Comments on: While out shooting CP in and around Parry Sound I noticed a light up on the CN for a northbound. Went over to Isabella St to wait around as I had no idea where this train might be. An old town “regular” can came up and started some chit-chat with me. The scanner crackled and I missed the transmission. A minute later, around the bend, past the station came CN and I just stepped back to watch. OMG!!! It is the American Orient Express!!!! Only the second time I had ever seen it, and again, right out of the morning sun. So I told the old guy I had to run. Hopped in the car and out onto Hwy 69 at a good clip. This train was really moving. I did not know where I would catch him so drove north until I saw the highway overpass up near Key River, some 80 KM up the road. Rather than getting mixed up in Sudbury, I elected to try for a shot here. Yelled over to a CN guy, and he told me the train “wasn’t far off”. I really had nowhere to wait but down by the car, as the bridge is not all that spacious (no sidewalk) and the truck traffic heavy. Figured I would hear something. I did, but almost too late. Ran like crazy, and just got to where I wanted to be with, seriously, not a second to spare. Looked down, saw the CN guy put his arm up to wave, and snapped the shot. I could have waited another maybe one second but….this was a lot better than missing it. Again, right out of the sun, but ten times better than at Parry Sound. Grabbed a couple of “going shots” off the other side of the bridge and then headed to Sudbury. But he beat me by a long shot, I was stuck in traffic. This was the last time I ever got to see the AOE. It was in business as luxury rail travel, beginning in 1989, but never really took off and became part of “Grandlux Express” and went bankrupt. August 28, 2008 it was all over. Equipment sold or scrapped. The contract for power was with Amtrak, which is why you see AMTK 393 behind host CN 9672 and 9671.

By: Chris van der Heide

Chris van der Heide — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:40:59 +0000

Nice. I had a chance encounter with this train in Hinton, Alberta a year later in 2004, but very poor photos.

By: Peter Newman

Peter Newman — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 01:02:01 +0000

Another wonder image, Mr. Mooney! I always enjoy the personal touch on your narratives!

By: awmooney

awmooney — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 10:54:51 +0000

Daniel: I would have kept after this thing but after losing it in Sudbury I figured it would be a waste of time and gas. Worse, I still had the little woman at a motel back in Parry Sound. I managed 7 freights, the AOE and seeing a CP 9148 held up by a motor boat on the tracks at Point au Baril. All of this accomplished before she even got out of bed. And we were up there for 2816 Steam that afternoon!!! BUSY day!!

By: ngineered4u

ngineered4u — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 06:18:28 +0000

Great shot! The CN units are former GO transit units too!

By: Daniel Odette

Daniel Odette — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 05:27:01 +0000

It’s sad how excursion trains have pretty much disappeared in Ontario and much of Canada. Meanwhile in places like Britain and Germany, this is like a weekly occurrence. Great effort by the way. I know all too well the feeling of dread as a train is approaching and I’m rushing to get my equipment ready. Never for anything like this though.

By: Marcus Stevens

Marcus Stevens — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 05:18:41 +0000

Wow, lucky you