Aboard the Train

All aboard the Silver and Blue Train:

We got to Vancouver station at about 4:30 p.m. on Friday for a 5:30 departure, but alas, the in-bound train got hammered somewhere along the Frazer River and the crew for our ride was late. Fortunately, because we were traveling “Silver and Bleu” (1st) Class, we had the option of sitting in a tea and coffee bar, and listen to music while we waited. We have traveled Amtrak before, and based on that experience (of course) we WAY over-packed for the size of the sleeper cars on the Canadian. So while we “downsized” all of our crap to fit into the smaller room, we had an opportunity to listen to this AMAZING guy sing and play every railroad-oriented song that you could think of, including “Country Roads Take me Home,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Summertime” and “Good Night Irene.” Julie, you would have loved this dude. Man, he played the sax, guitar, keyboards and everything else as well as sung pretty damned good. It was great and we have video which we will post next week while we are on the boat.

Our purser’s name was Deon and he lived in Vancouver and stayed with us until Winnipeg. It was wonderful being on the train and being lulled to sleep by the chug-a-chug of the train at night. The chow was excellent and our sleeper was small, but very efficient and comfortable once you got into the single bunk beds (Steve had the top and it was great fun watching him climb into that five-foot bunk on this tiny little ladder. All of the VIA rail cars well built by the Budd Company of Pennsylvania in the 1950’s, and sold to the Canadians (who again, are a LOT smarter than we are) when the U.S. roads began giving up passenger service in the States. Because the cars could not be reproduced at a reasonable cost, the VIA shops just continue the upkeep of the original cars, and it makes for some superior rail history for those of us who are into that stuff. Bottom line is it is sort of an expensive way to travel in this day and age, but it brings back a period of wonder from when out parents were younger.

First night out, we had dinner with a snotty, cranky semi-retired professor from Rutgers University in New Jersey who couldn’t say a good word about anything. We wanted to find another seat but that is just not possible on a train! However, we had a good time pissing him off by baiting him, so it worked out okay for us. Steve REALLY wanted to ask him about “Nappy headed Ho’s” but Carol dropped the hammer on that idea!!

We woke up early the next morning at O’Dark Hundred so we could be first to have breakfast and bogart the “Best” seats in the Vista Dome car for our trip through the Rocky Mountains. It was simply spectacular…We saw Mount Robson as we turned one corner and it was truly breath-taking. We had been traveling through the mist and rain throughout the morning, and the sun popped through just as we got to the mountain. Mount Robson is an amazing piece of rock, and what a beautiful sight. The Rocky Mountains are stark and beautiful at the same time. We actually passed through this one valley in which the Rockies, Selkirks and two other mountain ranges came together. Take a look at the Picasa Photo album for more pictures.

We stopped in Jasper and only stayed for 30 minutes as we were behind 2-1/2 hours and the engineer was trying to make up time. Jasper is known for its skiing, hiking and mountaineering. Steve and I went for a very short tour of the city in search for pretzels. There were none….We made it back in time and overheard one of the pursers saying that someone didn’t make it back in time and was going to be spending the night in Jasper. When they say 30 minutes, they MEAN 30 minutes.

We decided to spend the afternoon in the bottom of the dome car and had the most delightful time. We ended up with a group of Brits and spent the afternoon laughing, talking politics and sharing wonderful travel stories. It was pretty hysterical and even got to the point where people were asking us to keep it down. Leave it to us to get in with the rowdy crowd. They were wonderful traveling companions and we learned that people are the same no matter where they come from. We (of course) now have a list of addresses and people who have invited us to return to Old Blighty for a few pints and some more laughs. They were going all the way through Toronto, but we had family business in Winnipeg the next morning.

The next morning found us trying to make last call for breakfast, as we had slept in after the O’Dark Hundred experience of the previous day, and we retired back to the dome car to watch the Canadian prairies roll by. We were very surprised to see that the southern prairies of Manitoba Province looked so much like Nebraska, Iowa and Steve says Northern Russia. It was enjoyable to just relax and read our books and look up once in a while and take in the scenery. If you haven’t taken a train ride, do so. It is one of the most wonderful and relaxing things to do. Just don’t be in a hurry to get anywhere. It won’t happen.

Probably one of the best things that happened on the train trip was this young woman who works for VIA. Of course, since we are in Canada, all announcements are made in French and English. One of the young ladies who was the official “we’re coming into…” announcers was hilarious. She would give her schpeel in Engliski, ending with Weeelcome to …..” (like the guy who yells “Let’s get ready to ruuuummmbbbllleeee” and then she would repeat the information in French, always ending with Booonnnjjjooouuurrr “city name!!!” she made every one in our car laugh.

Surprisingly, we were 2.5 hours late the first night out of Vancouver, and we arrived at Winnipeg Station exactly 2.5 hours late. Just enjoy the ride!