Trains and bridges Winnipeg

Along with the rivers, trains and bridges are prominent in Winnipeg, there were freight and commuter trains passing frequently. Elevated train tracks ran through the downtown area, which created some neat perspectives. This scene was close to the Human Rights Museum, a long line of oil cars were sitting up on the track with an orange CN engine. An orange light pole helped anchor the composition. That colour transition on the train cars is done with dilute blue, probably a mix of indo blue (PB60) and phthalo blue (PB15), then a pale mix of carbon black (PBk6) with perylene maroon (PR179), with more black on the bottom shadow. Bismuth yellow (PY184) facilitated the over-painting on the train cars, with simple curved lines to give shape. 

Oil cars orange pole, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, April 2026

 

Early in the morning on the last day of my trip, I had a few hours before the plane departure. This scene shows a double-decker train waiting on the bridge, with some apartments illuminated in the background. The key to creating a glowing atmosphere is the sky, it was made to be a middle grey by mixing blue and violet, with touches of earth yellow. 

Double decker profile view, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, April 2026

 

This train bridge farther to the east on Red River is an old iron bridge reminiscent of those seen in Montreal. A local talked to me a bit when I painted this, he was not very happy about tourists showing up in town and seemed rather grumpy. Fair enough, its his city, and I usually feel somewhat similar when Old Montreal gets over-run with tourists! 

Rusty train bridge, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, April 2026

 

Here is a wall of rust, with rust on top. Its an old rusty train car parked on a rusty train bridge. Painted green initially, now the iron is permeated with a range of earth colours. The rust was done with variations of yellow ochre (PY43), burnt yellow ochre (PR102), burnt umber (PBr7), and splashes of orange (PO62 and PO73). The pale green is dilute perylene green (PBk31).

Rusty rust train and bridge, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, April 2026

 

Not a train bridge, this is a car and pedestrian bridge with a cool shape, and fresh green paint. Yellow and orange stripes are on the support, they are probably there as river warnings... you can see the graffiti at the base is submerged. Any higher and the river banks would burst. 

Bridge stripes, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, April 2026

 

More double decker train cars rumbled through town, this scene was close to the Nutty Club candy buildings. Some graffiti on the wall was changed to my initials and year PJD 26. I'm getting better at simulating spray-paint with watercolours. 

Double decker curved view, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, April 2026