QUOTE: Posted by siberianmo Posted: 16 May 2005, 13:07:37 Canadian Rail Journey, Part I (initially Posted on page 12) The first leg of my Canadian rail journey began on May 5th aboard VIA Rail’s “Ocean” bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia. Departing Montreal’s Central Station at 6:30 PM, the 12 car consist of Budd stainless steel cars slowly made its way across the St. Lawrence Seaway by way of the Victoria Jubilee Bridge (a unique rail and highway structure with a turnout and separate span over part of the Seaway). Train #14 was powered by two F40PH’s, 6419 leading and 6418 trailing. NOTE: Discussions regarding the existence catenaries at the Montreal Central Station have taken place over on "Canadian Passenger Railroads - Let's Talk!". There ARE catenaries to the left when approaching Place Bonaventure. Montreal's commuter trains - "AMT" - run their F40PH's to the right and the electrics to the left. The train consist included a baggage car, three coaches, a Skyline dome car, a dining car, five Chateau series bedroom cars and a Park car (Revelstoke Park). Over the years, prior to getting underway, my wife and I have made a habit of sitting in the dome of the Park car, simply to take in the sights and sounds of the lower level of Montreal’s Central Station. Montreal’s commuter trains, some electrified and others not, made frequent departures along with VIA Rail’s corridor trains (LRC and Renaissance). Before we realized it, the train effortlessly began to move forward. Soon, the daylight enveloped the train and our long awaited journey “home” began. As has been our practice, we booked a double bedroom – “D” – in the Park car, which for those who may not know, is the double with the most floor space. Our attendant, Claude, is an old timer and very much into ensuring that his passenger’s needs are attended to promptly and courteously. I should add that he stocked an adequate supply of Mr. Alexander Keith’s fine Pale Ale from Halifax, thereby putting my mind at ease regarding that aspect of my rail pleasures. With a fair sky and receding sun, our train picked up speed and before too long, Montreal’s skyline was but a series of bumps on the rear horizon. One more pale ale, then off to the dining car. Generally we begin our evening meal at the Drummondville station stop – about an hour and one half from Montreal. This evening was no different. We noticed straight away that the menu had been trimmed quite a bit, with only two entrees offered and NO chowder listed. This was quite a surprise and we wondered aloud what had happened. The reply was along the lines that VIA Rail had decided to make several changes to Easterly Class and the dining car service, all designed to save them dollars. While that strategy makes no sense to me, apparently the “bean counters” think otherwise. I should note that the dining car was very crowded and we had about a 15 minute wait for a table. I don’t think that a trip with VIA Rail has ever resulted in our not meeting someone new and this particular journey was no different. There’s just that little something – no – big something that fosters the atmosphere for conversations to begin. A couple of more train travelers have been added to the “list” of people with whom communications will be maintained. That’s just the way it is. Try that out on an airplane! One of the treats to take advantage of aboard the “Ocean” is sitting in the Park Car’s dome. These domes accommodate 24 people and at times the seats are all full. I particularly like it when there’s no one else there, especially at night, as the sights of signal lights, illuminated structures and the loco’s headlight play games with the shadows of the night. If you have never experienced this, it may be a bit difficult to envision. Daylight affords the opportunity of viewing the full train from the rear along the roof lines. Night time gives yet another perspective. It’s all part of the ‘wonder’ of train travel and something that will be sorely missed once the Budd stainless steel cars give way to “Renaissance” and the “Euro” cars. After breakfast in the dining car, we returned to the Park Car dome and remained there until our long stop at Moncton, NB. This is where the loco’s get refueled and other matters get attended to. Scheduled for a 20 minute stop, we were off and running in 10. The train was a bit behind in schedule. The track along the route between Campbellton, NB and Moncton, NB was a bit on the rough side – square wheel effect. This is attributable to the New Brunswick East Coast railroad’s inability to maintain the track in the condition that CN had done over the years they owned it. A rough ride for those in the diner, for sure. CN routes their freights along a different right of way, thereby giving VIA Rail almost exclusive access to that length of track. We didn’t see one moving NBEC freight during the trip. Many of the cars and loco’s we did see still had CP or CP Rail markings showing beneath the freshly painted NBEC livery. Perhaps the most scenic portion of the trip is between Amherst, NS and Truro, NS where the track is pretty much located on the ridge line of the mountains (hills to those of you from the west coast!). Just wonderful scenery and good track most of the way. The westbound “Ocean," Train #15 from Halifax, passed us on the left side as we approached Truro. Those “Renaissance” cars just don’t look “right” to me and it’s going to take some time to get used to seeing them. Anyway, my guess is that they were waiting for us in a passing siding, as we were running about 20 minutes behind schedule. The run from Truro into Halifax takes about 90 minutes and on this particular Friday, it was true to form. Some very pretty countryside and lots of lakes to enjoy as the “Ocean” sped onward to our final stop. Approaching the town of Bedford (now part of the “new” greater Halifax) I snapped yet another photo of “Mom’s” house – situated between the tracks and the water of Bedford Basin. Each time we make this round trip, two more photo’s get added to the collection. One day, I’ll assemble them, put them into a collage arrangement, and ship ‘em off to “Mom.” It’s only been 15 years worth …….. Hugging the shoreline of the Basin and Halifax Harbor (Harbour) the “Ocean” wound its way past container freights and assorted cars waiting for assembly into outbound trains. We arrived at the station about 20 minutes late – which as far as I’m concerned is on time. Off to the platform and picture taking, while my bride patiently waited, wondering, “Why does he do this every time?” VIA Rail did it again – delivered us safe and happy to the beginning of what would turn out to be a wonderful week of trains, ships and a War Museum. To be continued ……….
QUOTE: Posted by siberianmo Posted: 18 May 2005, 14:25:29 Canadian Rail Journey, Part II (initially Posted on page 13) On Sunday, May 8th (Mother’s Day and VE Day) I set out on my solo round trip from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Ottawa, Ontario via Montreal, Quebec. Arriving at VIA Rail’s Halifax Station in a torrential downpour, the line up for Easterly Class sleepers had just begun. I noticed a rather large group of people all wearing name tags and my first thought was, “Oh no, a tourist group!” Experiences from past journeys have not all been that pleasant when encountering some of these organized rail trips and I hope this would be different. It was. It didn’t take long for me to discern the pronunciation of certain words that only people who reside in the St. Louis, MO, USA area can appreciate. The group turned out to be comprised of people from my community and those adjacent to it. The tour director had been my three children’s math teacher in high school and before I realized it, it was “old home week” at the Halifax Station. This particular fellow and I have traveled aboard the same trains, but never as part of his group. He does a good job at ensuring that all goes well, without the intrusiveness experienced with other groups. On this day, Train #15, the all BUDD consist of 11 cars (1 baggage car, 2 coaches, one Skyline dome car, one dining car, 5 Chateau series sleepers and the Evangeline Park Car (observation dome with 2 lounges and 4 bedrooms) awaited us. Heading up the train were two F40PH’s, numbered 6441 and 6405 respectively. The train was booked full, including the coaches. There was talk of adding another coach at Moncton, NB, however, that didn’t occur as one wasn’t available. The rain had been falling since Saturday morning and this was monsoon-like. Heading northward towards Truro, the water on either side of the right-of-way was running fast and at times appeared to be very, very close to the roadbed. Sitting in the Park Car dome, the vantage point was sufficient enough to determine the impact of the storm on the country side. Several crossings had police cars blocking them, lights flashing, probably because of roadways under water. By the time the train wound its way through the great scenery between Truro and Amherst (last stop in Nova Scotia) the rain began to let up. Our arrival in Moncton was only long enough for me to dash out into the rain, take some photo’s and get back aboard for the continuation of the journey. One of my new-found friends from a community not far from where I live, accompanied me and we got more than a few chuckles from the employees all huddled beneath this or that wondering who these “Yay hoos” were with their cameras! Been there, done that before and will undoubtedly do it again! With a refueled train at the ready, the remainder of the trip was enjoyable – as always. The dining car was jammed for the evening meal – at least a 15 minute wait for a table. Good to see, in that many of my previous trips witnessed near empty situations, even though the trains were rather full. Somehow this all didn’t equate – fewer menu selections, higher prices equals greater demand? Huh? Another delightful meal, some great dinner table chit chat over a couple of Keith’s Pale Ale, then back to the dome. Ahhhhhhh. Couldn’t handle much more beyond Campbellton, so it was time to hit the sack. I had a single (Roomette) on this journey in the Chateau Brule bedroom car adjacent to the Evangeline Park observation dome car. This single was an “upper,” in that the step down could be a ‘killer’ if one forgot it was there! Happens …. Amazing how every bit of space is wisely planned for ……… a good night’s sleep interrupted only by my curiousness to take a look through the wide window now and then. Some snow on the ground between western New Brunswick and eastern Quebec. Morning on the “Ocean” began very early for me. I arose at 4 AM – and decided to sit in the Evangeline Park’s dome until our stop at Charny station. While this stop has existed for decades, the feature stop for the “Ocean” was at a place on the south bank of the St. Lawrence Seaway, directly across from Quebec City called Levis. When on the eastbound, the train sat for about 20 minutes, which gave the passengers an incredible view of the ramparts and lights of Quebec City – just wonderful. The westbound got in a bit early (as with Charny), so most times I slept through that ….. About five years ago, the tracks were sold and removed for Condominiums (or so the story goes) and the Levis station faded into history. The ferry connection between Levis and Quebec City lost much of its charm insofar as passenger train travelers were concerned. At Charny on the westbound, the train backs in, whereas it is the opposite heading east. Took a few minutes to breath in the chilly morning air – chat a bit with crew and just enjoy the beginning of yet another great morning with VIA Rail. I must say that those continental breakfasts in the Bullet Lounge of the Park Car was sorely missed on this day. I’m a “pill taker” in my advancing age and without something of substance to go with them, the experience can be rather unpleasant. Fortunately, “Joanne,” our attendant, noticed my discomfort and immediately provided me with a few packages of cookies to go with the complimentary juices, coffee, tea and hot chocolate in the Park Car. She’s a “sweetheart” for sure – an “old timer” from our traveling days aboard the “Atlantic,” which used to run between Montreal and Halifax, but took a more southerly route through Maine. A story for another day ……. We arrived in Montreal about 15 minutes early – 8 AM – and I quickly located a place for breakfast within Montreal’s Central Station. Two eggs, sausages, toast and coffee all for $5 (Cdn) – not bad. What a shame that VIA Rail’s decision makers have no clue regarding breakfast aboard the westbound “Ocean.” The Chef is there – the food is there – the attendants are there and the only thing served is the continental breakfast. Pity. My Ottawa train departed at 10 AM as I settled into my window seat aboard a VIA Rail LRC coach. For such a short journey, I decided against VIA1 service – much more costly. The train makeup consisted of 4 LRC cars – 1 VIA1 and 3 coaches powered by a single Genesis P42 locomotive. Just love the color scheme (livery). The hour and 35 minutes flew by and before I realized it – there we were, pulling into the station. Ottawa’s VIA Rail station is a beautifully appointed structure – very modern, airy and clean. Bus and taxi service to downtown is readily available and frequent. I took bus #95 to downtown and off I trudged to the newly opened and dedicated War Museum. The War Museum is located rather far from where the bus driver left me off. Hmmmmmmm, was there a message there? Anyway, I enjoyed the exercise – snapped a bunch of photo’s along the way of the Parliament buildings, Supreme Court and so on. The weather was outstanding – blue skies and temperatures in the mid-70’s (F). Lots of joggers – lots of jiggles and lots to look at! Ahhhhhhhh, young man on the lose in Ottawa! Well, at least mentally! Arriving at the War Museum about 45 minutes after my bus departure – really – I was taken in by the new structure and those entering and departing it. The day before, VE Day, Ottawa hosted a terrific remembrance for the veterans and many were still around. I made a point of introducing myself to several and I’ll tell you, many misty eyes all ‘round for sure. I digress a bit: During WWII my father was a U.S. Merchant Marine mate and several of his convoys used to make up at Halifax. There was a special bond between those embarked on those voyages – some only made it one way – some didn’t complete the trips – and the lucky ones are still around to talk about it. Yes, a very significant experience for me.……. To be continued ……….
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter