Tag: trains

Single Older Woman – Final Canadian Beach – Via Rail adventure, Post #2

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

Canadian Beaches -Via Rail – Sleeper Car

July 2024

It occurred to me, that for those of you reading my blog regularily, you may have questions about the Via Rail Train option and if it might be a form of transportation you’d consider. So before I revert back to sharing my story of my epic journey to BC, I’ll explain the differences between the cabin/sleeping options on the Via Rail Sleeper Car. I’ve done a quick perusal through my 96 blog posts, to see if I had ever shared this with you all – I had not. So here goes!

Food for thought and maybe a trip you’d consider for your trek across Canada….

“I’ll add pictures/images too of the various set ups“”

The “Sleeper Car” offers 4 options for your rest and comfort.

“Upper Berth” and “Lower Berth”

My inaugural Via Rail trip – I booked the upper berth for my snooze time.

Picture bunk beds and you’ll get an idea of what you have to endure, on a moving train, in the middle of the night…….hahahaha.

When enconsced in this bed, your belongings are pretty much at the foot of the mattress. There is a net suspended along the wall of the mattress, for your valuables, phone, hand cream, etc. Your luggage or knapsack would be tucked perhaps under the bench under the person sleeping on the lower berth. So not alot of security for your possessions nor alot of privacy. If you need to use the restroom during the night, then you have to clamber down a 5 rung ladder in the dark without disturbing the slumber of the lower berth passenger. Mind you, the quality of sleep is amazing! something about moving with the rythym of the train during the night and in complete darkness. The pillow is also super super comfy!

The lower berth is just that – you don’t have to use a ladder to get out and your belongings are tucked right under the bench.

For the comfort and privacy of both the upper and lower berth passenger, the section is also draped off with a very thick curtain, secured by snaps, of which you’d need to slide along the bar in order to see where you are stepping on that ladder…..Not so easy to manoever when the train is travelling at speeds greater than 90 kms/ hour.

“Cabin for One”

This is a private cabin for one passenger – it has a door securing lock and you can keep all your belongings with you. Its very tiny but you have a comfy bench to sit on and a big picture window to watch the scenery. Your private toilet is across from the bench and at night, it disappears! Under the bench, which has been folded down to be your bed.. So if you are prone to peeing at night, you may still have to leave your cabin to use the general washroom. Pick and choose…. Again, the bed, pillow and covers are very warm.

The Cabin attendant mysteriously and magically converts all these daytime benches into the passenger sleeping “quarters” during the dinner hour. You leave to go for dinner, and you come back and your bed is made and covers are turned down. In the morning, you go for breakfast and when you come back, the bench is waiting for you to relax and explore the views!

“Cabin for Two”

This option comes with a fabric full length bench and your own private bathroom and some storage space. Above the bench is a “headboard” per se, which is dropped down and secured for the benefit of your cabin mate, who may sleep on the upper portion. They too would use a smaller step ladder to descend from their snooze time. It is prudent to note, from personal experience, that the width of these “bunks” compared to the bench turned into a bunk, is not as wide and with the blankets tucked in the side, not such a cozy sleep. I’m tall, but a little wider, so I found this set up, not too much to my liking…

But it is nice to have the privacy and again the big picture window to sit and relax or read, or nap, at your own leisure.

To recap on my journey and experiences with these bunks – in 2017 from Winnipeg, Manitoba to home, I slept in the upper berth, in 2018 – for the East Coast, my bff and I had a cabin for two, in 2019 – from Saskatoon to Edmonton, I booked the Cabin for one – this was a daytime 8 hour trip and I wanted to have some quiet time during the journey. In 2022 for my solo trip to the East Coast and then back again, I had a Cabin for Two. In 2024 – I could only book the upper berth, but after one night of trying to climb up and down that ladder, the cabin attendant was able to relocate me to a lower berth…. These “60” plus bones, back and knees were very very grateful…….

Regardless whether you have an upper or lower berth, or share a cabin with a friend, the Sleeper Car option on the Via Rail Line is by far much more enjoyable and relaxing than the economy car seats. I’ve sat in those for a few trips back and forth to Montreal. Since then, I ensure I always book Business class seats – more leg room, wifi, space for your coffee or water bottle and extra perks like food and alcoholic beverages……A must for a 5 hour train ride to the other side of Ontario.

With no further ado – let’s continue with my journey to Vancouver BC.

Thank you for reading!

Stay tuned!

Joye