The train built Canada. If you haven’t taken it before, I highly recommend it. But there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Canada is a big place
- The train does not move very fast
To make things worse, Canada is a resource economy. Transport of goods by rail was the main reason things developed the way it did – and why BC is even part of the country. So as a result, freight trains get right of way when things are coming in the other direction. There is a lot of pulling over and waiting for other trains to go by. The size of the country just doesn’t allow for multiple tracks. This makes travel even slower.
I just wouldn’t go about it the way I did. I went on VIA Rail’s site and picked up a seat sale – $225 for a seat from Toronto to Vancouver – 4 days. Cheap, and you get to see Canada in a way you wouldn’t otherwise -t train travels routes you would never go. Compared to flying, it’s a better experience.
Most of the 4 days was spent trying to catch up on sleep in a rather uncomfortable position. I’d do some reading on the Kindle and drift off to sleep with one view… And pretty much wake up to the same thing. Aside from the three different distinct sections: Northern Ontario, The Prairies, The Rockies, it was fairly hard to tell you had gone anywhere.
This sentiment seemed to be shared by the other guys I sat with at the dinner cart on the second night. Students and the like who had more time than money and wanted to “see the country” like myself. All of us were a touch sleep deprived – none of us slept well. Conversation was a little stilted as a result. My food was also terrible. Some sort of chicken, but the bottom was completely dried out, but somehow not burnt. The wine helped, but it was not the most pleasant meal.
A very big change compared to retired, chipper folks at the next table. I think it was fairly safe to say that they had sprung for the cabin with beds. They were also travelling with friends and were enjoying themselves.
Northern Ontario:
Breakfast in Winnepeg at Alexis Grill – should have ordered the potatoes well done:
Best part of Winnipeg was the Leg: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoba_Legislative_Building
Built back when the city was booming and had a lot of money, the managed to build something that would last.
… Not entirely sure what happened to the pictures …
Prairies – the not so flat bit:
Sunrise in Edmonton:
The best part, by far, was coming up into the Rockies. For the most part, the tracks run along the road, so it’s not a huge difference from driving from Edmonton into Jasper. This was the point where I missed Mendy the most – especially when I saw the bikes on the highway riding in the sun. It was chilly, but absolutely stunning scenery.
Lunch in Jasper:
It’s much nicer than travelling by bus. But if you can afford to, travel with friends and spring for the cabin. Or if you can’t afford that, take the best part from Edmonton back to Vancouver – maybe on the Rocky Mountaineer.
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