For many years, the Bytown Railway Society operated steam excursions from Ottawa into the Laurentians. On a hot July day in 1982 we were aboard for a trip behind former CPR 1201 to Wakefield. Here are some photos from the last few hours of the trip.
The repurposed CPR Wakefield station.
The cars used in the consist are shown above. Our car's history is shown below. When reserving our seats, I requested the car next to the engine. Not only would the sound of the locomotive working be enjoyable - I had brought my $350 'broadcast grade' Sony tape recorder with me ($1150 in 2018 inflation-corrected dollars. Today, you could buy a 'telephone' with that!).
I failed to ask one key question and a cruel tragedy unfolded ...
Ours was the only car on the train with sealed windows. But at least it was air-conditioned on a very warm day! We walked through the other cars and the ambient sounds were great. On this very hot day, during the stop at Wakefield, the air conditioning on our sealed car failed and it could not be restarted for the balance of the trip. Through the kindness of a BRS volunteer, I was at least able to ride in the baggage area and get my recording during the return trip.
These photos were taken after 1201 was turned (and our 3051) and coupled on for the return trip.
People acquainted with the BRS will recognize Duncan du Fresne checking the oil level.
We were pleased to see him firing during one of our trips on the South Simcoe Railway.
My guess is that our engineer is checking a lubricator here.
The air pump.
In the cab: the brake gauges.
With others waiting to tour through I rushed and missed the focus.
The 'Dunc view'.
Oiling around.
No, I don't see a white rabbit.
* * *
Back at Ottawa
(At the National Museum of Science and Technology)
Back in the city, the air had become kind of smoggy.
Waiting to cut off.
Power to the shop.
* * *
The following employee timetable does not reflect our route from the NMST on the Ontario side of the river.
We travelled up the Maniwaki Sub to Wakefield.
Dunc sometimes wrote about his work on the Waltham Sub as well.
