Monthly Archive: November 2013

Flyer Trolley Bus

Vancouver BC Flyer trolley bus – 1989

For a brief couple years in the late 1980s and early 1990s I lived in the Lower Mainland of BC. During one of my few days off (I’d often work every day for months on end), I’d head out to explore the area. On this trip, I was off to...

Superman 3 stairs scene

Superman 3 then and now – opening scenes

In this, our latest Superman 3 then and now series of photos, we look at some of the downtown Calgary locations that were seen in the opening minutes of that movie. The setting is Metropolis, but in fact Calgary Alberta was used as a backdrop for that fictional city in...

Aurora Mine Moyie Lake

Aurora Mine Moyie BC

Overshadowed by the huge and famous St Eugene Mine across Moyie Lake, the Aurora Mine is in caparison an insignificant and little known operation. Much smaller and shorter lived than it’s counterpart on the opposite side of the lake, the Aurora worked what was a continuation of the same ore...

Boler camping trailer

Hobo-ler

It’s been a banner year for Boler spotting, and this example, found at a Calgary RV repair business in November is the fifty first one we’ve seen in 2013. I am not sure why this year has been more productive than any other – it’s been decades since Bolers have...

APRE GMD SW1200RS

Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions train Big Valley Alberta

The Alberta Prairie Railway Excursion tourist trains makes regular stops in Big Valley Alberta, a lovely and picturesque town with an historic ex-CNoR train station. This century old building welcomes those visiting no matter how they get here. We came by car but wished it we arrived by train instead....

Trillium travel trailer

Not a Boler – a Trillium

Of all the look-a-likes out there, the Trillium trailer, similar looking to a Boler but more squared in shape, is the one you’ll most likely see more than any other. This make has been in production for decades now, little changed, and by sheer numbers alone is probably the most...

Calgary train station

CPR Calgary train station

The subject of this report is a fine reproduction building based on the circa 1893-1911 CPR train station that once stood in downtown Calgary. Located at the entrance to Heritage Park, this picturesque replica depot is made from local sandstone and greets those entering the facility. Interestingly, the old structure...

Bow City town site

Bow City townsite – with ForgottenAlberta.com

This adventure has us joining author Jonathan Koch from ForgottenAlberta.com. Together we’ll explore the field that was once the site of Bow City Alberta, “The City of Natural Resources”, a town which existed for only short moment in time. Also accompanying us, as our guide, is Leo Smith, a long...

Calgary Transit Fishbowl bus

They Live! Calgary Transit GMC Fishbowls in 2013

How many transit systems can say there have an active fleet of GMC Fishbowl buses? Not many! Most cities have retired these venerable workhorses and outside of a couple stragglers here and there, Calgary’s remaining examples comprise the largest fleet in service anywhere. They live! All the buses we see...

Calgary Family of Man

Calgary then and now – Family of Man

Created by artist Mario Armengol, The Family of Man group of statues have long been a downtown Calgary landmark. In this then and now report we compare how they looked way back in 1969 and again today. While a lot has changed in those years, the works are now surrounded...

Saint Edmunds Big Valley

St. Edmund’s Church Big Valley Alberta

The quaint little village of Big Valley Alberta is great place to visit if you like historical structures. Among the buildings worth exploring are a traditional wooden grain elevator, roundhouse remains, a lovely train station, and a unique little place of worship located on a small hill overlooking town. It’s...

Superman 3 filming locations

Superman 3 then and now – Gus Gorman on skis

It’s no secret that many scenes in the movie Superman 3 were filmed in and around Calgary. The producers did little to hide that fact and in some shots, not the ones shown here but others in the movie, the city’s most famous landmark, the unmistakable Calgary Tower is seen...

Superman 3 car and hydrant scene

Superman 3 then and now – car and hydrant scene

It’s been a while since we did one of our trademark movie “then and now” posts. For those who have not seen any of these, we search out productions that were filmed in our area and using our detective skills alone, we track down the locations where they were shot,...

Back alley Boler

Back alley Boler

This Boler trailer, a 17′ model, represents a major milestone for us and with its sighting we have broken our record for the most spotted in a single year. This is #50, a magical number, and given there are almost two months left in the year, this record can be...

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