Here are some views of the main line railways around Cranbrook and Fort Steele showing just how large their locomotives and trains are!

Below: An empty coal train, consisting of 150 wagons and three locomotives.

Below: The yard at Cranbrook, with switching (shunting) operations taking place with a pair of CP Rail locomotives.

Below: On my last day in Cranbrook, Bob Whethman took me out to see what freight trains were running out of Cranbrook. By a stroke of luck a pair of Union Pacific SD90s were waiting to start away with a freight train consisting of grain, steel coil and coal wagons. Here they are awaiting permission to proceed.

Below: Out on the line and a few miles into their journey…

Below: And a few miles further on in a stunning setting…

Below: In Cranbrook there is a unique museum called ‘Trains Deluxe’. This museum aims to recreate some of the famous trans-Canadian trains from history, with tours starting in a recreated terminal station before proceeding into and through the trains themselves. Various periods are represented and plans are in hand to cover the collection in a railway style roof.

Below: A final view of four CPR locomotives switching at Cranbrook. After that it was off to the airport for the journey home…