Several years ago my wife and I rode the Canadian steam train excursion on the HCW tourist railroad that operates from Hull, Quebec, Canada. Hull, Quebec is across the river from Ottawa, the nation's capital. The train goes via Chelsea to Wakefield, Quebec. Wakefield is a small town on the Ottawa River in the Gatineau region along the Ottawa River. A large antique show was usually held there.
The locomotive was built in 1907 and the passenger coaches in the 1940s, all from Sweden.
A highlight of the trip is to watch two workers turn the engine on an "Armstrong" turntable, that is, push the engine around by hand for the return trip to Hull. It is remarkable how well balanced the turntable is.
Unfortunately, since we rode the train, a landslide destroyed the track at Chelsea. It appeared the line would have to be abandoned. However, in 2008 through the help of the Canadian government, it now looks like the tourist line will reopen in 2009.
We did the trip in early autumn when the leaves were changing color. It was a beautiful, warm day, perfect for a steam train ride in Canada.
