The Santa Train
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The locomotive, Canadian Pacific Railway No. 136, is a rare example of technology that was built to last forever. Steam engines are a relatively simple assembly of parts that convert steam collected from a boiler into mechanical force that is used to turn a wheel.
Just examining all of the brilliant engineering that goes into such an amazing machine is a lesson in the practical application of simple technology. Good technology. Technology that works.
Although steam trains are no longer a part of our national railway system, there is a very real danger of our losing the ability to transport goods and people by rail in Canada, as tracks are being torn up and the land is being sold at an alarming rate. I personally rode one of the last VIA Rail passenger trains to stop in Orillia, Ontario about ten years ago before the tracks were pulled up.
Travelling by rail, with steel wheels on a steel rail is still the most efficient way to travel or move goods. It’s also the most fun (in my very biased opinion).
Let’s work hard to keep our trains. We’ll need them in short order as part of a larger effort to achieve energy security in North America anyhow.
So the next time you have to travel – take the train. I think that you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Have a safe and happy holiday season.
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December 27th, 2006 at 09:36
Great little article about the train. We were just commenting on the fact that the weather network was discussing the train and suggested that Simcoe was just below Brantford. They had the right name but the wrong direction.
It really is a wonderful thing to do with your boys and maybe number three will love it too.
I will call this week for a visit. It was lovely to get your card and a great catch up note and heads up on the web site.
Hope to see you soon
love wendy
January 6th, 2007 at 22:10
#3? did I miss a memo? (btw, my xmas card hasn’t come yet — must be a backlog with that other memo just in front of it).
anita