Lost Railways of Central Alberta Canada

We take a look back in time, more than 120 years to when the railways were just starting out across the vast central prairies of Alberta Canada.
There is so much information in this video you may need to watch it more than once to get a grasp on how much has changed.
#railfanning #trainspotting #trains #grandtrunkpacific #northernalbertarailway #canadiannorthern #history

[@hunsbuckel55]

Oh Tony, you certainly invested a whole lot of work into this great documentary, and it definetely paid off! Especially for us foreigners from abroad it offers so much detailed information about AB rail history, thank you very much for that! 👌💯👏😃

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Your welcome, i quite enjoyed doing the research on this

[@ShopKatIndustries]

Wow, I just took a look on Google Maps and you can still see exactly where the Alberta Midland line ran! I until recently owned a 1963 Ford F100 originally purchased by a Mr. Russell Bazian of Thorhild, and I found some old railway union books in the cab. I believe he was a foreman with the NAR, I will have to get them out and refresh my memory!

[@TonyVRailfanning]

That’s very interesting to find those NAR books there may actually be some historic value to those worthwhile donating to a Railway museum or something. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@kenstevenson4133]

Great research on the history of these lines. The collage of your vids really adds nice touch to the modern day view of the various subs. Well done Tony!

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, it was a lot of research but the info I gained is amazing

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Very nicely done Tony great historical info, I liked that! (Dave).

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you Dave, I love the history of this. I learned so much during my research

[@rdsieben]

One recent railroad we lost recently was the Drumheller subdivision. It was a major branch line from Calgary to Saskatoon averaging 2-4 trains per day.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Yes, a shame so many are gone

[@pixiesweeney6535]

Very nice History lesson, Tony! Beautiful scenery as always!☺🤗

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, Pixie. I enjoyed putting this one together. Have a great weekend.

[@gcorriveau6864]

Fascinating history. I grew up in Edmonton but never realized, until now, that the Low Level Bridge was originally a rail bridge. The long shots at the end of this video are amazing! Thanks for posting.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you for watching, glad you enjoyed this

[@normmcrae1140]

If you walk or bike along the trail down Mill Creek Ravine - you are following the path of the EY&P. (I biked that path MANY times). If you're lucky - you can still spot remnants of the railway, although most have been removed or stolen.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

@@normmcrae1140 yes I realize that it’s quite amazing. Even a couple of the trestles are still in place although they’re slowly being replaced by the city with new ones.

[@normmcrae1140]

@@TonyVRailfanning I figured you knew that! LOL I was mostly mentioning it for those viewers who might not. It IS a BEAUTIFUL walk/ride - at least when I last did it back in 1997.

[@trainguy7261]

Wow! A tremendous amount of time and effort went into this collection of clips! Well done. It takes a passion to invest so much into doing this and bringing something that most will never get to experience. Kudos to you and all you do. 👍👍👍

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you very much! It was a great learning experience for me as well.

[@barrybence4555]

Wow. I spent my first summer in Canada (19969) in Meeting Creek, Alberta. I didn't need an alarm clock--the train horn woke me up every morning. My house is still there, but almost everything else has disappeared. Thanks for this video.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thats neat to have lived there. Its a pretty little town. Glad you enjoyed this video

[@1737sd40]

This was excellent, I learned a lot. Great videography and editing as always

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Than you so much, have a great weekend

[@ericwalker3459]

It’s a shame that all this is gone now. Was a fantastic way to move freight, and people. Such a different view/ experience than just driving down the highway,looking at the bumper in front of you

[@TonyVRailfanning]

I agree, to be a passenger on trains going from community to community would have been so relaxing

[@bsc4344]

@@TonyVRailfanning there used to be a single car 'train' service that ran atleast from YEG to Ponoka when I was a toddler. It looked like a passanger car not a train but it was all shiny silvery and self propelled, from what my kid memory recalls. I dont remember seeing any engine exhaust vent or anything.... maybe memory blurred over time? I had grandparents living in Ponoka so it was the odd treat to visit them that way, thanx to my folks. Whatta thrill. Long gone and missed.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

@@bsc4344 those are called Budd cars, and they are very rare to catch nowadays only a handful are still left running the engine was located under the midsection of the train

[@bsc4344]

@@TonyVRailfanning wow thanks for even more information. I was concerned I did not accurately remember decades ago experiences, it sounds unbelievable when told. But over a half a century ago, this really happened and it probably helped start my “addiction“ to such things as old rail lines and abandoned highways. I think it might be hard to convince people what they have missed, or lost, or are missing.... When they have no idea what it was like now, or even existed.

[@jameswilliams9655]

We don't even have busses anymore. This is what being Conservative means.

[@greathodgy22]

Excellant chunk of history, thanks Tony.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Your welcome, thanks for commenting and watching

[@JackM-nd4iy]

Excellent video, Tony! I loved the historical information that you presented. In Saskatchewan you can also see where rail lines once existed if you know what to look for. Likely that way everywhere. There was some great footage in your video as usual too. Thanks, Tony. Well done! Cheers, Jack

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, Jack. Glad you enjoyed it. I tried to get some more historical photos and even some old 8 mm film, but couldn’t find any.

[@andrewmcarthur3843]

Good episode. Meeting Creek looks well preserved

[@TonyVRailfanning]

It’s a really unique spot, not many know about it

[@darrenoftheNorth]

Another perfect train video. Amazing shots and attention grabbing information.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, Have a great day!

[@NadaSurfinAB]

Wow, great history, wonderful drone footage. New subscriber.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@garthquapp6370]

Very cool video my friend .

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

[@roberttaylor4632]

Awesome job man, you should look into Saskatchewan North and all the lines from and inbetween Wetaskiwin to Minnedosa and the Bermuda Triangle Saskatoon to Regina, Regina to Wynyard, Wynyard back to Saskatoon

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, I can do more of these in the future as time allows for sure

[@GstarEdmsTrainProductions]

i love this. this is the best video i have seen on the history of alberta abandoned railways. i like how you show what the lines are named as now and previously and loved learning about the line that went to Athabasca. Thanks Tony

[@TonyVRailfanning]

You’re very welcome. Glad you enjoyed this one. It was a very interesting video to make because I learned so much as well.

[@matthewq4b]

FANTASTIC Documentary. You did yourself with this one...

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you so much, Glad you enjoyed it

[@alexmason5668]

I live near Camrose and there's lots of remnants of these old lines all over the place. The rail beds, culverts, and some bridges are still up. In some places the tracks are still in place and they're often used to store mothballed rolling stock

[@TonyVRailfanning]

I will have to drive through and see if i can find them the next time I am in the area

[@rascallhunter]

The Alliance Spur (CN’s name for it) runs east from town and is actively used by the Battle River Railway, interchanging freight with CN in Camrose. The north yard in Camrose is about half in service still, used mostly when grain traffic with BRR gets heavy. North end switches are no longer in use. The approaches to the old Duhamel trestle can still be seen if you know where to look, and some of the road bed from there into town, and if you squint just right, where the line crossed mirror lake in town. Lots of ghost trains to chase…

[@OrganMaster]

Thanks!

[@TonyVRailfanning]

That is way too generous OM! Thank you so very much

[@Pep8691]

Great video. Really enjoyed that.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you glad you enjoyed it

[@backonpro5679]

This is gonna be GOOD

[@TonyVRailfanning]

I hope you enjoyed it

[@normmcrae1140]

I noticed on your maps that the rail line to Cold Lake is not marked... It was still active (Mostly carrying jet fuel for RCAF Station Cold Lake) till around 2000. It was shut down, and tracks removed and much of it is now part of the "Trans-Canada Trail".

[@Chris_Goulet]

The section between Waskatenau and Cold Lake is called the Iron Horse Trail. The Beaver River Trestle that was burned by arson in 2012 was re-built, and opened in 2016.

[@michaelgill8685]

I remember when they took The Pembina Valley Railway out 20 years ago when I lived in Busby the main point where both Rail came together. That rail line was really strange because Westlock was literally a 10-minute drive versus the train that would have to backtrack and then head towards Westlock adding hours into the trip.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

I hear it was a pretty area though to travel by train

[@michaelgill8685]

@@TonyVRailfanning it was. we used to take vehicles and ATVs down that once the rails were pulled out but then CN learned what we were doing and decided to make deals with Farmers to extend their fences across this road to stop us

[@gordonbutton4736]

❤rest research thank you for the information

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Your welcome, it was a learning experience for me also

[@turkeytrac1]

Great info on railways around where I live, thanks!!

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Your welcome, thanks for watching

[@CP-Lisa]

Outstanding video Tony! Love learning about the history and specially the NAR since I’ve been visiting northern Alberta quite a times now.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thanks, it was a real eye opener for me doing research. Lots of fun

[@user-tn6on3uz3h]

Another great video.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you !

[@tailsdblack463]

Im in barrhead, parts of that old branch rail line still exist such as an original bridge from the railroads constructon, its in a hamlet called Manola, rumor has it that some of the switch houses and some of the track still exist, hunters or snowmobilers use the switch house as a rest area/ shelter.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

There were so many, Im sure I missed a few on the video

[@placesbenwillgo157]

Great footage of the trains that still run. I have quaded the whole Iron Horse Trail last year and the part from Sanders to Nodegg. I am looking foe more rail line that have been removed that we could quad on. Where does one look for maps from years gone by of where the train us to run? Look forward to more videos

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you. The University of Alberta has a great website on the past railways check that out

[@stickynorth]

Great video and historical context about Edmonton and region's railways. As someone who grew up in Vegreville and Lavoy region's I miss hearing the train everyday rumble through town. I do hope that the proposed project to shift VIA rail traffic to the CN Prairie North line via Battleford, Lloydminster, Vegreville and Edmonton goes ahead even if it would probably have to involve upgrading some of the track since I believe a lot of it had a 40 mph speed limit on it.. And the existing line allows for 79 mph trains now which is a huge speed difference. Another cool future video if you're up to it is a before and after of what Edmonton's streetcar network used to look like as to what it looks like in 2024. Personally I hope ETS expands its services soon to offer more streetcar/tram service especially along 118 Avenue and Jasper Avenue again since these are major traffic corridors with high density development and neighbourhoods around them, perfect for upgraded transit.. To think in 1923 Edmonton had 90 km of track or something like that. Now with over 1 million we've got 30-ish km of LRT? Not nearly good enough!

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you very much. I do agree as there are lots of potentials for via. I just think because of the Vegriville sub being single track almost all of the way with very few sidings that would still cause issues with opposing rail traffic

[@bsc4344]

Wonderful vid thanx for making it. And GREAT drone work and visual composition btw, obviously took pains to frame up footage. I dont know if theres a 'medical condition' term for it but I have always had a lust to walk decomm'd railways all over the country. Only had time in life to do a total of a few miles here and there over the decades. Is that a common urge or do most ppl prefer the working active trains/rails? Also, love seeing folks use homemade carts and travelling long abandoned stretches of line... another 'condition' of mine. Something about the rails... Im subbed with your channel now.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

For certain there is definitely a draw to the abandoned rail lines even if the tracks have been pulled up the rail bed makes an amazing walking path or even biking path. I’ve offered wanted to do the one that goes through meeting Creek.

[@stickynorth]

I really hope the Premier is serious about about bringing commuter rail to Edmonton and Calgary. Both cities could certainly use it when edge cities around each community are sometimes pushing 100,000 people... Airdrie, St Albert, Sherwood Park for example... And 60,000 is some case... Stony Plain/Spruce Grove... Even Fort Saskatchewan would be a great example of offering commuter train connections every 15 minutes to at least Clareview station or even perhaps downtown at the old CN Tower if they keep the ROW clear long enough to revive it as Premier Stelmach once proposed...

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Hopefully we see some sort of connection between the cities

[@lucmarchand617]

Toni thanks you for video.yes,the western canada change a lot due crow rate change cn and cpkc rail.when built new tunnels in 1980s i did visist few time during construction it was start decline small farming town due crow rate.cn speed few buck on fort mcmurray line when start haul crude oil.you post next video about northern line bc,ab,sask and manitoba.i work one job pipeline 2000 alliance next small died due cn rail pull track after line was built it was a shock.the worst is sask they hit very hard now they have move grain on road and lots are not build heavy trucks made gravel i saw own eyes sad.thanks again video😊

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, alot of areas still to be covered. I will get to them as time allows and finances.

[@bobelliott2748]

Nice video. Thanks for posting

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

[@user-cn4rg2bs4p]

thanks for this film. Great to see Redwater still has its railway. caroline

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you very much. I learned a lot of stuff doing research on this one so it was very interesting for me to do as well.

[@rascallhunter]

The line still runs through Redwater, and there is a section house there, but no industries currently use it. Traffic is to and from Ft. Mac mostly.

[@user-cn4rg2bs4p]

thanks reubin. i worked at ken and gladys s place to west of redwater in 1984 caroline from uk.

[@keonikaig9247]

🚂 FANTASTIC TONY 🚂 ❤ THANK YOU ♥️

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@travisholte3241]

great video just so you know the line south of metiskow (Hardisty line or highway 13 line ) to the old sulfate plant has been out of service for well over 30 years

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, appreciate the update.

[@Bucksighter]

Great footage!

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

[@TheAutomanDan]

Great work 🎉

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you very much

[@DeanCassells]

What happened to the Battle River Railway from Camrose to Alliance. I live about 150 yds from the track and grain cars and oil car storage are very active on this line. As a pre-schooler, I lived in Innisfree and loved the daily train chugging along.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

That subdivision is still active the battle River Railway runs between Camrose and alliance still to this day. I plan on filming that sometime this summer

[@dalmond2]

Great video. I would like to check out Meeting Creek.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you meeting Creek is only open on weekends and I would call ahead to confirm their hours. They’re not very regular.

[@RailtimeMedia]

Well done Tony. Have you ever tried tracing the right of way of the Canadian Northern between Evansburg and Edson ? There is very little trace of it even on Google maps. East and west of there is usually quite obvious.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

I know the bridge peers are still in the River Valley of the Pembida at Evindurg but other than that, I haven’t spent a lot of time looking for the original rail bed. Thsnk you

[@sawwas4677]

Very well done. What about Rail that went to Cold lake and beyond as well as the line that ran ran SE to Heinsburg. CP ran a line between Two Hills and Vegreville. I don' t believe there ever was a line that ran SE of LacLaBiche?? Breton line also continued south towards rimbey....

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you, there was so much info to cover just in the area I did. I know there were even more outside of the areas I covered but had to start somewhere for this first video of hopefully more like this in the future.

[@glengillis7775]

New sub here. We live in Morniville and railine heads north to Athabasca abandoned at Legal now and other line goes North to Slave Lake and beyond. So many old lines out there. What line was it called that is now the Iron horse Trail to Cold Lake, Will be bing watching now

[@TonyVRailfanning]

I believe the Ironhorse Trail that goes up to Cold Lake was part of the Great waterways Railway. they no longer exist. Thanks for watching, much more to come

[@pzflo]

I live in Camrose and i knew some other rails lines existed in the past but very little information to go on, and google maps satellite view shows landmarks of old lines into and through town.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Yes, at one point Camrose had main rail lines Chris Crossing through it all over the place. It was quite an active area. Thanks for watching

[@paul-andrelarose3389]

Very well done (except for the "music") and clearly illustrating the vision of the pioneers, including the Edmonton urban streetcar system. Unfortunately, it also dramatically shows how much we have lost as a Country in the name of distorted economics. Concerning the mention made of the CNR at marker ~05:40, it should be noted that the corporate name then contained the plural form of the word "Railways", as it then was an amalgamation of various previously independent railway companies. 2024/04/22. Ontario, Canada.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Thank you glad you enjoyed the information. The music is my choice and not everybody is going to like it. I cannot please everybody the music is perfect because it shows the change from one era to a modern era.

[@revenniaga6249]

The line from Edmonton to Athabasca was taken over by CNR or was it part of the NAR at one time?

[@TonyVRailfanning]

It was part of the NAR for sometime before CN took over

[@revenniaga6249]

When did the NAR own or even operate the the Athabasca Sub.? My 1955 CNR timetable shows it was part of their Edson Division

[@TonyVRailfanning]

@@revenniaga6249 the exact dates I do not know but I believe from 1929 to somewhere in the 50s i could be wrong though

[@jimbroen]

At about 10:35 there appears to be a steam locomotive operating on the CPKC Leduc Sub. How do I get a ride on that train?

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Than is CPs 2816 the Empress, there is the possibility that trips will be offered in the future as they did prior to the 1990s. If you search for “royal Canadian Pacific” you should find details

[@jimbroen]

@@TonyVRailfanning Thanks. It would be nice if such rides became available as I do so love a good train trip. I live across the alley from an Edmonton Streetcar stop so I'm spoiled in that I regularly get to ride across the High Level Bridge to get a coffee.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

@@jimbroen Thats a nice little trip on the bridge. Have a good afternoon

[@RailsofAlberta]

and he beat me to it

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Were you thinking of doing something like this? Don’t let my video stop you from making one the more information the better.

[@RailsofAlberta]

Yeah next month when I had the money and time since right now I have school and a video about super train to edit thanks for the response though!

[@lawrencepaulson6767]

Is this available on CD.

[@TonyVRailfanning]

Hi Lawrence, I had no plans to do so. This will remain on my channel to view anytime permanently

[@proveryourpoint_8554]

less epic music. or maybe no music, its distracting.