Canadian Train - day 1 & 2

 So finally we come to the main feature of this trip, the five-day Via Rail Canadian train trip from Vancouver to Toronto.

Carriages lined up at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. Our train is 22 carriages long and consists of the two central rows of carriages so that passengers don't have to walk so far. The left part departs first and then backs in to join up with the right part. Sleeper carriages are at the back of the train.

We had our tickets checked and sat outside at these tables. The area filled quickly.

The train left at 3 pm and here is that lout lounging on his seat. You may be surprised to know that the lout's feet were resting on the toilet that is provided for each compartment. It worked fine. Of course, there are separate toilet rooms and shower rooms. 

On this train, you can reserve a small compartment for one person so Marianne and I each have one across the corridor from each other. We can meet at meal times.

 

Not very scenic yet.

After a couple of miles, the train stopped and sat for an hour or so. I did not find out why and I can't say the view was inspiring. 

A retired United Church minister. There were a few people traveling alone but most were couples.

Other guests on the train. Most passengers in the sleeping car part of the train were over 65. I had a couple of dark beers ($9) with this bloke from Sydney a few days later and then slept very well.

Eventually we saw the Fraser River.

View from the bridge.

Wood chips and timber is a huge industry here. With all the trees, it's no surprise.

We went to our first dinner and enjoyed a rack of lamb. By now, the train was four hours late and we had barely done 50 miles. Freight trains have priority over passenger trains, so we spent a lot of time waiting in sidings for the next monstrously long freight train to pass by.

It was dark by the time we reached the famous Fraser Gorge so we did not see it.

Next morning trees and mountains prevailed.

There was an upper layer of fog.

I use OSMAND to track our journey because it shows the train tracks.  You can preload the maps which is essential because there are long distances where cell phone reception is non-existent.

Impressive waterfall.

The camera does not do justice to the brightness and colour of the foliage.

We arrived at Jasper where we could get off for an hour or so.

Inside the waiting room.

The train had 22 carriages. Somebody said they dated from the 50's.

This was the only bear we saw on the trip.

Jasper was smaller than I anticipated. I suspect that Banff is much larger.

Still, Jasper had an impressive set of mountains surrounding it. It was not cold, but we needed a jacket.

What a magnificent steam engine. Back in the 50's before diesels, this trip would have been quite something. And of course, passenger trains would have had priority.

Each carriage has a name and this was our carriage.

Occasionally we would see the highway. For the major part of the journey, roads are few and far between.

A fair size lake.

The scenery does not change quickly. We were now out of the mountains and this was typical of mile after mile. It's very relaxing sitting in your compartment watching the world go by.

We did sit in the observation car for a while, but we prefer to be in our little cocoons.

A delicious steak. The food on the train was a step up from Amtrak. The staff were particularly friendly and helpful. All were bi-lingual though you could tell that some were not so fluent in French as others.