The Rankin Family - The Orangedale Whistle

The Rankins perform a then unheard of song (The Orangedale Whistle) at the 1990 East Coast Music Awards Ceremonies. Enjoy!

[@haweater1555]

Orangedale is a small community in the middle of Cape Breton Island, with a station on the mainline railway that runs from Sydney to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the mainland. This song was written as a lament to the defunct passenger train on the line, operated by VIA Rail Canada, which made its last run on Jan. 14, 1990.

[@keithjans5084]

These folks made beautiful music it will last long after I'm gone. It doesn't matter how many listen to it. Just one person will remember and carry it to someone else, to love.

[@JessicaLynnC]

I love this song & the Rankins ♡ ♡

[@royharvey7125]

me too?

[@geraldkotyk9792]

I love this family

[@billdornan4379]

March 2023 ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🇨🇦

[@oldwest517]

They're all great, but Raylene was always the most magnetic of them. RIP.

[@el1414]

a girl - friend in a music venue on paltalk introduced me to this song , and I dont know who she is, but I love her

[@harryjamm]

Glad you found it :)

[@MrCanuckie]

Only 12,500 views for a great Canadian band and song? Pretty disappointing. R.I.P Raylene.

[@harryjamm]

I prefer to think of it this way....... When I shot this, there was maybe 300 people in the venue..... So, 12,200 more people have now had the opportunity to enjoy it..... And that makes me happy 😀 Thanks for watchin

[@johnamey2840]

What is the status of the Rankin Family June 2018?

[@MrCanuckie]

They have no concerts listed for 2018 at this point. Perhaps they are performing individually. Not sure. Really miss them however.

[@harryjamm]

Jimmy does for sure, as does Heather I believe, but I dont think they play as the Rankins anymore.... or I havnt seen any myself. Best to ask them :)

[@sasquatchbrett6331]

Where's the Orangedale Whistle now; my grandmother (McLean) owned the general store next to it; grandfather a photographer? History disappearing.

[@harryjamm]

I'm not sure.... They had talked about trying to save the tracks about 6 or 7 years ago when the American owners were talking about selling them for scrap rather then spending the money to keep them serviceable, but that's the last I heard about it. It's not just history, it's opportunity that's disappearing for CB as well.....without rail service it puts their port at a serious disadvantage even with easy access for ships

[@geraldkotyk9792]

Yes! But you f ing let them! Your elders took the money! Didnt they?