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OK the PK
Calgary - Alberta Division Manager Mary Hedden recently saluted the
vigilance of a CPRS track section crew. Leading Track Maintainer Rod Fraser and track maintainers Parminder Muder and Scott Seaman, all
based in Cochrane, Alberta, were presented with $100 gift certificates for spotting a broken wheel of a train loaded with dangerous
commodities, west of Radnor on the Laggan Subdivision. Despite stormy weather and sub-zero temperatures, the crew reported the defect
while performing a mandatory visual inspection, or "PK" in railway jargon, a reference to the "pins" and
"knuckles" which are two of the components eye-balled for problems.
Toronto - Nellie Stokes came to the end of the line 2 Nov 1995 after riding the rails for an incredible 46 years. The last run
for Stokes, still qualified to operate a steam locomotive, was a rush-hour GO-train commuter hop from Toronto's Union Station to Milton,
Ontario, and back. "I guess you could say I've been married to the railroad", the 64-year-old bachelor said as he watched the
rails roll under him one last time. "I'm glad to be retiring, but I'm sure going to miss it", said Stokes, who has more than
two million rail miles under his belt and has worked every CP Rail System route in southern Ontario.
Make Mine Espresso!
Vancouver's reputation as a trendy city may go a long way toward explaining the presence of an espresso car on the new West Coast Express
commuter trains. But it is just one of the many pluses that marketers are using to lure commuters from their cars. It's only fitting that
North America's newest commuter service should have the most advanced new cars on the continent. "The cars and service have been
designed to make the commuter trip a pleasant experience", said Don Heron, senior manager of operations development. "It's the
extra comforts that will get people out of their cars and onto the train". Each of the new double-deck commuter cars, built by
Bombardier in Thunder Bay, Ontario, can seat up to 148 passengers. All are air conditioned and feature tinted windows and worktables
equipped with electrical outlets. In addition, the cars are accessible to wheelchairs and can store bicycles.
Star of the Show: In late September, more than 10,000 people attended Rallfest in Mission, British Columbia. The one-day
show celebrated the railway's presence in the community and kicked off local commuter rail service. The major attraction, which had the
crowds lining up for as much as 45 minutes, was a new CPRS GE 9500-series locomotive. |
