Passing Trains: The Changing Face of Canadian Railroading

by Greg McDonnell

Passing Trains examines the changing face of Canadian railroading over the past 50 years and features the work of more than two dozen of North America's finest railroad photographers. With over 200 color photographs, as well as gallery-quality black-and-whites, this book takes us back in time for an intimate view of old-order railroading and how it has evolved.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[ALLEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canada, with its harsher winters, fewer superhighways, and multiple railroads serving smaller communities, hung onto the traditions of mass train travel and redundant branch lines a little longer than did the USA. In the late 1970's, long-distance passenger trains were consolidated into a government corporation called VIA (much like our Amtrak) -- and the slide into curtailed services, truncated railheads and more standardized equipment became inevitable.

In PASSING TRAINS (1996, 2003) celebrated Canadian photographer Greg McDonnell pulled together his and his photog friends' most telling shots, crafting not only an insightful picture book but also a love letter and farewell to the kinds of trains that operated just before cost-slashing became a reluctant necessity. Excellent photography with trains at the fore: steam and diesel, lots of passenger service as well as freights, even wistful mixed trains. Nuanced color, evocative settings in all seasons (see the cover) and the powerful Canadian scene, both landscapes and cityscapes, make this 'coffee-table' book a standout. Intelligent prose seals the deal. Hardbound, orig. retail CDN$50.00. Close to a must for railfans and something of a 'find' for Canada fans in general -- shop around for bargains.