Train Stories

Stardate 5/10/18

The train configuration:  3 engines, the luggage car, the cars for the passengers that sit up and suffer, then a meal car and observation car with an elevated segment with a dome roof, where you get a great view.  Then about 15 sleeper cars of varying age.  Several in the middle—4 I think—are empty and are ‘deadheaded’ transporting them to Toronto, then the next observation car where we spend much of our day.   After that comes Dining Car B where we eat our meals, and then 2 first class cars and their bar and observation car which is on the lower level.  We are located at the front section of the sleepers, meaning we traverse about 10 cars to each meal.  I timed walking from end to end while sitting in Alberta:  11 minutes 20 seconds.  In a boot!  And no socializing, as I was on a mission.  Sitting with us in the observation car are the same people, 2 couples from Australia, 1 from North Carolina, a lady from Edmonton, a travel agent from Vancouver, us, a man who is moving from Victoria to Toronto (with 8 suitcases!).  We have developed a camaraderie based on time passed and the absurdity of the delay.  We are all fairly zen about the whole thing, and able to laugh about it.  Interesting as well as it that 4 parties on this train are all going to:  NOVA SCOTIA!   How likely is that?  Mode of transport after Toronto varies, but I find it highly amusing nonetheless.

We are now in Ontario.  This area is still fairly flat, with thick forests, lakes, boggy areas.  It is moose country and there were evidently 2 sighted this morning by many, not us tho.  According to Karen, we cannot count them in our wildlife count, therefore.  We are forever on the lookout for more.  There have been many beaver ponds, no beavers seen.  It is still late winter early spring here:  Trees are not leafed out and there is ice on many of the lakes still.  I am guessing it is about upper 30’s lower 40’s outside based on the temperature in the vestibules as we motor our way along between cars. 

We had crew change in Winnipeg, and the new crew are very nice, solicitous.  However, the man at the helm is no Lt Dan.  His French sounds like it’s better.