Good afternoon all
So, we did it. Myself and the (now official) Mrs Skyline were married in Somerset on the 6th May.
It was a fabulous day and we have many great memories (and many thank yous to write) from the day.
The following day, we drove across to Heathrow and shortly thereafter flew out on BA A380 "LEI" to Vancouver in great comfort in business class. One of the best men gets a mention here as he sorted this as a superb surprise for us (and on the way home too!).
After a few days in the city, we boarded the Rocky Mountaineer (after being asked to sound the horn in the leaving ceremony!) and spent two days traveling through the most amazing landscapes I have ever seen.
As a bonus, I got to take many photos of trains, and I am now a card-carrying fan of both Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways (plus the Mountaineer, of course!). Here are some photos and videos for your review...
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1081-280517163015.jpeg)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1081-280517163414-52244480.jpeg)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gbu4pu1ytlvefh3/P1000575.MOV?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/gbu4pu1ytlvefh3/P1000575.MOV?dl=0)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1081-280517163415-52244634.jpeg)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1081-280517163432-52261626.jpeg)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1081-280517163427-522601170.jpeg)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1081-280517163712-52264482.jpeg)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1081-280517163658-522622226.jpeg)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1081-280517163659-522621534.jpeg)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1081-280517163712-522641859.jpeg)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y9vvfjb731u425b/P1000605.MOV?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/y9vvfjb731u425b/P1000605.MOV?dl=0)
And finally; we brought home many souvenirs, but my personal favourite is my very own H0 Rocky Mountaineer GP40.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/1081-280517163148.jpeg)
Yes I know, not N gauge, and no, I am not defecting. It was in fact Mrs Skyline who was very keen to get one of these (I didn't take much persuading) so we can find a nice little case and have it on our mantle in the front room. Nice :D
Skyline2uk
Fantastic trip and many congrats on the wedding.
Congratulations Mr & Mrs Skyline! :toot:
Thanks for sharing some memories of your fantastic honeymoon. :beers:
Congratulations Skyline and missus. Great photos. Hope you had continuous loop train ferrying glasses of champagne round at the reception.
:beers:
Lovely photos and videos. Congratulations. I hope you realise that you are now totally controlled! I've been for 47 years and enjoying it. :thumbsup:
Quote from: Mito on May 28, 2017, 06:04:33 PM
Lovely photos and videos. Congratulations. I hope you realise that you are now totally controlled! I've been for 47 years and enjoying it. :thumbsup:
Totally analogue control of course! Not yet gone digital ;)
Quote from: austinbob on May 28, 2017, 05:59:58 PM
Congratulations Skyline and missus. Great photos. Hope you had continuous loop train ferrying glasses of champagne round at the reception.
:beers:
Didn't manage that, but had aircraft themed tables :thumbsup:
Skyline2uk
Congratulations to you and Mrs Skyline. :thumbsup:
What a wonderful way to start a marriage.
Btw, did they mind you climbing on the roof of the train, James Bond style, to take the 2nd of those RM pics? ;)
Quote from: daffy on May 28, 2017, 07:30:38 PM
Congratulations to you and Mrs Skyline. :thumbsup:
What a wonderful way to start a marriage.
Btw, did they mind you climbing on the roof of the train, James Bond style, to take the 2nd of those RM pics? ;)
Lol, whilst that would be cool, photo was actually taken from the top deck of our carriage :D
Skyline2uk
Congratulations Adam and Mrs Skyline. Looks like a fantastic trip after being 'close-coupled' ::)
Quote from: Trainfish on May 28, 2017, 07:51:42 PM
Congratulations Adam and Mrs Skyline. Looks like a fantastic trip after being 'close-coupled' ::)
:doh: :laughabovepost: :smiley-laughing:
Skyline2uk
Hearty congratulations on getting spliced, Adam and presumably, erm, Eve.
Hope you enjoyed those spare ribs in the dining car on the RM express - you might need the odd one ;)
Congratulations to you both and some fabulous pictures. The 'Rocky Mountaineer' is one trip I would love to make - but I am not getting married again! :beers:
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Skyline .
Some superb photos I would love to have a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer but the closest I will get is watching a video or DVD .it would have been nice to have seen a photo of you and Mrs Skyline by the side of the train
Bob Tidbury.
Congratulations to you both, looks like it was a wonderful trip
Regards,
Alex
typical, feeling grumpy and depressed as my sister is at this moment in the O2 arene listening to Iron Maiden so I come on here to cheer up and read this dream of a lifetime trip you are having. Now feeling even ore depressed!!
Seriously though, congrats on the marriage and I really do hope you are having a most amazing time..
best wishes
Simon
Quote from: Skyline2uk on May 28, 2017, 06:07:16 PM
Quote from: Mito on May 28, 2017, 06:04:33 PM
Lovely photos and videos. Congratulations. I hope you realise that you are now totally controlled! I've been for 47 years and enjoying it. :thumbsup:
Totally analogue control of course! Not yet gone digital ;)
Oh one, oh one, oh one, oh dear! Analogue is much better. ;)
Some great photos Adam. We did the trip from Banff to Vancouver some years ago. We went gold leaf on the mountaineer as well. Well worth the extra cost. Plus we spent 72 hours on the Canadian from Toronto to Jasper. A great holiday which we still fondly remember as you will I'm sure.
Congratulations on your wedding, Adam. Seems this is the year for them, one of my own daughters was married in February. :thumbsup:
Mrs Bealman retired at Easter, and the Rocky Mountaineer is top of the list of travel plans. Your pictures have made sure that it stays there!
Thanks for posting! :beers:
George
Adam, all the best to you, Mrs Skyline and your coming lives together.
And, thank you very much for your photos. They remind me of why I chose to model the Canadian Pacific Railway in southern British Columbia. To me, the most spectacular scenery in the region is the canyons of the Fraser and Thompson Rivers which appear in your photos. Can you imagine the building of the railway through them more than 100 years ago?
Webbo
Quote from: Webbo on May 29, 2017, 02:08:17 AM
Adam, all the best to you, Mrs Skyline and your coming lives together.
And, thank you very much for your photos. They remind me of why I chose to model the Canadian Pacific Railway in southern British Columbia. To me, the most spectacular scenery in the region is the canyons of the Fraser and Thompson Rivers which appear in your photos. Can you imagine the building of the railway through them more than 100 years ago?
Webbo
The hosts on the train told stories and gave a history of the railway as we went along, but the remote nature of the locations boggles my mind. How on Earth that route / routes were built without modern equipment is beyond me.
Skyline2uk
Congratulations Adam and too Mrs Skyline, :claphappy: i hope you have many happy years together. Those photo's are mind blowing and the loco's are awesome, i am in 2 minds to get myself an N Gauge one, i could use it has a visitor to my layout, but hey Adam Rule 1 has the late jonclox always said, is going to be used on my layout anyway so it won't matter.
Again congrats to you and the missis and enjoy your lives together.
All the Best.
Rod aka Steamie +
By the way Adam, i was looking at one of these yesterday.
http://www.topslotsntrains.com/uploaded_photos/Kato-n-Scale-176-8904-Canadian-Pacific-8705.JPG (http://www.topslotsntrains.com/uploaded_photos/Kato-n-Scale-176-8904-Canadian-Pacific-8705.JPG) 8)
And this,
http://www.traintrax.co.uk/#image (http://www.traintrax.co.uk/#image) 8)
Although i don't think EMD F7A is or was used on the Canadian lines, i stand corrected if it was, they are both great looking loco's i think and cheaper then the British diesels, from GF and Dapol. Happy Modelling Adam. :thumbsup:
Steamie
The loco in your first link is a model of an ES44AC of 4400 HP and manufactured by GE. It and the similar looking and older AC4400 are the main units used to haul freight along the Canadian Pacific mainline in British Columbia in the present day. The two locos in Adam's 6th photo are almost certainly AC4400s. Kato modelled the AC4400 also, but Fox Valley Models also makes the ES44AC.
Canadian Pacific didn't use F7s but they did run FP7s which were essentially F7s extended by 4' to accommodate a steam generator unit for passenger service. Models of these are made by Intermountain.
Webbo
Quote from: Webbo on May 29, 2017, 07:58:13 AM
Steamie
The loco in your first link is a model of an ES44AC of 4400 HP and manufactured by GE. It and the similar looking and older AC4400 are the main units used to haul freight along the Canadian Pacific mainline in British Columbia in the present day. The two locos in Adam's 6th photo are almost certainly AC4400s. Kato modelled the AC4400 also, but Fox Valley Models also makes the ES44AC.
Canadian Pacific didn't use F7s but they did run FP7s which were essentially F7s extended by 4' to accommodate a steam generator unit for passenger service. Models of these are made by Intermountain.
Webbo
Thanks for the info Webbo. I was very tempted by an n gauge loco in Candadian Pacific red, as you say those locos in my 6th picture were the inspiration.
I am not sure what the n gauge model was, but it was an Atlas model I believe.
Skyline2uk
I'm heading over to Canberra soon to have a look at Webbo's lovely Canadian layout. Watch this forum! :beers:
Quote from: Skyline2uk on May 29, 2017, 08:04:31 AM
Thanks for the info Webbo. I was very tempted by an n gauge loco in Candadian Pacific red, as you say those locos in my 6th picture were the inspiration.
I am not sure what the n gauge model was, but it was an Atlas model I believe.
Skyline2uk
Hi Adam
Atlas makes GP35 and GP38 locos (4 axle) in Canadian Pacific red, but not the AC4400 or ES44AC which are both 6 axle and more modern. The Rocky Mountaineer is pulled by 4 axle GP40s.
And, I'd like to warn George to not get his expectations up for his visit with me.
Webbo
As this strays slightly off topic Tim & I must first offer congrats to Adam & Alexandra on their nuptials. May all your troubles be small ones as they say & little Skyliners be strictly N Gauge enthusiasts.
On the subject of modelling Canadian in N Gauge we can offer something a bit closer to the west of England than Canberra (much as I would love to go to Canberra!). The West Wilts Model Railway Circle is presently building a 20ft N Gauge layout based on the Thompson River valley in British Columbia complete with Rocky Mountaineer, & CN & CP freights. So if Adam, & everyone else is tempted by Adam's excellent photos please come & visit. We are based at The Clubroom, Acreshort Lane, Steeple Ashton, Trowbridge BA14 6HD & are holding an open day 1.30pm to 6.00pm on Sunday 4th June 2017.
Our club night is Wednesday eveningcommencing 7.30pm,
The layout is work in progress with the wiring of the 22 storage tracks, and with the scenery which is further along with both the river & bridges in situ.
The Open Day is in association with Gardens day at Steeple Ashton so other halves interested with matters horticultural will have lots to interest them around the village.
Tea & bikkies are provided. :greatpicturessign:
Posted by Tim & Stuart on Tim's PC.
Thanks for the loan of the topic!
I have two books that give the history of the building of railways in British Columbia. Both are by Robert D. Turner, the first, West of the Great Divide, the second, Steam on the Kettle Valley. They are both very interesting reads.
Quote from: Mirrlees on May 29, 2017, 01:40:17 PM
As this strays slightly off topic Tim & I must first offer congrats to Adam & Alexandra on their nuptials. May all your troubles be small ones as they say & little Skyliners be strictly N Gauge enthusiasts.
On the subject of modelling Canadian in N Gauge we can offer something a bit closer to the west of England than Canberra (much as I would love to go to Canberra!). The West Wilts Model Railway Circle is presently building a 20ft N Gauge layout based on the Thompson River valley in British Columbia complete with Rocky Mountaineer, & CN & CP freights. So if Adam, & everyone else is tempted by Adam's excellent photos please come & visit. We are based at The Clubroom, Acreshort Lane, Steeple Ashton, Trowbridge BA14 6HD & are holding an open day 1.30pm to 6.00pm on Sunday 4th June 2017.
Our club night is Wednesday eveningcommencing 7.30pm,
The layout is work in progress with the wiring of the 22 storage tracks, and with the scenery which is further along with both the river & bridges in situ.
The Open Day is in association with Gardens day at Steeple Ashton so other halves interested with matters horticultural will have lots to interest them around the village.
Tea & bikkies are provided. :greatpicturessign:
Posted by Tim & Stuart on Tim's PC.
Thanks for the loan of the topic!
The layout and open day sound fantastic, however being this coming weekend, it's a bit short notice for me :D ;)
Seriously, hope it all goes well, and some piccies would be nice for us Antipodeans.
I'll second what George has to say.
Webbo
congratulations on the nuptials, this is a journey we have on our bucket list as well. some may remember this layout of Thompson river which was on the Australian exhibition circuit a few years ago, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwC-qEb_P8k (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwC-qEb_P8k) built by Rod Warren and Vic Fitzpatrick. They were/are founding members of the Melbourne N-Track group.
cheers
Graham
First time I've seen that. Very good modelling! :thumbsup:
Congratulations!!
Bienvenue au Canada!!!
I cant think of a better place to spend your honeymoon! and I hope it was everything you'd hoped it would be! The transcon mainline through BC is stunning and you've made me homesick.. Can't wait to sell the house and move back!
Of course, you now have to decide whether you prefer CN or CP .. the age old argument between Canadian railfans :) :)
Quote from: Webbo on May 29, 2017, 07:58:13 AM
Steamie
The loco in your first link is a model of an ES44AC of 4400 HP and manufactured by GE. It and the similar looking and older AC4400 are the main units used to haul freight along the Canadian Pacific mainline in British Columbia in the present day. The two locos in Adam's 6th photo are almost certainly AC4400s. Kato modelled the AC4400 also, but Fox Valley Models also makes the ES44AC.
Canadian Pacific didn't use F7s but they did run FP7s which were essentially F7s extended by 4' to accommodate a steam generator unit for passenger service. Models of these are made by Intermountain.
Webbo
Thanks for the info Ian, very welcome indeed, i am running Rule 1 so i think a couple maybe appearing on Roedann Viaduct at some point. They are truly good looking loco's.
Quote from: Skyline2uk on May 29, 2017, 08:04:31 AM
Quote from: Webbo on May 29, 2017, 07:58:13 AM
Steamie
The loco in your first link is a model of an ES44AC of 4400 HP and manufactured by GE. It and the similar looking and older AC4400 are the main units used to haul freight along the Canadian Pacific mainline in British Columbia in the present day. The two locos in Adam's 6th photo are almost certainly AC4400s. Kato modelled the AC4400 also, but Fox Valley Models also makes the ES44AC.
Canadian Pacific didn't use F7s but they did run FP7s which were essentially F7s extended by 4' to accommodate a steam generator unit for passenger service. Models of these are made by Intermountain.
Webbo
Thanks for the info Webbo. I was very tempted by an n gauge loco in Candadian Pacific red, as you say those locos in my 6th picture were the inspiration.
I am not sure what the n gauge model was, but it was an Atlas model I believe.
Skyline2uk
I want one in Blue.
Quote from: Bealman on May 29, 2017, 08:12:36 AM
I'm heading over to Canberra soon to have a look at Webbo's lovely Canadian layout. Watch this forum! :beers:
Hope you have a great time at Webbo's George and please can we have some photo's of your visit.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
You don't need a honeymoon to go on the Rocky Mountaineer but when your honeymoon was a week in Barrow-in-Furness in December with no money then every holiday after that is a honeymoon. We did the Great Rail Journeys "Canadian" trip in 2005 for our 40th Anniversary and my 60th birthday. We went on VIARail's "The Canadian" from Toronto to Jasper then over to Banff for the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver. Travelling from East to West it just got better and the RM was the icing on the cake. We were fortunate to get seats in the leading double deck vehicle and I got plenty of videos including the complete run through the Spiral Tunnels through the Continental Divide. An unforgettable experience and long may you remember your trip. My congratulations on your marriage and I can still recommend it after 51 years and still counting.
Ron
Congratulations....
Mrs Ferret and I flew out to Canada to get married in 2005, and started our journey on the Rocky Mountaineer, having the pleasure of travelling "Gold Leaf" from Vancouver to Banff. It's an amazing trip.