Fifty years separate the two images used in this then and now. Our subject will be the Canadian Pacific Railway and the location, a spot by the Elbow River, in the community of Inglewood, just east of downtown Calgary. We’ve been supplied an old image showing a passing train and our goal is shoot a photo similarly composed, same angle and all and then compare the two. We love how these demonstrate just how closely linked time and change are.
The “then” image comes via our friends at the Galt Railway History Park (Great Canadian Plains Railways Society) in Stirling Alberta and is their copyright used with permission. It’s from the Ken Hooper collection of railway images which that group oversees (it’s extensive and no doubt will spawn more posts like this). Have an old street/building/transit/train scene photo you want included in a BIGDoer.com then and now? Send it our way!
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The old image is dated October 1965 and shows a passenger run heading towards the camera position. Data accompanying the photo mentions it’s heading southbound (temporarily eastbound here) on the railway’s MacLeod Subdivision. That’s in error, but only by a small margin. At this point the train is a few hundred metres west of the junction with that line. At this position it’s on the CPR’s east/west mainline, here, the Brooks Subdivision. The MacLeod line is branch off it.
The train has just left the CPR’s downtown Calgary station, off frame and to the left. The final destination is the city of Lethbridge, either via the entire MacLeod Subdivision or the more easterly Aldersyde Subdivision (the train alternated between them). This run would take several hours to complete.
Instead of a traditional locomotive hauled consist, the train is comprised of two self propelled RDC (Rail Diesel Cars). These came on the scene in the 1950s and were generally used on the lesser patronized and/or shorter runs. The lead unit, as can be seen, has a small baggage compartment in the front so it’s an RDC-2. The other is all coach, so it’s an RDC-1. There were also other configurations. These came from the Budd company in the US, although a number were also assembled in Canada by Canadian Car and Foundry (or Can-Car). Both major Canadian railways operated them. The CPR called them “Dayliners”. Another RDC run out of Calgary was to Edmonton.
The drive train was located sub-floor with the prominent hump on the roof housing the radiators (I assume a leak there would be disastrous). These cars are made of stainless steel which makes them quite durable. A few are still in use today.
The Calgary to Lethbridge service was cancelled in the early 1970s. The last true passenger run of any kind to serve Calgary (discounting expensive “tour” trains), under the auspices of Via Rail, who took over CPR’s passenger business in the late 1970s, was in 1990.
On our visit we catch a slow moving sulphur train, which stirred up the pigeons. Since it’s eastbound, it’s empty (read on). Pulled by a trio of GE locomotives (all model ES44ACs built in the mid to late-2000s), two in the lead and a third DPU, aka Distributed Power Unit, bringing up the rear. That last unit, #8862, was once painted up in celebration of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
The sulphur comes from various gas plants in Alberta, as a by-product, and is transported to the west coast for export. A low value product, these trains are at best spotty and run only when the commodity price is favourable. Cars in this dedicated “unit” train are aluminum hoppers that get rotary dumped at the destination – so flipped upside down without being detached form the train.
A lot has changed in the fifty years between shots. The skyline, my oh my, how that differs – in 1965 the city had a population of some 300 000, today, it’s over a million! As a result, downtown keeps growing to the right. The railway bridge is different (BTW, the old one makes a brief appearance in the 1970s film Silver Streak). One line pole, right of centre remains, hard to see, and helped us line up our shot. The 9th Avenue road bridge in back right connects both photos. Some of the trees blocking the view to it are the same, as seen by their position, but are perhaps a bit bigger. One is certainly leaning more.
The fence got in the way in our shot, but we have to duplicate the position as best we can, so have to live with it. Side note: in the old photo notice the white car to the right, complete with massive tail fins.
One thing that bugs us doing these then and nows, a technical problem, is how different the photos look when compared one way over another. Notice how the tracks in the stacked photo seems to trail off at diverging angles (we call it the fall-away problem) yet when placed side by side, they seem to match up pretty well. Optical illusion! I have no idea why this happens. Still, the one atop the other version is visually a better arrangement, even with that issue.
Our now photos are composed in camera. We line-em up, take a shot or a few and hope like hell it or they end up looking like the original. That’s how it’s done and it’s more challenging than it appears. We could of course do it all in post production I guess. But no. We’d rather have them imperfect, and doing it this way, we’ll never totally ace it, than to fake the results.
If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!
Date: December, 2015. Location: Calgary, AB. Article references: Canadian Trackside Guides, Galt Railway Historic Park/Great Canadian Plains Railway Society, CPR records @ Exporail Quebec. Our photos were shot from public property.
In behind the RDC (current site of Fort Calgary) was a Macosham (sp?) warehouse. It was served by rail, but I don’t remember how it got in there. Across 9 Ave or along the river berm behind Inglewood (I think).
The Canadian National had a spur line into what is present day Fort Calgary, back populated by warehouses, into the late 1960s perhaps even a bit longer. It paralleled the Bow and today is that walking path. There was a bridge right where the Elbow and Bow joined up.
My buddy is a conductor and took me along on his hot shot into Cowtown. I got to sit in the engineers seat of the second locomotive ( “just don’t touch nothing!” ) all the way in to Alyth yard. When we crossed Glenmore trail I slid the window open and hung my arm out, thinking someone I know might see me, but nobody did. It was a very cool ride. I may not have been a huge railway fan before that night, but I was after.
no problem. I grew up not far from Rosetown, my dad owned a farm equipment dealership. So I got to travel with him to all the major centers to pick up equipment and parts, and then deliveries all over the 3 western provinces. Then I began trucking when I was 21, so I know the provinces pretty well. I have really been enjoying your site, I have memories of a lot of your visited spots. Hey! You know Chris Attrell! thanks for documenting what you are.
That all sounds so interesting. Glad you like our little corner of the Internet too, we try hard, and of course we have a ton of fun doing it and sharing it with others. Yes, I know Chris. Now that guy is a photographer. I dream of being half as good.
(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.
In behind the RDC (current site of Fort Calgary) was a Macosham (sp?) warehouse. It was served by rail, but I don’t remember how it got in there. Across 9 Ave or along the river berm behind Inglewood (I think).
The Canadian National had a spur line into what is present day Fort Calgary, back populated by warehouses, into the late 1960s perhaps even a bit longer. It paralleled the Bow and today is that walking path. There was a bridge right where the Elbow and Bow joined up.
My buddy is a conductor and took me along on his hot shot into Cowtown. I got to sit in the engineers seat of the second locomotive ( “just don’t touch nothing!” ) all the way in to Alyth yard. When we crossed Glenmore trail I slid the window open and hung my arm out, thinking someone I know might see me, but nobody did. It was a very cool ride. I may not have been a huge railway fan before that night, but I was after.
Now that’s a memory!! Thanks for commenting.
no problem. I grew up not far from Rosetown, my dad owned a farm equipment dealership. So I got to travel with him to all the major centers to pick up equipment and parts, and then deliveries all over the 3 western provinces. Then I began trucking when I was 21, so I know the provinces pretty well. I have really been enjoying your site, I have memories of a lot of your visited spots.
Hey! You know Chris Attrell!
thanks for documenting what you are.
That all sounds so interesting. Glad you like our little corner of the Internet too, we try hard, and of course we have a ton of fun doing it and sharing it with others. Yes, I know Chris. Now that guy is a photographer. I dream of being half as good.
As a kid, I loved riding on the dayliner.
I recall heading to Edmonton on one (1970s).
Cool pic of the RDC!
I know, so nice!