Racing along the picturesque shoreline of Ghost Lake, a striking trio of A-B-A configured EMD FP9 locomotives lead the Royal Canadian Pacific westward into the foothills of the Rockies on a private charter bound for Banff. Later that day, I caught up with the train again at Lake Louise, where they performed a run-around move, as seen in my previous post.

Tags:   Madden Alberta Canada Royal Canadian Pacific Ghost Lake Rockies Rocky Mountains Cochrane Canadian Pacific CPKC Laggan Subdivision CPKC Private Charter Drone Aerial EMD FP9A CP 1401 CP 1900 CP 4107 Scenic Scenery Lake Water

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Having just arrived from Calgary, the timelessly elegant 'Royal Canadian Pacific' glistens in the quickly fading light at Lake Louise, Alberta — evoking thoughts of an era when legendary trains such as The Dominion and The Canadian called on this scenic resort town — as EMD FP9A 4107 utilizes the high track to run around its train in preparation for a private charter to Banff. On this day, the consist of this distinguished six-car train included APU Power Car (CP 97), HB Bowen (CP 110), Glacier (CP 89), Major Rogers (CP 103), Selkirk (CP 3605), and the regal Mount Stephen (CP 74), all trailing A-B-A configured locomotives 1401, 1900, and 4107.

Tags:   Canadian Pacific Royal Canadian Pacific CPKC CPKC Laggan Subdivision Lake Louise Alberta Rockies Rocky Mountains Vintage Historic Railroad Railfan Railway Railroading Passenger Train Locomotive EMD FP9A CP 4107 Blue Hour Night Depth of Field Soft Focus Train Trains Track Low Angle

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Filtered afternoon light and ethereal clouds highlight the majestic peaks of the Van Horne Range, as CP ET44AC 7433 — representing the contemporary face of CPKC's line through the Canadian Rockies — leads Vancouver-to-Montreal hotshot no. 112 over the icy waters of the Ottertail River near Field, British Columbia.

Tags:   CPKC Canadian Pacific Kansas City Canadian Pacific CPKC Mountain Subdivision Ottertail GE ET44AC Mountain Mountains Scenic Scenery British Columbia Canada Misty Field Mainline Railroad Railfan Railway Railroading Train Trains Transportation Intermodal Industry Photography Landscape Snow Winter Yoho National Park Ottertail River

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Seemingly defying gravity beneath the towering cliffs of Mount Stephen, Tier-4 ET44AC 7433 powers skyward toward Cathedral on CPKC's Laggan Subdivision, hauling a lengthy Vancouver-to-Montreal train no. 112 up the arduous 2.4% grade out of Field, British Columbia. A heavy overnight snowfall has blanketed the massive pines, creating a picturesque scene while simultaneously challenging maintenance crews, who would later contend with three slides closer to Field.

Tags:   CPKC CPKC Laggan Subdivision Field British Columbia CP 7433 Mountain Mountains Winter Snow Snowy Canada Canadian Rockies Rocky Mountains GE ET44AC Intermodal Locomotive Freight Train Scenic Scenery Canadian Pacific The Big Hill Western Canada Forest Pine Trees

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For decades, photographers, railfans, and travelers alike have been drawn to milepost 113 of Canadian Pacific’s Laggan Subdivision. Better known as “Morant’s Curve”, this legendary location in the Canadian Rockies owes its fame to the countless, iconic images captured here by C.P.R. staff photographer Nicholas Morant.

Since moving to Calgary earlier in the year, I’ve had several opportunities to visit this stunning vista, where the railway gracefully follows the Bow River Valley, framed by the majestic Bow Range. After CP’s takeover of KCS, and the subsequent formation of CPKC on April 14, 2023, I’ve been eager to capture a photograph that reflects the essence of the new railway at this esteemed location — a modern homage to the timeless work of Nicholas Morant.

Yesterday, during a family holiday to Banff, some fresh snowfall and a stroke of luck gave me the opportunity I’d been waiting for. Hearing that CP 7433, one of CPKC’s brand-new Tier 4 locomotives, was leading an eastbound intermodal train, I set out to capture the shot I’d been envisioning.

Here, Vancouver-to-Montreal hotshot no. 112 snakes through the pristine, snow-covered landscape, led by CP 7433 less than five weeks after entering service, offering a contemporary glimpse of CPKC at this celebrated location. In the background, the peaks (from left to right) are Mount Aberdeen (10,350 ft.), Saddle Mountain (7,993 ft.), Fairview Mountain (9,011 ft.), Mount Whyte (9,786 ft.), and Mount Niblock (9,764 ft.), towering above the valley of Lake Louise.

Interestingly, this marks the third time I’ve captured CP 7433 leading train 112 over the Laggan Subdivision in just three weeks. However, with 7433 as the sole leader, a clean consist of graffiti-free cars, and bright-red CP containers behind the head end, this train was the perfect subject to bring my vision to life.

As we welcome 2025, I’m eager to see what new photography opportunities lie ahead, especially after such a memorable 2024. Wishing all my friends, followers, and fellow photographers a safe and Happy New Year!

Tags:   CPKC CPKC Laggan Subdivision Morant's Curve Banff National Park Lake Louise Rockies Rocky Mountains Bow River CP 7433 CP 112 Tier 4 GE ET44AC Canadian Pacific Railroad Railfan Railway Railroading Train Trains Transportation Freight Train Locomotive Scenic Scenery Alberta Canada Canadian Winter Snow Forest Snowy Moody

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