The cross Canada train

Here is the tale of our epic cross Canada train journey lasting 4, no sorry, 6 days!

After a lovely lunch in Jasper with Stephen & Susan we boarded our train around 5pm and headed straight for the dome car (back carriage of the train with comfy seats & a glass roof) for free champagne and h'ordeurves!  What a way to start the journey!  

The train waiting to depart from Jasper Station

Dinner was then served in the dining car and we were treated to a three course meal with a backdrop of the Rockies!

We spent our time on board mainly reading and talking to other passengers.  Every day the events coordinator gave a talk in the dome car about the area we were travelling through.  Although we had our own area on the train, we preferred to spend time in the company of others.  Our area consisted of two bench seats opposite each other with a widow.  At night the seats folded down to form a bed and a bunk bed dropped down from the ceiling.  Thick curtains closed off our beds for privacy,

View of the Prairies from our window

Every evening a musical duo entertained us as we soaked up the views and relaxed.  Via Rail run a programme to support musicians in Canada.  The musicians apply to the company with a demo of their music and where they want to travel from and to.  If the music is deemed suitable for the train, they get to ride for free if they play in the evenings.

So, we were running around 5hrs late on the 2nd night due to a fractured line. The prairies were -45c overnight! We woke up in the night going backwards and when we got up for breakfast the following day we had made no progress.  It turns out that we were stuck behind a broken down freight train which was 1km in length.  

Eventually they managed to move the freight and we got moving again.  We made it to Winnipeg, our half way point, about 20hrs late!  Due to this delay, Via Rail decided to cancel the train and gave us two options: 

1. stay on the train for a third night and be flown on to Toronto in the morning, or 

2. stay the night in a hotel in Winnipeg and get the next train the following night.  

We chose option 2 - a free stop over in another new Canadian town!  

View of Winnipeg from our hotel window

The Raddison hotel was lovely and after a good fill and a great night's sleep we set out to explore Winnipeg which was surprisingly warm at -11c! We saw the reputed coldest junction in Canada, the train station (this time in the light) and the Forks (an area of old warehouses converted into markets, shops & restaurants).  We finished the afternoon with a visit to see the Legislative Building before heading back to the restaurant for more lovely food.

The legislative building in Winnipeg

After a further few hours delay, come 1am we were finally on a train to Toronto.  We were joined by some of the lovely people from our first train but also had a whole new train full of people to talk to...

As we approached Toronto, we exchanged details with some of our new friends and enjoyed the view of downtown from the dome car.  

We arrived in Toronto almost 51hrs late!  But what a journey!  What a way to travel!  We loved every minute of it!

Finally back in Toronto!