Matt the Editor! Ok, one feedback sandwich, coming up! Compliment top bun: really love that yellow graphic that draws a line along the road when Mike hits Richmond - super engaging! Suggestion meaty middle: I’d love a map for when Mike goes on these cross-town/cross-country videos! Compliment bottom bun: loving the little inset boxes - they’re are so consistent and classy. Keep ‘em up! Fun video, Matt! Love how it flows, you can really feel the momentum! Keep it up!
Do NOT change the music....absolutely on point! Loved the visuals and animated maps. I personally love the video being clipped into different sections. The more I watched the more I realized I wouldnt change anything....
The end of the Arbutus Greenway is genuinely one of the funniest things to experience as a cyclist in Vancouver, mainly because it's so weirdly confusing how you've suddenly now got no idea on where to go. But apparently you're supposed to continue along Marine Drive under the Arthur Laing to Oak Street then down to Kent Street then follow the Kent Avenue cyclist route until you hit the start of the Eastern Half Of The Fraser Foreshore Trail near Argyle Avenue & Kent Street. Also this would make sense since the cyclist/pedestrian route into Richmond from Vancouver starts at the very end of the Heather Street cyclist route at Kent Street which then follows Kent to the Canada Line Bridge
Definitely a significant gap in the cycling network. The City of Vancouver is working on a proper connection from the Greenway to the Canada Line Bridge, but I'm not sure when it's scheduled to open.
At that point, I always go over the Arthur Laing Bridge. It's a little sketchy, because there isn't a cycle path, just the world's tiniest shoulder, but it's doable. Then you get to the maze of airport (Sea Island) bike paths!
Hey, my Grandmother used to walk to downtown over the trestle, and I would have to stop at 12th and Arbutus on my way to school for the train to pass. You went right by the Seaforth Armoury which has a lot of history. On the west coast people have little knowledge of their local military history. From the Seathorth Armoury, Beatty Street Armoury, HMCS Discovery (not a ship), and the Jericho area which included a barracks (one still remains as the hostel), a shooting range, and a "flying boat" base but the dock was torn down years ago. Also the coastal defence at UBC
If your interested in looking into it a good start would be to talk to James Calhoun, the Seaforth museum curator at seaforthhighlandersmuseum@gmail.com
I've had an interest in transportation, of all kinds for quite sometime. I've had truck driving jobs, motorcoach driving jobs, both scheduled line service and charter and tour service, and airport shuttle van jobs. As such, I must say, this is one of the best DownieLive videos ever. The more Vancouver area videos I've seen, the more I realize Vancouver is a really great city.
I really like these hidden history episodes that show bits and pieces of times of old still in existence. They also are somewhat connected to the old train trips. I was surprised that the second Granville St. Bridge wa still made with cobblestones.
From the "did you know" department, Did you know that when you were shooting that last bit in Steveston, you were steps away from the hidden ramp for the Steveston to Sidney ferry? In the lane between Moncton and Chatham just west of 7th Ave. is a chunk of the ramp for the ferry dock at the foot of 6th Ave.
I grew up in LA and there were still a few Red Car lines still running to San Pedro and Long Beach. So comfortable and fast. What an inferior trip when they were replaced by cramped, slower busses. Trip took 15-20 minutes longer and cost more. Slap in the face to riders! Keep up the great work...
Your last few videos on the streetcars have been neat for the historical aspects of Vancouver. You should do a series, maybe include local Greater Vancouver cities? Like, New Westminster and its prison was touched on in a recent vid, you could show the old cemetery and old Front Street back when it used to be the provincial Capital instead of Victoria.
At least here in Manitoba, you'll find that in many small towns the street running adjacent (parallel) to the rail line is often called Railway Avenue. Perhaps the same thing is the case there.
It's crazy seeing how much stuff still remains in a lot of cities like this. All the tiny bits of history that lie hidden but still make subtle influences on how the current city looks.
most large cities' development patterns were along streetcar and interurban lines. So tragic they weren't saved and upgraded to light rail standards. Would have been a lot cheaper than building new ones from scratch. But auto and petroleum interests ruled.
When I was young in the 1960s the tracks ran all the way from the brewery at north end across a railway bridge and down by No. 3 in Richmond to Steveston. There were still the occasional freight trains.
Great job, dude! I recall using the street cars and interurbans as a child. The line ran by a block away from our home at 5yth and Arbutus. Good times and good memories. Many thanks for doing this!
I for one really appreciate what you go through to make these videos. It’s great that you take us with you to these interesting places, but it’s easy to forget that you have to make your way back. (The vloggers in Toronto will often ride their bicycles to a destination and film as they go, but they often take the TTC back home). The good thing of course is that it keeps you healthy, so as long as you take care of yourself and don’t overdo it, everyone wins. Thanks again, Michael!
As someone who grew up in Vancouver and now lives in Australia, and loves to learn interesting things about the technical and infrastructure history of places I know, I love your videos. Also want to acknowledge that I know how much effort and skill is required to make interesting videos about subjects like this. You do a brilliant job of taking your viewers on a journey, with an authentic and friendly personality. I know it all would take a lot of effort, but you pull it off so we’ll that if feels so easy and engaging. Well done!
Of the four subway lines that go to Coney Island in Brooklyn, two started out as street level railroads, then electric street cars, and finally elevated subways. When the potholes get bad enough under those subway lines the old rails can still be seen (McDonald Ave/Shell Road and New Utrecht Ave/86th Street/Stillwell Avenue (which is oddly paved with cement.) Shell Road is confusing though because there’s a major subway repair shop that has tracks that go out into the street to move subway cars in and out of the system via large load special trailers.
Not gonna lie, as a transit enthusiast, it's bittersweet to watch videos like this. I mean hey, I'm getting to see history that's right under peoples' noses, but I'm also getting to see history that would've taken many a car off the roads had it been left in service.
Thanks Mike for taking us around Vancouver....and I'm glad that you were looking for a reason to get out of the house! Love the SkyTrain, streetcar and rail videos from everywhere....thanks for taking all of us outside....
It is so nice that you give credit to the video editor in the description. As a freelance editor myself, I can tell you that very rarely happens. It's not a requirement but it's nice. So refreshing to see genuine people.
Love this video! Loved the bunnies. Enjoy seeing our city from a really positive perspective. Never once have seen the Steveston stop that you showed… I will definitely bike that trail because of you. Thanks!
Another great video Michael, thank you for sharing! I am loving these tours and history you have been doing of Vancouver, super cool stuff!!! Cheers, Rick
My mother, in her late teens, mid 1940s , would catch the train in the Abbotsford area and travel to Richmond to work in the canneries. As a bit of trivia, she was a potter, had various kilns, and the bronze art installation featuring the cannery workers and fishermen, was fired in pieces before bronzing; the heads were fired in her kilns in Bradner. Once again Michael, you have helped us learn more about our local history. Thanks!!!
As a kid I would always go to see BCER 1220 at the park, I also remember passing the Arbutus corridor back when it was a train line, but never saw a train.
You cycled right past our front door! Great video! We cycle the Greenway almost every day with the kids. Thankfully, we live in the southern end, so we start going up hill and end coming down hill all the way! My kids appreciate it.
The video was awesome thank you. I live in Ontario but have been to BC and specifically Stevenson. It is so nice to get to see parts of our country we didn’t know about and the history behind it.
I'm one of about a dozen interurban drivers (they were known as motormen), and I was originally taught by three of the original operators. If you've listened to the narrators of the BC Electric video, you have heard two of my mentors. Nearly everybody had a nickname on the BCER. Some of these can't be printed here, but one of my mentors (the one you haven't heard) was known as "Highball." No, not the drink--that would be violating Rule G. Highball as in "get moving." And move he did. The story goes that "Highball" was clocked by police on what is now Garden City Way doing something like 70 mph in an interurban. That might have been an exaggeration, but the interurbans were capable of 50-60 mph. Excellent video. I don't think you made an significant errors there, and you introduced the subject well. Well done! In fact, I liked it well enough that I think I'll click on that "Join" button.
Peter! Welcome! Glad to hear I did a good enough job on this video. I'm no historian, but enjoy the stories of our city. Thanks for joining, and I look forward to bringing you many more adventures this summer.
That first bit of flute (or whatever instrument it is...im not to versed in instruments, if its something traditional I apologize) just sent chills down my spine. You know its going to be an amazing video when you hear that.
Mike, dude. I've lived here for years, but I've learned so much from your channel. I'm more in love with our city because of your videos. So thank you for making this city even more special!
I just moved to a new apartment today. It's frakin' hot here in Toronto! First thing I did when I sat down to relax was watch your video Mike 😎 well...after I opened up a nice cold cider 😁
I absolutely love your videos, Mike! These local history videos are gems, I've been sharing your content and fun facts with my family and friends and they're enjoying it! It's truly eye opening to walk around Vancouver or Richmond or any place in the Lower Mainland and seeing it through a historical perspective - it reminds me that I'm part of an ever-changing and evolving historical narrative of Vancity. Looking forward to more of your videos! :)
Your videos are just so fantastic. You make me want to move to Vancouver!!! The city reminds me a bit of Minneapolis, MN. So many parks, paths, experiences to explore. It really gives the feeling that the City is thinking of quality of life for it's citizens. Great work, and kudos to your editor as well!!!
My whole family rode the Intererbun regularly. Yes including myself. I am an Antique. BUT still unique!?? We preferred the street car to the bus because it was usually on time. I was very young and thought anything with track and a conductor was a great adventure. We caught it in Burnaby just past the old Kelly Douglas building. It was a good home from my grandparents' house. Unfortunately they retired the trams when I started school. I'd always hoped to experience that adventure on my own. That was the way most of my four generations of family travelled every day for many years. Thank you so much for keeping some of Vancouver's unique history alive!! You do it extremely well with your enthusiasm and unique style. I a really appreciate your interest in my birth city! I am one of your most enthusiastic subscribers!! I hope you are able to travel soon. We need that freedom back. Safe travels and thanks again!!!
Hi Mike: As a native-born Vancouverite nearly twice your age I wanted to say that your videos about our hometown are great. I took a ride on one of the very last Steveston streetcars when I was very young ans still remember it. (BTW- there were no pubs then either) Thanks for bringing back memories of places I either haven't visited or haven\t been to in years.
Wow. I lived a bock away from Railway Ave. in the late 80’s early 90’s then move out of my parents home to Steveston. Me and my friends used to walk those tracks (they’re long gone) to the Steveston Community Centre. Love progress but Steveston used to be an amazing beautiful village in a big city, a breath of fresh air. Love the video!
Love to see this transit content, love to see this bicycle content, love to see the urbanism content. Beautifully done, beautifully researched, great graphics!
Hey, Mike! I'm running a week or so late reviewing you and other UA-cam favourites after several significant railfan events downunder (check out Pannier, Thebusofdoomfsx, Schony747, Round the world in a steamy haze, and several others when you get the time). What a bummer; all that riding and no beer at the end. You have filled in a bookload of interesting facts about the Steveston line. And last week's coverage...Wow! You have finally met one of my Vancouver friends in Angus. I've had the privilege of his hospitality down in West 22nd on more than one occasion, most recently in October 2018. As you experienced, Angus is THE authority when it comes to Transit History in Vancouver. He may not have shared this with you but Angus is a great authority on streetcars down here in Melbourne and the former provincial trams in Geelong as he spent a number of his younger years with family when they lived in Geelong. Glad to see you are keeping well and are not short of material to share with us. Looking forward to showing you around my part of the world when things get back to normal. In the meantime, stay safe and well, and keep those weekly clips coming. Cheers from Michael.
You have done a really good job of making the most of accesable things to make great videos out of whilst travel isn't possible, so well done! I am really looking forward to seeing some of your more typical travel videos again soon!
Good Video . It amazing how you can still see the Abandoned Railroad Crossing Signals . Here in Los Angeles you can catch a lot of Abandoned Train Tracks From Pacific Electric Railway.
Nice call out to the sidewalk street name markings. Oddly a few weeks ago I started tracking some down on my walks.Thanks for sharing the Cedar secret! I used to work on 'Cedar' next to the tracks and I remember there would be a once a day train (engine with one freight car) that would pass in one direction, then it would do the opposite direction the following day. I suspect this was the railway's way of maintaining right of way while the city was trying to expropriate it.
Not knowing anything about Vancouver, I really enjoyed this video. Really enjoyed the accompanying music. Very interesting - even for a non-Vancouver person.
Great video (still catching up on all the great content). Where I live (Sarasota, FL), they've recently done something similar with the old freight train tracks that are no longer in use; they called it the Legacy Trail, and it's a lovely bike/jogging path that runs through most of the county. It's a lovely path.
As long as your still doing Vancouver videos, have you thought of doing something about history of Grouse Mountain and the old roads the went up there or maybe Stanley Park and the old Denman Arena? As always, great video and keep up the great content!
If you want to ride one of the interurban electric trams, the Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society runs on the weekends from Cloverdale (across from the Surrey Museum) to Sullivan Station and back. They have an amazing restoration barn too.
i live just beside railway so it was really cool watching you bike there in this video ha, enjoyed it very much and learned new things about the city, thank you.
This is so cool! I did not know that there was an old railway line from Downtown, Vancouver to Steveston! It would be nice if they extended the new Canada line just like the old times!
Wow!! This is one amazing and interesting video!! I never knew this! Found your channel recently due to your videos with Chek TV that I recorded and finally watched during the Family Day long weekend. I'm hooked!! Fantastic quality, content and value. I'm a fan, liked, subscribed, joined, binge watched your other videos about the train rides --- can't get enough!! Well done, please keep on making more!!💞🎶
Another great video Mike! Did not know about the tracks under the Granville Bridge. Used to watch the freight trains on Arbutus Line in the distance from my grandparent's house at 29th and McDonald. Keep up the great stories!
Great video! Very interesting. I remember as a kid seeing the old trolley tracks that went through Public Square in Watertown, NY as well as down some side streets. Do not remember any trolley barn though. Thank you for posting!
I live in Connecticut in the US and have recently been researching and going to spots for some of our old streetcar systems. I got into it because I grew up with the old streetcar route right in my backyard but had no idea. It was called the Cheshire Street Railway and then it linked up to some other railways in Waterbury, Connecticut. There are some truly awesome remnants I found. Glad to see I am not the only one doing this kind of thing. Now I want to visit Vancouver to check out all the stuff you showed me. Amazing video, thank you!
Another great video. I cycle the Arbutus greenway to work. The king Edward sub station is actually to the east, behind the trees. Still used to power the trolleybuses. Marpole Loop still has a wooden bus shelter dating back to the Interurban. Looking forward to your next video. How about a bike ale trail???
Awesome. So mile markers: predating our switch to metric! There's an old trolley top (without the wheels) that forms a bus stop at Kingsgate mall, I noticed (again after seeing it decades ago and not thinking much about it).
I live in the valley and work downtown Vancouver you've given me lots of excellent places to check out with my longboard keep it up I really enjoy your videos
Mike, keep all of the tiny interesting stories in your videos, please! It's great piece of history nobody talks about! and keep talking about vancouver! everyone travels abroad, but nobody talks about their homes!
Great video! You can actually take your bike on the skytrain during non-peak hours if you don't want to bike all the way back home during the evening, especially if most of your trip is uphill.
You can ride one, the sister car to the one in the vid, BCER 1225. Goes from Cloverdale to Sullivan in Surrey, Summer months. Good vid. Have biked most of the Arbutus ROW and Railway ROW in Richmond. I, also, liked the station stops painted on ground level.
OMG what an amazing video! I love trains and now streetcars because of you, and I must say that this video made my Saturday. And that epic soundtrack was LIT!! PS I was cheering like a child when you got to the museum hahahahah
Another great DownieLive - Vancouver is my favorite Canadian city and you have shown me so much that I would love to check out during this Pandemic time. Hopefully, Canada will be opened "eventually" to us USA'ers.
Awesome! Hey, ever considered doing a follow-up piece on the quad tandem guys and their continuing efforts with WIRTH? Just re-watched the race - great series. Thanks, man.
Interesting idea. I'm still great friends with them all, and I think they're actually planning another race series for next year, so we'll definitely see them again soon.
Great video Mike, thanks! I really love the history you dig up for these videos, it's super fascinating. I definitely learned a few things I didn't know!
Mike; i don't know HOW you can cycle AND vlog AND hold the camera and FILM at the same time! I got myself a 360 phone mount for my bike so it can film in portrait mode and thankfully, my new phone can alternate from regular to selfie cam without stopping the video which the old one didn't!
Fun fact: In and around that #3rd and River Parkway area. There are still remains of old tracks left in what are now parking lots, back alleys. A little more down #3rd by what is now the "car wash district" you can still see tracks leading to and from random walls and old loading docks. And they old too kuz it's the old small gauge steel rail
Nice work on this video. You had to come off on Fir Street and get on along Hemlock when the current Granville Bridge first opened so work crews could dismantle the old span at the south end and reconfigure Granville Street to eliminate the intersection at 4th Avenue. Arbutus never had streetcar service because the Steveston INTERURBAN connected downtown Vancouver with Richmond along the Arbutus corridor. The 1220 is an interurban car.
Matt-Great editing. The video moved very smoothly through the storytelling. Thank you Mike, you have maintained a high level interest during the pandemic while staying close to home in B.C. Disappointed you didn't get your cold brew at the end.
Hey everyone! Matt the Editor here. I’d love to hear any feedback you have on this video!
Anything you like? Any ideas on ways to improve? Thanks 😊
Matt the Editor! Ok, one feedback sandwich, coming up!
Compliment top bun: really love that yellow graphic that draws a line along the road when Mike hits Richmond - super engaging!
Suggestion meaty middle: I’d love a map for when Mike goes on these cross-town/cross-country videos!
Compliment bottom bun: loving the little inset boxes - they’re are so consistent and classy. Keep ‘em up!
Fun video, Matt! Love how it flows, you can really feel the momentum! Keep it up!
Omg the editing is amazing. Out takes are fun. Downie can’t be that perfect... sneak some in?
Improve?? Not necessary in any way! Editing spot on. Maybe some outtakes or bloopers?? History of Lulu island might be topic?
Do NOT change the music....absolutely on point! Loved the visuals and animated maps. I personally love the video being clipped into different sections. The more I watched the more I realized I wouldnt change anything....
pack a few beers in your rucksack!
I appreciate the random "did you know" moments from your vids 👌🏼
They're just for you, Joe. 😄
Burning streetcars to get rid of them seems so wasteful. Very interesting video!!
It was done in London- burn all the wood which was most of the body and pick up the metal afterwards. ua-cam.com/video/aTMhlwUtLZg/v-deo.html
Vancouver has changed so much, but when we look carefully there are sill these remnants of what used to be. Great job on this Mike.
The end of the Arbutus Greenway is genuinely one of the funniest things to experience as a cyclist in Vancouver, mainly because it's so weirdly confusing how you've suddenly now got no idea on where to go. But apparently you're supposed to continue along Marine Drive under the Arthur Laing to Oak Street then down to Kent Street then follow the Kent Avenue cyclist route until you hit the start of the Eastern Half Of The Fraser Foreshore Trail near Argyle Avenue & Kent Street. Also this would make sense since the cyclist/pedestrian route into Richmond from Vancouver starts at the very end of the Heather Street cyclist route at Kent Street which then follows Kent to the Canada Line Bridge
Definitely a significant gap in the cycling network. The City of Vancouver is working on a proper connection from the Greenway to the Canada Line Bridge, but I'm not sure when it's scheduled to open.
At that point, I always go over the Arthur Laing Bridge. It's a little sketchy, because there isn't a cycle path, just the world's tiniest shoulder, but it's doable. Then you get to the maze of airport (Sea Island) bike paths!
Hey, my Grandmother used to walk to downtown over the trestle, and I would have to stop at 12th and Arbutus on my way to school for the train to pass. You went right by the Seaforth Armoury which has a lot of history. On the west coast people have little knowledge of their local military history. From the Seathorth Armoury, Beatty Street Armoury, HMCS Discovery (not a ship), and the Jericho area which included a barracks (one still remains as the hostel), a shooting range, and a "flying boat" base but the dock was torn down years ago. Also the coastal defence at UBC
If your interested in looking into it a good start would be to talk to James Calhoun, the Seaforth museum curator at seaforthhighlandersmuseum@gmail.com
Am thinking Vancouver should have you on the board of tourism...great info...story telling all around another great video 👍😁
I've had an interest in transportation, of all kinds for quite sometime. I've had truck driving jobs, motorcoach driving jobs, both scheduled line service and charter and tour service, and airport shuttle van jobs. As such, I must say, this is one of the best DownieLive videos ever. The more Vancouver area videos I've seen, the more I realize Vancouver is a really great city.
Thanks Jim.
I really like these hidden history episodes that show bits and pieces of times of old still in existence. They also are somewhat connected to the old train trips. I was surprised that the second Granville St. Bridge wa still made with cobblestones.
From the "did you know" department, Did you know that when you were shooting that last bit in Steveston, you were steps away from the hidden ramp for the Steveston to Sidney ferry? In the lane between Moncton and Chatham just west of 7th Ave. is a chunk of the ramp for the ferry dock at the foot of 6th Ave.
I grew up in LA and there were still a few Red Car lines still running to San Pedro and Long Beach. So comfortable and fast. What an inferior trip when they were replaced by cramped, slower busses. Trip took 15-20 minutes longer and cost more. Slap in the face to riders! Keep up the great work...
Loved this! I grew up in Richmond, live in Vancouver, and cycle the Greenway every few weeks or so. Felt like I was on a ride with you in this video
Glad you enjoyed it!
I'm surprise you didn't say,
"I don't know where I'm going next. But, I hope they serve beer."
🤗
😂
Your last few videos on the streetcars have been neat for the historical aspects of Vancouver. You should do a series, maybe include local Greater Vancouver cities? Like, New Westminster and its prison was touched on in a recent vid, you could show the old cemetery and old Front Street back when it used to be the provincial Capital instead of Victoria.
At least here in Manitoba, you'll find that in many small towns the street running adjacent (parallel) to the rail line is often called Railway Avenue. Perhaps the same thing is the case there.
Mission B.C. has a North and South Railway Avenue, and Vancouver has a Railway St somewhat close to the railway.
It's crazy seeing how much stuff still remains in a lot of cities like this. All the tiny bits of history that lie hidden but still make subtle influences on how the current city looks.
most large cities' development patterns were along streetcar and interurban lines. So tragic they weren't saved and upgraded to light rail standards. Would have been a lot cheaper than building new ones from scratch. But auto and petroleum interests ruled.
When I was young in the 1960s the tracks ran all the way from the brewery at north end across a railway bridge and down by No. 3 in Richmond to Steveston. There were still the occasional freight trains.
Great job, dude! I recall using the street cars and interurbans as a child. The line ran by a block away from our home at 5yth and Arbutus. Good times and good memories. Many thanks for doing this!
I love street cars. And their history is so interesting.
I for one really appreciate what you go through to make these videos. It’s great that you take us with you to these interesting places, but it’s easy to forget that you have to make your way back.
(The vloggers in Toronto will often ride their bicycles to a destination and film as they go, but they often take the TTC back home).
The good thing of course is that it keeps you healthy, so as long as you take care of yourself and don’t overdo it, everyone wins.
Thanks again, Michael!
Very true. Great perspective, Vera.
As someone who grew up in Vancouver and now lives in Australia, and loves to learn interesting things about the technical and infrastructure history of places I know, I love your videos.
Also want to acknowledge that I know how much effort and skill is required to make interesting videos about subjects like this. You do a brilliant job of taking your viewers on a journey, with an authentic and friendly personality. I know it all would take a lot of effort, but you pull it off so we’ll that if feels so easy and engaging. Well done!
Of the four subway lines that go to Coney Island in Brooklyn, two started out as street level railroads, then electric street cars, and finally elevated subways. When the potholes get bad enough under those subway lines the old rails can still be seen (McDonald Ave/Shell Road and New Utrecht Ave/86th Street/Stillwell Avenue (which is oddly paved with cement.) Shell Road is confusing though because there’s a major subway repair shop that has tracks that go out into the street to move subway cars in and out of the system via large load special trailers.
Not gonna lie, as a transit enthusiast, it's bittersweet to watch videos like this. I mean hey, I'm getting to see history that's right under peoples' noses, but I'm also getting to see history that would've taken many a car off the roads had it been left in service.
Thanks Mike for taking us around Vancouver....and I'm glad that you were looking for a reason to get out of the house! Love the SkyTrain, streetcar and rail videos from everywhere....thanks for taking all of us outside....
It is so nice that you give credit to the video editor in the description. As a freelance editor myself, I can tell you that very rarely happens. It's not a requirement but it's nice. So refreshing to see genuine people.
He deserves it!
Love this video! Loved the bunnies. Enjoy seeing our city from a really positive perspective. Never once have seen the Steveston stop that you showed… I will definitely bike that trail because of you. Thanks!
Awesome! Enjoy, David!
Another great video Michael, thank you for sharing! I am loving these tours and history you have been doing of Vancouver, super cool stuff!!! Cheers, Rick
My mother, in her late teens, mid 1940s , would catch the train in the Abbotsford area and travel to Richmond to work in the canneries. As a bit of trivia, she was a potter, had various kilns, and the bronze art installation featuring the cannery workers and fishermen, was fired in pieces before bronzing; the heads were fired in her kilns in Bradner.
Once again Michael, you have helped us learn more about our local history. Thanks!!!
Wow. Cool. Thanks for sharing, Kevin.
As a kid I would always go to see BCER 1220 at the park, I also remember passing the Arbutus corridor back when it was a train line, but never saw a train.
You cycled right past our front door! Great video! We cycle the Greenway almost every day with the kids. Thankfully, we live in the southern end, so we start going up hill and end coming down hill all the way! My kids appreciate it.
That's the best way for it to be!
The video was awesome thank you. I live in Ontario but have been to BC and specifically Stevenson. It is so nice to get to see parts of our country we didn’t know about and the history behind it.
Another great video! One silver lining of restrictions remaining will be that we'll all get more Vancouver-specific content :)
Mike, thanks for sharing all the hidden gems with transportation with light rail.
I love how much I learn about my home.
Another work of excellence Mike! You deserved that beer, actually two beers! We love the Vancouver videos, keep up the great work Mike!
Thanks a bunch!
I'm one of about a dozen interurban drivers (they were known as motormen), and I was originally taught by three of the original operators. If you've listened to the narrators of the BC Electric video, you have heard two of my mentors.
Nearly everybody had a nickname on the BCER. Some of these can't be printed here, but one of my mentors (the one you haven't heard) was known as "Highball." No, not the drink--that would be violating Rule G. Highball as in "get moving." And move he did. The story goes that "Highball" was clocked by police on what is now Garden City Way doing something like 70 mph in an interurban. That might have been an exaggeration, but the interurbans were capable of 50-60 mph.
Excellent video. I don't think you made an significant errors there, and you introduced the subject well. Well done!
In fact, I liked it well enough that I think I'll click on that "Join" button.
Peter! Welcome!
Glad to hear I did a good enough job on this video. I'm no historian, but enjoy the stories of our city. Thanks for joining, and I look forward to bringing you many more adventures this summer.
Thanks for taking us all through the journey. Great job researching and pulling this together, another interesting video, Mike.
My pleasure, Eric!
I live in Richmond and I wasnt even aware of those.
thnx Downie , well made.
That first bit of flute (or whatever instrument it is...im not to versed in instruments, if its something traditional I apologize) just sent chills down my spine. You know its going to be an amazing video when you hear that.
Mike, dude. I've lived here for years, but I've learned so much from your channel. I'm more in love with our city because of your videos. So thank you for making this city even more special!
That is awesome! I really appreciate that, George!
At the beginning I was like, Harry! 9 and 3/4? LOL Editing is spot on. Love watching Relive App being used the way it should be! : ) Cool video man!
Yes! Thank you!
I just moved to a new apartment today. It's frakin' hot here in Toronto! First thing I did when I sat down to relax was watch your video Mike 😎 well...after I opened up a nice cold cider 😁
I absolutely love your videos, Mike! These local history videos are gems, I've been sharing your content and fun facts with my family and friends and they're enjoying it! It's truly eye opening to walk around Vancouver or Richmond or any place in the Lower Mainland and seeing it through a historical perspective - it reminds me that I'm part of an ever-changing and evolving historical narrative of Vancity. Looking forward to more of your videos! :)
Wow, thanks. Yeah, I can't wait to look back on these videos in 20 years and see what has changed. Enjoy exploring!
Your videos are just so fantastic. You make me want to move to Vancouver!!! The city reminds me a bit of Minneapolis, MN. So many parks, paths, experiences to explore. It really gives the feeling that the City is thinking of quality of life for it's citizens. Great work, and kudos to your editor as well!!!
My whole family rode the Intererbun regularly. Yes including myself. I am an Antique. BUT still unique!?? We preferred the street car to the bus because it was usually on time. I was very young and thought anything with track and a conductor was a great adventure. We caught it in Burnaby just past the old Kelly Douglas building. It was a good home from my grandparents' house. Unfortunately they retired the trams when I started school. I'd always hoped to experience that adventure on my own. That was the way most of my four generations of family travelled every day for many years. Thank you so much for keeping some of Vancouver's unique history alive!! You do it extremely well with your enthusiasm and unique style. I a really appreciate your interest in my birth city! I am one of your most enthusiastic subscribers!! I hope you are able to travel soon. We need that freedom back. Safe travels and thanks again!!!
Thanks Ali! Yes, I think we'll be able to travel soon enough!
Hi Mike: As a native-born Vancouverite nearly twice your age I wanted to say that your videos about our hometown are great. I took a ride on one of the very last Steveston streetcars when I was very young ans still remember it. (BTW- there were no pubs then either) Thanks for bringing back memories of places I either haven't visited or haven\t been to in years.
Wow, thank you!
Hey Mike, great job I love learning about and the history of old street cars and trains. Keep them coming !!
Wow. I lived a bock away from Railway Ave. in the late 80’s early 90’s then move out of my parents home to Steveston. Me and my friends used to walk those tracks (they’re long gone) to the Steveston Community Centre. Love progress but Steveston used to be an amazing beautiful village in a big city, a breath of fresh air. Love the video!
This is a great insight into our city! So many hidden gems!
Love to see this transit content, love to see this bicycle content, love to see the urbanism content. Beautifully done, beautifully researched, great graphics!
Hey, Mike! I'm running a week or so late reviewing you and other UA-cam favourites after several significant railfan events downunder (check out Pannier, Thebusofdoomfsx, Schony747, Round the world in a steamy haze, and several others when you get the time).
What a bummer; all that riding and no beer at the end. You have filled in a bookload of interesting facts about the Steveston line.
And last week's coverage...Wow! You have finally met one of my Vancouver friends in Angus. I've had the privilege of his hospitality down in West 22nd on more than one occasion, most recently in October 2018. As you experienced, Angus is THE authority when it comes to Transit History in Vancouver. He may not have shared this with you but Angus is a great authority on streetcars down here in Melbourne and the former provincial trams in Geelong as he spent a number of his younger years with family when they lived in Geelong.
Glad to see you are keeping well and are not short of material to share with us. Looking forward to showing you around my part of the world when things get back to normal. In the meantime, stay safe and well, and keep those weekly clips coming. Cheers from Michael.
You have done a really good job of making the most of accesable things to make great videos out of whilst travel isn't possible, so well done! I am really looking forward to seeing some of your more typical travel videos again soon!
Thanks Mike...💜 this video! I can’t wait to go back to YVR 🙏 Beautiful BC is so clean.
You missed a beer but were soooo close to Steveston Pizza. Worth the trip also!
As a newcomer in Vancouver. This man really helping me fall in love with the city... Kudos to you, Hope we will cross path sometime.
Awesome! Me too Artik!
@@DownieLive 🎉🎊
Love your videos...... Vancouver area has to be thankful for Your work~! cool history...my kind of traveling~!
Loved seeing you over here in Richmond! I think Richmond is soooo underrated, thanks for sharing a bit of my home 😊
Thanks for the history of the Vancouver streetcar route. It was very informative. I really enjoy learning this about Vancouver.
Good Video . It amazing how you can still see the Abandoned Railroad Crossing Signals . Here in Los Angeles you can catch a lot of Abandoned Train Tracks From Pacific Electric Railway.
Nice call out to the sidewalk street name markings. Oddly a few weeks ago I started tracking some down on my walks.Thanks for sharing the Cedar secret!
I used to work on 'Cedar' next to the tracks and I remember there would be a once a day train (engine with one freight car) that would pass in one direction, then it would do the opposite direction the following day. I suspect this was the railway's way of maintaining right of way while the city was trying to expropriate it.
You should do a video on the old SS Sicamous sternwheeler route up Okanagan lake from Penticton to Vernon!
Not knowing anything about Vancouver, I really enjoyed this video. Really enjoyed the accompanying music. Very interesting - even for a non-Vancouver person.
That's so nice to hear, Tim. I try to keep the videos for those who live in Vancouver, and those who don't.
@@DownieLive By the way - What do you call a person from Vancouver?
@@timobrian6255 a Vancouverite…
Hi Downie, i would love to see more videos like the cranberry harvesting! it was really amazing work on that video.
You got it!
thank you the last few vid's you made have given us a few things to do this week in vancouver during my kids checks at BCCH
Great video (still catching up on all the great content).
Where I live (Sarasota, FL), they've recently done something similar with the old freight train tracks that are no longer in use; they called it the Legacy Trail, and it's a lovely bike/jogging path that runs through most of the county. It's a lovely path.
As long as your still doing Vancouver videos, have you thought of doing something about history of Grouse Mountain and the old roads the went up there or maybe Stanley Park and the old Denman Arena?
As always, great video and keep up the great content!
You always manage to make very interesting videos out of the most arcane subjects.
Mike, have you ever thought of offering tours? You would be an amazing guide of Vancouver history.
I haven't but that's an Interesting idea.
You must do tons of research for these videos. Respect! Very interesting to watch 👌
Agreed! Great research, Mike! You know what would be cool? Maybe a list of sources - perhaps a member perk?
Great idea Pearle. I list the sources in the description of the video usually.
If you want to ride one of the interurban electric trams, the Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Society runs on the weekends from Cloverdale (across from the Surrey Museum) to Sullivan Station and back. They have an amazing restoration barn too.
i live just beside railway so it was really cool watching you bike there in this video ha, enjoyed it very much and learned new things about the city, thank you.
This is so cool! I did not know that there was an old railway line from Downtown, Vancouver to Steveston! It would be nice if they extended the new Canada line just like the old times!
Wow!! This is one amazing and interesting video!! I never knew this! Found your channel recently due to your videos with Chek TV that I recorded and finally watched during the Family Day long weekend. I'm hooked!! Fantastic quality, content and value. I'm a fan, liked, subscribed, joined, binge watched your other videos about the train rides --- can't get enough!! Well done, please keep on making more!!💞🎶
Welcome aboard!
Amazing Video!! Just Loved.... to Zooooooom past the lovely streets lined up with so much greenery....👍👍👍
Another great video Mike! Did not know about the tracks under the Granville Bridge. Used to watch the freight trains on Arbutus Line in the distance from my grandparent's house at 29th and McDonald. Keep up the great stories!
Cool, thanks
Great video! Very interesting. I remember as a kid seeing the old trolley tracks that went through Public Square in Watertown, NY as well as down some side streets. Do not remember any trolley barn though. Thank you for posting!
Your videos are a real highlight of the week for me. Totally engaging stuff every single time! Kind regards from London, mate!
Awesome, thank you!
I live in Connecticut in the US and have recently been researching and going to spots for some of our old streetcar systems. I got into it because I grew up with the old streetcar route right in my backyard but had no idea. It was called the Cheshire Street Railway and then it linked up to some other railways in Waterbury, Connecticut. There are some truly awesome remnants I found. Glad to see I am not the only one doing this kind of thing. Now I want to visit Vancouver to check out all the stuff you showed me. Amazing video, thank you!
Awesome! Thanks Will.
Another great video. I cycle the Arbutus greenway to work. The king Edward sub station is actually to the east, behind the trees. Still used to power the trolleybuses. Marpole Loop still has a wooden bus shelter dating back to the Interurban. Looking forward to your next video. How about a bike ale trail???
Awesome video! I remember watching freight trains go down the arbutus corridor behind my school.
Awesome. So mile markers: predating our switch to metric! There's an old trolley top (without the wheels) that forms a bus stop at Kingsgate mall, I noticed (again after seeing it decades ago and not thinking much about it).
Oh good point. I wondered why they were in miles... Interesting.
I live in the valley and work downtown Vancouver you've given me lots of excellent places to check out with my longboard keep it up I really enjoy your videos
It is great to see how they have re-used the old properties. 😊
Mike, keep all of the tiny interesting stories in your videos, please! It's great piece of history nobody talks about! and keep talking about vancouver! everyone travels abroad, but nobody talks about their homes!
That's the plan!
More history like this! I eat it up.
Pretty cool history of Vancouver. When we can go back to Canada we will have to look for this
I wish a lot of the little stations had been preserved along places like the Arbutus Line and the Burnaby Lake Line.
Can’t believe that you can make a topic as mundane as street cars so interesting.
😂👍🏼
Great video! You can actually take your bike on the skytrain during non-peak hours if you don't want to bike all the way back home during the evening, especially if most of your trip is uphill.
You can ride one, the sister car to the one in the vid, BCER 1225. Goes from Cloverdale to Sullivan in Surrey, Summer months. Good vid. Have biked most of the Arbutus ROW and Railway ROW in Richmond. I, also, liked the station stops painted on ground level.
OMG what an amazing video! I love trains and now streetcars because of you, and I must say that this video made my Saturday. And that epic soundtrack was LIT!!
PS I was cheering like a child when you got to the museum hahahahah
YAY!!! Thanks Isa!
Another great DownieLive - Vancouver is my favorite Canadian city and you have shown me so much that I would love to check out during this Pandemic time. Hopefully, Canada will be opened "eventually" to us USA'ers.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome!
Hey, ever considered doing a follow-up piece on the quad tandem guys and their continuing efforts with WIRTH?
Just re-watched the race - great series.
Thanks, man.
Interesting idea. I'm still great friends with them all, and I think they're actually planning another race series for next year, so we'll definitely see them again soon.
Great video Mike, thanks! I really love the history you dig up for these videos, it's super fascinating. I definitely learned a few things I didn't know!
Glad you like them! I enjoy making them.
Mike; i don't know HOW you can cycle AND vlog AND hold the camera and FILM at the same time! I got myself a 360 phone mount for my bike so it can film in portrait mode and thankfully, my new phone can alternate from regular to selfie cam without stopping the video which the old one didn't!
That dead end Fraser river trail actually does go through, there's a fence but there's a big hole in it and it goes through to Milltown.
Fun fact: In and around that #3rd and River Parkway area.
There are still remains of old tracks left in what are now parking lots, back alleys. A little more down #3rd by what is now the "car wash district" you can still see tracks leading to and from random walls and old loading docks.
And they old too kuz it's the old small gauge steel rail
Nice work on this video. You had to come off on Fir Street and get on along Hemlock when the current Granville Bridge first opened so work crews could dismantle the old span at the south end and reconfigure Granville Street to eliminate the intersection at 4th Avenue. Arbutus never had streetcar service because the Steveston INTERURBAN connected downtown Vancouver with Richmond along the Arbutus corridor. The 1220 is an interurban car.
You are correct
eating brunch and watching him "catch a beer" LOL. Amazing history. thank you!
😂😂 Clearly I was tired 😄
Matt-Great editing. The video moved very smoothly through the storytelling. Thank you Mike, you have maintained a high level interest during the pandemic while staying close to home in B.C. Disappointed you didn't get your cold brew at the end.
Agreed, Steve. I was looking forward to the beer, but I'm celebrating the release of the video with a beer tonight. Cheers.