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!
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