It’s of beastly proportions and sitting in a building barely larger than itself means it’s difficult to photograph. It’s just too big and the space too cramped. Anyway, it’s not at its best all naked and vulnerable while being restored, so those type of photos can wait. You know, roll it outside when it’s all done up pretty and snap away but until then it’s close-in detail shots. We’re talking about a famous steam locomotive, #6060, and it’s a sleeping giant present day after being out of service for a couple years. A group is working to change that, however, so it can again polish the rails.
Getting to that point will be a long process so in the meantime, here’s a couple random teaser images from one of our visits to the site. We’ve dropped by a couple times now and have volunteered to document each major step along the way. However long it takes and when done we’ll (hopefully) make a story out of this. To see it go from an in-pieces state to back on the road is something we can all look forward too.
We’ve blindly picked photos out of a hat here and thankfully it’s nothing out of focus or something embarrassing. It’ll happen one day in a “Random Pick” post as we’ve got no shortage of stinkers and rejects in our collection.
Perhaps the most widely recognized steam locomotive in Canada, #6060 dates from 1944 and when back in service will be the largest operational example in the country. For decades it’s pulled various excursions (why it’s so well known) but that has taken its toll and so it’s what you see here. But it’ll roll again and you can help the project move forward by going here: Rocky Mountain Rail Society #6060.
Short Subjects: reports that are short and sweet in nature. It’s stuff interesting enough in itself, but not deserved of the full on BIGDoer.com treatment. Think silly little snippets, vignettes and likewise things of that sort and you’ll be in and out in no time.
While the Mountains were the largest CN passenger locomotives to operate regularly in western Canada (CN’s more famous Northerns were not used much west of Winnipeg, and were most common in southern Ontario and farther east), the CN T-4-b Santa Fe’s have them beat in tractive effort. They were the most powerful CN steam locomotives to regularly operate in western Canada, but unfortunately none were preserved.
Different engines for different tasks, 6060 could do 90 mph with a good size passenger train while the 4300s were designed for slower speed heavy freight work, and by 35-40 mph their rods were a blur and the exhaust one continuous roar with no discernible chuffing (as told to me by another volunteer who used to fire them).
As preserved engines go 6060 is indeed one of the most famous, but is again beaten in weight and power by a number of other Canadian engines. Even CP’s last class of Royal Hudsons weigh more, the difference being explained by CP’s better track allowing higher axle loadings.
The largest and most powerful steam locomotives in Canada, and indeed in the whole British Empire were CN’s T-2-a Santa Fe’s (one, 4100, is preserved at the Canadian Railway Museum) and CP’s Selkirks. There is some debate about which one deserves the crown as “largest”, as the CN 4100s produced more tractive effort but were strictly low speed engines (being designed for transfer and helper service on the grades around Toronto), while the Selkirks weighed around 40,000 lbs more and were far more versatile.
The CNRHA site has a number of scanned steam data sheets, here’s the one for 6060’s class:
Thank you so much and on review see that the wording needed some serious clarification. We thought one thing and wrote down another – sigh – if you see my brain, send it home. It should have read when in service it’s the largest (in terms of size) operational steamer in the country, but by the time it was typed, the context was messed up. We’ve since updated the post to make it a little more clear.
Still, what you shared was an enjoyable read and we appreciate you taking the time.
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
So there’s where it’s been hiding?
It’s not been in the news much lately (Covid stuff I suspose).
A fun day to visit the locomotive! I look forward to returning with you on future visits!
Yes!
While the Mountains were the largest CN passenger locomotives to operate regularly in western Canada (CN’s more famous Northerns were not used much west of Winnipeg, and were most common in southern Ontario and farther east), the CN T-4-b Santa Fe’s have them beat in tractive effort. They were the most powerful CN steam locomotives to regularly operate in western Canada, but unfortunately none were preserved.
Different engines for different tasks, 6060 could do 90 mph with a good size passenger train while the 4300s were designed for slower speed heavy freight work, and by 35-40 mph their rods were a blur and the exhaust one continuous roar with no discernible chuffing (as told to me by another volunteer who used to fire them).
As preserved engines go 6060 is indeed one of the most famous, but is again beaten in weight and power by a number of other Canadian engines. Even CP’s last class of Royal Hudsons weigh more, the difference being explained by CP’s better track allowing higher axle loadings.
The largest and most powerful steam locomotives in Canada, and indeed in the whole British Empire were CN’s T-2-a Santa Fe’s (one, 4100, is preserved at the Canadian Railway Museum) and CP’s Selkirks. There is some debate about which one deserves the crown as “largest”, as the CN 4100s produced more tractive effort but were strictly low speed engines (being designed for transfer and helper service on the grades around Toronto), while the Selkirks weighed around 40,000 lbs more and were far more versatile.
The CNRHA site has a number of scanned steam data sheets, here’s the one for 6060’s class:
http://www.cnrha.ca/node/704/
It’s nice to see you are following 6060’s story, we all look forward to the day when she will operate again.
Thank you so much and on review see that the wording needed some serious clarification. We thought one thing and wrote down another – sigh – if you see my brain, send it home. It should have read when in service it’s the largest (in terms of size) operational steamer in the country, but by the time it was typed, the context was messed up. We’ve since updated the post to make it a little more clear.
Still, what you shared was an enjoyable read and we appreciate you taking the time.