A Geologist went on the Railway

 The annual family trek to Manitoba allowed for some time to railfan around Winnipeg and the western part of the province.  Some of the highlights below.   The first pair of repainted GP38-2 I have seen, running light engine southbound behind our hotel in Winnipeg on August 4th 2025 VIA Hudson Bay near the Highway 16 crossing at Gladstone MB on July 29, 2025 VIA Hudson Bay at Gladstone July 29, 2025 Some interesting stuff at the Keystone Pioneers Museum in Roblin MB The history of the locomotive boiler explosion at Millwood MB in 1899. Diamond MB action while waiting for the kids to finish shopping at the Outlet Mall down the road on August 3rd, 2025 Timing is everything Catching the VIA Hudson Bay at Diamond was a nice surprise An eastbound to round out the afternoon DPU Herzog ballast train at Newdale MB - we always seem to find a train there while driving to points west. August 4th, 2025 Who would have thought catching an SD40-2 on the prairies would be an uncommo...

Recently my family and I traveled to Manitoba for a summer vacation. Beyond visiting family and friends, I managed to squeeze in some railfanning while in the Keystone province.  Beyond the majors (CN and CPKC) there are a number of smaller regional railways that operate in Winnipeg and area.  I managed to see a few of these smaller operations around the city.  I didn't manage to catch the GWWD this go around but hopefully will on another trip.     Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (Manitoba) The BNSF operates the former Midland Railway of Manitoba in Winnipeg.  Historically they ran to the Canada/US border but now they operate a switching and transfer operation between CN and CP on the central/western part of the city.  Midland #2 was a GP9 that was used for decades in this operation.  It was retired and donated to the Prairie Dog Central.  Now a variety of BNSF 4 axle units hold down the assignment.  Currently a GP38-2 is worki...