Thursday, August 23, 2012

Great! It's Glenfraser!

Glenfraser came through town this week.  Fellow VIAphile Jakob Mueller happened to take a photo of this unique car on the tail end of a ten-car VIA No 57 hauled by two P42's during VIA's afternoon rush.

From CN to VIA to BC Rail to VIA again, Glenfraser is one-of-a-kind on VIA's roster.  I've been thinking about what will make Trackside with VIA: Cross-Canada Compendium unique.  I want readers to be interested in it for the same reason Jakob photographed Glenfraser...it's absolutely different, it has a distinctive look, and it tells a very interesting story.  

This book may have too much content.  When I started out over a year ago, I was endeavouring to include everything from VIA factoids, consists from all eras, rosters and dispositions.  It seemed like an insurmountable challenge to find it all.

Now, with the binder of text full and the photo file bulging, something may have to give.  Sage advice from a contributor this past week...more photos, fewer consists.  And that's exactly the way the balance will tip.  Perhaps a supplement of consists will follow.

Highball!
Eric

Glenfraser photo by Jakob Mueller, Kingston ON August 2012
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9 comments:

  1. phoenix'edAugust 23, 2012 at 8:24 PM

    Too much content?

    Never.

    I was wondering if there's going to be any information about the VIA Hospital train that went from Montreal to Moncton back in the early '00's that took all the LRC units and other miscellaneous pieces of rolling stock to IRSI. I've tried to find pictures, video or ANYTHING about this move, but I can't seem to locate it.

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  2. EricAugust 23, 2012 at 11:58 PM

    Thanks for your comment, Ph'xd. I'll have to see what the printer says first. Believe me, I'll shoehorn in as much as I can.

    Yes, I was just reviewing the information on that April 2004 move of the 17 LRC units to IRSI. Quite a sight! It'll be in there!

    Stay tuned for more,
    Eric

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  3. EricAugust 24, 2012 at 12:06 AM

    Fellow VIAphiles...regarding too much content, is there anyone who would prefer consists to photos?

    I have an opportunity here to include lots of photos, even some colour, from all across Canada, until now un-published.

    This would be a good time to think about this and let me know if you have any burning ideas on the subject.

    Thanks for your thoughts,
    Eric

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  4. Lord Darth McIanAugust 24, 2012 at 7:12 AM

    Eric;

    As book 1 was heavy on consists and short on photos, I think book 2 would be a good compliment with more photos and less consists.

    Cheers
    Ian Lisakowski

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  5. EricAugust 24, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    You're spot-on, Ian, and I really appreciate your comment. I hope to at least double the number of photos from my first book. Replacing some of the consists will be data and text on VIA's operations, far and wide.

    My first book was based on my observations. For the second, I have access to the observations of others, from across Canada. So there's lots to draw on. This book has certainly become more of an enthusiast's documentary rather than personal observations from trackside. At least, that's the way I'm approaching it.

    Knowing you're a VIAphile like me, I'll definitely be including lots of 'stuff' that will keep readers interested. Frankly, I always go for pictures in a book...flip, flip, flip until I find them.

    I don't think you'll be disappointed.

    I came across a great Superdome site on Trainweb today, which has interior photos of the glass-topped beauties. (You've probably seen it, but it was the first time I had...I was quickly trying to confirm the spelling of Athabasca at the time.)

    Thanks again for your thoughts,
    Eric

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  6. Lord Darth McIanAugust 25, 2012 at 6:14 PM

    Oooh - I'm always interested in anything Superdomes, or should I say Sceneramics.

    Please pass on the website info, we recently had a system crash on our machine - total wipeout of windows and I've lost all my special links. :(

    Cheers
    Ian Lisakowski

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  7. EricAugust 25, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    I gauged your interest correctly, Ian. Here's a link to get you started:)

    http://www.trainweb.org/hiawatha/53.html

    Eric

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  8. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2012 at 4:29 AM

    Ive love consists! Especially from 'The Canadian" in the early 1980's. As mentioned before, that type of info is invaluable when building a train set at home. there were so many variants of consists of the Canadian from 1980 to 1983. Perhaps if it doesn't find its way in, you could email me what you have for that era :)

    - Mark.

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  9. EricSeptember 4, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    Hi Mark,

    Agreed re: consists. They're really the best way to prove certain operating practices existed. I've heard lots of people say, "I remember in such-and-such a year..." and our memories are very much subject to change, mine included!

    A reliable source of consists can provide lots of concrete information, that it a super reference for future use.

    I too share your interest in the early VIA years. If I do have to draw the line on consists, I will likely be including the earliest ones...

    Thanks for your comment,
    Eric

    ReplyDelete

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