July 20, 2022

'Holy Roller' & 'Death Takes A Holiday' (Big & Small, edition 1)

Hello again DU'ers,

Thought I'd start a new series of pics on the theme of 'big & small', whereby I post a pic of a scale model of a particular subject alongside the actual full-size object itself.

So with that in mind, here are couple pics of "Holy Roller" - a recently-restored WWII 'Sherman' tank of the 1st Hussars Regiment (2nd Canadian Armored Brigade) on display in London, Ontario.

Alongside Holy Roller is "Death Takes a Holiday", my radio control model of a Fort Garry Horse 'Sherman Firefly' (a variant of the Sherman with a longer barreled 17-pounder cannon).

Both Shermans (full-sized original & radio control model) are vehicles of the 2nd Canadian Armored brigade.
The 1st Hussars was the first regiment within the brigade. The Fort Garry Horse was the second.

Note the unit markings on the fronts of the vehicles:



'Holy Roller' with 'Death Takes a Holiday' in the foreground:

The historical significance of "Holy Roller" is that it was the only tank within the 1st Canadian Hussars to survive & complete the entire campaign in Northwest Europe from D-Day to VE-Day.



'Death Takes A Holiday' in front of 'Holy Roller's' running gear:

July 4, 2022

Poster about gas prices. As true in the 1970s as it is today.

And before anyone tells me how 'Amtrak is no good' or 'Amtrak is expensive' ... I call BS

Amtrak is great. My wife & I traveled about a quarter million miles by train across N America and we've enjoyed every minute of it.

And you can go from NY to San Francisco for $213:
https://www.wideopencountry.com/train-ride-across-u-s-250/

July 2, 2022

A Trans-Canada Train Odyssey (HD) - My video surpasses 75,000 views on YT!

Now for a bit shameless self-promotion... and some motion picture photography instead of stills...

Here is my full-length video on "The Canadian" - VIA Rail's Transcontinental passenger train, recorded during our scenic land cruise across Canada in March of 2022.

Showcasing the breathtaking scenery & world class service to be found aboard VIA Rail Canada's premier passenger train.

It's a 95 hour trip condensed into 3hrs55min - Possibly the longest & most in-depth amateur video documentary of the Canadian on Youtube (if I do say so myself)

Hope you enjoy!

Cheers, Pete, webmaster https://northamericabyrail.info/