Take a remarkable three-hour train journey on this TVO Original documentary

Watch the full program

Learn more about some of the interesting places, history and flming challenges. These webisodes will be available on April 7, 2023.

WEBISODES

Vintage Train Is A Lifeline
VIA Train 185 from Sudbury to White River is the only remaining Rail Diesel Car (RDC) line in North America. Built in the 1950s, each RDC car has its own engines as well as compartments for passengers and baggage. They provided inexpensive commuter service into remote areas where short rail spurs had been abandoned because of the high cost of traditional multi-car trains.

World's Largest Game Preserve
Halfway between Sudbury and White River along VIA Train 185’s route, is the northern Ontario town of Chapleau, the gateway to the largest game preserve in the world. Its 800,000 hectares of protected land is home to a rich variety of wildlife including black bears and moose, and over one hundred ancient pictographs.

Why A Helicopter And Not A Drone
To get the epic aerials on TRIPPING Train 185, the production crew had to turn to an old-school method of filming from the air. They put their tiny inexpensive drones back in their cases and busted out a very expensive and powerful helicopter to film Train 185 as it cut its way through the remote wilderness of Northern Ontario. Director John Morrison and Executive Producer Mitch Azaria talk about why they chose a helicopter over a drone for this shoot.

BEHIND THE SCENES

A lot of work goes into making documentaries. Check back each week for a new behind the scenes video.

THE CREW

Mitch Azaria – Executive Producer

As the Executive Producer of Good Earth Productions, Mitch has overseen more than 200 hours of factual production. He has been honoured with a Hot Doc award and seven Gemini nominations.

Andrea Minty – Producer & Writer

Andrea manages all elements of the production from logistics, budget, legal and business affairs through to distribution of the programs. She has managed over 225 television documentaries and series.

John Morrison –Director

John has the task of working out all of the field logistics. He is an award -winning documentarian. He was also the Director of “Daily Planet” on The Discovery Channel for nearly two decades.

Michael Darby – Director of Photography

Michael has worked with William F White in the specialty equipment department for 23 years. He has experience with a wide variety of niche equipment, but specializes in aerial cinematography, cable cam and motion control systems.

Mark Alberts & Matthew Crookshank – 3D Animation

These guys are masters at creating innovative animations. They brought history to life for TRIPPING Train 185.

Matt West – Behind the Scenes

Matt captured the behind the scenes footage from TRIPPING Train 185. He then edited and produced the mini online documentaries.

TVO – Broadcaster

TVO's Jane Jankovic and Linda Fong gave us great editorial advice throughout the process. From the big decisions on which location to choose to the minutia of font and writing style, they were instrumental in producing the documentary.

Jeff Semple - Digital Media

Jeff brings decades of experience in broadcast production to the table. He produced the digital media shorts that accompany the broadcast documentary. This content will be available exclusively online.

TRIPPING Train 185 @ 2022