Kicking Horse Pass Photo

Photographer’s Note

Field - Kicking Horse Pass - Spiral Tunnels

Just 29 Km from the western boundary of Yoho National Park and just off Hwy 1 is the small town of Field. Field, for a time, was a very important railroad town.

When the CPR was built the route came through the Kicking Horse Pass. Between the Pass and Field was a grade known as the Big Hill. This grade was at 4.5 percent and the steepest in North America.
Trains going up the hill required 4 extra engines to push while several runaway spur lines greeted the trains on their way down. You can find the remains of one of the many accidents by the Kicking Horse Campground.

The Spiral Tunnels finally replaced the "temporary" route after 25 years. From a highway viewpoint you can watch a train disappear into Mt. Ogden. The train then exits the 890m circular tunnel, crosses under the highway, and enters a 992m circular tunnel in Cathedral Crags. This new route adds 10km but reduces the grade to 2.2 percent.

If you are lucky to see extremely long train passing, you see the end of the train going into the tunnel while the the engine is coming out, at the other side!

picardo, danielswalsh, ribeiroantonio, ktanska, khalij_khazar has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

uzaklar (684) 2006-08-03 16:13 [Comment]

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jurgen (1994) 2006-08-03 16:14

What a Photo!
The angle you chose does not let us appreciate the real lenght of the train. The two red engines cantrast nicely with the green and foggy background.
Excellent work.

Shelbeesmom (678) 2006-08-03 16:14 [Comment]

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picardo (2298) 2006-08-03 16:23

Very sharp and nice picture. The colors are fantastic with perfect focus on the train. The whole train gives an intresting perspective and suggesting way to see the picture. Intresting note to. Did you do some PP or is the original?
TFS
Picardo

aralda (1240) 2006-08-03 16:25

Hi Kris,
The red paint of the train really stands out. Congrats for the great angle as well.
Raluca

ptibelo (2974) 2006-08-03 16:37

Superbe vue de la longueur de ce convoie..et 2 superbe motrices...bravo

eleparc (24059) 2006-08-03 18:41

Hi kris, the focus is impeccable and neat on that train! I like the diagonale of the train!Eric

Nikofan (1086) 2006-08-03 19:16

Hello,
Superb compo!
I like the locos colors and the foggy backyard.
Very interesting comment
Well done!

Bernard

danielswalsh (13330) 2006-08-03 22:21

Great shot Kris!

I recently took the 2nd train trip of my 30yr life. From Vancouver to Whistler abour the Whistler Mountaineer. A really beautiful trip...

I like this shot- very rich and bold colors, and the texture is really smooth- I'm guessing you used Neat Image?

Well done,
- Dan

ribeiroantonio (21967) 2006-08-03 23:26

Excellent shot. I really like the diagonal lines of the train/railway. And the colours are beautiful. Very well done.
Antonio

ktanska (16695) 2006-08-04 2:55

Hi Kris,
Large scale railroading on nice foggy weather. Good POV showing the length of the train. But IMO this one is oversaturated, and picture proportions have changed at some stage of PP. The engine looks way too narrow for example compared to this one.

Voltri (1724) 2006-09-17 13:37

Totally agree with a previous comment about a narrow diesel engine. Otherwise, an excellent photo!