July 2024
As we all settled into our berths, cabins and meal time seats, for 4 days of train travel with over 200 ( or more even) strangers, it was very apparent, we would all share stories and adventures with one another right up to our arrival day in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on July 18. Unlike being on a plane, we had space to move around, we could sit on the berth/ bench, chat with our cabin mates, we could hang out in the activity lounge, we could enjoy the view of the landscape from the Dome Car, we could look outside and enjoy the views, all the whilst travelling at 150km/hours, or one could take a nap!
I’ve tempted everyone already, with the scrumptious meals served on board, so I won’t be talking food for the next few posts……..oh well….
Point of interest – this journey from Toronto, Ontario to Vancouver British Columbia makes over 60 regular stops to cities/towns along the way. Being mid July in 2024, we also experienced a few very very hot days, which necessitated Via Rail activating their heat protocol- the speed of the train had to slow down to prevent the steel rails from heating up to much. Many passengers were not aware of this requirement – fortunately, from my many previous trips, I had experienced this slowdown, so I became their unofficial train travel expert.
The train’s average speed was close to 150 – 175 km/ hour and yet you don’t feel a thing. I was blessed this trip to enjoy many sunny, cloud free days which afforded us stunning evening views from our berth, the dining car, the activity lounge or from the upper level courtesy of the panoramic windows.
I managed to catch a stunning sun set before we arrived in Sioux Lookout, a blazing red sun with layers of fluffy clouds above the sunset – as we approached Winnipeg, Manitoba and blue skies, rivers, green fields and more as we got closer to Melville Sask. You cannot get views like this at 30,000 feet in the air…..
We came across a herd of buffalo and a field of endless canola plants too.
Mountains!! Mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, forestry and mountains and lakes that looked like a mirror image of each other……Stunning!!!
The passengers were only provided with an hour or so at certain train stops, to disembark and stretch our legs or have a smoke. Upon our arrival to Kamloops the evening before Vancouver, we alighted from the train and were hit by humidity and temperatures exceeding 35 Celsius……One of our American passengers commented as to how hot it was and asked me for clarification as to the temperature. He was certain his phone was wrong when it read 102 fahrenheit……..ah yes – we do also get heat waves like this in many provinces….
We returned to the train and continued on our way.
By 07:30, those of us that took the train right to Vancouver, we finished our breakfast and made our way to the exit doors to disembark at the station.
Despite, the heat protocol slowdowns, some delays at some stations, etc, we arrived 30 minutes ahead of schedule.
First stop for me – Tim Horton’s! I had not had one of their coffees since I left Toronto and I do love my tim’s ( as we affectionately call our Canadian coffee chain). I’ve been supporting their business since I was 16 and old enough to drive…..Canadian eh……
Thank you for reading and letting me share.
Stay tuned as I continue my journey.
Joye
