Across Canada on CN Passenger Trains

Various scenes from a 1974 trip across Canada aboard a Private Car.

[@gda44256]

what a wonderful tribute to a great train

[@Sbhinder301]

I missed these days this was CN at its finest and I wish CN / VIA could bring the Super Continental back again I rode this train 5 times before it was cancelled in 1990

[@MelioraCogito]

Brings back memories. My mom worked for CN Hotels (Bessborough) in the early 70's. My brother (10) & I (11) soloed fm Saskatoon-Vanc & back Jul/Aug '71 on the #1 & #2. The family travelled fm Sask-Vanc & back in July of '72 & '73, then Sask-Montreal & back in Aug of '72. I completed my Atlantic coast leg in '83 while in NS travelling from Kentville (NS)-Halifax-Toronto & back. Last trip was New Years '04, Ottawa-Montreal-Toronto-Vancouver in private single berth sleeper. Awesome trip.

[@peterbrown8521]

Interesting, my father was the rule instructor based out of Edmonton back in the 60’s and I still remember travelling in his private classroom car from Edmonton to Prince Rupert on the tail end of a passenger train, great memories.

[@gmpullman]

Thanks for commenting. If you look carefully at 4:20 you will see that an official's car has been added to our train just ahead of the Chapel Hill. Only a few seconds of film.

[@gmpullman]

Thank you so much for your compliments! Glad the video brought back fond memories.

[@gmpullman]

He is! Trains were favorite targets of rock throwers. In the northeast of U.S. locomotives had to be fitted with heavy mesh over the windows to reduce injury from objects thrown or dropped from bridges. At least this young man waited until the train passed to throw that stick. I don't know how prevalent it is today but throwing objects at trains was a common event in the '70s & '80s. Lots of window glass was replaced with Lexan back then. Thanks for your watching!

[@benvenuti1959]

Video Fantastico! I liked, I liked also the Turbo Train. Hugs my friend Vander

[@gmpullman]

Thanks for commenting! I had the pleasure of riding the Super twice and the Canadian only once... So grand!

[@CalgaryStampedersClassics]

I cannot say how awesome this video is!

[@telsport]

That stationary choo choo wants to GO GO GO...give her a chance !

[@gmpullman]

Wouldn't that be nice!

[@lexpo181]

I can't believe the big different between Jasper on this video and Jasper I knew when i was living there in 2009 during 8 months! This is a totally piece of gold this video! I love it so much! Nice stuff

[@cjjohnston8910]

This is such an amazing video and a piece of history that is so hard to find! also i love the turbo train wish they where still around in my life time!

[@cttathecanadiantoytrainass3636]

Nice one! I rode those trains and really enjoyed this video.

[@gmpullman]

I'm very glad you enjoyed the video. Thank You.

[@gmpullman]

Your view is echoed by many who have fond memories of train travel. The public seems to want dependable and reliable rail service so why are there so many political roadblocks? Airline, highway, oil, auto mfg. lobbies? Amtrak struggles to get a paltry budget, no where near enough to think about expanding service... so sad. I'm glad this brought back good memories for you! Thanks for commenting.

[@iusetano]

Awesome!!!!! Super rare scenes of a by gone era. I'm very glad to have discovered this video. Thank you for uploading it. Excellent video.

[@gmpullman]

I am glad that my film has given you such pleasure! Thank you for your generous comments...

[@richarducp8200]

Real nice vintage footage, great job.

[@gmpullman]

Yes, I did ride for a while in one of CN's ex Milwaukee Road Superdome cars "Sceneramics" on the CN (they had six.) Since I was "on duty" I couldn't have my bulky camera with me. As far as CN passenger routes in 1974 there's not enough room here to list them all. Maybe look for a timetable at ebay or search for more info on line. Thanks for replying.

[@TheCraiger1969]

Excellent video!

[@gmpullman]

Thank You! Your comments are welcome.

[@reggieyhz7]

Thank-You !!! That was so great !! I always say I was born 20 years too late :(

[@scorpiolou2004]

Love the video. From 1966 when I was born I went to my grandmother's city which is Alma Quebec twice a year until I was about 15. We took the train from Ottawa to Montreal and then Montreal to Herbertville Station which was the closest to Alma. I remember when CN ran passenger service. It would be great if you could find someone who could digitize your video to see if it can be clearer. But you brought back a lot of memories. Thanks

[@gmpullman]

I am glad you found the video memorable. I will never forget that trip when I spent almost a month in Canada. Everyone I met was proud to work for the CN. Have you seen films at nfb.ca? Railroaders. And "End of the Line" well worth watching. Thanks for your comments.

[@gmpullman]

@fabio40 Thank You! I was looking for the railway bridge and with your information I was able to find the Fraser River Swing Bridge. I see that the three-way split as shown in the film no longer exists! Thank you again...

[@DavidWsTrainVideos]

No Problem the middle line is not used much(twice a day) so it's pretty weeded over. Nice Video BTW

[@terrylong8894]

The Last Streamliner tlong0038 The Last Streamliner A transcontinental train journey back in time and across Canada on-board VIA Rail's legendary Canadian.

[@gmpullman]

@richarducp8200 Thank you for your comment! That was a memorable trip, wish I had the funds to have filmed more... alas

[@MainTrack]

What a great video! Thanks for this look into the past!

[@gmpullman]

Locomotive Mike Thank You for the compliments. Glad you enjoyed the ride!

[@frankgarrett9500]

I was sexually assaulted on a train. I was taking a Train to Dallas Texas when I was ten to visit my grandparents. I was travelling alone when the porter came to my seat and told me he had a special treat for me in the dining car. I went with him and he told me to close my eyes, I did and he put his genitals in my mouth! It's a terrible thing I cannot overcome. Please accompany this video with a warning or I'll have to report it. Thank you.

[@fabio40]

@gmpullman If you mean the automobile bridge, it is the Pattullo Bridge.

[@DavidWsTrainVideos]

Actually the 3 way split does still exist. The Left Is for the CN the Middle is for the Southern Railway of British Columbia and the right is the BNSF

[@robertramsay5963]

thanks for posting this historic view of CN travel. Unlike me, you didn't run out of film just before the Superdomes passed by. So good to see them in action. I don't recall ever seeing the yellow-striped tail end car, nor the one with the gaps in the white stripe. Were they special observation cars?

[@gmpullman]

Glad you enjoyed the film. Yellow striped car is a former C&O Business car #3, now private car Chapel Hill. Gaps in white stripe? Please note the time where this is shown. Not sure of what you are refering to? Thank You.

[@robertramsay5963]

I guess it's just where the windows of the duplex roomettes extend up into the white trim line near the top of the coach, like at 7:59.

[@gmpullman]

I see. Yeah, that gave the paint shop some problems. Pennsylvania Railroad had to chop up the lettering for their Creek series cars because of the little windows.

[@Robbi496]

Not sure if it was better then, but it was certainly different?

[@cjjohnston8910]

Have you had the chance to go on a train in Canada after via rail took over the passenger trains? And no problem thank you for sharing this amazing video!

[@gmpullman]

Can anyone identify the bridge near Vancouver at 4:45? Thanks.

[@cathyv51]

As a kid growing up in the 1960's, I rode the Super three times from Montreal to Vancouver and back. It is no exaggeration to say that it was the highlight of my childhood. Thank you so much for this beautiful film.

[@jimholder6656]

Truly great filmings -- but strange, weird music!

[@gmpullman]

Thank you, I guess. LOL I just picked some music that wouldn't be rejected by one of the big publishers.

[@gmpullman]

I agree, but at the time it was the only fitting, royalty free music I could find and it is kind of fitting for an "odyssey". Thank You.

[@wronnoc6333]

What did that kid do at 2:38

[@gmpullman]

He had a stick in his hand and made a few fake throws before finally tossing it AFTER the last car had passed.

[@wronnoc6333]

gmpullman thx really cool video

[@user-gr3rf2ol3x]

cn!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@darkbubblepenguin9865]

WTH 2:38

[@gmpullman]

Local kids. "Rocking" trains was popular then. These kids were pretending to throw a stick at the train but waited until we went by to actually throw anything. No playground nearby so hang out at the tracks... Thank You