The Great Northern Railway ran passenger operation to Vanacouver and several other points in British Columbia until it's merger into Burlington Northern. While premier trains always remained pristine, some rural routes utilized "less than new" equipment. As my Puddington Valley Division is located in the interior of B.C. we get to see "secondary" GN equipment.... A lone F7A is usually enough power for the "Valley Flyer", our thrice weekly visitor from the GN..... We haven't any idea how this converted troop sleeper of the CBQ got 'seconded" to the GN as a Express Baggage and mail car but it keeps showing up every so often. I wonder if this express reefer car was cleaner when it trailed the locomotives of the Empire Builder ? Today it's on the "Valley Flyer"..... This full baggage car is showing the effects of time and age; rust is starting to pock mark it's sides and it won't be too long until it's retired as merger talks continue..... Next; revenue cars !
Coaches dominate the Valley Flyer; it's really not a long trip, 9 1/2 hours point to point..... Still wearing a 40 year old livery this heavyweight coach is typical of the kind of equipment we see on the "Flyer"....... Once serving on the Empire Bulder and now religated to the secondary routes it's the last season for this old soldier... plated up windows and all..... Coaches get augmented by the cafe parlor car for those who require a "bit of old elegance"... The "Lord Strathcona" is a throw back" to a different time of travel and comfort.... Next - "tail end charlie".....
The "Valley Flyer's" rear is protected by her Cafe-Obervation car........... The large Mars light identifies her from a distance and warns those of her presence... repeated three times a week, the Valley Flyer will soon become a memory in Puddington Valley as the BN will most certainly cancel her trips but the people who's taken her will never forget ! I want to add a another coach, a smooth side and need to install diaphrams on these cars but regardless I still love to run this old beauty whenever I get the chance.........
It's on the list; I'm just about finished the CPR and then we get to the PGE.... got to finish the PGE trailers first however.........Pictures of PGE passenger stuff are few and far between - I have all the books but will have to rely on my benevolent friend Mr. Tim Horton to fill in some holes for me.....
