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Caption: Learning of this potential meet the day earlier, I planned an early start to my work day to allow me to head south from Jasper to Lake Louise around 1300. I wasn't sure where the meet would happen but as the day progressed I had a good idea that it would be between Field and Banff somewhere. Arriving at Lake Louise around 1500, I learn that train 608-015 was still tied down in the yard at Field (where it had been since about 0330) and that 303-600's train was pulling into Banff to meet 112-21. After some humming and hawing, I zipped down the hill into Field to quickly shoot CP 7021 on 608-015's tailend before heading back east to meet up with 303-600 at Castle Mountain. I'd follow 303-600 west until they met 608-015, wherever that may be. It turned out to be right at Stephen. After climbing the wildlife fence and swimming through 5' high snow, I lensed this image.
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Well just don’t that beat all !!!
)
Crazy how fast engines move around the system! I shot 7021 only a week prior in Ontario!
I guess a wildlife fence is no match for a wild railfan!
It shows how a lot of effort and a little luck can produce a result that may be difficult to repeat but if anyone could it may be Mr.Stevens.Too bad there aren’t more like him.
Huzzah – another Tim Richard Stevens win! Great work my man and great effort.
Now to get this into the CPR calendar for the real win HAHAH
From a railfan viewpoint, it is Can’t Miss for the calendar.
There are some real questionable shots in the 2020 calendar.
WOW ! Tim, great picture ! Can you pull this off with side by side Heritage Scheme units ? You are sure racking up the kms on your vehicle. Last drove the Columbia Ice Field highway in the late ‘80’s, but if I remember, it’s around 230 kms and maybe 3 hours drive and the Lake Louise to Field another hour (depending on traffic) ? Thank you for your tenacity (many hours of driving, climbing fences and snow banks) and your photography talent !.
Thanks guys! I’m glad it worked out. I was worried that the meet may happen somewhere inaccessible, but I lucked out!
@Bishop – a 3 day trip to Vancouver on 101 sure covers some ground fast!
@Railway Guy – Would love to pull it off with the heritage units. I tried last week with 7015 and 7018 meeting at Golden, but no dice. They had a rolling meet in between crossings. Yes, Jasper to Lake Louise is 230km. With nobody on the roads, I managed to do the trip in a swift 1h50. Lake Louise to Field, however is only about a 10-15 minute drive, 20 rail miles, but probably only about 12-15 road miles.
Wow! Perfectly lined up and everything! It looks like it WAS staged by CP for the calendar!
Excellent work Tim!
Wow ! Tim, that sure was a swift drive down to Lake Louise, doesn’t sound like you even glanced at the Colombia Ice Field, that is if you can see the glacier from the highway. But I am sure the beautiful mountain scenery is still there. Am already planning a “celebration” trip to Jasper once this madness is over, and then down the highway to Lake Louise with a stop at the ice field once more. And on to the Spiral Tunnels – have not been their since the 1980’s ! Thanks again for your beautiful mountain railroading pictures.
Unbelievable!
Mr Berry: That was the first thing that came to my mind as well.
Odds on favourite for the Shot of The Year already, unless he pulls off another gem.
That’s just stunning…just east of where the double track starts?
@ Dave Brook – yep, Stephen, where the meet is taking place, is the west end of the double track between Lake Louise and here. They are extending the north track west about half a mile or so to near Lake Ohara Road, and they just put the crossovers back in at Divide. Presumably, lengthening the north track will give the dispatcher an option to leave a westbound train with less priority (Ie: this grain train) for one with more priority (Ie: 101) to get by before heading down the Big Hill into Field. They also created more capacity at the west end of Field.
…more capacity at the east end of Field that should say.
To order a copy of CP’s Book Proud Colours where this amazing photo is featured see this link:
https://www.cp-merchandise.com/proudcolours/
Very limited supplies left. Once gone it’s gone.