More CFL Grey Cup Express

It was an unseasonably cold and windy day in Minnedosa, Man. on Oct. 4 when the CFL Grey Cup Express rolled into town. And in one of those work-hobby convergences that comes along only very seldom, I got to go see it as part of my job.

And how did I swing that? I work for Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of 15 churches and church agencies working together to end global hunger. One of our corporate supporters is Dow Agrosciences, which sponsored six of the CFL Grey Cup Express stops in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

At those stops, Dow highlighted its support for the Foodgrains Bank; staff from the Foodgrains Bank were in attendance at each stop to talk about the organization and global hunger. For the Minnedosa stop, I tagged along.

The day was not conducive to photos, unfortunately; the best shots of the train would be on the other side, away from the crowds and tents, but of course one couldn’t go there. As well, the train was led by CPR 8711, which eliminated a frontal shot of VIA 6445.

The train itself included VIA 8615, 8412 and CPR 103 and 104 (the latter two part of the CPR’s Royal Canadian Pacific). VIA Skyline 8502 and Chateau Dollier 8208 brought up the year, serving as staff quarters.

                     

Inside the train.