It was too cold to walk to the downtown bus station so I got a taxi instead and arrived in plenty of time for the bus back to Edmonton. I needed to get back there because that is where the train to Toronto leaves from. I was expecting lots of people on the bus but there were only about eight so we had the bus to ourselves. Once again it was a new bus with that new fabric smell and plenty of room too. The bus stopped several times on the 4 hour journey and at the airport quite a few other passengers got on but the bus was still not crowded.
Once in Edmonton I had 3 hours to kill before the train to Toronto was due to depart. Fortunately there was a great little bistro next to the Edmonton bus depot so I had a late lunch. I was tracking the progress of the train on the ViaRail website so I already knew the train was going to be 2.5hrs late which wasn’t an issue. It was originally scheduled to depart at 17.19hrs but we still had to check in at the regular time. Once at the remote station, the staff advised that because the train is delayed there could be a possibility we would miss the evening dinner service. So at about 16.30hrs, 12 of us who had sleeper car accommodation with meals included, were whisked away to a really nice local hotel for an excellent 3 course dinner courtesy of ViaRail. Having had a late lunch unfortunately there was no way I could eat it, so I just managed a desert instead. At least it was an opportunity to meet some of the other passengers. There were some retired couples from New Zealand, a few ‘off-gridder’ type people with huge beards and missing teeth to match, some students returning home after vacations and a few other travellers like me.
Once the train arrived, I found my seat which happened to be the same one I had on the previous Vancouver to Edmonton leg. It would be a 3.5 – 4 day journey on board the train to Toronto. No WiFi which was nice but there was still plenty to do on the train and not get bored. As it turned out, we didn’t miss dinner service on the train but by this time I was a little peckish so had the veal escalope which was really nice and succulent. Turning in early it was a smooth-ish journey though you could feel the driver trying to make up time. I don’t think a 2.5hr delay in a 4 day train journey is that bad at all. In the morning, I woke up to spectacular views over snow covered prairies.
This was pretty much the view for a couple of days as the train crossed central Canada. Although pretty, there really doesn’t seem to be much there. I know a few people like that… 😉
Once at Saskatoon the train was held by a further 2 – 3 hours because of having to wait to allow freight trains to pass. But it was a welcome opportunity to brave to cold, stretch the legs and get some fresh air which froze my nose. We also collaborated in doing a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle in a sort of ‘tag team’. It was the perfect size for the tables in one of the common areas on the train.
By the time the trained pulled into Winnipeg it was 03.30hrs in the morning. It was meant to arrive the previous day at about 18.00hrs but the delay was due to signals, freight trains and weather conditions.
Apparently this is not uncommon but unlike back home, nobody was getting agitated or cursing about it which was really nice. In the morning I made full use of the shower facilities on board and they were very impressive and surprisingly roomy. It’s amazing how much more alive you feel after a good shower and a change of clothes. At Winnipeg the crew changed shifts so it was a new team on board. Even with what little sleep they had due to the delay, the service remained outstanding and I cannot commend them enough.
The breakfast was fabulous and I had to try the Canadian breakfast; Blueberry pancakes with bacon & maple syrup, coffee and orange juice. The bacon and maple syrup combination really works well. Am surprised that more Canadians are not fatter if this is what they eat for breakfast.
By early afternoon on the fourth day, the train finally arrived in Toronto Central station 1.5hrs after its scheduled arrival time. The driver and engineer did a great job of making up lost time over the last four days. I collected my bag from the carousel like in an airport and then tried to find my way out of the station which was a little challenging as it is so big and badly signed. Eventually I found my way out and made my way across the road to the hotel I booked, the Fairmont Royal York. It reminded me of the apartment building in Ghostbusters.
