Canadian Pacific: Stand Fast, Craigellachie!

by Greg McDonnell

Book Overview

A tribute to one of North America's great railway companies. This landmark tribute to the Canadian Pacific Railway features the work of many of North America's top rail photographers. Remarkable... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550464027
• ISBN13: 9781550464023
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Boston Mills Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 3.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 11.6" x 10.5"

Customer Reviews

Moving tribute to Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific is one of those legendary names in transportation, a company with an impressive history, which, at the height of its influence billed itself "The World's Greatest Travel System". Prolific author Greg McDonnell delivers a tasteful tribute to this historic company that, in an era of bland mega-railroads, has not been afraid to celebrate its employees and its history. The "Craigellachie" in the book's title refers to the location where, in 1885, CPR official Donald Smith drove the ceremonial last spike that symbolically uniting eastern and western Canada. The name came from a place in Scotland that had historical significance to Mr. Smith and his cousin, then-CPR president George Stephen. It might help to say what this book is not: it's not a comprehensive history of the entire Canadian Pacific Railway, although the volume contains historical content including many excellent photos from the post WW2 era. Nor, despite the title of the first chapter, is it an overview of the entire Travel System, as the ships, airline and hotels are only briefly mentioned. Rather, the book is a salute to a company that has survived for over 120 years, adapting to the changing transportation market while remaining conscious of its heritage. In fact, CPR is one of only two "class 1" North American railway systems to have an active steam program. The book is divided into seven major chapters. Before Chapter 1 there is a brief Foreword by CP's President and CEO Robert Ritchie, a Preface by CPR employee Stan Small and the author's dedications. Chapter 1 starts with some autobiographical recollections by the author, with first person recollections of the decline and fall of CP passenger service and the revival of same in the form of the Royal Canadian Pacific. Following this narrative, we are treated to a series of historic photos, with a few of the Royal Canadian Pacific thrown in for good measure. There are many good subjects here; the reviewer's personal favorites are the color views of the late steam and early diesel era. Chapter 2 covers and little-known CP subsidiary: the electrified Grand River Railway. Prior to reading this book, the reviewer had no clue that this photogenic operation existed. The highlight of this chapter is another Robert Sandusky color photo showing an interurban passenger train passing the Mount Pleasant station. Of course, with the passage of time, the former 70-mile electric line is now an 11-mile spur and we see photographs of the more prosaic SW1200RS units that currently serve the line's freight customers. Chapter 3, "Stand Fast, Craigellachie!" stands as a salute to the spirit of CP and its employees. After an introduction that describes that last spike ceremony of 1885, there is a large selection of photos, ranging from views of employees at work to scenic and moody photos of the trains. A favorite in this chapter is on page 99, where an approaching AC4400CW is framed perfectly by Winnipeg's Red River Bridge. Also, o

A wonderful photographic record of the CPR.

To have a good eye in photography means not only taking pretty pictures but more importantly taking photographs that tell a story, that provide context and that make the viewer think. Mr. McDonnell's photographs do all those things. They are a wonderful photographic history of the CPR. And like any good photographer, Mr. McDonnell finds wonderful stories in the detail; the small things that tell the bigger story. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the CPR, in railways in general or in photography. Bravo Mr. McDonnell.

Great Product!

The book was sealed and packed with an air pillow to prevent damage to the book. It arrived in perfect condition. All Canadian Pacific fans would love the dramatic photos in this book.

Canadian Pacific: Stand Fast, Craigellachie.

Another Excellent Book from a Great Canadian Author!