About the Book
Everybody has a train story. Whether it comes from a distant relative who worked on the railways or from a family train trip that formed a lasting impression of the Canadian landscape, trains inspire a sense of wonder and nostalgia. They are embedded in the history of Canada as a whole and western Canada in particular, and for generations they were how most people travelled and saw the country. Today, trains get the most attention in the context of tragedy, in the aftermath of rare but catastrophic derailments. However, train stories go beyond these modern-day disaster tales or romantic glimpses into the past. Whistle Posts West presents a compelling array of stories that illustrate how and why the railways continue to capture our imaginations. From the heartbreaking to the humorous, from the awe-inspiring to the absurd, this fascinating collection of railway tales from BC, Alberta and Yukon is sure to please.
About the Author(s)
Brian Antonson co-founded Nunaga Publishing with Rick Antonson and Mary Trainer in 1972. Together they published more than twenty-five books, including their co-authored In Search of a Legend: Slumach’s Gold, which was re-released in a much-expanded version by Heritage House in 2007. He is co-author of Whistle Posts West: Railway Tales from British Columbia, Alberta and Yukon, published by Heritage House in 2015. Brian was production director at CKNW/98 New Westminster and general manager at CFVR/850 in Abbotsford, and was associate dean of Broadcast and Media Communications at the British Columbia Institute of Technology from 1985 to 2010. He lives in Mission, British Columbia, Canada.
Rick Antonson co-founded Nunaga Publishing with Brian Antonson and Mary Trainer in 1972. Together they published more than twenty-five books, including their co-authored In Search of a Legend: Slumach’s Gold, which was re-released in a much-expanded version by Heritage House in 2007. He is co-author of Whistle Posts West: Railway Tales from British Columbia, Alberta and Yukon, published by Heritage House in 2015. Rick was president and CEO of Tourism Vancouver from 1993 to 2014. He lives in Predator Ridge, British Columbia, Canada.
Mary Trainer co-founded Nunaga Publishing with Rick Antonson and Brian Antonson in 1972. Together they published more than twenty-five books, including their co-authored In Search of a Legend: Slumach’s Gold, which was re-released in a much-expanded version by Heritage House in 2007. She is co-author of Whistle Posts West: Railway Tales from British Columbia, Alberta and Yukon, published by Heritage House in 2015. Mary has been writing about British Columbia for four decades and was communications coordinator with Metro Vancouver for twenty years. She lives in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada.
Reviews
"Terrific stories about the lure and impact or railroading in Canada [told with] punchy, robust writing."
―Mike Harcourt, former premier of British Columbia and former railroader
"Capturing the environment of railroading and putting it on paper embeds the reader in the dedication of the writers. This book will become a classic."
―Herb Dixon, president, Alberta Railway Museum
"Whistle Posts West is a must-read for serious train buffs and armchair rail travellers alike. It has tragedy, intrigue, humour, poetry, and railroad jargon. It is especially rich with Western Canadian history . . . so sit back and enjoy the ride!"
―Garry Marchant, author of The Peace Correspondent
"The authors bring their train tales alive through striking incidents, surprising anecdotes, and wonderful writing . . . Read Whistle Posts West and jump aboard Canada's love affair with trains."
―Don Waite, author of British Columbia and Yukon Gold Hunters
