It wasn’t too easy sleeping on the final night of my stay in Toronto. The people at Union Station advised checking in for the train journey to Jasper somewhere between 7.30 and 8.00am for the retimed (again) 09.45hrs Train No 1 The Canadian,for stations to Vancouver, 4,466 km (2,775.044 miles) distant.
Well, I did manage to check in at 7.50, grabbed something to eat, and then be escorted with the other travellers onto the train. Looking along the platform at “coaches of stainless steel and chrome” prompted memories of recent very long distance travels in the Antipodes, and 50 years ago, boarding the Denver Zephyr in Chicago, for a full overnight journey.I was shown to my cabin for the next three nights. It was the largest available apart from those in Prestige Class at the rear of the train. The Canadian was supposed to depart the previous evening at 10.00pm.
Being retimed to the following morning provided a rare opportunity to travel in daylight for around 12 hours into ever more lovely countryside. Ontario, according to Jessica, the tour guide as far as Winnipeg, “spans an area the size of France and Spain combined.” I am sure that this is roughly correct. I find the endless vistas of forest, lake and skies awesome. My efforts to photograph and video this infinite landscape do not do justice to this unbelievably spectacular landscape. Below are a few modest images.
The last picture (above), I consider a “lucky” shot as the Toronto bound Canadian, VIA No.2 passes. (13/6/19).Very early this morning, it was foggy and wet. The mist cleared by the time I was finally getting up. Oatmeal was on the menu for breakfast, which I enjoyed with fresh fruit cocktail and coffee. Around lunchtime, we were allowed off the train at Sioux Lookout (pop. 5,037) while the locomotives were serviced.
Written today at 2.41pm local/train time. (The two can be different for short periods). David.
Further pictures from inside The Canadian.
The first two images are close to my accommodation; the last two were taken at the rear of the train. Published outside Winnipeg Station.
Gone now is that lovely Canadian Shield countryside.
DN. 20.31hrs GMT-6
David's Cruise 