Train Travel, Now That Is the Life.

I've made it into Toronto by train. The train was about an hour and a half late due to a freight train ahead of us having an issue with a hotbox. Upon arrival at Union Station, I caught a cab to my hotel, a mere $5.75, which is how close to the station my hotel is. I got my room and then called it a night.

Now train travel is a wonderful thing. It's not the thing if you're in a hurry as it took three days to get to Toronto from Edmonton, but if you're not in a hurry, it's a nice relaxing alternative. As I am on vacation, the down time was great. Not only did I get some rest (despite not having a sleeper) but the really cool part of train travel is meeting new people.

Now I like to spend time in the dome car. You get a better view than from your seat and the cafe/snack bar is in the same car, though not a real issue as my car was immediately in front of the dome car. Anyhow, sitting in the dome car is where you meet people. You just start chatting with people as they or you drop in and out of the conversations that are happening. On this trip I met someone from Sydney, Australia; a couple of people from Montreal; someone from Toronto and some people from the small communities along the line. It was a great time. Lots of good conversation, several card games and people to sit with at meal times. You just don't get the same thing flying.

The Dome Car

A note about Via Rail's "Comfort Class". It's coach. Now I new that going into the trip and it's not an issue for me. As coach goes, it's pretty good. the seats are wider than those in coach on an aircraft, there's way more legroom (I can almost stretch my legs out fully) and they give you a pillow and blanket. So the times I wasn't in the dome, I was in my seat reading, or looking out the window or sleeping, all the time listening to I-pody goodness. It was good to get to the hotel and shower though. Washing in the basin on a rocking train leaves much to be desired.

It was interesting to ponder during my journey that there I was in the 21st century, sitting in a train car built in the middle of the 20th century using a transportation system designed and built in the 19th century. Kind of cool I thought.

Stations along the way were kind of interesting as well. Most of the stations in the west were either very small or not that impressive. Edmonton's station looked much like a small town airport. That's not true of Toronto's Union Station. The only word you can use to describe this edifice is grand. Ornate carving, stained glass and a huge arched main hall make this an impressive building from the glory days of railroading.

Small station near Brandon, MB

Interior of Union Station in Toronto, ON

Speaking of the glory days of railroading, there are several points along CN's line that still have coaling towers. I managed a shot of one as I was passing it (having missed the one at a division point because I had just woke up and hadn't brought my camera with me to the dome car). Though no longer used it was cool to see these relics of a bygone era.

Coaling tower in Foleyet, ON

So I will continue with my travels over the next week or so, catching the train next to Montreal then to Halifax. But first, touring Toronto!