Railroad Tracks

Until recently, Vancouver Island had train service running daily from Victoria to Courtenay. Sadly, we no longer hear the whistle blow on it's way through our neighborhood. There doesnt seem to be any good news on the web as to whether it will be restored either. On a positive note, they are beginning to build a commuter path along the line. The E&N Rail Trail Project will a wonderful addition to the city. -Fern

Swans Hotel

I've wanted to show you a picture of our train for some time and here it is, the E & N Dayliner, at its Southern Terminus and Station at the bottom of Pandora Avenue. The cream colored building just visible beyond the train is Swans Hotel, pictured below. Swans is one of my favorite downtown buildings. Built in 1913 as a granary and feed store it was transformed into a popular brewpub restaurant and hotel by the late Michael Williams, who lived in the top floor penthouse. He is immortalized in an interesting piece of public art nearby, which I will save for tomorrow's post.

Frosty Morning

Victoria has mild winters but for several months each year the temperature hovers around freezing. Here's a frosty morning in January of this year with my granddaughter walking the dog along the railway tracks. It's the E and N Railway - stands for Esquimalt and Nanaimo - that runs a dayliner service between Victoria, Courtenay and Port Alberni.