Caption: As I prepared to post this image, I did a little bit of internet research. It is amazing how much there is to learn about the Turbotrain…

- The train was designed by the United Aircraft Corporation

- It was one of the first gas turbine powered trains to enter passenger service

- It was one of the first “tilting trains”. This prevented the passengers from being pinned against the walls due to centrifugal forces during travel on curved, high speed segments of track

- The trains were built by the Montreal Locomotive Works

- The power source was the modified PT-6 turbine engine (world famous in the aviation industry) manufactured by Pratt and Whitney Canada, in Longueuil, Quebec

- CN hoped to introduce the new train for EXPO ’67, but missed the deadline

- It was designed to operate on the high speed corridor between Toronto and Montreal

- The Turbotrain set a Canadian speed record on April 22, 1976, when it reached a speed of 140.5 mph, near Gananoque

- Demonstration runs began in 1968. The Turbo’s final trip was on October 31, 1982

During the Turbo’s history, it had a number of famous mishaps including fire and collisions. CN reports that during the train’s history it had a reliability rate of over 97%. I believe this is a real tribute to those that designed, built, maintained and operated this revolutionary piece of equipment.

Black and white is cool, but this is one shot I wish I had recorded in colour. As a young man, it was my dream to ride the Turbotrain… sadly, that dream was never realized. Gone, but not forgotten…