Caption: While CP/VIA's Calgary-Edmonton "Dayliner" RDC service was the most well-known in Alberta, from 1956 and into the 1970's CN also operated "Railiner" passenger services in Alberta using Budd RDC cars. One service ran between Edmonton and Calgary (over the ex-GTP line, mainly the CN Camrose Sub), and another between Drumheller and Calgary (over the Stettler Sub, ex-CNoR), both running via Camrose. There were also other Railiners running between Edmonton and North Battleford SK, and Edmonton and Grand Centre.

The Edmonton-Calgary and Edmonton-Drumheller Railiners had a neat operating arrangement, typical of small prairie branchline railroading: at Camrose station, the RDC from Drumheller or Calgary would arrive and lay over, waiting for the other train to arrive. Once both showed up at the station, the two Budd cars would be coupled together and run as a single, combined train for the final run from Camrose to Edmonton. The proceedure was done in reverse when both left Edmonton together, and one Budd would branch off from Camrose to Drumheller, while the other would continue on to Calgary.

Here, CN RDC-3 6356 has arrived at Camrose station from Calgary, and awaits the Drumheller train that has yet to arrive. While laying over, the car takes on baggage through one of its doors, and passengers grab a snack at the coffee van waiting outside the station. Soon the Drumheller run with RDC-1 6114 will show up, and both Budds will be coupled together for their departure to Edmonton.

CN RDC-3 6356, formerly CN D356 that was acquired from the Chesapeake & Ohio (and originally built for Missouri-Kansas-Texas as their only RDC, 20) was the only RDC in CN's fleet to feature end and vestibule door fluting. By 1971 however, the front A-end of 6356 had lost its fluting (possibly after a grade crossing accident or other incident). The car still retained its door and B-end fluting though.

There's not too much information on these CN operations online. Research shows CN applied to discontinue the Edmonton-Calgary run in 1971 due to competition from the highway and private automobile, while the Edmonton-Drumheller run lasted until late 1981 under VIA. VIA ran the former CP Edmonton-Calgary RDC service until cancellation in September 1985, and that was it for passenger rail service between Alberta's two largest cities.

CN's Camrose station, once located at the east end of town, was moved and preserved by the local railway historical society. CN 6356, sold to VIA and later rebuilt as RDC-2 6221, was one of the casualties of the IRSI bankrupcy and was cut up for scrap in 2016.

Original photographer unknown (possibly E.W.Johnson), Dan Dell'Unto collection slide.