CANADA-JASPER, Alberta - Aug. 16, 2008

Between cruising the shops and checking with the depot, ETA for the train was put off and put off. There was an accident report that had to be finalized on that end, as it was a serious matter. Finally, settling down for awhile behind the depot, I was in seventh heaven, camera in hand, ready to capture EVERYTHING that came by on the rails! Why? Because I love trains! On the other side of the tracks: The Canadian National Railroad's Jasper headquarters.

This Canadian Via Rail passenger train that had been heading west rolls into a siding. Eventually it turns around and you'll see it heading east.

Pigeons. What else!? These are railroad tracks!

#1 Sequence begins: Freight train heading east. In talking to others waiting for our train, too, I learned about container commerce between North America's east and west coasts. What you see here are containers from China packed wall to wall with goods from that nation that came in on container ships across the Pacific Ocean. Now they are on their way by rail to the Atlantic coast. To me, the colors in these photos are a feast for my eyes! From pastels, as here, to vibrant primary and secondary red, yellow, blue, orange, green and an occasional purple/lavender hue! And the scenery is unforgettable!

Remember that passenger train that rolled over to a siding? Now it is backing onto the main line again. Watch its cars moving to the west next as the background to the freight train in the foreground.

Sequence #2: Via Rail passenger train heads east.

Aren't these the most beautiful photos of pigeons you've ever seen!?

OK, there she comes. Now the Via Rail engine, that was at the end of the passenger train, has become the forward engine. So this is the same train. It's now on its way back east. Watch as it passes in front of your view and goes by.