Canadian Railway Journey: Living The National Dream Taking Train Cross-Country

There's a time in this fair land

when the railroad does still run

By Stephen A. Nelson
For the Brandon Sun

Once upon a time ... in a land from sea to sea, Canada's railways were not only the more human way to travel -- they were the only way to travel. Trains from the Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway ran daily from coast to coast, as passengers carried on their steamy love affair with trains.

These days, it seems, the love is gone. It's hard not to notice the abandoned tracks and derelict railway stations -- strewn across the country like bouquets left behind by jilted girlfriends and forgotten lovers.

Yet -- despite Canadians' auto-erotic relationship with the car and affair with air -- travelling by train remains alluring to overseas visitors drawn by the romance of Canada's National Dream. Sure, the old gal may not be what she used to be -- but these visitors still love her. To them, this Brief Encounter is the journey of a lifetime.

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Calgary’s Culture Cache

Calgary is famous for cattle, oil and sports — but there’s

more here than Stampedes, Stampeders and Saddledomes

By Stephen A. Nelson

For the Brandon Sun

When you think of Calgary, what do you think about?

An informal poll on Facebook garnered some of the usual responses: “Less culture than a bowl of yogurt,” said a caustic critic called Kevin.

Mind you, Kevin has spent most of the last 20 years in Japan, where history and culture are measured in epochs rather than decades.

And besides, Calgary does have its defenders and supporters. And the truth is, Calgary does have a lot to offer. You just have to know where to look for it.

So with a city map and transit tickets in hand, we set out in search of the hidden cache of Calgary’s culture.

Edmonton First Impressions: More to Alberta Capital than Oilers, Eskimos and Folkies

By Stephen A Nelson

The Brandon Sun

June 19, 2010

You never a get a second chance to make a first impression.
And, to be honest, our first impression of Edmonton was, um ... unimpressive.
“Grey sky, grey city, grey people,” said my friend Andrea — a traveller from Switzerland who was visiting the city for the first time.
Still, Edmonton does have some great offerings for visitors.