-Rae and I were changing planes in Minneapolis-St. Paul on a trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina. As we waited to board our flight we noticed Gordie Howe sitting alone</div>
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at our gate reading a newspaper. Without hesitation, Bonnie-Rae said “I’m going to go talk to him”. I held back thinking he might not want to be bothered, but as I watched my wife strike up a conversation with Gordie Howe, I decided I would head over to say hello. I was carrying a tennis racket at the time and when Gordie looked up at me he asked “What’s that, a Saskatoon snow shovel”? To this day, I still kick myself for not asking Gordie Howe to sign my “Saskatoon snow shovel”!</div>
Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-35550269773043572122010-11-13T10:13:00.000-08:002011-10-29T09:41:36.763-07:00Dad's Model Railroad<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This past week, the sale of my parent’s home in Edmonton was finally completed. This brings to a conclusion the lengthy and unplanned process of moving Mom and Dad out of their house where they had lived for the past 38 years. This was a major undertaking and consumed the better part of the past summer, bringing with it a roller coaster of emotions. The realization that your parents can no longer care for themselves is a sobering reality, driving home the fact that the cycle of life continues without interruption. It seems like only yesterday when Dad was moving my Grandmother out of her home in Saskatoon, in fact I found untouched boxes of keepsakes from that move buried away in Mom and Dad’s basement where they had been relegated close to 30 years previous.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Cleaning out Mom and Dad’s house was no small task. Not only had they collected a sizable number of belongings, they had also slipped into a depression era mentality where absolutely nothing was being thrown out. It took days to sift through all of their belongings, and though it was a major chore, finding treasures that I remembered from my childhood brought back many fond memories. It was hard to</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7RlQXGdNI/AAAAAAAAAko/DMKzpcE32Gs/s1600/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Moving+Mom+and+Dad+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7RlQXGdNI/AAAAAAAAAko/DMKzpcE32Gs/s200/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Moving+Mom+and+Dad+007.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">do, but a huge number of things had to be thrown out. My brother and I completely filled two 30 yard dumpsters as there was simply no time for a garage sale. 60 cubic yards is a lot of volume and it is tough to watch your parents as they watch you seemingly indiscriminately discarding a lifetime of belongings. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Despite this, I think we did well with their more cherished items. Dad had prepared me well for this moment, ensuring on many occasions in the past that I knew what was important and significant to retain. I kept most of the old photos, home movies, his beautiful model of the Cutty Sark, and other assorted collectibles. I have since being scanning</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7ScDlzMLI/AAAAAAAAAks/YmusOtrq9jw/s1600/1920+-+Lena+Bailey+on+Honeymoon%252C+Confederation+Limited%252C+Lucerne+Alberta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7ScDlzMLI/AAAAAAAAAks/YmusOtrq9jw/s320/1920+-+Lena+Bailey+on+Honeymoon%252C+Confederation+Limited%252C+Lucerne+Alberta.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lena Bailey on Confederation Limited. Lucerne, Alberta, 1920.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">old family photos that date from the early 1900’s and in the process have been learning much more about my ancestors. The Canadian Northern society took many of Dad’s railway collectibles and it is great to know that many of the items will be on display in their restored Canadian Northern train stations. A few of Dad’s most cherished items, such as the brass number plate from his</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7Pnl6L8WI/AAAAAAAAAkY/MTIYXeC9vkY/s1600/Dad%2527s+Office+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7Pnl6L8WI/AAAAAAAAAkY/MTIYXeC9vkY/s200/Dad%2527s+Office+%25283%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">father’s steam engine CN 5140 and a beautiful HO scale model of that same engine now adorn their new unit in the senior’s complex. Unfortunately however, not everything could be saved. Dad’s old antique player piano ultimately had to be given away. It was just too large and too heavy, and there is no market for old pianos. What a</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7Q4Vftp4I/AAAAAAAAAkg/n1EPQtT8-ec/s1600/Player+Piano+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7Q4Vftp4I/AAAAAAAAAkg/n1EPQtT8-ec/s200/Player+Piano+%25283%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">treasure to lose though. It provided hours of fun through the 60’s and 70’s at Mom and Dad’s parties, with guests loosened up by alcohol singing along with the piano that played by itself. Many smaller but still sentimental items had to be discarded with great hesitation. But the worst task of all was dismantling and throwing away Dad’s model railroad. Fortunately the engines, equipment and buildings including</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7Qmij3ILI/AAAAAAAAAkc/4tapyiZzcso/s1600/Dad%2527s+Model+Railroad+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7Qmij3ILI/AAAAAAAAAkc/4tapyiZzcso/s200/Dad%2527s+Model+Railroad+%252817%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">his scratch built Canadian Northern station, roundhouse, and water tank went to worthy individuals. But the layout itself was just too big for anyone to take and had to be cut up to be removed from the basement. Dad spent several years building that layout, and I spent countless hours playing with it. In fact when I was a kid, I operated the railroad on many occasions for some of Mom and Dad’s friends who would ultimately go on to become Vice</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7PMONmagI/AAAAAAAAAkU/3-e6CTFCgMI/s1600/DCP_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7PMONmagI/AAAAAAAAAkU/3-e6CTFCgMI/s200/DCP_0480.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Presidents and senior executives of CN. They were all impressed by my operating abilities!! In later years my son Douglas loved to play with the train on our visits to Edmonton. On May 24<sup>th</sup>, 2010, I operated the train for the last time before dismantling it and hauling it to the dumpster. Talk about painful!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7U21g8mnI/AAAAAAAAAkw/C40evuqAh2U/s1600/2010+10+03_Edmonton+Trip_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TN7U21g8mnI/AAAAAAAAAkw/C40evuqAh2U/s200/2010+10+03_Edmonton+Trip_0009.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt;">Time marches on, another page has now turned, and Mom and Dad are nicely settled into their new unit in the senior’s complex. On October 3, 2010, on a final visit to the house before the sale, I snapped this photo of Mom and Dad at their front entrance for the last time.</span>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-59576144941700806192010-11-06T16:22:00.000-07:002011-12-22T17:51:43.482-08:00Flying Officer Alan Edward MayNorth of the 58th parallel, in the wilds of Northern Manitoba there is a lake called Tadoule Lake. In the northwest corner of the lake there is an isolated bay called May Bay. On the other side of the world, in a quiet cemetery just north of St. Pol-sur-Ternoise in the north of France is the grave site of Flying Officer Alan Edward May from Sprague, Manitoba. Alan May was killed in action on July 6th, 1944. He was a navigator in RCAF Squadron No. 424 flying Halifax bombers. He was also the son of Oborne (O.B.) and Mabel May, my great Aunt and Uncle whom I became very close with<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TNXa7Vn8utI/AAAAAAAAAjc/d2S_YnZb8tc/s1600/Alan+May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TNXa7Vn8utI/AAAAAAAAAjc/d2S_YnZb8tc/s200/Alan+May.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>while growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I used to ride my bike over to Ft. Garry to visit them and always remember the picture of their son Alan beside the TV in their living room. O.B. was no stranger to war having returned from World War I with a leg full of shrapnel and missing two fingers. They never spoke much of Alan, but the picture was ever present in a prominent place in their living room. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TNXcoBVYOuI/AAAAAAAAAjs/6VyTbIz80n4/s1600/Alan+May%27s+Halifax+Bomber.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TNXcoBVYOuI/AAAAAAAAAjs/6VyTbIz80n4/s200/Alan+May%27s+Halifax+Bomber.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>On the morning of July 6th, 1944 Halifax Mark III aircraft LW. 169 took off from Skipton Airfield in England at 05:32 with a crew of 7 young men. Alan May was the navigator. The crew had flown over 30 successful missions and this day their target was Siracourt, France. Over the locality of Pas de Calais the bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire and exploded in the air. All seven crew members perished in the crash. Alan May was<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TNXcWB9Uh9I/AAAAAAAAAjo/qRdDPeKF6Dk/s1600/Alan+May+and+Stan+Queen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TNXcWB9Uh9I/AAAAAAAAAjo/qRdDPeKF6Dk/s200/Alan+May+and+Stan+Queen.JPG" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alan May / Stan Queen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>22 years old. Notes in his military file are nothing but complementary. "a man of promise, and of unusual character." "He inherits a large measure of sincere patriotism from his father, a veteran of the last war." "surolous energy, stirling character and a great capacity for work." What might Alan May have become had he not given his life for future generations?<br />
<br />
O.B. and Mabel May are now long gone. Alan's only brother Rob lives in Minnesota. He is aging and not well. As the generations pass, personal connections to these fallen<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TNXdQSLlyJI/AAAAAAAAAjw/LfLtkY16TAw/s1600/Alan+May%27s+Gravesite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TNXdQSLlyJI/AAAAAAAAAjw/LfLtkY16TAw/s200/Alan+May%27s+Gravesite.JPG" width="139" /></a></div>heroes disappear. Thank goodness that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission will maintain their grave sites in perpetuity. And how fitting that certain provinces of Canada name geographic locations in honour of those who paid the ultimate price for those who would follow. A fitting tribute lest we forget.Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-20719178719254748782010-10-23T15:34:00.000-07:002010-11-06T12:19:12.968-07:00An Intruder in Sacred TerritoryBack in 1996, we moved from Vernon to Edmonton. After the moving van was all packed up, we said goodbye to Vernon and headed off in our mini-van to Edmonton by the Rogers/Kicking Horse passes. On the way through Field, B.C., Bonnie-Rae and I spotted an eastbound CN freight train leaving the yard. It was July 7th, 1996 and obviously CN had some sort of problem because they were detouring trains over the CP. Now this would warrant a stop at Morant's curve, the famous viewpoint between Banff and Lake Louise where world renowned company photographer Nicholas Morant captured so many breathtaking images of CP trains snaking their way through the "S" curves along<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TMOidMR3ZJI/AAAAAAAAAjU/od1QbnmMGJ0/s1600/1996-07-07+Douglas+at+Morant%27s+Curve.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TMOidMR3ZJI/AAAAAAAAAjU/od1QbnmMGJ0/s200/1996-07-07+Douglas+at+Morant%27s+Curve.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>the Bow River with the magnificent Canadian Rockies in the background. We perched Douglas on the side of the hill for his first train watching experience and waited for the train. By the looks of his smile, you can tell<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TMOilJrChtI/AAAAAAAAAjY/zszwvTNdIy8/s1600/1996-07-07+CN+Detour+at+Morant%27s+Curve.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TMOilJrChtI/AAAAAAAAAjY/zszwvTNdIy8/s200/1996-07-07+CN+Detour+at+Morant%27s+Curve.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>that he was born into a railway family. After a brief wait the sound of the approaching eastbound became louder. As the train made its way by us, I snapped this photo. A true intruder in sacred CP territory!Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-22783220231418162102010-10-20T19:34:00.000-07:002010-11-06T12:04:35.689-07:00Last Train by the StationIn 2001, Canadian Pacific, the City of North Bay, and the Ottawa Valley Railway undertook a yard rationalization project which would see the old CP station in North Bay and a sizable portion of the CP rail lands released to the City for future development. The City paid for everything including the redesign and reconstruction of a smaller yard as well as building a new office building for the OVR. As part of the yard redesign, the original main line running by the station was relocated towards the lakeshore in the hopes that the redeveloped lands would not be separated from the City by a rail line. As it turned out, the commercial development never happened and the lands are now largely being redeveloped as a park. In hindsight, had everyone known this was going to happen, it would probably have been better to leave the main line where it was so that the park would not be separated from the lakeshore by a rail line!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TL-0CZNJxZI/AAAAAAAAAiU/cJuqIzLmm5M/s1600/DCP_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TL-0CZNJxZI/AAAAAAAAAiU/cJuqIzLmm5M/s200/DCP_1069.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Anyway, there was a lot of activity in North Bay Yard that summer culminating in a final crew change ceremony in front of the old CP station on September 29th. To start the ceremony we pushed the T&NO #503 up to the station<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TL-0OS1xgbI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Q-pgBtQpD3s/s1600/DCP_1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TL-0OS1xgbI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Q-pgBtQpD3s/s200/DCP_1052.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>for display. After that we used the CP track geometry train (which conveniently happened to be in town), a retired CP crew, and a working OVR crew to do the ceremonial crew change. Following the crew change,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TL-0ZQTxVgI/AAAAAAAAAic/ZsjwgPLjycE/s1600/0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TL-0ZQTxVgI/AAAAAAAAAic/ZsjwgPLjycE/s200/0278.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>we had retired CP Roadmaster Armand Huard pull a spike in front of the station to officially close the track. We then had Armand drive a last spike in the new main line and unveiled station name sign "Huard" at the new relocated terminus of the North Bay Subdivision and start of the Cartier Subdivision. It was quite a day, enjoyed by all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TL-0wBE32DI/AAAAAAAAAig/tIP2B52qK-8/s1600/DCP_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TL-0wBE32DI/AAAAAAAAAig/tIP2B52qK-8/s200/DCP_1098.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Although the ceremony was on the 29th, the true last train to run by the North Bay station on the original mainline alignment was CP train 211 on October 1. There was no fanfare that day, but knowing that it would be a bit <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TL-1FLjo1pI/AAAAAAAAAik/2Q7wRpI7vpA/s1600/05+-+Home+Videos,+Dec+19,+2000+to+Summer+2004-+-+Movie+01,+Audio-+na+202_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TL-1FLjo1pI/AAAAAAAAAik/2Q7wRpI7vpA/s200/05+-+Home+Videos,+Dec+19,+2000+to+Summer+2004-+-+Movie+01,+Audio-+na+202_0001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>of a historic event, I grabbed my camcorder and filmed the train as it pulled by the station for the last time. 211 that day wasn't the prettiest train that CP had ever thrown together, but it was a whopper and took a full 10 minutes to pass by, probably in the order of 8,000 feet in length.Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-85159569761993297092010-09-24T17:48:00.000-07:002011-12-22T17:50:33.073-08:00Runway 31 - Winnipeg International Airport<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Photos courtesy AIRLINERS.NET. <br />
<br />
Growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, our home was located in River Heights, directly under the approach to Runway 31 at Winnipeg International Airport. This location was responsible for nurturing what became my primary interest in life, airplanes and aviation. From my earliest recollections, each time an airliner would pass overhead on the approach to runway 31, I would run to the back window of our house to watch the airplane fly by. In the early 1960's,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ05tjwe9pI/AAAAAAAAAfk/b8gAgMZMdPQ/s1600/Slides0002a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ05tjwe9pI/AAAAAAAAAfk/b8gAgMZMdPQ/s200/Slides0002a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Winnipeg International hosted a rich variety of aircraft types to wet the appetite of the avid aviation enthusiast. Initially, there were the first generation jets, the DC-8’s operated by both Air Canada and Canadian Pacific. Shorter haul Air<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1jwswV4KI/AAAAAAAAAg0/nvaZWDtD9io/s1600/1404610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1jwswV4KI/AAAAAAAAAg0/nvaZWDtD9io/s200/1404610.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Canada flights were generally flown by Vicker's<br />
Viscounts and sometimes Vicker’s Vangaurds. Northwest Airlines flew in Lockheed Electra’s. Transair, a regional airline operating out of Winnipeg had a hodge <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ07k4Jdj7I/AAAAAAAAAfs/bXQkldYdYd8/s1600/Transair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ07k4Jdj7I/AAAAAAAAAfs/bXQkldYdYd8/s200/Transair.jpg" width="200" /></a>podge of hand me down equipment such as DC-4’s, DC-6’s, and DC-7’s to name just a few. The Royal Canadian Air Force was still flying the venerable Douglas DC-3 and some of the northern Manitoba bush <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1lkAWs9WI/AAAAAAAAAg4/DcMrVIDWj5g/s1600/1165707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1lkAWs9WI/AAAAAAAAAg4/DcMrVIDWj5g/s200/1165707.jpg" width="200" /></a>operators were flying assorted classics such as the Curtiss C-47 Commando. I became very good at identifying aircraft, even just by the sound of their engines and I used to amaze my friends by telling them what kind of aircraft was flying over by sound alone. Prior to the introduction of 737’s, Boeing aircraft arrivals in Winnipeg were scarce. The odd time you might see a Pan Am 707 fly into Winnipeg for refuelling, presumably en route to Los Angeles from Europe. It was only when Northwest <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1mG__AtwI/AAAAAAAAAg8/UTynsewU304/s1600/Northwest+720+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1mG__AtwI/AAAAAAAAAg8/UTynsewU304/s200/Northwest+720+b.jpg" width="200" /></a>Airlines began flying in Boeing 720 B’s and first generation 727’s that Boeing aircraft arrivals became a regular occurrence in Winnipeg. I loved the 727 and would often not go to bed until Northwest’s last flight of the day had arrived, regardless of the fact that all I could see were the lights of the aircraft as it flew over in the dark. As time progressed <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1itTxdPfI/AAAAAAAAAgs/xndV6G35LEU/s1600/0586796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1itTxdPfI/AAAAAAAAAgs/xndV6G35LEU/s200/0586796.jpg" width="200" /></a>the variety of aircraft flying into Winnipeg began to diminish, with Air Canada standardizing on DC-9’s for their shorter hauls, and both CP Air and Transair primarily using 737’s.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>With the passing of each aircraft, I was also growing up, and soon I was riding my bike out to the airport to watch planes. This was a time before airport security, when a little knowledge of the various airport entrances could get you access to the aircraft tie down areas and back ramps, typically without challenge. Even in the airport terminal, security was lax. One day, on the arrival of a<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1fpRIA4aI/AAAAAAAAAgk/2oq4kEiKQcs/s1600/1670289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1fpRIA4aI/AAAAAAAAAgk/2oq4kEiKQcs/s200/1670289.jpg" width="200" /></a> Northwest Airlines 727, I waited by the boarding gate while all of the passengers and flight crew exited the aircraft. Then when the coast seemed clear, I snuck down the jetway and actually sat myself in the captain’s seat of that modern beauty. Sure this was pushing my luck, but I did it without getting caught and I relished my few moments in the left hand seat of the Boeing tri-jet. If one tried a stunt like that nowadays it would be your ticket to the headlines of the National News.<br />
<br />
I have many special memories of aircraft flying over. I often saw old piston airliners arriving with engines shut down, their feathered props wind-milling in the breeze. I vaguely remember Super Constellations, probably only because of their unusual tail arrangement and beautiful lines. But the highlight of my 12 years in Winnipeg came in 1971 when I heard a different sounding aircraft on approach to runway 31. I will never forget looking up to the sky to see that first 747 on approach to Winnipeg International. Even before the monster had disappeared from view I was on my bike and headed to the airport. When I arrived at<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1jGdibFfI/AAAAAAAAAgw/YI9KmWCyh24/s1600/CF-TOA+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/TJ1jGdibFfI/AAAAAAAAAgw/YI9KmWCyh24/s200/CF-TOA+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>the terminal, there she was, Air Canada CF-TOA parked in full view of the public on the ramp to the southeast of the terminal building. Air Canada was conducting a promotional tour, showing off the latest addition to their fleet. On this occasion, I could not get onto the ramp and just stared in awe from the fence line. To this day, I always take pause whenever I see a 747. Though the aircraft type is now over 40 years old, the sight of a 747 never ceases to amaze me. They are a true wonder of flight.Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-82023888947730178562010-08-26T21:31:00.000-07:002010-11-06T12:05:49.594-07:00Huey Lewis and the News<link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CHP_Owner%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><o:smarttagtype name="City" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:smarttagtype><style>
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</style><span style="font-size: small;">This has been a very busy summer and there hasn't been much time for posting to this blog. But tonight I thought I would take a few moments to share a story and a couple of pictures from two concerts, 24 years apart.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">In 1986, I was working in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Winnipeg</st1:place></st1:city> and dating a girl who had a similar interest in music. Somehow she managed to score front row tickets to see Huey Lewis and the News, who at the time were at the pinnacle of their success, one of the most popular bands </span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/THiMs847VhI/AAAAAAAAAcE/Fg4l4F5-j68/s1600/1986-08-30+Huey+Lewis,+Wpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/THiMs847VhI/AAAAAAAAAcE/Fg4l4F5-j68/s200/1986-08-30+Huey+Lewis,+Wpg.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">of the day. I was on the receiving end of one of those tickets and was thrilled to be going, let alone to be sitting in the front row. This would also call for my 35 mm SLR to get a few close up shots of the man who made it “Hip to be Square”. The sold out concert in the Winnipeg Arena certainly didn’t disappoint. Huey and the band were in fine form, at the top of their game.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/THiKnYaijjI/AAAAAAAAAbk/4aMUwd0BAEM/s1600/1986-08-30+Huey+Lewis,+Winniipeg+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/THiKnYaijjI/AAAAAAAAAbk/4aMUwd0BAEM/s200/1986-08-30+Huey+Lewis,+Winniipeg+2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 30, 1986</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">As a final thrill, at the end of the show, Huey’s guitar player and I met eyes and he threw his guitar pick out to me. Unfortunately I had my camera in hands and the guitar pick ended up in the steel grating on the floor of the Winnipeg Arena. I might not have come home with the guitar pick, but I did manage to get a few good shots of Huey and the band, using a fairly fast 400 ASA film.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">Last night, my son Douglas and I ventured to the PNE to take in the Summer Night Concert at the Fair with the headliner being none other than Huey Lewis and the News. It was great to see that even after all these years, Huey can still pack in a huge crowd and put on a fantastic show. And</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/THiLUo36x9I/AAAAAAAAAb0/NN6NkAT8oeg/s1600/2010-08-25,+Huey+Lewis+and+the+News,+PNE+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/THiLUo36x9I/AAAAAAAAAb0/NN6NkAT8oeg/s200/2010-08-25,+Huey+Lewis+and+the+News,+PNE+009.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 26, 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">with respect to my camera, it no longer has film, my zoom works very well, and the ASA can be set to whatever level I want without changing film. The result is an image of a much older Huey, still at it after all these years. I couldn't help but wonder how many times he has played "The Power of Love" since the last time I saw him. No matter . . . . . the Heart of Rock n Roll is still beating! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-36545641934387267182010-05-14T19:47:00.000-07:002011-10-29T09:42:54.611-07:00A Tale of Two Purchases<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not too long after accepting my position as Director of Engineering for PROTRANS BC, it became apparent that a good maintenance vehicle would be required to assist our crews in performing the nightly maintenance on the Canada Line. We would need a relatively large rail-bound machine that could quickly transport a crew and materials on our modest but time restricted rail network. Geismar, a company headquartered in France, supplies a variety of maintenance-of-way equipment to the international railway industry and sells a very good crew-crane transporter that they manufacture in their plant in Italy. After narrowing our search to the Geismar VMT-850, it was apparent that a trip to Italy would be required to evaluate the machine and to finalize purchase arrangements. I have done a lot of business travel in my career, but I had never travelled to Europe and this was certainly one trip that I was not going to pass up.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Geismar’s Italian plant is located near a small town called Reggio d’Emilia which is about 150 kilometres southeast of Milan. To get there, we would need to fly to Milan and then rent a car. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zC7kU730I/AAAAAAAAAXk/QsY2WAfah-s/s1600/DSC00093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zC7kU730I/AAAAAAAAAXk/QsY2WAfah-s/s200/DSC00093.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">KLM has a daily flight from Vancouver to Amsterdam, from which connections are available all over Europe. On October 20, 2008, I boarded an aging KLM MD-11 in Vancouver for my first trip overseas. It was a long but relaxing flight with terrific in-flight service and a friendly flight attendant who was more than happy to take a </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zDU4D6zqI/AAAAAAAAAXs/OWZrw5eWJ4E/s1600/DSC00424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zDU4D6zqI/AAAAAAAAAXs/OWZrw5eWJ4E/s200/DSC00424.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">seat beside me to point out the local sights as we descended into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Schiphol is a very busy airport and I enjoyed watching the European airliners arrive and depart as I waited for my connection to Milan Malpensa Airport. On arrival at Malpensa, I met my two colleagues from SNC Lavalin and we rented a small but comfortable Fiat. Fortunately, the car had a GPS and one of my colleagues volunteered to take on the driving because Milan has some serious traffic and chaotic and confusing streets.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">We spent the first night in Milan and took full advantage of a free evening. After checking into the hotel, we started with a nice meal in a local Italian restaurant. It was charming and the Veal Scaloppini was wonderful.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-63nnl9N7I/AAAAAAAAAZc/X20e9Lj0F1k/s1600/800px-Stazione_centrale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-63nnl9N7I/AAAAAAAAAZc/X20e9Lj0F1k/s200/800px-Stazione_centrale.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then it was out to wander the streets of the city. Milan is not known as one of the prettier cities of Europe, but when you have never been to Europe, things looked pretty good to me. The first landmark we encountered was Stazione Centrale, the main train station of Milan.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-63EjzYPnI/AAAAAAAAAZU/gKr2xzE4XYo/s1600/DSC00145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-63EjzYPnI/AAAAAAAAAZU/gKr2xzE4XYo/s200/DSC00145.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a spectacular train station, one of the largest in all of Europe. I couldn’t help but marvel at this building and the huge train hall which also gave me my first glimpse of European trains including the impressive Eurostars. Next we walked on through the fashion district of the Quadrilatero d’Oro (the Golden Quad) </span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zD7VkFLEI/AAAAAAAAAX8/SzpO8f0rHBE/s1600/DSC00216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zD7VkFLEI/AAAAAAAAAX8/SzpO8f0rHBE/s200/DSC00216.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">where the exclusive shops of Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, and Versace are all located. It is here that Milan demonstrates its status as the fashion capital of Europe. From these fashionable streets we continued onwards to the Piazza del Duomo </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zEJ-z_ZeI/AAAAAAAAAYE/m1txl_9oMRI/s1600/DSC00237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zEJ-z_ZeI/AAAAAAAAAYE/m1txl_9oMRI/s200/DSC00237.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">where I was absolutely awestruck by my first glimpse of the Duomo of Milan. North America has never provided me an example of architecture quite like this and it is not surprising that this cathedral took hundreds of years to complete. Amazing! Across the large piazza stands another landmark, a triumphal arch which serves as the </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zEWLPWQ-I/AAAAAAAAAYM/eVEjEbrcWX4/s1600/DSC00240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zEWLPWQ-I/AAAAAAAAAYM/eVEjEbrcWX4/s200/DSC00240.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a huge and elegant glass roofed arcade completed in 1898. After wondering through the Galleria, it was time to retire for the evening, having walked many miles and accomplishing a fair bit of sightseeing. That night was my first taste of Europe and I made a decision right then to bring my wife back for our twentieth wedding anniversary the following year.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next two days it was down to business. Following breakfast, we checked out of our hotel and headed for a visit to a company called Alga S.P.A. Alga supplies high tech bridge bearings and expansion joints around the globe and is a supplier to SNC Lavalin. While there, we were given a tour of the plant and inspected some of the bridge bearings and specialty expansion joints that were used in the elevated runways at Madera Airport in Portugal and the new runway at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Impressive technology!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zEgtL9ihI/AAAAAAAAAYU/hZYN_VwoeSk/s1600/DSC00174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zEgtL9ihI/AAAAAAAAAYU/hZYN_VwoeSk/s200/DSC00174.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After finishing our business with Alga, we headed south for the trip to Reggio. Reggio is a smaller town and the hotel and environment was much more laid back than in Milan. By this time, jet lag was also taking its toll so it was early to bed that evening.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The following day, we headed to the Geismar plant bright and early and started with a tour of their manufacturing facility. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-61AwPpmEI/AAAAAAAAAY8/1dOb3iC8qNI/s1600/DSC00187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-61AwPpmEI/AAAAAAAAAY8/1dOb3iC8qNI/s200/DSC00187.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This too was an impressive facility and it was interesting to see the various railway equipment that was ready to be shipped to all points around the globe. We then met with Geismar engineers and sales people to discuss specifications and performance requirements for our machine, after which we tested one of the crew crane transporters on their in-plant test track. The machine was obviously very capable and it met all specifications that we were looking for. This being the case, we concluded our business with finalization of the purchase and delivery arrangements to Vancouver. </span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">With business now finished we headed back to Milan on the busy autoroute. It had been an interesting two days made more enjoyable by our hosts from both Alga and Geismar. They were not only intent on selling us their products, but they seemed eager to give us a taste of the local flair and culinary delights. They were obviously proud Italians. </span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once back in Milan, I bid my colleagues farewell as they headed to the airport to fly back to Vancouver. For me, I had arranged to take an additional day (this one vacation) to further explore the city. Though sightseeing was on the agenda, there was one more major purchase in order. Something for my wife! </span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I walked the streets of Milan on my final day in Europe, I mulled over what I could possibly buy. By the end of the day, with nothing in hand, I realized that a trip to a Prada store might be necessary. I headed back over to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele where there were several high end fashion boutiques. These high fashion stores are not meant for your everyday tourist and the entrances are graced by well dressed security guards to discourage riff raff from entering the stores. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zFd3w2FtI/AAAAAAAAAYk/r4kpWtkeBIs/s1600/DSC00386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zFd3w2FtI/AAAAAAAAAYk/r4kpWtkeBIs/s200/DSC00386.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I made my entrance into the Prada store in the Galleria, I think I qualified as riff raff because I noticed the security guard eying me from top to bottom and giving me a look that said, “get serious man, you don’t belong here”! It took a while, but when it became apparent that I was intent on buying something, the attitude towards me changed considerably. There was not much in the store that </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-4IjKo3YgI/AAAAAAAAAY0/l8RMFTJ95_o/s1600/Prada+014a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-4IjKo3YgI/AAAAAAAAAY0/l8RMFTJ95_o/s200/Prada+014a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">was anywhere near my budget, but I did manage to find a nice Prada wallet that I thought Bonnie-Rae might like. I took a gulp and purchased the wallet for much more than I would consider reasonable for something of that nature. But hey, it is an authentic Prada wallet made from the finest Italian leather and in the latest styling, I went through the experience of buying it, and Bonnie-Rae likes it.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zFpHEG5vI/AAAAAAAAAYs/Pn_2XSx65VE/s1600/DSC00410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-zFpHEG5vI/AAAAAAAAAYs/Pn_2XSx65VE/s200/DSC00410.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The trip home from Italy was uneventful, however I do believe I caught a glimpse of the Matterhorn from 35,000 feet on the flight from Milan to Copenhagen. The flight from Copenhagen to Vancouver was on another MD-11, an aircraft type that I understand KLM will soon retire. The MD-11 evolved from the DC-10, Douglas Aircraft Company’s last design before merging with McDonnell and later with Boeing. It was nice to have had an opportunity to fly on the MD-11 before they too pass into history along with the rest of the once mighty Douglas fleet.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-62Z2n_BtI/AAAAAAAAAZM/Ib3yRJc9b3U/s1600/DSC03550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_79OzUz1Qq88/S-62Z2n_BtI/AAAAAAAAAZM/Ib3yRJc9b3U/s200/DSC03550.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As for the two purchases, our maintenance crews successfully utilize the Geismar VMT-850 every night on the Canada Line and it has become an essential piece of equipment in our daily operation. My wife also uses her Prada wallet every day, and each time she pulls it out , it reminds me of my trip to Europe. </span></span>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3800641906365659491.post-28444760452730545022010-05-09T11:18:00.000-07:002011-11-03T20:53:17.722-07:00Mother's Day at Delta AirparkWith our son Douglas away camping on Vancouver Island this weekend, it was up to me to provide my wife breakfast for Mother's Day. It just so happens that Delta Airpark has a fly-in breakfast every second Sunday of the month, and today happened to be that Sunday. Not only that, but it turned out to be a gorgeous spring day that would make breakfast on the clubhouse patio an enjoyable treat. Bonnie-Rae was game so off we went.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hiDa97P_WDE/S-b6yPDt1sI/AAAAAAAAAXE/-eyTpdt_50g/s1600/Delta+Airpark+Breakfast+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hiDa97P_WDE/S-b6yPDt1sI/AAAAAAAAAXE/-eyTpdt_50g/s320/Delta+Airpark+Breakfast+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Delta Airpark is one of a dwindling number of old style airstrips in close proximity to a large urban area. There is still a clubhouse, a very active social network, no security, and a beautiful grass strip. There is a mixture of old and new aircraft that call the airstrip home, and tie down fees are a measly $35 per month. The ham, egg, and pancake breakfast cost $4 and tasted wonderful as we socialized and watched the flight activity from the patio. The gathering consisted of your typical group of die hard aviation enthusiasts from all walks of life. This is recreational aviation as it should be. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qC19gP3BQXw/S-b9QgoWZbI/AAAAAAAAAXU/kkYktAVw7nk/s1600/Delta+Airpark+Breakfast+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qC19gP3BQXw/S-b9QgoWZbI/AAAAAAAAAXU/kkYktAVw7nk/s320/Delta+Airpark+Breakfast+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Happy Mother's Day from Delta Airpark.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-WDwOsVpLY/S-b7DKCzojI/AAAAAAAAAXM/pWdvTRTVTN0/s1600/Delta+Airpark+Breakfast+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-WDwOsVpLY/S-b7DKCzojI/AAAAAAAAAXM/pWdvTRTVTN0/s320/Delta+Airpark+Breakfast+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Grant Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587902023482000730noreply@blogger.com0