Caption: With a CP southbound coming, I took a quick look at Google Maps and determined that the closest spot to shoot the approaching train was down Ferris Road; just south of my location at Falding. The road looked fine on the map, a little windy, but the tracks didn't look too far away. My girlfriend agreed to a quick detour to see the train and we set out down the paved backroad. If I've learned anything racing down backroads to the tracks, it is that a "Winter Road Maintenance Ends" sign is never a good thing! After that, the pavement gave way to gravel, the curves became tighter, the road narrower and the hills steeper. Oh, and it started to pour rain as well; but we were committed and I was not going to miss the train. It took 4 wheel drive to get up the steepest hill, with the hammer down going 14KMH (almost thought the truck would tip backwards). The final hurdle was crossing the tracks... The road met the tracks on the top of a steep hil and on a curve, we could barely see over the hood as we crossed with a bang; I guess not many people cross there...
The rain had intensified, but it made for a surreal scene. A low hanging fog clung to the right of way as the setting sun caught the heavy rainfall, making everything glow a golden yellow. It wasn't long before CP 9373 south roared around the curve, with CP 8925 working hard as a mid train DPU. I'm sure the engineer thought I was nuts standing out there and I know my girlfriend in the truck thought the same thing too; but I would say it was worth the adventure.
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Awesome work Rob. The kind of lighting you just have to be there for, and get lucky to bag something in it. Well done.
This is tiiight!!