tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84185095646416113702024-03-17T08:29:36.431-03:00Tim's Train TravelsTimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-35073795945479067072024-01-29T14:30:00.000-04:002024-01-29T14:30:39.413-04:00Christmas Chaos Returns: Trains, planes and…buses?<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxX0gjYJnbg8YbNSfL0jvd9pGeJ9fvg1Bh2waxL5gHVzl7bCqhqF6IxNRAl8uU7BXjfWxslwqwdv4MlWfAt07rOPNzVpcZ48pod4pnqMCbCLSCPgVvlu2HHHUXQLCnm0exgPwshjBc7p4HA3DEa5znkcIJ-PYznvQQ8-gQlemANX2KT_A7ovQ5yGFGBYkV/s4032/IMG_9908.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxX0gjYJnbg8YbNSfL0jvd9pGeJ9fvg1Bh2waxL5gHVzl7bCqhqF6IxNRAl8uU7BXjfWxslwqwdv4MlWfAt07rOPNzVpcZ48pod4pnqMCbCLSCPgVvlu2HHHUXQLCnm0exgPwshjBc7p4HA3DEa5znkcIJ-PYznvQQ8-gQlemANX2KT_A7ovQ5yGFGBYkV/w640-h480/IMG_9908.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"VIA" 15 at Campbellton NB. Hmm, something doesn't look right here...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here we go again…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those of you who have followed my reports will know I’ve had
some “interesting” trips, particularly in the winter. Last Christmas was the peak
of these experiences – if you haven’t already, go ahead and have a look at my “<a href="https://timstraintravels.blogspot.com/2023/02/trains-planes-and-automobiles-christmas.html" target="_blank">Trains,Planes and Automobiles</a>” post from last year. You’d be forgiven for thinking that this might
make me a bit hesitant about jumping on a train again at this time of year; but
I’ve always been happy to recognize when the experience was the result of rare
and unusual circumstances. If I’d been scheduled on a flight that same day last
year, I would have ended up having to deal with delays, cancellations, and
rebookings anyway! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">So this year, as Christmas approached, I made my plans and
hoped that I wouldn’t be in for anything quite so exciting. My itinerary would
be somewhat similar to last year, heading up about a week before Christmas (and
using a credit from last year’s trip!), on the train heading west. For the
return, the train schedule unfortunately didn’t line up well (departing on
Christmas Eve), so I booked a flight for the return right from the start. Not
my first choice, but reasonable under the circumstances. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">As the date approached, the weather looked fine; no major
storms to contend with. After chronic delays through the summer and fall due to
track work, the Ocean’s timekeeping had also improved. The train was now
arriving reliably on time (or close to it) in Montreal, which made my late
connection to Ottawa on train 37 seem likely to be a bit of a nuisance. Ah
well, a bit of extra time in Montreal isn’t the worst thing in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the Friday before my Sunday departure, I had a look at
the tracking information for the eastbound train that would become my westbound
train in a couple days’ time. I noted that the train was delayed by a few hours
leaving Montreal. This turned out to be due to late connections from both
Toronto and Ottawa, owing to trespasser strikes by other trains that resulted
in lengthy delays. Still, the train was on the move! Good. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Later in the evening I noticed something odd. The train had
made it as far as Mcmasterville, by Beleoil/Mont-St-Hilaire, and it had stopped.
It had remained stopped for an extended period of time. That isn’t a typical
place for a meet, and the length of delay was a little concerning; so I kept an
eye on it. Much later in the evening, I noticed that the train was back on the
move….towards Montreal. Uh oh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">As it turns out, the lead locomotive had died not long after
leaving Montreal. After some time stopped and trying to fix it, the crew made
the call to return to Montreal, where a new locomotive would be brought from
the Montreal Maintenance Centre and added to the train. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">This made for a long delay, but with the new locomotive finally
added, the train again departed Montreal some time after 3 am, now running
around 8 h behind schedule. I was glad not to be on that train, but at this
point I figured it should still have no implications for my trip the other way,
aside from having 3 locomotives on the train. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">At some point the next day, I checked the tracker to see that
the train had stopped once again, this time short of Riviere-du-Loup. An
unusual spot, not in a siding, and they had been sitting for quite a while.
Once again…uh oh. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thanks to the online railfan community, I was quickly able
to learn that this train had encountered another stoke of astronomically bad
luck. Along the right of way, there are many small level crossings on farmland,
allowing farmers to access either side of fields cut in half by the railway. These
crossings are typically unprotected, meaning they don’t have lights or other
crossing signals, only signs. They are mostly sporadically used, and rely on
these farmers being responsible watching for trains. In this case, a farmer was
driving a tractor with a trailer across one of these crossings, and either didn’t
check for trains or assumed he had adequate time to get across the tracks. He
was wrong. The train collided with his trailer, and while he was lucky to
escape without injury, the impact did serious damage to the train. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">While the train remained on the track, the lead locomotive
suffered damage to its front end, and more significantly suffered a puncture to
its fuel tank, resulting in a fuel spill. This meant that an environmental
cleanup team had to attend the site, and resulted in an extended delay while
repairs were made to the locomotive to stop the leak and repair damage as best
as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course now that the lead locomotive had a ruptured fuel tank,
it could no longer operate under power. So the train had 3 locomotives, and
only one functioning… The solution this far away from VIA’s maintenance base
was to make arrangements with CN to borrow a spare locomotive from Riviere-du-Loup.
CN 2337, an ES44AC, was brought in to rescue the train. Eventually, with this
locomotive added on the front and the VIA unit patched up, the train resumed
its eastward trek to Halifax. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">By this point it was becoming clear that this was going to
have implications for my departure. The estimated arrival time got pushed back
and back, particularly owing to the slow speeds thanks to the restrictions on
the freight locomotive, so it was clear that the train would be arriving at
some time on Sunday, rather than supper time on Saturday. On Saturday evening,
I received an email notification from VIA about a delayed departure time, and I
also received a call from VIA confirming this and also letting me know that
they did not expect to make any connections in Montreal on Monday, so I would
be rebooked to a connecting train on Tuesday morning instead. There was also an
offer to cancel the entire trip for a full refund, but I figured I’d stick with
the original plans and see how it all worked out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">By the next day, the incoming train had been delayed even
further. As if all of the other delays weren’t bad enough, a broken rail east
of Truro (at Milford) resulted in one final delay. Eventually, the train limp
into Halifax about 23 hours late. I ventured out to capture this unique arrival
as it rolled through Mill Cove, which you can see in the video below. An
unusual sight for sure!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtLOrXE3ShqzGDRKW3h7dUa6hvID9R6e0C2Ru-TuNduLdnvc6bY1PQXRiwL2jYSMz0HSHeh7GNICN_A1kWbvUL5PbuxJeQqFdN0m6VOoZqRnNyK9McflVBLwD5KcfFt2qgy245BHfHuhPxZyGwkZienDnBRSyW4FYdbnO1f6RoT1jUNzqR6Csx0LvWs8h/s2449/IMG_9865.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1633" data-original-width="2449" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtLOrXE3ShqzGDRKW3h7dUa6hvID9R6e0C2Ru-TuNduLdnvc6bY1PQXRiwL2jYSMz0HSHeh7GNICN_A1kWbvUL5PbuxJeQqFdN0m6VOoZqRnNyK9McflVBLwD5KcfFt2qgy245BHfHuhPxZyGwkZienDnBRSyW4FYdbnO1f6RoT1jUNzqR6Csx0LvWs8h/w640-h426/IMG_9865.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14 rolls through Mill Cove, with its CN leader, nearly 23 hours late. There wasn't even much daylight left on this unexpected extra day of their journey!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="479" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n_giCXMcmZ0" width="575" youtube-src-id="n_giCXMcmZ0"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Departure of #15 had been delayed to the late afternoon,
then evening, and eventually pushed back to 11pm – 10 hours behind schedule. VIA
was good for communicating this, and I was glad to be able to just relax and
delay heading to the station, making the most of the extra time at home before
leaving. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, as the evening rolled on, I made my way down to the
station, arriving around 10pm. It was very strange to be showing up and seeing
the station alive at this time of the evening. There were some snacks and water
bottles set out on tables in the station. I noted that our train had been
prepared, and CN 2337 had even been turned on the turntable at Fairview so it
could lead our train back west. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNH9uIcFsuwb5x5WuI9hIC9dHqIGlSaLD4aY-C3N6RBJGM6NnqZs1UehQb_Jzb1Pxkb6pNxJGgVsxYWIGdGKawGNYsdpeqr48KDznWD4L14WgsdbmlS8Fbwm9ET6W07IJZX9RRMDZ9xn-gi8GvEJU2A4UBJxUQBRDVeEkaMhW2HPmvZfkDApvNKZ4LarJ8/s4032/IMG_9871.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNH9uIcFsuwb5x5WuI9hIC9dHqIGlSaLD4aY-C3N6RBJGM6NnqZs1UehQb_Jzb1Pxkb6pNxJGgVsxYWIGdGKawGNYsdpeqr48KDznWD4L14WgsdbmlS8Fbwm9ET6W07IJZX9RRMDZ9xn-gi8GvEJU2A4UBJxUQBRDVeEkaMhW2HPmvZfkDApvNKZ4LarJ8/w640-h480/IMG_9871.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN 2337, turned for the return trip, idles away on the lead of our train.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiT7RrisuWPEEsvV_r1iylvSHZQCaieRK3i8nSTpjqdPW-pTQJsuWtQlHyWK7C4U_vpfF8GyTCEF85yf4UdaqsRJ4j_TDIJsektuaDaRg2j253YmVl_dZX3MDRdCiMMisi3erY_qhqkGXU6aaB5dwkHbdwcA69cNmVpJwIVvMd4RRsbK-w77bid2Oa3bBL/s4032/IMG_9872.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiT7RrisuWPEEsvV_r1iylvSHZQCaieRK3i8nSTpjqdPW-pTQJsuWtQlHyWK7C4U_vpfF8GyTCEF85yf4UdaqsRJ4j_TDIJsektuaDaRg2j253YmVl_dZX3MDRdCiMMisi3erY_qhqkGXU6aaB5dwkHbdwcA69cNmVpJwIVvMd4RRsbK-w77bid2Oa3bBL/w640-h480/IMG_9872.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halifax station, decorated for Christmas - festive, even at an unusual hour to be boarding the train!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRJLdFeqpHwIjAXLnh-dWZyqbsTLvItCBMEUNBiTIBrUm0zCn0TroPX7pSFQ1MZFOwOg3HzEbPVzkGoi1mFs9viyWDQrDjgNadvN2NzoX6Qq2MUMRhryn-rjlaSh8e9z4hNC-Pkxo-iSO5BlXaHOFlx6GrD01LOCyvG_eviU11S8U9XJkvNnyv2nj0Mf7/s4032/IMG_9874.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRJLdFeqpHwIjAXLnh-dWZyqbsTLvItCBMEUNBiTIBrUm0zCn0TroPX7pSFQ1MZFOwOg3HzEbPVzkGoi1mFs9viyWDQrDjgNadvN2NzoX6Qq2MUMRhryn-rjlaSh8e9z4hNC-Pkxo-iSO5BlXaHOFlx6GrD01LOCyvG_eviU11S8U9XJkvNnyv2nj0Mf7/w640-h480/IMG_9874.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snacks and drinks laid out on a table in the station, a nice token from VIA with the late departure.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmhjCAt01d4BoKHyiD1BryYmk1sm61CzUJv6vdLfyiiMD7Eifgv5yVmEo8BOdk0w80cT4O6K4EI2uMo2UrDGvbz4yJTlgCYp5mTYzrfx-zlAE-aImCxew0uPIJupPSREi2uRAsYxEr1BFgnvLlJ2_C7a57be2vL6rxTEAPxCfusimUBAXUmNKzfIIfE7l/s2596/IMG_9875.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="2596" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmhjCAt01d4BoKHyiD1BryYmk1sm61CzUJv6vdLfyiiMD7Eifgv5yVmEo8BOdk0w80cT4O6K4EI2uMo2UrDGvbz4yJTlgCYp5mTYzrfx-zlAE-aImCxew0uPIJupPSREi2uRAsYxEr1BFgnvLlJ2_C7a57be2vL6rxTEAPxCfusimUBAXUmNKzfIIfE7l/w640-h452/IMG_9875.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Departure board, reflecting our 10-h delayed start.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Checking my bag, I was informed that it would only be
checked to Montreal, given the uncertainty in arrival times. Sleeper check in
started by around 10pm, and we boarded the train around 10:15. Given the
evening departure, sleeper rooms were already made up for the night, and there
was something quite relaxing about getting on the train and being able to
settle right in to a cozy room. Though I haven’t ever ridden one, it felt
reminiscent of what I know of European night trains, which typically board and
depart late in the evening for an arrival the next morning. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">There was still a pretty good crowd boarding both in Economy
and Sleeper. I noted that the accessible Ren coach was being loaded with
Montreal bound passengers, Moncton passengers were being boarded in the
standard Ren coach, and passengers for all other points were in the HEP coach.
Our trip was just before additional Chateau sleepers were added for the
Christmas rush, so all sleeper passengers were in the 4 Renaissance sleepers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSCELUikXoFXI_i9Ay5g3uHZTPTBuqScQ2icZLgvcXbP3RoJGk7zddKYpGJ6yD_ufX6W4EeMJRdFMv9K5Ym8U2r3eC_3lSlwGJ4asIUksd_NWbgfsY6GVu2OT6z5lcnAwThyphenhyphenn6Xwj7oAcJGEnsULTeMzZOqX0XgUDI4kGelEUaIh5O6swwmWAMyQ-Bsyj/s4032/IMG_9877.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSCELUikXoFXI_i9Ay5g3uHZTPTBuqScQ2icZLgvcXbP3RoJGk7zddKYpGJ6yD_ufX6W4EeMJRdFMv9K5Ym8U2r3eC_3lSlwGJ4asIUksd_NWbgfsY6GVu2OT6z5lcnAwThyphenhyphenn6Xwj7oAcJGEnsULTeMzZOqX0XgUDI4kGelEUaIh5O6swwmWAMyQ-Bsyj/w640-h480/IMG_9877.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out to board the train.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">VIA 15 – December 17, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: medium;">CN 2337 ES44AC<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">VIA 6401 F40
(forward)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">VIA 6433 F40 (reverse,
dead)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">VIA 6406 F40
(reverse, dead, punctured fuel tank)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8616 HEP1 baggage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8219 Chateau Montcalm
(crew dorm)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">8131 HEP1 coach
(*refurbished ex-US coach)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7600 Renaissance transition<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7208 Ren coach<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7308 Ren
service car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7400 Ren diner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7314 Ren
service car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">79515 Ren
accessible sleeper (30)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7520 Ren
sleeper (37) *Room 5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7518 Ren
sleeper (38)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7519 Ren
sleeper (39)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">70217 Ren
accessible coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7011 Ren
baggage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSxOJS1uQFp232DRIjeayaak9gB5ajiY9a6S1VcBtfRaDc2ZJ4xx2aOLTdr8xtLR5TOZSbybZyttIpHLJ3AtZcnUeXvqZYpDns_JNXQVO224Xb2UBvqN8qKuB2hQC264OJZGZhWsLuAM7Wa_Uys-guAACA58fHtFvn4Gctn9YMjXa7qKbsxoVCaFlE55H/s4032/IMG_9878.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSxOJS1uQFp232DRIjeayaak9gB5ajiY9a6S1VcBtfRaDc2ZJ4xx2aOLTdr8xtLR5TOZSbybZyttIpHLJ3AtZcnUeXvqZYpDns_JNXQVO224Xb2UBvqN8qKuB2hQC264OJZGZhWsLuAM7Wa_Uys-guAACA58fHtFvn4Gctn9YMjXa7qKbsxoVCaFlE55H/w480-h640/IMG_9878.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering my Renaissance sleeper room, already made up for the night.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">There was an issue in our sleeping car before departure, as
there was no water in the bathrooms. This issue was resolved in short order
before departure. Though we were set to leave for 11pm, there was an issue with
the door indicators, with one door showing open despite being checked and secured.
The crew had to bypass this, and were ultimately able to do this and confirm
after a couple of rolling tests. One of the issues with having a CN lead engine
is that the door and bearing monitoring systems are located in the VIA units,
and can’t be accessed from the CN leader. So one crew member would have to regularly
board the lead VIA unit to check on these periodically through the trip,
something that would cause another delay. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, we departed Halifax at 11:29pm, and as we made our
way out around the Bedford Basin and into the dark rural areas outside Halifax,
I settled in for bed. An unusual start to the trip, but I was in good spirits
and ready to make the most of it. The next day promised to be interesting with
unusual daytime running, and the slower speed with the freight locomotive
leading made it very easy to get off to sleep. It ended up being one of the
best train sleeps I’ve had, certainly in quite some time!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The next morning I woke up and checked outside to see where
we were. Breakfast was to be available from 6-9am, so I planned to go around 8.
By this time we were approaching Miramichi NB, where we arrived at 8:12am. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzhzoyIffkCqTNSSko18XWmOkSI8_DGWkR182oZFk4Wu_i0PT1QQB5KC8nKfGYK58npFmvjKCjpn7RXUTfj41nJxQn1LgD57oGgFOIe7sJerG1UUatGpNkbiDHFYE9-w9B-tsvomGyGNBRE8jmGjzqKWaOylA9tCFxFIopLsUfPlPJ8F4328ZD1Pzz6Os/s4032/IMG_9881.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzhzoyIffkCqTNSSko18XWmOkSI8_DGWkR182oZFk4Wu_i0PT1QQB5KC8nKfGYK58npFmvjKCjpn7RXUTfj41nJxQn1LgD57oGgFOIe7sJerG1UUatGpNkbiDHFYE9-w9B-tsvomGyGNBRE8jmGjzqKWaOylA9tCFxFIopLsUfPlPJ8F4328ZD1Pzz6Os/w480-h640/IMG_9881.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Miramichi River. Very unusual sight for first thing in the morning on #15!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Breakfast was quite good. The menus were revamped last year,
so I was quite excited to try out some of the new options. There was a good
crowd in the diner, but I was seated alone at a 2-seat table. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtLL2ntP-59k-wD_qVbDGJJYfW_742n1EEMHPRmg32RSAmqlwlBwwPcMnE1ShLAtJkH5ccSW_HnoRwlqrxgyedUNbn6Tf-ZKo2FA9EGlXSFHAUGAlS0IbkRClvVcwcQSCW1ia8VNr6E3PnJhOb4eXOSGovdgtkCi46eOXAjaGE1iPFqaa3mqVQ7sypm-M/s4032/IMG_9882.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtLL2ntP-59k-wD_qVbDGJJYfW_742n1EEMHPRmg32RSAmqlwlBwwPcMnE1ShLAtJkH5ccSW_HnoRwlqrxgyedUNbn6Tf-ZKo2FA9EGlXSFHAUGAlS0IbkRClvVcwcQSCW1ia8VNr6E3PnJhOb4eXOSGovdgtkCi46eOXAjaGE1iPFqaa3mqVQ7sypm-M/w480-h640/IMG_9882.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting down for breakfast.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy1DX05sFUO3Du2_ZzMHOj2WIxPYmTK4-LAl4XUrXM5gTmVldV-wM2Ayx8RrrLaUPR5Pg1_xQMEgQB8AB_CRJUsHjEDESvtxnm49D3tp1GDMEVIZD2C4leJgEaQjfzV46zaLlUJC3TdUKLXHXadN6O7DUpYSbeYcvCgb3aXWQMwSPsIEMy0y94luALfJQ/s4032/IMG_9883.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy1DX05sFUO3Du2_ZzMHOj2WIxPYmTK4-LAl4XUrXM5gTmVldV-wM2Ayx8RrrLaUPR5Pg1_xQMEgQB8AB_CRJUsHjEDESvtxnm49D3tp1GDMEVIZD2C4leJgEaQjfzV46zaLlUJC3TdUKLXHXadN6O7DUpYSbeYcvCgb3aXWQMwSPsIEMy0y94luALfJQ/w480-h640/IMG_9883.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New breakfast options. In retrospect, I kind of wish I'd tried the smoothie bowl (another time!). With the new menus, options are still different on east and westbound trains.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DpEvlGcM_mZGKZcffO5pbZImhftDAbqORO830N4He9lI55ZbhXRCTnkmkBC5jtjN4lpXTgohEeXELkZofB5mlWGoE2Kmdx6G7ieIg6GwNZRhztFr8EkAfJKFQ976sQiJ2Qz-SuLngi4ztX1kydOLsYeBu5bRe_2yMwNtnIiJtafz5eIPFeKBaG-O8MyC/s4032/IMG_9884.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DpEvlGcM_mZGKZcffO5pbZImhftDAbqORO830N4He9lI55ZbhXRCTnkmkBC5jtjN4lpXTgohEeXELkZofB5mlWGoE2Kmdx6G7ieIg6GwNZRhztFr8EkAfJKFQ976sQiJ2Qz-SuLngi4ztX1kydOLsYeBu5bRe_2yMwNtnIiJtafz5eIPFeKBaG-O8MyC/w480-h640/IMG_9884.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miramichi NB, with snow on the ground but rain coming down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9s4fV9N3nwG7yhbMsmENfH6MwR3B88NmdrX-GCzLGN2r8EDDTo_I3wP4FcLEraWenw0pR97bWPZDTnBGSh4X72FXcljsmCe6eabiAXpRIzg0Z2ISY3GQjTrFn_Z1tyuiFTqCb1-UUd6K3xiPpaUplLpgd9qWADgwjXuv7woShSLWk7yV96ddhy4NphIW/s4032/IMG_9885.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9s4fV9N3nwG7yhbMsmENfH6MwR3B88NmdrX-GCzLGN2r8EDDTo_I3wP4FcLEraWenw0pR97bWPZDTnBGSh4X72FXcljsmCe6eabiAXpRIzg0Z2ISY3GQjTrFn_Z1tyuiFTqCb1-UUd6K3xiPpaUplLpgd9qWADgwjXuv7woShSLWk7yV96ddhy4NphIW/w640-h480/IMG_9885.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Breakfast poutine" - quite good, and not as heavy as I expected; though the quality of the potatoes declined considerably as they cooled off.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwGmTLHhz_2KXUuNo3eKbwnlLjJzUNc-7RlCgU8zrlAT1QHjHthgfD9fmWdGN50VEXDmBCWq316AsYx_SVcxjcVa63Sp7mL6or3pdVJSG_toSZXlY9NDqYO9YGKWpIQCirH4raoRHJ_cryszBCjC5xoiYKPDrSnd8lP6hBBzlUaN3zGVGDG0dInRbYiv7/s4032/IMG_9886.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwGmTLHhz_2KXUuNo3eKbwnlLjJzUNc-7RlCgU8zrlAT1QHjHthgfD9fmWdGN50VEXDmBCWq316AsYx_SVcxjcVa63Sp7mL6or3pdVJSG_toSZXlY9NDqYO9YGKWpIQCirH4raoRHJ_cryszBCjC5xoiYKPDrSnd8lP6hBBzlUaN3zGVGDG0dInRbYiv7/w640-h480/IMG_9886.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Service car views on a drab day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9O0mFI6GzFl7ur7U6j7Ccm24l6neGx4vfFNflVyJY7qrIRJ2Wy3MeX-FA0PBG1sItPAybeZBy_dAeWnDYywkxs-fttAXK7YkCRcr1mYnwTz6xxJJL4BkZVGaJ0fsWXNJcqYhx3Ub3LgjLoulUNdBkGjWBgQwjSfc4nsmZ3BDO2WBoYjuGD2bazh8qw5A6/s4032/IMG_9888.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9O0mFI6GzFl7ur7U6j7Ccm24l6neGx4vfFNflVyJY7qrIRJ2Wy3MeX-FA0PBG1sItPAybeZBy_dAeWnDYywkxs-fttAXK7YkCRcr1mYnwTz6xxJJL4BkZVGaJ0fsWXNJcqYhx3Ub3LgjLoulUNdBkGjWBgQwjSfc4nsmZ3BDO2WBoYjuGD2bazh8qw5A6/w640-h480/IMG_9888.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing in the service car with coffee from the diner to go. The lounge was well used at times, but quiet at others. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Being so delayed, our meet with the next eastbound train
would be at an unusual location. This ultimately ended up being Bathurst. We
arrived first, at 10:10am, and made our station stop. Train 14 pulled up ahead
of us by around 10:25am, while we were stopped, so I could see the two trains nearly
nose to nose. We then backed out of the station and went around in the siding,
while they made their station stop.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifd2ZQwdbNLGbwzEeIA295E5qv4PEauh6e1drNdH8EEjoLeNmoxDpDMevTd9d9yqM1OYewee30dN9rzgtuaMhBuXpTa_FVHgO5yhfvaJHo7IctvAOGSgp23opRATwE8Nufus25MAdoBxbMYTcw2AmEQvB1BYGAj0K7D6Fstp3rtdcnHNwEC1SytYtDpBbj/s4032/IMG_9890.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifd2ZQwdbNLGbwzEeIA295E5qv4PEauh6e1drNdH8EEjoLeNmoxDpDMevTd9d9yqM1OYewee30dN9rzgtuaMhBuXpTa_FVHgO5yhfvaJHo7IctvAOGSgp23opRATwE8Nufus25MAdoBxbMYTcw2AmEQvB1BYGAj0K7D6Fstp3rtdcnHNwEC1SytYtDpBbj/w640-h480/IMG_9890.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Bathurst - hard to get a good view out of the window, but you can just see train 14 up ahead of us.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs17gqAG2Pb03hsJHijifGdzL3lxiOtNfieDjDjYwiPZX-vzEa2CjEzG3d0tRukgD1EGJ0BkzASvXCa77Ld4nOJtpZWdbnCHjDqJSnw7kIpZU4xzZgjP_dFCwwulALU-HKNVRXSBkcn5VrqZjIePLlUSer2y2Y_OI81miBQfWHEZmI-QGxj-ehkzWsvzU/s4032/IMG_9893.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs17gqAG2Pb03hsJHijifGdzL3lxiOtNfieDjDjYwiPZX-vzEa2CjEzG3d0tRukgD1EGJ0BkzASvXCa77Ld4nOJtpZWdbnCHjDqJSnw7kIpZU4xzZgjP_dFCwwulALU-HKNVRXSBkcn5VrqZjIePLlUSer2y2Y_OI81miBQfWHEZmI-QGxj-ehkzWsvzU/w640-h480/IMG_9893.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet with 14 at Bathurst, after we've gone around in the siding.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAuOYGKDOPj06ydFke0VkNUo1NlEWbFeyo0Uo70HjnEgnAxpOTpHrLBNMEpoRb17Vbh6wrrsbz6Asbsp7nG7AnEG2wUHk305y5i_lY3UEqG3DszNjI6eexhP77YbC2A6nhC5S313oR-NojMm0Im0FItXJhl7vUmGMFf69ASAdwSSOYjs_Uv8Jn8swHJyU/s4032/IMG_9896.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAuOYGKDOPj06ydFke0VkNUo1NlEWbFeyo0Uo70HjnEgnAxpOTpHrLBNMEpoRb17Vbh6wrrsbz6Asbsp7nG7AnEG2wUHk305y5i_lY3UEqG3DszNjI6eexhP77YbC2A6nhC5S313oR-NojMm0Im0FItXJhl7vUmGMFf69ASAdwSSOYjs_Uv8Jn8swHJyU/w640-h480/IMG_9896.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting 14 - viewing one service car from another...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk_lEkDQpYCCWZFKzcED-3rlrENE992MuyeQNUGVKfe2r56FrdotKZY3qMykrUX4zOEqvupYXv2ytd7VRjFZ0Bd5ETec0zPhdAgQXXCqnr9Acve4veJPY0WNkG7j_WoxDT62aLQwsQvHLKNna7JTaZJOOt-oLKIHQz2y2XDC5IRh8KaHZF8N1-upqf-ww/s4032/IMG_9900.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk_lEkDQpYCCWZFKzcED-3rlrENE992MuyeQNUGVKfe2r56FrdotKZY3qMykrUX4zOEqvupYXv2ytd7VRjFZ0Bd5ETec0zPhdAgQXXCqnr9Acve4veJPY0WNkG7j_WoxDT62aLQwsQvHLKNna7JTaZJOOt-oLKIHQz2y2XDC5IRh8KaHZF8N1-upqf-ww/w640-h480/IMG_9900.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icy views along the Baie des Chaleurs. The wide angle on my camera almost makes this look like a shot from the curved dome (alas, still absent from the train)</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shortly after leaving Bathurst we stopped again, and I heard
chatter on my scanner about an issue with smoke from one truck on the CN lead
unit. Perhaps a stuck brake, or a traction motor issue? A brief inspection and
we were moving again, though it sounded like it would require some attention at
Campbellton. I assumed we were okay, though I didn’t realize yet that this was foreshadowing
things to come…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">With our glacially slow pace, it was starting to look like
we would very likely be spending another night on the train. Arrival in
Montreal seemed likely by the next morning, so there would be no need to worry
about arranging hotels. All in all, I thought, this wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Late, yes, but I was well settled in and relaxed, enjoying my time, and looking
forward to the unique experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lunch sittings were to be at 12 and 1:30pm, and based on
Eastern time since we’d soon hit the time change at the NB/QC border. I
originally opted for noon, but with our arrival at Campbellton somewhat
delayed, I shifted to the 1:30 sitting to make sure I could get off for a walk
at Cambellton. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The run to Campbellton was slow, but when we finally arrived
(in the rain), I got off for a walk to the head end, making sure to get some
photos of our unusual train, and the damage to 6406. The impact of the
collision was quite clear!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXtOvTmQGuOwJeiu3IpAKIOk_mrqYWtru3f3-iUJm6u6Fl3qqTeMOfZCTroQy6LpEtt6dsIebCTosg2sUeR9ne_h6IiP9FI-q9xz4L1-bYMtfP-Idncxo2IXCDcHh5NQRQxHVeiQMXG8MGAgez6ba47zszW08GAcsI6TFJT0aY4LOT6YT1CupnbFWYJKb/s4032/IMG_9903.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXtOvTmQGuOwJeiu3IpAKIOk_mrqYWtru3f3-iUJm6u6Fl3qqTeMOfZCTroQy6LpEtt6dsIebCTosg2sUeR9ne_h6IiP9FI-q9xz4L1-bYMtfP-Idncxo2IXCDcHh5NQRQxHVeiQMXG8MGAgez6ba47zszW08GAcsI6TFJT0aY4LOT6YT1CupnbFWYJKb/w640-h480/IMG_9903.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6406 was the lead locomotive that collided with the farm equipment. It's trailing on our return trip because of the bidirectional operation of the train. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWeT6lBqTTf9q5TNZwKPNp3cIuFzouhvTEWiY8sz3GkSdHuiHHIwY6eL7w7AtpkM7REHsvB4NWtIsyMlsLS0yNhROvVbsZDQjfYHZBsheJO9tbx0lxNE_Q7m2ckDMWwA5Pq4O0qLSSsZ1G3S5doYCDJXrVV-LTfd2Bi4IiezZbiSC2sZgLhXWJ5zxiZWo/s4032/IMG_9904.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWeT6lBqTTf9q5TNZwKPNp3cIuFzouhvTEWiY8sz3GkSdHuiHHIwY6eL7w7AtpkM7REHsvB4NWtIsyMlsLS0yNhROvVbsZDQjfYHZBsheJO9tbx0lxNE_Q7m2ckDMWwA5Pq4O0qLSSsZ1G3S5doYCDJXrVV-LTfd2Bi4IiezZbiSC2sZgLhXWJ5zxiZWo/w640-h480/IMG_9904.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty nasty impact to the front pilot/steps...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9eHgBTB87RpFfDtm8y22VbHaBw9uY6lvAvew2D5O8HBWD9J9opGcmupSfvpb3R0f2I8a7q-TKeZZwc7-w573Km_pCmkm3p5waOUDMPgZQPFieuCQel7QCK66DuGSQRioAXTjRurg5mvnu2uTg5cOlCkH7CMs-RN4pnWW9Z1QDECzQlAQVE5dz5XT18Ue/s4032/IMG_9905.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9eHgBTB87RpFfDtm8y22VbHaBw9uY6lvAvew2D5O8HBWD9J9opGcmupSfvpb3R0f2I8a7q-TKeZZwc7-w573Km_pCmkm3p5waOUDMPgZQPFieuCQel7QCK66DuGSQRioAXTjRurg5mvnu2uTg5cOlCkH7CMs-RN4pnWW9Z1QDECzQlAQVE5dz5XT18Ue/w640-h480/IMG_9905.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A make-shift fuel tank patch is visible on 6406. It's not pretty, but it does the job!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVms0uOXCdvEXdIMKP_tJ5Y76I3S0RRPz1Jw6-Ud0noKQvyc9AhXhfAjamBdzQJx_a2q3MWfq48tA4iEGvblMm8I4qSL5DpCMppcLPyJpqPfivLTgxSQk9oCqhJlSeSYuVOmcLwOSOp7wox0lgzFR25W4BNDuGJJO8N3DwvPCXttWTLUCLlWLt6FAvN_H/s4032/IMG_9908.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVms0uOXCdvEXdIMKP_tJ5Y76I3S0RRPz1Jw6-Ud0noKQvyc9AhXhfAjamBdzQJx_a2q3MWfq48tA4iEGvblMm8I4qSL5DpCMppcLPyJpqPfivLTgxSQk9oCqhJlSeSYuVOmcLwOSOp7wox0lgzFR25W4BNDuGJJO8N3DwvPCXttWTLUCLlWLt6FAvN_H/w640-h480/IMG_9908.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lead locomotive. An extra unusual sight, in addition to the strangeness of seeing 15 at Campbellton in daylight!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_GztNEIiOhY5Msyat1SRumckIVVOW6cukRo2fAa8RL8PU4PVskaiJqrVkWwN-QPO-gdu-opoyk7IW9htmhERk-Pqgor0arkdGyLwOq-8o_PN1MOKbRDOj-ITZm_0O9SbMQZoVTuB09yuaCHk6onwkjDovOpRsRR5JKMTZdrJZUpNuVKjGzQs95Tt77JW/s4032/IMG_9911.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_GztNEIiOhY5Msyat1SRumckIVVOW6cukRo2fAa8RL8PU4PVskaiJqrVkWwN-QPO-gdu-opoyk7IW9htmhERk-Pqgor0arkdGyLwOq-8o_PN1MOKbRDOj-ITZm_0O9SbMQZoVTuB09yuaCHk6onwkjDovOpRsRR5JKMTZdrJZUpNuVKjGzQs95Tt77JW/w640-h480/IMG_9911.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6433, the trailing locomotive on 14 (and the one that originally died leaving Montreal) is covered in gunk...whether that was fuel from 6406, or manure from the farm trailer, I don't really know (and didn't get close enough to check!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigZAF6jAv8cR25MJH9MxOSUL9SJcWAUoITpEiguYHVGQ2ZadOlqzRaanVmLOVuosJNmrfdZpHvSeeLQ-W3d_-eiu3Y2MoW7kLC8SXFiFJoBczaasAU5iFpq5h0gOTVTlxjs-YPD2ZcEScwvO31tPYYB8oI89XMP0reHGLxP4GCeIpUaJrQ79uVp1uUc1d/s4032/IMG_9912.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigZAF6jAv8cR25MJH9MxOSUL9SJcWAUoITpEiguYHVGQ2ZadOlqzRaanVmLOVuosJNmrfdZpHvSeeLQ-W3d_-eiu3Y2MoW7kLC8SXFiFJoBczaasAU5iFpq5h0gOTVTlxjs-YPD2ZcEScwvO31tPYYB8oI89XMP0reHGLxP4GCeIpUaJrQ79uVp1uUc1d/w640-h480/IMG_9912.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the ex-American HEP1 coaches, which are also being refurbished at the moment. One interesting quirk of the refurbishment is that the corrugated letterboard has been covered by smooth striping material; this makes them look a bit more like the ex-CP cars.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-dS7hXfWi18tZBgxQoOs5zUbRwkgANyMCVog5IMh6mVnTZ6UVxzNMWfcIQAQZx4ZdB1hvoeJlWFUQljKsAkA3hY3DX0AM8BRmRdisURBrHwYTZKBYStLD9CTYg5o9BbnXdKwB4UuzNaqAMi-eYDDKTqpy3vZXkbErVRcsi3anfoDabIbdiU-pLj9F9N4/s4032/IMG_9914.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-dS7hXfWi18tZBgxQoOs5zUbRwkgANyMCVog5IMh6mVnTZ6UVxzNMWfcIQAQZx4ZdB1hvoeJlWFUQljKsAkA3hY3DX0AM8BRmRdisURBrHwYTZKBYStLD9CTYg5o9BbnXdKwB4UuzNaqAMi-eYDDKTqpy3vZXkbErVRcsi3anfoDabIbdiU-pLj9F9N4/w640-h480/IMG_9914.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campbellton. I thought this would be a relatively brief stop...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">After reboarding the train, the lunch call came while we
were still sitting in Campbellton. I made my way to the diner, anticipating
that we’d be leaving soon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">One interesting note on lunch: the diner had been stocked with supplies based on the usual plan leaving Halifax, which only sees lunch being served to sleeper passengers boarding in Halifax; but running behind like this, we had a much larger contingent of passengers on board for lunch. Because of this, the regular options were in short supply. There isn't as much flexibility in the Renaissance diners (thanks to the catered meals and lack of full kitchen facilities), but the crew did come up with an impressive alternative option. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfiSAQ66fW_jDKE8PSpMPrLMe5HN55F_pelaX3a173oNCS4s_CqTQmxB8NnRCfGPSvX0cgNOkgX5VhO6xwMFnw_BmOh3kqoNX_3ZR2RxR53WCc25VCb3lEFmb4wGV41IKLuMZwdF1VNgfB-mDUP9EzcXf4JbNzr092-IhHdAkE8qFvEG9PwdkTJgdVSDj/s4032/IMG_9901.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfiSAQ66fW_jDKE8PSpMPrLMe5HN55F_pelaX3a173oNCS4s_CqTQmxB8NnRCfGPSvX0cgNOkgX5VhO6xwMFnw_BmOh3kqoNX_3ZR2RxR53WCc25VCb3lEFmb4wGV41IKLuMZwdF1VNgfB-mDUP9EzcXf4JbNzr092-IhHdAkE8qFvEG9PwdkTJgdVSDj/w640-h480/IMG_9901.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something I hadn't really noticed before in the diner was the newer styled "Ocean" name on some glass dividers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh669Hlo9rripMhood1sVCpSzIDI44WvLQ3dHuwU2zxqxXMMtz9oQjeibfJOea10Y1s_4A9Usbm_0ru2x3_iaK2KoSy5UdiQYoLQ1QwInMv7vHxaAvEUUO-jaYrFIBpkvmfrbz0DUhMHGR1g8P9cA7m81_Icp5eWqK7sBlbJtpxdBcUHvs-mZS60PfvSo6j/s4032/IMG_9915.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh669Hlo9rripMhood1sVCpSzIDI44WvLQ3dHuwU2zxqxXMMtz9oQjeibfJOea10Y1s_4A9Usbm_0ru2x3_iaK2KoSy5UdiQYoLQ1QwInMv7vHxaAvEUUO-jaYrFIBpkvmfrbz0DUhMHGR1g8P9cA7m81_Icp5eWqK7sBlbJtpxdBcUHvs-mZS60PfvSo6j/w480-h640/IMG_9915.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu. Only the ramen noodle salad was still available at this point, but I was offered an alternative option.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2qBvF0MUsI5sIJpNySxun-S3Sw1D7z8aWFbjsERP0JBn5oWCUl7fNA9V-7_iSIhyc9GybYrHQZNLpkWoKWPV5m2s5kkrp5CD53uzsmib3J4lhSAqbP2BcnxFc0maPCSYqcKFnfxctxzFwguVHSsMCEBtl7oxUd2qjlZnDUDuyNOBKlrdEIGyhTt-v3il/s4032/IMG_9917.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2qBvF0MUsI5sIJpNySxun-S3Sw1D7z8aWFbjsERP0JBn5oWCUl7fNA9V-7_iSIhyc9GybYrHQZNLpkWoKWPV5m2s5kkrp5CD53uzsmib3J4lhSAqbP2BcnxFc0maPCSYqcKFnfxctxzFwguVHSsMCEBtl7oxUd2qjlZnDUDuyNOBKlrdEIGyhTt-v3il/w640-h480/IMG_9917.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diner "views" in Campbellton.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpXlI90bKjtSo8Ak_-I2QsKz1el0BEXQmDZ1GpCtv5soGtatcP3069ivax5cvPeei2L_K5YWqsXkFJCQzPBcvj12vvLH53jodZUeLIlN4faACt4R9KnqFR_uAYLI85eaCWjMEr_9cP6DIuiKc-ssjGNP-afkClN1o2TBerZIwgqPJJ34ruhkmnu35XSQ_/s4032/IMG_9918.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpXlI90bKjtSo8Ak_-I2QsKz1el0BEXQmDZ1GpCtv5soGtatcP3069ivax5cvPeei2L_K5YWqsXkFJCQzPBcvj12vvLH53jodZUeLIlN4faACt4R9KnqFR_uAYLI85eaCWjMEr_9cP6DIuiKc-ssjGNP-afkClN1o2TBerZIwgqPJJ34ruhkmnu35XSQ_/w640-h480/IMG_9918.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seafood chowder...excellent starter as always.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9ozHAG1CrV9CGs5TtfhZqb4sgNwyhBXcY4LRneLrKx9b2LawJnjeDeTXrfmGUt30M4IuZ1AsLfUipbWrNqiwy6H444lhJGfxqN8VmkdENmTZfQD_fNayMp1naKTB-PCEaQvkhjyI3P8iIkYyZnE1_2wYrldL5Ie1ECOQs5_KkZ9G3BxdMWcnzGXZxrmR/s3881/IMG_9919.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2756" data-original-width="3881" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9ozHAG1CrV9CGs5TtfhZqb4sgNwyhBXcY4LRneLrKx9b2LawJnjeDeTXrfmGUt30M4IuZ1AsLfUipbWrNqiwy6H444lhJGfxqN8VmkdENmTZfQD_fNayMp1naKTB-PCEaQvkhjyI3P8iIkYyZnE1_2wYrldL5Ie1ECOQs5_KkZ9G3BxdMWcnzGXZxrmR/w640-h454/IMG_9919.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The alternative option - chicken tacos. These were actually really exceptional, with super well seasoned chicken and soft tortillas that were almost more like a naan. An excellent choice.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UsxekqgeMurUD8AdsKJeqZYne9Pay8jFmUsFqC_Ur99QceoY-2wpoNDz4qQ1OL361lFVXxZUl4iAXxeVX9R_ZDgWT4zSd-R95d5WsFKA_IHbVcpO80xSQbi3FZk6lZwM_ybRf2huMASK8iDEAIc30bwafkDLVR0cXahGEr6ydUiHnbuUAihfi_Ex8euz/s4032/IMG_9920.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UsxekqgeMurUD8AdsKJeqZYne9Pay8jFmUsFqC_Ur99QceoY-2wpoNDz4qQ1OL361lFVXxZUl4iAXxeVX9R_ZDgWT4zSd-R95d5WsFKA_IHbVcpO80xSQbi3FZk6lZwM_ybRf2huMASK8iDEAIc30bwafkDLVR0cXahGEr6ydUiHnbuUAihfi_Ex8euz/w640-h480/IMG_9920.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot cake for dessert. Ok, but not amazing. The crew were raving about the cheesecake, which seemed to be on the menu for supper. Alas, we wouldn't get there...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">During lunch, I heard chatter about an unruly passenger
being evicted from one of the sleepers. This seemed to be the cause of our delay
leaving. But then, there started to be word from the head end crew. They’d been
looking at that traction motor issue on CN 2337, and it wasn’t looking good. I
noticed that the service manager had convened a conference call at one table in
the diner, and this was the first clear sign that things were not going well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">A while later, the news started swirling around that there
were locomotive issues. Around the same time, a friend of mine sent a heads-up
that 2337 was showing up as bad ordered due to a failed traction motor bearing;
and it turns out this is exactly what happened. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">For those of you less familiar with the mechanics of
locomotives, modern trains in Canada run predominantly with diesel-electric
locomotives. These have a diesel engine that burns fuel to produce mechanical
energy, but instead of directly turning the wheels this is used to run a
generator, which produces electricity. There are then individual traction
motors on each axle, which are electrically run and actually turn the axles. This
is far more efficient than direct diesel propulsion. One issue, of course, is
that the individual traction motors (6 of them on a CN locomotive like this
one) can run into problems. In this case, it seems that the bearing on one
traction motor had seized and was overheating, which had caused the smoke seen
earlier. With a problem like this, the train can’t actually keep operating. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The call went out to try to find another locomotive, but CN
also didn’t have anything nearby. Facing another prolonged delay and
uncertainty, VIA made the understandable call to cancel the train at this point
and call in buses. Understandable, yes, but fun? No…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">This of course immediately brought back memories of a
Christmas trip in 2013 (my first "Christmas chaos" post), when a HEP failure resulted in our train being cancelled
in Matapedia and bussed from there: </span><a href="https://timstraintravels.blogspot.com/2017/12/from-archives-bit-of-christmas-chaos_18.html" style="font-size: large;">https://timstraintravels.blogspot.com/2017/12/from-archives-bit-of-christmas-chaos_18.html</a><span style="font-size: large;"> Having made that long bus trip once, I wasn’t
excited to do it again.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">We were informed of the plans for bussing, and I returned to
my room to await further news. It was a long wait – getting buses (and
drivers!) on short notice is a challenge, especially for a long trip.
Eventually, we found out that three buses had been arranged. The first seemed
to be for shorter haul passengers, and the next two would be making the longer
trip. Of those two, there was one loaded entirely with passengers going to
either Quebec (Ste-Foy) or Montreal, and the other with passengers going to any
intermediate stops. This was welcome news for many of us, as it would mean a
faster trip; and with a start from Campbellton (rather than Matapedia like that
previous time), we could at least get to the Trans Canada and then go fairly
direct. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our baggage was unloaded to the station, and we were
instructed to pick up our bags and take them to the appropriate bus. I realize
this was the first time I’ve ever been inside the Campbellton station, so that
was interesting.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">We were finally on a bus and departed from Campbellton at
7pm Atlantic time (or 6pm Eastern, as I’d already reset my time). It was dark
and raining, and an all around miserable looking night, but it was nice to be
on the move. The bus was pretty comfortable as buses go, but it would prove to
be less so as the hours wore on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">VIA handed out snack packages to all passengers, with a
water bottle, snack mix, and a pre-packaged sandwich presumably from a nearby
grocery store. Though better than nothing, this was a lot less than the supper
I had been expecting to have, and the sandwiches were a random assortment that
led to plenty of swapping among passengers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">As we prepared to depart, we saw our train back on the move(!)
Evidently, they had sorted things enough to move it slowly to somewhere further
down the line, where they would be swapping in another locomotive (an
8800-series SD70M-2) to get the consist all the way back to Montreal.
Interestingly, since the tracking info was still on, I could see the train make
its way along. It then ended up stuck near Sayabec for hours, where a tree had reportedly
come down and blocked the line. So maybe the bus was the best option!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrIqvrJhQwLN_9q5a9fjDJx4Y8Xov7Jp_qUb_VRziRw6TPtmJ3aUj8TcgybO3SvM9SDtlzHi7JJTXqpksg3Kd6JY_zT7oeSG8DNhRvagsRg5Cnyh1r-_ATRrcuGd4DTDBEHmyvMWPsM-5UvvQQsN-PZLhLiJfHDd5cOmY1iMa0qSO5CVY8FUC6cIeYpZx/s4032/IMG_9921.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrIqvrJhQwLN_9q5a9fjDJx4Y8Xov7Jp_qUb_VRziRw6TPtmJ3aUj8TcgybO3SvM9SDtlzHi7JJTXqpksg3Kd6JY_zT7oeSG8DNhRvagsRg5Cnyh1r-_ATRrcuGd4DTDBEHmyvMWPsM-5UvvQQsN-PZLhLiJfHDd5cOmY1iMa0qSO5CVY8FUC6cIeYpZx/w640-h480/IMG_9921.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campbellton station. Always wondered what it was like inside...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYEr7_dNzMmVjc98pXfc0qROjeW1E1-G9qoC4UwgGLSvPwhzgZ74Y6AHRet9H0rFwm_Y9P4ynyFAa8rBvRsDCfoiWchlW101eWor7bC7M-wXrL81qllx1WSBvPxm-pKy4_dsuqkzP4SSa3KDhqi38d4bVffL2GGmLj0_igBP94GOAEtxd3xu9RZYJPqLP/s4032/IMG_9922.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYEr7_dNzMmVjc98pXfc0qROjeW1E1-G9qoC4UwgGLSvPwhzgZ74Y6AHRet9H0rFwm_Y9P4ynyFAa8rBvRsDCfoiWchlW101eWor7bC7M-wXrL81qllx1WSBvPxm-pKy4_dsuqkzP4SSa3KDhqi38d4bVffL2GGmLj0_igBP94GOAEtxd3xu9RZYJPqLP/w640-h480/IMG_9922.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding our "Excellence" bus. This felt very reminiscent of my Matapedia bustitution a decade earlier, which was also with the same bus company.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DHSd2ZCNINsaMCzpomokYebkrUNw8mzhAq2oWb2K33PkRsgrPuZPJJdOXQy_GPiVC07k6_1fboCcoL7-sj7D0tdgn_L96KGfVL5GIrTMEqJmuqJiMDOuBBtSGGl9-YF_Na34qEa0ls4qZy9Q1q9bJ-54kLE991Fk1pJwuiR-jOIAhY_xwMRC9gk7NY9F/s4032/IMG_9924.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DHSd2ZCNINsaMCzpomokYebkrUNw8mzhAq2oWb2K33PkRsgrPuZPJJdOXQy_GPiVC07k6_1fboCcoL7-sj7D0tdgn_L96KGfVL5GIrTMEqJmuqJiMDOuBBtSGGl9-YF_Na34qEa0ls4qZy9Q1q9bJ-54kLE991Fk1pJwuiR-jOIAhY_xwMRC9gk7NY9F/w640-h480/IMG_9924.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So long, train... The equipment would eventually make it to Montreal, but far later than we did (still in time to depart on Wednesday evening)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf7UEQ5Xc1mAu0wx8eKFrmUOPHXeB2FvtIb06nqXY7c4hd4FQ4AKggi4wEue6KTadOoNNbVzPfMaz5TPIVzJITq_4PN5du7typ_T45ytR-jViEUg5I394wb6sbfL-6XaSWCMtcN2Z0DDYMdRpnn6tHcNvQ8jbpkGla52bdOdpOls1OQwcM7zkfZf3j6_C/s2532/IMG_9928.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2532" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf7UEQ5Xc1mAu0wx8eKFrmUOPHXeB2FvtIb06nqXY7c4hd4FQ4AKggi4wEue6KTadOoNNbVzPfMaz5TPIVzJITq_4PN5du7typ_T45ytR-jViEUg5I394wb6sbfL-6XaSWCMtcN2Z0DDYMdRpnn6tHcNvQ8jbpkGla52bdOdpOls1OQwcM7zkfZf3j6_C/w296-h640/IMG_9928.png" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty equipment being tracked. "Replaced" by bus service, and stopped at Sayabec for many hours due to downed trees.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">We did eventually make a stop near Edmundston, where
passengers could get off to use the washroom, stretch, and grab snacks if so
desired. Once we got back on the road I did my best to get some sleep, and
managed at least a few fitful hours before we stopped again at Levis. We made a
driver swap at a bus garage, and then headed over to Ste-Foy where we dropped
many of our passengers, and had another welcome stop to stretch. We departed
Ste-Foy around 1am. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lu3DRf-gB29lkZmMKci5uXIf4a6bSWWFMo5sJ1yE_n0JogzxghYJhaFYVfUqjGVBk7qKmqh0N6tcPIfq6tYpoOmnMfSGOE8AfqWRKezWTk6u6HeVd1-jk6M6gMssKa2mkomPpvzUfdA9OLjS786twVhGoOsYLAT-NXw_w8zqw6zWUg0fY6T1jExB88Fb/s4032/IMG_9927.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lu3DRf-gB29lkZmMKci5uXIf4a6bSWWFMo5sJ1yE_n0JogzxghYJhaFYVfUqjGVBk7qKmqh0N6tcPIfq6tYpoOmnMfSGOE8AfqWRKezWTk6u6HeVd1-jk6M6gMssKa2mkomPpvzUfdA9OLjS786twVhGoOsYLAT-NXw_w8zqw6zWUg0fY6T1jExB88Fb/w640-h480/IMG_9927.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Board inside Ste-Foy station, noting "alternate transportation" for our train. Yep, we know...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEnc9BUcB61SeZbK5F25u07v0DxXLWB9HpCbcxyFcZNnUt-PwxUVtqPkSSdUpuxHrQnYbqePwV2zkGaajp54V1Dzmy8BA0PiXHz6pXzFJ24Gesgs9ieH4xiFkuyuw4Rkvr6E_nKECcr7hk2iUmh0uHZmHoEwUXTwBliUpImI9W4RhvdUBqYZDNf_wuoVD/s4032/IMG_9929.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEnc9BUcB61SeZbK5F25u07v0DxXLWB9HpCbcxyFcZNnUt-PwxUVtqPkSSdUpuxHrQnYbqePwV2zkGaajp54V1Dzmy8BA0PiXHz6pXzFJ24Gesgs9ieH4xiFkuyuw4Rkvr6E_nKECcr7hk2iUmh0uHZmHoEwUXTwBliUpImI9W4RhvdUBqYZDNf_wuoVD/w640-h480/IMG_9929.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A welcome stop at Ste-Foy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">After another fitful bit of sleep, I awoke to note that we
were approaching Montreal. We would ultimately arrive at Central station at
3:32am on Dec. 19<sup>th</sup>. The early morning arrival definitely had shades
of last year! Though at least this time I had an onward train scheduled. Arriving
at the station, it was clear that VIA would not be providing hotels, which I
suppose was understandable given the odd hour. Would it be worth it by that
point in the morning? Someone from the Bonaventure was enthusiastically offering hotel rooms, at the excellent "bargain" of $150 a night. For a few hours sleep? Yeah, right. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2AeeRG8uz0XW0WNWjBvddkNWYpzFCCN65W1Xav7puiTVKOSlneWgPexOaxvJ7gFY4EeWrfMtVrMSeIyqqHiL6HDmSjTz_5GC3EjsEAKiiUcnNWVWl8XEMPSh6RZs8X2RkpemZkzf9pJgajMobhaCXS6LiO9e44lCA4hplNxw2dcp5Pc_1z8ha4iSL_LT/s4032/IMG_9930.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2AeeRG8uz0XW0WNWjBvddkNWYpzFCCN65W1Xav7puiTVKOSlneWgPexOaxvJ7gFY4EeWrfMtVrMSeIyqqHiL6HDmSjTz_5GC3EjsEAKiiUcnNWVWl8XEMPSh6RZs8X2RkpemZkzf9pJgajMobhaCXS6LiO9e44lCA4hplNxw2dcp5Pc_1z8ha4iSL_LT/w640-h480/IMG_9930.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival in Montreal, just after 3:30am. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vmhuMGsnWaguAO7JJPALNwQ6G5OGoZNRpNEi0HciVFSr33j02TLywxYrUSTZ6NjCgmWFItmRMCy37hNZB565a9Ho9VJc0hLO8YALKE8EuKmp2p7yiqsOeRezfb4WF7I7stSy1ddY49HHsEehGHpiJjit_fLBt2xAe5l7Pnc1r9nI7LkaM3EdQdADWw-7/s4032/IMG_9931.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vmhuMGsnWaguAO7JJPALNwQ6G5OGoZNRpNEi0HciVFSr33j02TLywxYrUSTZ6NjCgmWFItmRMCy37hNZB565a9Ho9VJc0hLO8YALKE8EuKmp2p7yiqsOeRezfb4WF7I7stSy1ddY49HHsEehGHpiJjit_fLBt2xAe5l7Pnc1r9nI7LkaM3EdQdADWw-7/w640-h480/IMG_9931.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A festive but very empty Central Station. A bit too reminiscent of arriving here a year ago, though at least this time I had a train onward instead of being stuck here!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFU-XnQeHEgBz7Lo59iJsDlak38sV2Wq51Hl1FHjQ4bWbUl05MpXreQmSI1aNO5f3oAUmB3nglAwo6ipKZjUA4CnPqFskLAJlxLjtl-edqSDS_jPKJBOMQ9F4GHTcdOkGLHPI8lWH23Rhsmukss9WeA1nJEwvkMjAFDe2tRp8cYgDtx4F4t2MzTM_kjxR/s4032/IMG_9934.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFU-XnQeHEgBz7Lo59iJsDlak38sV2Wq51Hl1FHjQ4bWbUl05MpXreQmSI1aNO5f3oAUmB3nglAwo6ipKZjUA4CnPqFskLAJlxLjtl-edqSDS_jPKJBOMQ9F4GHTcdOkGLHPI8lWH23Rhsmukss9WeA1nJEwvkMjAFDe2tRp8cYgDtx4F4t2MzTM_kjxR/w640-h480/IMG_9934.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like my trip a decade ago, arriving here and seeing "bus service" on the board. It almost looks like we're early, but our scheduled time was 10:03 the day before...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">One thing VIA did do was open up the Business lounge in the station,
which was really nice. They also let us know that the ticket office would open
early, shortly after 5am, and we could be rebooked to earlier connecting trains.
I was very pleased to be able to get myself rebooked to train 31, the 6:20am departure
for Ottawa, which meant that my overall wait in Montreal was only a few hours. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Boarding for train 31 happened around 6am. I was somewhat
surprised to be informed that my bag needed to be checked, despite being on a
train with no checked baggage. This was evidently to make more efficient use of
the baggage space in the Venture train (something exciting about this trip!);
large bags were “checked”, placed in the second unused Business class car, and
unloaded on the platform in Ottawa. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">On that note, this train was, excitingly, one of the brand
new Siemens Venture trains! This wasn’t actually my first ride on one; I had
been in Montreal a week earlier and made a short round trip to test them out. More
on that soon! And since I’ll do a separate post about the Venture trains, I’ll
keep my comments here fairly succinct; but my main takeaway is that these new
trains are really, really nice. I like everything about them, though the
baggage space is slightly limited (as evidenced by the “checked” baggage). All
in all, riding one of these made for an extremely pleasant end to the trip, and
at least partially made up for the long overnight bus ride. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDPwdNe0mIDMavmbcqlQeGWhbOcbArPFwPArmlmHo30NLJcJMzyTrDCZLDNKV5nrggf01wVQLKXPLuNiRiFvGC8vX8F1mmtxmVaQE7MMF97YKuzS4pYtuQXE7q7ML9cfY1X_SMjEnV4dDxHAErjGz4kDaWWyg4IF2ScVSAJ4xYzUsx4irWKkThxOWv8ZU/s4032/IMG_9937.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDPwdNe0mIDMavmbcqlQeGWhbOcbArPFwPArmlmHo30NLJcJMzyTrDCZLDNKV5nrggf01wVQLKXPLuNiRiFvGC8vX8F1mmtxmVaQE7MMF97YKuzS4pYtuQXE7q7ML9cfY1X_SMjEnV4dDxHAErjGz4kDaWWyg4IF2ScVSAJ4xYzUsx4irWKkThxOWv8ZU/w480-h640/IMG_9937.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the long overnight bus ride and a few hours in the lounge, this was a very welcome site! Boarding these new trains is very open and spacious, and the electronic signs on the doors give a lot of useful information.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1KegGhwoKRJTZc6gOm7EntAqaDcRhA4J1LilvUQkIu3rJ28VccBwHa4oVW3kz80jjhoL9jIhA8UVaUIoFY-nAvfTR3urj8rVnTB7is6egHJAuBvWva1b8S6bvvhr5KGG8yH08Mn1Nzbr_Zx0lmIVaWAeZVY9QISXMLjfdN10P-JyhMy2h2L9I09TgsDf/s4032/IMG_9938.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1KegGhwoKRJTZc6gOm7EntAqaDcRhA4J1LilvUQkIu3rJ28VccBwHa4oVW3kz80jjhoL9jIhA8UVaUIoFY-nAvfTR3urj8rVnTB7is6egHJAuBvWva1b8S6bvvhr5KGG8yH08Mn1Nzbr_Zx0lmIVaWAeZVY9QISXMLjfdN10P-JyhMy2h2L9I09TgsDf/w640-h480/IMG_9938.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering through the galley. One of the most immediately noticeable things in these new trains is how much more spacious and open they feel, and the galley feels far less industrial.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlpCc9UYUamWj7G-OLEAeubFbSiUsw-JluNMBAz-pQVIQx-YLNklTfrJMgrCW3g0aZP-KQh4OogzjqGgn2BUJNGvvdm4vECDRrvdNkC8CUo7Z4nznI1agwWJArfOoaYWLEnbMN1AzMr13EsyuMB188UOjXeEKAByJvkHneEqJRhGPPxyPTXBoYDVIqKAi/s4032/IMG_9939.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlpCc9UYUamWj7G-OLEAeubFbSiUsw-JluNMBAz-pQVIQx-YLNklTfrJMgrCW3g0aZP-KQh4OogzjqGgn2BUJNGvvdm4vECDRrvdNkC8CUo7Z4nznI1agwWJArfOoaYWLEnbMN1AzMr13EsyuMB188UOjXeEKAByJvkHneEqJRhGPPxyPTXBoYDVIqKAi/w640-h480/IMG_9939.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View into the 01 Business class car, which features the larger accessible washroom. The two Business cars on every Venture train have slightly different layouts, as do each of the Economy coaches. Note the "pod" just ahead to the right, which can be booked by groups looking for more privacy. Also note the information screens along the ceiling throughout the car. These display the next stops, time, train speed, and text of any audio announcements.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkFya5DpTWCuTUOqJjPbYnUdVCUcN2SmmnJjyDTaS831FPLuz2wAm8rmz_jirjc716E4moRG_jPK7eCweAyB-UdoHMUQb7SdnxlxEi3x6sRAAo4y3Wg-QtYG69uojRrTzLJFv0SgCjwXc09wTOI9TvmPCenWv_S_xUbwXahUa9gQj0SXWAwuSQnGHyGWF/s4032/IMG_9942.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkFya5DpTWCuTUOqJjPbYnUdVCUcN2SmmnJjyDTaS831FPLuz2wAm8rmz_jirjc716E4moRG_jPK7eCweAyB-UdoHMUQb7SdnxlxEi3x6sRAAo4y3Wg-QtYG69uojRrTzLJFv0SgCjwXc09wTOI9TvmPCenWv_S_xUbwXahUa9gQj0SXWAwuSQnGHyGWF/w640-h480/IMG_9942.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of nice touches in these cars, particularly the VIA branding throughout. Note the couple of fold-down seats (for crew or passengers waiting for the washroom), the curtain by the galley, and the garbage/recycling bins.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAgCUBsyTk0Q0awfBCc42WeSh4s0Weokuk_R6mnFrSmdO5NL89BIgbfTFoqMntEymBOKT1cNbNJCC_0720KvDI4shrS2Z_xUATndF-wbgvuIPhLxHL6h3jK3KBCmHnVmiGfepkijcFtkv0i2DRWKpyURLTPlzqXaFu7vxbfGzAeHGBIWnfKDVcjdhNQ-4/s4032/IMG_9944.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAgCUBsyTk0Q0awfBCc42WeSh4s0Weokuk_R6mnFrSmdO5NL89BIgbfTFoqMntEymBOKT1cNbNJCC_0720KvDI4shrS2Z_xUATndF-wbgvuIPhLxHL6h3jK3KBCmHnVmiGfepkijcFtkv0i2DRWKpyURLTPlzqXaFu7vxbfGzAeHGBIWnfKDVcjdhNQ-4/w640-h480/IMG_9944.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class seating is once again 2+1 on these trains. The new seats are also considerably more comfortable, in my opinion, than those on the refurbished LRC and HEP2 cars.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4499ej8CndjoRC6obIp5hbkb8NIODkd5Y5fkrhCLscVipMC1mljVvpip41hzOoDV5qRZneQY-S0G4Xuy3bMbB9kHNMhGaimHq7Nn6bqftXXqYCHj_eJgvEA_joDl2PP91jUJBFJpg9kPnX3sddWZNmFo1yPPhoO3Gb2sTZtgSfbdKGHLPPX52OPDB5fqM/s4032/IMG_9946.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4499ej8CndjoRC6obIp5hbkb8NIODkd5Y5fkrhCLscVipMC1mljVvpip41hzOoDV5qRZneQY-S0G4Xuy3bMbB9kHNMhGaimHq7Nn6bqftXXqYCHj_eJgvEA_joDl2PP91jUJBFJpg9kPnX3sddWZNmFo1yPPhoO3Gb2sTZtgSfbdKGHLPPX52OPDB5fqM/w480-h640/IMG_9946.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blind end of the 01 car. The car right behind the locomotive has no end door, so the space can be used for additional equipment lockers. There is also luggage space, and what will eventually be room for bikes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size: medium;">VIA 31 – Dec. 19, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2307 Venture Economy
Cab Car (05, leading)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2807 Venture
Economy Class (04)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2907 Venture
Economy Class (03)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2707 Venture
Business Class (02) (*not in service)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2607 Venture
Business Class (01)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2206 SCV-42
Charger (pushing)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">VIA’s Venture
trainsets are being delivered as 5-car sets, and the ones in service are currently
all configured in the standard 5-car configuration, as shown here. Eventually,
they made be reorganized into some longer and shorter sets, but this is the
standard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The HEP started
up at 6:20, a few minutes before departure. Right away I was impressed with how
much quieter everything on board these trains is, compared to the older equipment.
We departed at 6:25am, 5 minutes late, and the movement was silky smooth. As
these trains are all semi-permanently coupled, including between the
locomotives and the passenger cars, the lack of any slack action in the train
is very noticeable. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One thing I had
been pleased to see is that the lighting, which is very bright when on full, is
dimmed when the train actually departs. This made it much more pleasant on
board. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’ll write more
about these new trains in a separate dedicated post, but I was impressed with
the ride quality, the comfort of the seats, the ease of moving around in the
train, and of course the huge accessible washrooms. One definite improvement in my
books is the information screens throughout the cars, as well as the automated
announcements. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsI5KL9iBROsxAW2YWWLGSAGt1AS-QbXFdwDbeAPaEbQtvOgZF8iXggpF9zLVjuCFcpNXzVex0CtR3VrnO7_o0MAl6fxTxEqjBnUcY1vnDE7pwunKbf06m7y2oChR-_-ydCGRYKa5eKMVorn62LC9uAbjp3JS5uf0Kb7YYssBK3lKfvUvQIj8nCwk5pXO/s4032/IMG_9948.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsI5KL9iBROsxAW2YWWLGSAGt1AS-QbXFdwDbeAPaEbQtvOgZF8iXggpF9zLVjuCFcpNXzVex0CtR3VrnO7_o0MAl6fxTxEqjBnUcY1vnDE7pwunKbf06m7y2oChR-_-ydCGRYKa5eKMVorn62LC9uAbjp3JS5uf0Kb7YYssBK3lKfvUvQIj8nCwk5pXO/w640-h480/IMG_9948.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast: omelette, fruit, choice of croissant or bagel, and of course coffee. The larger mugs are nice, and it was extremely noticeable how much less slop and spillage there was with the smoother train movement.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3_oTstMpTAdsvq6QwjzZcb5fhlZPddOeEOXWYHqKdlxew67712d6NBdYdxCgMovxiNMNYQTDRQ6vaM7CTqeCdn0Xwp2YbXBfBgD_5pKaz-31YZVl3jx4qMxaZvNmVXbkXedHoUpKs8_PISDNLofTBX1qnVQwD6iC_HQnbXJz5INUtT9mDMOjISTjsbIZ/s4032/IMG_9954.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3_oTstMpTAdsvq6QwjzZcb5fhlZPddOeEOXWYHqKdlxew67712d6NBdYdxCgMovxiNMNYQTDRQ6vaM7CTqeCdn0Xwp2YbXBfBgD_5pKaz-31YZVl3jx4qMxaZvNmVXbkXedHoUpKs8_PISDNLofTBX1qnVQwD6iC_HQnbXJz5INUtT9mDMOjISTjsbIZ/w640-h480/IMG_9954.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wintery views, rolling out of Alexandria.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPKLYZoUHicg0t8dedcnR6EnmRAyqoR4P09BBht5YaCl8AFn2n241hNlq_tXgJ8k47MG5fmE2-dWZtPJ-sZE_9JOGdtUOk7gJ1cdkOI4nRcEMrTavXVjDxbYJ0PeMe1UnW8pGLvjjQ3o0wS_IrwwBfIjObVBwJBtna3xTYm2IPvzQU_yiq7I52MQLPMvj/s4032/IMG_9958.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPKLYZoUHicg0t8dedcnR6EnmRAyqoR4P09BBht5YaCl8AFn2n241hNlq_tXgJ8k47MG5fmE2-dWZtPJ-sZE_9JOGdtUOk7gJ1cdkOI4nRcEMrTavXVjDxbYJ0PeMe1UnW8pGLvjjQ3o0wS_IrwwBfIjObVBwJBtna3xTYm2IPvzQU_yiq7I52MQLPMvj/w480-h640/IMG_9958.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single seat. Note that these cars have pull-down shades, rather than curtains. The shades are translucent, so you can still see through them a bit even when pulled down. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4SNFGp0pkA4Y2R9u68jKrbhxhhImrcFrfHBVXMhDR3tFk7J8MNaRc1kFzq6hdS95s9bez0bSb1BM0BE6hTk-mCV7ah6KDNIMBZBzubQ2JP60hpPqvLjs7Q2c_QzFZcRU5v284pT8WKbz6TleVPkdGnzZJgZbJlY4YE-2WPKSL6CFst5EzAJQnp7qX37V/s4032/IMG_9963.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4SNFGp0pkA4Y2R9u68jKrbhxhhImrcFrfHBVXMhDR3tFk7J8MNaRc1kFzq6hdS95s9bez0bSb1BM0BE6hTk-mCV7ah6KDNIMBZBzubQ2JP60hpPqvLjs7Q2c_QzFZcRU5v284pT8WKbz6TleVPkdGnzZJgZbJlY4YE-2WPKSL6CFst5EzAJQnp7qX37V/w640-h480/IMG_9963.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old and new at Ottawa - SCV-42 2202 is on the far track with a Montreal-bound train, while a refurbished HEP1 coach is on the tail end of another consist on the closer track. There's about 70 years between the manufacturing date of these two pieces of equipment...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzA3mPySo3TqaG6SFgJEWKP1KIJB00qOeFvpQKxrouJ29z0Ek51fQsfSNxqanlXDHTkwGWdooXaIxo0R-s_w5ZMPuooP6EKMKdV5QAPIvSALFLlAoQ80Devv0k_KgqHvs6se-st95rvjbGRUieupq9xLOSmU5zWVnNE1B4pvOi7E9cSgKAoMvcERLkRvE/s4032/IMG_9966.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzA3mPySo3TqaG6SFgJEWKP1KIJB00qOeFvpQKxrouJ29z0Ek51fQsfSNxqanlXDHTkwGWdooXaIxo0R-s_w5ZMPuooP6EKMKdV5QAPIvSALFLlAoQ80Devv0k_KgqHvs6se-st95rvjbGRUieupq9xLOSmU5zWVnNE1B4pvOi7E9cSgKAoMvcERLkRvE/w640-h480/IMG_9966.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baggage being unloaded from the empty second Business class car at Ottawa.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzCdBKOoiH8nkkr_o1WNaDcYoOdeuRWd3AlxwQxFS77-ueAehVEGN7km_SBsblClXeib57ULD-3wVYzSuG3lJZlyp3Fcd3LZauofg8fpPft2fZaq4EykHIUaLIRKN6JQmmLlRETuW7EZEasGmM-SHkYR10UsI1cxakFoICZ5l35gS5rUk7HqwcR08UBkT/s4032/IMG_9964.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzCdBKOoiH8nkkr_o1WNaDcYoOdeuRWd3AlxwQxFS77-ueAehVEGN7km_SBsblClXeib57ULD-3wVYzSuG3lJZlyp3Fcd3LZauofg8fpPft2fZaq4EykHIUaLIRKN6JQmmLlRETuW7EZEasGmM-SHkYR10UsI1cxakFoICZ5l35gS5rUk7HqwcR08UBkT/w640-h480/IMG_9964.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New train in Ottawa. These really do look slick.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The ride was
smooth and quick to Ottawa. Business class breakfast service was efficient, the
food was good, and I was extremely impressed with the tray tables and the new,
larger trays. The overall service seemed to go smoother for the crew, as the
cars have much more room to move around. The extra space was also extremely
noticeable in Ottawa, where the process of getting off the train was far easier
and less congested than the usual experience on other VIA equipment. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We arrived in
Ottawa just slightly behind schedule, and after picking up my bag on the
platform and enjoying the use of the nice, high platform, I headed into the station
and found my ride. I was, of course, very happy to head off for a good long nap
once I arrived! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfex-iN4QzdE3Tr1i27CD-FKhHLEu8ZIXdQuTIgZDM090JnRimaKhrqyWeAMCn60JTWYiHlCoLaYcCzrDnobU-c2ZM4hHT9d4XriQ4_xEF_o8983bHXLJqSpzF6u-9p42mJDy_J1RCcs_0VWPjnuyhNmlK7RqYhvj1WKsGheRQWOqbanvR46UnDhU0IPbd/s4032/IMG_9968.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfex-iN4QzdE3Tr1i27CD-FKhHLEu8ZIXdQuTIgZDM090JnRimaKhrqyWeAMCn60JTWYiHlCoLaYcCzrDnobU-c2ZM4hHT9d4XriQ4_xEF_o8983bHXLJqSpzF6u-9p42mJDy_J1RCcs_0VWPjnuyhNmlK7RqYhvj1WKsGheRQWOqbanvR46UnDhU0IPbd/w640-h480/IMG_9968.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottawa station, looking festive.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmbFNwuyVene-LcpcskNhPdhaJ_HL1D5ip4wUurrk6uiNzWpgvJGTK9hXcFv-_hth_IetEgHMbwt71g1gUPgYV6irfmS8P6040qhwxECi_W_CvkP48D7TUrl7BOdSOwAvM1A_kB34PIOXm4L63yOXlAjXaMGNhVolR29qEFsxVsB4_Y6QXQjfZ9SMaeDY/s4032/IMG_9967.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmbFNwuyVene-LcpcskNhPdhaJ_HL1D5ip4wUurrk6uiNzWpgvJGTK9hXcFv-_hth_IetEgHMbwt71g1gUPgYV6irfmS8P6040qhwxECi_W_CvkP48D7TUrl7BOdSOwAvM1A_kB34PIOXm4L63yOXlAjXaMGNhVolR29qEFsxVsB4_Y6QXQjfZ9SMaeDY/w640-h480/IMG_9967.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Information, and the backdrop of the new and soon to be ubiquitious Siemens Venture train in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So that was much
more of an adventure of a trip than I had expected or hoped for, but I was glad
to finally arrive safe and sound, with all of the “alternative” arrangements
made by VIA this time. As usual, I have nothing but great things to say about
the VIA crew from end to end, and VIA’s communication throughout this process
was excellent. After the trip, I received an email to let me know that we would
be receiving compensation in the form of a refund of the difference between the
sleeper and economy fares for Campbellton-Montreal (which ended up being a
quite generous amount, processed automatically early in January), as well as a
travel credit for 50% of the remaining fare, to be used in the next 6 months
(though that can likely be extended for up to a year). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My return trip
with Porter on Christmas Eve went smoothly as well, even with checked baggage,
and I was home for Christmas Day this time without issue. It is a bit
disappointing to have had such a disrupted train trip, especially when every
other Ocean trip over the holidays ran without issue. But all in all, I am just
glad to have still been able to travel safely, get most of the time I planned
to with family, ride one of the new trains, and ultimately make it home safe
and sound. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That said, I do
look forward to a more uneventful trip, hopefully in the near future! I’ll
leave it here for now, but I will plan to return soon with an in-depth post
with my thoughts on the new Siemens Venture trains, as well as some thoughts on
Montreal’s new REM system. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As always,
thanks for reading! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMjDFCZS8Jkt4c5MbJwX1yYPNJ4ee79UHvm-P0oTZ56XJvbpLd3-VBBx9s873ffpvHJF9NX1_iASPfwULWjWv5cJo5sa8vLNYSsOQYCE1sFDyPhO8skZPIsiNy3rDOaC4dvJmrm9urJS2VH63MN-rXKhLdzmOvrehYj3m0vPkecB6idy1BYCGw21Oumu3/s4032/IMG_9711.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMjDFCZS8Jkt4c5MbJwX1yYPNJ4ee79UHvm-P0oTZ56XJvbpLd3-VBBx9s873ffpvHJF9NX1_iASPfwULWjWv5cJo5sa8vLNYSsOQYCE1sFDyPhO8skZPIsiNy3rDOaC4dvJmrm9urJS2VH63MN-rXKhLdzmOvrehYj3m0vPkecB6idy1BYCGw21Oumu3/w480-h640/IMG_9711.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next time...an in-depth look at these new trains. Stay tuned!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-74887884865401995932023-08-01T13:23:00.002-03:002023-08-31T11:14:39.386-03:00Short Report - April becomes May on VIA 14<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPM-PFd6rd1IMcXjpIH5_Cumy87nWWHditmHxbgBwDyvocz8MDwDZsenESbiDthdTTK0l0QRrOTXDyumsPRS-9cwPx2U15IrrNZb7QbwEXYRkN71tJqXxSXKcNATiXjt39Y59uvJWB8dF6y4pW6btU0QFF9AiDwhGRvJ16u5G8ont0Z9k5-I37gNs26SF_/s4032/IMG_8727.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPM-PFd6rd1IMcXjpIH5_Cumy87nWWHditmHxbgBwDyvocz8MDwDZsenESbiDthdTTK0l0QRrOTXDyumsPRS-9cwPx2U15IrrNZb7QbwEXYRkN71tJqXxSXKcNATiXjt39Y59uvJWB8dF6y4pW6btU0QFF9AiDwhGRvJ16u5G8ont0Z9k5-I37gNs26SF_/w640-h480/IMG_8727.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy day in Moncton. Good time to be on board, but not great for a platform visit!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've got to be honest - I'm not super great at this whole "blogging" thing. Well, at least in terms of keeping up with a reliable or even semi-frequent posting schedule. That said, I never really set out to try to make this into <i>that kind</i> of blog; it was really just a convenient way to post some trip reports in a full-featured, easy to follow, and generally accessible format. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I do have a couple of posts I've been meaning to get done for a while, but time always seems to get the better of me. I still want to get one of those done for sure, but you'll have to wait and keep guessing at it for a little while longer (though who knows, maybe this quick write-up will get the creative juices flowing again!)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I did make one trip back at the end of April that I haven't yet written up, so in the interest of not losing another piece of travel history to memory, I've decided to throw it out here in my most bare-bones report yet. Just the facts, ma'am. </span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">"April becomes May on VIA 14"</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That's a very fancy way of saying "I was on VIA train 14 on April 30 to May 1". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This trip started from Ottawa, as many of these do. Travel in the other direction was with Porter, and was perfectly alright with nothing to note - aside from getting an unexpected move to an unoccupied seat row, which was quite nice. I still haven't had a chance to try their new E2 service, and will be sure to mention that in more detail when I eventually do. For the moment, a few comments on the bus trip and flight in the following photo captions.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-ZzeG6yZBFWcu3EZQ8kFu4lHiaqtu7hdAvns5sfhfCvtbOJoEtfhLflfFyTMWF_MSrfYlAlDa8sLeDe2-mdZ7fzGcJqnQTlsK48PFq1a26Kqq2DlWVIGPX0vhcFBHS6i3Zqsp8A7HInKzHwTQnjdL6jGRTFl7vYICNYGZHRIHpKtrixlAa8xOGf-5AzW/s4032/IMG_8742.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-ZzeG6yZBFWcu3EZQ8kFu4lHiaqtu7hdAvns5sfhfCvtbOJoEtfhLflfFyTMWF_MSrfYlAlDa8sLeDe2-mdZ7fzGcJqnQTlsK48PFq1a26Kqq2DlWVIGPX0vhcFBHS6i3Zqsp8A7HInKzHwTQnjdL6jGRTFl7vYICNYGZHRIHpKtrixlAa8xOGf-5AzW/w640-h480/IMG_8742.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halifax Transit's Route 320 serves the airport (seen here at the Dartmouth Bridge Terminal), using a subgroup of Nova LFS buses modified with small luggage racks inside. These originally wore the standard Metro X livery, but were redecorated a few years ago to this special and eye-catching "Airport Express" scheme. At some point, fares for this service are expected to increase; but for now, it's $4.25, or the use of a bus ticket or pass plus $1.50. </td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA4mcH3U3j_0RRK64NVLswDBW9rzNtofmTsxuc-1a7vDagVE1ryaHTgkJQ_EGs0JKgApnUkrom6f4NaCWBgKod9T9XLNu8EGlypfez_U7CxvOOuAMU4XIKrNpXHWwuAOZBK3zuXYO8N5486gwcX-VN9Fbcpeq-X5v8iiUl7jAf22cgjcF35MsIYbgwZFP/s4032/IMG_8642.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoA4mcH3U3j_0RRK64NVLswDBW9rzNtofmTsxuc-1a7vDagVE1ryaHTgkJQ_EGs0JKgApnUkrom6f4NaCWBgKod9T9XLNu8EGlypfez_U7CxvOOuAMU4XIKrNpXHWwuAOZBK3zuXYO8N5486gwcX-VN9Fbcpeq-X5v8iiUl7jAf22cgjcF35MsIYbgwZFP/w480-h640/IMG_8642.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One thing I didn't realize until I boarded was that the new exterior livery is accompanied by a new interior, with this really eye-catching ceiling decor. Very sharp! The overhead luggage racks can be seen ahead.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI5ERV7zDLFyQQLkIz4IzVm9ABAxzx75sNbgyfh3ejaD9HufQ42nJoX_x24tYqgDx3LTscIgSdpmmAd7BbjDnHJJSTzhZS71yTxi_CvIbZnRAHBRWmHA-JK_tdIYnuQJI6vwD9IsXQT4gLa4v7sde4Qo0YWyjpKIRkuFt5ONQsSOsW7Hm7eVRVlvPkxyD/s4032/IMG_8646.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI5ERV7zDLFyQQLkIz4IzVm9ABAxzx75sNbgyfh3ejaD9HufQ42nJoX_x24tYqgDx3LTscIgSdpmmAd7BbjDnHJJSTzhZS71yTxi_CvIbZnRAHBRWmHA-JK_tdIYnuQJI6vwD9IsXQT4gLa4v7sde4Qo0YWyjpKIRkuFt5ONQsSOsW7Hm7eVRVlvPkxyD/w640-h480/IMG_8646.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Porter flight for the way up, boarding from the tarmac. I always enjoy getting to board via the stairs, though it's not great when the weather is foul. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJeY-JXP7ezj52LF51uCkw3gYVm_rcIg6P3rcqFyUpobEDuSHgC0EVvyal7xrLNofccp-JSg9lokvTNgErrA7gAzp9jzK-a0WFJeissk7_vAXukn7pu1VB6L4nws43iDfvaib0ya2DxxjS8Xm9WdOkD_gq3QtPLNNCjiFeahxeaXCmSSuVxZQ8urTpatG/s4032/IMG_8648.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJeY-JXP7ezj52LF51uCkw3gYVm_rcIg6P3rcqFyUpobEDuSHgC0EVvyal7xrLNofccp-JSg9lokvTNgErrA7gAzp9jzK-a0WFJeissk7_vAXukn7pu1VB6L4nws43iDfvaib0ya2DxxjS8Xm9WdOkD_gq3QtPLNNCjiFeahxeaXCmSSuVxZQ8urTpatG/w640-h480/IMG_8648.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porter Q400 interior. These are the new slimline seats that were installed during the Covid shutdown. They allowed Porter to fit in an extra row of seats, and they're not nearly as comfortable as the old ones; but still marginally better than some other Q400s (looking at you, WestJet...)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-aph-SSk8bxtctWNcnrl0elL3VExASi2lDzinfxpCie2g6raBOfbSkH4BTCuzp7C4BwIfG76K9j7V_wsY9ZgVrVhp38IF6nBI4WUMR5VXuk17Hr7KJZccInFmIerBxUFE9YVfzyCLZmNWyQd9MNs9o-ADqMDSICSHYtjhFew3TwTCgD7AZizDr3LPD1d/s4032/IMG_8650.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-aph-SSk8bxtctWNcnrl0elL3VExASi2lDzinfxpCie2g6raBOfbSkH4BTCuzp7C4BwIfG76K9j7V_wsY9ZgVrVhp38IF6nBI4WUMR5VXuk17Hr7KJZccInFmIerBxUFE9YVfzyCLZmNWyQd9MNs9o-ADqMDSICSHYtjhFew3TwTCgD7AZizDr3LPD1d/w480-h640/IMG_8650.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One thing Porter still has going for them is their onboard service. Complimentary coffee and a snack on this early morning flight, adds to a perfectly pleasant 2 hour trip. Didn't hurt that I was relocated to an empty seat pair on boarding.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After a few days in Ottawa, I boarded VIA 26, the early connection for the Ocean. Partial consist:</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">VIA 26 - April 30, 2023</span></u></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">64xx<br />6414<br />3460<br />3356<br />33xx<br />33xx</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FMm2qobG5vhJOHBWk__tRmXBn-ZWH0Rb5ZrYhBXWJkci-h-g6AvZv37yVOKSnwli0CsebsrHLIFxxwuN3KDbPb8JcR2hp85xL8bmzLoH9q7B11ZSOz31FBQNUjtqAu3pjoHenU81MXcqLQdNs_aj3vt7w1caVzTt3vEySeIi2yMpgTFTUQvMwH8olECl/s4032/IMG_8668.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FMm2qobG5vhJOHBWk__tRmXBn-ZWH0Rb5ZrYhBXWJkci-h-g6AvZv37yVOKSnwli0CsebsrHLIFxxwuN3KDbPb8JcR2hp85xL8bmzLoH9q7B11ZSOz31FBQNUjtqAu3pjoHenU81MXcqLQdNs_aj3vt7w1caVzTt3vEySeIi2yMpgTFTUQvMwH8olECl/w640-h480/IMG_8668.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottawa station.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5DQIt7czTZEGWybbebci8_tZSkUQP-cmODq9VDh3xUj2iN5--XZ1vxvegNJFqT7RnMn7zV2_4czbQ3cr2fJ0UDhFGrrWUAaXOM6hb1fnvnbaUERruOtUlyIIF9gZdQufZN1mPOCO6MD05PUkNqo0g4W_RulEoMz_lGes4-7bbqyK1DCpiWpT4COXAgM3/s4032/IMG_8669.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5DQIt7czTZEGWybbebci8_tZSkUQP-cmODq9VDh3xUj2iN5--XZ1vxvegNJFqT7RnMn7zV2_4czbQ3cr2fJ0UDhFGrrWUAaXOM6hb1fnvnbaUERruOtUlyIIF9gZdQufZN1mPOCO6MD05PUkNqo0g4W_RulEoMz_lGes4-7bbqyK1DCpiWpT4COXAgM3/w480-h640/IMG_8669.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding in Ottawa, from one of the standard low platforms.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">This was a very smooth run, and we were early for pretty well the whole 2h trip to Montreal. Just before arrival, an announcement was made that there was an equipment issue, and the train was going to be replaced for the continued trip on to Quebec. Passengers going through could normally stay on the train, but instead they would have to get off in Montreal and be moved over. The ongoing train was another identical LRC set (so no pleasant "new Venture equipment surprise" for those passengers). </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61HSaYj6EDPRBRQuEOgiMhD1J228QeMs_mvqh9pmgtMuU8k6xYw6ww5RVXJTSK2ESJtfEj-1Yj3FDm7mhmcxBaTY5HT_GjEO16D5AC3LBIyvPDZc-NE6o4mDRWc81zvccRw1Wm2sWaAlMJ-F7knSwGDq-XrYUPPstvFb6KNJXWalKttjjVkI6Ib1nYTuG/s4032/IMG_8670.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61HSaYj6EDPRBRQuEOgiMhD1J228QeMs_mvqh9pmgtMuU8k6xYw6ww5RVXJTSK2ESJtfEj-1Yj3FDm7mhmcxBaTY5HT_GjEO16D5AC3LBIyvPDZc-NE6o4mDRWc81zvccRw1Wm2sWaAlMJ-F7knSwGDq-XrYUPPstvFb6KNJXWalKttjjVkI6Ib1nYTuG/w640-h480/IMG_8670.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LRC Business class.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k9IFZRAkyRlujpSplozKUHt1y_waF0Q0dTCAhKkf_XThx5fatt0YHTUeWwqU_ho-0iVsWMaIFoXmNZsTXLc8e7oVtV3mjFdNVFGJAJJVCwO4blqOnfGNW6_vbUFTBaJWjLdfcLi-eRj-iQK6NTJ6GEVulV2gVd4ED_cbC9ZBuBP9f-6Iv6jMmrVyGVwT/s4032/IMG_8671.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k9IFZRAkyRlujpSplozKUHt1y_waF0Q0dTCAhKkf_XThx5fatt0YHTUeWwqU_ho-0iVsWMaIFoXmNZsTXLc8e7oVtV3mjFdNVFGJAJJVCwO4blqOnfGNW6_vbUFTBaJWjLdfcLi-eRj-iQK6NTJ6GEVulV2gVd4ED_cbC9ZBuBP9f-6Iv6jMmrVyGVwT/w640-h480/IMG_8671.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LRC Business class. This will be a thing of the past in a few years time, as the new Venture fleet comes online. Those trains feature a very similar layout, but feel quite different inside. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KXTUguKO8nlfO-x4sRME5MFjiqt7f8IKC4EmZ6TBrunqpIuBBQI7fKexEupMoemot4mhyhETlC6dCXFhIXiiPEAqCrKkMbWR5rNg6Pvo4fMSV-31HFYiSqlAhOD9zbS099wiSVSYSHtgSwAh6dkhXfCSDdNLgFEG1iQUoInp50kmCBvf7Dl6NDh987lU/s4032/IMG_8673.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KXTUguKO8nlfO-x4sRME5MFjiqt7f8IKC4EmZ6TBrunqpIuBBQI7fKexEupMoemot4mhyhETlC6dCXFhIXiiPEAqCrKkMbWR5rNg6Pvo4fMSV-31HFYiSqlAhOD9zbS099wiSVSYSHtgSwAh6dkhXfCSDdNLgFEG1iQUoInp50kmCBvf7Dl6NDh987lU/w640-h480/IMG_8673.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class lunch service; cold salmon plate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhrz0o0EYJ7BU47xkWMSzU-1enBXmkft1JFmXzki-1tCSlolzoWJ57nbVh2Nw3nrlpHQOZQffOsnaI6R0VErFvq96fq3xFrbkn5kfUpC8SLJE4o5JJ2YtZx20KTFyTPs7h-lZSy5QPmsYG6J3A29m-04OvDOUI0PVc3UvlcXj4SNBgPA7JwQsxg0v6Yn7/s4032/IMG_8676.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhrz0o0EYJ7BU47xkWMSzU-1enBXmkft1JFmXzki-1tCSlolzoWJ57nbVh2Nw3nrlpHQOZQffOsnaI6R0VErFvq96fq3xFrbkn5kfUpC8SLJE4o5JJ2YtZx20KTFyTPs7h-lZSy5QPmsYG6J3A29m-04OvDOUI0PVc3UvlcXj4SNBgPA7JwQsxg0v6Yn7/w480-h640/IMG_8676.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee and dessert after lunch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hr4qziOLIdmD5Gdjlxlw7V9x2yj7QMVCYXoUDB5syY7-T0NtzcrnFn4CEPooCUAVMwVfkFS_i81bmn8gKePenbQw9if8rQrHCE5sSPinQGQIgOlaqVe6CXQheUEghywYmqYwcpDRLdia6H080ELy9-FGYPCvXecttaacLypsaXVSRWA1senvnCYa5L8B/s3569/IMG_8678.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2413" data-original-width="3569" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hr4qziOLIdmD5Gdjlxlw7V9x2yj7QMVCYXoUDB5syY7-T0NtzcrnFn4CEPooCUAVMwVfkFS_i81bmn8gKePenbQw9if8rQrHCE5sSPinQGQIgOlaqVe6CXQheUEghywYmqYwcpDRLdia6H080ELy9-FGYPCvXecttaacLypsaXVSRWA1senvnCYa5L8B/w640-h432/IMG_8678.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ragged looking CN GP's at Coteau.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp_gzPJcL5cNad30GsaEu5SAc7mmGWxlYo3Hz-KOhlZO1j0s3vm3OG51sxv8kokG1dFiY2h8c2UqXxUhY1Ewg1tlkNnifE8yz64vd7S-l6G0TQuhuIFf2dtHqy4u3tENVarcpm7MV1JlrMHtwmfoBrXFvZGufveeedkoNf44JJdxRPzw1C3RD9ZLJF5Wi/s4032/IMG_8679.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp_gzPJcL5cNad30GsaEu5SAc7mmGWxlYo3Hz-KOhlZO1j0s3vm3OG51sxv8kokG1dFiY2h8c2UqXxUhY1Ewg1tlkNnifE8yz64vd7S-l6G0TQuhuIFf2dtHqy4u3tENVarcpm7MV1JlrMHtwmfoBrXFvZGufveeedkoNf44JJdxRPzw1C3RD9ZLJF5Wi/w480-h640/IMG_8679.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorval VIA station. VIA, VIA, VIA, VIA...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">During the layover in Montreal, I stored my bag at the station and decided to take a walk down to the relatively new railfan park at Pointe St. Charles (whether its strictly intended to be for railfans, I don't know, but it sure fits the bill). This is a rather nice little park that overlooks the Exo (formerly AMT) maintenance centre, the CN yard, and the approaches to Central station. It also shows off the new REM automated rapid transit system, which just opened its first section to the public at the end of last week. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few photos from that vantage point, on an unfortunately drab end-of-April day.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbriBeHTZkvuvQKZ9_hAGNKRB4y0xUI3V8Flc_UNzggpGoYKXh2rjzNcfuIeiNtA8Wu4xOJKHU6TE9cR-oYvi-ZeJfHVfOrXQ8QAbDsJXmtjtiOrWCFpJg005OMSP7neEuLxo4V84mlqxnsg2GRBA5m0ML2ISYfGTTNctmLaAGyntuAFhx07Y_hcxJ1dq/s4032/IMG_8685.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbriBeHTZkvuvQKZ9_hAGNKRB4y0xUI3V8Flc_UNzggpGoYKXh2rjzNcfuIeiNtA8Wu4xOJKHU6TE9cR-oYvi-ZeJfHVfOrXQ8QAbDsJXmtjtiOrWCFpJg005OMSP7neEuLxo4V84mlqxnsg2GRBA5m0ML2ISYfGTTNctmLaAGyntuAFhx07Y_hcxJ1dq/w640-h480/IMG_8685.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">REM trains testing, viewed on the walk to PSC.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDMPpz120aOmu7TJCX3WAAA4gz2TTB2M32rap_Wm7PwPypLrGUWBr1fuhZUdGOWMVK5WIQtLfWNxlT0a0hZJ-TSeHS0FLGh8ye3zmXzqboUt55ubd1AsMAV3v4Aa9618M7w0MckrKXNcuarwuoDC_IUnim_JHbaz2wNZvwWgGn2j4fEAOGz1RoY3fVxdm/s4032/IMG_8689.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDMPpz120aOmu7TJCX3WAAA4gz2TTB2M32rap_Wm7PwPypLrGUWBr1fuhZUdGOWMVK5WIQtLfWNxlT0a0hZJ-TSeHS0FLGh8ye3zmXzqboUt55ubd1AsMAV3v4Aa9618M7w0MckrKXNcuarwuoDC_IUnim_JHbaz2wNZvwWgGn2j4fEAOGz1RoY3fVxdm/w640-h480/IMG_8689.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EXO (former AMT) trains in their yard, with new equipment for VIA 26 and the consist for VIA 14 in the background, both set to deadhead to Central station. The Exo single level Comet cars on the left were recently retired, and their fate is unknown. One of the brand new CRRC bilevels can just be seen on the far right, tucked behind an older Bombardier car. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwCNQ9pBlE7so4URVLEDwBGBTLN99y4_ExF_CQzi8qKY-ltci8ffUc98dTvjSiNl88v7eIZDv3dvI50PIT1ccSo4AobCg_5k4I2FjLr2RD5cfqp5dz-b2nZkDvLiPu0lYqh4j1VT0PQyleEYxIc8pUK5FTuhHxMJuaqyINnsCp4bBPNSxOlCgSxRGLwMT/s2503/IMG_8701.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1669" data-original-width="2503" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwCNQ9pBlE7so4URVLEDwBGBTLN99y4_ExF_CQzi8qKY-ltci8ffUc98dTvjSiNl88v7eIZDv3dvI50PIT1ccSo4AobCg_5k4I2FjLr2RD5cfqp5dz-b2nZkDvLiPu0lYqh4j1VT0PQyleEYxIc8pUK5FTuhHxMJuaqyINnsCp4bBPNSxOlCgSxRGLwMT/w640-h426/IMG_8701.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14's equipment backs to the station, with the units smoking as they push up grade. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtXRin1nWZT3Ccvjw6vbxgF3wTPY2G3ng-dWcUCl6zvS1fDsllS5aXgiivEjt_1BSlffF4xTXoRlvPWBO60Zk8eTlNki-L9uraU4AkVvYJcTp8JHxH1Zf-mzJVqHLh7cBP1vCtukvrnA93Css3Jm3aUYbdy3pPa5wa254EwphDUgm7xafsQs-7uOhpfGL/s3520/IMG_8692.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtXRin1nWZT3Ccvjw6vbxgF3wTPY2G3ng-dWcUCl6zvS1fDsllS5aXgiivEjt_1BSlffF4xTXoRlvPWBO60Zk8eTlNki-L9uraU4AkVvYJcTp8JHxH1Zf-mzJVqHLh7cBP1vCtukvrnA93Css3Jm3aUYbdy3pPa5wa254EwphDUgm7xafsQs-7uOhpfGL/w640-h360/IMG_8692.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 64 arrives from Toronto, with a wrapped P42 and a pair of LRC clubs up front. The second car looks like it had some work done, judging by the darker grey patches along the side.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I also took a short video showing VIA 64 arriving from Toronto, and the consist for my VIA 14 deadheading back to the station ahead of departure. Amidst all this, REM trains were clipping back and forth on regular intervals, testing ahead of the service launch. Apologies in advance for the excess wind noise - I was shooting this on my phone and didn't expect there to be that much of an issue. Still, I thought it was an interesting little video clip to include. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fcRgCIcNN5o" width="492" youtube-src-id="fcRgCIcNN5o"></iframe></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYAAgrM_0xVoKoOAu93PyPHl1dCkXIX2SZ_ajruWFY4QyIK8DjWzROZAQhMYiFXKX5g1r29Rpq5Xm1T_EHqvcN-wZmBq_y0p2mn3F-mqcvaZWaE8gJSySSXql9I4FiFmexvBc8pcodat0Lpc2xGsJVQE769thiYLsJBUoZ_faYgIrQ1XRu6ySizPCn7y2/s4032/IMG_8703.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYAAgrM_0xVoKoOAu93PyPHl1dCkXIX2SZ_ajruWFY4QyIK8DjWzROZAQhMYiFXKX5g1r29Rpq5Xm1T_EHqvcN-wZmBq_y0p2mn3F-mqcvaZWaE8gJSySSXql9I4FiFmexvBc8pcodat0Lpc2xGsJVQE769thiYLsJBUoZ_faYgIrQ1XRu6ySizPCn7y2/w640-h480/IMG_8703.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to VIA's Montreal Maintenance Centre, not far from the PSC observation area. You can't see much inside here, but the view from the new REM line appears to be excellent. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">After this little diversion, I headed back to the station in time to check in for #14. A short wait around the station, then boarding . Supper options at check-in were 7:15 or 8:45, and I opted for the late option as usual. </span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">VIA 14 - April 30, 2023</span></u></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">6424 Forward<br />6418 Backward<br />7003 Renaissance Baggage<br />70230 Ren Accessible Coach (not in service)<br />7512 Ren Sleeper (39)<br />7518 Ren Sleeper (38)<br />7506 Ren Sleeper (37)<br />79501 Ren Accessible Sleeper (30)<br />7313 Ren Service Car<br />7401 Ren Diner <br />7303 Ren Service Car <br />7227 Ren Coach<br />7602 Ren Transition <br />8129 HEP1 Coach <br />8219 Chateau Montcalm (40) (forward) (Roomette 08)<br />8212 Chateau Latour (crew)<br />8203 Chateau Brûlé (not in service)<br />8609 HEP1 Baggage </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHYUUcFL8-Jc0BItJ2h1jPyGxExHUQjZ7JW2Peaw5ccv0fhzwJppDP1zeb_Ha776Fb7-AiVxU27g0cNpW5cLCJYaUiu8PBykdSozCvZ0yTCKJUqWp0v7QuaD7R67AZHis75S9qZQTWiVZ9-Rx7lFk6esdk9WkF7_oVendfReZL2RPS_ugxjwgbwH_ipfZ/s4032/IMG_8706.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHYUUcFL8-Jc0BItJ2h1jPyGxExHUQjZ7JW2Peaw5ccv0fhzwJppDP1zeb_Ha776Fb7-AiVxU27g0cNpW5cLCJYaUiu8PBykdSozCvZ0yTCKJUqWp0v7QuaD7R67AZHis75S9qZQTWiVZ9-Rx7lFk6esdk9WkF7_oVendfReZL2RPS_ugxjwgbwH_ipfZ/w640-h480/IMG_8706.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Departures board in Montreal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DpXH5MnD7vvlmgNALy53eef4_tuDGF6u1FW8FuB1ruobok90ExNNIWlWLUPY9PoDR9S9TrBk-7YoipoXsoE6k7CgiLt7hCcOAC0lBNKF9aTlp8Zvl2_STWtLx6lpS9nNy8gugwso_-_8PgIg0Q5lsprVIJ0_OK8E4dnLMrqP79iDvv3Pj7K823saZnZg/s4032/IMG_8708.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DpXH5MnD7vvlmgNALy53eef4_tuDGF6u1FW8FuB1ruobok90ExNNIWlWLUPY9PoDR9S9TrBk-7YoipoXsoE6k7CgiLt7hCcOAC0lBNKF9aTlp8Zvl2_STWtLx6lpS9nNy8gugwso_-_8PgIg0Q5lsprVIJ0_OK8E4dnLMrqP79iDvv3Pj7K823saZnZg/w480-h640/IMG_8708.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chateau Montcalm, ready for boarding!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The consist was as-usual for the current train service. Both sets had recently been expanded up to 3 Chateaus in advance of the peak season, but only one was in service on this trip. The gate was up throughout the trip at the rear of Chateau Montcalm, a clear sign to passengers not to go any further. The next car was being used as a crew dorm, as usual. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I must admit that this trip started in somewhat uncanny territory. I was in the same sleeper (though a different roomette) as I had been on my disastrous Christmas trip. We had the same SM, and much of the same crew. Uh oh... but this trip went much more smoothly, and I made a point of staying up late to watch us pass the spot in Riviere-du-Loup where that last train terminated a few months earlier!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We departed on time, and ran early through the evening, but were 45 minutes behind the next morning.</span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPVsPfjj55Yf14DCIyeLTBMG-47GPwAlkI6djW9fDOnBDyC0vWI1OQHCpV1m4lBjamkwRfOpKE5cXrgUkApuSLoLrzqJwXbBTL1g6hVLuBHkSW0Svufwml-G0G4nm3-aPDNaLC3rTGyATynD-Pfx_voSadyd4nZoiVkh79yDMP02p8RD55yXlqd50fYkA/s4032/IMG_8709.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPVsPfjj55Yf14DCIyeLTBMG-47GPwAlkI6djW9fDOnBDyC0vWI1OQHCpV1m4lBjamkwRfOpKE5cXrgUkApuSLoLrzqJwXbBTL1g6hVLuBHkSW0Svufwml-G0G4nm3-aPDNaLC3rTGyATynD-Pfx_voSadyd4nZoiVkh79yDMP02p8RD55yXlqd50fYkA/w640-h480/IMG_8709.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu. A new menu was launched about a week after this trip, so the current options will have been updated. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWioJHFb6YqM2ts0kxsFjQkcZrAFLd1OGo_into0tnjxI9goEGyRMTK7EWntxpY66a7sUuch7qmmYZRMeYgm9JTChG7aweE-e7TayoO1YyPH-Opq-NkzH617nBqTJhGNgLmoioHIL6N1itwY2tW4yqoLRNrbpqEP_phFyjHZ9UT46FQ1yZrhiaLJ_wUWv/s4032/IMG_8710.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWioJHFb6YqM2ts0kxsFjQkcZrAFLd1OGo_into0tnjxI9goEGyRMTK7EWntxpY66a7sUuch7qmmYZRMeYgm9JTChG7aweE-e7TayoO1YyPH-Opq-NkzH617nBqTJhGNgLmoioHIL6N1itwY2tW4yqoLRNrbpqEP_phFyjHZ9UT46FQ1yZrhiaLJ_wUWv/w640-h480/IMG_8710.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu cover, an always odd composite. The Ren cars look the same height as the Skyline, which is somehow smashed up directly against a Ren sleeper (which couldn't happen without a transition car). It's also not clear where this is meant to be...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRCsAUyfF594iUQy8lIQ1PfcislAGkgcLGnbVHMHftpW4_KjF8i-huNQo9dpnEDGpbxVDH0jYN66oFeTj2L7fFuvQvQHSfP4TTEevVIxsLzxftDdp5-aGaY6av9jUP1NcsouWN4pFncE7ulD6ophnqNzuI-WzRZ8KTXzowDtX0tJiXFIXVvzt2Ge3UyLs/s4032/IMG_8711.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRCsAUyfF594iUQy8lIQ1PfcislAGkgcLGnbVHMHftpW4_KjF8i-huNQo9dpnEDGpbxVDH0jYN66oFeTj2L7fFuvQvQHSfP4TTEevVIxsLzxftDdp5-aGaY6av9jUP1NcsouWN4pFncE7ulD6ophnqNzuI-WzRZ8KTXzowDtX0tJiXFIXVvzt2Ge3UyLs/w640-h480/IMG_8711.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appetizer.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1Egi4bYpY00Cy6LpUuF8wZpJzt5TExgz6bDp6pgAz9MIIVEHLA50Wi44IDnaIDEPcmwzyLFRvA_9JET_detwk27OKjrytM2bTEAVX9sC7x1Yl12SiRafADstJppZ2DFNPc1aXzl-tM6DfixEwP37odrwpXsTJwV3UFclh3dfnR4scLNdD-wXsq7kyXq8/s4032/IMG_8712.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1Egi4bYpY00Cy6LpUuF8wZpJzt5TExgz6bDp6pgAz9MIIVEHLA50Wi44IDnaIDEPcmwzyLFRvA_9JET_detwk27OKjrytM2bTEAVX9sC7x1Yl12SiRafADstJppZ2DFNPc1aXzl-tM6DfixEwP37odrwpXsTJwV3UFclh3dfnR4scLNdD-wXsq7kyXq8/w640-h480/IMG_8712.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main course. Dessert was carrot cake, not shown.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuH8HHuotMtWY9-ASk0vDLeMH_jXmKTwaN1iQq_aU6SRzqOiMzGA_mj8GgPDifxSw5k2HH-rB3pccaJlB4g_-mF6V7smgbQzW1ODFt6WGiwfX7zuz7U8k6N_9_lLX085O0RAffDb_blhUslZPp4WLGnhkOIbjGDbDpxKeIBMGcu4t2kIHSfa8-CGZn3u2/s4032/IMG_8713.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuH8HHuotMtWY9-ASk0vDLeMH_jXmKTwaN1iQq_aU6SRzqOiMzGA_mj8GgPDifxSw5k2HH-rB3pccaJlB4g_-mF6V7smgbQzW1ODFt6WGiwfX7zuz7U8k6N_9_lLX085O0RAffDb_blhUslZPp4WLGnhkOIbjGDbDpxKeIBMGcu4t2kIHSfa8-CGZn3u2/w640-h480/IMG_8713.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop at Ste-Foy, QC.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKv8SUtmxr90BHGxbeTLnBJ3Yc4s2LZTjCISg088mP4a0Ci00A1zRBT0RO4HPuCLy89cGr79xf1wQZp0B5UpMGVCdzmv0rNmTO9u70TUFKEiSjmXv67KaB4k8mlRqQuuM2EZ6y5Dc8HdyjPYoEQWAJDOh7wQHuQc3WA2hjJEs2zM_IPL8shpLDJu0SkeX/s4032/IMG_8714.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKv8SUtmxr90BHGxbeTLnBJ3Yc4s2LZTjCISg088mP4a0Ci00A1zRBT0RO4HPuCLy89cGr79xf1wQZp0B5UpMGVCdzmv0rNmTO9u70TUFKEiSjmXv67KaB4k8mlRqQuuM2EZ6y5Dc8HdyjPYoEQWAJDOh7wQHuQc3WA2hjJEs2zM_IPL8shpLDJu0SkeX/w480-h640/IMG_8714.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96iApjEUS9ZglmeH9cj-j-fxL46LCsGWlJS7RWQ1CXE2NkdoiO3LNlXwrWTh-tc2XlxqkX9Y3HXiOQ_LwvK5oE3_fSbiT94zheyYTEZatTT8zCAdSDNDYwYls40YwBk1oRv7WgUFa88ZrX-4qoxkJYf0A-rYreQ9hReIDfY2rfaTFIl3KanJsl2LvTEBM/s4032/IMG_8715.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96iApjEUS9ZglmeH9cj-j-fxL46LCsGWlJS7RWQ1CXE2NkdoiO3LNlXwrWTh-tc2XlxqkX9Y3HXiOQ_LwvK5oE3_fSbiT94zheyYTEZatTT8zCAdSDNDYwYls40YwBk1oRv7WgUFa88ZrX-4qoxkJYf0A-rYreQ9hReIDfY2rfaTFIl3KanJsl2LvTEBM/w480-h640/IMG_8715.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu options.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwDiE1fbFxgeS4dwJX7iwAYq6cYfEiHcgFn_La7hXETEb0cigDzdXtN8HCBpf8Mrst09UBilQNSoDltRZ_2mFmml38uLekbg-cdgIFYj8bqqa2y_xjEqWdsQiXTipAuP4-ma5j_8bjrUY9MPBP7_wl-2-XzD56ntt1QKErXzr4Mic9MTRQbKe0xee4zx2/s4032/IMG_8717.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwDiE1fbFxgeS4dwJX7iwAYq6cYfEiHcgFn_La7hXETEb0cigDzdXtN8HCBpf8Mrst09UBilQNSoDltRZ_2mFmml38uLekbg-cdgIFYj8bqqa2y_xjEqWdsQiXTipAuP4-ma5j_8bjrUY9MPBP7_wl-2-XzD56ntt1QKErXzr4Mic9MTRQbKe0xee4zx2/w640-h480/IMG_8717.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyPk44Rcvgc6nUNW29UP9VTLl33MLz9YC2HtbPkhlDDlwIO_Rz4Bgm8JGChagRLI5iziOG7ijkju7-knoEGaVPeKWj3KVDU1mnxb__n1mNuihCl8f5BwkWKfCuegkSvv1AmBlspxKqi3muVSmRjZi2ZAr7RZ-ammTtazSxOLW6w60pk1PMp2j45GRZ7UL/s3489/IMG_8718.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3489" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyPk44Rcvgc6nUNW29UP9VTLl33MLz9YC2HtbPkhlDDlwIO_Rz4Bgm8JGChagRLI5iziOG7ijkju7-knoEGaVPeKWj3KVDU1mnxb__n1mNuihCl8f5BwkWKfCuegkSvv1AmBlspxKqi3muVSmRjZi2ZAr7RZ-ammTtazSxOLW6w60pk1PMp2j45GRZ7UL/w640-h554/IMG_8718.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy morning views along the Baie des Chaleurs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF4jAR-8k5xAkuD8i9mP2srxJe3cuu8U30oKMkB4xW6HBzZy96kWtRYPCcW-koc44SUcJP4yKUVqqtm6nlcbCzuh9oOVVpXWuEcEmuBD6V_9CwZvHbeiEfwqd_4E_1ysBYvn7sjG-qXsr-jT98ttHBetD8fLzZhJ-K-Ot83bUMEMQUhR9cAjRrqdQTsck/s4032/IMG_8725.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF4jAR-8k5xAkuD8i9mP2srxJe3cuu8U30oKMkB4xW6HBzZy96kWtRYPCcW-koc44SUcJP4yKUVqqtm6nlcbCzuh9oOVVpXWuEcEmuBD6V_9CwZvHbeiEfwqd_4E_1ysBYvn7sjG-qXsr-jT98ttHBetD8fLzZhJ-K-Ot83bUMEMQUhR9cAjRrqdQTsck/w640-h480/IMG_8725.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roomette overview from bed. My favourite cozy spot on the train.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were no stops at Charlo, Jacquet River, or Rogersville on this trip. Made it to Moncton, by now in pouring rain, and departed at 2:32pm.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SOzsXDCeplH6jMVE9-wRoVJYGZukBHM1oHuiMqjIh5-_tCK1oUnejVOKPYsotMEt9wGJyuUlfbWOQ-P7EchpSvJpIGwmDTvFR-JHzhvksK6L47q-Uoabf8l5EoSWau65dXsmQfChx8ajevDXkpwCw_B9Cdn_05idduah9MsutuWbOCy_-RDqSTUWwft0/s4032/IMG_8726.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SOzsXDCeplH6jMVE9-wRoVJYGZukBHM1oHuiMqjIh5-_tCK1oUnejVOKPYsotMEt9wGJyuUlfbWOQ-P7EchpSvJpIGwmDTvFR-JHzhvksK6L47q-Uoabf8l5EoSWau65dXsmQfChx8ajevDXkpwCw_B9Cdn_05idduah9MsutuWbOCy_-RDqSTUWwft0/w640-h480/IMG_8726.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy stop at Moncton.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lunch was offered at 12, 1:30, or 3pm. Having had a late breakfast and not feeling that hungry, I opted for the last sitting. Only half of the diner was set, and there were only 4 passengers. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxwz9x5S6bEpX7DHIt6tLQ86kSzuiErpzJD8r3vampxntoKfL2ifJeLKAsPxqqv3G_EWZuUpB9EkbY7WRIM8K7vCmLG7fUHZK1eAfleMsiozeijCTZ4zBeuLRlPCgJ3U-9_4jhMAwGvApvleFRTLW9cb4Sh6qnNH0PEqTKKtBwzYeazkbfUWYnCcem6rJ/s4032/IMG_8728.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxwz9x5S6bEpX7DHIt6tLQ86kSzuiErpzJD8r3vampxntoKfL2ifJeLKAsPxqqv3G_EWZuUpB9EkbY7WRIM8K7vCmLG7fUHZK1eAfleMsiozeijCTZ4zBeuLRlPCgJ3U-9_4jhMAwGvApvleFRTLW9cb4Sh6qnNH0PEqTKKtBwzYeazkbfUWYnCcem6rJ/w480-h640/IMG_8728.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKuPpnuBz6s9BwEFq5UI_GWsCik8PAwlAOk-sIxJY85tauuY0O2JwiQCM7GpsQ2kc04PrPl2Jykhsh8gn2wMDIhvB1ofQM3S7e_3zspfFES-TxnXFO9umozuBFXIjFdRHm7Nb2vP52gYxIlZ-nqk_BydsIdaHfEnowldwcooIWSD4wtuqUfeqvJwW9Bdf/s4032/IMG_8730.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKuPpnuBz6s9BwEFq5UI_GWsCik8PAwlAOk-sIxJY85tauuY0O2JwiQCM7GpsQ2kc04PrPl2Jykhsh8gn2wMDIhvB1ofQM3S7e_3zspfFES-TxnXFO9umozuBFXIjFdRHm7Nb2vP52gYxIlZ-nqk_BydsIdaHfEnowldwcooIWSD4wtuqUfeqvJwW9Bdf/w640-h480/IMG_8730.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ren dining car, set for lunch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSInuDvvisbANcgomvBV35utSUw42vcp1cBmLHv2TxUdEt1mdutuYWFnuUt4djq4MpJFVEKRvmVggeLBNlrfEEdAsP1MOspWtZDOYZlFHajg1iQng0lFEIgoloRF5WM7RC8oACUTwvZ-L7zMUk5vgIbypcYOqZ0ioiBYL0aKP4y746Me_J5FHLRYN76eK/s4032/IMG_8731.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSInuDvvisbANcgomvBV35utSUw42vcp1cBmLHv2TxUdEt1mdutuYWFnuUt4djq4MpJFVEKRvmVggeLBNlrfEEdAsP1MOspWtZDOYZlFHajg1iQng0lFEIgoloRF5WM7RC8oACUTwvZ-L7zMUk5vgIbypcYOqZ0ioiBYL0aKP4y746Me_J5FHLRYN76eK/w480-h640/IMG_8731.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clam chowder.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ubhh_JdO--YMnHe1NmmirOG8l_h9n2Xguv-OETEcFp-dVuE85sI5-v-a6F9wDEs5CKEjXgr4Uqy21cH9MJzoQ9XTfsEzFb-0EaU_tqnYNn7N7VIbZ3N_PLWEAaaRPTbU7hESHhMMt4PZg45a5ixzNHaC5IKtWEi2H05_U_j57P2nB4fp55MQSUi-A4fc/s4032/IMG_8732.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ubhh_JdO--YMnHe1NmmirOG8l_h9n2Xguv-OETEcFp-dVuE85sI5-v-a6F9wDEs5CKEjXgr4Uqy21cH9MJzoQ9XTfsEzFb-0EaU_tqnYNn7N7VIbZ3N_PLWEAaaRPTbU7hESHhMMt4PZg45a5ixzNHaC5IKtWEi2H05_U_j57P2nB4fp55MQSUi-A4fc/w640-h480/IMG_8732.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken shish taouk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Hwf20om4iue07cIiZOgykp9ZbLVfBDz1UW2PxMJ5u8LnQ5ToY3X6QDsP5oLyIM-kPojoaej2Jbq5i0vzRn-AJw7_xvnCX1CFKC4ka7m85p9X6MN1pLZME8KYr5r9F1O7EBRGlf3aOER2Qm5YG5dBH8YuViDwb5rr7rHAeDS9DTChok7C0q75KBVjI-1S/s4032/IMG_8734.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Hwf20om4iue07cIiZOgykp9ZbLVfBDz1UW2PxMJ5u8LnQ5ToY3X6QDsP5oLyIM-kPojoaej2Jbq5i0vzRn-AJw7_xvnCX1CFKC4ka7m85p9X6MN1pLZME8KYr5r9F1O7EBRGlf3aOER2Qm5YG5dBH8YuViDwb5rr7rHAeDS9DTChok7C0q75KBVjI-1S/w480-h640/IMG_8734.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting CN 507 at Evans, before Sackville NB. Decently well timed meet.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4RQw6hvSRDYVak6s9oIXy04T8wcEj6531vDoZgHI4BGl25_ZhzpKUL4q188hj_FSZClX3tovlBbemp_OAGYKrVR_SzD-6kkEmlngZ4g1Oae3hWvTqFqQGWK7VclCe-aBkShDro97BcwHdFQRXHovIGaYLNFNZLKojEgXElucs-Y3SMWs42B_dMU3BdFJ/s4032/IMG_8737.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4RQw6hvSRDYVak6s9oIXy04T8wcEj6531vDoZgHI4BGl25_ZhzpKUL4q188hj_FSZClX3tovlBbemp_OAGYKrVR_SzD-6kkEmlngZ4g1Oae3hWvTqFqQGWK7VclCe-aBkShDro97BcwHdFQRXHovIGaYLNFNZLKojEgXElucs-Y3SMWs42B_dMU3BdFJ/w480-h640/IMG_8737.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert heading across the Tantramar marsh.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We did make stops at Sackville and Amherst, but not at Springhill Jct. Ultimately, we would arrive in Halifax around 7pm, a bit over an hour late. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6chZTA0GeDKNe5WC1XEqgiMZiUgeadV2pB5dW86cdK-Yw2lh6F-2c1yrAiKYipRBldO7HDf_nV8KX3PzD-rYhri6bd-WRLe5Gs5vfs4Kjsx0kGXBq8RKlLxd50zqG3W8T62BxhjluhO8HtjnP9TnoeaAjQMJ9rg1chtJQf08lYvjR60dfNrebfaanrzrZ/s3473/IMG_8740.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2314" data-original-width="3473" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6chZTA0GeDKNe5WC1XEqgiMZiUgeadV2pB5dW86cdK-Yw2lh6F-2c1yrAiKYipRBldO7HDf_nV8KX3PzD-rYhri6bd-WRLe5Gs5vfs4Kjsx0kGXBq8RKlLxd50zqG3W8T62BxhjluhO8HtjnP9TnoeaAjQMJ9rg1chtJQf08lYvjR60dfNrebfaanrzrZ/w640-h426/IMG_8740.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halifax, after a very wet walk down the platform.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aside from the photo observations above, there's not a whole lot more to say about this trip. It was pretty much on par for the usual Ocean experience these days, and I did meet some nice people (including discovering an incredibly coincidental family connection with the person in the roomette across the hall from me). It was nice to actually make it all the way to Halifax smoothly, and after the last trip became one I'll never forget, it was really nice to have one that felt a bit more run-of-the-mill. Which is not to say it wasn't enjoyable, because it certainly was! A shout-out to my sleeper attendant Noah, who did a superb job and helped make this a very pleasant trip. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">On a side note, YouTuber Travis Ridgen, a frequent traveller on The Canadian, recently posted a video about his experience on the Ocean. He's a little more critical of the food and some elements of things, but of course his point of reference is his frequent experience on The Canadian, and of course there's no contest between the two trains! It's always neat to see someone else's experience and thoughts on this train, so the video is worth checking out. It also includes a number of video clips of mine, and I'm happy to see those contribute to a rather nicely assembled production. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="359" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y61AEGW1u00" width="432" youtube-src-id="y61AEGW1u00"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">----------</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ok, I'll leave it at that for now. I hope this was still of interest, even as a rather brief report. I'll hopefully be back soon with something a little more unusual and interesting!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHYTxFVMqfPBBcjbqa-90X06K3aJvFqeWg2rXpYb5n2Y7nceAQzPJlYDgH0DFtNO8SxnjHub01gVJwhTww5vFVf-UgoS0ktwUC17yo8c55te6OWctH5y7bAnnAy7opdEsaxM_W1cHo_JIW5g83SidglhZnleUxMAWB-H9lmpeseF0tdFGMeTLRPoWRESH/s2817/IMG_9199.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1863" data-original-width="2817" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHYTxFVMqfPBBcjbqa-90X06K3aJvFqeWg2rXpYb5n2Y7nceAQzPJlYDgH0DFtNO8SxnjHub01gVJwhTww5vFVf-UgoS0ktwUC17yo8c55te6OWctH5y7bAnnAy7opdEsaxM_W1cHo_JIW5g83SidglhZnleUxMAWB-H9lmpeseF0tdFGMeTLRPoWRESH/w640-h424/IMG_9199.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closing with a more summery look! On one of the extremely rare sunny days from this summer, VIA 15 clips along through Shubenacadie NS, July 16, 2023. About a week later, historic rainfalls would cause a major washout near Truro (at CN Hyde, near Millbrook), and cause the Ocean to operate between Montreal and Moncton for three trips in a row. Thankfully, it took only a week for CN to repair the washout, and some more sun has finally followed!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />
TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-4724521189084411922023-02-09T15:25:00.001-04:002023-02-09T18:28:31.297-04:00Trains, Planes, and Automobiles: Christmas Chaos, 2022 Edition<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSSYFYR5xLL6C08iMjgRmqVkrBUdycSQuIc203YJTFT0YwvVDzl1tLgkLlJFq_7HRgPvXxvSHaFh8QS3hiHDYt-MQj9Z_MT_oqn5HVGvovzb8a9PHisJWNHz6djJxfKQxhe7anESx0PG0dmo5elAt8igg6ojVF_MTi7vRlIQ6O2G6Q27vmaGoDFJURg/s4032/04AA22C1-C10C-4398-B8C0-195D58CB14DD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSSYFYR5xLL6C08iMjgRmqVkrBUdycSQuIc203YJTFT0YwvVDzl1tLgkLlJFq_7HRgPvXxvSHaFh8QS3hiHDYt-MQj9Z_MT_oqn5HVGvovzb8a9PHisJWNHz6djJxfKQxhe7anESx0PG0dmo5elAt8igg6ojVF_MTi7vRlIQ6O2G6Q27vmaGoDFJURg/w640-h480/04AA22C1-C10C-4398-B8C0-195D58CB14DD.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There’s a
pretty obvious reference in the title of this post. The 1987 classic Planes,
Trains and Automobiles is one of my favourite films. The pairing of John Candy
and Steve Martin, along with John Hughes' script and direction, make for a
chaotic adventure that is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. The fact that
the film centres around several modes of transportation (there are buses and
trucks in there too, which don’t quite make the title), always helped pique my
interest, even though I always thought the train part was too short.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s
technically an American Thanksgiving film, but given the snowy setting and the
lack of analogy to Canadian Thanksgiving, it has always felt more Christmassy
and in some ways reminiscent of travel at that time of year. Now I’ve had some
eventful trips over the years, but fortunately never something that quite got
to the level of the ordeal depicted in the film – at least, until this
Christmas. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I won’t say that this trip was <i>quite</i> like the movie – I
didn’t end up shacked up with an eccentric shower-curtain salesman, and I never
ended up driving in the burnt-out shell of a car with nothing but the radio
still functioning – but it definitely had me feeling at least a bit like I had
found myself in that film, checking off each of the transportation modes one by
one as my hopes of getting home for Christmas Day steadily drained away. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The trip
started entirely uneventfully, as these things have a tendency to do. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Part 1:
The very normal not at all chaotic westbound trip<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQoKYH_6pbK74OOUYNz3n_tH_d4avbYNNGu0-0ePRAnb3P_zOTAaLGDDrE-4ZUY1tzAr529b-mjHeh4KI2hozRqPMYJhtpbgWmDvr3xrjgfALYaiV25fSUgw7AeeoSsLoeKTo40_AZ6LPptK37oqabdPA3rmLB8pGRtgZYufaGVL27EWbbMk5vxBRsQ/s3624/BD5C2D80-7BA2-4D41-9444-0CA1DA3448AB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2718" data-original-width="3624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQoKYH_6pbK74OOUYNz3n_tH_d4avbYNNGu0-0ePRAnb3P_zOTAaLGDDrE-4ZUY1tzAr529b-mjHeh4KI2hozRqPMYJhtpbgWmDvr3xrjgfALYaiV25fSUgw7AeeoSsLoeKTo40_AZ6LPptK37oqabdPA3rmLB8pGRtgZYufaGVL27EWbbMk5vxBRsQ/w640-h480/BD5C2D80-7BA2-4D41-9444-0CA1DA3448AB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My train awaits departure at the Halifax station. The rather grey and snowless look around is typical of how this "winter" has been in Halifax.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m going to
keep my report on the trip up pretty concise and straight to the point, because
really, there isn’t a whole lot to say about it. It was smooth and comfortable,
we made reasonable time, and the on board service was pretty much the same as
my most recent trips. The only notable difference from previous trips was that
the Renaissance service car nearest to the coaches actually had its takeout
counter open, though I believe there was also cart service being done (there
certainly was to the coach at the far end of the train). Most commentary this
way will be in the photo captions. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At check-in at
Halifax, I was able to check my bag through to Ottawa, with a transfer tag
attached so the bag would go from 15 to 35. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMUqjlG9i82TKz7_x7GfmujH7DdojkcE340xn8APOXK9Qh9_nUbZPcOYUIunLLpGFmiD14P6uxqO5oySUimudTHAiT6lOOBixE_5uPNuksZQ0BULsCpMNIrUtXeBtoUFfYtZiJmDkaKvRjry-7T2gTu7lZQZYVLEe-ahPE_mzNT-sGi6L5at2e_2zTA/s2437/1767F266-25C5-47FF-BDCE-0DDABE1073C1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2437" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMUqjlG9i82TKz7_x7GfmujH7DdojkcE340xn8APOXK9Qh9_nUbZPcOYUIunLLpGFmiD14P6uxqO5oySUimudTHAiT6lOOBixE_5uPNuksZQ0BULsCpMNIrUtXeBtoUFfYtZiJmDkaKvRjry-7T2gTu7lZQZYVLEe-ahPE_mzNT-sGi6L5at2e_2zTA/w640-h538/1767F266-25C5-47FF-BDCE-0DDABE1073C1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halifax station, looking festive! There was a larger crowd of passengers waiting to board, but I tried not to capture too many in this photo. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDv7eYaGdfJOAUz7Ny3626p47KaTMh5hV3frb4c9nfMmAyqqiGjojyashZAWqR9kRfopc5GorU83IVYCEnSpwEhziDxVP0bGgJzBQsXYH13acZmJf00nNK6Mac2rXEmEAHIvRHldShbkd2AetTIgKJ0olu8nYyzEBj5y8a8qQkz70mSTLcLhNNeCN-Q/s3571/AE9FC3CE-31DA-4791-A2B2-7C0E914FCFFC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2692" data-original-width="3571" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDv7eYaGdfJOAUz7Ny3626p47KaTMh5hV3frb4c9nfMmAyqqiGjojyashZAWqR9kRfopc5GorU83IVYCEnSpwEhziDxVP0bGgJzBQsXYH13acZmJf00nNK6Mac2rXEmEAHIvRHldShbkd2AetTIgKJ0olu8nYyzEBj5y8a8qQkz70mSTLcLhNNeCN-Q/w640-h482/AE9FC3CE-31DA-4791-A2B2-7C0E914FCFFC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rather unglamourous end of the new bidirectional train. Passengers on the Canadian complain these days of the "buffer" cars removing the rear end view and making the tail end look unsightly, but that still beats our baggage-car-bringing-up-the-markers!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">VIA 15 –
Dec. 18, 2022</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6433 (forward)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6437 (reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">8615 HEP1 Baggage<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">8223 Château Rigaud <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">8212 Château Latour<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">8220 Château Papineau<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">8113 HEP1 Coach<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">7600 Renaissance transition<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">7231 Ren coach<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7309 Ren
service car (canteen open)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7402 Ren diner<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7312 Ren
service car<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">79515 Ren
Accessible sleeper (30) <b>*Room 05</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7520 Ren
sleeper (37)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7522 Ren
sleeper (38)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7519 Ren
sleeper (39)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">70108 Ren accessible
coach<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7003 Ren
baggage<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">On departure, the usual
announcements had been updated to include one stating “Since space is limited in
the service cars, please allow other passengers to use the facility”, or
something along those lines. The Ren service car lounges are pretty compact,
and it’s also the only place to get WiFi service on the train. The available
lounge space has really suffered with the loss of the Park car, and it’s not
clear when (if ever) we’ll see anything else added to improve this.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Departure was right on time from
Halifax. We had a bit of a delay for a meet with 120 at Kinsac, and a speed
reduction at Hilden due to a faulty detector report (if I gathered that
correctly). There were two settings for both lunch (1:15 and 2:45) and dinner
(6 and 8pm).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BMNDSo7CL4AEQSdJYpn97lyBr1dudD8kd6p80ZQQGnIWIDbYAIpPwGPmx0o6-bOpyWakQo9YipshzRyNmb_wbY9ssXNYDdnGR5b_NVM3zbYZIEzRSY5Glr4QxudY5E4I8J3I9x7BPI0CGsRvPTyYsxdMnFA_JlfvHjTrwCTE3_duuJ_5vP5Z_jqgMg/s4032/2E92A5FB-D5DC-465A-8E55-0863B6766C7A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BMNDSo7CL4AEQSdJYpn97lyBr1dudD8kd6p80ZQQGnIWIDbYAIpPwGPmx0o6-bOpyWakQo9YipshzRyNmb_wbY9ssXNYDdnGR5b_NVM3zbYZIEzRSY5Glr4QxudY5E4I8J3I9x7BPI0CGsRvPTyYsxdMnFA_JlfvHjTrwCTE3_duuJ_5vP5Z_jqgMg/w640-h480/2E92A5FB-D5DC-465A-8E55-0863B6766C7A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedford basin views from the service car. It's no Park car, but when there's space, it's still not too bad. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC_PtmY0VSnAQ_J4jK8OISmA9zRQtorLP9h4JIS_1MmrNElAPQNgSxaZHOSdOR9kDZpsG8axafu9VoaAfwM-trbEcovupZ_gshGfwG-hKpu6dYsuShNXAljlNktkSybCvcWqANkHTnBJuhy8VsTBJc39zPnfjomRcoDjtVEckeoSbGoSoEt_HL_oNjA/s4032/F7F09E64-B778-4DC3-8997-FF06780A1F3C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC_PtmY0VSnAQ_J4jK8OISmA9zRQtorLP9h4JIS_1MmrNElAPQNgSxaZHOSdOR9kDZpsG8axafu9VoaAfwM-trbEcovupZ_gshGfwG-hKpu6dYsuShNXAljlNktkSybCvcWqANkHTnBJuhy8VsTBJc39zPnfjomRcoDjtVEckeoSbGoSoEt_HL_oNjA/w640-h480/F7F09E64-B778-4DC3-8997-FF06780A1F3C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More service car views. Note the festive decor, which goes quite well with the red seats. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQWbXmNRzsb9oZwz2DhG6HZIxQBNtS0JSARUxJQJ-wxZuhayCbRDk8zRyJrHOrYa6h9_cO3VGR4OlQQOz9a4yBpqlLRze_2xWq9pEisAP-7B-9ruXtBtOKFS2c1TVBuY1Dd63RapNkQ0hUEiXgtFB5sSttyVDqCSgGcW2szMuQQ4xR0Fr6hb6zqr-mw/s4032/3263B680-164C-4857-996D-5AE28506E370.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQWbXmNRzsb9oZwz2DhG6HZIxQBNtS0JSARUxJQJ-wxZuhayCbRDk8zRyJrHOrYa6h9_cO3VGR4OlQQOz9a4yBpqlLRze_2xWq9pEisAP-7B-9ruXtBtOKFS2c1TVBuY1Dd63RapNkQ0hUEiXgtFB5sSttyVDqCSgGcW2szMuQQ4xR0Fr6hb6zqr-mw/w640-h480/3263B680-164C-4857-996D-5AE28506E370.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining car, at Truro. Nice to see some Christmas decor return this year!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N7EMfBj8D4ZhSE1nJuzrvFwa0naVjL_DsNcmcdeWW58lofMl6DwV_6xdMoMJP1b9uynXdWAhSDOv-MO_bEUFtF_EPSN77t3p2qD_Yi9iBdYltPA4vzo1mmDe9XiJhcND--LhXDOHXyJVzXw9qQEKk4Wh3fgADQ0OhjKOPpIvHTAwRWJNTBBKV5V6mQ/s4032/010ADAF7-B1AA-4C30-AF53-CE0CE39FB2FC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N7EMfBj8D4ZhSE1nJuzrvFwa0naVjL_DsNcmcdeWW58lofMl6DwV_6xdMoMJP1b9uynXdWAhSDOv-MO_bEUFtF_EPSN77t3p2qD_Yi9iBdYltPA4vzo1mmDe9XiJhcND--LhXDOHXyJVzXw9qQEKk4Wh3fgADQ0OhjKOPpIvHTAwRWJNTBBKV5V6mQ/w480-h640/010ADAF7-B1AA-4C30-AF53-CE0CE39FB2FC.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu. Same options as on my trip in the fall. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOYUr9xVSi7Zi7GY300oAo1XxJdROf2rNYe7fGaP2MgbmZU3MfY3nj39rfWwDKaR4RWfH6GgxettJP5dJ3v4f39wcaZyh7ho8Al3DFtaN4y7SYGM6dDks6GeHIGFTlmeIjfbQsxTQKurKjjKMjUMb1Z6sTyAXGWhr2hnY7Ui63q-4Japi8Mlkwpv4tQ/w640-h480/1FB40470-B5C5-4439-A9F7-FFFE391B4037.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clam chowder to start.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi0Gy1kA8_hvkDyEa1giX-F9NxOJCg0_3eXaovUVP4yG-g3xBvAbkuLLzmyZuKs5TKqleNzfgFlNyq1hpGooVFnQytZ1IrZE8XdKj_wsdK5hBT_Ua66UsZnRcOqVH34XmOrsYE4XF7qyfHzPSdPwf8VflG8vew2tfyF7d8njXpVjobbniyyRxWFIuiw/w640-h480/24ADA0D6-F616-40C8-83F7-3BE342465A00.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrimp alfredo, for a change. I thought this was better than the cold chicken, which I had back in October. Actually quite tasty all around. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif01WyjXmpoan0f-QqpKa14rHHpVbqOSWFtn8PcQj3KihU2rp-UOYz_EVrN9MwuHKF9pv4ON8MV6a9pYo8qofmwNJXn7LonI2-iFs1ZiSWoWgkBbw5tCe1c4u3QvAfJnZOCNWEDDbs4g_9uOJiS0M0YFmNweRfjI0OgNuklm4ViOT4KM5dCVbx71lecw/s4032/0EAD3E74-66E6-4ED2-9D69-9F155699D7C5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif01WyjXmpoan0f-QqpKa14rHHpVbqOSWFtn8PcQj3KihU2rp-UOYz_EVrN9MwuHKF9pv4ON8MV6a9pYo8qofmwNJXn7LonI2-iFs1ZiSWoWgkBbw5tCe1c4u3QvAfJnZOCNWEDDbs4g_9uOJiS0M0YFmNweRfjI0OgNuklm4ViOT4KM5dCVbx71lecw/w640-h480/0EAD3E74-66E6-4ED2-9D69-9F155699D7C5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pecan pie - superb! I was surprised to see this as the lunch dessert, but it would all make sense when supper rolled around. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_AHttaMMLO5nR8XvdAT_TORo0u4qHq1niXXrKq24VDSaYMZH2Lc-tqfK8bAwXbqVwSi5mkN5nkd5D5k99GS82k2Mh0CPREMdGIukwJ5rJtXADNGXNbu7dr836mfDituHS9iWzYmjsvRl4X7w1sP6RE8N7HCcVxrWsiAMcGwJIEwuvwfGgKTdIRpDuQ/s4022/F8B220D0-617B-4445-A95E-3A7B716FFD83.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2908" data-original-width="4022" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_AHttaMMLO5nR8XvdAT_TORo0u4qHq1niXXrKq24VDSaYMZH2Lc-tqfK8bAwXbqVwSi5mkN5nkd5D5k99GS82k2Mh0CPREMdGIukwJ5rJtXADNGXNbu7dr836mfDituHS9iWzYmjsvRl4X7w1sP6RE8N7HCcVxrWsiAMcGwJIEwuvwfGgKTdIRpDuQ/w640-h462/F8B220D0-617B-4445-A95E-3A7B716FFD83.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu, later on.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrdSc5t92QoQOsurHiCroFM0Ei0L6Tk0Ux4akLmv1v-36PJj-tHPrmPofuLMAV-Nc4KwSlLp8D9jNfH5LtNS3TElvszxKTbVvM8ORfOY-P4P8eaOwIjJL2m5hxrfGwa8lmUq-7Qjvd1CJ1ewLa0P39wl78hZhQN4wEwU--a_aowcZTh3UnmkGK-VYcg/s4032/55124D4E-0CF7-4579-AD67-D8C68AD55C5B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrdSc5t92QoQOsurHiCroFM0Ei0L6Tk0Ux4akLmv1v-36PJj-tHPrmPofuLMAV-Nc4KwSlLp8D9jNfH5LtNS3TElvszxKTbVvM8ORfOY-P4P8eaOwIjJL2m5hxrfGwa8lmUq-7Qjvd1CJ1ewLa0P39wl78hZhQN4wEwU--a_aowcZTh3UnmkGK-VYcg/w640-h480/55124D4E-0CF7-4579-AD67-D8C68AD55C5B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato bisque, always a good choice.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCvl1Sns84j6NMk9V_4Pf0j0LyIN2zdd8zwemgD1H2EYZUkggfVRGtASbN9DQ5oKuLzqQzQVYs3RmPgyvP4aohGfUoE_-u5H9G5kOveeMGIPaSdKEvUvJRqj7_fYq-fS0WDPM28duCZkgHeEvNGuWFo3HxqbjAqgphRXyUtIYm_7ZYzhDN0N1PxDwHw/w480-h640/FC5D4941-D730-4622-9A08-8848F177833C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butter chicken, excellent once again. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div></div><p></p><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5zqR2fuq-AHJdzYnsa5PEhe7LDkDUwaV0oJlWG8EhkWxH9btyD1vIXlURhnhDMDSQRRU6A_1scEOQ2b3ETBsI3nNe5PTLR7LGL2MKzNAyuImrYuNrBd3B0XfqiVWWPUqrlEnvN01GDCH0vpfpx0TJ6kzdUgzYGgJUvuP_HZp7hRgQDMp2Chmq1LPxQ/s4032/97610201-9775-42C3-8E1D-D7364DD2BF5D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5zqR2fuq-AHJdzYnsa5PEhe7LDkDUwaV0oJlWG8EhkWxH9btyD1vIXlURhnhDMDSQRRU6A_1scEOQ2b3ETBsI3nNe5PTLR7LGL2MKzNAyuImrYuNrBd3B0XfqiVWWPUqrlEnvN01GDCH0vpfpx0TJ6kzdUgzYGgJUvuP_HZp7hRgQDMp2Chmq1LPxQ/w480-h640/97610201-9775-42C3-8E1D-D7364DD2BF5D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah ha! This explains why the pie was on the lunch menu. A special Christmas dessert on offer, a chocolate peppermint mousse cake. Really good, though quite minty. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1XMoT8FZaRGpWMrVEKKuJB1yiv4vxONNc0Hla44Ph68B_AN0hJdzcofk1CUah1TlOZX290m4R2Nk6Lz70Y4tisA3-btS_y6Jlg_qq_MOUZakJcsiXB0zwe_qqMtxZ9Z0MwOD01O4SGo5iCZ4_blul7D5OgQqdL1rOsdPii0ojhv8z0NIAINgZzpeBg/s4032/814EC81F-89CE-4A75-8ECE-F81B81132F6E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1XMoT8FZaRGpWMrVEKKuJB1yiv4vxONNc0Hla44Ph68B_AN0hJdzcofk1CUah1TlOZX290m4R2Nk6Lz70Y4tisA3-btS_y6Jlg_qq_MOUZakJcsiXB0zwe_qqMtxZ9Z0MwOD01O4SGo5iCZ4_blul7D5OgQqdL1rOsdPii0ojhv8z0NIAINgZzpeBg/w640-h480/814EC81F-89CE-4A75-8ECE-F81B81132F6E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Service car, nearly empty late in the evening. It's not a bad space at times like this, but when it gets busy (as it is through most of the trip), it's darned near impossible to find anywhere to sit. It's not a well designed space for a long trip. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPZSbzzWHhC296c9aiiaAOBtnpO1LsCQ5F0qvcFxymPTcG2BROm_9EP1Vy2AMlLHskvOGFuof4UNtL4OFXiyR4GjGiFuJecsZrmn1M73KVKLLd9l8KZ9_iuVAnJ6KkcKfWWsQiJVfqhgl8qh_JkdHwgX6-6BTNgdy7KHz7NLGtMkN9XSTPCUYBJvoAg/s4032/BE813C69-4B96-4D56-B93F-41535E0E6CB0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPZSbzzWHhC296c9aiiaAOBtnpO1LsCQ5F0qvcFxymPTcG2BROm_9EP1Vy2AMlLHskvOGFuof4UNtL4OFXiyR4GjGiFuJecsZrmn1M73KVKLLd9l8KZ9_iuVAnJ6KkcKfWWsQiJVfqhgl8qh_JkdHwgX6-6BTNgdy7KHz7NLGtMkN9XSTPCUYBJvoAg/w480-h640/BE813C69-4B96-4D56-B93F-41535E0E6CB0.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in my room, I brought my Christmas lights along (as usual) to brighten things up a bit. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8h3Te0jli7z8NZ3eYG17X0bbgbm0wv2z5jh0jWnAyjJxu8CLcZe0lB5fGBEqvamTyPsVhwT0mw5NYpbZ2y7iA0tsK3tq1DSavYEa8SjPYMM7OGXnZbLN2a8G2_kyUlBtAF1rfm_4QLfScx_GRb2uXaHU49oQyPlFAkiNKpUvI5dTw5_3sddGSEDhRsA/s4032/BDDFC9D5-00D1-48D5-B554-11C7FE6383DF.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8h3Te0jli7z8NZ3eYG17X0bbgbm0wv2z5jh0jWnAyjJxu8CLcZe0lB5fGBEqvamTyPsVhwT0mw5NYpbZ2y7iA0tsK3tq1DSavYEa8SjPYMM7OGXnZbLN2a8G2_kyUlBtAF1rfm_4QLfScx_GRb2uXaHU49oQyPlFAkiNKpUvI5dTw5_3sddGSEDhRsA/w480-h640/BDDFC9D5-00D1-48D5-B554-11C7FE6383DF.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedroom hacks: in any sleeper room, whether the older Budd cars or the newer Rens, things can sometimes rattle; it's a moving train, after all! To ensure a peaceful sleep, some ingenuity may be required. The bathroom door in my room kept rattling, so I tucked one of the small hand towels in the corner before closing it - did the trick nicely. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The one bit of excitement in the evening
was seeing a passenger escorted from the train in handcuffs by police at
Miramichi. I had noticed that same passenger at a table across the aisle from
me at lunch, where he proceeded to order a full bottle of wine to take back to
his room. I suspect that may be related to his untimely departure from the
train. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I happened to wake up for the meet
with #14, which took place west of Rimouski. The siding there is a stub-end, so
14 was pulled in and would back out to the main after we passed, with the head-end
crews swapped to their respective trains. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkxflrDsC_ORxkGk5vbRXRsT1ZTX7kPNwrqrXLiGtMGJlhgCnnb8QQoQCcPUnF5rKzgmLwFeSsCz0jYmCCSg7dlRIbkK4BuZJ_SAHOv5uO_IgoX5TdKmprfpx3hiSmQmlB5BoF2hJaSR9szfTWqw7nGoSjcmUoRs6WSMxVbndNXyzk5CjQx6ZQhJONQ/s4032/D501E2F2-D242-4F1E-B3ED-9D1940369D26.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkxflrDsC_ORxkGk5vbRXRsT1ZTX7kPNwrqrXLiGtMGJlhgCnnb8QQoQCcPUnF5rKzgmLwFeSsCz0jYmCCSg7dlRIbkK4BuZJ_SAHOv5uO_IgoX5TdKmprfpx3hiSmQmlB5BoF2hJaSR9szfTWqw7nGoSjcmUoRs6WSMxVbndNXyzk5CjQx6ZQhJONQ/w640-h480/D501E2F2-D242-4F1E-B3ED-9D1940369D26.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow! Finally! We've had so little in Halifax this year, I had to leave to find it.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQemzY0meptrmrFjbeCe8abWP2iFCSfYw31MyEujOpLCsFDVbYnwuVPsaGj88738zwgpD6-tzee5JlLnw0R5EGd4P9AiNkuWLUCvJnzZIa6sg0_MYU_PYD8HI1A8aPTSSnKD8qyWYDcMTkIqFwdfn1PCG8d-nTU4wibc44Whba50I-68sZfMDHxSpzNQ/s4032/263359FA-1C16-497A-90A0-17C323122EFD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQemzY0meptrmrFjbeCe8abWP2iFCSfYw31MyEujOpLCsFDVbYnwuVPsaGj88738zwgpD6-tzee5JlLnw0R5EGd4P9AiNkuWLUCvJnzZIa6sg0_MYU_PYD8HI1A8aPTSSnKD8qyWYDcMTkIqFwdfn1PCG8d-nTU4wibc44Whba50I-68sZfMDHxSpzNQ/w480-h640/263359FA-1C16-497A-90A0-17C323122EFD.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet with 14, near Rimouski.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQ6lWqnUQAGgZ-ZP7mO5G-vFD5H0cYDVzJTrj28h6hE_LgpSVzkM7KnxJfa7UrHRms9xIsb4pH3I4Rcvkd3MoqnaY9BkEEK72Pk174YZ_T3LwGDXsu7ZH8mDXGMeq1Df06KIpnBNK4SixhjebqZ9xubmbqH5biOh0DSuNnXswlr1lm-JOnl9iRR1rvg/s4032/E7FDEDF5-D1AF-4B61-9E97-E223DD0085B9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQ6lWqnUQAGgZ-ZP7mO5G-vFD5H0cYDVzJTrj28h6hE_LgpSVzkM7KnxJfa7UrHRms9xIsb4pH3I4Rcvkd3MoqnaY9BkEEK72Pk174YZ_T3LwGDXsu7ZH8mDXGMeq1Df06KIpnBNK4SixhjebqZ9xubmbqH5biOh0DSuNnXswlr1lm-JOnl9iRR1rvg/w480-h640/E7FDEDF5-D1AF-4B61-9E97-E223DD0085B9.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next morning, breakfast time!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQQs9cETwIe4qzOsDWZs_Lsitq8VzkL26F0-hDG1VU1VEq2H-MGfbYgvA_mqSZaCVYQ2cuTtCsAiTLjyq5TqKzRkiMsQHXLHG4JxemlQqWrKoZDyVl-gq95wx7LGx5eTgnNiHjsd-10ACh08ENGcYUsJOXZppmnS6axVsrTlbfH_zWYatxHfG0j9vLw/s4032/5DACCDD5-1991-44E3-867E-DB39B51BB378.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQQs9cETwIe4qzOsDWZs_Lsitq8VzkL26F0-hDG1VU1VEq2H-MGfbYgvA_mqSZaCVYQ2cuTtCsAiTLjyq5TqKzRkiMsQHXLHG4JxemlQqWrKoZDyVl-gq95wx7LGx5eTgnNiHjsd-10ACh08ENGcYUsJOXZppmnS6axVsrTlbfH_zWYatxHfG0j9vLw/w640-h480/5DACCDD5-1991-44E3-867E-DB39B51BB378.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast! Forgot to photograph the inside of the menu, but it was the same options as my last trip. This is the egg option, and hit the spot nicely. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqBMXoP9y0BetPhT-gaGoDPl38myhp2jkkdUqsfQSAV5DTOMOzYZ9LON1ibjTX7lyY6tNMkQbOTCcrx7hBD49n4cQmwotBcrEoks9jsKDjwM4z8AnNnRQRX8XAjyNMBCZQVLon6AA1afxXCQtmlFi4lLEa3axY_LdE1C3DuKErdyRxL_OG3PsDRvriA/s4032/BA63AE05-BD88-495D-9DD5-81441C166A54.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqBMXoP9y0BetPhT-gaGoDPl38myhp2jkkdUqsfQSAV5DTOMOzYZ9LON1ibjTX7lyY6tNMkQbOTCcrx7hBD49n4cQmwotBcrEoks9jsKDjwM4z8AnNnRQRX8XAjyNMBCZQVLon6AA1afxXCQtmlFi4lLEa3axY_LdE1C3DuKErdyRxL_OG3PsDRvriA/w640-h480/BA63AE05-BD88-495D-9DD5-81441C166A54.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy morning views.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3wAVxrkd5nmthn-JJHq070XcFyncl9H1bbGtzXJvob2Dk3PJGzAVKjh4i4rCgcKOFqDfmboWOtYYNp6590jI5zbWpCGJFIBiaY91q6JHLe9dEGJv5IFwBroHhORKh0DsxV1fhtbPS5d4GnOMzT4MaDdFJbzc0-B7CDFZU025A9qqDNjKlcEQ_2JCnQ/s4032/16622B1B-736F-4437-99EC-5C094AB3E804.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3wAVxrkd5nmthn-JJHq070XcFyncl9H1bbGtzXJvob2Dk3PJGzAVKjh4i4rCgcKOFqDfmboWOtYYNp6590jI5zbWpCGJFIBiaY91q6JHLe9dEGJv5IFwBroHhORKh0DsxV1fhtbPS5d4GnOMzT4MaDdFJbzc0-B7CDFZU025A9qqDNjKlcEQ_2JCnQ/w640-h480/16622B1B-736F-4437-99EC-5C094AB3E804.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More snowy (and icy) morning views.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ6BADbx0Cy5zZxG0fO-RyAot5jQLoWia8ppn9vq68NdpjtGASwE3UAmI88aAVCdaqpAG8z_4O4zjwV7CxEDkMgeOAC_rRTeMVO0OD7uh7GISIC0AanvBkSQl4RQVVi749AiPgvamyUzB1LLWuvOTK4W-wIHa2_y11WT_zy0ORucJHcHN-alG4MzYRQ/s4032/415CEF70-3F08-458E-A184-7FDD8FC1C9E2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ6BADbx0Cy5zZxG0fO-RyAot5jQLoWia8ppn9vq68NdpjtGASwE3UAmI88aAVCdaqpAG8z_4O4zjwV7CxEDkMgeOAC_rRTeMVO0OD7uh7GISIC0AanvBkSQl4RQVVi749AiPgvamyUzB1LLWuvOTK4W-wIHa2_y11WT_zy0ORucJHcHN-alG4MzYRQ/w640-h480/415CEF70-3F08-458E-A184-7FDD8FC1C9E2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icy windows, and snowy scenes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPoCzaDuwkgmXFSnukyK0HJ17Dz3HFiEjNDoyY5hek_tuRDGp4-VZgKfOyb7Bi9UaFbLNFUNlyhXBhWB9aOdUwcpYh_ITeijBrJogxPfKmHSyQry5HH4m2b_Iq4rUFSzXT6FAkEBt9CfTIPJ-6m9GnwVaP_hfRYR6m-Ca9iKP1ECCegAdGQgncAflqA/s4032/A8118187-DA35-485C-AF69-A016177016D9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPoCzaDuwkgmXFSnukyK0HJ17Dz3HFiEjNDoyY5hek_tuRDGp4-VZgKfOyb7Bi9UaFbLNFUNlyhXBhWB9aOdUwcpYh_ITeijBrJogxPfKmHSyQry5HH4m2b_Iq4rUFSzXT6FAkEBt9CfTIPJ-6m9GnwVaP_hfRYR6m-Ca9iKP1ECCegAdGQgncAflqA/w480-h640/A8118187-DA35-485C-AF69-A016177016D9.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh snowfall in Quebec made for many picturesque scenes like this.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW1fwkYebGpp9xPFkHRjtwn0HMdeJkSGAk0FCKgGOb89w76_v9HqLW-RD_gfnellj0doNSRdLAJt7K_FanH6tzx6mYnTJpG6SCDuvrIMCak3W6_A01f3rnHRsBmhlMh8LGxZtQ5qqHzKgFEUv0CtdE-GjY5fJaSHYYWrMmuZd0BYQd7ioNRtsNH_P1w/s4032/35EF219F-6CA2-4EB1-A7C3-1847925BA782.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW1fwkYebGpp9xPFkHRjtwn0HMdeJkSGAk0FCKgGOb89w76_v9HqLW-RD_gfnellj0doNSRdLAJt7K_FanH6tzx6mYnTJpG6SCDuvrIMCak3W6_A01f3rnHRsBmhlMh8LGxZtQ5qqHzKgFEUv0CtdE-GjY5fJaSHYYWrMmuZd0BYQd7ioNRtsNH_P1w/w640-h480/35EF219F-6CA2-4EB1-A7C3-1847925BA782.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Service car in the morning, after most people had made their way back to their rooms to prepare for our arrival in Montreal. One nice thing about being in car 30 was that it was very easy to pop back and forth to this car. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><br /></div></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We arrived in Montreal at 11:09am,
just over an hour late, but still plenty of time for connections to both 35 for
Ottawa and 67 for Toronto. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9ziGrzZc-FXDgwUT5SYvl3oVttfU6PYBRN1MYqfzMVxyQuVIR08m-iKNYfF2wA_03-91uZs2_lTr7bXz0pG15wWsp8nEleFxf005whVveRdO42cHluwGcN6gH2KLnDMj8pMfaxzj7e-efzM8rTzPU_Zlgs7PL-2UnnLHNFKm0BS2vwH5RFWUtNALCA/s4032/8C57DDC1-C0C3-4F29-820E-CEAA8DAD9C37.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9ziGrzZc-FXDgwUT5SYvl3oVttfU6PYBRN1MYqfzMVxyQuVIR08m-iKNYfF2wA_03-91uZs2_lTr7bXz0pG15wWsp8nEleFxf005whVveRdO42cHluwGcN6gH2KLnDMj8pMfaxzj7e-efzM8rTzPU_Zlgs7PL-2UnnLHNFKm0BS2vwH5RFWUtNALCA/w640-h480/8C57DDC1-C0C3-4F29-820E-CEAA8DAD9C37.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exo yard at Point St. Charles. This would likely be my last view of the MR-90 EMUs, as the first of them had already gone to scrap by this time, and the others would soon follow suit. There were also two of the new CRRC bilevels in the yard, but I didn't get a great look at them. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRrTWwlc0VjejJudp1woyBUEKvAJOF5Vy0s1TiECAEhBdmTLItQVRS6vkrOQ84moLT8yqaq7XWXaM5Fgr4Jf4GXoXwLug8fq_owX3q3deYYFwPctAzbN2oSJ1REIJ0eIE5KoJiUOrX_WS02euUsxwptJ4ZNZlueNNarPmbpcNdQGTI4SmITPUvPZpCw/s4032/8BE5A4E0-1CA1-4F2B-86CD-A0032CD4116E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRrTWwlc0VjejJudp1woyBUEKvAJOF5Vy0s1TiECAEhBdmTLItQVRS6vkrOQ84moLT8yqaq7XWXaM5Fgr4Jf4GXoXwLug8fq_owX3q3deYYFwPctAzbN2oSJ1REIJ0eIE5KoJiUOrX_WS02euUsxwptJ4ZNZlueNNarPmbpcNdQGTI4SmITPUvPZpCw/w480-h640/8BE5A4E0-1CA1-4F2B-86CD-A0032CD4116E.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view on the approach to Central station has changed significantly in recent time, as the new REM system is nearing completion. The catenary and fencing are a major change, as are the extended elevated sections farther out from the station. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVkb93zmZvSBsiojM8B8g0G6oZx_2vG0U1cBZWU74g_3z_aPmnsnLRPLMpOZqfpmxqXAT-shIjfyi1RzofJJlWxAWrYHZZApGtiqS926eNgau5vZOHNXpZYCvBEK7ZA3zgDyj5JEon98l2-dxyEAaz-YCnhxD0Wu4Fbg4MA5rlLTDY0TIq2iLUna2PQ/s4032/2A63BE84-D3B3-4158-9172-3724334E88F8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVkb93zmZvSBsiojM8B8g0G6oZx_2vG0U1cBZWU74g_3z_aPmnsnLRPLMpOZqfpmxqXAT-shIjfyi1RzofJJlWxAWrYHZZApGtiqS926eNgau5vZOHNXpZYCvBEK7ZA3zgDyj5JEon98l2-dxyEAaz-YCnhxD0Wu4Fbg4MA5rlLTDY0TIq2iLUna2PQ/w480-h640/2A63BE84-D3B3-4158-9172-3724334E88F8.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell we went through some snow overnight?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc5cJ5Ubu6eSqifN_rD_gnxPbrFtOiHo5Wi-T_7ddZrB2o2h-WwpLiJetS-zqegdu16NT_qpcTa8cZn4Ob-ruNdQLtiULFza6ykBX6lclbfRaFT2zyUicdcP9YBQIlbqNBocKfsGKldLqoXQZ-IrIfO9BVhTJ6hNrTbNexFgMBVLH0E37CkjRxiuObw/s4032/462825F1-6447-4DBD-9F9F-26083EA57F17.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc5cJ5Ubu6eSqifN_rD_gnxPbrFtOiHo5Wi-T_7ddZrB2o2h-WwpLiJetS-zqegdu16NT_qpcTa8cZn4Ob-ruNdQLtiULFza6ykBX6lclbfRaFT2zyUicdcP9YBQIlbqNBocKfsGKldLqoXQZ-IrIfO9BVhTJ6hNrTbNexFgMBVLH0E37CkjRxiuObw/w640-h480/462825F1-6447-4DBD-9F9F-26083EA57F17.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah, Montreal! I love this station, but I would see a lot more of it than I wanted to over the following week...</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The trip on 35 to Ottawa was
smooth and uneventful. The consist was 6414 hauling a 4-car LRC train, where I
was seated in car 3476 (Business class). I found my bag in the luggage rack at
the front of the car, and opted to grab it myself rather than wait to see if it
would be brought off in Ottawa (I’m sure that would be done, but I figured I’d
save the effort). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OHlnk2-34NQHv9refz81bOCcJ7YZAr4z-WBjyqCE0LI5ZuMOGddYVI4Q8Na9D72zHlEeeicguTDi6hs2UQjjGkIkyv5fqr6NckGnrTTNw4hiCccKpD_ZZNPpMIfSWmEMU_tGVO1wy-D5NWXM7h976Yx9RsyrSHRoGdcrXFb9oxVkYsNCtv6IAeOvpA/s4032/B2495F18-9B2E-4388-96D6-38D56444BFB9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OHlnk2-34NQHv9refz81bOCcJ7YZAr4z-WBjyqCE0LI5ZuMOGddYVI4Q8Na9D72zHlEeeicguTDi6hs2UQjjGkIkyv5fqr6NckGnrTTNw4hiCccKpD_ZZNPpMIfSWmEMU_tGVO1wy-D5NWXM7h976Yx9RsyrSHRoGdcrXFb9oxVkYsNCtv6IAeOvpA/w640-h480/B2495F18-9B2E-4388-96D6-38D56444BFB9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class lunch. Quite tasty, though I noticed the glass and cutlery on my tray were lacking the VIA branding. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gmIY9rvYajubmP4arRoKGzbjjPw0Yfn3xZAWo6zcKPsk_rsAveFlwy8OPoqF6xkznaVluBdYNXRZQPgXiJ0j3awoWfR9LcW6sQF_63OFiX4boI-AhW1eMaz-taBq5teYZWnam3cciDO4WNS3GeqKYIbF9aip3I_goL1y92xadYA5RIY_yczBohqVtQ/s4032/9B1D722F-4D7A-4AE4-BE4C-178B48F05076.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gmIY9rvYajubmP4arRoKGzbjjPw0Yfn3xZAWo6zcKPsk_rsAveFlwy8OPoqF6xkznaVluBdYNXRZQPgXiJ0j3awoWfR9LcW6sQF_63OFiX4boI-AhW1eMaz-taBq5teYZWnam3cciDO4WNS3GeqKYIbF9aip3I_goL1y92xadYA5RIY_yczBohqVtQ/w640-h480/9B1D722F-4D7A-4AE4-BE4C-178B48F05076.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 35 after arrival at Ottawa. The high platform here is excellent, and hopefully they will eventually be able to add high level platforms for additional tracks. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Part 2: Trains, Planes and
Automobiles – Canadian Edition<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The return trip is where things
got interesting. In the days leading up to my scheduled departure, the weather
forecasts turned increasingly dire. A massive once-in-a-generation (or so they
say; these things are becoming increasingly common) storm system was
developing, which would sweep across the eastern half of the continent and
bring high winds, some mix of snow and rain, and wild temperature swings. Some
parts of the United States saw deadly cold temperatures, or record-setting
snowfall. In Nova Scotia, it was mostly just torrential rain and high winds. In
Ottawa, where my journey home would begin, it started with snow overnight,
warming temperatures in the morning that made the existing snow wet and slushy,
and then more snow and a sudden temperature plunge into the evening that, along
with high winds, would soon cripple every form of transportation in the region.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiR2K8LTYx0j_0-q2RvAn91OPBKhCksh1WGdetg9umral67lR2DUgHkdGC_9XT2DMdGqkD6gIoT7Xo6dxUj4BCbO9CZmy0YQb7ZIp4WE0K_4AosCbjJuGSRmzm-UwBW78BAkoHAE2HU3lWkSjpK24Fw0YBru0eDfi43b_6_OwaRtsNNOxDhuAVOoH-Jw/s4032/64E04F4D-41EA-41E5-9647-2602A894EA09.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiR2K8LTYx0j_0-q2RvAn91OPBKhCksh1WGdetg9umral67lR2DUgHkdGC_9XT2DMdGqkD6gIoT7Xo6dxUj4BCbO9CZmy0YQb7ZIp4WE0K_4AosCbjJuGSRmzm-UwBW78BAkoHAE2HU3lWkSjpK24Fw0YBru0eDfi43b_6_OwaRtsNNOxDhuAVOoH-Jw/w480-h640/64E04F4D-41EA-41E5-9647-2602A894EA09.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding Train 26 in Ottawa (on the right). This was during a bit of a calm in the storm, as the snow overnight had stopped and it had warmed up. It would soon take a turn. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The weather wasn't too awful in Ottawa, but turned pretty nasty quickly as I started out on Train 26, and it seemed to be getting worse as the
train made its way. Still, our train (another 4-car LRC consist) made good
time, and seemed unimpeded by the foul weather outside. I thought to myself that
I was sure glad to be on the train, and not trying to travel any other way!
Alas, I may have spoken too soon. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT189zuhYP75M17jpSAG7nmgvqiS0JtNQ45LtJZrUzw1sOLJ2P6EF3EjDF8Ggo0Sh21WwsZLnaB2HwVGLDZGufvud8TFMesm_qstcj05BqUkqVH3ji6IEGZ7-zdRXUctDcnTONC94T-2LOt0ne0j5xULdgXvhG44WB9CLrOx1ScBrCz-8UHNaIcXdDvA/s4032/FFD4011F-F023-4DCF-89B0-C04041E033F9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT189zuhYP75M17jpSAG7nmgvqiS0JtNQ45LtJZrUzw1sOLJ2P6EF3EjDF8Ggo0Sh21WwsZLnaB2HwVGLDZGufvud8TFMesm_qstcj05BqUkqVH3ji6IEGZ7-zdRXUctDcnTONC94T-2LOt0ne0j5xULdgXvhG44WB9CLrOx1ScBrCz-8UHNaIcXdDvA/w480-h640/FFD4011F-F023-4DCF-89B0-C04041E033F9.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pretty much encapsulates the view from #26. A lot of white, blowing snow!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0iA3tbY5Obqt5VebbK5G1gNVv2lHqEDsfShvYWLHL4rv3sZorr7R_MeCwCaU12nkVoQytE7sEtS14Gvyyoq6YCqBTMHsP1Ql1Kd_axcjeeAyoMCCRHzTsDVE4IkjAion_VYcnTEldeevGer4p16Za8Yj6jhTtWLS-qZ2kJBIDLjmlEIOCNfPkGpsFQ/s4032/AA36D0BB-2BCB-4454-8873-228684837930.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0iA3tbY5Obqt5VebbK5G1gNVv2lHqEDsfShvYWLHL4rv3sZorr7R_MeCwCaU12nkVoQytE7sEtS14Gvyyoq6YCqBTMHsP1Ql1Kd_axcjeeAyoMCCRHzTsDVE4IkjAion_VYcnTEldeevGer4p16Za8Yj6jhTtWLS-qZ2kJBIDLjmlEIOCNfPkGpsFQ/w480-h640/AA36D0BB-2BCB-4454-8873-228684837930.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we got further along, the windows kept accumulating ice. This was the view shortly after Coteau.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With some time to kill in
Montreal, I headed outside to run a couple of errands. The wind was ferocious,
and I quickly decided that it wasn’t a day to be walking around. There was a
break in the snowfall, but it was bitterly cold. With the only things I really <i>needed</i>
to do done, I headed back inside the warm of Central station. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY69p6uiqR05b9knnjT2_FlVfHJVKHk17yz1AzHz6cdL-y8EX8bX33aMcBUUUsn4ZV2nho-klJmvbeD96euW_nSzNY_RiodmhEXwGLozm1hEQbfG9PAzQhHOP4zkEtoxskVcaN8aAvA71pvvjXuaRuhZ6t3O_uwPYvrDGGcMDuWgplgy5WRlGxaw8mg/s4032/F925E440-8AB7-4D6B-84E1-7E13F521980D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY69p6uiqR05b9knnjT2_FlVfHJVKHk17yz1AzHz6cdL-y8EX8bX33aMcBUUUsn4ZV2nho-klJmvbeD96euW_nSzNY_RiodmhEXwGLozm1hEQbfG9PAzQhHOP4zkEtoxskVcaN8aAvA71pvvjXuaRuhZ6t3O_uwPYvrDGGcMDuWgplgy5WRlGxaw8mg/w480-h640/F925E440-8AB7-4D6B-84E1-7E13F521980D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Montreal, near VIA HQ. "The ring" is lit in appropriate colours.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosA__cNQwyD15zF-A1ieRxuzhV01XE2hcdzWKfPhc-OlYQYDLRZBTVX3RSHBIfkwHI72KBGMQJIDQa8MVP-8TR2hXraxr1xMVB85_hpxbzVlbym4L0shWhFW2ofVpXQTLeqiemy2zSjJ-dBOyuZyHD3ZKOuh5XWDMDwvbM_Pd2Y7oM3Fnj2qYbnTm2w/s4032/4CA224E9-87B1-472C-ADC0-A1ED1E4B9E05.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosA__cNQwyD15zF-A1ieRxuzhV01XE2hcdzWKfPhc-OlYQYDLRZBTVX3RSHBIfkwHI72KBGMQJIDQa8MVP-8TR2hXraxr1xMVB85_hpxbzVlbym4L0shWhFW2ofVpXQTLeqiemy2zSjJ-dBOyuZyHD3ZKOuh5XWDMDwvbM_Pd2Y7oM3Fnj2qYbnTm2w/w480-h640/4CA224E9-87B1-472C-ADC0-A1ED1E4B9E05.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign of things to come. The delays begin...</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Check-in for #14 was opening by
6pm, and we were allowed to start boarding by 6:15pm. The Service Manager (SM) mentioned
there was no rush. By this time, I noticed that the later connection from
Ottawa (train 28) was showing as severely delayed, so I correctly deduced that
our train would be delayed to accommodate those connecting passengers. With that
in mind, I didn’t rush to board, heading down a little after 6:30pm. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Arriving on the platform, I made
my way to my roomette in car 40, which was Chateau Montcalm. There were 3
Chateau sleepers on this train. The first one, facing backwards, was operating
as a crew dorm. The second one, facing forward and numbered 40, had all
accommodation types open. The third, numbered 41, appeared to have only had
roomettes sold. Berths were not made up, though it’s also possible there were
passengers in bedrooms – I was never able to confirm this for sure. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaAWBTt3w4BmZvziKDykaPdyvGdhhHI8CbHNqT9QUZo_JmAqZALquQDtTe8DmdQr5Ti30y9ZyA2KRhNvp6-wx4bbprzmLp7ugy9Awfap2IR2jsGs9DGVuER3DtQu5kiThhzb5u0KltXPpw_Ok5TcYxWY4tr2017tH_8yX3k3JWQ3fgnyjS6iCu0z9xQ/s4032/EF5C52E1-B239-4EE4-ACB1-FE1FDD82E1DF.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaAWBTt3w4BmZvziKDykaPdyvGdhhHI8CbHNqT9QUZo_JmAqZALquQDtTe8DmdQr5Ti30y9ZyA2KRhNvp6-wx4bbprzmLp7ugy9Awfap2IR2jsGs9DGVuER3DtQu5kiThhzb5u0KltXPpw_Ok5TcYxWY4tr2017tH_8yX3k3JWQ3fgnyjS6iCu0z9xQ/w640-h480/EF5C52E1-B239-4EE4-ACB1-FE1FDD82E1DF.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, #14.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">VIA 14 –
Dec. 23, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6428 (forward)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6434 (reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7011 Renaissance
baggage<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">70230 Ren Accessible
coach<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7516 Ren
sleeper (39)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7518 Ren
sleeper (38)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7502 Ren
sleeper (37)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">79526 Ren Accessible
sleeper (30)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7308 Ren
service car<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7401 Ren diner<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7303 Ren
service car<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7208 Ren coach<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">7602 Ren
transition<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">8118 HEP1 coach<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">8203 Château Brulé (crew dorm) (reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">8219 Château Montcalm (40) (forward) <b>*Roomette
03</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">8221 Château Radisson (41) (reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;">8609 HEP1 Baggage<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As expected,
our train was delayed for the late 28. Initially expecting half an hour, it
ended up being a good hour and a half before we would get underway. 28 had run
into even more severe weather on its run from Ottawa, and also had equipment
issues. When it finally arrived, a replacement trainset had been brought to the
station to continue its journey on to Quebec, with all passengers moved over to
that train. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The connection
to our train was made quickly, and we got underway in short order, just past
8:30pm. By now, the snow was coming down heavily outside. The first dinner
setting as already complete, as it had started at 7:15pm, just after scheduled
departure. My dinner reservation was for 8:45, so I headed up shortly after we
left the station. On my way to the diner, I took note of a conversation between
the SM and one of the attendants as I passed. I didn’t catch what was said, but
I got the impression something wasn’t right. This was the first indication I
had of what was about to come. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokTFrDPL4LFAxMNTNhf2z04lujB0kACwRT8Ch_4VmyMGY2KOSvTGWtUyH_cOLSXWRqE0RXYqaIMqH6Dj2AzznktxzU8UfZSHD0d81jSu167xeOOrGzZOA7QdPHctYw7RUXDoCu4noay4vnnohjt1Toiqiblp7VDNVsm-0Y2flpwUKrzr2YTmcM_2-4w/w640-h480/FA8A18DA-BB23-475E-AEA0-93E68D4C62EC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very snow scenes departing from the station. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMsMjvvAkBZ4Qs-TWBVcdaJB6XcqTkszPxwlmf3LO_kRG4azaMXBqf6bOGndUsjK9rQR8-bCdX8qTF7kS-ANvh68EV8QjjY-VfY3sAfbuN1easiRKfK-myDooIDvHGdLIBS93l38o_LFQCK4E-0jHz7MWVXZKSqTHoEV7guFAMf8Irjg3wdxKUVnnSw/w640-h480/1EF891D4-4542-4ECE-A9AF-37BA40ADBFD8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once again, my Christmas lights are up. They were starting to get a little temperamental by this point and died by the end of the trip. Maybe that was another sign...</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once in the
diner, I was seated with 2 other passengers, both of whom were bound for
Bathurst. We started chatting and made our orders, and then the train stopped, by
Point St. Charles, just before the bridge. I initially assumed this was just a
wait for another train or a clear signal, but after a few minutes an
announcement came over the intercom: we would be going back to the station. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gKuj1GnqTOcLwVaEFJmEj7lkthg34G3Ou5btUnG6zdnB7KdITMc1b8Zie6LjRhupBG5v2TGNaHGce-KiL8d26BDt8dwBD2JQkLDXM1b6lbFK4Lh3Kchc22fZe3YAf48wD1wAu3nGztkYsyrAZFpxql34EvHH4hzQY34_6NUE84bAg5XI0FyRevk53w/s3921/F00CD7BD-B647-4F6A-A4E7-4389798F4D59.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2948" data-original-width="3921" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gKuj1GnqTOcLwVaEFJmEj7lkthg34G3Ou5btUnG6zdnB7KdITMc1b8Zie6LjRhupBG5v2TGNaHGce-KiL8d26BDt8dwBD2JQkLDXM1b6lbFK4Lh3Kchc22fZe3YAf48wD1wAu3nGztkYsyrAZFpxql34EvHH4hzQY34_6NUE84bAg5XI0FyRevk53w/w640-h482/F00CD7BD-B647-4F6A-A4E7-4389798F4D59.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appetizer - smoked salmon, fennel salad.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4vl-FVuh6hjDXyuwQ9Xt2EkreINMnGEEskLQRn7iwmXPxbC_SitcY4Rsks4uMNgaDaJPLzuBMswF8zWBOzQts9hTrEXup3_ipslc-m4KSVeFzc-M1nryysIbtj8vT7K0MpFwWbl5YdEiuO6JFlzdZjbcUsickMKsIlWqgQAO1-RxbOIcgBP7BuLNJw/s3946/4C9948BB-D8E3-4624-8BD0-73057E58E8BA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2770" data-original-width="3946" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4vl-FVuh6hjDXyuwQ9Xt2EkreINMnGEEskLQRn7iwmXPxbC_SitcY4Rsks4uMNgaDaJPLzuBMswF8zWBOzQts9hTrEXup3_ipslc-m4KSVeFzc-M1nryysIbtj8vT7K0MpFwWbl5YdEiuO6JFlzdZjbcUsickMKsIlWqgQAO1-RxbOIcgBP7BuLNJw/w640-h450/4C9948BB-D8E3-4624-8BD0-73057E58E8BA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main course - coconut cranberry chicken.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z24Fule-xxaJpvviUDMSq3OUG7OWRUfXTVGQhXcGxr14JWRWvSorzN81JQG86m_SkiITJmpVWm5Utr5xMA7WxLB0M38_iicaSvaRlk1s_6qjRz_SwOIGXVxsgpqlqeg7gwvJ7CrpuiRYzBXluoTpCuNAdkcWboTj8rBulmZraIcJ9yMBpM_JWbIz2g/s3362/62EF9B6D-D5D3-412B-9C5C-D922C42EA9B6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2289" data-original-width="3362" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z24Fule-xxaJpvviUDMSq3OUG7OWRUfXTVGQhXcGxr14JWRWvSorzN81JQG86m_SkiITJmpVWm5Utr5xMA7WxLB0M38_iicaSvaRlk1s_6qjRz_SwOIGXVxsgpqlqeg7gwvJ7CrpuiRYzBXluoTpCuNAdkcWboTj8rBulmZraIcJ9yMBpM_JWbIz2g/w640-h436/62EF9B6D-D5D3-412B-9C5C-D922C42EA9B6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That chocolate peppermint dessert again, this time with fancy decorative collar still attached. The consensus at the table was that it was a bit heavy on the peppermint.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As it turns
out, VIA had just been informed that a section of the Mont-Joli subdivision,
near Rimouski and Mont-Joli, had been rendered “impassible” by the storm. Trees
were down all over the tracks, and the line would need to be cleared before we
(or the westbound train coming from Halifax) could pass. There was rumbling
that our train might be cancelled. Cancelled? What then? While we worked our
way through our food, the three of us at the table tried to digest the
information that was coming in, while also messaging with friends and family. I
started looking at flights just in case, quickly realizing that anything
available on the following day (Christmas Eve) was well out of any price range
I could conceivably justify. There were drinks all around, and no bill at the
end of the meal. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As we wrapped
up dinner, back in the bowels of Central station, the train was hooked up to
shore power – a sure sign we weren’t going anywhere soon. The next update that
came was that there would be a conference call between VIA management,
operations, and CN to discuss a plan. On my way back to my room, I was able to
pick up tidbits of information as this call was completed. The initial good
news: the train wouldn’t be cancelled. The bad news: we’d be very, very late. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A decision was
made to delay our train until the next morning, with a 6am departure. The train
coming the other way, currently stopped at Campbellton NB, would stay in
Campbellton overnight and depart after we left Ste-Foy, so the two trains would
meet in a typical location and allow the head-end crews to swap. CN evidently
provided assurances that the line would be cleared in time for this plan to
work. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the night,
we could stay on the train, but a few doors were also left open and passengers
were allowed to come and go as need be, particularly good for those looking to
stretch, get some fresh air, or go out for a smoke. I took the opportunity to
go up to the station for a stretch, and to grab a few things from the depanneur
in the station before it closed. Access to the platform was still controlled,
and passengers had to get a station agent to let them back through. We were
told this would be an option until around 3am, then we’d just need to be on the
train. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While I was
upstairs, I noticed several Corridor trains still showing on the board,
extremely delayed. What I didn’t realize then was that these were among the
Corridor trains that were stranded, and would remain stuck until later the
following day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIqBOmSjqDab3YtfMbTPzsi-J_MAwTpk86_T7Ds7cV3WMET2vDKmxcojF4JTGBQbAfHk2BdJgfu8g7t4cnSyXKk4NU1HqFZNp1RbCGh5G0Qb5QLJUat5BIVUcnStUVpcfHbvj30hcGLUxgED4qE3Alf9HsW3sRHsb7bcB_YtVJX-W5hHw1QhNO7WNnA/s4032/1E3102B3-121E-4F74-B337-58D6A2778BE4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIqBOmSjqDab3YtfMbTPzsi-J_MAwTpk86_T7Ds7cV3WMET2vDKmxcojF4JTGBQbAfHk2BdJgfu8g7t4cnSyXKk4NU1HqFZNp1RbCGh5G0Qb5QLJUat5BIVUcnStUVpcfHbvj30hcGLUxgED4qE3Alf9HsW3sRHsb7bcB_YtVJX-W5hHw1QhNO7WNnA/w480-h640/1E3102B3-121E-4F74-B337-58D6A2778BE4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuck down here for ages, feeling a little artsy. This vestibule was well positioned.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsL09HEUxzMi1IOnT9DodhJaXhqYJjnKg7OY_5P3zDCzcaN8tnY9x2w19fxODGUnuGgE0IYtonatXJEmXWFM33VI9KUPUXV17dH9aN37PfI5p3JczAefpMwApJw_vn1Wahvf4XrxqnULauo2xy_DO8X1bfpqg3C2KO_BZaANXp3y0E9wI1Qdc85r3FA/s4032/9C5F1F70-239F-4895-8CF2-416121FFD1E6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsL09HEUxzMi1IOnT9DodhJaXhqYJjnKg7OY_5P3zDCzcaN8tnY9x2w19fxODGUnuGgE0IYtonatXJEmXWFM33VI9KUPUXV17dH9aN37PfI5p3JczAefpMwApJw_vn1Wahvf4XrxqnULauo2xy_DO8X1bfpqg3C2KO_BZaANXp3y0E9wI1Qdc85r3FA/w640-h480/9C5F1F70-239F-4895-8CF2-416121FFD1E6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look at my lights from the outside, while stretching my legs. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqRrFYRcOSzV4VcEamJzIDbQSCafaUj2PerTf99-9u4miTeKAut2O7OgSSlXp8C5HaT8hJXm7OYUuqtCzgBMy5BkUBZJ12DGGQNOzu79Ne7ki4SMtK2z1KZt92nCpt_9-4gbLctXxop4Y11GTNnSyn75OFy1rtv0Y5m2iLYyoY98ET1n5npjXFq_1MA/s4032/946D157C-2061-4B4A-A538-D72FC91D1CE1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqRrFYRcOSzV4VcEamJzIDbQSCafaUj2PerTf99-9u4miTeKAut2O7OgSSlXp8C5HaT8hJXm7OYUuqtCzgBMy5BkUBZJ12DGGQNOzu79Ne7ki4SMtK2z1KZt92nCpt_9-4gbLctXxop4Y11GTNnSyn75OFy1rtv0Y5m2iLYyoY98ET1n5npjXFq_1MA/w480-h640/946D157C-2061-4B4A-A538-D72FC91D1CE1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More platform views, past the HEP1 coach. We were here all night...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkk4o88_fs1fwAtK1Ed1h-D0fq9cAlG2UNgvOYFkOoeqheDUgC4nz_1WQejCPIhRQIsP2DryH7qVukQlicCKsQcASP0dWAqv2vIElIiDbTfyBfcy1zBLKxKDuZ1DLQ-fJXpVvYizscorpenjZD8Kl99bOJkkjcKG2BajqVhe4eX4-AQlD6p_Ctb6lMYg/s4032/CF0CED3B-FC84-45EC-A47A-4FA878A999C9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkk4o88_fs1fwAtK1Ed1h-D0fq9cAlG2UNgvOYFkOoeqheDUgC4nz_1WQejCPIhRQIsP2DryH7qVukQlicCKsQcASP0dWAqv2vIElIiDbTfyBfcy1zBLKxKDuZ1DLQ-fJXpVvYizscorpenjZD8Kl99bOJkkjcKG2BajqVhe4eX4-AQlD6p_Ctb6lMYg/w640-h480/CF0CED3B-FC84-45EC-A47A-4FA878A999C9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs, looking deserted. Note several delayed trains still showing on the lower board, a sign of the mess that was unfolding farther west in the Corridor.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILUr70KePZTrGAcoxkeYOW3XdILC57ai_Eqk-BZ90Z4y5nxr70WgIKM6v0w-QCynXK2r3-7iOnJT8Tow3wFNN21y6BV_z-6dNt4yaGQ3LY7oD4HkljNO_wR83Be_sdgznwG7rO0FkOKaoznzPgON7kWZKoOpkjRGSmElmfovi64juEOUTnwiVrF7v0g/s4032/C3672BFF-315C-4EC4-AE67-2D6A7A3D0F6D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILUr70KePZTrGAcoxkeYOW3XdILC57ai_Eqk-BZ90Z4y5nxr70WgIKM6v0w-QCynXK2r3-7iOnJT8Tow3wFNN21y6BV_z-6dNt4yaGQ3LY7oD4HkljNO_wR83Be_sdgznwG7rO0FkOKaoznzPgON7kWZKoOpkjRGSmElmfovi64juEOUTnwiVrF7v0g/w640-h480/C3672BFF-315C-4EC4-AE67-2D6A7A3D0F6D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back end, looking down towards the tracks that ultimately led to the Mount Royal tunnel, now for the proprietary use of the REM.</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBQUe3yPc7mDZ-ANOZPH0hRF2IY0dorUB923HlJBOsMydxkPlF4HA4aZKwaf5wseQoV5cGc1-fGkFXSN_-coZxSicmwttcS2jxmwCYdbTwsspcI3FgY88kC2hhGtDAZ4dAl6YoNHMZZjUQ1eLD6lc_lS1oLHg4LjAItM-y-2wnVtHBGy-UrFAsDFPuw/w640-h480/BE9E9284-3010-4C0F-8DE9-9E81E382C5FE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before going to bed, I took a walk to the head end. The snow was really coming down by now, the frigid wind was howling, and it wasn't hard to see why there might be issues ahead.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />After my visit
upstairs, I walked the platform and then settled back into my roomette, and got off to sleep. This was one
of my best train sleeps ever, as it turns out it’s pretty easy to settle down
when the train is stationary. I woke up briefly around 6am to notice that we
had indeed departed, though I take it we had some lengthy delays just outside
the station; but I went back to sleep, waiting until it felt like time to get
up before the last call for breakfast.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I headed for
breakfast around 8:50am, near Drummondville. This was a very odd place to be in
the morning hours in the eastbound direction. It was a lovely looking day
outside, white from the storm, but now sunny. While I had breakfast, I could
hear the crew discussing arrangements for the day. The extreme delays had
complicated lots of things, including food arrangements, and the crew’s working
and rest hours. A plan was being devised to ensure all crew members got their
required rest, while also keeping sufficient staff on hand. It being Christmas
Eve had complicated some potential food arrangements, as restocking options
along the way were limited; but as much additional food as could be arranged
had been brought on in Montreal.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8GoPz1iKL3lc66BX65aKJastWidGNyf4nKJDaqaUQ67_PEjvaD4Dz0VRXCNMvzwI3Qa7OPzp0TImJ5yfiMA-75c74K_ke-I_70ACDSB0vE62ZxgPeYcWekoUyXJQknOHibDqoCZ6rE9_u1yQf8Rsw8PaORBSRlqjzlMwT_xyc4unkPjbuY0I5pxE_Q/s4032/CE63BAC2-CEAB-4EA2-B11C-6EF7C6280258.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8GoPz1iKL3lc66BX65aKJastWidGNyf4nKJDaqaUQ67_PEjvaD4Dz0VRXCNMvzwI3Qa7OPzp0TImJ5yfiMA-75c74K_ke-I_70ACDSB0vE62ZxgPeYcWekoUyXJQknOHibDqoCZ6rE9_u1yQf8Rsw8PaORBSRlqjzlMwT_xyc4unkPjbuY0I5pxE_Q/w480-h640/CE63BAC2-CEAB-4EA2-B11C-6EF7C6280258.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast views, still very much in Quebec.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY0FWIL-QszLYU9w-fcFnCvIVbvyblsrendNdhBicmuyawEoWi6UjMsZDdlBNY32AImEcD2EFG-Je55SyyNogT_XhguC57iXiGAodOIE09ov_MjLLAazj8TysMlbwfJouHEJ3CR12EUDd8XdK_p3Y9GANPO8m0jX1Uehp7Yr_LhvghuzISpLCe1P1lQ/s4032/E2665855-2748-4387-BE71-34525F97515A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY0FWIL-QszLYU9w-fcFnCvIVbvyblsrendNdhBicmuyawEoWi6UjMsZDdlBNY32AImEcD2EFG-Je55SyyNogT_XhguC57iXiGAodOIE09ov_MjLLAazj8TysMlbwfJouHEJ3CR12EUDd8XdK_p3Y9GANPO8m0jX1Uehp7Yr_LhvghuzISpLCe1P1lQ/w640-h480/E2665855-2748-4387-BE71-34525F97515A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast! Despite everything else, this was a good start to Christmas Eve.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoIywUykwSIpK1iRlrLMOEBGWRXmg8XKj5_F4vjBqYz12K93xMazc4feLWzF2N5ufgWpHOh7kXO7Atbz4fufUdgYR9dYPkRTfRGDe7hv1NDFEioJ9wkrrmqTs3jouGxryHkG61dB3ElnyI9UZpwuw-W7TiEZ2YqTeiRnE3GQqd_BRKT3dKhKV_HTJFg/s4032/31A603CF-0C25-4465-9B7D-34256F6837CD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoIywUykwSIpK1iRlrLMOEBGWRXmg8XKj5_F4vjBqYz12K93xMazc4feLWzF2N5ufgWpHOh7kXO7Atbz4fufUdgYR9dYPkRTfRGDe7hv1NDFEioJ9wkrrmqTs3jouGxryHkG61dB3ElnyI9UZpwuw-W7TiEZ2YqTeiRnE3GQqd_BRKT3dKhKV_HTJFg/w480-h640/31A603CF-0C25-4465-9B7D-34256F6837CD.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell it's winter? Joys of travel in the old Budd equipment in the snow. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyZzUtvrA8Klc9yPZrB_CiziFGspA4SwJqQlWVn2OiQEJfSKp57tteFZLZTIEBYFnDwydWQ2UZy98uWl5K9oBd76lphmYIxgneOJ6dV7gQ_yd9WgC4jCr4slhnSxXe-ayPzdYGqtOYFty2rGDZIC9eF4RRy3Enp6Jv-SrXIpvDzQDhOJXEDSmIG7yOw/s4032/2C5C6018-E269-46B9-B2E7-4DA45E1DA543.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyZzUtvrA8Klc9yPZrB_CiziFGspA4SwJqQlWVn2OiQEJfSKp57tteFZLZTIEBYFnDwydWQ2UZy98uWl5K9oBd76lphmYIxgneOJ6dV7gQ_yd9WgC4jCr4slhnSxXe-ayPzdYGqtOYFty2rGDZIC9eF4RRy3Enp6Jv-SrXIpvDzQDhOJXEDSmIG7yOw/w480-h640/2C5C6018-E269-46B9-B2E7-4DA45E1DA543.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting tidbit: this was just sitting in one of the luggage racks, but had clearly been used on some previous trip to mark off the crew dorm (likely when it was at the end, or the sole Chateau next to the coaches).</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iIl4IVzf-8Vqwaos9_wZ7ClWhk5qDdnpZnt7FgaPzZ_9K-StWKJdNTN5MQ8R8jF7aW2oROnmuM-SPxOjwYb_JJjlZV-g6HfdDd7Gtyz6r0tWwmDrOvtYx97H02z2TLuGnxmXhR0-Fi_1fsFfzO4_6pzRmPbK1hTgUl_pV2CoNT_R6CL7Aem573E0Kg/s4032/A4470E57-9311-4654-B7DE-28A638C401E6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iIl4IVzf-8Vqwaos9_wZ7ClWhk5qDdnpZnt7FgaPzZ_9K-StWKJdNTN5MQ8R8jF7aW2oROnmuM-SPxOjwYb_JJjlZV-g6HfdDd7Gtyz6r0tWwmDrOvtYx97H02z2TLuGnxmXhR0-Fi_1fsFfzO4_6pzRmPbK1hTgUl_pV2CoNT_R6CL7Aem573E0Kg/w640-h480/A4470E57-9311-4654-B7DE-28A638C401E6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zipping along by the A20. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BbNx96lonTixx9KKdu4YOU743jExDxuWWf2amc_KfgRK17GWLiFpWot5Ef5dqNXvBQLZKksJ1IpUChVw_XXq9qrADvJ08q05KvbMRtK41Eb5b0DXzCgjsJOCyysoc9JCCw4-L_LsiLSFEHtMKHWtmFzV1lixuTK5nar-5eMrlt_6TZ_oVYHyj4d4Gw/s4032/9AAF829D-BC98-429D-A36A-39441C679183.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BbNx96lonTixx9KKdu4YOU743jExDxuWWf2amc_KfgRK17GWLiFpWot5Ef5dqNXvBQLZKksJ1IpUChVw_XXq9qrADvJ08q05KvbMRtK41Eb5b0DXzCgjsJOCyysoc9JCCw4-L_LsiLSFEHtMKHWtmFzV1lixuTK5nar-5eMrlt_6TZ_oVYHyj4d4Gw/w640-h480/9AAF829D-BC98-429D-A36A-39441C679183.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truck in the ditch on the A20, a reminder of how messy the roads had been (and still were, to some extent). Would he have fared better in a RAV4?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We arrived at
Ste-Foy at 11:16am. We were told that we might well be delayed there, as work
on the line ahead was ongoing, but our stop ended up being the typical length.
We left Ste-Foy at 11:46am, and though we were extremely behind schedule, it
seemed we would keep making our way onwards. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcmoQsM60Ja5wiQGTYyVMZU4bFkjkvGldwUYy76Z_86QW8KQCx3y1jOOFkiErRdQIrbEQZ-dEZvcdqjG5WtOvdHogIzDQouraCAZeuNjixtO736dvC1b6THJ1jjZjVEYGnQre12-JhI3tQ10668grFdLnkgkkcHXP7gqDHjbxKAC3mVGIa1lw0iSW0A/s4032/771060D5-94B9-4B9C-A2FA-8C50F22DF351.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcmoQsM60Ja5wiQGTYyVMZU4bFkjkvGldwUYy76Z_86QW8KQCx3y1jOOFkiErRdQIrbEQZ-dEZvcdqjG5WtOvdHogIzDQouraCAZeuNjixtO736dvC1b6THJ1jjZjVEYGnQre12-JhI3tQ10668grFdLnkgkkcHXP7gqDHjbxKAC3mVGIa1lw0iSW0A/w640-h480/771060D5-94B9-4B9C-A2FA-8C50F22DF351.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ste-Foy. Fresh air stop, and the air was extremely "fresh".</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmkkHFHr6ZxNw2sOqglWlh26bwJwAVdn-bDAAEDVci8neWFD-lQaGZ_TJ9gZl2jymCB1hZrxs9JoiecGXjc0lOpxKQUOQbyQkHfKH6Wk1LM19CwPLtLiLHOA8PfuGXsnBZs2dUip8zTP-Bo1CgsV-CTqZBHZiUiQwS45i1CQiheZjby1MwJJ6cS0wWA/s4032/A75F27D0-7269-4A2A-96F0-65A633E96F28.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmkkHFHr6ZxNw2sOqglWlh26bwJwAVdn-bDAAEDVci8neWFD-lQaGZ_TJ9gZl2jymCB1hZrxs9JoiecGXjc0lOpxKQUOQbyQkHfKH6Wk1LM19CwPLtLiLHOA8PfuGXsnBZs2dUip8zTP-Bo1CgsV-CTqZBHZiUiQwS45i1CQiheZjby1MwJJ6cS0wWA/w640-h480/A75F27D0-7269-4A2A-96F0-65A633E96F28.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is bus service to the Ste-Foy station. I'm not sure when this actually started, but I recall in the past one had to hike up the hill to get to/from a bus. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5ZvoBdaInQ94mqXkLYSbsM49ZOjEL5z-hYWGytFbUjj88HvpOdwWUSbBEZYMkKBNAnv_SZIoMRa3H21DCIu4b_Bjbn9GIEoGMdZZUuyJ1Oe3C-6_LnKJK79fjgWNW8_5d3nbIMN6Ei8ZbaS5nJEdQ0sXysIJTmL27qrUH1UM7KR2rv8Cq6wxSKF2QA/s4032/3453BFE7-C56D-4053-B8C3-771882F94E92.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5ZvoBdaInQ94mqXkLYSbsM49ZOjEL5z-hYWGytFbUjj88HvpOdwWUSbBEZYMkKBNAnv_SZIoMRa3H21DCIu4b_Bjbn9GIEoGMdZZUuyJ1Oe3C-6_LnKJK79fjgWNW8_5d3nbIMN6Ei8ZbaS5nJEdQ0sXysIJTmL27qrUH1UM7KR2rv8Cq6wxSKF2QA/w480-h640/3453BFE7-C56D-4053-B8C3-771882F94E92.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vestibule views. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zbq6_OpZCAxtMOJEPkRNG9cZg_IuJ75BfkNrC5WTblZqBnUpMTAe5uYtg2S4_KaN18H1QivudqWo2favCWqp5RVQmZ1I8Y7YU9DmfX0zYxt88nYq_d2q_cD_Sl6HHzzGZZ66nJUMfT1wvZDlkw3eUCb98esVA6Bp1APL4RUyNxFAprCFBi1FgJKUNw/s4032/0229E1D5-75B7-4BAE-8B10-6423DBF18800.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zbq6_OpZCAxtMOJEPkRNG9cZg_IuJ75BfkNrC5WTblZqBnUpMTAe5uYtg2S4_KaN18H1QivudqWo2favCWqp5RVQmZ1I8Y7YU9DmfX0zYxt88nYq_d2q_cD_Sl6HHzzGZZ66nJUMfT1wvZDlkw3eUCb98esVA6Bp1APL4RUyNxFAprCFBi1FgJKUNw/w640-h480/0229E1D5-75B7-4BAE-8B10-6423DBF18800.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With how this trip went, there weren't a lot of opportunities for photos at stations, so here's an extra one from Ste-Foy. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There would be
3 settings for lunch, at noon, 1:30, and 3pm. I went for the 1:30pm setting,
and found myself seated with the two passengers from the night before, as well
as the passenger who was travelling in the roomette across from me. We had
talked quite a bit the previous evening. Funnily enough, he was also going to Bathurst,
making it a table of 3 Bathurst bound passengers plus me, heading for Halifax. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXNeK9jzbz6LQ_yGQx7cRe3Jf3lblvO5hbqXadycga1g20XMY_7bfq6MEGAy65DZsV4fgBPwV5sR5PI5VwFehWwZMaTEsXiRA4kwqKWh2cTfXcfB1Qm1x7TJ6iyyZoE-CEJFivzOiGWASwpa63rYQSb84iY_3yvQDI3dOB5x-YaqlFWqSAWYMFzv4LA/s4032/1CC2C589-B464-4056-9859-287E44EFA6B9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXNeK9jzbz6LQ_yGQx7cRe3Jf3lblvO5hbqXadycga1g20XMY_7bfq6MEGAy65DZsV4fgBPwV5sR5PI5VwFehWwZMaTEsXiRA4kwqKWh2cTfXcfB1Qm1x7TJ6iyyZoE-CEJFivzOiGWASwpa63rYQSb84iY_3yvQDI3dOB5x-YaqlFWqSAWYMFzv4LA/w640-h480/1CC2C589-B464-4056-9859-287E44EFA6B9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the only lunch photo I took. The menu was the same as the eastbound lunch menu on my October trip, but the salmon croquettes (reportedly disappointing) were replaced with this pasta dish. Needed a bit of seasoning, but not bad. Chowder appetizer, and pecan pie dessert again.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6dX7r_jAtTiaHm3PjycRSOQRx3FDHL1DpXDZlqDyxj9TiEv9nAKYBLNxfoVRhScjt2_t9wrn6X_kh5iXuj6XfZiItQRwR23p9JzuhvwK3SK5y_77PiQ9bT8Hsng8z_AMnDuH2eHcwJ8RlxzYhyukerAiMAFkaFELEpzXlvmDUVsiuwMWicnJihx7Kg/s4032/D452A0D5-61A8-470B-BAB2-B8200AF4F4E9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6dX7r_jAtTiaHm3PjycRSOQRx3FDHL1DpXDZlqDyxj9TiEv9nAKYBLNxfoVRhScjt2_t9wrn6X_kh5iXuj6XfZiItQRwR23p9JzuhvwK3SK5y_77PiQ9bT8Hsng8z_AMnDuH2eHcwJ8RlxzYhyukerAiMAFkaFELEpzXlvmDUVsiuwMWicnJihx7Kg/w480-h640/D452A0D5-61A8-470B-BAB2-B8200AF4F4E9.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the service cars was set up with a coffee and tea station, on offer for all passengers all day. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While we were eating,
the train arrived at Rivière-du-Loup. All still seemed well, but we found
ourselves sitting there for quite some time. Word came that we were waiting
here for CN clearance, as the line ahead still wasn’t quite clear yet. It wasn’t
clear how long we would wait, but it still seemed that we would eventually get
underway again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As we left from
lunch, we were told there would be three settings for a partial dinner service.
It would be soup and sandwiches, but we were welcome to come to the diner.
Options were 5:15, 6:30, or 7:30pm. I decided to wait until 7:30, having had a
later lunch. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During the wait
between lunch and supper, we just sat at Rivière-du-Loup. As the sun slowly
set, it was becoming clear that something was not right, and my car attendant
gave due warning that it didn’t look like we’d be going any further. And then,
shortly before 5pm, the announcement we had all been dreading came over the
intercom: the train was being cancelled, and would be going back to Montreal. The
westbound train would be headed back to Halifax.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-8caOO2jM1Rd9Dt9wXgQSSnPQB7yQoqR9PVfFUgtUdLmLwE8jTqYX0s87qIy5EDeAHF8d0LZyepcNOg4c4M5Mnk3jenO2Mrub9Mak9-6uhjGFLzF3YbMvy21-M9j1tK-CIJ72iTSyw_os9DJF-XYXZAtznIpgjrcwqUF5SOaWnUvBC3CQZ8Qn3csRQ/s2672/10E3FA48-AC45-45C1-A7A3-CAE3B118F14F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2625" data-original-width="2672" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-8caOO2jM1Rd9Dt9wXgQSSnPQB7yQoqR9PVfFUgtUdLmLwE8jTqYX0s87qIy5EDeAHF8d0LZyepcNOg4c4M5Mnk3jenO2Mrub9Mak9-6uhjGFLzF3YbMvy21-M9j1tK-CIJ72iTSyw_os9DJF-XYXZAtznIpgjrcwqUF5SOaWnUvBC3CQZ8Qn3csRQ/w640-h628/10E3FA48-AC45-45C1-A7A3-CAE3B118F14F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final view of the trip. That's as far east as we would make it, just by the station at Rivière-du-Loup.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As it turns
out, CN was not able to get the work done in time, and the crew that was
assigned had reached their hours for the day. It was Christmas Eve, after all,
and they were calling it a day. Good for them…but for us, it meant that both we
passengers and the crew would not in fact make it home for Christmas Eve, or
even much of Christmas Day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Passengers were
given two options: get off at Rivière-du-Loup, or ride the train headed back
for Montreal. All stops would be made along the way, so passengers could also
choose to get off where they started or at any other station that worked for
them. Close to 100 passengers (mostly Economy) got off right then and there.
Some likely managed to find someone to come get them, but others were just sick
of being on the train and wanted off, without necessarily a plan of what they
would do. We were told that no taxis were available in town, but apparently the
local police showed up to offer rides to stranded passengers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We were also
informed that we would be refunded in full for the trip, and receive a travel
credit for 100% of the value of the trip, good for a year. A nice gesture,
given the circumstances. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I figured the
only sensible option was to ride back to Montreal. As soon as the announcement
came, I started looking up flights on my phone. I figured that I could always
have opted to rebook on the next train instead, but the additional delay,
coupled with concerns that CN might still not get the line open in time (they
ultimately did, but I wasn’t willing to bet on it at the time), had me thinking
that a flight would be a better option. Fortunately, there was a Porter flight
from Montreal to Halifax late on Christmas Day that still had availability, and
though more expensive than a typical flight, it wasn’t out of range. So I went
ahead and booked that, and resigned myself to this new reality. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Around 7:30,
still sitting in Rivière-du-Loup, I headed to the diner for supper. The
locomotives were being run around the train so they could run back to Montreal
(a benefit from this new bidirectional train arrangement), and it took a while
to get all the connections made. Normally this wouldn’t be done mid-trip, so
there were a few minor issues to sort out. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-R7bzQLD19gc2i1FXU598oQTrNLfmKGh6vXVapiPGaOlw7HEKt1I4H3jz2a53jrtmDloKNAbjW40zpzA9LKkRkjYcmnY-cqAY4KLgmktabLhgnOS7EYCqBk5SozfPJP6wl6ej_pNcHT1QSyxQMGU8SQrUZTZRxN7v-irlaJkwxwwMI7tymsAABi7nw/s4032/B741B605-62B3-4C00-BE5D-EE49482CACA4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-R7bzQLD19gc2i1FXU598oQTrNLfmKGh6vXVapiPGaOlw7HEKt1I4H3jz2a53jrtmDloKNAbjW40zpzA9LKkRkjYcmnY-cqAY4KLgmktabLhgnOS7EYCqBk5SozfPJP6wl6ej_pNcHT1QSyxQMGU8SQrUZTZRxN7v-irlaJkwxwwMI7tymsAABi7nw/w640-h480/B741B605-62B3-4C00-BE5D-EE49482CACA4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the thrown-together supper offering. The diner was partially set, and we were served soup (in take-out containers rather than bowls), and had our choice of sandwiches. Drinks were also served, with the usual alcoholic and non-alcoholic options on offer (where supplies remained). Economy passengers also got the same soup and sandwiches for free, but provided to eat in the service car or take back to their seats. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The train
finally got underway shortly after 8:30pm. We would make it to Ste-Foy, where
we backed in through Charny rather than making our usual direct run in (due to
a CN freight tied-down on the mainline), at 11:27pm, departing again at 11:43pm.
This unusual second night on board the train would be a short one, as we would
be arriving in Montreal in the early hours of the morning, but I did manage to
at least get a few hours of sleep. We were told along the way that upon arrival
in Montreal, we would be allowed to stay on the train until 6am if we wanted,
keeping in mind that most transit wouldn’t be running until then. For those of
us not from Montreal, VIA would be putting us up at the nearby Sheraton hotel
until the morning, a nice gesture to give us some time to recover and rest out
the remainder of the night. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We were at
St-Lambert at 2:52am, where I got up and started pulling my things together. We
eventually arrived back in Montreal at 3:15am, backing into the station. I wasn’t
clear on why we backed in, though I wonder if this may have been to put the
in-service baggage car in the usual spot for offloading. It would also allow
the locomotives to be outside of the station during the stop, perhaps useful
since they planned to stay there for the better part of 3 hours. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG078wX9SUE7i1unt_ZdYGxqt40OxUbG-tRVAuP2CDXradC7qjp-nzBmiRrCjmj0OixgvBEAN-_lbJX1_XyqmVo52ZoFQjbE6qXW3YCTytyDt0LUrhQlXaxZz--osw8Gaq5yHa5z8rtZizIgfuzyOKv96Y0QRTaHTL_45BrcY6bYD8B97ZEG7a3p0PA/s4032/DDAE9866-3EB9-46ED-B469-F7D2136B71A0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG078wX9SUE7i1unt_ZdYGxqt40OxUbG-tRVAuP2CDXradC7qjp-nzBmiRrCjmj0OixgvBEAN-_lbJX1_XyqmVo52ZoFQjbE6qXW3YCTytyDt0LUrhQlXaxZz--osw8Gaq5yHa5z8rtZizIgfuzyOKv96Y0QRTaHTL_45BrcY6bYD8B97ZEG7a3p0PA/w640-h480/DDAE9866-3EB9-46ED-B469-F7D2136B71A0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas lights back on, yet again. Didn't realize I'd be on the train through Christmas Eve into Christmas morning when I set these up!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJnRonnZ2DGfJ4B_U4VuhCsuAmmPf5wQFoKG863gfi4R3uDexiQTuiM9TVg1_QKSEPXZfkAxqm8wajSpN0Jpp5CQpOL5LDKaWCXNJ50_-uAevIF1ctKhR9B5tpX9mbifkpyWFHUVZSiJgRGU2d0DfiP2EXew6oo3gJINqAp9ivmU2TibBI8esuhz0jA/s4032/BC007FFC-3E3A-4077-BC6C-B9F3846D4581.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJnRonnZ2DGfJ4B_U4VuhCsuAmmPf5wQFoKG863gfi4R3uDexiQTuiM9TVg1_QKSEPXZfkAxqm8wajSpN0Jpp5CQpOL5LDKaWCXNJ50_-uAevIF1ctKhR9B5tpX9mbifkpyWFHUVZSiJgRGU2d0DfiP2EXew6oo3gJINqAp9ivmU2TibBI8esuhz0jA/w640-h480/BC007FFC-3E3A-4077-BC6C-B9F3846D4581.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello again, Montreal. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1aDmVwb-eSdZYseTrq_9t8VndP6deGeRvQ2iFqP-w-OHeivjJbzG2m3h3ia1U5s1oK7_Rzi3I3Ug0F2Uekqg6-cHFpEHHBhaCtKACw-CXdijgunLBg38Dy7Y9jSEwcvjFT8jMZcEobJ8uPK9d1H7TvPztkUDqQEbtpwbN1TN0xvKJDr-JI2fAbdtfQ/s4032/4F092A90-235E-473F-8997-F421C73AC7E3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1aDmVwb-eSdZYseTrq_9t8VndP6deGeRvQ2iFqP-w-OHeivjJbzG2m3h3ia1U5s1oK7_Rzi3I3Ug0F2Uekqg6-cHFpEHHBhaCtKACw-CXdijgunLBg38Dy7Y9jSEwcvjFT8jMZcEobJ8uPK9d1H7TvPztkUDqQEbtpwbN1TN0xvKJDr-JI2fAbdtfQ/w640-h480/4F092A90-235E-473F-8997-F421C73AC7E3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas morning, back in Montreal, feeling some déja vu. Though because we backed in, we're at the opposite end of the platform this time. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m usually
excited to be arriving in Central station, but I can’t say that was the case this
time. Barely awake, I made my way upstairs, and headed to the interim desk that
had been set up to hand out hotel reservations. That process, unfortunately,
ended up being a lengthy mess. There was only one person handling this (it was 3am
on Christmas Day, of course), and it seemed some issue came up with the hotel.
Briefly, it sounded like we might not have rooms at all. After a while, though,
they finally had the process sorted out, and passengers got set up with taxis
to the hotel. Those trying to make their way back to other destinations were
also helped with making new train reservations, though cancellations the next
two days would cause issues for anyone headed for Toronto. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVY1h4X6dj4NhjKaZZrgG4v2rNcdtW1DvV-x3c7RVf-d-9u_Kul9yqED5PDI6o90617NK8fXZPoiPZ0gWddoiwp1icnyP-UN7LzPgA2DgUuX0_WYUH-YYqDRPGNHlYJ4RA0UTKJYxFPz8j_oKURmg9Ljya-8JJVwn_CE76KcOGM9IKihB1pNllcgSjZQ/s4032/7FFF507C-503D-4DE1-9709-6B978F3E2B78.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVY1h4X6dj4NhjKaZZrgG4v2rNcdtW1DvV-x3c7RVf-d-9u_Kul9yqED5PDI6o90617NK8fXZPoiPZ0gWddoiwp1icnyP-UN7LzPgA2DgUuX0_WYUH-YYqDRPGNHlYJ4RA0UTKJYxFPz8j_oKURmg9Ljya-8JJVwn_CE76KcOGM9IKihB1pNllcgSjZQ/w480-h640/7FFF507C-503D-4DE1-9709-6B978F3E2B78.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've got to admit, that sign really hit differently this time...</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLFHC_WSfRYbDU-Zo-CE-QktiOAQNZ7K2LpfcIDSY6iFQvS_0DvnGtEldwM_RJFH0k5QyH7XTZMEr6Ao7Ob9f8IsVUf9Y391jVsdiIE8Mq0iGRzrQY6jphJChkmI0fLMrtLErIx-2DowL5GhIeDAlm9L9H58nmNw4yZ4NF40pNUNgxjzgLkVP8L5jBA/s4032/0C14F228-D9FE-4B05-B00A-745CC57C8044.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLFHC_WSfRYbDU-Zo-CE-QktiOAQNZ7K2LpfcIDSY6iFQvS_0DvnGtEldwM_RJFH0k5QyH7XTZMEr6Ao7Ob9f8IsVUf9Y391jVsdiIE8Mq0iGRzrQY6jphJChkmI0fLMrtLErIx-2DowL5GhIeDAlm9L9H58nmNw4yZ4NF40pNUNgxjzgLkVP8L5jBA/w640-h480/0C14F228-D9FE-4B05-B00A-745CC57C8044.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taxi stand outside Central station, waiting to get to the hotel (it would be walkable, but close to 5am on Christmas Day, with luggage? Might as well take the cab).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With my checked
baggage back in hand (it all came up on the carousel, as usual), I squeezed
into a taxi with two other passengers, one of whom was one of the
Bathurst-bound passengers I had eaten two meals with, and we made the short
drive to the hotel. As we sat in relative silence, all exhausted from the
ordeal, “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses played over the radio. Oh yeah,
it’s Christmas morning, isn’t it? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Check-in went
smoothly at the hotel, after finally making it there at 5:15am, and I made my
way to my room. How nice to lie down in a proper bed! We were given a noon
checkout time, so I was able to get some much needed sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7_-GuiuGBwtUfVTBmIzeBcydIsKKQYSl9D8D3h0ZMb0teBVG39diBhH-cv5qft3_WRte_62C98apQ0X0SlKljT_0hMurWj-HFdLp4tL8EE0zjWMfc0QxZu24EH3U7wsXykVSwzFsQ2eYl7Jq0_vrnGkIv-t1C-vfOisUUGhhYE94OvUqv1RebpAs_A/s4032/F1A7CB5B-8CB0-41AF-80A3-16F2DB7D1049.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7_-GuiuGBwtUfVTBmIzeBcydIsKKQYSl9D8D3h0ZMb0teBVG39diBhH-cv5qft3_WRte_62C98apQ0X0SlKljT_0hMurWj-HFdLp4tL8EE0zjWMfc0QxZu24EH3U7wsXykVSwzFsQ2eYl7Jq0_vrnGkIv-t1C-vfOisUUGhhYE94OvUqv1RebpAs_A/w480-h640/F1A7CB5B-8CB0-41AF-80A3-16F2DB7D1049.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montreal views, time for some proper sleep!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The next
morning (or rather, later that same morning), at least somewhat rested, I made
my way downstairs to grab breakfast and buy a transit fare to get to the
airport. This wasn’t at all how I expected to be spending Christmas morning,
but what can you do? While grabbing coffee, I ran into one of the VIA service attendants
who I’ve gotten to know quite well over the years. He explained that the crew
were now being required to work the next train back home, which would see them
on duty that afternoon. A few had simply refused, and were making their own way
home. He wasn’t thrilled about it, but figured he needed to get home anyway, so
why not? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This seems a
good moment to just put in a word for the VIA on board staff on this trip. In
short, they were all incredible. They went above and beyond during what had to
be an extremely exhausting and stressful ordeal, during which they were just as
in the dark as we passengers were about what was going on. They also wanted to
be at home with their families for Christmas, and now not only would they miss
out on that, they’d also be working extra time over that whole period. VIA is
lucky to have such wonderful people working for them, and I really hope that
the corporation as a whole will start recognizing that and treating them
better!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After checking
out of the hotel, I caught the 747 bus to the airport. The 747 is a fantastic
express bus service that runs frequently 24/7, and gets out to the airport
about as quickly as a taxi. The fare is $11, which you can either pay in cash
or you can buy a pass at any Metro station or dedicated fare machines next to
the 747 bus stops. It’s the same fare as the all-day pass, so you can also do
any other transit riding you may need/want through the course of that day on the
same fare.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGqobz3QpxMSUVdYqOXTPb-rCOGN4sE32DIoCtgpqmQtEy36txYIWyfPW5Lv5dAEPOUtnmmFRGY1DumxrjzRWCNHEHIWulcYF8Hro3CsDlbnYdytCgCahxRuCfCUn5PWYbpnCvRaCLWMIn_WovyaXE-v1AyKmawEgILI8hGOb2tI1gTgWQEUV8vSZhQ/s4032/1679B7E7-1DDB-4776-A2E0-0A794BDFD246.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGqobz3QpxMSUVdYqOXTPb-rCOGN4sE32DIoCtgpqmQtEy36txYIWyfPW5Lv5dAEPOUtnmmFRGY1DumxrjzRWCNHEHIWulcYF8Hro3CsDlbnYdytCgCahxRuCfCUn5PWYbpnCvRaCLWMIn_WovyaXE-v1AyKmawEgILI8hGOb2tI1gTgWQEUV8vSZhQ/w480-h640/1679B7E7-1DDB-4776-A2E0-0A794BDFD246.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas! Not the view I had planned...</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3cejCFwoOddEogPix8I0SvvBXYjQ7g4TqMosg-j-pG0Xwyy75fqG5sFoouKhoR7QnJOAv2SW0dwLlYmuOW9B8o1-ocUTPPmjjy5mS4S1eFGcebFasMSwFEbX8RS0ooCHuOfmT0FdY5ftR1D206kc37ya6szp7WepVGOlNkMB9fww-tpintuXzlphiQ/s4032/068BE31E-3AFD-4D5E-A4E4-9DC222A20D62.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3cejCFwoOddEogPix8I0SvvBXYjQ7g4TqMosg-j-pG0Xwyy75fqG5sFoouKhoR7QnJOAv2SW0dwLlYmuOW9B8o1-ocUTPPmjjy5mS4S1eFGcebFasMSwFEbX8RS0ooCHuOfmT0FdY5ftR1D206kc37ya6szp7WepVGOlNkMB9fww-tpintuXzlphiQ/w480-h640/068BE31E-3AFD-4D5E-A4E4-9DC222A20D62.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">747 fare machine, right by the bus stop. I didn't know these existed, so I had walked to the nearest Metro station to buy my fare. It's another little thing that makes this bus super convenient. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIPDFrE8Hfb2opxxraL3MvZAbztbXK7CM3LNd0g6ukTMBncBvS_MRNULNKHqK3fgUvgkXWiNCOFAi_uRdI6WhkYa_KydEbXOHOI7FPF5I70X5Z0FGZ072z6S6mjiTFtHrAo50Xb1QPz7icUW5rg7YHv0xXn4ojg3hZLD8-KqoReumxovujYmV_9H27Q/s4032/93F3F9C4-56E0-4DAE-8503-FE1C9D8FBFF8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIPDFrE8Hfb2opxxraL3MvZAbztbXK7CM3LNd0g6ukTMBncBvS_MRNULNKHqK3fgUvgkXWiNCOFAi_uRdI6WhkYa_KydEbXOHOI7FPF5I70X5Z0FGZ072z6S6mjiTFtHrAo50Xb1QPz7icUW5rg7YHv0xXn4ojg3hZLD8-KqoReumxovujYmV_9H27Q/w640-h480/93F3F9C4-56E0-4DAE-8503-FE1C9D8FBFF8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">747 bus arriving at the airport. Super convenient! The REM will eventually provide service to the airport (by 2027), which may be even better; but the bus service is awesome. </td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The airport was
busier than it might otherwise be on a Christmas Day (notoriously a quiet
travel day) due to all the flight cancellations and delays in the leadup to
Christmas this year, but it was still pretty quiet, so check-in and security
went smoothly. This flight boarded from one of the smaller gates, which meant
walking out on the runway to board the Porter Dash 8-400, which is always fun.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNnh5rtj07PWa49XbRVUmULdK4sswv-mQMOoyCwEpNIkV-uNgJ2qHODNqZ14QJHZDeX93YbNeRzykVfiNJHRKvBbAuEGp99JfhgPosKLXop-sRQkoNJSQ559qD3xZdpeglAneZjpHXT70pyBslNfFm58TCyG744n-C6jaCYASh5Pi0368ezl9WE2xKg/s4032/50C27CD1-D404-4081-93B8-98F805B8458C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNnh5rtj07PWa49XbRVUmULdK4sswv-mQMOoyCwEpNIkV-uNgJ2qHODNqZ14QJHZDeX93YbNeRzykVfiNJHRKvBbAuEGp99JfhgPosKLXop-sRQkoNJSQ559qD3xZdpeglAneZjpHXT70pyBslNfFm58TCyG744n-C6jaCYASh5Pi0368ezl9WE2xKg/w640-h480/50C27CD1-D404-4081-93B8-98F805B8458C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Dash 8. Not the GE rail variety, but it'll do the trick. </td></tr></tbody></table><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ii8QKaiGfYKX610ar9BBtWnFsVTCSc56FTNGaN8M5D-F5mGp93Qg73dHUFpmbOga2kCaUilXtz2EGnBt6IwXYFB1wPBONzqVS9Vx2AhTph2rSV80XSDKhYqsqTSE97Tr2eADCos1xkKSfLWAn4Ukoci39UChlu2j6NJUuF5IqwibdnzvLizYrjPZZA/s4032/727EF5D7-C655-48DE-8CB0-F20DF2D55951.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ii8QKaiGfYKX610ar9BBtWnFsVTCSc56FTNGaN8M5D-F5mGp93Qg73dHUFpmbOga2kCaUilXtz2EGnBt6IwXYFB1wPBONzqVS9Vx2AhTph2rSV80XSDKhYqsqTSE97Tr2eADCos1xkKSfLWAn4Ukoci39UChlu2j6NJUuF5IqwibdnzvLizYrjPZZA/w640-h480/727EF5D7-C655-48DE-8CB0-F20DF2D55951.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always love getting to board a place right off the runway. It's a little thing, but just feels kind of fun and out of the ordinary. </td></tr></tbody></table></span></o:p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This was my
first time on a Porter Q400 since they revamped them during the Covid shutdown.
I was disappointed, as I expected I would be, by the new seats. They are
thinner and slightly less comfortable, and they are squeezed tighter together
to accommodate the extra row of seats that was added (facilitated by the lighter
weight of the new seats). This definitely takes away from one of the advantages
Porter had, but their service was still respectable. I’m definitely looking
forward to trying out their new Embraer E2s, as those jets seem to be much more
spacious by comparison. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We had a slight
delay for deicing, but the flight itself was remarkably smooth, and fast! We
had a good tailwind, so time in the air was only 1h15min, pretty remarkable for
a turboprop over that distance. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9uAEdtIeGf2XBOxbb_0_aF4tsByZuCIQ53uXsJihj8HP4fLgmBE1leaCTl7zz7-mTo2GzDZaN8z38cRfzgCcTtwjA0nOyHD5a4XOEAKxGAa9t5DXeG27puAov-XdRy-eR3twCQrH9fSKKDOYMSoJt_Ld62scyAcJQdKYBwEB3JW9Pfvd-29seXFt_g/s4032/0E09D47D-BD4B-459A-95E2-4B9498577DDE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9uAEdtIeGf2XBOxbb_0_aF4tsByZuCIQ53uXsJihj8HP4fLgmBE1leaCTl7zz7-mTo2GzDZaN8z38cRfzgCcTtwjA0nOyHD5a4XOEAKxGAa9t5DXeG27puAov-XdRy-eR3twCQrH9fSKKDOYMSoJt_Ld62scyAcJQdKYBwEB3JW9Pfvd-29seXFt_g/w480-h640/0E09D47D-BD4B-459A-95E2-4B9498577DDE.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas skies. A different sort of landscape, though the clouds do mimic rolling snow covered hills. A bit of a "Santa's-eye view"?</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back in
Halifax, I retrieved my bag, and caught a taxi back into town. Finally, I was
home – still on Christmas Day, but more than 24 hours after I had planned, and
not at all the way I expected. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trains? Check. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Planes? Check.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Automobiles?
Check (and even a bus in there too)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eccentric
character selling shower-curtain rings? Nope, though I did have a loud snoring
seat-mate on the plane. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Home later than
expected, but still safe and sound and on the holiday? Check. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So there you
have it, a trip to remember if ever there was one. I’d be very pleased not to
have another trip quite like this, but it was an adventure for sure! In the
long run, I still got home, and the time spent on the train was actually quite
pleasant. We were well fed, warm, and taken care of, and I got to meet some
nice and interesting people. It certainly could have been worse!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><u><span style="font-size: medium;">Prologue: The Aftermath<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I don’t know that I’ve really mentioned it on this blog
before, but I’ve also been involved for years in transportation advocacy work.
Since early last year, I’ve been the president of Transport Action Atlantic
(TAA), as well as a board member with Transport Action Canada (TAC, the
national affiliate). Both TAA and TAC are entirely volunteer non-profits, which
advocate for public transport of all forms, but have a major focus on passenger
rail. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Given my involvement with TAA/TAC and the fact that I had
also been a passenger on one of the affected trains, it seemed appropriate to
engage in the national discussion about the issues that plagued VIA over the
holidays. When the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities (TRAN) announced their intention to hold meetings on the
subject and call VIA to testify, I took the opportunity to make a submission
from TAA, highlighting issues that we saw should be addressed, and also drawing
attention to the fact that it wasn’t just trains in the Corridor that were
affected. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">This ended up leading to quite a bit more than I expected.
On Jan. 26, I was invited to appear as a witness before the committee,
following on from VIA’s testimony in the morning. Ahead of that, I also ended
up doing quite a few media interviews, including with CBC Radio, Global News,
the Telegraph-Journal, and a local radio station in Sackville NB. It’s been
quite the few weeks! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I won’t go on at length here about this part of things, but
I’ll link to a few of these appearances for anyone interested. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">TRAN Appearance Video: <a href="https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20230126/-1/38414">https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20230126/-1/38414</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">CBC Maritime Noon Interview: <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-38-maritime-noon/clip/15962486-the-president-transport-action-atlantic-gives-testimony-house">https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-38-maritime-noon/clip/15962486-the-president-transport-action-atlantic-gives-testimony-house</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">CHFM Interview: <a href="https://www.chmafm.com/welcome/one-advocates-30-hour-ordeal-on-via-rail-and-his-call-for-a-fundamental-shift-in-passenger-rail/">https://www.chmafm.com/welcome/one-advocates-30-hour-ordeal-on-via-rail-and-his-call-for-a-fundamental-shift-in-passenger-rail/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">CHFM web story: <a href="https://www.chmafm.com/welcome/30-hour-ordeal-on-vias-the-ocean-shines-a-light-on-need-for-fundamental-shift-in-passenger-rail/">https://www.chmafm.com/welcome/30-hour-ordeal-on-vias-the-ocean-shines-a-light-on-need-for-fundamental-shift-in-passenger-rail/</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">__________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">So that’s all for now, and thanks for following along to
this point (if you did…if you just skipped straight to the end, then…well…hi!)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">At the end of my last post, I had written: “<i>For my next
post, I’ll have something a little different: an exploration of a miniature
world, which I felt really deserved its own post. And then I’ll be back on the
rails around Christmas. If the stars align, I *might* even manage a peek at the
brand new Siemens corridor trains. Stay tuned!”</i> I haven’t had a chance to
get to that “next post” yet, though it’s still in the works. As for the new
Siemens trains, if you have a peak at that CHFM story above you may note a hint
on that front (though it didn’t happen when or how I initially thought it
might). More to come at another time!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfMu-17SzfIm86uFsW8J6dffvH0E4iHCN4i4pbsnYEsNysiZYME10YVErQ7TEVItR37XBWczaO5pvRVaEqXcezwPQsS13FsQngVfc4vPQfmNRdVCj-vvFXeiJLVVm3h1AIB6EeoccAJJBX449ZIaUVTseeN6YL5O8MIfAZd1L4uZi563JBkdRc4h6LQ/s4032/28F8445F-173E-43FF-A16E-15C2D15332EE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfMu-17SzfIm86uFsW8J6dffvH0E4iHCN4i4pbsnYEsNysiZYME10YVErQ7TEVItR37XBWczaO5pvRVaEqXcezwPQsS13FsQngVfc4vPQfmNRdVCj-vvFXeiJLVVm3h1AIB6EeoccAJJBX449ZIaUVTseeN6YL5O8MIfAZd1L4uZi563JBkdRc4h6LQ/w480-h640/28F8445F-173E-43FF-A16E-15C2D15332EE.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uh oh, who decided it was a good idea to run trains on Windows? ;-) This was from a few weeks later, but the sign pretty well captures the meltdown of VIA travel at Christmas... </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-47186741943851393372022-11-25T16:20:00.002-04:002022-12-01T13:49:47.949-04:00Thanksgiving-time travels - the Ocean and a bunch of Corridor trains<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog5taPgBHo0I9-QQpzCPC9A-6Z6uPrYk4L088V3unW9ARqeet34b2Q-JxfQMxcJmS0a36ylD75TMfCX0YALosh7n7wbc5Nj9AnC4Rym1CwB7uWitvYDJXlXI7jBHbX4ESJyWS9xsVkjppcp2p9GKumOg27_-n12kiloYYVogRXSBRou3kLXKr-W2baA/s2048/Darren_Ocean_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjog5taPgBHo0I9-QQpzCPC9A-6Z6uPrYk4L088V3unW9ARqeet34b2Q-JxfQMxcJmS0a36ylD75TMfCX0YALosh7n7wbc5Nj9AnC4Rym1CwB7uWitvYDJXlXI7jBHbX4ESJyWS9xsVkjppcp2p9GKumOg27_-n12kiloYYVogRXSBRou3kLXKr-W2baA/w640-h426/Darren_Ocean_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our departing VIA 15 skirts along the shores of the Bedford Basin, making its way out of town on October 5th. Thanks to Darren Stephens for the photo!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We’re just
hitting American Thanksgiving, so it seems an appropriate time to look back at
some train travels around the most recent Canadian Thanksgiving, a little over
a month ago!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">This trip would
cover more ground than usual, starting by train in Halifax, going through to
Montreal, Toronto, and then Brantford, and also involving a bunch of additional
Corridor trains to and from Ottawa, Toronto, and eventually home. There was of
course lots of good time with family, and some fun events sprinkled in – but
for this blog, I’m just going to focus on the trains (I mean really, that’s why
you’re reading, isn’t it?)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Going:
Halifax to Brantford<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our trip
started from Halifax on October 5, 2022. With two of us travelling, we started
from Halifax on the Ocean, train 15. We were in a Renaissance bedroom, room 3
of car 37. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">VIA 15 –
October 5, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6407 (Forward)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6401 (Reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">8615 HEP1 Baggage<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">8212 Château Latour (crew dorm)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">8201 Château Argenson<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">8220 Château Papineau<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">8112 HEP1 Coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">8126 HEP1 Coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">7600 Renaissance transition car<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7227 Ren coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7309 Ren
service car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7402 Ren dining
car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7312 Ren
service car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">79515 Ren
Accessible Sleeper (30)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7520 Ren
Sleeper (37) <b>*Room 03</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7522 Ren
Sleeper (38)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7516 Ren
Sleeper (39)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">70108 Ren
Accessible Coach (not in service)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7003 Ren
Baggage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">*I wasn’t able
to confirm the line numbers on the Chateau sleepers, though they would have
been 40 and 41, in one order or another (this hasn’t always seemed to be
consistent)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCXBkLFNhi0JrULsBulqv1431tmEJKa_e8FaIr0qd1wfTKdUWD2EgkSZO4AYlEyph4GiYP6vRcAtiEDdn7bNJsb-ubZQBjRKK2BZLw_NgERjAs5-y3MXcE_W2YZ7quxxzQw42I49U91HAYOgbcc0Ru7FlpEm1SD1g5_K_dkDM7guiI7ay70JrurEbJQ/s1862/Darren_Ocean_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1862" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCXBkLFNhi0JrULsBulqv1431tmEJKa_e8FaIr0qd1wfTKdUWD2EgkSZO4AYlEyph4GiYP6vRcAtiEDdn7bNJsb-ubZQBjRKK2BZLw_NgERjAs5-y3MXcE_W2YZ7quxxzQw42I49U91HAYOgbcc0Ru7FlpEm1SD1g5_K_dkDM7guiI7ay70JrurEbJQ/w640-h418/Darren_Ocean_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot of our train nearing Bedford, courtesy of Darren Stephens. I've added an arrow to show where we were in the train - room 3 in car 37! Alas, the way they orient the Ren sleepers these days means that the rooms are all on the land side here, so you have to go somewhere else (or look across the hallway) for the views of the water. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The trip from
Halifax started smoothly. There were two lunch settings – 1:15, or at 2:45 -
and we opted for the second, which was less busy. Reservations were taken at
check-in, and boarding started around half an hour before departure. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvMuxp2JbqhsSymGdTFU3YDzmgxJZrDA0OSRNwEP1yjp3wqxuyhEFa9T30rypZSKMjpgBoun6ukbIbbqN2MszRYtQbYjCkAxZHsQn26uieBw31XEqYOpcqIc7D2h1VzI4fevmqsftd6dimZAQ1eoJrACgm6dgABvzlfJ0EFeAPEa1Lcj3nTc5XaNqJg/s4032/8FE830A0-58C6-464C-93EC-A39B202AD694.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvMuxp2JbqhsSymGdTFU3YDzmgxJZrDA0OSRNwEP1yjp3wqxuyhEFa9T30rypZSKMjpgBoun6ukbIbbqN2MszRYtQbYjCkAxZHsQn26uieBw31XEqYOpcqIc7D2h1VzI4fevmqsftd6dimZAQ1eoJrACgm6dgABvzlfJ0EFeAPEa1Lcj3nTc5XaNqJg/w640-h480/8FE830A0-58C6-464C-93EC-A39B202AD694.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out from our train at another icon of transportation - the Queen Mary 2! Cruise traffic has very much returned to Halifax, and the transatlantic crossings on this ship are back up and running as well. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QKpq8cSkh0I4xs1hFPA0HCgxg9AJxzzyIpIiZIskfAPpdnF6MFn2L7Tbv_Q8LWzzUkwxW0785GTPFxKt4PoTVCq77ArqvJ8M0BO0fhPoRHLEDbcTdnQSkP5hct-0s7se74-__DUGNh16A569K3d1tKpm_k1E4fK9oBrxzci8pMffnkmAFhEdGOk10g/s3808/0BF759FB-1F49-4975-93BA-13A9F07631C3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3808" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QKpq8cSkh0I4xs1hFPA0HCgxg9AJxzzyIpIiZIskfAPpdnF6MFn2L7Tbv_Q8LWzzUkwxW0785GTPFxKt4PoTVCq77ArqvJ8M0BO0fhPoRHLEDbcTdnQSkP5hct-0s7se74-__DUGNh16A569K3d1tKpm_k1E4fK9oBrxzci8pMffnkmAFhEdGOk10g/w640-h508/0BF759FB-1F49-4975-93BA-13A9F07631C3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case we weren't sure what train we were on... handy little information guides give passengers some information about the stations along the route. They're also free to keep as a souvenir.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">A note on
checked baggage: since being discontinued during 2020, Corridor trains still
have no checked baggage service. The Ocean does, and if you have connections
onwards in the Corridor, VIA will still allow you to check baggage through to
your destination. The baggage receives transfer tags with your subsequent train
and car numbers identified, and at Montreal it is transferred on from the Ocean
to your next train. In our case, that was trains 67 to Toronto, and then 79 to
Brantford. The ticket agent had to make a special tag for Brantford, as I guess
not many people have that end destination. Our checked baggage did get
transferred successfully to 67 in Montreal, and I was able to identify that it
was in the luggage rack of our car (01) when we boarded. That train then
becomes 79 at Toronto, so the bag just stayed on board. I kept a close eye on
it just to be sure. At Brantford, it was up to us to identify the baggage and
take it off the train. Hopefully other passengers realize this, as I’m not sure
if the crew are actually checking to make sure that any transfer-tagged baggage
is actually dropped off at the appropriate end stations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back to the
Ocean:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Announcements
were made on departure about anticipated delays overnight. Trackwork on the
Mont Joli sub was routinely delaying Ocean departures in both directions
through August and September, and the delays were slightly improved but still
present by October. As a result, only connections to later trains from Montreal
were on offer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">By the time of
this trip, the mask requirement for VIA trains had been lifted a week earlier.
A few passengers and staff were still masked, but the majority were unmasked
throughout the trip. I never had any issues with masks, and supported the
implementation of mandates throughout the pandemic – but it was nice to have a
bit more of a “normal” feel back to the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpYKmp_RnmnsHiAO2z33NM7UqZUdgqhv2kXfqYzvF2Z7gh1TpbBhEZ05JID9MYOc-jyosHpvXu6pCBqZp18pHh8R91zbGyS_hSScszOq5vGo07rwTDzE0k3EZwHyEi-zJQJ22oapOd2lz3kPOor7AQJA1hY_ayH7Lu4dHBSlq1QvmdbmdWhLCLDMNsA/w640-h480/53BF61EB-6033-47BD-8F00-55C1A13D5E11.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views on the way out from Halifax, moving towards the Fall River area. There are no end of lovely streams, lakes, and rivers along this stretch of the route. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguZ8zDpVJI-wq7L27RhDK1GYICJrz7PVxnk-a3dh84jEVq5eMeIQoSKDVB9KHAuQsPo3ZRLl75RGcWRaH-EL0kGRwBmAGOQFXRGYnXTxXwZqd88Luzds73BAyLQuBTJcAC8yF69FYQPie2D291d4gI-ExGdOSecDPK2F0AkcpdBKZOmohdEaJ3Mq7UA/s4032/527DF4B7-C9EF-418D-8DF8-39FB4E5A61A4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguZ8zDpVJI-wq7L27RhDK1GYICJrz7PVxnk-a3dh84jEVq5eMeIQoSKDVB9KHAuQsPo3ZRLl75RGcWRaH-EL0kGRwBmAGOQFXRGYnXTxXwZqd88Luzds73BAyLQuBTJcAC8yF69FYQPie2D291d4gI-ExGdOSecDPK2F0AkcpdBKZOmohdEaJ3Mq7UA/w480-h640/527DF4B7-C9EF-418D-8DF8-39FB4E5A61A4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YUSl7WZaNfuUECgClkC0U1S_2de2df3zpOVjOEcKxijwiscI8oyi_H3YPtZi8CNDCkW_NWhoTzevdT4LcwsrX1QCRIX5hzztoNYIXMHVkOgnBtw15ZdvBv3Cx4Aj8aocbqTObT4EGpyay4egzuP_O1U54M6BlHRXhz8b5s5g_VVHaJVCYA4PhTS4Sw/s4032/E376DC88-03FA-46E7-B5A8-D38B2B37C0FE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YUSl7WZaNfuUECgClkC0U1S_2de2df3zpOVjOEcKxijwiscI8oyi_H3YPtZi8CNDCkW_NWhoTzevdT4LcwsrX1QCRIX5hzztoNYIXMHVkOgnBtw15ZdvBv3Cx4Aj8aocbqTObT4EGpyay4egzuP_O1U54M6BlHRXhz8b5s5g_VVHaJVCYA4PhTS4Sw/w640-h480/E376DC88-03FA-46E7-B5A8-D38B2B37C0FE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken schnitzl salad. There was also a chowder on offer as a starter, and a carrot cake for dessert.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The trip
through the afternoon was quite uneventful. As we made our way along, there was copious evidence of the recent damage from Hurricane Fiona, with trees down through the woods all over the place - particularly through the Wentworth valley. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">As usual nowadays, the lack of the
Park car is a noticeable loss. The service car lounges are available, but
tended to be quite full. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhjQJN1MqFCH6gN8-pnWNQHeONjNt9iqAppuXxt9nK02fYDWrYLVKWGhY5wYri592af3k5mMS2P_JDAV3cVEep9_J3lmNah8GIP2m0xidJoPu24IdDIoT5dfF4H48AIOZnw7Isqd9GpegbtfYtdtV6uol8FmF7t2nkyuayYEsVpGD4RByCMIuWD-2eg/s4032/97D1A5A9-D3BF-4C46-B584-31F16A30FEB9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhjQJN1MqFCH6gN8-pnWNQHeONjNt9iqAppuXxt9nK02fYDWrYLVKWGhY5wYri592af3k5mMS2P_JDAV3cVEep9_J3lmNah8GIP2m0xidJoPu24IdDIoT5dfF4H48AIOZnw7Isqd9GpegbtfYtdtV6uol8FmF7t2nkyuayYEsVpGD4RByCMIuWD-2eg/w640-h480/97D1A5A9-D3BF-4C46-B584-31F16A30FEB9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tantramar marsh views - always a highlight, crossing into New Brunswick. </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO1hrlfSyYdhcUeY-tUiVFin92fPIaPATkqwWsx6btywCkQcfKpKbCmx4g8LGg1cY-2s68QmpS3JUmrlMTp2-H2NDiWTTG_6Y432QCBkPq1WFDCr_LnsGM5wUBp0dJhF1XZWYBuEiEFyNBeRhrIh6UFRXwYwc0bzQ0byf9BN6PcWT-r2MSWvsrNDy1Q/w480-h640/A8D08BAA-6D6B-4B43-8572-B3F48541E434.jpeg" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from the vestibule, while passing through sleeper 30. Lots of colour outside, though there would be far more by the time we reached Quebec.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAiw1ICA_z4VkpQB0YdeBi2BgS_nAJdtDPFBnGj9XvoInd3qLUlxJZzNI-_c2fKi4FknjNm1QzC0d7tvyozhtG82yUdkaSbJUxgtO-glOejqUUcDhFCExmp1SUvOFe8lda-mF6F3J8jZRt35xXOItahuMcQtmcdgVA695zNbpGCkEtAWPPq5N3Q4R1w/s4032/DB85644E-D357-41FC-BBA4-B50B8D124242.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAiw1ICA_z4VkpQB0YdeBi2BgS_nAJdtDPFBnGj9XvoInd3qLUlxJZzNI-_c2fKi4FknjNm1QzC0d7tvyozhtG82yUdkaSbJUxgtO-glOejqUUcDhFCExmp1SUvOFe8lda-mF6F3J8jZRt35xXOItahuMcQtmcdgVA695zNbpGCkEtAWPPq5N3Q4R1w/w640-h480/DB85644E-D357-41FC-BBA4-B50B8D124242.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset views between Miramichi and Bathurst</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJw3wVbQ1E2PB6fTIr8TqqxF2JF8Fp0qadzZSqjPDHbkHShXKchXakB03w2yvPOKcXvegtfQFdqfWheiToASuDq-RJzGwjFDAPamdMBEEs30jGJ4IFHNoQGdgNNFXfH-MUQqH3oNFZlg7kUsjWoW3nwNpux7DOVEEOTgmgtilIYc4stqQQ6EUAlxTKw/s4032/A6947C3D-91B0-467D-8D55-8C4F89FD7B7D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJw3wVbQ1E2PB6fTIr8TqqxF2JF8Fp0qadzZSqjPDHbkHShXKchXakB03w2yvPOKcXvegtfQFdqfWheiToASuDq-RJzGwjFDAPamdMBEEs30jGJ4IFHNoQGdgNNFXfH-MUQqH3oNFZlg7kUsjWoW3nwNpux7DOVEEOTgmgtilIYc4stqQQ6EUAlxTKw/w640-h480/A6947C3D-91B0-467D-8D55-8C4F89FD7B7D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More sunset views between Miramichi and Bathurst</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dinner reservations
were taken during lunch. There were two settings on offer – 6pm, or 8. We opted
for the second, in part because of our late lunch, but also hoping it would be
quieter. It turned out quite the opposite was true. As the first setting got
underway, an announcement was made twice reminding passengers with reservations
for the first setting that they needed to go at that time, and that there
wouldn’t be space later. Though not said, I guessed that this meant a number of
people with first setting reservations had skipped on their designated meal
time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lo and behold,
it seemed that was exactly what had happened. When we went for our setting at
8pm, the diner was absolutely packed. Not only would we be seated with someone
else, it quickly became evident that we might not even have space for the two
of us at all! The whole situation was quite overwhelming, so we asked if there
was still an option to have our meals by room service instead. Our attendant,
Francois, was more than happy to oblige (he seemed shocked by just how busy it
was!), so we headed back to our room and Francois brought us menus and took
orders. In the long run, this turned out to be quite pleasant. We missed the
atmosphere of the diner, but were able to enjoy our dinner in a more private setting,
and the food was still excellent – in fact, it was overall one of the best
meals either of us have had in some time on the Ocean. The Ren sleeper rooms have a fold-out table from the wall, and a small flip-down table between the two seats (on the "couch"). I realize I only photographed the one here, but if you look back at Part 1 of my Christmas report, you'll see the table from the wall. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjYXoObWmQ--rnwGyUFNiwJs5XTzbcyxe2VzJMd_3sJhVtSFWXMnpMHWo8YrLW1vnZyNqbpvGr6QnVoirKRtIWfvg1Q7wQnOfzSxoXR0WGMmsVsjESoxkTsIROgRYnZ4te_uiQdxMcO0Le6WvEIUc0CHGgZjL_ODTXcXxXcTIIaFJP6g74hStWhg1dA/s4032/3B98805F-BE75-488D-B65F-6BB0C06A0431.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjYXoObWmQ--rnwGyUFNiwJs5XTzbcyxe2VzJMd_3sJhVtSFWXMnpMHWo8YrLW1vnZyNqbpvGr6QnVoirKRtIWfvg1Q7wQnOfzSxoXR0WGMmsVsjESoxkTsIROgRYnZ4te_uiQdxMcO0Le6WvEIUc0CHGgZjL_ODTXcXxXcTIIaFJP6g74hStWhg1dA/w640-h480/3B98805F-BE75-488D-B65F-6BB0C06A0431.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appetizers. Two options were available - the caprese salad (seen here), or a roasted tomato bisque (not pictured). Both were excellent. Wine for room service is done by these small bottles, though with glasses handy. In the diner, it's done by the glass.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxUaYc5i5_vB17exGrpEnAt9a3jxe3AfqErNLjb2ApnDw_7FORHyXxpnEOo3SRIFFNJe7twkCzjX4gNIcIQAAz184dLQ7EpI54TRSppPDsL9cAube7VcDnC4F7e8uT39vWv0yoA9H9z_eL82EZoLSmum9OKsGxwm51jKQV9u8qufRKKQQ9cjKzz4UDQ/w640-h480/0B9E489F-0696-4BEE-A72E-BF7166E5FA91.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main courses - butter chicken (left), and a butternut squash ravioli (right). Full silverware was brought to the room, along with proper cloth napkins (not pictured).</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWV_ICszV5ttqS-9Ej3_JtgrNXwJAOLXOPl0P5BQpSbWVouroP1vBn86woM3nBLr1eyOvUeDXUT347kvEJSQBtBEgKQe09Kg00cUdNyPA-cQsU2otYAWpFofN7imM0w-GYz0pTZfDQL-ITCyc4-cNjAeULYRcrVaFDFSx-HLsUReHP6agRFq8mYrzwg/s4032/4679271C-6E5F-42C0-AF11-A44A6AE159D6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWV_ICszV5ttqS-9Ej3_JtgrNXwJAOLXOPl0P5BQpSbWVouroP1vBn86woM3nBLr1eyOvUeDXUT347kvEJSQBtBEgKQe09Kg00cUdNyPA-cQsU2otYAWpFofN7imM0w-GYz0pTZfDQL-ITCyc4-cNjAeULYRcrVaFDFSx-HLsUReHP6agRFq8mYrzwg/w480-h640/4679271C-6E5F-42C0-AF11-A44A6AE159D6.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert - pecan pie. Superb! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">After dinner,
we settled in with some tea. There is no self-serve option any more, but your
attendant in the sleepers can bring drinks – tea/coffee are complimentary, and
I think some other soft-drinks may be as well. Any alcohol must be purchased,
of course. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">After a good
night’s sleep, I realized in the morning that we were quite delayed; we were approaching Ste-Foy as I headed to
the diner for breakfast. Much to our dismay, we ended up stopped in the yard at
Joffre, and found out that we were being held up to wait for VIA 35 to leave
Quebec and make its way through to Charny. This would put us behind by nearly
another hour, and meant that breakfast “views” were all from the yard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiSqnsF5Kf61Aw1NOw8DIqwtFlweglfyku2OpArWiDAf1wn56jsrAHbEPoeiTaKqyxPS5woJ1PqUaTXtbM6LcTH_YADIYv56wNhe8D0ytNQsC412dK81ri-dEYk9X-SGfDTbMj56sVvfKKMF-Qct51494k4dUWhNeKFkIjyi8rK3p93xz1TO5-MWFYQ/s4032/0A009AF7-213A-49C0-AFD5-D77BD32DE3C0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiSqnsF5Kf61Aw1NOw8DIqwtFlweglfyku2OpArWiDAf1wn56jsrAHbEPoeiTaKqyxPS5woJ1PqUaTXtbM6LcTH_YADIYv56wNhe8D0ytNQsC412dK81ri-dEYk9X-SGfDTbMj56sVvfKKMF-Qct51494k4dUWhNeKFkIjyi8rK3p93xz1TO5-MWFYQ/w640-h480/0A009AF7-213A-49C0-AFD5-D77BD32DE3C0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Breakfast views" in Joffre yard. At least this pair of beltpack equipped units showed up to offer some interesting viewing!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPFyySMMVeh2EXCQGcggR6AsTmdWyiWEBrJjv902G5PZP7Z-2f0sv69iASsQIfBTtiFTxLowBYQCY0TZEf8hCOXBYY5OAN7MnHima4FGHm4Yg5lfNAKpywOlV3ZV1IFIOhYPPIaaZ1sZyI44CmK5eQJAdE9yuPMAib5DlSb2c8dqLpY-DVM8jxVXYSw/w480-h640/77FFEDDA-B093-4427-8EDA-48E44DE6C666.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu. Note that prices are still listed for Economy passengers, but at the moment, only Sleeper Plus passengers are being allowed in for any meals. I'm not sure if this might be any different in the quietest parts of the off-season. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFdsGvX90zpWEyL0ElME3SPtW3E1VILGUP8e1H4Brh1sGKeSP87Nsfkz7BVt6PzIR8yMBiIb2F1FQdK6TMr1OKG1Gzq34Hb84w2n5CT52djf0rt2-ATjZiSIDMWTS4jK9xMmraryynBvNNe4me2c3QRfobCccolXquBlYgfDMizOxc9rVilOINw7Q7Q/s3772/A873537C-72C6-4384-9D9F-C7AD35B95740.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2946" data-original-width="3772" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFdsGvX90zpWEyL0ElME3SPtW3E1VILGUP8e1H4Brh1sGKeSP87Nsfkz7BVt6PzIR8yMBiIb2F1FQdK6TMr1OKG1Gzq34Hb84w2n5CT52djf0rt2-ATjZiSIDMWTS4jK9xMmraryynBvNNe4me2c3QRfobCccolXquBlYgfDMizOxc9rVilOINw7Q7Q/w640-h500/A873537C-72C6-4384-9D9F-C7AD35B95740.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The location outside the window isn't that exciting, but inside, this is still probably my favourite place in the world to have breakfast. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcFMsh2KY7a9L2zhycLbKbClibjupaKB9N0IG7hMCoZQp6lkWPV7eg9bEc2Xu_2r9eJlDduhcKV45OLj2eoAqbMa02cns62KbX84oZUezu7oj6yqHfY9fTwCC_kETxFG1LEjzZPeGT0wTeUQTqWr2Rq4wuDy4bylzFI7irZBYFruKsyKunmhjiJzRAQ/s4032/428A3A78-EF1E-4213-BC87-EFF0CE9400A6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcFMsh2KY7a9L2zhycLbKbClibjupaKB9N0IG7hMCoZQp6lkWPV7eg9bEc2Xu_2r9eJlDduhcKV45OLj2eoAqbMa02cns62KbX84oZUezu7oj6yqHfY9fTwCC_kETxFG1LEjzZPeGT0wTeUQTqWr2Rq4wuDy4bylzFI7irZBYFruKsyKunmhjiJzRAQ/w640-h480/428A3A78-EF1E-4213-BC87-EFF0CE9400A6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Breakfast bread". This wasn't bad, but the bread itself was a bit of a letdown. The only subpar meal over the entire two weeks of travelling. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HGc0uB5hy-7baWHtQCyiFKke8XWIQwcgQ8YdCL0Y9rEXwtanUzwpasFUKQUR_nugmv0jvccIUhW7tHL56KmydVfkvt5lSuLJrjwPPPdaTri_KOhFXiTKXEQkM9CEhA41exPOF-3wtNATUc5zA5BPGUXn3u7_rLiCX2nCB1x-hlP98SQqXUeCRyWEsA/s4032/E51E2860-3A28-46D1-A817-F382F4E4D95E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HGc0uB5hy-7baWHtQCyiFKke8XWIQwcgQ8YdCL0Y9rEXwtanUzwpasFUKQUR_nugmv0jvccIUhW7tHL56KmydVfkvt5lSuLJrjwPPPdaTri_KOhFXiTKXEQkM9CEhA41exPOF-3wtNATUc5zA5BPGUXn3u7_rLiCX2nCB1x-hlP98SQqXUeCRyWEsA/w640-h480/E51E2860-3A28-46D1-A817-F382F4E4D95E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally on the move! Just a sample of the spectacular views heading across to Ste-Foy, a suburb of Quebec City. </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VHHEb0EwnCXB-Khc_JEIL-3w4ZxTIy6QvZC34wTsWyMWSiRNnSMVu6KTK6jzIh2rD0jg_whIc8_J_aE5dvYXYDlpYpynda6swerra07KXIR7lgyv1g3SCHHYnlk0A_S0HB1PgixtKP2UE6C_QG9usqTq7ylKSIy-CMduL6vg3jVyqJYOQzz0iu_HWQ/s4032/9AFCA428-F8FD-48E0-965D-F9D81696F170.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VHHEb0EwnCXB-Khc_JEIL-3w4ZxTIy6QvZC34wTsWyMWSiRNnSMVu6KTK6jzIh2rD0jg_whIc8_J_aE5dvYXYDlpYpynda6swerra07KXIR7lgyv1g3SCHHYnlk0A_S0HB1PgixtKP2UE6C_QG9usqTq7ylKSIy-CMduL6vg3jVyqJYOQzz0iu_HWQ/w640-h480/9AFCA428-F8FD-48E0-965D-F9D81696F170.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading onto the Quebec bridge over the St. Lawrence. The bridge the train is on is the more iconic of the two, but you can't really get a good view of that bridge while you're on it. </td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">After we
eventually made our stop in Ste-Foy, we had a meet with VIA 20 right by the
station as we departed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzSUtbrb1DL-gv30faojo1az2VgO73aJKsa8D0Tv-geb7ujCPUlDUoMWSrZARqZxKvuuqHqyXGEkUPher6V61GvhvjSjEHXWFh_XrD0muWLHWhL5cG74T21Yy6duwWW1fuTNCZhIUM91dqByv2yrz1iOxxFnild1M9_aB_gVfpWaJzYRKl-wN-5QdHA/s4032/2A66EA7E-5E91-4457-94B0-C765FE756410.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzSUtbrb1DL-gv30faojo1az2VgO73aJKsa8D0Tv-geb7ujCPUlDUoMWSrZARqZxKvuuqHqyXGEkUPher6V61GvhvjSjEHXWFh_XrD0muWLHWhL5cG74T21Yy6duwWW1fuTNCZhIUM91dqByv2yrz1iOxxFnild1M9_aB_gVfpWaJzYRKl-wN-5QdHA/w640-h480/2A66EA7E-5E91-4457-94B0-C765FE756410.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Station stop at Ste-Foy, a longer stop with opportunity to go outside to stretch. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_33lfUhoMDyjppjsUy_JJras6oV4GTUmD5BeQg6W_OwvK8tRikphLiXtZC7oVgxVpC4lAhixkIhX08163zP6bxLBz1McLHYxj_DTpkKcUrQBY3T6pW3ckXyJiC-17WlfEy3AgjjY1loXcd08B2UTTCwyk3oCnbmZW_yDQN1U4r8UtA4ipFmop7AwApQ/s3013/2F14E71C-2AD6-40B2-940B-644D9EE50346.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3013" data-original-width="2558" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_33lfUhoMDyjppjsUy_JJras6oV4GTUmD5BeQg6W_OwvK8tRikphLiXtZC7oVgxVpC4lAhixkIhX08163zP6bxLBz1McLHYxj_DTpkKcUrQBY3T6pW3ckXyJiC-17WlfEy3AgjjY1loXcd08B2UTTCwyk3oCnbmZW_yDQN1U4r8UtA4ipFmop7AwApQ/w544-h640/2F14E71C-2AD6-40B2-940B-644D9EE50346.jpeg" width="544" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting VIA 20, with one of the two remaining Corridor Renaissance sets, just outside Ste-Foy station. The train will have to back out through the switch after we're clear, so they can come back in to make the station stop. </td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzFJ2o94dgklCiWrmyTsFQ-Dm5hbp3Wd1VvYDJZhtgpAc9TxuWhFVR4FW1V64fXYIwvY8UPeceDVnONaRAjZBmv4dC3fjMzvEB7Zca6F4BQQ3Mmxnqv8K89Q9X6QXXQiiua_8Zv7ffIl-VObIe7WLYZK9g1Khsd1ba2q0rAcSyCXQchs2ytjkQ33diA/s4032/584AC04F-7D26-4A99-8CDB-7763D6717E8A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzFJ2o94dgklCiWrmyTsFQ-Dm5hbp3Wd1VvYDJZhtgpAc9TxuWhFVR4FW1V64fXYIwvY8UPeceDVnONaRAjZBmv4dC3fjMzvEB7Zca6F4BQQ3Mmxnqv8K89Q9X6QXXQiiua_8Zv7ffIl-VObIe7WLYZK9g1Khsd1ba2q0rAcSyCXQchs2ytjkQ33diA/w640-h480/584AC04F-7D26-4A99-8CDB-7763D6717E8A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views over the Chaudière River, heading back onto the main and away for our next stop at Drummondville.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">That morning,
the crew had put out complimentary self-service tea, coffee, and cookies in the
service car adjacent to the Renaissance sleepers. This is similar to what used
to be on offer in both the Park car and sometimes the sleeper service car in
the old arrangement. At the moment, it seems this may get set up at the
discretion of the crew, as nothing similar was on offer on the return trip, and
our attendants didn’t seem to be sure whether it would be set up or not. With
both lounges potentially open to coach passengers in the new setup, it’s hard
to reserve any space for sleeper passengers only. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE7xvyBV9Ng_4p6tR7iRVXZ40ozElcUquv6VM9PpEQh37vtT4IK6RpUw0HeS5v7lmef4zMhZVbXQjIH6VZZX0-b8m6b0Xc4vjaiFaLkEq0p3zZxtau0abI0IJNYCCElg27q3Afk4GlkzdvD4r_EuFb2K8HiksqPZTQDRHQj_Ui8-fTI0_rO35oKrYfA/s4032/6ACF18FE-9F2A-43DF-B9A5-BA610CF786C0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE7xvyBV9Ng_4p6tR7iRVXZ40ozElcUquv6VM9PpEQh37vtT4IK6RpUw0HeS5v7lmef4zMhZVbXQjIH6VZZX0-b8m6b0Xc4vjaiFaLkEq0p3zZxtau0abI0IJNYCCElg27q3Afk4GlkzdvD4r_EuFb2K8HiksqPZTQDRHQj_Ui8-fTI0_rO35oKrYfA/w480-h640/6ACF18FE-9F2A-43DF-B9A5-BA610CF786C0.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying complimentary coffee and digestive biscuits in the service car lounge. It's a comfortable space, if it isn't too busy, but it can fill up quickly.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the
run to Montreal went smoothly, and ultimately we were in fine time for our
connection to #67; but as we arrived at 12:35, about 2h30 late, we didn’t have
any time to explore Montreal before boarding our next train. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpLgJ9SyYamTZqvmWvOso1AHtdoaUC8RvhL7kqW-Y3h8ZsC153aK5tQoqI20njik0_f0X7ZR_D8sw5mL0gQ-emNYH9DoSfePB18VO9K3SSt2vUFawmfSoRD6q_60U_4fr2Y_eq9jAnH0CI9XE5P2t2PZtt_EkwTIMc5XPbmDb12fNlDIvpfrKDoDMfw/s4032/FA4A4F58-0D0B-4D53-BC07-0EFC28D74B61.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpLgJ9SyYamTZqvmWvOso1AHtdoaUC8RvhL7kqW-Y3h8ZsC153aK5tQoqI20njik0_f0X7ZR_D8sw5mL0gQ-emNYH9DoSfePB18VO9K3SSt2vUFawmfSoRD6q_60U_4fr2Y_eq9jAnH0CI9XE5P2t2PZtt_EkwTIMc5XPbmDb12fNlDIvpfrKDoDMfw/w640-h480/FA4A4F58-0D0B-4D53-BC07-0EFC28D74B61.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not our train, but the other of the two Corridor-assigned Renaissance set, making its stop in Montreal. These two consists operate on Ottawa-Montreal-Quebec trains only. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfvEotiwEijBFCTnKwSlBSxdGxllKcIA00bFWG_Pi1eiyeER1ccalRPt0ejYYsPkkOtfsXDUYcLlgXiaBZicM2BJG0BBkf5nc5dGFXYTVwdERpgpV0HNTo23_YD-suPIIULMsBZNyZyXWLgD5D0qMX3sDfwYhzTg8qiiA40d48lb2SWDcPBGwWatAiA/s4032/BC6F1ADA-4FE3-4F0B-B0F0-BC4F14F64F40.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfvEotiwEijBFCTnKwSlBSxdGxllKcIA00bFWG_Pi1eiyeER1ccalRPt0ejYYsPkkOtfsXDUYcLlgXiaBZicM2BJG0BBkf5nc5dGFXYTVwdERpgpV0HNTo23_YD-suPIIULMsBZNyZyXWLgD5D0qMX3sDfwYhzTg8qiiA40d48lb2SWDcPBGwWatAiA/w640-h480/BC6F1ADA-4FE3-4F0B-B0F0-BC4F14F64F40.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a short time in the station upstairs, we're back down to the platform and onto Train 67, with a veteran F40 on the head end. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The train on to
Toronto, VIA 67, was an almost all-LRC consist, with a single HEP2 coach tacked
on the tail end. We were in Business class, and as usual, both the ride and
service were excellent. The crew on this trip in particular were really lovely,
and reminded me more of the sorts of crews we tend to see on the Ocean, rather
than in the Corridor. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMwWO-zgLgNObt9Ss39QzjN8dtFi74oco6TO1s8AttGWVivgWeDsw08uje87TwnCfE3WnV9sYTwsl_ZUCfVg6FIMXeVh_9FdNXNZbzB-SrwjIWDLcyLDG0L3MZoGetfIq5bIeU9ezYvsu0fTl81fbzZKjwLPqDKtkKiIOv28o28iWjxm2ovvqbHVONA/s4032/D1FE64EC-6DE3-4463-BC4F-DBD016FF17CF.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMwWO-zgLgNObt9Ss39QzjN8dtFi74oco6TO1s8AttGWVivgWeDsw08uje87TwnCfE3WnV9sYTwsl_ZUCfVg6FIMXeVh_9FdNXNZbzB-SrwjIWDLcyLDG0L3MZoGetfIq5bIeU9ezYvsu0fTl81fbzZKjwLPqDKtkKiIOv28o28iWjxm2ovvqbHVONA/w640-h480/D1FE64EC-6DE3-4463-BC4F-DBD016FF17CF.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My only photo from on-board 67 - Business Class lunch. As usual, Business Class includes drink and snack service, a full meal, and additional rounds of drinks throughout the trip. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Arriving in
Toronto, about 15 minutes late, our connection was on to VIA 79 for Brantford.
This is the same equipment as 67 (a run-through), so we were given the option
to stay on board and just move to our new seats. We were also in Business class
on this train, as the connecting fare was the same as it would be if we
switched to Economy instead. That said, there’s little point to Business on
this short of a run. You do still benefit from the increased space, and you
will be offered a drink and a snack – but no meal. Still, it was a smooth and
pleasant trip, and we arrived in Brantford about 15 minutes behind, thanks to a
meet just before arriving in town. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblS8GZrvPdrGXCKJmI6sLS_saaqPOsBKWHJrbNbbx9Ai6L9DF1o_wWshfARqgWzLrY49_mUqwWn7E55bvCd9hLYnoFeheVCoeu7aGvNhjMoQNA3Mx4wJ6iAlS-z_V_np8oixDKrHPv5zEGXFDGWhJFX2eXQ49EBoN4SjUUYbxVw1p2SskmGSNVdfirw/s4032/B05ADADD-BE5D-4B6E-BA3A-5B90EBB272D3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblS8GZrvPdrGXCKJmI6sLS_saaqPOsBKWHJrbNbbx9Ai6L9DF1o_wWshfARqgWzLrY49_mUqwWn7E55bvCd9hLYnoFeheVCoeu7aGvNhjMoQNA3Mx4wJ6iAlS-z_V_np8oixDKrHPv5zEGXFDGWhJFX2eXQ49EBoN4SjUUYbxVw1p2SskmGSNVdfirw/w640-h480/B05ADADD-BE5D-4B6E-BA3A-5B90EBB272D3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrived in Brantford, after a full day on trains - our consist from 67, which is now 79, departs - a single HEP2 coach on the tail of an otherwise LRC consist. This was a week before the new "buffer car" requirements came in, otherwise there couldn't be an occupied HEP2 on the tail end. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Other
Corridor Trains<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m not going
to go into full detail about the various Corridor comings-and-goings, because
there were quite a few and they’re not nearly as interesting to delve into as
the longer distance trips. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">In brief
summary, I travelled on the following Corridor trains over the period between
Oct. 7<sup>th</sup> and 18<sup>th</sup> , in addition to the Ocean connections
noted above and farther along in this report:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">70
Brantford-Toronto (LRC)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">42
Toronto-Ottawa (LRC)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">45
Ottawa-Toronto (LRC)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">75
Toronto-Brantford (LRC)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">72
Brantford-Toronto (LRC)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">73
Toronto-Brantford (HEP)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">72
Brantford-Toronto (LRC)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of those were in LRC cars, a mix of Business and
Economy class. There are still some LRC cars around with the older seats, but
every car I was in had the newer style ones. On the one HEP train, VIA 73
(Oct. 15), we were in a refurbished HEP1 coach. This was right after VIA started
implementing “buffer cars” on HEP trains (see Eric Gagnon’s posts <a href="https://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2022/10/breaking-news-buffer-cars-on-via-hep.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="https://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2022/11/postscript-buffer-cars-added-to-via.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> for more
background), which meant that consist had been shuffled around a bit and seat assignments
had been changed. The refurbed HEP1s are really nice, so I had no complaints
about being in one instead of a HEP2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Instead of detailing each of these particular trains, I’m
going to provide some commentary via a series of photos from on some of those
trains and around various stations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">One other note about baggage: both Toronto and Montreal have
resumed offering baggage storage options. If you’re travelling in Business
class or have connections to/from the Ocean or Canadian in Sleeper Plus, you
can store bags for free while you’re out exploring around the city and waiting
on your connection. For Economy passengers, you can store bags for a fee. You
just need to be sure you get back to the baggage room before they close, which
was 6pm in Toronto, and 7pm in Montreal. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And now, the photos. Read along through the captions for context and commentary...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGOS2_ohQrwOWlP6USzbt5uyCNeeC1EiM-gXRa3aTOoWb6O1o9z4WHL-bjUvaiT62CdI4DxuW87OD1GuDX7Vu77ayJIUGr59x95Joppjd5ecCdgmwDNm5M6rukP-Ev2QQMkK8P16TdR2QawYNEopWl2d3vPkmi4sEhEXXeKXm4xr6p2_lmZIzdqBtTA/s4032/AFAAC6A3-19ED-423F-B3F2-F6802B2679C8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGOS2_ohQrwOWlP6USzbt5uyCNeeC1EiM-gXRa3aTOoWb6O1o9z4WHL-bjUvaiT62CdI4DxuW87OD1GuDX7Vu77ayJIUGr59x95Joppjd5ecCdgmwDNm5M6rukP-Ev2QQMkK8P16TdR2QawYNEopWl2d3vPkmi4sEhEXXeKXm4xr6p2_lmZIzdqBtTA/w640-h480/AFAAC6A3-19ED-423F-B3F2-F6802B2679C8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train 70 arriving at Brantford station.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqoKwMjH5t9BjjZ-dfA0XSqVO7q2k3dNrkZlWA17-WEQ5TSSOlKyl13ptLB4oQAqLFaO9YTvmN_vEHHbMrVaz9IFG9Yhur7fM_AzYwJ5ZSaIOkgILycTDpuJeSL_uiSKz-2Ll9PgVpauKWYV8fkREHTNtk89C9o5dGFZU7fdzFQlqc-OT-aH5N2pP9g/s4032/ED2166BF-1D4A-4E30-9AFA-A7FB4C12E0B5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqoKwMjH5t9BjjZ-dfA0XSqVO7q2k3dNrkZlWA17-WEQ5TSSOlKyl13ptLB4oQAqLFaO9YTvmN_vEHHbMrVaz9IFG9Yhur7fM_AzYwJ5ZSaIOkgILycTDpuJeSL_uiSKz-2Ll9PgVpauKWYV8fkREHTNtk89C9o5dGFZU7fdzFQlqc-OT-aH5N2pP9g/w640-h480/ED2166BF-1D4A-4E30-9AFA-A7FB4C12E0B5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward on VIA 70, under the beautiful old signal bridge at Brantford. This is very similar to the one that used to be an Brockville, and is part of a rapidly dwindling number of such installations, as CN slowly progresses with replacing old signals. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKkMf-R7ofUCSqiyQp_I6XqqfHuopBIMi_UvN9sfK3sJGg6wUG0zDEWvIiS7xPWF6HYT3cPmO1GW7cS4RM3yb-Wx0VCTEwz6YbeMTRifmJvmjp0iOnlX8x2F-9Ad7UD_DAYGA6Dk9NVFw0u15p4uaoOPojw-7uP3oy-cVsuuF0bmJgHOweL4W621w7w/s4032/56831389-457E-4874-87EE-D396B01B499B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKkMf-R7ofUCSqiyQp_I6XqqfHuopBIMi_UvN9sfK3sJGg6wUG0zDEWvIiS7xPWF6HYT3cPmO1GW7cS4RM3yb-Wx0VCTEwz6YbeMTRifmJvmjp0iOnlX8x2F-9Ad7UD_DAYGA6Dk9NVFw0u15p4uaoOPojw-7uP3oy-cVsuuF0bmJgHOweL4W621w7w/w640-h480/56831389-457E-4874-87EE-D396B01B499B.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Interior of Brantford station. It's getting worn with age, and has an odd mish-mash of older architecture and newer utilitarian seating. With some proper care and investment, it could be a really beautiful space. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67nY0tW9NfqMnKJUpYbSUdYTAdCE7E1eN2Kvkb7m8t7GoVLzRcILRJsKZJD7yAD1yCIUjLAEGbkni7CQP6TVR4ROiDIATIXZTL0Kg2Q766mWxmUTkb_TOrOIIXWJAxmLb975ONWAIcIV5pPHVKSO0Ene5DHl5JVBkSl19ELBM_39dJUQB6bkm0tCg3g/s4032/7A2DF0B8-B715-48B6-BA9E-557399AC72ED.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67nY0tW9NfqMnKJUpYbSUdYTAdCE7E1eN2Kvkb7m8t7GoVLzRcILRJsKZJD7yAD1yCIUjLAEGbkni7CQP6TVR4ROiDIATIXZTL0Kg2Q766mWxmUTkb_TOrOIIXWJAxmLb975ONWAIcIV5pPHVKSO0Ene5DHl5JVBkSl19ELBM_39dJUQB6bkm0tCg3g/w640-h480/7A2DF0B8-B715-48B6-BA9E-557399AC72ED.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another exterior view of Brantford station.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueTStlckbDB4NB8hINHQVs7MT2L8Q77-3TtvuOOTH3wNQJfWlCsW_0U43YahqDbSuoI5twQ_biSzw0G5db8xZ26UvgECaLlV9tPyhHHVSanWi3YZ_4CWfArE2_0apge6I29fLhsM9RQyVwPFVPIQXVHuU8zV0wCTNUBMp-CQXfxpROuVEXpByqsm3lw/s4032/997ED378-4732-40DB-8EDE-B764C17DCB06.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueTStlckbDB4NB8hINHQVs7MT2L8Q77-3TtvuOOTH3wNQJfWlCsW_0U43YahqDbSuoI5twQ_biSzw0G5db8xZ26UvgECaLlV9tPyhHHVSanWi3YZ_4CWfArE2_0apge6I29fLhsM9RQyVwPFVPIQXVHuU8zV0wCTNUBMp-CQXfxpROuVEXpByqsm3lw/w640-h480/997ED378-4732-40DB-8EDE-B764C17DCB06.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">View of Brantford station from across the parking lot. It's actually a pretty lovely design.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrPgzEUS4odt8r7PcRQq0G1uE6bp_Y-coG1hvxFB8IHZaqgkyxiELcgjuJ_-tB-f_Tlgh263QBNUt2jqweO7h6DtWxiSO_9ZIMiiHehKTdzUaoPhaxQIb9xilEXqjYkAFc6uLOui1_nVe57N9MeAAQVSuWvv2_a-_DgLKEBFbc5ed05uEHO8rXd8CkQ/w640-h480/34B687D1-9C3A-4344-99AE-298259A00444.jpeg" width="640" /><br /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Looking towards the "dome" end of the station. Again, with some proper restoration work this could be a beautiful space. As it stands right now, it is lovely but clearly ageing. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNT6EQQLTWOCUiTLSoiKlavNXo3Z46vaJQFLjrZgu7pI3cOA8T-YKLqTS-g-ifZ-RGJzq0kYBDeqGmhJ8_Nn7N6Kh5HS_yqhfDK48cjFXzdAJnDhOM5S6s5vlel4he2ljFHYFZPTv7fhSJYtIgfuIPZl8MYMXPTXQykhMV3UjTqZOj49Q1lvAt_Hf_Kw/s4032/7F0239DF-5FA6-4A3A-8A49-6A340B0498B0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNT6EQQLTWOCUiTLSoiKlavNXo3Z46vaJQFLjrZgu7pI3cOA8T-YKLqTS-g-ifZ-RGJzq0kYBDeqGmhJ8_Nn7N6Kh5HS_yqhfDK48cjFXzdAJnDhOM5S6s5vlel4he2ljFHYFZPTv7fhSJYtIgfuIPZl8MYMXPTXQykhMV3UjTqZOj49Q1lvAt_Hf_Kw/w640-h480/7F0239DF-5FA6-4A3A-8A49-6A340B0498B0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views getting closer to Toronto - a few surprising bits of waterway amidst the urban sprawl. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nj0BeR6FchZ3vYxtPmltggAwUsDqe05bk_LT6Sw1GmwHLvmPHmQcB8yGuGXkTp8VMtpLJkwS4mzTHr4JL7UP0HCzy4fo69f--0loGTtPwDvEbKImI_fMmTC-vQeP3yq-t5IacaI6Sb-oFCpzHBVk1vqc-FCybU_7ByN51EtRRyrd_VWJjsnBgQbteg/w480-h640/B0199734-6D21-4B68-B4F7-9CB26E79CC3C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 901, one of the only "unwrapped" P42s currently operating, waits with a train at Union Station in Toronto. The skylights that were put in when the station trainshed was renovated make the view much nicer around these tracks.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8rsHqQzsiIr362igGL9Lx31KL6ZkpnYWIcl0pI4k__zY_TPHDuDP9DoTRlK8QHwejANI39tGofNu-chxVDcoptt77Q3eAOpA7XSpcH-Ou6MrCo0LLw5ohd5ywU3G0Ve4_Frn9h_35rZjzRuWOsieolwqhk9qHPIHjt1lsaKb1ILQdP0nyynVIDB5PQ/s4032/B3F449A5-D2CD-41A6-A887-9DD7DB53E721.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8rsHqQzsiIr362igGL9Lx31KL6ZkpnYWIcl0pI4k__zY_TPHDuDP9DoTRlK8QHwejANI39tGofNu-chxVDcoptt77Q3eAOpA7XSpcH-Ou6MrCo0LLw5ohd5ywU3G0Ve4_Frn9h_35rZjzRuWOsieolwqhk9qHPIHjt1lsaKb1ILQdP0nyynVIDB5PQ/w640-h480/B3F449A5-D2CD-41A6-A887-9DD7DB53E721.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bit of time to kill in Toronto, why not head over to the Skywalk by the CN Tower? To watch trains, of course. Couldn't figure out why everybody else was looking the opposite way...</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuLib6fXQR0spG5BpMZFDsovPxNQvJ7-j6nriEZhwAr9fgiIiiiLBA_NfeL0ZGS_7ZsTbUqadn910oXOVNEHl_9kPOB5bmQQxuNY5KAU0kzGhIOR-x8e4N4PUa_gk6ZM_0M4u2twpVp-WnhSDCbn509gBPeGptB_GQTytWRu5m7xL5Jfq3CYBYKUceQ/w640-h480/826B8916-B467-46CB-A884-F25C6751D0CE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to board VIA 42 for Ottawa. Track 17*, just like in Montreal the day before. (*Edit: Ok, so there's a "17" on the sign, but my train is actually boarding from Platform 16, as each side has its own number, and it's technically on Track 8, as the track and platform numbers aren't the same. Thanks to Tom Box for this correction) </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6whYQ8E36DBG41pg_8bGCPoUfBjb7HdugXqi7Yb6yCZci5JurD6T3cgVfznnfCD0vKrMThiHdKcFy-YigAublsTQvWjNID2V3HY6s-Hu_QqcDT4yDxPiqkneHFzOjWG7zuFIAkhk7BeZ4DXvdCZnEtsYx_PHSHnIJiK9ugro7tsonA5mM_eLq9Qaffw/w640-h480/89FEDB50-3453-4B58-B96D-682490719F25.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The line along the Lakeshore has some really stunning views, particularly out towards Pickering. You could almost believe Lake Ontario was an ocean, though it's awfully calm. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrzJo9OJsL_fU9GqlbwMHQSN0U-PnpVcDBQPuf8i8ikFK2zW0aYTzc_eIgZvft8BgIZoQquXZ1uyut_ZUhEz87ch0HUQ-04wopS1K8D680qjeISdHXKV8reIVAIMfBDbDSzEevYxyCBA4zUW9k0hIe6mZZo_35cc1kQvDgBG4mkob_35gQIEC4yXOZA/s4032/2D28CB0D-67FD-444E-8A0B-C0B08A69B814.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrzJo9OJsL_fU9GqlbwMHQSN0U-PnpVcDBQPuf8i8ikFK2zW0aYTzc_eIgZvft8BgIZoQquXZ1uyut_ZUhEz87ch0HUQ-04wopS1K8D680qjeISdHXKV8reIVAIMfBDbDSzEevYxyCBA4zUW9k0hIe6mZZo_35cc1kQvDgBG4mkob_35gQIEC4yXOZA/w640-h480/2D28CB0D-67FD-444E-8A0B-C0B08A69B814.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Business Class lunch example. Baked hake, which generated some interesting pronunciations (as it was on the menu for two trips) - the more francophone staff struggle to pronounce the "h", so you get something sounding like "ache"; but one turned it into something fancier sounding, calling it "haké" (or "hack-aye")</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgTBO1kbum6ravAYaavuTebeqhC_FQbySc24uXumTNftSgcEylcz8cUFGowcbUKmLPqvZT69LZEf70jLvbTDCjszH8VmO_0HgRKel-WB5rZ12Qrnd1_oyzEXvb63GeW7Gb00PP5e4O3H1sP4iodNk4QvGKxbHF9g0YZCP1Xvpp0qcuL4E11wf3_MEwQ/s4032/36D056C5-D4C9-4CE6-B393-2C754DF57F97.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgTBO1kbum6ravAYaavuTebeqhC_FQbySc24uXumTNftSgcEylcz8cUFGowcbUKmLPqvZT69LZEf70jLvbTDCjszH8VmO_0HgRKel-WB5rZ12Qrnd1_oyzEXvb63GeW7Gb00PP5e4O3H1sP4iodNk4QvGKxbHF9g0YZCP1Xvpp0qcuL4E11wf3_MEwQ/w640-h480/36D056C5-D4C9-4CE6-B393-2C754DF57F97.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello again, 901. It made it to Ottawa, and the train was already wyed to become a subsequent westbound train. </td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40Q_GjKD1mImlzhKIwbfkojeKEjPsYvvTqgX5FrsCZJFr8-WwXKc-uitToqpbX28whxGezXuUqUbb-SMXQJQPFwdrsb0xewEXn5GfDtQB6RSnHt6sXiO7xwJzV15OtaXJ2QjQU52tHIvRoKYTEnt5SAS2HUec8Qmffe3nYzKhslF1hH6KjbXOKcNBJw/s4032/F5838D49-E2CF-4F73-A511-A4D82DF799FE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40Q_GjKD1mImlzhKIwbfkojeKEjPsYvvTqgX5FrsCZJFr8-WwXKc-uitToqpbX28whxGezXuUqUbb-SMXQJQPFwdrsb0xewEXn5GfDtQB6RSnHt6sXiO7xwJzV15OtaXJ2QjQU52tHIvRoKYTEnt5SAS2HUec8Qmffe3nYzKhslF1hH6KjbXOKcNBJw/w640-h480/F5838D49-E2CF-4F73-A511-A4D82DF799FE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trains at Ottawa station - LRCs in all directions!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QlBKcnzte0oWMOm17Dx9pjrPQpjGmo-S0ABueAULXsBl188NPIkiDIOxGXsF9kTdzhe5A2OBsc1RCPEBIfT5l154fxG3Oqy2_W_XH3NRIH93U8a_WA6WtyLUWcj-kxL9zsFweuQq-ew9UGs3Tjy2iBFHZbxJnRIUps9MEamk6XgXA9FiuYQ1kn6tWg/s4032/ABF76EBE-3857-4BBA-AF7F-9087FFA9FEFF.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QlBKcnzte0oWMOm17Dx9pjrPQpjGmo-S0ABueAULXsBl188NPIkiDIOxGXsF9kTdzhe5A2OBsc1RCPEBIfT5l154fxG3Oqy2_W_XH3NRIH93U8a_WA6WtyLUWcj-kxL9zsFweuQq-ew9UGs3Tjy2iBFHZbxJnRIUps9MEamk6XgXA9FiuYQ1kn6tWg/w640-h480/ABF76EBE-3857-4BBA-AF7F-9087FFA9FEFF.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Ottawa trains, ready to head for both Toronto and Montreal. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii716yBpA6JWKUuagRoB_CrU5I1BZyk0EZRiO50pPqudVu01yCDpFwDzuUDS2oCdQAFnl6vpa-SfkVjRuYO-aPZPGS-7fXD4QUClJXb93dyKXsLZrswIZBItD11oQw9fL9qYvP0K6pxs-Su7k3B6YWbTXAl06x2DcG4pXb3FPusMcMYnVuhzwKd7jTqQ/s4032/2A1AB1CE-F554-4E08-ABA3-7EBA900EA3DA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii716yBpA6JWKUuagRoB_CrU5I1BZyk0EZRiO50pPqudVu01yCDpFwDzuUDS2oCdQAFnl6vpa-SfkVjRuYO-aPZPGS-7fXD4QUClJXb93dyKXsLZrswIZBItD11oQw9fL9qYvP0K6pxs-Su7k3B6YWbTXAl06x2DcG4pXb3FPusMcMYnVuhzwKd7jTqQ/w640-h480/2A1AB1CE-F554-4E08-ABA3-7EBA900EA3DA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On board 45 for Toronto. A very compact consist, with the 3 LRC cars and locomotives on both ends. We were operating reverse, so the business class car was at the end of the train. Some people complain about these seats being hard, but I do like the design - and the legroom and personal space is superb. Looking across at the 2-seat side, but the side I'm on is single seats. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJqQUciwiPvTjKHtKKd_Gy1yV-HsRgH0kch7ojLNZW25hLS6H6K3dFi--G34_4XhCdgpKgtxGvDlH17fk00AOMb-90jNRwPihZwaSNeyXLVREBxc4ZxM4AyIrh-1dNfl1HMGehPFrvDyAgyEdHeUZAPzi2uSkLdL7r9oV40_t04CAVCI5FYI1hhWKDw/s4032/38DB73F6-4805-4961-B1BF-17B7EC0836D6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJqQUciwiPvTjKHtKKd_Gy1yV-HsRgH0kch7ojLNZW25hLS6H6K3dFi--G34_4XhCdgpKgtxGvDlH17fk00AOMb-90jNRwPihZwaSNeyXLVREBxc4ZxM4AyIrh-1dNfl1HMGehPFrvDyAgyEdHeUZAPzi2uSkLdL7r9oV40_t04CAVCI5FYI1hhWKDw/w640-h480/38DB73F6-4805-4961-B1BF-17B7EC0836D6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class lunch, as served. Some attendants remove the foil, while others hand the whole tray over as-is. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbafODYwCHcYVnhg3SzvmQy1SPrKNmYtLSS1FJTcMSYVmNtW7ftJMEH0s3egG__bJkk0YwRG43zhXQ4iPAucjOlk0wOMKYqV3whVODkdjqJHj54AezfqA2jcGjnSTHNHvaZCgHDvAm8K7LB_Kyovl6hTeTak-98-KwVA48u1U_nB510ekanVU74NjgsQ/s4032/18236222-18EF-4A9F-8C5A-2205C903E833.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbafODYwCHcYVnhg3SzvmQy1SPrKNmYtLSS1FJTcMSYVmNtW7ftJMEH0s3egG__bJkk0YwRG43zhXQ4iPAucjOlk0wOMKYqV3whVODkdjqJHj54AezfqA2jcGjnSTHNHvaZCgHDvAm8K7LB_Kyovl6hTeTak-98-KwVA48u1U_nB510ekanVU74NjgsQ/w640-h480/18236222-18EF-4A9F-8C5A-2205C903E833.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to enjoy lunch at a smooth 150km/h (95mph - and they were managing every bit of it!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwsfMn0jWCZo0mncbbUb_4Ps64uju4C921xzAMpbtx3dLZSiAvPwHkGre1QNVwcPKWBLQHt15HHKHafnvB1VamgCVdRPbgSlojWvDz8q-kXEB7m4LoE0QyNae-cDOTd3Bl6-NTVrYMfLG_sQiRRSpr_jWW0lXFRb4jM-MK478S7eU3AG4h_R54LYvsA/s4032/92BF5D62-CFA0-49EE-B8F3-9A8F2B1418E1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwsfMn0jWCZo0mncbbUb_4Ps64uju4C921xzAMpbtx3dLZSiAvPwHkGre1QNVwcPKWBLQHt15HHKHafnvB1VamgCVdRPbgSlojWvDz8q-kXEB7m4LoE0QyNae-cDOTd3Bl6-NTVrYMfLG_sQiRRSpr_jWW0lXFRb4jM-MK478S7eU3AG4h_R54LYvsA/w640-h480/92BF5D62-CFA0-49EE-B8F3-9A8F2B1418E1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghostly LRC reflections at Kingston.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpmGUsVLGnvruLUTJN9uSHCtzpL3MHByIr528Dwk8WtG82i_wI_zS91GOljYG3IqQFTB-72oh9InOPfG9CvQlqSY9RJzr-ZzE9HII3yOHIvUHWt0oZAMDvZ2NThimBEvdwFkH0XKTm1Hgior7lbWECUih2zBOLD3LBXfjolvabMjVmWk74FNRwk_2Fg/w480-h640/42317CF2-37E6-43DE-BBBD-F1EAA5ECE806.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Inside the main concourse at Toronto Union station. Photos never do this space justice! Unfortunately, the VIA boarding/gate area is still a bit of a chaotic mess, even with construction largely wrapped up. By contrast, the new GO concourse is really quite nice. It's evident who holds more sway around Union (and to be fair, GO's departure schedule vastly exceeds VIA's from this station).</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPrynrzditsa_ciNyBQ4mL8NiytF4qTp17gvn9VJwAfqk0cA26vFCv6Eouc5g0DHQ9seMRbxMx9uoIx-JMlFwgLLDrYgpxRS4YeE9hKx8-9mLyFfYRHSq2T72MDH3yNk51tgHino0ufucd5E0TEfqFf2WuQDf8gKETZG-C3hkKQriO969Hyx0YmOlmg/s4032/DA48BD9B-D121-4142-9C29-B5862F6E979A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPrynrzditsa_ciNyBQ4mL8NiytF4qTp17gvn9VJwAfqk0cA26vFCv6Eouc5g0DHQ9seMRbxMx9uoIx-JMlFwgLLDrYgpxRS4YeE9hKx8-9mLyFfYRHSq2T72MDH3yNk51tgHino0ufucd5E0TEfqFf2WuQDf8gKETZG-C3hkKQriO969Hyx0YmOlmg/w640-h480/DA48BD9B-D121-4142-9C29-B5862F6E979A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing VIA's Toronto Maintenance Centre - note the LRC locomotive, RDCs, and blue and yellow sleeper "Edmundston". The LRC locomotive is preserved by the Toronto Railway Historical Association, and the rest of the equipment is owned and under restoration by the VIA Historical Association. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkR5-vkih3x-ECZUHl5QjwhFFI-zfS02oxnaO62AjxwCGt9VmBOdm17KjS9k7642rWEpCgf8VkTnEzuW0J4EFLNGG32_2z3YED6DMOoxni8sWLon7uNcZ6LmujuJqBOlv26eh5ruk4XZm6uSQNkMAM3TujDDvxrr1_U1p4CiWt-K1XRfMzAm0p61b9Pg/s4032/B0AB26E2-8512-4211-B338-B1D6CCE658EA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkR5-vkih3x-ECZUHl5QjwhFFI-zfS02oxnaO62AjxwCGt9VmBOdm17KjS9k7642rWEpCgf8VkTnEzuW0J4EFLNGG32_2z3YED6DMOoxni8sWLon7uNcZ6LmujuJqBOlv26eh5ruk4XZm6uSQNkMAM3TujDDvxrr1_U1p4CiWt-K1XRfMzAm0p61b9Pg/w640-h480/B0AB26E2-8512-4211-B338-B1D6CCE658EA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another arrival at Brantford station - LRCs on VIA 75.</td></tr></tbody></table><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O_gMDbyVvArKXEgX2Jdx3iM_fBq0OTDQeqUQZWbEd7bnfDZAZiBOXvv2YxXljZ6bnnSn__3H2wHYZN6N89QuFzrkDgYiQ1jEG3tIDBvUWO6Z77HRpGMvgDCz4VsEs8ShBLZ2h4z19bc9VLk9XttYXcdKAqxRDIRa98r0Z1-_yOtXG74bvOje2GW8ug/s320/11D71E0F-117F-45A6-B68D-2944D80EEA87.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting observation inside a refurbished HEP1 coach. VIA has added instructions for proper use of the leg rests on these long distance coaches. Primarily used on long-haul trains, the HEP1 coaches have excellent legroom and overall space, and the seats are once again very comfortable after the recent refurbishment. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQUn7j27k_BHr4lHHFi5iyvYzKNBMEpFdjU9PDR1VRjWqurck8ct0YKnfbOS8WUdJLSIOA7aJQqKdFqfClCr5IQ7OyR4744ia_nvmzLe6gckP3N4HWUVtYPgJjkOJe_w5miYMkcJhpnJ0HIa_CzX1lsAfHsz2jcs0vL-dbV9WAUt_BpYEQT0MIJwdZA/s4032/7282510B-AA3A-4725-A77D-BBC8751CDF99.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQUn7j27k_BHr4lHHFi5iyvYzKNBMEpFdjU9PDR1VRjWqurck8ct0YKnfbOS8WUdJLSIOA7aJQqKdFqfClCr5IQ7OyR4744ia_nvmzLe6gckP3N4HWUVtYPgJjkOJe_w5miYMkcJhpnJ0HIa_CzX1lsAfHsz2jcs0vL-dbV9WAUt_BpYEQT0MIJwdZA/w640-h480/7282510B-AA3A-4725-A77D-BBC8751CDF99.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HEP1 coach on VIA 73, arriving in Brantford.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sRL1YSzitKFfuZZPu9hIgLgYxqm7M5LaTF0VnKOluOyfS1cRjl0PPSI8i5rzWxE9tS8V0bnByDasrAosBgE6VqMvJvgLrbUrNtpPKND2oX5h5pRyD2kl79CqkmjzMIh3j9CnH5C6B0nhAPaw5SmHh9x2SXRqwVSwSHAy75oRDWBBU8V8BOTO-6Yk3g/s4032/9F97034B-4B2E-4A29-AECA-D64351C56CDC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sRL1YSzitKFfuZZPu9hIgLgYxqm7M5LaTF0VnKOluOyfS1cRjl0PPSI8i5rzWxE9tS8V0bnByDasrAosBgE6VqMvJvgLrbUrNtpPKND2oX5h5pRyD2kl79CqkmjzMIh3j9CnH5C6B0nhAPaw5SmHh9x2SXRqwVSwSHAy75oRDWBBU8V8BOTO-6Yk3g/s320/9F97034B-4B2E-4A29-AECA-D64351C56CDC.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A different interior view - this is inside a refurbished LRC Economy class coach. Many of these cars have received the same seats that the Business class cars have, but in a 2+2 arrangement, slightly closer together. Though perhaps less comfortable than the classic LRC seats, the overall space and new tray tables are a huge improvement. Note as well that these coaches now have curtains (previously only installed in VIA 1/Business), and are also set up in the 50/50 half forward/half backwards arrangement for push-pull use. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Coming Back: Brantford-Toronto-Halifax<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">On the return trip, we ended up splitting up the segments –
we travelled Brantford-Halifax on 72 (as noted previously), spent the night in
Toronto to attend an event, and then departed the next day on VIA 64 from
Toronto-Montreal, to connect with VIA 14 for Halifax. VIA 64 was an impressive
7-car all LRC set, with two Business class cars – and both were in service,
operating as car 01 and car 91 (VIA never uses “02” in line numbering –
additional business cars end up as “91”, and in any case the first coach is
always “03”). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcl7pXTJKWz0WSrO1OqUalrfZYUgrysS5DOgfhN6AWD04fOyryg1R1wqOUPCzLrFfmoAkCQzcUh4HduwphzyhDUyUknzKZLq3yBza-JGUk_tWdgtVR7L5-uDeFyjyng6lGbv1Dft6UL1V0Ifo-tstTW99A72SVFOcxMYm-C5l04csHRSoqrcFq1I9cw/s4032/CF8C143B-6596-4FC7-BED2-0AF0177EBB1F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcl7pXTJKWz0WSrO1OqUalrfZYUgrysS5DOgfhN6AWD04fOyryg1R1wqOUPCzLrFfmoAkCQzcUh4HduwphzyhDUyUknzKZLq3yBza-JGUk_tWdgtVR7L5-uDeFyjyng6lGbv1Dft6UL1V0Ifo-tstTW99A72SVFOcxMYm-C5l04csHRSoqrcFq1I9cw/w640-h480/CF8C143B-6596-4FC7-BED2-0AF0177EBB1F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toronto Union station. Classic view!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUZhqJDuJk7AaewL6WqIsHxtOFzE70kC0jmVUt6AWTFIcobkPA3PDm7r-FwyCNHCncRtF8iDW10BDsTmC2GrbOa3_khJqQxD94JeGuQ9R9hHzv2DefR9tTbvO-cIHXbg0QjCDOF_T5eeuvvfgDXQTB84pgE2Nwsu52faFsjxtGV1c6Dsvmo6D48nrRA/w480-h640/D1681781-43B2-4534-83DE-81B714137954.jpeg" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LRC business class seating. Some seats align better with the windows than others...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGowzXipxdOFKr7njcb5_yxpcHCTl4SLz_tl7wzBzQtAoRSTl6SHgkKVD8NoUivETwqhJouHqQ-DmBva8gk77wozfXCPaoLHqpPCJ9o16Yyk-u697JBrwlY6Ku-__Dj2cvkExXiwnjOPDp4viWbQfMTIRNppTZGKZB7RrHvUMDneZ0sQFpwHXdpGCoFQ/s4032/BE54D49E-BF7A-41EB-A7EF-CD81ABD360A9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGowzXipxdOFKr7njcb5_yxpcHCTl4SLz_tl7wzBzQtAoRSTl6SHgkKVD8NoUivETwqhJouHqQ-DmBva8gk77wozfXCPaoLHqpPCJ9o16Yyk-u697JBrwlY6Ku-__Dj2cvkExXiwnjOPDp4viWbQfMTIRNppTZGKZB7RrHvUMDneZ0sQFpwHXdpGCoFQ/w640-h480/BE54D49E-BF7A-41EB-A7EF-CD81ABD360A9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business from in Business...meeting of trains at Kingston!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The ride to Montreal was smooth and enjoyable. Service was
excellent, again, and after running on time most of the way we got to Montreal
8 minutes late. This gave some time to drop our bags and run a couple of quick
errands downtown before checking in for #14. For checked baggage, we didn’t
bother asking if there was an option to check directly from Toronto – we just
carried on all bags, and then checked the larger one in Montreal. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXgL3E0SzaZCiTq8GY67vj3LYi1G8n6nMR5gbmgKw6zgG2VP1opd7cINYmIwvC4PBa5Zwt0uwYIsRNOh3pc_FsTt6RM6flvUvP3K-qJIVSFTwjsn_DCBXJfaPI7rQjN908DtCbsR2L-tXk_kUn_E8tnVufKA558UdEYeknJX_gIPyg934Gj1NOrJSeA/s4032/CD64F991-0539-4D0C-9A61-769C274EEE5F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXgL3E0SzaZCiTq8GY67vj3LYi1G8n6nMR5gbmgKw6zgG2VP1opd7cINYmIwvC4PBa5Zwt0uwYIsRNOh3pc_FsTt6RM6flvUvP3K-qJIVSFTwjsn_DCBXJfaPI7rQjN908DtCbsR2L-tXk_kUn_E8tnVufKA558UdEYeknJX_gIPyg934Gj1NOrJSeA/w480-h640/CD64F991-0539-4D0C-9A61-769C274EEE5F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montreal. A little rainy, but I always love this city. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Boarding for VIA 14 started a good half hour before
departure. As we headed down to the train, we could see that the consist had
been shortened up from our previous trip, reflecting the shift to the
off-season post-Thanksgiving. Initially, this train had been only offering Renaissance
sleeper accommodations and was entirely sold out. We had booked in earlier when
a single room popped up available, but a few weeks before departure a Chateau
was added to inventory, which allowed us to move to a bedroom in that car.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">VIA 14 –
October 19, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6408 (Forward)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6409 (Reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">7009 Renaissance Baggage<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">70217 Ren
Accessible Coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7512 Ren Sleeper
(39)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7518 Ren
Sleeper (38)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7502 Ren
Sleeper (37)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">79526 Ren
Accessible Sleeper (30)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7308 Ren
Service Car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7401 Ren Dining
Car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7313 Ren Service
Car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7231 Ren Coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7602 Ren
transition<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">8118 HEP1 Coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">8219 Château Montcalm (40)<b>*Room B</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">8221 Château Radisson (crew dorm)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">8609 HEP1 Baggage<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The train was
quite busy, with most spaces in our sleeper filled and clearly a good load in
the coaches and the Renaissance sleepers. I would later discover that a tour
group had booked an entire one of the Ren sleepers – more on that later. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We departed
from Montreal right on time. There was a bit of drama not too long into the
trip – at Saint-Hyacinthe, the train was met by police cars with lights
flashing and several officers on the platform. The service manager was turning
someone over to their custody – turns out a passenger in the coaches was
intoxicated and being extremely belligerent, and after failing to heed his
initial warnings, he was escorted off the train early. I can’t imagine he had a
very pleasant evening from that point on! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPZPRKiEHzMUatxtPOPCKHZYiF4ISMiXygH3VqSn6VXh6SY9QXkqJOUVys0nhd-D6ak0o1m3XHdPiRd8rydnRCAzpi9IP1tI3Cs88tQ5nC75cb3kSRW8KNaEM_0ljepDpEWjgeDV7TK7DpjbCmkueCryAwYXtfuk2YbFltY7s-kiYVYPlJ19P7XojMA/s4032/6A4C3F06-E534-4A00-8255-F1C35F9EE0F2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPZPRKiEHzMUatxtPOPCKHZYiF4ISMiXygH3VqSn6VXh6SY9QXkqJOUVys0nhd-D6ak0o1m3XHdPiRd8rydnRCAzpi9IP1tI3Cs88tQ5nC75cb3kSRW8KNaEM_0ljepDpEWjgeDV7TK7DpjbCmkueCryAwYXtfuk2YbFltY7s-kiYVYPlJ19P7XojMA/s320/6A4C3F06-E534-4A00-8255-F1C35F9EE0F2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the new Champlain Bridge, seen from the Victoria Bridge leaving Montreal. The lights are very cool at night!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had opted
for the later dinner setting – options were 7:15 (right after departure) or
8:45pm. The second setting was less busy this time, and we were able to find a
table for 2. The meals were excellent, again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ro8v5Z7-gBZ2mwvn31M_1Ddtp47ev-hqoRbPGL3rKxOMrQ-XM5FcmANJFjlfaVmffrGO364gueUZ8NbOKeQMzH7bttJUt9tFgmeToqaKvgcdWYxES6XwzgbtKA1scJDb08ZVpJEIDG7WrzBwrecpxjYXAkfJHeMBnp1_cfVzrAFCVsk_DpIrR9AJVA/s4015/581D7881-9040-4A7D-B922-836BA112A847.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2911" data-original-width="4015" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ro8v5Z7-gBZ2mwvn31M_1Ddtp47ev-hqoRbPGL3rKxOMrQ-XM5FcmANJFjlfaVmffrGO364gueUZ8NbOKeQMzH7bttJUt9tFgmeToqaKvgcdWYxES6XwzgbtKA1scJDb08ZVpJEIDG7WrzBwrecpxjYXAkfJHeMBnp1_cfVzrAFCVsk_DpIrR9AJVA/w640-h464/581D7881-9040-4A7D-B922-836BA112A847.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu on VIA 14.</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy56Lc8vJ6tr8Px9hupbYyf0jT7L3M7t1aSImj9pyoP3GSd5pL8K1TKWonmrbzqbFj_dSQg0RAEJclEgXGf62F22SZrnvMX1AyfxVFtIX-3JxX53cwU-vVF8zZMLoxQ2zhWYBEE66E6i5P3UPWMaaVNCLu4LyGrpBq90vk1UvhG4Nmg4zOPybnYEE7Mw/s4032/76AF5D68-AE0A-46A4-B81D-BA4CC7726CA8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy56Lc8vJ6tr8Px9hupbYyf0jT7L3M7t1aSImj9pyoP3GSd5pL8K1TKWonmrbzqbFj_dSQg0RAEJclEgXGf62F22SZrnvMX1AyfxVFtIX-3JxX53cwU-vVF8zZMLoxQ2zhWYBEE66E6i5P3UPWMaaVNCLu4LyGrpBq90vk1UvhG4Nmg4zOPybnYEE7Mw/w640-h480/76AF5D68-AE0A-46A4-B81D-BA4CC7726CA8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked salmon appetizer. The soup was the tomato bisque, again, just visible at the top of this image, </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH-Xnyvryjwvz-7xzON1rRQ4pLvmgm1MNP9lh7AnsREL1diYIJ0aw14Sv7u7gpSUh0Ix4_-BWXujKPtSwcXSRg3HodjWWaasRHrMzLRbodrKSrjmyLt9O2eb-thegr259tR49u7ihsWAVD_08ISkRoluL305xo_z_hRZg_Mlwcah07HjdCvWAwGJliQ/s4032/52FD7732-2166-4122-BDA1-F97F3A222105.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH-Xnyvryjwvz-7xzON1rRQ4pLvmgm1MNP9lh7AnsREL1diYIJ0aw14Sv7u7gpSUh0Ix4_-BWXujKPtSwcXSRg3HodjWWaasRHrMzLRbodrKSrjmyLt9O2eb-thegr259tR49u7ihsWAVD_08ISkRoluL305xo_z_hRZg_Mlwcah07HjdCvWAwGJliQ/w640-h480/52FD7732-2166-4122-BDA1-F97F3A222105.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paneer tikka masala - really delicious. When we ordered, we were initially told there was only one left - but Peter (our server) went to great lengths to track down another!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsyDVgO-5Mh0sjDhtjuW85m2Fvnkcjtppra_pL4jj1wJtjcv8jCMzwUcT6vkwsbOV1z6hI07dv6vvuiUUqTWTIXbP7bSqC4itTHZKzXgIix35L9atxgnZdnO2pKcrUO8TbglYgVFmeJqPO5rJmNmbNRQ78-NgW0XiWmVlrOyV8mXECPZ6KwH3Ig9rtg/s4032/81E94AAE-E580-4879-B4CF-77A459870AD8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsyDVgO-5Mh0sjDhtjuW85m2Fvnkcjtppra_pL4jj1wJtjcv8jCMzwUcT6vkwsbOV1z6hI07dv6vvuiUUqTWTIXbP7bSqC4itTHZKzXgIix35L9atxgnZdnO2pKcrUO8TbglYgVFmeJqPO5rJmNmbNRQ78-NgW0XiWmVlrOyV8mXECPZ6KwH3Ig9rtg/w640-h480/81E94AAE-E580-4879-B4CF-77A459870AD8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pecan pie, just like the way up - no complaints with this one. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the
evening was relaxing and uneventful. By the next morning, we were running about
2 hours late, as expected. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GuuQT1vobtLZKFGfzH98BcNw6uSUjSDFTwOekw9g_tSCvWjQYJLT7VqNzs5TLhVpA4tlF7nPIilmOmFHbt3f18K93r72nH_1f6Fgw78gspduDzt1qr7rEaPhaYap-eEhi7Z1thiRQUDHBPtXcwyyWsw8fC51c-wgeZnmbTC_zvg6TSNt5W9iH76_tQ/s3673/9CDE15A9-0DE0-49C7-A5D8-834298972150.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3673" data-original-width="2755" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GuuQT1vobtLZKFGfzH98BcNw6uSUjSDFTwOekw9g_tSCvWjQYJLT7VqNzs5TLhVpA4tlF7nPIilmOmFHbt3f18K93r72nH_1f6Fgw78gspduDzt1qr7rEaPhaYap-eEhi7Z1thiRQUDHBPtXcwyyWsw8fC51c-wgeZnmbTC_zvg6TSNt5W9iH76_tQ/w480-h640/9CDE15A9-0DE0-49C7-A5D8-834298972150.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campbellton vestibule views.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d9_ACFJXH86GgReEbzuoJb1fJLXWIECx6hlsgasK7VzjjVr66L7swdFlZqxFe71Kkpc8WCRgM-NMJN4fNeuuAi75i3U4aC0aEULySLegyu0WR_z5YJv0IPm4qUBuodpKxOG5W2XrfdBsCsF94XcpClGFdT8TxWZ-nNXIeajWG-AEU0TCl5NH-iWHkA/s4032/705A7D0E-A693-4769-9B1D-C1AC7C0D1214.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d9_ACFJXH86GgReEbzuoJb1fJLXWIECx6hlsgasK7VzjjVr66L7swdFlZqxFe71Kkpc8WCRgM-NMJN4fNeuuAi75i3U4aC0aEULySLegyu0WR_z5YJv0IPm4qUBuodpKxOG5W2XrfdBsCsF94XcpClGFdT8TxWZ-nNXIeajWG-AEU0TCl5NH-iWHkA/w640-h480/705A7D0E-A693-4769-9B1D-C1AC7C0D1214.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HEP section of our train at Campbellton, NB.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2y4033jZR8zuqVz6GOZWRxIrYmZiK_-JIuW1AqFpqLs-BAgzQ2hdu8Zqvc11nzaii_YHgkkeLkJYFqIFgQAtuaokdo0CeyD4Nt4IprOUq02zJI02S0w3xNb_gnzFjau9Ybr5VtCkWPHBRU_3uzjMtQMMQfVyKgJIwiY2tpE_gjLNHSPMYKhivGoSchA/s4032/D686393F-F3D0-4A01-8800-DC035229A845.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2y4033jZR8zuqVz6GOZWRxIrYmZiK_-JIuW1AqFpqLs-BAgzQ2hdu8Zqvc11nzaii_YHgkkeLkJYFqIFgQAtuaokdo0CeyD4Nt4IprOUq02zJI02S0w3xNb_gnzFjau9Ybr5VtCkWPHBRU_3uzjMtQMMQfVyKgJIwiY2tpE_gjLNHSPMYKhivGoSchA/w480-h640/D686393F-F3D0-4A01-8800-DC035229A845.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HEP to Renaissance transition. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-FladxdoEhKZAbbbMKG85n-12P5ypx0cxij6f5zezjGl6kq1O5093NgA-4mqtDwinUM6ZqFKJIN4_V99dtTXqXqdHVdWy-M7oxwXe-RAwWns_fkrvvccOZkf_kRvUjQ27kgGxM6iVId0wNGbb2BjPDBuQ5WF427SvP4x_GptwRksNMvGZjgln5cTWg/s4032/2292A8DD-E277-42F6-9CC6-8092E1E9F7BA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-FladxdoEhKZAbbbMKG85n-12P5ypx0cxij6f5zezjGl6kq1O5093NgA-4mqtDwinUM6ZqFKJIN4_V99dtTXqXqdHVdWy-M7oxwXe-RAwWns_fkrvvccOZkf_kRvUjQ27kgGxM6iVId0wNGbb2BjPDBuQ5WF427SvP4x_GptwRksNMvGZjgln5cTWg/w640-h480/2292A8DD-E277-42F6-9CC6-8092E1E9F7BA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views along the bay leaving Campbellton.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2KqmpdGS5CQ1jUGC_6i_qtdXydrGz1tA59jy-6_wTVLNVF2jXm0jPTwj11UQKApp2T4_OOAxu2JZpyMpO8eN6aV7P6xCxLSzLvz3R1y7fQVVfkacX2XYl6sV-fmW7L06YhbozX8j6KGhXDIXulEjIqQNF_rS5BrZOEl6VETkUoKToGp0fCFw0ecq3A/s4032/0FB5D65A-F285-4758-ADE9-3D68DA52BFE3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2KqmpdGS5CQ1jUGC_6i_qtdXydrGz1tA59jy-6_wTVLNVF2jXm0jPTwj11UQKApp2T4_OOAxu2JZpyMpO8eN6aV7P6xCxLSzLvz3R1y7fQVVfkacX2XYl6sV-fmW7L06YhbozX8j6KGhXDIXulEjIqQNF_rS5BrZOEl6VETkUoKToGp0fCFw0ecq3A/w480-h640/0FB5D65A-F285-4758-ADE9-3D68DA52BFE3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast after Campbellton.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Breakfast was
quite good, as it often is, especially paired with views along the
Baie-des-Chaleurs. As breakfast wrapped up, reservations were taken for lunch.
I heard some discussion happening farther down in the diner, as the service
coordinator running the dining car was having a chat with what turned out to be
the head of the tour group that had booked a whole sleeper (and possibly a bit
more than that). This group would require the bulk of a dining car setting to
themselves, so the plan had been that they would go at noon, and the later
setting would be on general offer. But the group had decided, after all these
plans were made and reservations had been taken from other passengers, that
they’d rather switch to the later setting. So instead, only noon was on offer,
and they’d have to go re-do reservations for everyone who had already picked
the later setting. The service coordinator explained these implications to the
group leader, but she didn’t seem to care – “our people changed their minds, so
we need to have the later meal.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I got the
impression that VIA wants to accommodate these groups, as they evidently bring
in substantial revenue – but they seem to be able to cause some serious
headaches for the onboard staff. As another passenger on that train, it was
hard not to feel a bit frustrated by the rather entitled attitude of the tour
group leader, and the lack of consideration for other paying passengers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having had our
breakfast quite late, I asked the dining car coordinator if there was any
option to get a meal later on, perhaps by room service. After I asked, he did
mention that he could fit at least a few people into that second setting (2pm),
so that’s what we did. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pa61_eqhMYQ-MLu4zUs5wrA5bcjwN3eyx4sJfMRaBz7VnZjWXZOFXxFKuk9yyuShsSviifuMaYOYtqpE2f_beaUQyoJTzXsQDSHZH60hWpb9g4kkH0TbtmQF0xkrqzO1_P3Zcq0Bi49ny4PH62t4GgcZgXrfhD7yEQbis0VL1v5ylhC_CMp8fFZfSA/s4032/7988FA3D-79E5-45DA-9C9C-9382D178A0A3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pa61_eqhMYQ-MLu4zUs5wrA5bcjwN3eyx4sJfMRaBz7VnZjWXZOFXxFKuk9yyuShsSviifuMaYOYtqpE2f_beaUQyoJTzXsQDSHZH60hWpb9g4kkH0TbtmQF0xkrqzO1_P3Zcq0Bi49ny4PH62t4GgcZgXrfhD7yEQbis0VL1v5ylhC_CMp8fFZfSA/w640-h480/7988FA3D-79E5-45DA-9C9C-9382D178A0A3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance dining car, set for lunch. There are 4-seat tables on one side of the car, and 2-seat tables on the other. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxaZ7IoWkmofhCWfJENUXvMwesIaQV3twrIlVyVdYEEYVTMY6My30RpdHydFbq2kD_6mlZOlBQB6ULKuFwonB7lYRRa_z_ZECVmYG5kF67RpBernF6bJuGW2JzDlqj3Zaws6HC92IdZy9ZehAupR-WN1uO3L8rEdlnBP-91tQqp4xv3u2XOhKWUAS8w/s4032/BD32DC0C-84A8-4D95-BBD5-042F5055AA13.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxaZ7IoWkmofhCWfJENUXvMwesIaQV3twrIlVyVdYEEYVTMY6My30RpdHydFbq2kD_6mlZOlBQB6ULKuFwonB7lYRRa_z_ZECVmYG5kF67RpBernF6bJuGW2JzDlqj3Zaws6HC92IdZy9ZehAupR-WN1uO3L8rEdlnBP-91tQqp4xv3u2XOhKWUAS8w/w480-h640/BD32DC0C-84A8-4D95-BBD5-042F5055AA13.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsTtiBiEOHhggYT8HoAWy1z_xh124eEo8AbEIPWpjUThUlKtHFqQYcvg-UvyCxlVMxGZZJbFMxf27yXMNM70KL7k-oKfEsOnaPTj5srfYnKsr9dKeEToUtNsFw8Id7l3Rzw6L3GCzAMf7rczkIXdhaNqIoPwiUJbSZG656sL44kTNH8EZ6dMsJcr-Bw/s4032/6949057C-7758-4654-9F36-53DFCACB327C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsTtiBiEOHhggYT8HoAWy1z_xh124eEo8AbEIPWpjUThUlKtHFqQYcvg-UvyCxlVMxGZZJbFMxf27yXMNM70KL7k-oKfEsOnaPTj5srfYnKsr9dKeEToUtNsFw8Id7l3Rzw6L3GCzAMf7rczkIXdhaNqIoPwiUJbSZG656sL44kTNH8EZ6dMsJcr-Bw/w640-h480/6949057C-7758-4654-9F36-53DFCACB327C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef lunch. Quite good, all-in-all. The appetizer option was a clam chowder, and the dessert was carrot cake again. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The afternoon
rolled along quite smoothly, and it was a lovely day – even without the Park
car, it was an enjoyable scenic ride. After Moncton, we were informed that due
to our late running, we would be provided with an extra meal. For very late
trains in the past, VIA would often order takeout to meet the train in Moncton
(St-Hubert, Swiss Chalet, or similar). With the delays being chronic for a few
months, it seems they came up with another solution – a little bonus meal box
of sorts, delivered to sleeper rooms and also available for coach passengers to
pick up from the service car. The package contained a vegetable soup, VIA snack
mix, digestive cookies, and a granola bar (not in the initial box, but brought
around afterwards). After being fed well at breakfast and lunch, this little
meal was a perfectly good hold-over to make up for the late running. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXceIohH_ZaJUbf1fOyBHiTg_XQ0cqo4ifKP-jQsPWWqCRCw_0H3Rnyfkcq75rocMvfEWGXQ5OO0kRMMfHjpvjHoymAZCTQk12yqa6AdqVJKUNr5WN8r-lGM4QyHU3k1zVn1uuwe7aQiS0NNoq5aSJ4wW838aheIgATlAKXuMAwCJFqkWIfxLcz9Ddg/s4032/367CA8C7-187D-4DBC-B606-3E8B44D46598.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXceIohH_ZaJUbf1fOyBHiTg_XQ0cqo4ifKP-jQsPWWqCRCw_0H3Rnyfkcq75rocMvfEWGXQ5OO0kRMMfHjpvjHoymAZCTQk12yqa6AdqVJKUNr5WN8r-lGM4QyHU3k1zVn1uuwe7aQiS0NNoq5aSJ4wW838aheIgATlAKXuMAwCJFqkWIfxLcz9Ddg/w640-h480/367CA8C7-187D-4DBC-B606-3E8B44D46598.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extra meal box, delivered to rooms and available for Economy passengers to pick up in the service car. Granola bar not pictured, as it was delivered separately (someone forgot to pack them in the first place!)</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzfA-uoMlZmR3wV5z7tjM6BtVxHg6HX1ex-txOz_37ZVfVrM2jnzDKCPgZiFUbiR_ecu9snPM97P4Mq5H1S-dEcKgluAmo8X_TY24Htl6DysvDjibMMp5BmCARXX9AZlDgU5iwdwya-Pe66Q_ymt22sMuot4EHjAvdX4OaN5bWmwVZa2XoJIQ4FqKCA/s4032/E71AD5D0-45D0-44D0-B4C0-E40CFDB39D21.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzfA-uoMlZmR3wV5z7tjM6BtVxHg6HX1ex-txOz_37ZVfVrM2jnzDKCPgZiFUbiR_ecu9snPM97P4Mq5H1S-dEcKgluAmo8X_TY24Htl6DysvDjibMMp5BmCARXX9AZlDgU5iwdwya-Pe66Q_ymt22sMuot4EHjAvdX4OaN5bWmwVZa2XoJIQ4FqKCA/w480-h640/E71AD5D0-45D0-44D0-B4C0-E40CFDB39D21.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One more on-board observation: the end gate was closed between the in-service Chateau sleeper, and the second car being used as a crew dorm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were still
running about 2.5h late by Truro, The sun set along the last stretch to
Halifax, and we were pleased to see that we’d get the quick run on the mainline
instead of the detour around Rockingham yard. But then, just before making it
through to the end of the cut to downtown, we stopped. The service manager came
on to announce that we would be stopped because a CN train switching the south
end container terminal ran through a switch, and crews were in the midst of
cleaning that up. So we would be waiting another 25 minutes, just moments away
from the station! The SM finished his announcement by saying “I hate to say it,
but, well, let’s blame CN”. Fair enough!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately,
that delay was only about 25 minutes, and we arrived in Halifax at 8:56pm,
3h5min late. A bit tired by the end of the trip, especially with that last
extra delay so close to home, but all in all it was a pleasant and enjoyable
ride back home. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLrmAHgLsz5X8zx6vSlbZMG4EgKIhBO0lza8PJaYyi6sFHOo4gFU_PoxAPnjEGMNhr7PfuN3_islPgwJuFwlszhWf5XMHNcwu9jsSiDm1_KMOic4nm0rVgYHmxpblamCYSFCrcytqTQ0Yy20L5u0xDtM_Kj413XDkw-7il4vueEQK7Iv5e8Ok1f1inQ/s4032/37F84A08-5527-4136-BA0D-812B95178147.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLrmAHgLsz5X8zx6vSlbZMG4EgKIhBO0lza8PJaYyi6sFHOo4gFU_PoxAPnjEGMNhr7PfuN3_islPgwJuFwlszhWf5XMHNcwu9jsSiDm1_KMOic4nm0rVgYHmxpblamCYSFCrcytqTQ0Yy20L5u0xDtM_Kj413XDkw-7il4vueEQK7Iv5e8Ok1f1inQ/w480-h640/37F84A08-5527-4136-BA0D-812B95178147.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making the long walk down the platform at Halifax. With the new train configuration, it's a short walk from the Ren sleepers, but a long walk from the Chateaus and the coaches. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGWf2Z8epokKR91rwoU2DSrrf5551gAc_oeUeFY7zzR_MOjbviC9ymSoDCM5rXUbL78sJ-A6DZTtLBIvPBpdKzZeyK5smXiTf-R4GnvTjcSK0LddHSV3okl3XFp0rU8scmnhyEcOwZrCRPNfS69KHmeoEGk7N7Sb_EtxtOQnVZ5ltV-Xm21Z8kpGKIw/s4032/B9BCB5F3-3CF1-4A89-BBDE-F58C678C0B9E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGWf2Z8epokKR91rwoU2DSrrf5551gAc_oeUeFY7zzR_MOjbviC9ymSoDCM5rXUbL78sJ-A6DZTtLBIvPBpdKzZeyK5smXiTf-R4GnvTjcSK0LddHSV3okl3XFp0rU8scmnhyEcOwZrCRPNfS69KHmeoEGk7N7Sb_EtxtOQnVZ5ltV-Xm21Z8kpGKIw/w640-h480/B9BCB5F3-3CF1-4A89-BBDE-F58C678C0B9E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train, finished its journey. After all passengers and baggage are off, the crew will back the train out of the station tracks and use a nearby runaround to move the locomotives to the opposite end. Then they'll back the train into the station, ready for its return trip, and call it a night. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was
interesting to experience the current Ocean operation now that things are back
to 3/week operation, the crews are more settled back in, and various Covid
restrictions are a thing of the past. The absence of the Park car, or any
suitable substitute, is still very much noticeable – but at the end of the day,
I continue to enjoy making this trip by train. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since we’re
around Thanksgiving, that’s a good note to end off – I’m particularly thankful
that we do still have some trains to ride, even if their future remains in a
near constant state of jeopardy. Hopefully we will eventually see some action
to help ensure that these trains stay around for many more years to come! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking ahead…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">For my next
post, I’ll have something a little different: an exploration of a miniature
world, which I felt really deserved its own post. And then I’ll be back on the
rails around Christmas. If the stars align, I *might* even manage a peek at the
brand new Siemens corridor trains. Stay tuned!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05roxt3GKvVrrqLzDjvFpKI5r6zwASK3H7QARkPhpXougYfHliCaiNkI9X7QovIzTlCdOul0ZMleLQF9Ly54ss-VF0yfOXx925X7JkY4GcLtKAxgLihoDI8tYx0pskBlGPRjggPWGZvhZM3LA7SxonnTEbYN5kx6x9liScgr811ChFJhYuZFaYfUjYg/s3597/309057511_690159492471111_5626196504766819664_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2512" data-original-width="3597" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05roxt3GKvVrrqLzDjvFpKI5r6zwASK3H7QARkPhpXougYfHliCaiNkI9X7QovIzTlCdOul0ZMleLQF9Ly54ss-VF0yfOXx925X7JkY4GcLtKAxgLihoDI8tYx0pskBlGPRjggPWGZvhZM3LA7SxonnTEbYN5kx6x9liScgr811ChFJhYuZFaYfUjYg/w640-h446/309057511_690159492471111_5626196504766819664_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Nightstar" at night. A very delayed #14 pauses at Moncton on a very chilly evening. November 14, 2022.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-53020413303278726632022-04-11T14:08:00.001-03:002022-04-11T15:12:31.411-03:00Christmas travels in the time of Covid - Part 2<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><u><span style="font-size: large;">PART 2 – Back
to Halifax, from the other end of the train</span></u></i><o:p></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"><div><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtHDOLuYu0YH1FcvJVTDWbD-UzcSC9wLI_bgtoLrtAUByGCjsm934OoZ9iN4zvYu1PT4H2sMWtqAwpGSewv0kuKw4wbaHG6I5QW3NZScEOMexWTFuq-m_i-K2WJbekpwpCq8o5XZ_HjsVXvb9Z58GFGhc6eB1L5j3FIT8RGbpeDJl37geLxAeCiTJhQ/s3986/7B049C41-5353-472A-9DC6-4D9514CD2653.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3986" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtHDOLuYu0YH1FcvJVTDWbD-UzcSC9wLI_bgtoLrtAUByGCjsm934OoZ9iN4zvYu1PT4H2sMWtqAwpGSewv0kuKw4wbaHG6I5QW3NZScEOMexWTFuq-m_i-K2WJbekpwpCq8o5XZ_HjsVXvb9Z58GFGhc6eB1L5j3FIT8RGbpeDJl37geLxAeCiTJhQ/w640-h486/7B049C41-5353-472A-9DC6-4D9514CD2653.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">After I finally finished Part 1 of
this report, I optimistically hoped that it wouldn’t take me another whole
month to get Part 2 together. Well, I was right! It took over <i>two</i> months
instead. Oops…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">In any case, it’s about time to
wrap up this trip! If you read through Part 1 and have been anxiously awaiting
Part 2, I must apologize for the long wait – I hope it ends up being worthwhile.
If you’re just discovering this sometime later, well, enjoy both parts and
ignore this prologue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas time in Ottawa was
lovely, both in getting to spend some wonderful time with family, and also just
getting to explore around the city and take in some of the beautiful sights. I
was particularly impressed with the light show on the Parliament buildings, a series
of lights and moving video projections, all expertly choregraphed to a musical
soundtrack. Images alone don’t do it full justice, but here’s one anyway, along
with a couple of images around downtown. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB31NptT_YxdATtG34YGFyfhHdrrY48bFEazF2K0IdoS_W9p-lTTtrWIYkhb1iQtJKZGfrJOIAzSVt_dk3egLh-QfF-eHE1I81Ugjbr_59BiqU3BYiN2m3cwgVoQTv4FPlgw8mMJ_DYs5iDW3PUM5Oq6n1RWsVDzscswRFZ8HNPLQFDdfhuftO0rf6aA/s4032/DDD7D1A3-8F6B-4C07-B330-F0D46239D8D1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB31NptT_YxdATtG34YGFyfhHdrrY48bFEazF2K0IdoS_W9p-lTTtrWIYkhb1iQtJKZGfrJOIAzSVt_dk3egLh-QfF-eHE1I81Ugjbr_59BiqU3BYiN2m3cwgVoQTv4FPlgw8mMJ_DYs5iDW3PUM5Oq6n1RWsVDzscswRFZ8HNPLQFDdfhuftO0rf6aA/w640-h480/DDD7D1A3-8F6B-4C07-B330-F0D46239D8D1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the lovely parks downtown Ottawa, not far from the National Arts Centre. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Z4ZQdUpA3ST4PhJt92UMSDw7QKuaSL7efqqG17AXnp5CK9f7KzZBp96PQczCZb_or6BOyBfyuDJ_kYylTXBie2KJai7pG8bigQWJv4K3F1xeMGzuSmm57yPpmIgbaq-HzdTZ6p0B_0O76wrO4eXZpLwEcwgk9ZYX4WhzP7tvxXMDCfhR_W48RJ0SjQ/s3795/298097B8-88A8-4BF0-87C9-ACD5B676362F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2506" data-original-width="3795" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Z4ZQdUpA3ST4PhJt92UMSDw7QKuaSL7efqqG17AXnp5CK9f7KzZBp96PQczCZb_or6BOyBfyuDJ_kYylTXBie2KJai7pG8bigQWJv4K3F1xeMGzuSmm57yPpmIgbaq-HzdTZ6p0B_0O76wrO4eXZpLwEcwgk9ZYX4WhzP7tvxXMDCfhR_W48RJ0SjQ/w640-h422/298097B8-88A8-4BF0-87C9-ACD5B676362F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parliament. None of the photos really do the light show justice - I'd recommend looking up videos online. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Though it has continued to have serious
issues, the O-Train Confederation Line was running smoothly while I was there,
and I made good use of it on several occasions to get in and out of downtown.
When it works, it is a very smooth system. There were also plenty of signs
around of the ongoing extension work, as well as the rebuild and extension work
on the north-south Trillium Line (delayed, but evidently still progressing). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Dec. 26th, I was back at the
Ottawa station to board Train 26 to head off to Montreal for my connection with
the Ocean. Like the trip up, this was once again a fairly typical top-and-tail LRC
consist. This time I would be up front going forward, and the overall ride
quality was significantly better than the trip in the other direction.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmFbYqY6ZbPEljdE7wYrXSVEsRoGO2Zon7HUpMM723QSlnFfOP121QnhQGdM7X4r4719oOjyNDAmIv9MmGxkIeCLvI_eV7K0VccA7XrCNNBOWsg20xMEvgjkqev-jrVFD_vuq4dPN9qMExfqNTlfDADSepfmpRkZhnU_vozIRIn68t-NsvnrUKA68Pw/s3430/48E1AFC5-E106-4A3B-BB94-B59893FCA3CB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2306" data-original-width="3430" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmFbYqY6ZbPEljdE7wYrXSVEsRoGO2Zon7HUpMM723QSlnFfOP121QnhQGdM7X4r4719oOjyNDAmIv9MmGxkIeCLvI_eV7K0VccA7XrCNNBOWsg20xMEvgjkqev-jrVFD_vuq4dPN9qMExfqNTlfDADSepfmpRkZhnU_vozIRIn68t-NsvnrUKA68Pw/w640-h430/48E1AFC5-E106-4A3B-BB94-B59893FCA3CB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottawa Station. I didn't get a chance to check out the newly renovated Business class lounge, though it looked quite nice from outside. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQqIWGvDTBdRzC79Kw3R3DheSiDEvIFjV3v5j07hUAzH3sjjyHd_c9ragRVTeen2yEUp9VJZIrNFO5BGePa6Yfy-idrHG0sQIf_XK9xAwZgI3AEbRZaKgB9zD4Hi4NKywbEHq3cW6rAMEKSIh1M5SibireQ-qTD8Q0mL1rCDZW--JN1caa539-EfXqA/s3957/34301674-0260-4C34-BB3D-22F867F122A6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="3957" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQqIWGvDTBdRzC79Kw3R3DheSiDEvIFjV3v5j07hUAzH3sjjyHd_c9ragRVTeen2yEUp9VJZIrNFO5BGePa6Yfy-idrHG0sQIf_XK9xAwZgI3AEbRZaKgB9zD4Hi4NKywbEHq3cW6rAMEKSIh1M5SibireQ-qTD8Q0mL1rCDZW--JN1caa539-EfXqA/w640-h464/34301674-0260-4C34-BB3D-22F867F122A6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My train was on one of the middle platforms, so it meant a trip downstairs to head out to the ramp up to the platform. Nice to see you again too, VIA.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnNJwQVjYCVVCFPiT3XhOaLyBvmZbpIAkLU98YgHpKqUQJb2U0_e7-UVd7tT98l15akFIieU00FEXQRE9Yq59chFOseUQGnimmI7HAIQ6TkXvOf5T03RwEBiZEG5bCSwwRXzgVt0VH87wGk6s4puc5dqEIUgcxZtRpwVivRpYriZHshC3S00-zPkT6g/s4032/134FE1C0-CAFD-4DA5-86A7-F97E26027CE6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnNJwQVjYCVVCFPiT3XhOaLyBvmZbpIAkLU98YgHpKqUQJb2U0_e7-UVd7tT98l15akFIieU00FEXQRE9Yq59chFOseUQGnimmI7HAIQ6TkXvOf5T03RwEBiZEG5bCSwwRXzgVt0VH87wGk6s4puc5dqEIUgcxZtRpwVivRpYriZHshC3S00-zPkT6g/w640-h480/134FE1C0-CAFD-4DA5-86A7-F97E26027CE6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ride to Montreal. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUHMHixquk-8yVJWHice7IuBMf--Q7isuO7WrklsIsNhGrjNIrpkF4kSz2i9s7ZPRiXLX_KdYSBzPoqyyb9i15dwxygwwRP-4nYzryqsCLd5m1fRwKvV-zfTMg4lt4rf3Z_h_18W65-wgH7GRrPnzhj5ztwiaTGeE-37PqVlg5okMiyQKIo0NWZE77A/s4032/932DE1C0-0420-45D9-884F-2834340C790E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUHMHixquk-8yVJWHice7IuBMf--Q7isuO7WrklsIsNhGrjNIrpkF4kSz2i9s7ZPRiXLX_KdYSBzPoqyyb9i15dwxygwwRP-4nYzryqsCLd5m1fRwKvV-zfTMg4lt4rf3Z_h_18W65-wgH7GRrPnzhj5ztwiaTGeE-37PqVlg5okMiyQKIo0NWZE77A/w480-h640/932DE1C0-0420-45D9-884F-2834340C790E.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forward power for the trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 26 – Dec. 26, 2022</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6419 F40</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">3478 (<b>*11S</b>) LRC Business Class car</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">3362 LRC Coach</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">3300 LRC Coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">33xx LRC Coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6409 F40<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Proof of vaccination checks were
done at the gate along with ticket scans, using a QR code reader. As was the
case on the way up, checked baggage service was not on offer from Ottawa, so I
had to carry on my large suitcase (easily stowed in the baggage racks at the
end of the LRC car), to be checked in Montreal. Nobody offered any help with
carrying this bag on, though I’m not sure if that was deliberate or just
because I appeared to have it covered. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because of the rapid and rather
unexpected surge of Omicron shortly before Christmas, the on board service had
changed between the two directions of my trip. In the Corridor, Business Class
was still on offer (unlike earlier points in the pandemic), but the service
delivery was scaled back to try to minimize the amount of time that passengers
would have their masks off, and the extent of interaction between the crew and
passengers. That said, it wasn’t a dramatic change – the most notable was the
removal of alcohol service. A pre-meal drink was still offered along with the
snack, but only from non-alcoholic options. Similarly, there was no wine on
offer with the meal. The logic, here, appears to be that passengers are more
likely to spend time slowly sipping away at these beverages over the course of
the trip – sensible enough. As compensation for this, VIA provided an automatic
$25 refund (per trip) to anyone who had booked a Business class trip prior to
the change in the service offering. It took a few weeks, but this came through –
though I never actually got a direct explanation from VIA about what the refund
was, and wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t heard about it elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0ag2IL_KJZB4bnJs6kvrO9KT_7N9AhB1WTluNAc3xc6YWI0E-R9e2WVMX0GDaf2oenK5GC4ESVtbMmGK5-RJU5cXXJBD34kKuiyYdt_aXN3TjEoGO4cdE5YglsyjKGdyL0gxYGaHg313IvGun-wq6BHbi-6oSQ6IkjvGlMzJTfZj7JFe8n0rmfn5Xg/s4032/4B002D99-E3DC-4677-82C7-7E0990E230FA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0ag2IL_KJZB4bnJs6kvrO9KT_7N9AhB1WTluNAc3xc6YWI0E-R9e2WVMX0GDaf2oenK5GC4ESVtbMmGK5-RJU5cXXJBD34kKuiyYdt_aXN3TjEoGO4cdE5YglsyjKGdyL0gxYGaHg313IvGun-wq6BHbi-6oSQ6IkjvGlMzJTfZj7JFe8n0rmfn5Xg/w480-h640/4B002D99-E3DC-4677-82C7-7E0990E230FA.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cart, for meal service. This is one of those things that seems to rarely get photographed; I often feel uncomfortable doing so when the crew are working, but since the cart was left briefly unattended, I snapped a quick photo. The wide angle lens, though useful for interior photos, can do some weird things - that tray table isn't actually angled down that dramatically!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt4LK3Ej6etqDTSCa-DhpVrhDLm53NBjZAkFbooMlJ-XWeleXpChmYEN6s535fUeveSfYX3fk3c46YuRQH9VrwAMNp5sxq0ZvwlfnYq7ytFEfRurDOkWSw_oSZyhgzZ18nvcquKmNZb37P2Wxxa9nIxbarbFaCS_lM6-ODLIXVM93xs0qwINr7FWKOg/s4032/29591B3B-C4E7-45F6-AE06-E29EA78CDA4F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimt4LK3Ej6etqDTSCa-DhpVrhDLm53NBjZAkFbooMlJ-XWeleXpChmYEN6s535fUeveSfYX3fk3c46YuRQH9VrwAMNp5sxq0ZvwlfnYq7ytFEfRurDOkWSw_oSZyhgzZ18nvcquKmNZb37P2Wxxa9nIxbarbFaCS_lM6-ODLIXVM93xs0qwINr7FWKOg/w640-h480/29591B3B-C4E7-45F6-AE06-E29EA78CDA4F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid afternoon trains have lighter meal options. I went for the cheese plate, which had an interesting assortment of cheeses, grapes, dried figs and apricots, and the other accompaniments seen here. Not bad, though the bread was nearly rock hard from being refrigerated. </td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kwL5bjDSOHcPt5e9-W4E3-22ekfcTpXK4bIF52UrDMNpArDWaje-EOuFsDLP5c3cpfvsex5rv8jdsgyRUNkb3_9D1-U64Bj5l4Lco243Fo9Abt0jT8hKdZbyRK_gIDpAO3ALyJyD8G-x7XbOas5QCImZYmon58evtWEphZn2RuqpTE7srhxyUorFJw/s4032/0735BA52-82D6-46FE-8372-33ACBDA1C83D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kwL5bjDSOHcPt5e9-W4E3-22ekfcTpXK4bIF52UrDMNpArDWaje-EOuFsDLP5c3cpfvsex5rv8jdsgyRUNkb3_9D1-U64Bj5l4Lco243Fo9Abt0jT8hKdZbyRK_gIDpAO3ALyJyD8G-x7XbOas5QCImZYmon58evtWEphZn2RuqpTE7srhxyUorFJw/w640-h480/0735BA52-82D6-46FE-8372-33ACBDA1C83D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like hot coffee and a chocolate while zipping along across the frozen landscape. </td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Otherwise, the meal service was
much akin to the other direction. We departed at 2:19pm, and meals were served
by 2:50pm. Passenger load was fairly light. The trip went quite smoothly, with
nothing of interest to report. We arrived in Montreal at 4:11pm. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8zz0iHOHtuFmXhbmgGWAOvhIoA176igI6Stz0I-vGSnKcX2tBYkU3hHHqgsO1x6Dh_ISa3oGOSv4CueYNCdWm2oBjSNT5YDv1P4X5ncExXNTkupEOdavxuamyZxAlr4UQwIpMI3x4GfBfY49Ui8ro5KBWWnvelIUcbcZfcjIhrN_0jvBr6GxNuAWUg/s4032/D0FB87DD-E29F-4ED1-BA37-8381257D40CA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8zz0iHOHtuFmXhbmgGWAOvhIoA176igI6Stz0I-vGSnKcX2tBYkU3hHHqgsO1x6Dh_ISa3oGOSv4CueYNCdWm2oBjSNT5YDv1P4X5ncExXNTkupEOdavxuamyZxAlr4UQwIpMI3x4GfBfY49Ui8ro5KBWWnvelIUcbcZfcjIhrN_0jvBr6GxNuAWUg/w640-h480/D0FB87DD-E29F-4ED1-BA37-8381257D40CA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival in Montreal, walking past a train board passengers for Toronto. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKlpmpaO51dvQxq9ON50NDy3WwQfHeHLYn38JnTLXaP870KKOaFbe2ScO9bYU0ljE0YCAFiVhtpLOXbEdyyxDIK6SnNOMymPvf5HGol1W7htmSp71cL7sOr0Z58C6B1mFt48xiQPeXqSSyMbVJlhWElFDn8xG41snkVzqUVUkEt6BAExeOrN1aclHZg/s4032/C86309FF-A652-40FD-B69C-DC5A181E8EC7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKlpmpaO51dvQxq9ON50NDy3WwQfHeHLYn38JnTLXaP870KKOaFbe2ScO9bYU0ljE0YCAFiVhtpLOXbEdyyxDIK6SnNOMymPvf5HGol1W7htmSp71cL7sOr0Z58C6B1mFt48xiQPeXqSSyMbVJlhWElFDn8xG41snkVzqUVUkEt6BAExeOrN1aclHZg/w640-h480/C86309FF-A652-40FD-B69C-DC5A181E8EC7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montreal. Always a beautiful station to visit. </td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4alMqUZBM0RzWiajZ8pBOXLdVtaCAmS7odvCHL6SDwqw81Nl8_bi3Lm2K09iIwq6wPkn0gIEVtMm2-4x0fGKl8CdK7E_iqsssWJ8XfakZqb1od6Z5ZCXimMYw9Xvp8iKuA_JidSBqDixeUdVGBiQuBHBxBvT7lonUIihfgtBDW5okHHObg9lJVKeswQ/s4032/CE8E7072-C46D-4108-8AAB-8C4B37F35EEB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4alMqUZBM0RzWiajZ8pBOXLdVtaCAmS7odvCHL6SDwqw81Nl8_bi3Lm2K09iIwq6wPkn0gIEVtMm2-4x0fGKl8CdK7E_iqsssWJ8XfakZqb1od6Z5ZCXimMYw9Xvp8iKuA_JidSBqDixeUdVGBiQuBHBxBvT7lonUIihfgtBDW5okHHObg9lJVKeswQ/w640-h480/CE8E7072-C46D-4108-8AAB-8C4B37F35EEB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baggage room in Montreal. The baggage check is just on the left, and the claim carousel is hidden down around the back. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">After checking my large bag, I
realized that it would be a while yet until check-in for sleeper passengers
opened. So I headed outside for a walk, as it was a rather pleasant evening
(for December), and managed to find a neat spot just down Blvd. Robert-Bourassa
from the station. There are a pair of interesting structures that look almost
like a mix of public art and playground, with twisting staircases leading up to
platforms at different heights. The tallest of these makes for a nice view of
the approach to Central station. My timing didn’t work to see too much
activity, with no AMT trains and several VIA trains either just gone or still a
ways away. But I was able to see a couple of movements on this snowy evening – Toronto-Montreal
train 69, departing at 4:56pm with a pair of F40s and a lengthy LRC consist in
tow, and then at 5:03pm, the equipment for my next train (VIA 14) came backing
in from the Montreal Maintenance Centre (MMC) to Central station for
preparation in advance of departure. I filmed a bit of video of these trains,
which you can watch here:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GPJ8YPrha_o" width="433" youtube-src-id="GPJ8YPrha_o"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU9Tls4cv6RbHDrzwJpCeTTj272a-ytMye_p2W89cqem_bsDSKrZWaS0w0VZHWT2lgvf4_DWcTlIk0fjPHWxI7oa7DUchU2IPlJs0gLTYR4L9QHmFA4-W2MWTWA3175-0EK-oYrhLJY_-qsT0vrA5gSAU1h2eWVGlkp3K9MUHuUzGLvuOBeZz6g3pAA/s4032/59D7A3DB-E06F-48E6-B234-E6FE43784434.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU9Tls4cv6RbHDrzwJpCeTTj272a-ytMye_p2W89cqem_bsDSKrZWaS0w0VZHWT2lgvf4_DWcTlIk0fjPHWxI7oa7DUchU2IPlJs0gLTYR4L9QHmFA4-W2MWTWA3175-0EK-oYrhLJY_-qsT0vrA5gSAU1h2eWVGlkp3K9MUHuUzGLvuOBeZz6g3pAA/w640-h480/59D7A3DB-E06F-48E6-B234-E6FE43784434.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interesting viewing platform structure thingies.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlmrJXbHCNSMT5fH39KqwbUV7o4eJJZXjd-kj2BG1TADDlp65fVZnRY2SfuIXO-xarOS87fUOGBhUWTXo2oWPlzG57KDvFZw79bTG5q4Z4odb7lwicseeYpOeLbrQn0PUo79a4IhqiuMdDoxC2tzdW6Mo4Z6jLJNKVrVSK9EtW92K6s3GFKXUzxd4BQ/s4032/37CCC7DE-4D71-44E6-BEE3-D016D42954A4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlmrJXbHCNSMT5fH39KqwbUV7o4eJJZXjd-kj2BG1TADDlp65fVZnRY2SfuIXO-xarOS87fUOGBhUWTXo2oWPlzG57KDvFZw79bTG5q4Z4odb7lwicseeYpOeLbrQn0PUo79a4IhqiuMdDoxC2tzdW6Mo4Z6jLJNKVrVSK9EtW92K6s3GFKXUzxd4BQ/w640-h480/37CCC7DE-4D71-44E6-BEE3-D016D42954A4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down from the top - the metal grating and slight bounce of the structure might make some feel uneasy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8AUUSg-bqeivqxQEfmBt7djDaO7G2IVUgT8JQkPtNhOi0LiNw5aDx9AAyI7z1J-YX6z0owdO-_NE7899pVRLwgTXceE9-oFyHdaAkcgqdSNtF78ftwjURMKNeMlIFpnGZpeYMBNciwUdzvaerg_D8Vp-AphiHT2Of1mU7YfEfkuIdIq5C4tnD4izbA/s4032/A236507F-98A3-46BD-9511-8B6A4F15CD1A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8AUUSg-bqeivqxQEfmBt7djDaO7G2IVUgT8JQkPtNhOi0LiNw5aDx9AAyI7z1J-YX6z0owdO-_NE7899pVRLwgTXceE9-oFyHdaAkcgqdSNtF78ftwjURMKNeMlIFpnGZpeYMBNciwUdzvaerg_D8Vp-AphiHT2Of1mU7YfEfkuIdIq5C4tnD4izbA/w640-h480/A236507F-98A3-46BD-9511-8B6A4F15CD1A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montreal. What more can I say?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCtxcWo9wDRUZkhxCOvkrBVwsIJ7F_FujZx_X4GHHvRK9qqGoRjjjuB8XwBIpP3VdQAIBUqu2ZJQlPERe_JgiNq6Qoc1SoAXf4tL6oVCVz8Aj2POqxerAU3y_d0w3YVO6ktyhRss2pWABWe8X16E1xEx9qky3s5EpOHfVuiUnth2mZZCbNbueVDCrEA/s4032/7A146C47-45B4-4B4E-AAF5-D12CE1DCB068.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCtxcWo9wDRUZkhxCOvkrBVwsIJ7F_FujZx_X4GHHvRK9qqGoRjjjuB8XwBIpP3VdQAIBUqu2ZJQlPERe_JgiNq6Qoc1SoAXf4tL6oVCVz8Aj2POqxerAU3y_d0w3YVO6ktyhRss2pWABWe8X16E1xEx9qky3s5EpOHfVuiUnth2mZZCbNbueVDCrEA/w640-h480/7A146C47-45B4-4B4E-AAF5-D12CE1DCB068.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Central Station. It's a gorgeous building inside, but the outside leaves a lot to be desired. Far from the grand outer appearance of somewhere like Toronto's Union Station, or even Halifax.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I headed back in to the station
around 5:45. Sleeper check in started around 6pm, with boarding expected at
6:30 and a departure at 7pm. During check-in and meal selection, the room
service option was more prominently featured, and I noticed quite a few
passengers seemed to be opting for this over going to the dining car. I decided
to go for the later of the two settings in the dining car (8:45pm) – the first
one would have been right on departure, and the second one promised to be quieter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">While waiting in the lounge, I had
realized that train 64, the main connection from Toronto, was running extremely
behind schedule. VIA will typically hold the Ocean in these cases, as they don’t
want to strand passengers for several days. It wasn’t initially clear what
would be happening in this case, and I was rather surprised when we received
the boarding call at 6:30pm, as initially expected if we were on time. As it
turns out, they decided to board passengers as usual, but we were still going
to be held waiting for 64. This meant that instead of a 7pm departure, it would
be 8:21pm by the time that train arrived, connecting passengers transferred,
and we were finally underway. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">So why board early? One of the considerations
here seems to be to allow the crew to get started with the first dinner, both
in the diner and for those who requested an earlier room service meal. Alas, it
meant that people who opted for the first setting got to “enjoy” the views of the
bowels of Central station. But I suppose it would have made things easier for
the crew, not being jostled around while serving!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinI256YoG0YY_pBs5_CygQTCwruSpY4bQdLEsEvMUEpKMjmSZWr34Io93vUanoLTiaxpx4daQSV6HeUFJRjES6Majh5VbtNPjS6HSAuiCIzEz22104yeMNEVDiRI57NPRsmVxAMHA0uCjXGN1yw9BwsF4CAaKF2e8qWyZP2PWBc7WEXn-ptXoEecMgQ/s4032/B8511AB6-4A0E-42D5-BB31-A4053D99D8FD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinI256YoG0YY_pBs5_CygQTCwruSpY4bQdLEsEvMUEpKMjmSZWr34Io93vUanoLTiaxpx4daQSV6HeUFJRjES6Majh5VbtNPjS6HSAuiCIzEz22104yeMNEVDiRI57NPRsmVxAMHA0uCjXGN1yw9BwsF4CAaKF2e8qWyZP2PWBc7WEXn-ptXoEecMgQ/w480-h640/B8511AB6-4A0E-42D5-BB31-A4053D99D8FD.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at my roomette after boarding. The interior still sports the '90s-era upholstery, but it appears to have been cleaned up and potentially largely overhauled. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxudwOyXGDR2jx8jbKevZRMDH6ITObRopdQ8mjq2RsnkHP9XDqPHgrAepF88eGiv9HPA-Iu9u2mR8Y8rQ3GTnHB_3XTHilpgMmBpPglVtUuPkLKKqTy5_4PRTFGFi9DLuzvkZRiu6g7dtYOc2vLCC5j7EgJK5QchP1FstxRwyKCXZwURkAOra46n1-0w/s4032/F547FF76-1D74-47E2-ACA0-EED862A46741.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxudwOyXGDR2jx8jbKevZRMDH6ITObRopdQ8mjq2RsnkHP9XDqPHgrAepF88eGiv9HPA-Iu9u2mR8Y8rQ3GTnHB_3XTHilpgMmBpPglVtUuPkLKKqTy5_4PRTFGFi9DLuzvkZRiu6g7dtYOc2vLCC5j7EgJK5QchP1FstxRwyKCXZwURkAOra46n1-0w/w480-h640/F547FF76-1D74-47E2-ACA0-EED862A46741.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forward view in an upper roomette. A toilet hides under the footstool, though I prefer to go down the hall. Convenient storage up above, and a fold-down sink on the wall. </td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAnrwE2L8ktz5nAUbxDk_tV4FNTyxtVYO_JSclWSAfobmemJVu67mEzaTK7t90pfwFaDkBk65X6hdyK6dTVIalHbsdpUxxhkGA6dQ5n8aVRNNTcSdCHJ2UlZ77kt2Fq_qPiTKftxxaJmpPtl5lZjkS8r6eXLhvTY7xir3d3jhkUM8oGneHdfrBZdNfg/s4032/E2C2B42A-771F-4AA5-AACC-EA971B147ABC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAnrwE2L8ktz5nAUbxDk_tV4FNTyxtVYO_JSclWSAfobmemJVu67mEzaTK7t90pfwFaDkBk65X6hdyK6dTVIalHbsdpUxxhkGA6dQ5n8aVRNNTcSdCHJ2UlZ77kt2Fq_qPiTKftxxaJmpPtl5lZjkS8r6eXLhvTY7xir3d3jhkUM8oGneHdfrBZdNfg/w640-h480/E2C2B42A-771F-4AA5-AACC-EA971B147ABC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train 64 finally arrives from Toronto! A few minutes to transfer passengers, and then we'd be on our way. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, the train itself. This was
the other set in operation, but you’ll notice that the make-up and orientation
of the car types is identical to the other set from Part 1.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>VIA 14 – Dec. 26, 2022</b></u><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6407 (Forward)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6426 (Reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7009 Renaissance Baggage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">70230 Ren Accessible Coach (05) (Forward)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7208 Ren Coach (04) (Reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7512 Ren Sleeper (39)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7507 Ren Sleeper (38)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7506 Ren Sleeper (37)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">79526 Ren Accessible Sleeper (30)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7314 Ren Service Car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7401 Ren Diner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7303 Ren Service Car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7602 Ren Transition <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">8124 HEP1 Coach (Refurbished, no line
number)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">8127 HEP1 Coach (Refurbished, no
line number)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chateau Brûlé (40) (Forward) <b>*Roomette
7</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chateau Verchères (41) (Reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Château Latour (crew dorm) (Forward)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">8613 HEP1 Baggage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">This time around, I was at the
other end of the train, riding in Chateau Brûlé. I had booked a roomette, and
specifically requested #7, which is the upper level roomette on the left side
of the car, farthest forward. This has the best ride of any roomette (farthest
from the trucks), and I generally like both the setup of the upper roomettes,
and the slightly higher view. That said, those with issues climbing steps would
likely do better with a lower level roomette. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEK6QFeEARRLXs1_mgiBkpMr719LPYdmEQ5WILEc-VSvzxkrrIBACjpuCIHOEcnG9iWjuoyDvvGWoUd1YCwSfn6fGQ1XGxQE9eF8Xe8zLB3dsbeTVGpWy9yPOL6zP1yeQs0pEYyP81CFmUDUa6X4OJBt5qt9chN_MqxBRicnSXEp8oNFEWgOhCQw9cA/s4032/1285551A-CF72-441D-94F1-34FD854C4361.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEK6QFeEARRLXs1_mgiBkpMr719LPYdmEQ5WILEc-VSvzxkrrIBACjpuCIHOEcnG9iWjuoyDvvGWoUd1YCwSfn6fGQ1XGxQE9eF8Xe8zLB3dsbeTVGpWy9yPOL6zP1yeQs0pEYyP81CFmUDUa6X4OJBt5qt9chN_MqxBRicnSXEp8oNFEWgOhCQw9cA/w480-h640/1285551A-CF72-441D-94F1-34FD854C4361.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chateau hallway, upper and lower roomettes on either side of the aisle. Roomettes have a door, but the curtain can be zipped up for extra sound deadening, and to keep things covered while you're opening and closing the door (ideal when getting up from bed!). The curtains are also useful because the sliding doors have a tendency to pop themselves open when they aren't locked from the inside. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_YGtStLd2qH02nDxlZDiJPTkDTFW4r94ZMngAyCakDLIgEAy-CcKhnlEyUfWWrBOnM3SGpbu6cBFSFAQo2QM0AZZzyl2bNVH-SSbuSoPNfx2kvkcoZu663yj1pXXw_dyzQfI1Mhwb8g-MY4KufUQB-GH6Figcl94ZQUs4nsZwcD1TxVF2FrdINmY2Q/s4032/65A04EFC-433F-4DA8-9B8B-31E3C9B1B3A2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_YGtStLd2qH02nDxlZDiJPTkDTFW4r94ZMngAyCakDLIgEAy-CcKhnlEyUfWWrBOnM3SGpbu6cBFSFAQo2QM0AZZzyl2bNVH-SSbuSoPNfx2kvkcoZu663yj1pXXw_dyzQfI1Mhwb8g-MY4KufUQB-GH6Figcl94ZQUs4nsZwcD1TxVF2FrdINmY2Q/w480-h640/65A04EFC-433F-4DA8-9B8B-31E3C9B1B3A2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another look inside my upper-level roomette. Lots of convenient storage space, a coat hook, and a large mirror on the sliding door. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2ualsxBC7xJ4vojVojf1Z--u8w7-j05B8i-g3P1OH5J2PnxcfU2FN7inXjYgTlKMDeV8hThQ6lB_bJIsMm0kKttYjFth8KVhSDpb32IfxSxyS0VYk6HedeVgeSshjCCg4FOhyWtZAfRsCjoyfLB_vIa6f7FwjwX-bDa50jCWxsG_DYObv8r2e-fjKg/s4032/0B15106A-7504-42F6-90DA-54AC5EE69601.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2ualsxBC7xJ4vojVojf1Z--u8w7-j05B8i-g3P1OH5J2PnxcfU2FN7inXjYgTlKMDeV8hThQ6lB_bJIsMm0kKttYjFth8KVhSDpb32IfxSxyS0VYk6HedeVgeSshjCCg4FOhyWtZAfRsCjoyfLB_vIa6f7FwjwX-bDa50jCWxsG_DYObv8r2e-fjKg/w480-h640/0B15106A-7504-42F6-90DA-54AC5EE69601.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sink folded down for use. A drinking water tap is also provided. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQawfaM-WmYh38rByvV5r9TQsW6qx3u6PL7RGd4PJQxyJimHeIerOcaoW8IvrPuM55Uk4MXQUqzLgFxGXAnnzM4-gMSt06D0BpTlEp-EDKQg4f71csm3-zqd8hhpMNSekdx390mQChwReYII2LrQVkiwelApU0W7DmI7bneNoK3JmkJxRD7cU0pM8_sA/s4032/7E5035E7-FD59-46AE-AF5D-A0EE62F56157.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQawfaM-WmYh38rByvV5r9TQsW6qx3u6PL7RGd4PJQxyJimHeIerOcaoW8IvrPuM55Uk4MXQUqzLgFxGXAnnzM4-gMSt06D0BpTlEp-EDKQg4f71csm3-zqd8hhpMNSekdx390mQChwReYII2LrQVkiwelApU0W7DmI7bneNoK3JmkJxRD7cU0pM8_sA/w480-h640/7E5035E7-FD59-46AE-AF5D-A0EE62F56157.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed made up for the night. In the upper roomettes, the bed folds down from the wall Murphy-bed style, very much like the roomettes in a Manor sleeper.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07pOsaOE0IviD6SQVsd3PsYbInsVVesEuxd9CDpn5V0j0UuaQmN_q74AC4P3fC1oEvcWg_plQzidQM7bjBZZXGVsKzo1Xsr1NW6DfeWAUtlRY9LafKSNdKAbtJKQgirqJDw_1fWyKC5822RMcBwLzj9Y4lOxXW5RZl-sDU3U0Tn9JvVgz4JGzk5Z2fA/s4032/1387AD67-47BD-49AA-9ABF-EB3760C1A1E7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07pOsaOE0IviD6SQVsd3PsYbInsVVesEuxd9CDpn5V0j0UuaQmN_q74AC4P3fC1oEvcWg_plQzidQM7bjBZZXGVsKzo1Xsr1NW6DfeWAUtlRY9LafKSNdKAbtJKQgirqJDw_1fWyKC5822RMcBwLzj9Y4lOxXW5RZl-sDU3U0Tn9JvVgz4JGzk5Z2fA/w480-h640/1387AD67-47BD-49AA-9ABF-EB3760C1A1E7.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For comparison, here's inside a lower-level roomette. Note that the room is level with the floor in the hallway. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJise5EJhOEUHdXyFhB2yEpRDgNinjG6mI2nvRSsSjnTUCM3Q4JzhpUIKPeqxNEi3kS7LJt12H5Ba3JI_txfAEs_CRSVvwLBMrM7mquwTkJ-8xoDY7U4JKgP3ybKq_6RsrLilOtd3AO2pcpzZ5t0uk5KMv-jo9DKtHj7vyT6ugK6UH-CdqKknqGNkug/s4032/399CCD0B-F5B7-400E-A127-49A61108F175.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJise5EJhOEUHdXyFhB2yEpRDgNinjG6mI2nvRSsSjnTUCM3Q4JzhpUIKPeqxNEi3kS7LJt12H5Ba3JI_txfAEs_CRSVvwLBMrM7mquwTkJ-8xoDY7U4JKgP3ybKq_6RsrLilOtd3AO2pcpzZ5t0uk5KMv-jo9DKtHj7vyT6ugK6UH-CdqKknqGNkug/w480-h640/399CCD0B-F5B7-400E-A127-49A61108F175.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view in the lower level roomette. In these, the bed slides out from ahead, and storage is underneath the bed instead of overhead. I think the upper level design is superior, but this has its perks - the window is also slightly larger, though lower down. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcLJEuEbJA7AvN4QEqAhipqhrHUam5kcCE89Gzi_WShYValv4w8SWql2Z9_GSBlmYyyVwZMi5795tg0zVHkIyEI7pWYxq3BmFoSGGOuSBeAcyE3YpdbA9l6Hgdr-ikjufwDUQCm9Z7iqrZPtnokfzi-4FLAcEi1121aR3EjoguXX1Dm0g7ANmVEL6RA/s4032/A3652E5B-AA77-426C-8A71-7B7BA56F10F9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcLJEuEbJA7AvN4QEqAhipqhrHUam5kcCE89Gzi_WShYValv4w8SWql2Z9_GSBlmYyyVwZMi5795tg0zVHkIyEI7pWYxq3BmFoSGGOuSBeAcyE3YpdbA9l6Hgdr-ikjufwDUQCm9Z7iqrZPtnokfzi-4FLAcEi1121aR3EjoguXX1Dm0g7ANmVEL6RA/w480-h640/A3652E5B-AA77-426C-8A71-7B7BA56F10F9.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Chateau bedroom, in daytime configuration.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_x6PKqPmYd9bNa1zCboMhcIelm9oh-vtRN7S60ogH5VOIaDL7cRU7hWs3ZNANw9bBB8smkTXicz7fdsUyJuIsarjpy9mn_R9S6uvuxymD743GM8uPC8xgalfIuy7mnlZotRBsfh8aNRMOXRp6K6F0AMb72A2QGlGygn7nqRRYVb95lC7yaXpzJAl4UA/s4032/45966781-B423-4297-BD2B-2B9C10D7B7A4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_x6PKqPmYd9bNa1zCboMhcIelm9oh-vtRN7S60ogH5VOIaDL7cRU7hWs3ZNANw9bBB8smkTXicz7fdsUyJuIsarjpy9mn_R9S6uvuxymD743GM8uPC8xgalfIuy7mnlZotRBsfh8aNRMOXRp6K6F0AMb72A2QGlGygn7nqRRYVb95lC7yaXpzJAl4UA/w480-h640/45966781-B423-4297-BD2B-2B9C10D7B7A4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The large Chateau drawing room, or "Cabin for 3", in daytime configuration.</td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMAn5YLtUnkgG2h_BMcDFjggCn15YBj6qkibQrjbvcUUngd_sL9YoHao9ZDeUTfPeLsfxL9C8d5NWS4HAamGwWygEGntBFq4iJRwlAgAg0D4-9cHVWjS2HsWkWgl-AQjBHru1AgDbotrxZJnpr3nW41vm5BeaYasCpDBWzo6HRn7HwaisZoZx_FakHw/s4032/87DB57CB-E663-4463-8F69-010A1035ACD0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMAn5YLtUnkgG2h_BMcDFjggCn15YBj6qkibQrjbvcUUngd_sL9YoHao9ZDeUTfPeLsfxL9C8d5NWS4HAamGwWygEGntBFq4iJRwlAgAg0D4-9cHVWjS2HsWkWgl-AQjBHru1AgDbotrxZJnpr3nW41vm5BeaYasCpDBWzo6HRn7HwaisZoZx_FakHw/w480-h640/87DB57CB-E663-4463-8F69-010A1035ACD0.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing room in nighttime configuration, showing all three beds. </td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">The first two Chateau sleepers
were in passenger service, and there were indeed passengers in the backwards
facing roomettes (something I was curious about). The open sections (berths)
were still not being sold – policy across the board, though now beginning to
change. Interestingly, since they weren’t being used for passengers, they
provide almost a bit of lounge-like space. I did spend a little bit of time
sitting out there (masked, as it’s an open area), and never had any issues with
it; but I don’t know if that was meant to be off-limits.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIsXv-42b1i-q4qWrcVj2eh_Em34rSV5bmHm62FveJvhZEZlsI4DFzv7V7cCxHgyCophYqkOqb--pvjkKRXilsKT-ER7jHvr7eCT7vPqSon91VYt2L5r5IuWZ8dYwtBTmSgKXzXrnaFcPKKkgLfx1S7ZvQbhFfD8Q6pPaSabhdcMS5AOSdPMTTxCwzA/s4032/047629A3-46DA-46FF-8298-64E5C2288F6A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIsXv-42b1i-q4qWrcVj2eh_Em34rSV5bmHm62FveJvhZEZlsI4DFzv7V7cCxHgyCophYqkOqb--pvjkKRXilsKT-ER7jHvr7eCT7vPqSon91VYt2L5r5IuWZ8dYwtBTmSgKXzXrnaFcPKKkgLfx1S7ZvQbhFfD8Q6pPaSabhdcMS5AOSdPMTTxCwzA/w640-h480/047629A3-46DA-46FF-8298-64E5C2288F6A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open sections (berths) in daytime configuration. Since these were not in use, they provided a sort of impromptu lounge space, though I only noted one other passenger taking advantage of this. It was a nice spot to have a view out both sides of the train. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I noted that the bedrooms in
Chateaus Verchères and Latour had been redone, though not the ones in Brûlé. Aside
from that, the Chateaus were in excellend shape overall. The roomettes appeared
to have had work done to them – the upholstery is still the same old design,
but it looked clean and potentially new. One of the most noticeable changes was
that the musty smell typical in those cars in years past was gone, likely
thanks to a combination of cleaning and upgrades to the ventilation system. In
any case, a very welcome change! The ride quality in my car was also quite good.
The two HEP1 coaches in the consist had undergone a full refurbishment – more on
that shortly. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The biggest change from my trip up
was that the direction to limit movements in the train had returned, and the
service car lounges were once again off limits. I did go back and forth to the
dining car at meal times, but beyond that I stayed put in my car. Masks
continued to be required when in open areas or moving through the train.
Economy food service was still all by cart, and similar to the change in the Corridor,
alcohol service was not available from either the cart or at meals. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQeZweJsZHLVoyXfJMlPtSLI1ANQxc-7gULnfd3jiONFYvQTcYLitmzhDkXYj7KjhzfL7CkABV_zv-I4xiLJOZxu7aQIqcNklMYKGiBe-Ys1CBrR8pNIovRQK5_Ck14BLba3qBFGQKWbb_j2vnTe3bclCsWQ-fCGnlQFO_u7dqw7OL7u1H5p3r29oMg/s4032/E6C453BB-8C58-4FB0-A20F-6880EC0A90DC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQeZweJsZHLVoyXfJMlPtSLI1ANQxc-7gULnfd3jiONFYvQTcYLitmzhDkXYj7KjhzfL7CkABV_zv-I4xiLJOZxu7aQIqcNklMYKGiBe-Ys1CBrR8pNIovRQK5_Ck14BLba3qBFGQKWbb_j2vnTe3bclCsWQ-fCGnlQFO_u7dqw7OL7u1H5p3r29oMg/w480-h640/E6C453BB-8C58-4FB0-A20F-6880EC0A90DC.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking forward from the Chateau sleepers, you pass through the HEP1 coaches. At this point they still had the full lights on, but those would be dimmed as the evening moved along. </td></tr></tbody></table><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4mXLf9TpSUkK4GP7htg5w6u-7Q0enkWJlMtqB2na0t9tSbf8LZ5sqVf-ua_xw1Lyxej63dvbD86RiXbNuMjOOFit_HvbxCwC8E-UHZybMy7Z55KVeFrlcfCWfmoyQG86wXq7OyDLhcom6ThnZba6oHAuLpSDGSTJZEvzkkJUdSBcHGRsEl7Y8ANi0Q/s4032/A271F977-70E9-46CE-B70C-F08548BA4836.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4mXLf9TpSUkK4GP7htg5w6u-7Q0enkWJlMtqB2na0t9tSbf8LZ5sqVf-ua_xw1Lyxej63dvbD86RiXbNuMjOOFit_HvbxCwC8E-UHZybMy7Z55KVeFrlcfCWfmoyQG86wXq7OyDLhcom6ThnZba6oHAuLpSDGSTJZEvzkkJUdSBcHGRsEl7Y8ANi0Q/w640-h480/A271F977-70E9-46CE-B70C-F08548BA4836.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahead of the HEP1 coaches is the Renaissance transition car.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhthSuEEVIE9ONKP-b4EAYnUaYQQ9EFMfEUIdB1tsZr84_Sy-yLI7keb827q_YYKplY83-0K4VQtVYgkVtvZGU1i4HgZaW7Fpr5cy96_X4dj4EW-D3XDN_RkjJEesWA706jRkMlvnSFHZ6_7x9Djc-OV_ZGJDN9XCsv6vlJbNJDrjbLT8osWmeCRVaw/s4032/32DB3511-551C-45BD-9E0C-1E51718D3247.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhthSuEEVIE9ONKP-b4EAYnUaYQQ9EFMfEUIdB1tsZr84_Sy-yLI7keb827q_YYKplY83-0K4VQtVYgkVtvZGU1i4HgZaW7Fpr5cy96_X4dj4EW-D3XDN_RkjJEesWA706jRkMlvnSFHZ6_7x9Djc-OV_ZGJDN9XCsv6vlJbNJDrjbLT8osWmeCRVaw/w480-h640/32DB3511-551C-45BD-9E0C-1E51718D3247.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A change from the way up - lounges were closed again.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaVxqbKwj7YapRqxikgGgzIDf2SkGAm08CPm9NDoK6UoxNE59rwfa9eknusXjVSoP9A-lSfXvwOiWJ0bGL0_KKkWaTXryeeEN8rEhwQu4da-1gtX3RmGPK8qYO-vSAIpSKgJyslFzex9vO5LuHhw4khokxVPU0Am5dUSG4tziuN8_nyWX0YIcW7wOVw/s4032/FF1A0724-2A77-4E17-9410-8A243C7920A9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaVxqbKwj7YapRqxikgGgzIDf2SkGAm08CPm9NDoK6UoxNE59rwfa9eknusXjVSoP9A-lSfXvwOiWJ0bGL0_KKkWaTXryeeEN8rEhwQu4da-1gtX3RmGPK8qYO-vSAIpSKgJyslFzex9vO5LuHhw4khokxVPU0Am5dUSG4tziuN8_nyWX0YIcW7wOVw/w640-h480/FF1A0724-2A77-4E17-9410-8A243C7920A9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the next morning. The service car was off limits, aside from passing through to the diner.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once we were finally underway, it
wasn’t a long wait for supper. The food was very good, and in keeping with the
usual offering. Passengers in the diner were not being seated with anyone they
weren’t travelling with. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuZMdGEX-1T3q0p9HWSyQAa7EUTXABXqh2ZNN4uecEUKcpKYLSOUVfl35_YtnTA7-SEhFkzQzxEYvk3ZvdJppqtBUgoHq3M9vaNGfwLY90ABMMFR4iRFnp8HD-zapnmipqsVNFlxIaog5oCzL53ecFFu-5nWVQjUG53xeEOeimQCpCy5ePG3WdYWd_Q/s4032/3706745B-4B7B-47CA-B9D9-5A0D1800CC29.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuZMdGEX-1T3q0p9HWSyQAa7EUTXABXqh2ZNN4uecEUKcpKYLSOUVfl35_YtnTA7-SEhFkzQzxEYvk3ZvdJppqtBUgoHq3M9vaNGfwLY90ABMMFR4iRFnp8HD-zapnmipqsVNFlxIaog5oCzL53ecFFu-5nWVQjUG53xeEOeimQCpCy5ePG3WdYWd_Q/w480-h640/3706745B-4B7B-47CA-B9D9-5A0D1800CC29.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views leaving Montreal. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_HcjQgsGV0SlCYBDPyIBXU5-6gl-zs19fSvxxagOHADD1muDHLc35HPFMd1AMS3qfOA0x2eJZAwMfatVFKiCCVMH1GGKeFh7-33ssriVDo5dXDjiMLCgXchZJ2sARd2ogD15ixkYznCois0dNj8WvM-8jdPdTraFW7gVmETknv0ISTsRsPnCSw0faw/s4032/42120A66-2C83-4867-B265-1CB2645F87B9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_HcjQgsGV0SlCYBDPyIBXU5-6gl-zs19fSvxxagOHADD1muDHLc35HPFMd1AMS3qfOA0x2eJZAwMfatVFKiCCVMH1GGKeFh7-33ssriVDo5dXDjiMLCgXchZJ2sARd2ogD15ixkYznCois0dNj8WvM-8jdPdTraFW7gVmETknv0ISTsRsPnCSw0faw/w640-h480/42120A66-2C83-4867-B265-1CB2645F87B9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view outside of Central station has changed a lot recently, with the REM construction resulting in these elevated concrete guideways that criss-cross the tracks.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEibV2ZW3vxtZQ5iEsXROTEhybfuo0OTOMziEBiy8AG0jRXtLnrHC7m_78dvD9rLLiUzH5DhwHBCX_nFREZ5N9q4whrCrmMpGwMSvMzmZSq_RjFA86AeJWYn8bDCHGdhlirLh2MEgvknuNIUOEz8aHq6UhyCEiKkWlwn6TDkKuF9Kr9Ynmw2vPI41qaQ/s4032/77253CD1-D358-41B7-839D-26D1FA8E381A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEibV2ZW3vxtZQ5iEsXROTEhybfuo0OTOMziEBiy8AG0jRXtLnrHC7m_78dvD9rLLiUzH5DhwHBCX_nFREZ5N9q4whrCrmMpGwMSvMzmZSq_RjFA86AeJWYn8bDCHGdhlirLh2MEgvknuNIUOEz8aHq6UhyCEiKkWlwn6TDkKuF9Kr9Ynmw2vPI41qaQ/w640-h480/77253CD1-D358-41B7-839D-26D1FA8E381A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfinished REM framing the skyline. Presumably, the jump won't be included in the final design...</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOY6P5UUw8wa1N9tYdhsdhK18A3iEA11WAUl5sapq5p0rk_9vxt0ACMejCRi1kGdkSGZVyyUegdPbiSDASBJSxVywwGtVM5ZN5u4cbNUIF6wzocl1wxeb-4naCPT7SU3gpqIN0Uoot7GCVYp90OsJXpXHXT32FI1kjupsFZT6KCo70_OQxpNULAOKrQ/s3799/9D986E82-8E8F-4609-9B1C-2C05206F9144.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2516" data-original-width="3799" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOY6P5UUw8wa1N9tYdhsdhK18A3iEA11WAUl5sapq5p0rk_9vxt0ACMejCRi1kGdkSGZVyyUegdPbiSDASBJSxVywwGtVM5ZN5u4cbNUIF6wzocl1wxeb-4naCPT7SU3gpqIN0Uoot7GCVYp90OsJXpXHXT32FI1kjupsFZT6KCo70_OQxpNULAOKrQ/w640-h424/9D986E82-8E8F-4609-9B1C-2C05206F9144.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q52tIqaFBO5pzWNH5HrDNPUEKFU04-0LYCLg81s6VIRUPSfwuKmmwaviSyfGh8C438Vt1xHsmfEs4g5Iw-ch_SJ-KJN0i4yNHej8CkKRGcak0YfbjI5WW3P7vYPYN53Xb6ybFMXNx586QHCw8BRmCSeas47xmTMhYazLXSEz8sb87BifOVPOoEOkow/s4032/20B9E5D6-A53F-484F-B568-3C62B1D297F1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q52tIqaFBO5pzWNH5HrDNPUEKFU04-0LYCLg81s6VIRUPSfwuKmmwaviSyfGh8C438Vt1xHsmfEs4g5Iw-ch_SJ-KJN0i4yNHej8CkKRGcak0YfbjI5WW3P7vYPYN53Xb6ybFMXNx586QHCw8BRmCSeas47xmTMhYazLXSEz8sb87BifOVPOoEOkow/w640-h480/20B9E5D6-A53F-484F-B568-3C62B1D297F1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appetizer. Prosciutto-wrapped melon and grilled vegetables, quite tasty. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp10-rk7hN6qDhihqclsXYpAxJY13wckglV8cbX047RFYNXKeidh6nSzzbV0dTXSNYnAE55TL29uJ7nR1TBACMPTrV6gTBUUg_g4DekfVOSey0HSqMLZkQ3jzgX4WeNV7dHwaWlwNgMk4Z9D_7zKoCy8rn3wZjWgJmSXeRSQexlu2Mr5NWJqDzkLdApA/s3826/90DE5E63-4417-40DB-9B89-2960A3FA41D5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2567" data-original-width="3826" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp10-rk7hN6qDhihqclsXYpAxJY13wckglV8cbX047RFYNXKeidh6nSzzbV0dTXSNYnAE55TL29uJ7nR1TBACMPTrV6gTBUUg_g4DekfVOSey0HSqMLZkQ3jzgX4WeNV7dHwaWlwNgMk4Z9D_7zKoCy8rn3wZjWgJmSXeRSQexlu2Mr5NWJqDzkLdApA/w640-h430/90DE5E63-4417-40DB-9B89-2960A3FA41D5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast turkey dinner for the main course - quite good. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXCvgL3Hp4JwcFsCHeu7bm50Z4It4udsC5Q0nhnFMaLM9_mWO9Ytv3gwKGpBtxhVDqq0k28b0wgP3F0gXFRq5F3c3ORapY3c56yPCA2jevWBWERishZhn6899tTGU7h9YJMUdFH1avQqFZoop5wDeRrGeJYXtMrec-tASgjZU1OfblgMjWfofjdOiXw/s4032/71C1A02E-E1AE-47AA-8BAD-D50C5045AF9D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXCvgL3Hp4JwcFsCHeu7bm50Z4It4udsC5Q0nhnFMaLM9_mWO9Ytv3gwKGpBtxhVDqq0k28b0wgP3F0gXFRq5F3c3ORapY3c56yPCA2jevWBWERishZhn6899tTGU7h9YJMUdFH1avQqFZoop5wDeRrGeJYXtMrec-tASgjZU1OfblgMjWfofjdOiXw/w640-h480/71C1A02E-E1AE-47AA-8BAD-D50C5045AF9D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot cake for dessert. Not as inspiring looking as some offerings, but nothing wrong with it.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtgrA5zdFzA5h_qYiumFwQsEZJyWGvwEn0-_5IIJHY8XhNEvpXhMtJp0souRF15875GJi4BryC5JXYfPxjq2ortzpDlgE0Sg2rHRt4qga29kzcaTAA_-pDJKp3nqsGcE5uAPBlduQJgtKf-MgPiZxDNWFyi1SQmhkr8IO7LoqHYCmiwATMutblxs8_g/s4032/EF9D9288-88E6-4891-8C1E-6549314F90A7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtgrA5zdFzA5h_qYiumFwQsEZJyWGvwEn0-_5IIJHY8XhNEvpXhMtJp0souRF15875GJi4BryC5JXYfPxjq2ortzpDlgE0Sg2rHRt4qga29kzcaTAA_-pDJKp3nqsGcE5uAPBlduQJgtKf-MgPiZxDNWFyi1SQmhkr8IO7LoqHYCmiwATMutblxs8_g/w640-h480/EF9D9288-88E6-4891-8C1E-6549314F90A7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in my room, I set up my Christmas lights again. My car attendant was very pleased to see this, and mentioned being disappointed that decorations were off limits this year (something Covid related, I guess, but that seems a bit silly!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">After supper, I relaxed in my room
for a while, got off for some fresh air at Ste-Foy, and then got settled in for
bed as we headed off from there. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CeXcyj8ZeihnmcN_7ZXvAYyLSVhPyRYbjZyAx3KmAF0dpF34L2ycdrkRu7ciiMrFCawT99D0y0YV-YrWSxNQbnjJ2SK3CGSexpk4DBTbVoBOS2FhfNdj310dNSjfhBCOY0E6QR7A_AgEarT7mFBlDM4G13FeM15BrQ3xH9M6myW2HPT38TJBXTiWMw/s4032/FFDF8040-5C2D-452F-BE98-8E71C911F3F8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CeXcyj8ZeihnmcN_7ZXvAYyLSVhPyRYbjZyAx3KmAF0dpF34L2ycdrkRu7ciiMrFCawT99D0y0YV-YrWSxNQbnjJ2SK3CGSexpk4DBTbVoBOS2FhfNdj310dNSjfhBCOY0E6QR7A_AgEarT7mFBlDM4G13FeM15BrQ3xH9M6myW2HPT38TJBXTiWMw/w640-h480/FFDF8040-5C2D-452F-BE98-8E71C911F3F8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views across the Chaudière River just before Charny. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZSJ9XhoJAy9FMqzpnC46WhIL9X4wd9csavy1dl097lwTgTX52f2trLEgUJcJVW_LoNGCNLmIT0jClsNiCyxOoMVqVq_RlVhr1n75qXZX7mt4PInDFyeOFqWNtKeOKYr3L8b49_SLSRoTSPE3DynmCdmVcWcEfnoFdLFOBgN8nOsbe3Om9wpc099cuQ/s4032/F4BD309F-1D11-42E7-B6DC-9F59550D2EA6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZSJ9XhoJAy9FMqzpnC46WhIL9X4wd9csavy1dl097lwTgTX52f2trLEgUJcJVW_LoNGCNLmIT0jClsNiCyxOoMVqVq_RlVhr1n75qXZX7mt4PInDFyeOFqWNtKeOKYr3L8b49_SLSRoTSPE3DynmCdmVcWcEfnoFdLFOBgN8nOsbe3Om9wpc099cuQ/w640-h480/F4BD309F-1D11-42E7-B6DC-9F59550D2EA6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Station stop at Ste-Foy. A chilly night, and not too many takers for the fresh air stroll!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8guUO5Xs1hRrmd6XWzxI5pkk0N7VKkYkv-Nu-86g03zLY-wUAxao5TgUWHXy6Q3FGXM3KnTDrbHY0I1R3IMWmLQg4D2h7K8YG55tbr3-ctCXBmZiL3MAMeqtmJQLl8HoqaN-5a4uFPncBQ4I8HWWn521ANuVo3zbrppa7DvWJeu5EtutsGD8LUruxQ/s4032/3DD1CED4-16A5-42BB-8DD7-8306DD2C0D52.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8guUO5Xs1hRrmd6XWzxI5pkk0N7VKkYkv-Nu-86g03zLY-wUAxao5TgUWHXy6Q3FGXM3KnTDrbHY0I1R3IMWmLQg4D2h7K8YG55tbr3-ctCXBmZiL3MAMeqtmJQLl8HoqaN-5a4uFPncBQ4I8HWWn521ANuVo3zbrppa7DvWJeu5EtutsGD8LUruxQ/w480-h640/3DD1CED4-16A5-42BB-8DD7-8306DD2C0D52.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior at Ste-Foy. This group of refurbished HEP1 coaches wear the classic blue stripe scheme, though they have lost their waving flags and now have only the full VIA logo (with white subtext - an unusual choice on the stainless carbody), and the large Canada wordmarks. Some cars have received the new HEP2 style scheme with teal window band and yellow letterboard. Supposedly intended for Corridor-use, those have mostly been on the Canadian. One car did make a single trip on the Ocean so far.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zUesoXo_kYhu0Z23hxtUDFpj06tBu3afzrXQ-t8h2ArhMh8C1w0-AdJyoLn0COO7t48UCC3kdIEdvC7z3O6JTO4aJPus-uHNm_uPNLCCMkRQ8aHCx_iq2cX_FunNG9voQ6SAVRC7L3I8mwHRbZO9E7P3kszZyC_Q7nTGyUD5F7vKwNujsSvmE3UlzA/s4032/AA50A322-3893-4482-A48A-302BBEFF2DD0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zUesoXo_kYhu0Z23hxtUDFpj06tBu3afzrXQ-t8h2ArhMh8C1w0-AdJyoLn0COO7t48UCC3kdIEdvC7z3O6JTO4aJPus-uHNm_uPNLCCMkRQ8aHCx_iq2cX_FunNG9voQ6SAVRC7L3I8mwHRbZO9E7P3kszZyC_Q7nTGyUD5F7vKwNujsSvmE3UlzA/w640-h480/AA50A322-3893-4482-A48A-302BBEFF2DD0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views crossing the river again, having backed out from Ste-Foy. All warm and cozy in bed, and ready to get off to sleep. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Breakfast the next morning started
at 7am Atlantic Time, on the usual first-come-first-served setup. Being behind
schedule, I was able to enjoy some gloomy early morning views of the Matapedia
valley, and then head to the diner around our arrival in Matapedia. Breakfast
was very enjoyable, and I was finished up in time for the longer stop at
Campbellton. This ended up being an unusually long stop, as they had to refill
the water tank in one of the HEP1 coaches. I overheard the Service Manager
commenting that they couldn’t have any car without water at the moment, particularly
sensible as passengers are meant to stay in their own car. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7f7sWbk1nYj4Va2bvTLNGpLIG03KT5Pd-w6aPYyHYLR9qc17vxpSmuCAVryyh1f2rX1_wou_1PEnCKGZUs9arZp4bGhCMp-xOK5Rir7Ejx9auZo_ywU9MokJlEpiQct-vCEQd03XRmlDcHRTI6IfMKKxu7AggzEimwSQRxf4F7woiL0soKvjGVsHag/s3419/9E0EF702-FAB1-436E-85F0-4C1CDF0266B9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3419" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7f7sWbk1nYj4Va2bvTLNGpLIG03KT5Pd-w6aPYyHYLR9qc17vxpSmuCAVryyh1f2rX1_wou_1PEnCKGZUs9arZp4bGhCMp-xOK5Rir7Ejx9auZo_ywU9MokJlEpiQct-vCEQd03XRmlDcHRTI6IfMKKxu7AggzEimwSQRxf4F7woiL0soKvjGVsHag/w566-h640/9E0EF702-FAB1-436E-85F0-4C1CDF0266B9.jpeg" width="566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning views in the Matapedia valley. A fine way to wake up!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPPtFSnnmNsbYRh827PEOrvPMa7UpgynCATSRv0EWPQ_AaMoWZ3S1XHDtvzqRtv-4Y2XV3xhaUF99zHCkaDIiVo2LM2nUNKELpsAeBqkK98KVGcCMHVCCgoYKd35hwykDXy78SbzmTAnOPzwddCqUS8zVlE5rUVWkPs_1Krhj8uT5vsCA9NeqBfOwlA/s4032/D353F6F2-ABAD-44DD-8511-6B2A1E32EA74.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPPtFSnnmNsbYRh827PEOrvPMa7UpgynCATSRv0EWPQ_AaMoWZ3S1XHDtvzqRtv-4Y2XV3xhaUF99zHCkaDIiVo2LM2nUNKELpsAeBqkK98KVGcCMHVCCgoYKd35hwykDXy78SbzmTAnOPzwddCqUS8zVlE5rUVWkPs_1Krhj8uT5vsCA9NeqBfOwlA/w480-h640/D353F6F2-ABAD-44DD-8511-6B2A1E32EA74.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu, still using this classy design that includes a rather baffling depiction of the Ocean with out of scale Ren cars rammed up against a Skyline, running along a bit of rugged coastline that I've never seen on this route! </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nglh79TzgMG6fgiJ5YtAcT0bPeOs_dlGzC0pFpfQe_uRp__zTZlbQcRAGbPy3R_5sr17Zz85zXPdoqUp_kEs78D3_tjOZtBUiy-XL53MKbFmHNxNmTEFzrHwwszg2dwJQJhCDabGWuKQ8G0WanzFbN-iuWNJgNuQrQQbN6IS88uPaCbaNVoZEzVf5w/s4032/421CC70C-C707-4410-80D0-DF99087DBA72.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nglh79TzgMG6fgiJ5YtAcT0bPeOs_dlGzC0pFpfQe_uRp__zTZlbQcRAGbPy3R_5sr17Zz85zXPdoqUp_kEs78D3_tjOZtBUiy-XL53MKbFmHNxNmTEFzrHwwszg2dwJQJhCDabGWuKQ8G0WanzFbN-iuWNJgNuQrQQbN6IS88uPaCbaNVoZEzVf5w/w480-h640/421CC70C-C707-4410-80D0-DF99087DBA72.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS8kqkpC5R07JRepetzmMfxTxQytgibMHWz246ZLCKWXeGKEXZad4tfiur4dsoCJJlRLw8nF1gWIZisJNluxbOWAQ98GI92wliEQrmDhmhaJibQrzTGfDisIVmz7QYMbfuYGrUAYREWlAjvo1tYkOTqCwRCn4hDfA68db1R8WUucwNJrux4h8e8_upg/s4032/292AEE76-610A-4D4D-A654-22C86BABFED4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRS8kqkpC5R07JRepetzmMfxTxQytgibMHWz246ZLCKWXeGKEXZad4tfiur4dsoCJJlRLw8nF1gWIZisJNluxbOWAQ98GI92wliEQrmDhmhaJibQrzTGfDisIVmz7QYMbfuYGrUAYREWlAjvo1tYkOTqCwRCn4hDfA68db1R8WUucwNJrux4h8e8_upg/w640-h480/292AEE76-610A-4D4D-A654-22C86BABFED4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast - I went for the western omelette, which was quite tasty. </td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKrhj8eeiVd8eiYKSmhqulhDbwGAmcbW1gvnPYSr4DBF6l3Ypw6gL-Wau8FbMdOaid2002yzmEivn4Bq3q9A8HOk2YmnqedkExO8Hy_wuBOWfvmHikiwHmTahqUv8fqCAFsh96Z-0oZwcAGOYsjJHQrE761meaX7g0VUYAP8Wn6xwi7JkjYiwEZ1IMw/s4032/AA68D88B-91D0-4C7C-9730-7A4CAE6C7E8D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKrhj8eeiVd8eiYKSmhqulhDbwGAmcbW1gvnPYSr4DBF6l3Ypw6gL-Wau8FbMdOaid2002yzmEivn4Bq3q9A8HOk2YmnqedkExO8Hy_wuBOWfvmHikiwHmTahqUv8fqCAFsh96Z-0oZwcAGOYsjJHQrE761meaX7g0VUYAP8Wn6xwi7JkjYiwEZ1IMw/w480-h640/AA68D88B-91D0-4C7C-9730-7A4CAE6C7E8D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast in Matapedia. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXAUkiBqm22QNiJBWRuQp_8rHuy8GOZLRzjXcX724rN5ddb58GbtAOgkjYU5Re79Ux94xsK_Zoq0Fyi63FztpFW23ljL2mM4kioXpEt63d_-JxPqW7KyI9BQKgYZ3HaBcRohn_pNSVb0C_u3rXEvohv36CHrQbtaUuSnGeY_zdyRiFbQJgL_kv28u8w/s3836/6A79FFCB-FA70-4F1E-B5CD-B9E75ADD872E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2681" data-original-width="3836" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXAUkiBqm22QNiJBWRuQp_8rHuy8GOZLRzjXcX724rN5ddb58GbtAOgkjYU5Re79Ux94xsK_Zoq0Fyi63FztpFW23ljL2mM4kioXpEt63d_-JxPqW7KyI9BQKgYZ3HaBcRohn_pNSVb0C_u3rXEvohv36CHrQbtaUuSnGeY_zdyRiFbQJgL_kv28u8w/w640-h448/6A79FFCB-FA70-4F1E-B5CD-B9E75ADD872E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across Chaleur Bay, looking rather frigid. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQgjpY2WwzK24y_1s3Ah-0YMw9JwbQfMYdv8M5HZdNXH2hIa8wjCNidekpNiaxhp4nNkRVV7e1tvqZUUI9P9WUS9LeBXmoxVBxOZmMZxGw357o3Ai-xpk3PPw101yZrg45eVAs6FVGo05SSj-3AL4ksqS3m4OiT-dqg8uIYuMf_mNX8OSWIq25POnqg/s4032/034838E5-F4C4-4CD5-B604-1785AE85619C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQgjpY2WwzK24y_1s3Ah-0YMw9JwbQfMYdv8M5HZdNXH2hIa8wjCNidekpNiaxhp4nNkRVV7e1tvqZUUI9P9WUS9LeBXmoxVBxOZmMZxGw357o3Ai-xpk3PPw101yZrg45eVAs6FVGo05SSj-3AL4ksqS3m4OiT-dqg8uIYuMf_mNX8OSWIq25POnqg/w640-h480/034838E5-F4C4-4CD5-B604-1785AE85619C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN switcher at work in the Campbellton yard.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnat1kFDuveKTFOWPjiCXzjAh2OG42iJo-jUfYGjG61lzfFFylfXdvagjgDQVjeD2FvXlOb62DcDDDuskelfytxGLgGT371wE73O5VqJnXLjoQ6IQR37Mz_KTdhGibSN9XYnD2hjXOHKOs8-C5sEn_0RQhsFTiMRHkBi5m_d8zd-2ZeYA76ZDqG3vIg/s4032/DCD58175-DFBA-43E2-BB6F-D7D8BDC521BC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnat1kFDuveKTFOWPjiCXzjAh2OG42iJo-jUfYGjG61lzfFFylfXdvagjgDQVjeD2FvXlOb62DcDDDuskelfytxGLgGT371wE73O5VqJnXLjoQ6IQR37Mz_KTdhGibSN9XYnD2hjXOHKOs8-C5sEn_0RQhsFTiMRHkBi5m_d8zd-2ZeYA76ZDqG3vIg/w640-h480/DCD58175-DFBA-43E2-BB6F-D7D8BDC521BC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped at Campbellton, taking advantage of the fresh air.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhun6CJwksk7eGE_ggwHKmeN_Q1Z_aHWOzcdFrhTwilGPu7B8sOdHDgzulT8m-RtfG50Ypjvl6E27IEWKPZhOlzl54X14hpxaK17N0kw_ik8cIMfYWR483Ufs1WBlfNrK5goa8QNdV9fNJ7yY1iITo7J6dZYkUZvPzUFM2g81ecmWhqUvCVfIHXWrCqw/s4032/F950C860-CD46-475C-9D68-5F7E77B179DF.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhun6CJwksk7eGE_ggwHKmeN_Q1Z_aHWOzcdFrhTwilGPu7B8sOdHDgzulT8m-RtfG50Ypjvl6E27IEWKPZhOlzl54X14hpxaK17N0kw_ik8cIMfYWR483Ufs1WBlfNrK5goa8QNdV9fNJ7yY1iITo7J6dZYkUZvPzUFM2g81ecmWhqUvCVfIHXWrCqw/w640-h480/F950C860-CD46-475C-9D68-5F7E77B179DF.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The HEP section, transition from coach to sleepers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaj7uOYAfCA-31CFjb2VWsjfKRL1qKhneYyRs9ZpavesjhQPEPWxN9Vj3ysaUsxx6HezglDfZevhizIZKhnTClh1WKGhvWL24dxAiZjM-Eiel1EjOSo5Gyd1wUysdFA16XpdgRmiNqo6i3TtD5YgnH7hXXrERFJfJSTQAAlUAnjzeA5pyR5f6rVL-bXw/s4032/8A20A885-7B74-4AF1-A69A-728033D420B6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaj7uOYAfCA-31CFjb2VWsjfKRL1qKhneYyRs9ZpavesjhQPEPWxN9Vj3ysaUsxx6HezglDfZevhizIZKhnTClh1WKGhvWL24dxAiZjM-Eiel1EjOSo5Gyd1wUysdFA16XpdgRmiNqo6i3TtD5YgnH7hXXrERFJfJSTQAAlUAnjzeA5pyR5f6rVL-bXw/w640-h480/8A20A885-7B74-4AF1-A69A-728033D420B6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views leaving Campbellton.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnivOTe4Fl_HLZ5tFc7puS3JHhKtoXmt17ol99u9UF7m07_vymSLdj6-tdJvaoY4J3Bp4CwuOxVT_OzZeMTAKUFQUbASXob3Z9xfRztpUzK9sKmWnhfi_VFzTpIEBjXiMLuV5sMXSI5dSV-xyBaKMvW2i3BWHwNauand31qWOQM0oqP64KAliuK51QBg/s4032/22DF2976-1F06-4DC9-BBA1-703799FB3633.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnivOTe4Fl_HLZ5tFc7puS3JHhKtoXmt17ol99u9UF7m07_vymSLdj6-tdJvaoY4J3Bp4CwuOxVT_OzZeMTAKUFQUbASXob3Z9xfRztpUzK9sKmWnhfi_VFzTpIEBjXiMLuV5sMXSI5dSV-xyBaKMvW2i3BWHwNauand31qWOQM0oqP64KAliuK51QBg/w640-h480/22DF2976-1F06-4DC9-BBA1-703799FB3633.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More icy lakes after Campbellton, with the sun coming out in force!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVvz-vnIsL_2HYL9tI8AMwGJh89D6ziVfVcKbX63VWM--P8B5WT1u6pUzvNshtqeNTRfW1S21sbrOBbxV4nQVuocaNl4udMA-YdOJrAArs_i6hkSVecQzJ58HDR2T0JSqUCRJnJp0ZE9_HOO2xuFEe1316PeWXeechHIjxTwIN4LRCErErwoAJc8UBA/s4032/BF9BAD86-5429-4EBC-A688-235FA2876602.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVvz-vnIsL_2HYL9tI8AMwGJh89D6ziVfVcKbX63VWM--P8B5WT1u6pUzvNshtqeNTRfW1S21sbrOBbxV4nQVuocaNl4udMA-YdOJrAArs_i6hkSVecQzJ58HDR2T0JSqUCRJnJp0ZE9_HOO2xuFEe1316PeWXeechHIjxTwIN4LRCErErwoAJc8UBA/w640-h480/BF9BAD86-5429-4EBC-A688-235FA2876602.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More breathtaking Chaleur Bay views.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some time after breakfast I went off
to shower. There is a common shower in each Chateau car, and unlike on the
Canadian, the Ocean has not had any kind of reservation system for showers –
just a use-it-if-it’s-free setup. The one in my car worked well, with no issues
with water temperature or pressure. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">About those HEP1 coaches – since
the Ocean restarted, the coaches on every trip have been from the group of cars
that have recently been rebuilt by CAD in Montreal. The rebuild included a
rather thorough overhaul, including new upholstery and carpets, renovated
washrooms, all new lighting throughout, and upgrades to the mechanical and
electrical systems. Because I had to walk through these cars on several
occasions, I took a number of photos and briefly tested out the seats (in a
section with no passengers, of course). They look really nice, the seats are
very comfortable, and all in all it’s a very welcome refurbishment! I’ll let
the photos show that off. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYaM4RtK5wkEuMZpSnzO1I2um5TFx8d8XQqMT_WxlzgPX4tTIcr1nTdBVSoAM6dfsT-r_TkaGhzHby-GzjmMMof8NZDwjhUKbY4JrVHUz4jSeLjBdatpxU5KzaSdeW0hI6ORAwFlr4YkbVyY763SHFiz2nSzPIvwt6EcNLDgYLgh36z76rPvLrO4DqA/s4032/3C42882D-08A4-4C75-AEAA-C1CF3CDF6A2D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYaM4RtK5wkEuMZpSnzO1I2um5TFx8d8XQqMT_WxlzgPX4tTIcr1nTdBVSoAM6dfsT-r_TkaGhzHby-GzjmMMof8NZDwjhUKbY4JrVHUz4jSeLjBdatpxU5KzaSdeW0hI6ORAwFlr4YkbVyY763SHFiz2nSzPIvwt6EcNLDgYLgh36z76rPvLrO4DqA/w640-h480/3C42882D-08A4-4C75-AEAA-C1CF3CDF6A2D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overall interior view. Note that the ceiling lighting now has flat LED panels inserted in place of the former protruding flourescent fixtures. The seats at the front look a little exaggerated thanks to the wide angle lens. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJMwKB51xaF8LOpZpt3RMDO7WCMDRB0D7TZt382g7EIMF3wLjrSHqIi6_6cMfWYeNrb6WK1Xn7kPCFeLbyrPcF20Y6Uv2roXAfVVnLz08u5RykCO-x_L_5eIKoLLIc1kd6eNFrX9KjgQp_9bL3V_tvaBP0gFkIcGk9voRH9JJBZurswnazpHSk1B3RA/s4032/CAAF4CF4-C6CF-4141-9A42-92DC96D76117.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJMwKB51xaF8LOpZpt3RMDO7WCMDRB0D7TZt382g7EIMF3wLjrSHqIi6_6cMfWYeNrb6WK1Xn7kPCFeLbyrPcF20Y6Uv2roXAfVVnLz08u5RykCO-x_L_5eIKoLLIc1kd6eNFrX9KjgQp_9bL3V_tvaBP0gFkIcGk9voRH9JJBZurswnazpHSk1B3RA/w640-h480/CAAF4CF4-C6CF-4141-9A42-92DC96D76117.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most seats can be turned, though some like the ones on the left here cannot due to the storage bin between the seats. At least a few 4-seaters are set up at any given time. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2saNw9DJpKHx2DWUacnJ8eQKxx5YdXkGBTCrspt-MK220yI0c_i56opNQDd4Kkitk1Pbfe1aiVVkvdbhZzI2aFgqhKh5Z7nUDPShpcnKMAFV6SLGMvKetIrrzK5bN2BPC-5LAughLEZuR7-UlyoqwTzC0HGs5_m_WSsKtRIpPAyo0MjyvzBOeC3QCgg/s4032/FACC38B7-A7CD-46F9-9701-2889FB4B692E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2saNw9DJpKHx2DWUacnJ8eQKxx5YdXkGBTCrspt-MK220yI0c_i56opNQDd4Kkitk1Pbfe1aiVVkvdbhZzI2aFgqhKh5Z7nUDPShpcnKMAFV6SLGMvKetIrrzK5bN2BPC-5LAughLEZuR7-UlyoqwTzC0HGs5_m_WSsKtRIpPAyo0MjyvzBOeC3QCgg/w640-h480/FACC38B7-A7CD-46F9-9701-2889FB4B692E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic leg rest and recline.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_R957OXPJUZhCqpZQcY8j7F-qUHW9qOO7yYcIUthnDRbT_3Dps0J8YtAUOQbB7GEjad72h6ly5rHEOiLYA531sY8Mm6N3Oms0PV_yXFFIbFJI7r4xIPor-EOn1fL2Hf5qs_YEFonHgDWPVjd-XZBI4Dzts_f32051mHLRudNO2zu6tLBchWuoPttuA/s4032/52B799B8-F8DA-443F-8A15-02906791223D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_R957OXPJUZhCqpZQcY8j7F-qUHW9qOO7yYcIUthnDRbT_3Dps0J8YtAUOQbB7GEjad72h6ly5rHEOiLYA531sY8Mm6N3Oms0PV_yXFFIbFJI7r4xIPor-EOn1fL2Hf5qs_YEFonHgDWPVjd-XZBI4Dzts_f32051mHLRudNO2zu6tLBchWuoPttuA/w640-h480/52B799B8-F8DA-443F-8A15-02906791223D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the electrical outlets at each seat, which are now mounted on the seat pedestal instead of the wall. There are also plugs on the front of each seat pedestal, so that 4-seaters still have access to electrical outlets. </td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqnZLN4TOixxnrI_tRqhJwZJYB43Vcp4tFNeroDPlt0IfY7mswdKLcq4RqvXFN0ZxCWkT8Ac_OpjUaMKxVn-56bk9x9rqhKTrzppBOMUbriiGNf6BE2ZpR5jGBSYJkbGnamkH-iLhr5H7Q3sshpGwIiATRp_99ws6DGEX7-WIFqYLV81WNqrEN_fIjg/s4032/7DF1B24F-C618-4846-85BF-B9A83D3E95CE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqnZLN4TOixxnrI_tRqhJwZJYB43Vcp4tFNeroDPlt0IfY7mswdKLcq4RqvXFN0ZxCWkT8Ac_OpjUaMKxVn-56bk9x9rqhKTrzppBOMUbriiGNf6BE2ZpR5jGBSYJkbGnamkH-iLhr5H7Q3sshpGwIiATRp_99ws6DGEX7-WIFqYLV81WNqrEN_fIjg/w640-h480/7DF1B24F-C618-4846-85BF-B9A83D3E95CE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End with washroom and water fill station. </td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqqB1mVlHPtSrT2-OEqSTevd4-olzzuNI5o697Uu6iolHFoJA1d72Ra_IqTwxv45gzbyfApqmusRbgy9Wrr7cU0_WU55rXww8c5x2-M_VbFjjN4KSMak_vvwsYNIX6_h1tpga0gCa16xwof8-FjQhsVwgmwSRQdoPeS7YOmLkLPCMAamzbeuQHmQdjQ/s4032/31B0A7D8-09E8-49E6-BA86-E1DB2AC11614.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqqB1mVlHPtSrT2-OEqSTevd4-olzzuNI5o697Uu6iolHFoJA1d72Ra_IqTwxv45gzbyfApqmusRbgy9Wrr7cU0_WU55rXww8c5x2-M_VbFjjN4KSMak_vvwsYNIX6_h1tpga0gCa16xwof8-FjQhsVwgmwSRQdoPeS7YOmLkLPCMAamzbeuQHmQdjQ/w480-h640/31B0A7D8-09E8-49E6-BA86-E1DB2AC11614.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ends of the cars now include built-in garbage and recycling bins. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The HEP1 coaches were well used,
and seemed to have passengers going through to Halifax as well as some
intermediate points. The Ren coaches up front were loaded with passengers going
to Moncton, and then at Moncton any passengers boarding (either for Halifax or
points between) were loaded in that section. On quieter trips only the HEP1 cars
are used, as they can (and do) have their seats turned at the end points to
face forward. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Along the way, I picked up a
rather disappointing piece of information. In the past, any VIA crews that
worked up to Montreal before Christmas would have the option to be flown back
to Halifax for Christmas Day, and then either they or a new crew would be flown
back up to Montreal afterwards to work the first post-Christmas trip. A very
respectable practice, and one that helps make working around that time of year
a bit easier. Unfortunately, in what seems to be yet another rather misguided
attempt to save costs at the expense of employees, VIA ended that practice this
year. So any crews that worked #15 from Halifax on Dec. 22 would have arrived
in Montreal on Dec. 23, and had to stay there until Dec. 26 to work back on
#14. Unsurprisingly, this led to a shortage of crew members willing to make
this trip. In the long run, my car attendant was among crew who were flown up
first thing on Dec. 26, and even with that they ended up having to bring on
several Corridor crew members from the Montreal base in order to fill out the
staff compliment. We ended up with 4 Corridor-based crew members on that trip, and were
apparently still short-staffed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The attendants assigned to the
HEP1 coaches were Corridor crews. Where this became most noticeable was when
they were doing cart service, and I was trying to make my way through the car
to get to the diner. They didn’t appear to be expecting anyone needing to get
through the car, as that’s not a consideration on Corridor trains. It took me a
while to work my way past them! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">In any case, I have nothing but
good things to say about the crew members on this trip. They were all kind,
courteous, and professional, even while evidently having to put up with a lot
after already being laid off for such an extended period of time. VIA is very
lucky to have them, and I wish they’d be more serious about treating them well.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the trip went smoothly,
and it was largely a nice day. I did note that the small stations at Charlo and Jacquet
River were finally demolished (both had serious structural
issues that were beyond easy repair), leaving only a sign board and parking lot
at each; but we did make stops at both. We also stopped at Petit Rocher, but had
no stop at Rogersville. Later on we would have a stop at Amherst, but not Sackville
or Springhill Jct. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxmXRcUEahxhTpM4giAHT_AJSXEE0PHUBVzlW9XnHYaQsj8L6A9zTPEaB1e2p2WCzMzzW6NsjswY7eUFNFqyPumW4S8J_maotGpEGMY6ON87nR_alD_F8Kr9LdNlIAbbRYGA-fpZn4oyoa6-mCdjSH3jLt_Ug3qUKvP1rW0C_84vHMbDkGFnosa7pUQ/s4032/3B3F495E-0DFA-49C1-98C8-5968379C751E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxmXRcUEahxhTpM4giAHT_AJSXEE0PHUBVzlW9XnHYaQsj8L6A9zTPEaB1e2p2WCzMzzW6NsjswY7eUFNFqyPumW4S8J_maotGpEGMY6ON87nR_alD_F8Kr9LdNlIAbbRYGA-fpZn4oyoa6-mCdjSH3jLt_Ug3qUKvP1rW0C_84vHMbDkGFnosa7pUQ/w640-h480/3B3F495E-0DFA-49C1-98C8-5968379C751E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop at Charlo. Now just a lot with a platform. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyvkRaQ3CtM-xFd30fZequjB2pwLzwGX6W87gxfHj1x2lAgwa4wg-tAFNFzsPYOxwTwGewFVXHSEWq58fJB7enymrbaGxhrmwfpzILRXSZ7qOZGh0_FFq-9TM_FEVy1Udlqv6DGs9t-iry2ChWNX7JM9Fss8zl77O4nKI764Zf2kzCsqe_BRyVbkStg/s4032/ACE48A04-A8C4-4FC3-AEA4-12A1B48B05EA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyvkRaQ3CtM-xFd30fZequjB2pwLzwGX6W87gxfHj1x2lAgwa4wg-tAFNFzsPYOxwTwGewFVXHSEWq58fJB7enymrbaGxhrmwfpzILRXSZ7qOZGh0_FFq-9TM_FEVy1Udlqv6DGs9t-iry2ChWNX7JM9Fss8zl77O4nKI764Zf2kzCsqe_BRyVbkStg/w640-h480/ACE48A04-A8C4-4FC3-AEA4-12A1B48B05EA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop at Jacquet River. Parking lot and platform are still cleared and available, but no shelter.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBEvPsJ_Ey_XEvDwM3vc7_mOECQ80H7E7D5W4-ZkAmca_Kj4jguJysRDS_r-KdGeE7v0i2HESrUNbiZ80GHpHMnHW0TM1HlE3eOqVQmt2GeDg9RvIzfoxAluiEPe18UdZjWDiwHWIl-93bnrxm9-_pkA__-oCp-ziz63iNDmkUYoR3as88C-XRQiI3A/s4032/6B8F8AAB-3D5D-492A-8CC2-46FE87B09D04.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBEvPsJ_Ey_XEvDwM3vc7_mOECQ80H7E7D5W4-ZkAmca_Kj4jguJysRDS_r-KdGeE7v0i2HESrUNbiZ80GHpHMnHW0TM1HlE3eOqVQmt2GeDg9RvIzfoxAluiEPe18UdZjWDiwHWIl-93bnrxm9-_pkA__-oCp-ziz63iNDmkUYoR3as88C-XRQiI3A/w640-h480/6B8F8AAB-3D5D-492A-8CC2-46FE87B09D04.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petit Rocher still retains its station, as it's owned by the town. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were two lunch settings, as
usual, and I opted for the second one. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_BF38dRxy2spYKvdqbrGv8Iz6Z7sIEm7yllCIdQDCxWnq8fM8qUc6YvZLUqWqqCiadvhbAiXulF-PT0o_sg0FTCnnnK8y2grWKu9fdLXrXfSD-5KR1KTiYBk76n8uUGSlM6U4uf7Hxj_84JgrpMbR5Sh_CAbCK_vy53rIT9XSLKsMSHJgPp3ocW4Lw/s3555/1D2E4420-229D-40C5-A255-AB038D4D27DB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3555" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_BF38dRxy2spYKvdqbrGv8Iz6Z7sIEm7yllCIdQDCxWnq8fM8qUc6YvZLUqWqqCiadvhbAiXulF-PT0o_sg0FTCnnnK8y2grWKu9fdLXrXfSD-5KR1KTiYBk76n8uUGSlM6U4uf7Hxj_84JgrpMbR5Sh_CAbCK_vy53rIT9XSLKsMSHJgPp3ocW4Lw/w544-h640/1D2E4420-229D-40C5-A255-AB038D4D27DB.jpeg" width="544" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu. Contrary to the information on the menu, alcohol service was not available,</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuDmTIdqICfM4jzT0CVRmscb-UCI7GuKCwUh2vOa3hdas5J6GtOTCrSOOFE-DP4fmzMK0DEhYet_m6gFbjQrBeM6A8aaZPGdYk3VrE6n9ggrewViHTnvrFoB1e0e9rgPHOGsKkY0TsbhOplfMfDE-5hpyP82Xbci98TWk2rn9cYj5kin_IVSJU1-UzA/s3834/822E838F-DB2B-4B4F-86FC-AC54EF4758BE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2885" data-original-width="3834" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuDmTIdqICfM4jzT0CVRmscb-UCI7GuKCwUh2vOa3hdas5J6GtOTCrSOOFE-DP4fmzMK0DEhYet_m6gFbjQrBeM6A8aaZPGdYk3VrE6n9ggrewViHTnvrFoB1e0e9rgPHOGsKkY0TsbhOplfMfDE-5hpyP82Xbci98TWk2rn9cYj5kin_IVSJU1-UzA/w640-h482/822E838F-DB2B-4B4F-86FC-AC54EF4758BE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chowder to start.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8pclRqEaOkMDF3dwT09UGK5F2beZ1Pl-CV-9G89BHJZgN55T-ix6rMZrc2GPA3E83fe9F9dq6Jv3H7EPPOzGcDOHoTKLmQoPfiBFnn1_q6Ol1zoJGdHVX5IXtitAw8CpF-e-OwK1_Pi7FdRPJ5geyOwbAuFY5vnuYQZsxoSE7z-vy8XbyH9k7oHLyg/s4032/4091F0E4-F3A4-4D3C-92A7-ECB45B4BA5BC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8pclRqEaOkMDF3dwT09UGK5F2beZ1Pl-CV-9G89BHJZgN55T-ix6rMZrc2GPA3E83fe9F9dq6Jv3H7EPPOzGcDOHoTKLmQoPfiBFnn1_q6Ol1zoJGdHVX5IXtitAw8CpF-e-OwK1_Pi7FdRPJ5geyOwbAuFY5vnuYQZsxoSE7z-vy8XbyH9k7oHLyg/w640-h480/4091F0E4-F3A4-4D3C-92A7-ECB45B4BA5BC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken shish taouk </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0qx7jwrHyvNM0oA9BGh6T-NGrbd46TeDeyBy4qGDs1MONAMiCQUBDnRmLocbQKRrNL9ZdxXDZ7yaxvTqsi1RdwstPdzYT_LQj7EbB9xIOzlKBgpfp8jOzVf5s44pGNIfralsswr2_trvYZgORWXVqjVW90b0xupw0KCr4NAJAkZphFspluXJjUiwog/s4032/F35EBA5F-9284-47FF-8986-A8A2147888C4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0qx7jwrHyvNM0oA9BGh6T-NGrbd46TeDeyBy4qGDs1MONAMiCQUBDnRmLocbQKRrNL9ZdxXDZ7yaxvTqsi1RdwstPdzYT_LQj7EbB9xIOzlKBgpfp8jOzVf5s44pGNIfralsswr2_trvYZgORWXVqjVW90b0xupw0KCr4NAJAkZphFspluXJjUiwog/w640-h480/F35EBA5F-9284-47FF-8986-A8A2147888C4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert was some sort of maple swiss roll. Not bad, though not overly exciting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVIPS6pFu2UYfoJnX6lb-k1w5nd5I3GmdlAfXTVsTAiXKW70mLKy3sPOuSsC0s7TSqyQs3SHUZWX8y9XwqnAayProQylRk5zuvwdgnAO53cTGFpniQXWubCBBXbWgycShU4TcjN_yJ5Z8qsgVqUHTsjpR3B8xAKqYvOj13L9Qwg1xUk9LSVPVz2vkrA/s4026/9EE256E8-F57E-4AF6-BAA8-23398A51E6DA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2746" data-original-width="4026" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVIPS6pFu2UYfoJnX6lb-k1w5nd5I3GmdlAfXTVsTAiXKW70mLKy3sPOuSsC0s7TSqyQs3SHUZWX8y9XwqnAayProQylRk5zuvwdgnAO53cTGFpniQXWubCBBXbWgycShU4TcjN_yJ5Z8qsgVqUHTsjpR3B8xAKqYvOj13L9Qwg1xUk9LSVPVz2vkrA/w640-h436/9EE256E8-F57E-4AF6-BAA8-23398A51E6DA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One unusual perk of having Chateaus running in opposite directions is this kind of symmetry, not often seen in the typical VIA consist orientation.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax0oyRvZ6ODTKmVmTaZXuaQkK1DdeTa94cfcmhE4EHLBdEmZkhmKcCyScZDbqhqA28UO93CMQ6tHcLj3XhJtnhxbjGBwFN_dMFKYiDhQNy0Qb76Cxjy3Q2fH7JOUqHJcgvEMqxFsMdrdk7u1vzRt_vrW8m4bGxz2A0H2Ml5wdfOK4xwr4tz9vF1wmzg/s3799/7B5318F3-2AC2-4D88-AD57-A9D0B9255B8A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="3799" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax0oyRvZ6ODTKmVmTaZXuaQkK1DdeTa94cfcmhE4EHLBdEmZkhmKcCyScZDbqhqA28UO93CMQ6tHcLj3XhJtnhxbjGBwFN_dMFKYiDhQNy0Qb76Cxjy3Q2fH7JOUqHJcgvEMqxFsMdrdk7u1vzRt_vrW8m4bGxz2A0H2Ml5wdfOK4xwr4tz9vF1wmzg/w640-h474/7B5318F3-2AC2-4D88-AD57-A9D0B9255B8A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The classic rear-end shot at Moncton doesn't have quite the same "pizazz" anymore...but at least there's still a train stopping here...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGbAlfkN2IRN7HAhg8mzl3KwwKzUq_DLxOd2uhBxSBNCqy6-LoZkizZUCyf4Evwd3tGs9ozxi1wXck5yLZS16eDMfl6wH21vMF4ZmY20Pm7RfmRj7hCMs_u4-FbzyzMsPNycnVkexfTIODYs5sK1bZyKsqLipJ2_zvwckUN-TUxIP7LXP99-jHf6tDg/s4032/B83A4275-1D4A-441E-9696-24B4BCDFBD4C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGbAlfkN2IRN7HAhg8mzl3KwwKzUq_DLxOd2uhBxSBNCqy6-LoZkizZUCyf4Evwd3tGs9ozxi1wXck5yLZS16eDMfl6wH21vMF4ZmY20Pm7RfmRj7hCMs_u4-FbzyzMsPNycnVkexfTIODYs5sK1bZyKsqLipJ2_zvwckUN-TUxIP7LXP99-jHf6tDg/w480-h640/B83A4275-1D4A-441E-9696-24B4BCDFBD4C.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "view" from the rear end. A far cry from the Park car's bullet lounge...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">At Moncton, a railfan friend of
mine was out by the tracks to photograph our train going by. A CN
conductor/engineer, he had been waiting after having worked a train up to Moncton
and was ultimately heading back to Halifax in a cab. We were messaging back and
forth as our train made its way, and realized at some point that he *just*
might beat us back to Halifax. It was going to be close! As we made our way
through Bedford, I realized that we were going to be detoured around through
the yard at Rockingham, as the main line was occupied. This meant we’d take the
transfer track at Millview, and crawl along through the yard. This would delay
us a bit more, but in the case of this impromptu chase, it would work out well. Ultimately, he would make it to the yard office at Rockingham with a few
minutes to spare, and we’d have a chance to wave and exchange photos a second
time! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErxosoP3T4TNgWO7g4VHEcD3BR37o9KpLBHVthB1wF_aePQOZuMZ_Gaj1TKEzM-qhgAtJ0gOC4AkCaYNqIUUTWEAgm-omVZ5ajJ2FwsUIuQzQxpkkZgzENhkgyB8qQbE_fRJ8hq-F1dL99fBxlEtnndDitk49OQcjEkEAORBJ4cY8dHSt4fzlSZQkmg/s3214/A2BD6663-C00A-47D9-B44D-87B29255EEE4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3214" data-original-width="2539" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErxosoP3T4TNgWO7g4VHEcD3BR37o9KpLBHVthB1wF_aePQOZuMZ_Gaj1TKEzM-qhgAtJ0gOC4AkCaYNqIUUTWEAgm-omVZ5ajJ2FwsUIuQzQxpkkZgzENhkgyB8qQbE_fRJ8hq-F1dL99fBxlEtnndDitk49OQcjEkEAORBJ4cY8dHSt4fzlSZQkmg/w506-h640/A2BD6663-C00A-47D9-B44D-87B29255EEE4.jpeg" width="506" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb snaps photos of our train, just before spotting where I'm camped out on board.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9M-g8_stUCNAjfF4bhVo3r3h9hHl1oKFAbRqG4js-ZIeqNpDi3onAljsSLreVtVBN4GI4vKu6496NPm0_ZT_0a7o0fisjO3JIuBBk4qoJNSK_-a5AVrnPhwPxUFNChPrzV2qyAqf_zFV1eoqcMdx4bx2SeU1y7NSR67zjin2CWa93w9aVQZepHWttg/s4032/ACC9B83C-9170-4850-9DB0-50D58E4E0632.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9M-g8_stUCNAjfF4bhVo3r3h9hHl1oKFAbRqG4js-ZIeqNpDi3onAljsSLreVtVBN4GI4vKu6496NPm0_ZT_0a7o0fisjO3JIuBBk4qoJNSK_-a5AVrnPhwPxUFNChPrzV2qyAqf_zFV1eoqcMdx4bx2SeU1y7NSR67zjin2CWa93w9aVQZepHWttg/w640-h480/ACC9B83C-9170-4850-9DB0-50D58E4E0632.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorchester penitentiary, always an impressive sight.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypFC9OYB2rpA9i9_mt6MsQLn_XlQ_HiK0maJKcREWbPRFPtp5ZXMSGkvvEZhuj5gaBl0VDr5bGz6-oPnkM2aOd2C6zkKTK0cVL-7TgxXatRwHZL9iEpdpp8FbL0hzz9q6n4XPSpawdC0b2SsYD6EU0nPhAurasD-Nb-4AyDLmoIeL7eaOipN4I-kHRQ/s3727/D64C8DD3-2317-4DCD-81D7-184BCD0149B2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2606" data-original-width="3727" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypFC9OYB2rpA9i9_mt6MsQLn_XlQ_HiK0maJKcREWbPRFPtp5ZXMSGkvvEZhuj5gaBl0VDr5bGz6-oPnkM2aOd2C6zkKTK0cVL-7TgxXatRwHZL9iEpdpp8FbL0hzz9q6n4XPSpawdC0b2SsYD6EU0nPhAurasD-Nb-4AyDLmoIeL7eaOipN4I-kHRQ/w640-h448/D64C8DD3-2317-4DCD-81D7-184BCD0149B2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding the curve on the Tantramar marsh, about to re-enter Nova Scotia. It's hard to get as nice of a view without the dome, but the curve is tight enough that you can still get a decent view from anywhere near the rear of the train.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FoFNGsr-IkDgXvwt80a-RaKL_OA1R7jQ_cRIi7p76okXel9BoRBoVaEkEmuDcujhJC_fCJX-OTX3M1rC_kL93ApKMf3Gy5__ZYK2Lu8QatLaF50d_GSPutFAuoKeMZSf8v62BZL4kTAiyDdF1Plxk85d2LmHhrjgNgjtEMj7V4ev_CYyMJF7oYK2RQ/s4032/0A6F7E8D-4307-4EAB-AC6A-671D9106BFD0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FoFNGsr-IkDgXvwt80a-RaKL_OA1R7jQ_cRIi7p76okXel9BoRBoVaEkEmuDcujhJC_fCJX-OTX3M1rC_kL93ApKMf3Gy5__ZYK2Lu8QatLaF50d_GSPutFAuoKeMZSf8v62BZL4kTAiyDdF1Plxk85d2LmHhrjgNgjtEMj7V4ev_CYyMJF7oYK2RQ/w640-h480/0A6F7E8D-4307-4EAB-AC6A-671D9106BFD0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting sun over the marsh.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H8pl9Xtm9MKvB_kcNs9Xal-24-jJba3XlfmlPp6oovZ61JyaLwdixvmH-ChEDR4px4kjdIqPoZOYL-WGWs1RiMXXHC_5m6toct6cYlegrcG7KFeDXbnt3vwAaz_BTUSjCpAwVBSeWH_wTIeigUKH619pbi_3SoQAgzkh4ka6B3nxoDONPoBJcjJJ2Q/s4032/CD559AD8-6D90-4314-BD50-21CF716C9F16.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H8pl9Xtm9MKvB_kcNs9Xal-24-jJba3XlfmlPp6oovZ61JyaLwdixvmH-ChEDR4px4kjdIqPoZOYL-WGWs1RiMXXHC_5m6toct6cYlegrcG7KFeDXbnt3vwAaz_BTUSjCpAwVBSeWH_wTIeigUKH619pbi_3SoQAgzkh4ka6B3nxoDONPoBJcjJJ2Q/w640-h480/CD559AD8-6D90-4314-BD50-21CF716C9F16.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Bedford Basin - slow moving on the transfer track made for a chance to take a few more photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQwvb3_eEWsET3gAxaK_Hrt1IzoODeL2kLMAMQwkbGz5u8c7KnqP370Zd2f-6lUN3wZOCDvgXe2wj3tpUmkIKPRZ-F6xxS6dkzkIMtw0tXfhuf2UDzGmS4fh6NkEdcmG4gwZ5eiLYkhCpfkmSMRiaQJmwSsLw3HXJQHXmEKCP__dHabxwiyoxn5gd7A/s4032/F9A69352-3053-4D47-881C-3116A845FB6B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQwvb3_eEWsET3gAxaK_Hrt1IzoODeL2kLMAMQwkbGz5u8c7KnqP370Zd2f-6lUN3wZOCDvgXe2wj3tpUmkIKPRZ-F6xxS6dkzkIMtw0tXfhuf2UDzGmS4fh6NkEdcmG4gwZ5eiLYkhCpfkmSMRiaQJmwSsLw3HXJQHXmEKCP__dHabxwiyoxn5gd7A/w640-h480/F9A69352-3053-4D47-881C-3116A845FB6B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbour views, with a ship being worked at Fairview Cove.</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJngmsC_mXopykACPXnTaCsUO_vfmkX_jMRQqqi6Oh3l85ref05fOrNgc-y6FDmS1WCHRQ5Mi5WE4RBwU4d8lsyfZptJqqclDq7tIfT-B3pJqGbraeHXXnep-15JBLA8J4LSbRNO41XpVcVd7QwCNKz_YB0MAoUYPBUe9ucgjHm7oxguTNYDBrDpkHg/s4032/B292BAAA-AA40-41D6-AAB0-DE5C7E07B958.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJngmsC_mXopykACPXnTaCsUO_vfmkX_jMRQqqi6Oh3l85ref05fOrNgc-y6FDmS1WCHRQ5Mi5WE4RBwU4d8lsyfZptJqqclDq7tIfT-B3pJqGbraeHXXnep-15JBLA8J4LSbRNO41XpVcVd7QwCNKz_YB0MAoUYPBUe9ucgjHm7oxguTNYDBrDpkHg/w640-h480/B292BAAA-AA40-41D6-AAB0-DE5C7E07B958.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You again!? Thanks to our further delay, Caleb gets to spot us twice - heck, they should have just put him on the train instead of in a cab!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh717VNM7SH9VCeFyfRw7TZh2ZHvQMqBYPnBmYpYq8CaeqH9ZdgVrYu_TCB8t2ZZUL0-Q3zGMp1_OgNwLFqcjKNzm13_Yjv9UkzpCQyBPgQKE6LWnuiNM60RWKdLH_LoxJQRhA-1Px3VGFzUhp5nrIq0xGuRWSDcWpk2y_51eKvbrjiPFeiOB6sYfY0YA/s4032/A94EC152-9DF2-4282-B3C5-AEA03B1493D2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh717VNM7SH9VCeFyfRw7TZh2ZHvQMqBYPnBmYpYq8CaeqH9ZdgVrYu_TCB8t2ZZUL0-Q3zGMp1_OgNwLFqcjKNzm13_Yjv9UkzpCQyBPgQKE6LWnuiNM60RWKdLH_LoxJQRhA-1Px3VGFzUhp5nrIq0xGuRWSDcWpk2y_51eKvbrjiPFeiOB6sYfY0YA/w480-h640/A94EC152-9DF2-4282-B3C5-AEA03B1493D2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the trip ending in darkness, I had my lights back on for the last stretch - so here's one last look in the festive roomette. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We would finally arrive in Halifax
at 7:43pm, under 2 hours behind schedule – not bad, given the extended delay we
started off with. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9jkKI6WnpR3ReLyDsEJCj4weYbN6tnQ4K9qZUkeaZFF5ZRxPenocUxvnzqIv8vk3lsxAouP9ypcTG447k-DMjACCghzIDOZv0Me3vs1PVi_bGlpNV4QTOhPJ1qYfL3oUtyIlwGZTqMmdzdYzO29f-f5ZY-9td56mhLKMMJC75DLNyiy_DOZJk1LDxg/s4032/93501633-155C-4524-B7DE-062CE871A310.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9jkKI6WnpR3ReLyDsEJCj4weYbN6tnQ4K9qZUkeaZFF5ZRxPenocUxvnzqIv8vk3lsxAouP9ypcTG447k-DMjACCghzIDOZv0Me3vs1PVi_bGlpNV4QTOhPJ1qYfL3oUtyIlwGZTqMmdzdYzO29f-f5ZY-9td56mhLKMMJC75DLNyiy_DOZJk1LDxg/w640-h480/93501633-155C-4524-B7DE-062CE871A310.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in Halifax. With the new consist, the walk from the Renaissance sleepers would be pretty short - but it's still a long hike if you're back in the Chateaus!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MSEWcVgAFJFYsDpSSDkxFFTlLuIbqLJqtyz0hJAbJn77W9PIRQdT3xylmmOdHIUTY56ImKwdZDaYTFgyCWXKHVfYTUjdGO84pQ2m8lSnWEXdP37RAogilvEqXA3EELHjyA5vbgujNE7POpQbuwordnr7yepp6gKgzV9Pzk037gnK9voirRFILRGA4w/s3995/7EFD413F-44A5-44F9-9DA0-1D44A207B81B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2740" data-original-width="3995" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MSEWcVgAFJFYsDpSSDkxFFTlLuIbqLJqtyz0hJAbJn77W9PIRQdT3xylmmOdHIUTY56ImKwdZDaYTFgyCWXKHVfYTUjdGO84pQ2m8lSnWEXdP37RAogilvEqXA3EELHjyA5vbgujNE7POpQbuwordnr7yepp6gKgzV9Pzk037gnK9voirRFILRGA4w/w640-h438/7EFD413F-44A5-44F9-9DA0-1D44A207B81B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in the Halifax station. Most of the passengers who disembarked are behind me waiting to pick up their baggage. </td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just like the way up, this was
another very relaxing and enjoyable trip. It was interesting to have the very different
experience in both directions, as the current consist really does make it feel
like two different trains depending on which end you’re occupying. As with the
trip up, the loss of the Park car and associated amenities was definitely
noticed, though admittedly, the sudden Covid resurgence did make having a secluded
space of my own for the duration of the trip feel like a luxury.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the pandemic wanes (or at least
evolves) and travel returns to more “normal”, I really do hope that VIA will
come up with a better solution to replace the lost amenities. The Renaissance
service cars, both of which are shared between economy and sleeper passengers
in the current configuration, really won’t cut it. The original bidirectional consist
plan that was floated around before Covid happened included a Skyline and a
slightly different overall configuration, but whether any such plan still
exists remains to be seen. The Ocean absolutely serves a basic transportation
function for many of the points along its route, but there’s no question that tourists
and leisure travellers are a significant revenue stream during peak travel
times, and one has to wonder how much of that will return as the train has
fewer amenities to offer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the moment, we’re still
awaiting formal confirmation of when the third (Friday) trips will actually return.
The reservations system shows this starting the first Friday in June, but as we’ve
seen in the past, this could still change and I wouldn’t trust it until VIA
formally announces this. VIA’s answers about restoring the full frequency have
kept making reference to responding to travel demands – at this stage, sleeper
space on many trains through the summer is already sold out (though Chateau space
has not yet been added to most trains), including Friday trips. That certainly
seems to indicate a return in demand. There could be other considerations, such
as hiring sufficient staff, but the two trainsets in operation are already
sufficient to cover three round trips, and shortening the layovers in Montreal
will definitely make for better working conditions for the onboard staff. In
any case, it will make travel planning much easier (and more feasible) for
those who do want or need to take the train. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">So with that, this report is
finally wrapped up! Odd to be writing about Christmas time in April (note to
self: that can be avoided if you don’t take so long to write it!), but it is nice
to revisit things, and I hope that you’ve found this interesting to read
through. I don’t have any other trips planned in the immediate term, though
that’s certainly on my mind as we move into the spring of what is feeling like
a more comfortable year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">As always, thanks for reading, and
I hope you’ve enjoyed or at least found this somewhat interesting!<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div>TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-89947124335343640482022-02-04T17:36:00.000-04:002022-02-04T17:36:12.826-04:00Christmas travels in the time of Covid - Part 1<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><i></i></u></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><u><i><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></i></u><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><i>PART 1 - To Montreal and Ottawa, in Renaissance </i></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><i><br /></i></u></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0FzBotNtz8Rnbb_LpRqYzAODDlsEluYgTo3csueAE1fkuJq1pa_Q-HDwDpYA14R-E-8MN1dBi5pLfXiR0ZoaKXwY0ollCGR3FfVFsPpa7KM1EGbAOoEFsDrPW1NUoKvuBRzMhgeDxbSqNpZiRtfYD9WXt7IocZc3b9eDQGB-odEhOzPvubDQxqTLlOA=s1599" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1599" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0FzBotNtz8Rnbb_LpRqYzAODDlsEluYgTo3csueAE1fkuJq1pa_Q-HDwDpYA14R-E-8MN1dBi5pLfXiR0ZoaKXwY0ollCGR3FfVFsPpa7KM1EGbAOoEFsDrPW1NUoKvuBRzMhgeDxbSqNpZiRtfYD9WXt7IocZc3b9eDQGB-odEhOzPvubDQxqTLlOA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train clips along through the snow at Windsor Jct. It was a great day to be on the train, and a great one to be trackside as well! Photo by Kyle Tourneur (original at <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/147890230@N06/51757794851/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/147890230@N06/51757794851/</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s nice to be
back. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">As Christmas
2021 approached, the pandemic was clearly not yet done (and preparing to take a
turn many of us weren’t quite expecting), but the situation was vastly
different from just a year ago. Travel restrictions between provinces, at least
for those who had been vaccinated, were now long gone. The overwhelming bulk of
the population was fully vaccinated, with boosters beginning to roll out for
the most vulnerable populations. The Ocean had been up and running for several
months now, and a second weekly frequency was added just a couple of weeks
before the Christmas season, ideally timed to offer a few more options for the
travelling public at what is normally a busy time of year. For so many reasons,
it felt like heading to Ontario, and going by train, was once again a good idea
(or, at the very least, not a particularly bad one!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I knew I had
missed this sort of travel, but I don’t think I had really fully appreciated just
how much I missed every part of the process until I actually got back into it.
Even just planning things out, looking up dates, checking availability, figuring
out what accommodations to go with, etc. etc. – all of these things have a bit
of excitement associated with them, at least for me, and it was an immensely
cathartic experience being able to do that again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The twice a
week schedule offered a bit more flexibility, of course, than the once a week
offering before. This was important not just for passengers, but also for the
crews, shortening up the layovers in Montreal, allowing for additional employees
to be brought back, and also facilitating better head-end crew scheduling with
the two trainsets operating. All in all, a welcome thing – though a return to
the full 3/week schedule will still be even more welcome, and of course a daily
train would be even better – but I’ll leave that topic aside for now. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">With this
schedule, I was able to make a plan that would take me westbound from Halifax on
Sunday, Dec. 19, and back from Ottawa/Montreal the following Sunday, Dec. 26. This
would put me on each of the two trainsets in operation. I also decided that I
would book a different type of accommodation each way, so I could try out the
two sections of the train. With the current consist, there’s effectively a Renaissance
end to the train and a HEP end to the train, with the only commonality for
sleeper passengers being the Renaissance diner in the middle. Otherwise, it’s
effectively like two different trains coupled together. By booking in a Renaissance
sleeper one way and a HEP sleeper the other, I could get a look at both. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0GdpxmIGpIH8E3znPYDz8gWlYHips2OxPcwRPSA-SrMqIrLUSjNIJm2CAkCZ6xxZ8t2vlla26OEEEw8J7JP_3LBU3a_ZsY2e-6767yl7FCOjtBYp08ibyOCpzIV2MJWkYnlMCQJG4fVtTbGdaYvGo-0RoZIPbbFC3JMXh6LIS_2rbssk8B66TJOQKjA=s3085" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2115" data-original-width="3085" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0GdpxmIGpIH8E3znPYDz8gWlYHips2OxPcwRPSA-SrMqIrLUSjNIJm2CAkCZ6xxZ8t2vlla26OEEEw8J7JP_3LBU3a_ZsY2e-6767yl7FCOjtBYp08ibyOCpzIV2MJWkYnlMCQJG4fVtTbGdaYvGo-0RoZIPbbFC3JMXh6LIS_2rbssk8B66TJOQKjA=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 15 sits ready for departure from Halifax. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I arrived at
the Halifax station about an hour before departure on Dec. 19. It was a snowy
morning, making for an ideal day to be heading out on the train. There was a
sizeable crowd in the station, and a suitably festive atmosphere, despite
feeling a bit different with the ongoing reality of Covid very much in the
background. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSdPcyCR8LYoeteV5zO2pdgDbdOwywL_RAnmi0US5ZxTNycpn00As---fsqAPGgW_UIPIZMmZNOKmoXAMbEK3Rixg3XzBmS14uFIL7i39hh4gf-M9ldhaJR_o4y3rS479nTCyi9vXAuS3Py00tfz19e0wwqLvxwScxlsbeB6Sf7KPO_rfnDFKos986SQ=s3720" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2709" data-original-width="3720" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSdPcyCR8LYoeteV5zO2pdgDbdOwywL_RAnmi0US5ZxTNycpn00As---fsqAPGgW_UIPIZMmZNOKmoXAMbEK3Rixg3XzBmS14uFIL7i39hh4gf-M9ldhaJR_o4y3rS479nTCyi9vXAuS3Py00tfz19e0wwqLvxwScxlsbeB6Sf7KPO_rfnDFKos986SQ=w640-h466" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Halifax station. At least some Christmas decor is up, and we even have a canine companion making the trip! I would see him again in Montreal, so he clearly made it safe and sound.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I checked my
bag, which I was told could only be checked through to Montreal. I would have
to pick it up there, and carry it on for the train to Ottawa. This was a change
from past practice, where checked bags could be sent all the way through to connecting
stations in the Corridor, even if the trains in question had no baggage car. Crews
packed the bags on board in one of the luggage towers, and for passengers, pick
up at the other end was no different from if there had been a baggage car. With
checked baggage service suspended in the Corridor (supposedly for Covid reasons,
though I’m not sure I really understand that logic), this is no longer an
option. It does seem that passengers making a tighter connection on to Toronto
were given the option to have their bags tagged for direct transfer to their connecting
train, but not so for Ottawa, where the connection time is more generous. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Proof of
vaccination was checked at the same time as baggage, and a small sticker
provided with the date to show other VIA staff who might need to see it. The federal
government mandated proof of vaccination (with limited exceptions) for all rail
and air travel earlier in the fall, so VIA is required to check for compliance.
The check in Halifax was done by visual inspection, with no QR code scanners
(this would be different in both Montreal and Ottawa). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWkXinHO_GPUvFMj3VKTa_dv4Bj0LSE8WoVM50Horhf2H-Vkp-3E-VSHLzu-HflI_nBj2MHUKFaUIVmrtGcIEADfPW4RbUtKJOcZsRHHD3FZtvue2U6BGW58x79EfYxOC8dL0pHyi6gHO0o2m7lm_tuolLfzUZKbhFIkGDaEeOLn-jZDXJY9f5DhzOfg=s3351" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="3351" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWkXinHO_GPUvFMj3VKTa_dv4Bj0LSE8WoVM50Horhf2H-Vkp-3E-VSHLzu-HflI_nBj2MHUKFaUIVmrtGcIEADfPW4RbUtKJOcZsRHHD3FZtvue2U6BGW58x79EfYxOC8dL0pHyi6gHO0o2m7lm_tuolLfzUZKbhFIkGDaEeOLn-jZDXJY9f5DhzOfg=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical blue lunch reservation ticket, and proof of vaccination check. It's a sticker that can be placed on a bag, ticket, or elsewhere, or you can just keep it with you.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">As boarding
time approached, check-in for sleeper passengers opened as usual. The dining
car was back in operation, but passengers were offered a choice of either of
two settings for lunch, or room service. Unlike during the original service
re-launch, room service would be from the normal, full dining car menu, with
the usual array of hot meal options and accompaniments. With the second lunch setting
looking quiet, I decided to opt for that. With that sorted, I headed out to
board the train, around 20 minutes before scheduled departure. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7En0k2ryPfjv3CSrXWxkSzMl9_47KA7iG6jARrqAHT3Lz5CSDhdDaUY3PX6bokzeYB9pXniN-O2T7X8JQjHa4xmG0QD7ckmWuDhCEEyUs_8-r4ruF2wiPFAHZoN-kGXseEKHx_Oo87CBA4nkgr7M56KX6qXproVNoVBRb-D-Or27uNiyfctjfKBdO3g=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7En0k2ryPfjv3CSrXWxkSzMl9_47KA7iG6jARrqAHT3Lz5CSDhdDaUY3PX6bokzeYB9pXniN-O2T7X8JQjHa4xmG0QD7ckmWuDhCEEyUs_8-r4ruF2wiPFAHZoN-kGXseEKHx_Oo87CBA4nkgr7M56KX6qXproVNoVBRb-D-Or27uNiyfctjfKBdO3g=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train, ready for boarding. The Ren baggage car doesn't have anywhere near the allure of the classic Park car. A spare Chateau sits idle on an adjacent track.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">As always, I
took note of the consist. In the lead-up to the holidays there had been
indications of strong bookings, and talk of adding extra equipment. In the end,
the consist only expanded slightly from its off-season configuration, with an
extra Chateau sleeper added (and two of the three Chateaus in passenger
service). In its typically unpredictable fashion, the pandemic had taken
another turn just before Christmas, with the omicron variant spreading like wildfire
and starting to drive up case numbers to unprecedented levels across the
country. Unsurprisingly, many people changed their travel plans last minute. We
won’t ultimately know what longer consists may have been possible if this hadn’t
happened. This shift would also result in changes on the return trip, but more
on that later. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the
consist:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">VIA 15 –
Dec. 19, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6432 (Forward)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6420 (Reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">8618 HEP1
baggage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chateau Argenson (crew)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chateau Montcalm (41)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chateau Radisson (40)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">8118 HEP1 Coach
(refurbished)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">8117 HEP1 Coach
(refurbished)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">7601 Renaissance transition car<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-size: large;">7309 Ren service car<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7402 Ren dining
car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7312 Ren
service car<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">79501 (30) Ren
accessible sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7520 (37) Ren
sleeper (*Room 09)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7522 (38) Ren
sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7516 (39) Ren
sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7231 (04) Ren
coach (forward)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">70108 (05) Ren
accessible coach (reverse)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">7003 Ren
baggage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">*Note that
there were no line numbers listed on the HEP1 coaches – they simply had their
car numbers in their line number displays. There is currently no seat
assignment, with crews directing passengers to their car, so having line
numbers is less important. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Renaissance
section is definitely the more convenient part of the train at Halifax, as it’s
closest to the station in both directions. It made for a relatively short walk
to my sleeper. Coach passengers at Halifax were all being sent to the HEP1
coaches nearer the front, with the Ren coaches to be used for passengers
boarding at Moncton. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Arriving on
board, I noted that everything was in superb shape, as had been the case during
my short trip on the inaugural run. Everything was clean, in good repair, and
functional. I had ended up booking a room without a shower, since it was all
that was still available by the time I booked, but I find that this is quite
acceptable in the westbound direction, when you don’t then have a full day on
the train out the other end. The amenities in the room are a little bit
different from normal, but still very much adequate. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmEEivLSK5-qdOTykWimTfxaSyO3CDzNQIWTzPKJVRUhplUWiGfyyXer_-yllHPjO-em3jDq5IMQzFfEOzJsbIAk-crvB6lKg3j0RiqvJtWUTQrcQ3iQOFIHiqyGX4lr9dtNParzRuh4bUkx41spikjI-4rU6ThU7YWqC-BJDHdWltD1cOHYiUfOVQXQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmEEivLSK5-qdOTykWimTfxaSyO3CDzNQIWTzPKJVRUhplUWiGfyyXer_-yllHPjO-em3jDq5IMQzFfEOzJsbIAk-crvB6lKg3j0RiqvJtWUTQrcQ3iQOFIHiqyGX4lr9dtNParzRuh4bUkx41spikjI-4rU6ThU7YWqC-BJDHdWltD1cOHYiUfOVQXQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking into the Renaissance accessible sleeper. Note that the access to the large accessible room is directly through the vestibule, to allow wheelchair access. This was not my sleeper, but the one ahead - and I figured it was worth including a photo. </td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlboOKIdZwVabzlrFXCYG7Q-Kj7FCxNXM4rApMAYypJDyHxYZx67y2Yi9wJce9C9cxVqijXt1050dJZndvNpTW9ActG9QYLkWkmo3T0wZabDmy0HqAhhg-K6Wfs7UNEcIxCvMyZxrfzylG8O1FmQ9fgn7blPsRTyoBPCHwTXxYR9IkHUJs_97BjRyGrQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlboOKIdZwVabzlrFXCYG7Q-Kj7FCxNXM4rApMAYypJDyHxYZx67y2Yi9wJce9C9cxVqijXt1050dJZndvNpTW9ActG9QYLkWkmo3T0wZabDmy0HqAhhg-K6Wfs7UNEcIxCvMyZxrfzylG8O1FmQ9fgn7blPsRTyoBPCHwTXxYR9IkHUJs_97BjRyGrQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room 9. Forward facing, no shower. As noted back in August, the headrests now have removable antimacassars, and the rooms have otherwise been very nicely cleaned up.</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_fMbQjpIAEkdwRRn3IR1jVhOOtxj9z-QGVOvQB5bsfupvTFXHhDoCHorznCaAjjUvj9txBbEGVu9DSOuPumot2eQ00Fs1WvA1e8Ul5g81-qPE0lj6xMuujq2mUrJgUCP89-pxDBnZbI7BCi0xQX8X3CXate_89wLyI7WvTi2I-bVDLSVIkTwzrnR1Cw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_fMbQjpIAEkdwRRn3IR1jVhOOtxj9z-QGVOvQB5bsfupvTFXHhDoCHorznCaAjjUvj9txBbEGVu9DSOuPumot2eQ00Fs1WvA1e8Ul5g81-qPE0lj6xMuujq2mUrJgUCP89-pxDBnZbI7BCi0xQX8X3CXate_89wLyI7WvTi2I-bVDLSVIkTwzrnR1Cw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the room. Bathrooms in the non-shower rooms are on the opposite sides from the shower rooms (i.e. in forward facing rooms they are by the room door). There is also no mirror on the closet door, and the closet doesn't open up quite as wide. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p><br /><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2l86CX47RQ4Hg2dhOjEpSKY2jexX_jSl5oigT25C5zPmd_xZYYZkajS5PmzFYPpwSwHQ8hmsg1yxTNrMdO9xa5MPA5xf9e6UYjgy-xJEPgQzWVjNPOZ5LrBxHptED8PIgqiuxhCw50nEsO4CgEjAOL8rfFcbOPijuYiouC-MX9_GwweYnKmlXYljr2w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2l86CX47RQ4Hg2dhOjEpSKY2jexX_jSl5oigT25C5zPmd_xZYYZkajS5PmzFYPpwSwHQ8hmsg1yxTNrMdO9xa5MPA5xf9e6UYjgy-xJEPgQzWVjNPOZ5LrBxHptED8PIgqiuxhCw50nEsO4CgEjAOL8rfFcbOPijuYiouC-MX9_GwweYnKmlXYljr2w=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into the bathroom. No shower, and a tiny bit smaller, but otherwise pretty well the same. Very functional. Towels were provided in a kit by the attendant shortly after departure. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuObqSoFV0NotJ333PIk2mY14WrvtJEhSfHxW3Vd5XLyBIJOK_pJpCgCiwchX0JaQmev8M5bfgbNoKZCqx-IZKAF77WJf0o-tvXmEA2YYeAdt1CQHbLnenFFzu9ce4mPiDgtmEJR3JaB03bUh1qlm8lt4VJkrwEppdvMgmfgHeStRyO0WkHoYd57ZD7g=s3887" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3887" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuObqSoFV0NotJ333PIk2mY14WrvtJEhSfHxW3Vd5XLyBIJOK_pJpCgCiwchX0JaQmev8M5bfgbNoKZCqx-IZKAF77WJf0o-tvXmEA2YYeAdt1CQHbLnenFFzu9ce4mPiDgtmEJR3JaB03bUh1qlm8lt4VJkrwEppdvMgmfgHeStRyO0WkHoYd57ZD7g=w498-h640" width="498" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On board guide provided in each cabin.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were a
little late getting underway, departing at 1:13pm. The run out from the station
was smooth, and unlike some other trips (and as you’ll see on the return trip),
CN had the main clear at Rockingham so it was smooth sailing out of town. We had
a meet with CN 120 at Kinsac, but they were already at the siding and being
held for us when we arrived, so it was relatively smooth, even though we had to
come to a complete stop and wait for them to leave. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1FAKtErPb7XQqH-lXwPsCxaa9QGLvx15osXpOz2hRsvjSLp0A6j299Q0P8mdf-9VoWPsCfU3HSEg7caxmjpursTCjsPJyDuD3XUV5XMeL90ihPtj-SCUOCpXoafBibFUFJh1Bd1x3asxxQLC1eA5UJWh21LmFWBQKYGboywoZvxKJuhmkzoMZe9bPbA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1FAKtErPb7XQqH-lXwPsCxaa9QGLvx15osXpOz2hRsvjSLp0A6j299Q0P8mdf-9VoWPsCfU3HSEg7caxmjpursTCjsPJyDuD3XUV5XMeL90ihPtj-SCUOCpXoafBibFUFJh1Bd1x3asxxQLC1eA5UJWh21LmFWBQKYGboywoZvxKJuhmkzoMZe9bPbA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out through the cut away from downtown Halifax, snowy scenes outside the window.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAmcMvnbOe9CR_APr6Fyi85KaYValabDwY6orQqYHAgFjJjTnsS8lKUfrJ0YNJrdXrPLvG5ZrC_0V68EzOhmuQ0F_Wwj3xpw3JwXSIWGO5nOQiypdz-capnF4PfQvG9g0U6iSc-XFT5PC3ElKkNc0fuJWNQhC3QkFgHhNFsBrgXvBbI0CZDO4Q2shsBg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAmcMvnbOe9CR_APr6Fyi85KaYValabDwY6orQqYHAgFjJjTnsS8lKUfrJ0YNJrdXrPLvG5ZrC_0V68EzOhmuQ0F_Wwj3xpw3JwXSIWGO5nOQiypdz-capnF4PfQvG9g0U6iSc-XFT5PC3ElKkNc0fuJWNQhC3QkFgHhNFsBrgXvBbI0CZDO4Q2shsBg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance service car. Available to passengers at limited capacity, but the canteen is closed. This is the service car on the Renaissance side of the train (the rear one).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuU7etP00uQh7kbsSzN3CgHUqRniqXeXryT2QYt4mPDvs_ufhwqMNvYyYEK8mouHLtN09zevBZpeBZHoNKRcK7SwjI6BtPzdLCUiMr1jUaf2wk6cg6Qsiksph5pqaPr1RQf8lBmKIicrocFwtMH6RdHCqlIKj2pJMdiPUw0DD_QH32q58OQHC-iZ9SVw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuU7etP00uQh7kbsSzN3CgHUqRniqXeXryT2QYt4mPDvs_ufhwqMNvYyYEK8mouHLtN09zevBZpeBZHoNKRcK7SwjI6BtPzdLCUiMr1jUaf2wk6cg6Qsiksph5pqaPr1RQf8lBmKIicrocFwtMH6RdHCqlIKj2pJMdiPUw0DD_QH32q58OQHC-iZ9SVw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maximum capacity for the service car. I never saw more than 2 or 3 other people in this car. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv04hoyEj0K5FOIQf6sW-ZiCniH6k5nnjSg4f5XHtV9tiosO5K3diBvNLcFkgAq28-6GqL5THQguxK_fg0JiNiVNRdBlJBdd8B2Vdh318O_3jkCb7AghSTlsHgX4LFocVBjCpTS8W9KcWaPrpy7RMiVuROzicetuR6KqDI3-sRIw_5h1RfKNx11RN8Cw=s3845" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2783" data-original-width="3845" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv04hoyEj0K5FOIQf6sW-ZiCniH6k5nnjSg4f5XHtV9tiosO5K3diBvNLcFkgAq28-6GqL5THQguxK_fg0JiNiVNRdBlJBdd8B2Vdh318O_3jkCb7AghSTlsHgX4LFocVBjCpTS8W9KcWaPrpy7RMiVuROzicetuR6KqDI3-sRIw_5h1RfKNx11RN8Cw=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding the curve at Moirs Mills/Mill Cove, Bedford NS.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWSFh4JS4M9QYDLZZFX0wj0gG1Cgo35YFbFfAMSzSYsmZ-DE28vr_rgBFRhViHtERVr0As0KXJL8__mmZhnFn9t-MyyUQZ-JJ_ZbUFDPMLIFm2fGoQEzJdCBpzQq_mPVw8oGdOa41k1z1t-9msHkaJAcJK9JgxMzgBOsYBNSosynI6ZcwEazrkHEcQKQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWSFh4JS4M9QYDLZZFX0wj0gG1Cgo35YFbFfAMSzSYsmZ-DE28vr_rgBFRhViHtERVr0As0KXJL8__mmZhnFn9t-MyyUQZ-JJ_ZbUFDPMLIFm2fGoQEzJdCBpzQq_mPVw8oGdOa41k1z1t-9msHkaJAcJK9JgxMzgBOsYBNSosynI6ZcwEazrkHEcQKQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The conductor on CN 120 watches us roll by at Kinsac from his perch on the front porch of CN 3096.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEdZVcB5qR7uoF-Y5i6020Mq2NPJxZ83rYcobdG20IXvo0JaakcaI4XXh0WNjA-d8IlhZgXbNNgaAuoC1Z3eV8RHfROI2cZFYLkYdg5nIeYwVFx8kxHLbDifbMe2yXXJu5FaaJY3WMhHn-Mej-4ubPPaPVLnuvbGD4sPoPfkjeWn4eFV0GReGrj0elBw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEdZVcB5qR7uoF-Y5i6020Mq2NPJxZ83rYcobdG20IXvo0JaakcaI4XXh0WNjA-d8IlhZgXbNNgaAuoC1Z3eV8RHfROI2cZFYLkYdg5nIeYwVFx8kxHLbDifbMe2yXXJu5FaaJY3WMhHn-Mej-4ubPPaPVLnuvbGD4sPoPfkjeWn4eFV0GReGrj0elBw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More wintery views from the service car lounge. It's no Park car, but it's still nice. </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq_vlKqdsh_FQ24FylpUm7RBMXkTkpT3JxMfyGsOS9tmMeFTi8G3rLFcvVwJAYjR_3Lmc-RRVO5RK4HSyMrUn7Yb92moS3rc5ts6OjMrNuEtUjVwwjEnRaaVvsoOA_irooZRoYJjoBlu8dxY1fZc2ILmjdrqI6vuMEZQtUgEfqmaU_gzO3UY9n6Kg48A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq_vlKqdsh_FQ24FylpUm7RBMXkTkpT3JxMfyGsOS9tmMeFTi8G3rLFcvVwJAYjR_3Lmc-RRVO5RK4HSyMrUn7Yb92moS3rc5ts6OjMrNuEtUjVwwjEnRaaVvsoOA_irooZRoYJjoBlu8dxY1fZc2ILmjdrqI6vuMEZQtUgEfqmaU_gzO3UY9n6Kg48A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanitizer wipes on offer in the service car.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipq7BJtg9cpd7gjwvG6KOpcUMN3Cb5L6WMIRBTmE_qt1LiHENk3sb_Fp0dTHgW-KE776lvFVN5kcLkHDYszCHwIIgUsvx8nulhujmVJdPvhV9nhAtdQ53I-0jNkh-BE4NyWJ9UqQEYSV62iNGZNaHuJsiAmTIyhWJvBN14QCNtSteoUDMYx2v_5_R-iA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipq7BJtg9cpd7gjwvG6KOpcUMN3Cb5L6WMIRBTmE_qt1LiHENk3sb_Fp0dTHgW-KE776lvFVN5kcLkHDYszCHwIIgUsvx8nulhujmVJdPvhV9nhAtdQ53I-0jNkh-BE4NyWJ9UqQEYSV62iNGZNaHuJsiAmTIyhWJvBN14QCNtSteoUDMYx2v_5_R-iA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Service car bistro - closed for takeout, but the kitchen in behind is very much in use to keep the dining car running. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The on board
experience at this point was a bit different from my initial trip back in August.
Masks were still required in all common areas and in the coaches, but the
dining car was now open, and the service car lounges were also open, with limited
capacity. This made for a bit more freedom of movement within the train, and
removed the potential monotony of staying in your room for the whole trip. The
service car canteens were still closed, though, and all food service for coach
passengers was still being done by cart service at-seat. Passengers could,
however, make use of the lounge and its available WiFi service. While wandering around in my section of the train, I went to have a look inside the two Renaissance coaches before they were put into use at Moncton. They looked nicely spruced up. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwXVRTPCGt6XOaAivRhECNKYR2-8oYP8W5avLB74YLjsgq8tVHd2CofATVsrauQdJDYP45q3_hOdlZUzBKDA9p5LrfTF49HtPX5OazyhC-ehq6vogZiLDfUNR6umtraMUZ6yacnGVLHE9xqVKztJD450Y0DbQx8TvQiCQiYKY_M1O5eVk2WCL2dL8_qA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwXVRTPCGt6XOaAivRhECNKYR2-8oYP8W5avLB74YLjsgq8tVHd2CofATVsrauQdJDYP45q3_hOdlZUzBKDA9p5LrfTF49HtPX5OazyhC-ehq6vogZiLDfUNR6umtraMUZ6yacnGVLHE9xqVKztJD450Y0DbQx8TvQiCQiYKY_M1O5eVk2WCL2dL8_qA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance coach interior. This is the standard Ren coach. </td></tr></tbody></table></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOtHtUt5ME4Y6ZgpPp00S2Dsy2Sx4QZn-Mz19pZ7-J_Z5vdncOvBC3A4ztCgQPC0cTptL9qI4zIkAvMvY2HqfScXTUPwH8gq3dvpDq2X82cq8zEJ5hsxVxS5a7vo9sgWtIWKqHt4ln7PFChyDYNNvKkUczEe0DXi7o-FBK7nl3Df5RmWrX0suf9vWZYg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOtHtUt5ME4Y6ZgpPp00S2Dsy2Sx4QZn-Mz19pZ7-J_Z5vdncOvBC3A4ztCgQPC0cTptL9qI4zIkAvMvY2HqfScXTUPwH8gq3dvpDq2X82cq8zEJ5hsxVxS5a7vo9sgWtIWKqHt4ln7PFChyDYNNvKkUczEe0DXi7o-FBK7nl3Df5RmWrX0suf9vWZYg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luggage tower in the middle of a standard Renaissance coach.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzQlLzaT24fmEiOIkNsk8M3X0T25evUk2Df7FDMaengZnG-p4Ss1ZQrxXjcbKBDFwcJwkfmlQsdlK18G8g-xM244wS5iTbHvqDX0D5MUK3mvKJT9vIpqC1Yf6veX-ggRzaPx0v28skCGsbXh6xT1-83elv-pBYO-ltFIko2ptZxpeanOBS0uZTNyAccQ=w640-h480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance accessible coach interior. Note the lowered seats at the front and wheelchair spaces, as well as no luggage tower in the middle of the car. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiljXERa_yb1Vj7dG4Myu8UtDJ3lvD8cVDi94Ef3MbMri01Geakonft2B30ajjgxIjIY9CMk5AS-34G9_GupdEqsHIrAfQ7fIPHB2T1lnkmM2t0fvIWbaqUgnUREg3KcYSTevlhc_bfmAeYEImw8l1DRMnmgYShBiipF7n48rWIaDD4a_FoItyPeM6dlg=w640-h480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear end of one of the Ren coaches, with more seats at floor level. I find these far more comfortable and easier to stretch out in than the ones up on the pedestals. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV9Yg-4pF_210zE1TScC-5hMSwcFeggYoVi0uu7nqlEcI0Z83Vs5NgGz80F8chVhhM1ruCL65X6Gj3e110GmFJy9n6ts4NuWdxQcvxeQdF0fXbKv5gd--NB40sF46h82FZGE_gFakTKGz2FoBU7AXoEX4q0CZNzdzl4wAtz2FjMWVl43xe73_yR6-2dw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV9Yg-4pF_210zE1TScC-5hMSwcFeggYoVi0uu7nqlEcI0Z83Vs5NgGz80F8chVhhM1ruCL65X6Gj3e110GmFJy9n6ts4NuWdxQcvxeQdF0fXbKv5gd--NB40sF46h82FZGE_gFakTKGz2FoBU7AXoEX4q0CZNzdzl4wAtz2FjMWVl43xe73_yR6-2dw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accessible washroom at the front of a Renaissance accessible coach.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2WyLaACbjThB35Q3OKPQdO06jvDa6vsncyxgm7RH6bkvE5vYq5JT9nKXq3Fo4xL5K8jsaeHvs4pbs_jFLLCtQxA-VA5zn1qkvb1p8oGcWIHn2-uBUiEHOjdrfusB-CHsSmYwydFt09q4Zxz9ERsgLPtRXoPMWk7U1SUmSPTAesSe5FZgUSMoJ3gl2EQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2WyLaACbjThB35Q3OKPQdO06jvDa6vsncyxgm7RH6bkvE5vYq5JT9nKXq3Fo4xL5K8jsaeHvs4pbs_jFLLCtQxA-VA5zn1qkvb1p8oGcWIHn2-uBUiEHOjdrfusB-CHsSmYwydFt09q4Zxz9ERsgLPtRXoPMWk7U1SUmSPTAesSe5FZgUSMoJ3gl2EQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the line. This is as far back in the train as you can go - looking through the last coach vestibule to the baggage car door. No rear view...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I headed off
for lunch at the second setting, around 2:45pm,
for my first dining car meal in nearly two years. The dining car was barely
patronized, with most of the other passengers having chosen either the first
sitting or room service. The overall set-up within the diner is nearly
identical to pre-Covid, and the meal offerings all sounded quite familiar. I’ll
comment more in the photo captions, but all in all, it was an excellent meal. At
the end of the meal I made a point of asking for a cup of coffee to go, which
was important as the usual tea/coffee service that would be present in the Park
car is not currently on offer. This is one significant loss, aside from the
Park itself, in the current service offering, but hopefully it will find its
way back in some form eventually.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuc7iVGAkRKe1NtGEeIF1HOE_-5Y5OMzwFq-62S84ebxxG9wrVeOoaYgNqUJgJmKEN0iWEgjFJtWkT4oB4L4AVU3vUPd_U4iZ-dIJ_H6PW3fSINpmrEQOucixusKwZGznIo8Fgxry0rmM2VO4Vmmbe179-8ZxdK4ey7uvTeRd2HLjuwMNlRVzd3YyemA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuc7iVGAkRKe1NtGEeIF1HOE_-5Y5OMzwFq-62S84ebxxG9wrVeOoaYgNqUJgJmKEN0iWEgjFJtWkT4oB4L4AVU3vUPd_U4iZ-dIJ_H6PW3fSINpmrEQOucixusKwZGznIo8Fgxry0rmM2VO4Vmmbe179-8ZxdK4ey7uvTeRd2HLjuwMNlRVzd3YyemA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance dining car. Very much the same look as always, though passengers are being spaced out even more than usual. No single passengers were asked to sit with others, and only groups travelling together were seated together. </td></tr></tbody></table></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdWv4QHoAJ7lnfckAEfoQt8dwVTN6ReQi3mx32wScTKlFXL16-9pVpqrNTI5eg9U4u0V_acEEB2kFnoXWlnq_Dz69E4rdBI7Q8f3ooxvUPEOwtrWoMWiIdGXp_96K0D-F7oUNxyLx58hG2pSTo-gQs84wYLYvxn-tN_eYRwaeZe9cXy85BpqT6ZOB52Q=s3732" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3732" data-original-width="2812" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdWv4QHoAJ7lnfckAEfoQt8dwVTN6ReQi3mx32wScTKlFXL16-9pVpqrNTI5eg9U4u0V_acEEB2kFnoXWlnq_Dz69E4rdBI7Q8f3ooxvUPEOwtrWoMWiIdGXp_96K0D-F7oUNxyLx58hG2pSTo-gQs84wYLYvxn-tN_eYRwaeZe9cXy85BpqT6ZOB52Q=w482-h640" width="482" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu.</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS4hi8E3FP29YEvOEKnPnnEKg21_gTDgIyjKWp2zCYUtXz6Yo9Udcyo_FQEcs7Uv0vR33yfK4Qp6JqoLSU2pxyhNGZ6ZaQ834s7ZWCPasH42sQ4LELzOtIv74hB1iG7zaHY-f848FHANB-3djKmL04_QGg-5lbldgXW1TWIbKecOXqrOZIbLIs0A7NQA=s3834" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2868" data-original-width="3834" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS4hi8E3FP29YEvOEKnPnnEKg21_gTDgIyjKWp2zCYUtXz6Yo9Udcyo_FQEcs7Uv0vR33yfK4Qp6JqoLSU2pxyhNGZ6ZaQ834s7ZWCPasH42sQ4LELzOtIv74hB1iG7zaHY-f848FHANB-3djKmL04_QGg-5lbldgXW1TWIbKecOXqrOZIbLIs0A7NQA=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chowder to start. Clam chowder this time, instead of the fish chowder typically on offer. Still quite tasty, and a good starter on a wintery day!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_M9fVIAH-ehkBblZHF_wWqe3TF-b_k9hT4BGm7mSFkKMnUNu9Qv2d_YUs9LXGhr73ZP-EPWjwoljBcTCqR_ccGPjjQxEcqvFus6voNNAiMPl7bqBitlPAsruG2CxKznnxp8zAgJ3gIiyxRBYJk5gtiCm7y3TKCbVxzIxy4z5XBbuLKwMk2gPEdKATag=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_M9fVIAH-ehkBblZHF_wWqe3TF-b_k9hT4BGm7mSFkKMnUNu9Qv2d_YUs9LXGhr73ZP-EPWjwoljBcTCqR_ccGPjjQxEcqvFus6voNNAiMPl7bqBitlPAsruG2CxKznnxp8zAgJ3gIiyxRBYJk5gtiCm7y3TKCbVxzIxy4z5XBbuLKwMk2gPEdKATag=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main course - cold salmon nicoise salad. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAFi1mIb_WkH8aZ1r85dPF57VP6YAtEZFEK3Qcuy9Pw07FYx9Tvq797VUWmx9yBKYRL1LHAyoLrQUfdUlQC7xZugt6g_6mrG63fK_XAEjmkRaS0Lexx1Jfj6PXk61uugfAMh8fDX5ZFHNHp1c2B5WyrOyEQU5iRWzFhSY2kO8x7OEN2-sHXRtyEU-FoA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAFi1mIb_WkH8aZ1r85dPF57VP6YAtEZFEK3Qcuy9Pw07FYx9Tvq797VUWmx9yBKYRL1LHAyoLrQUfdUlQC7xZugt6g_6mrG63fK_XAEjmkRaS0Lexx1Jfj6PXk61uugfAMh8fDX5ZFHNHp1c2B5WyrOyEQU5iRWzFhSY2kO8x7OEN2-sHXRtyEU-FoA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot cake for dessert. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the
afternoon was uneventful, and I spent the time between my room and some time in
the service car lounge. We had no stops at Springhill or Amherst, and a brief
stop at Sackville. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVf-UCRIOcbyeRGv5sSrQnzqrYR1zZuFUjVGtLJBqSZmRqwmSRc0X5XvkzlVSrMj2euAdqRdcq95Gfp3BgzQMEgJAi3lm-speLiFE1sNVoaDWqpcWHucv5Vnne04vxIoRhZBVDLz1VZGwgOy32EXb7DsNJA1YgHAUr-lPzho1CUAjqV3coPxf4f_pYig=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVf-UCRIOcbyeRGv5sSrQnzqrYR1zZuFUjVGtLJBqSZmRqwmSRc0X5XvkzlVSrMj2euAdqRdcq95Gfp3BgzQMEgJAi3lm-speLiFE1sNVoaDWqpcWHucv5Vnne04vxIoRhZBVDLz1VZGwgOy32EXb7DsNJA1YgHAUr-lPzho1CUAjqV3coPxf4f_pYig=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind turbines on the Tantramar marsh. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9Xyjne-rbDUTKmplpWTDzSD_MhFygixWyhO2vdmauQ-f6jiFnaF1N0hJAYjBKmfzWhy7Ct-K3YrHDiH5DCaFFg_W3aVDKN16N61exVdiJ1NugFU2WOshVaY8F1Mb3uor20DlEoHgTguZRgoyTlMT8TnP4azAz1-8KOpQxLfQJuTGg1q2mLiCIo-fxjA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9Xyjne-rbDUTKmplpWTDzSD_MhFygixWyhO2vdmauQ-f6jiFnaF1N0hJAYjBKmfzWhy7Ct-K3YrHDiH5DCaFFg_W3aVDKN16N61exVdiJ1NugFU2WOshVaY8F1Mb3uor20DlEoHgTguZRgoyTlMT8TnP4azAz1-8KOpQxLfQJuTGg1q2mLiCIo-fxjA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing the NS-NB border, by Fort Beausejour.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p><span style="font-size: large;">I stepped off for some fresh air at Moncton, and realized in the process that this was the first time I had been in New Brunswick at all in nearly 2 years! Hard to believe. As I noted earlier, coach passengers boarding in Moncton who were going all the way to Montreal were boarded in the Renaissance coaches at the rear. All of those going to/from intermediate stops were accommodated in the HEP coaches up front, simplifying the stopping procedures at various stations along the way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIu-de5j_JcYx-LXgdxMPTNC4abFhybSc5IBf1OXq5FnM8QWEgfAxvPNeN5bmM7RAoPlmomCNxg0Mo6BZVUtyl8wQ-Ki3-cFpZyHEPrnaEo3wIBUuG-ViJirxfrR6LU6-xEC5MJIw3reI_5oRC8eLF7djL6v_P4exz-Bpod0nMfvEIOZwLWDhe25NIGA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIu-de5j_JcYx-LXgdxMPTNC4abFhybSc5IBf1OXq5FnM8QWEgfAxvPNeN5bmM7RAoPlmomCNxg0Mo6BZVUtyl8wQ-Ki3-cFpZyHEPrnaEo3wIBUuG-ViJirxfrR6LU6-xEC5MJIw3reI_5oRC8eLF7djL6v_P4exz-Bpod0nMfvEIOZwLWDhe25NIGA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop at Moncton. Chilly, but nice to stretch. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxKi_wr5oeVXwxv-3C9Nt3Uy-hRyKblvpk5Q__hMfKzvkyrGqVn8SVVT_Mo7QHDoQEGn4IRxeWcgoPMcpUn6BRRuZ1voMoZF5tsIbQUNCdYLMar-tfvGbEEu5p-pps3pi8csLwJl1FEDnpzAGRu6Ew92sP1sj0tyYVp2aVJHpMDFrweVSOGSaTgUseew=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxKi_wr5oeVXwxv-3C9Nt3Uy-hRyKblvpk5Q__hMfKzvkyrGqVn8SVVT_Mo7QHDoQEGn4IRxeWcgoPMcpUn6BRRuZ1voMoZF5tsIbQUNCdYLMar-tfvGbEEu5p-pps3pi8csLwJl1FEDnpzAGRu6Ew92sP1sj0tyYVp2aVJHpMDFrweVSOGSaTgUseew=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coach passengers head back to board the Renaissance coaches at Moncton NB.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the light
dropped, I decided to add a little décor to my room. I had brought a string of
battery powered LED Christmas lights, which I strung up in the window. This
helped make up for the total lack of any decoration on board (apparently
another Covid consideration, which again, doesn’t make much sense to me), and
was appreciated by my attendant – and, I hope, by some folks along the way!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilqXrZUREEqf0RVMx6U4M2Q8K-QbqmQ8-3-Pe-fsdBAh5T4z4TAbalDlZozTqF0y-kz_yitxAvF4LI0gQwzxSrnL7CEi9USl3Pq7plOTWpECDjwiJezZVtD7TDFyKWhPwnfnUuRtVE9O-MjBaf160CAVMSEyQsD0ua330ito7sPfyDP1wpbjowdhQpPA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilqXrZUREEqf0RVMx6U4M2Q8K-QbqmQ8-3-Pe-fsdBAh5T4z4TAbalDlZozTqF0y-kz_yitxAvF4LI0gQwzxSrnL7CEi9USl3Pq7plOTWpECDjwiJezZVtD7TDFyKWhPwnfnUuRtVE9O-MjBaf160CAVMSEyQsD0ua330ito7sPfyDP1wpbjowdhQpPA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas lights!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">For dinner, it
appeared that the settings were likely to be rather busy, so I decided I’d try
out the room service option instead. I was also quite curious about how this
would work, so it seemed a win-win. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">When ordering
room service, the meals were delivered by the respective sleeping car
attendant. The service seemed to be staggered to fit between the main meal preparation
times for the formal dinner settings, but there was some flexibility in when
you could request your meal. Before dinner, my attendant brought by a menu. As
usual, the order for both appetizer and main was taken at once, with dessert
offered after that was all done. I was quite impressed to see a small
tablecloth and full cutlery delivered to set up on the little pull-out table,
which helped set the ambience. I realize this wouldn't work as well with two people in the room, but it was certainly nice for a solo passenger. Each course was delivered separately, with
generous spacing between each course. Even without full china, I found each component
to be very enjoyable, and there was actually something quite nice about being
able to relax in my room and enjoy the view quietly, with the lights dimmed as
much as I’d like to be able to take in the darkened scenery. The only thing really
missing from this was the dinner rolls, which were not on offer in the room
service package (they were in the diner). Aside from that, everything was
excellent. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUnfeeSDK90wo5RDqt2v2eRP2B5vfgsH02zoLbWTVgcwIrpBzMuD9XzroCxciRpLq5c_HMPvhFm1ZuO_cs819lgqAWR_yRhkxpWn7H5ksJFedDIxNVejbDRQRIcE1Q3LS2Q4HPAWHabzeakzm46h9Ze5pztLRFvB79d7ALvypgf9L5MMnDHBd4ipQh9Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUnfeeSDK90wo5RDqt2v2eRP2B5vfgsH02zoLbWTVgcwIrpBzMuD9XzroCxciRpLq5c_HMPvhFm1ZuO_cs819lgqAWR_yRhkxpWn7H5ksJFedDIxNVejbDRQRIcE1Q3LS2Q4HPAWHabzeakzm46h9Ze5pztLRFvB79d7ALvypgf9L5MMnDHBd4ipQh9Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu.</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSX-MxtNyJsbN2g2Goo-tFN-5yzYo6peaeD_No18VEQtZDs2b_asbDld98qDzh3XyJg5Dr0D5kWQcYjiDPdRxKUJppPK29Ralw1YNh69lLwwDPeKJmmPSI2HT_7QUjgYG1n9bnfDWHzUQRgzHufKHpYaWGDe4xi_vGcVcf8L3ygBP4q-omxnXZBe2-3w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSX-MxtNyJsbN2g2Goo-tFN-5yzYo6peaeD_No18VEQtZDs2b_asbDld98qDzh3XyJg5Dr0D5kWQcYjiDPdRxKUJppPK29Ralw1YNh69lLwwDPeKJmmPSI2HT_7QUjgYG1n9bnfDWHzUQRgzHufKHpYaWGDe4xi_vGcVcf8L3ygBP4q-omxnXZBe2-3w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu options, in the official language of your choice. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx6uY9HNYjePTw0UfbuHGDYM4kVdzzr9Rvxi-l4je3davV3kIoGjg2PtuhIyPZBkcHf-DJ4EQk6368VMyDq8Z10bD_iEbBzlIAsga6--uJJezb6snRKriqzgwZHQz1_UJ2p3auth1b802dhlQrR8h-jn-DP9nolKj5-lUu0mBA3mbGlNRyQJDHrq1d8w=w640-h480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room service presentation. Not quite the full diner experience, but hey, it works!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgr7ODcXbL4aU2G2KjANG96CgUDL2A9qd0adVK7l2SqRTvihbHWeZNb0U4zNjSAGIHkO7JYUIPHizOmhg4uGvmbzVlGIFzx-U7VsD67n8io58xdGjNaP_rldmb5cv_mZCvGFP9ZV7IgWar-1YrzYPDGrlfQLWkFd1imGuTMj4K3Ie9BESEebjcFnivvHg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgr7ODcXbL4aU2G2KjANG96CgUDL2A9qd0adVK7l2SqRTvihbHWeZNb0U4zNjSAGIHkO7JYUIPHizOmhg4uGvmbzVlGIFzx-U7VsD67n8io58xdGjNaP_rldmb5cv_mZCvGFP9ZV7IgWar-1YrzYPDGrlfQLWkFd1imGuTMj4K3Ie9BESEebjcFnivvHg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appetizer. Smoked fish platter.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6t8O8Y0kNW0IwMQrx4PPySxDFZP10NdK_huSoMt5yJ7e8EGqF00kgy47SVzsPBQAJWQkuKlGaiSAXAx8aZGvXPfbcJA6t74G79tY25TONc_6Kxm39qTtAetGzhN0G6DWuTa3ZGTO-hoQVPMDIVJrRw2aRpD8lkktydo4yBRWpjIV7jAOJ0_FTKKsYQQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6t8O8Y0kNW0IwMQrx4PPySxDFZP10NdK_huSoMt5yJ7e8EGqF00kgy47SVzsPBQAJWQkuKlGaiSAXAx8aZGvXPfbcJA6t74G79tY25TONc_6Kxm39qTtAetGzhN0G6DWuTa3ZGTO-hoQVPMDIVJrRw2aRpD8lkktydo4yBRWpjIV7jAOJ0_FTKKsYQQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main course - honey pecan chicken. Despite the presentation, this was one of the absolute best meals I've had on VIA to date. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3NyJNxXGT9uPbGDGNl6mejoRcUHH7YmLBJtsZ5-xxZYLQB5nNmLVtuOp9nCN3BexIfH-n-7LkQvWTwXoCJyZ-2Gf8OgeF9SK67Hs7QNu-HzSdezUUn58su-sC5bRyicrO7fT53SRlG-f6EqKj0FZvV197KsDEC8eHWabzDVKIcuLIOz0neqSGdWRjYQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3NyJNxXGT9uPbGDGNl6mejoRcUHH7YmLBJtsZ5-xxZYLQB5nNmLVtuOp9nCN3BexIfH-n-7LkQvWTwXoCJyZ-2Gf8OgeF9SK67Hs7QNu-HzSdezUUn58su-sC5bRyicrO7fT53SRlG-f6EqKj0FZvV197KsDEC8eHWabzDVKIcuLIOz0neqSGdWRjYQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert - a swiss roll of some sort. Just okay, but the peppermint tea was lovely. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">After dessert,
I asked for a second cup of tea, and enjoyed that in my room as we rolled
slowly through the dark, New Brunswick wilderness. I noted that we had no stop
in Rogersville or Petit Rocher, but we did make quick stops at both Jacquet
River and Charlo, where the station buildings have recently been demolished.
More on that in part 2. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we made
our stop in Campbellton, I got out for a bit of fresh air and a stretch, then
settled back in and made my room up for the night. The ride was remarkably smooth,
and I was off to sleep in short order. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsiqaiwy5KHpHPbMWNwqAqKm4Ib8nhJ7KoAFhf9eDM22Ylml2gU07znSS-U7hCYUXcTjYPkZi-_5-MvevHD7YiOV-e3MvzatOOwBBAv1WQ7w2f7jkFnvtEX9QdNQyG6bHTqVdkS2xboGOjIa0OPupHUOcf6_fFnbnYL0jMYdwPwbbgGT_uIPsN928ZRg=s3985" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="3985" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsiqaiwy5KHpHPbMWNwqAqKm4Ib8nhJ7KoAFhf9eDM22Ylml2gU07znSS-U7hCYUXcTjYPkZi-_5-MvevHD7YiOV-e3MvzatOOwBBAv1WQ7w2f7jkFnvtEX9QdNQyG6bHTqVdkS2xboGOjIa0OPupHUOcf6_fFnbnYL0jMYdwPwbbgGT_uIPsN928ZRg=w640-h486" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas lights from the outside! Conveniently on the right side at Campbellton.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9UK-OcuR7WZ2lJslMHl_2lhvklltHJHrBBHHN1Of0txOh8EBaCVr7q7RUIk8-OTAFLmFYbiyl1uIsPAKNnZm_IhuAS6tmA-jbp_b3oyfj6RtZfSXV02rJolgiUv-yvt7IOlU2kG6SjaenUMbIihW3p_FElceJBO_ry1hZB64Q2HEkUho2PPf8ZOf1-w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9UK-OcuR7WZ2lJslMHl_2lhvklltHJHrBBHHN1Of0txOh8EBaCVr7q7RUIk8-OTAFLmFYbiyl1uIsPAKNnZm_IhuAS6tmA-jbp_b3oyfj6RtZfSXV02rJolgiUv-yvt7IOlU2kG6SjaenUMbIihW3p_FElceJBO_ry1hZB64Q2HEkUho2PPf8ZOf1-w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold night at Campbellton NB.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis_jWpDkKuiQv_do8JaekJxPd1B4fB0lhNDnfUXyfcSTHarZqkw33W3pgFGa3HNbqEuZKNLiXn3m-ixe4DOXGcjgpv170vakMUZlnOxAZTMEr_JBArxXBTy3n0eJLqNVUpmibN53YVfvs4f46CsiuoCks9nIErnrLwT1KK2fItM2OQmPO-wr7v0Dy9-w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis_jWpDkKuiQv_do8JaekJxPd1B4fB0lhNDnfUXyfcSTHarZqkw33W3pgFGa3HNbqEuZKNLiXn3m-ixe4DOXGcjgpv170vakMUZlnOxAZTMEr_JBArxXBTy3n0eJLqNVUpmibN53YVfvs4f46CsiuoCks9nIErnrLwT1KK2fItM2OQmPO-wr7v0Dy9-w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night-time setup. I've pulled down the top bunk (but not the ladder) to show it off, but would tuck it back up to sleep on the lower one. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I awoke the
next morning just after we had backed out from Ste-Foy, and was treated to a
spectacular sunrise over the frozen Quebec landscape. The thing I love most
about westbound trips on the Ocean is waking up to these wide open plains, as
we’ve picked up speed and are rushing along on the final stretch to Montreal. Everything
about it has such positive associations for me, and there are few better places
to wake up, as far as I’m concerned.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOBX9OalGWmJ-l61i-mwJ5FbejeHeiLqphatc21Y-WaIpIhV6_S-86LJYgOSiOL_44Nweyx5SZJEj1nI0rV_UHLskHy44yJL8mq2K9wAFOaKf2f_eWZtbHIw6wk2O5odDrRqGLFS2SG95dw74i1F92hqmHnUSWUkZXQhEHYdCmilEJGMRZAL43hnFV0Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOBX9OalGWmJ-l61i-mwJ5FbejeHeiLqphatc21Y-WaIpIhV6_S-86LJYgOSiOL_44Nweyx5SZJEj1nI0rV_UHLskHy44yJL8mq2K9wAFOaKf2f_eWZtbHIw6wk2O5odDrRqGLFS2SG95dw74i1F92hqmHnUSWUkZXQhEHYdCmilEJGMRZAL43hnFV0Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning view, shot directly from bed. Seriously, how could you beat that?</td></tr></tbody></table></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis6EubZn_hlhMUw37JAVrAqXCkWjevoIDCbn6ib0wHtP9WfDG9ZZuOSCaZJg8xOrF-mWzmNpMtPD0xfOZ3T2k8xFcLAgUyz8s6GenlUhjt_JZOoFF5TetOpLyG1x_sH83al6O4wTNOpY11Owq58C-ug6OGJlP4yX1wZNzMIQS8AsTWhZ-DsmipZujECA=s3735" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2801" data-original-width="3735" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis6EubZn_hlhMUw37JAVrAqXCkWjevoIDCbn6ib0wHtP9WfDG9ZZuOSCaZJg8xOrF-mWzmNpMtPD0xfOZ3T2k8xFcLAgUyz8s6GenlUhjt_JZOoFF5TetOpLyG1x_sH83al6O4wTNOpY11Owq58C-ug6OGJlP4yX1wZNzMIQS8AsTWhZ-DsmipZujECA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise crossing the Chaudiere River, west of Joffre/Charny QC.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYKQ6vkEJQB5nq3yGQf03G9dX_LDNIEyvraBGllpbPyBuUUC7RcSWIgfzA4kZM_eEfHBq-pNfkQthPRgUSUV8XyegdZsSxeCaMrAy9VC5ach-Pm4pnWfodFm7DVGx3OfL1yhAztqigE1wG7UWvk928X08fHmHvdAqeFgTo4bvhCQqI5m1crOmLGis-zw=s4023" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2974" data-original-width="4023" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYKQ6vkEJQB5nq3yGQf03G9dX_LDNIEyvraBGllpbPyBuUUC7RcSWIgfzA4kZM_eEfHBq-pNfkQthPRgUSUV8XyegdZsSxeCaMrAy9VC5ach-Pm4pnWfodFm7DVGx3OfL1yhAztqigE1wG7UWvk928X08fHmHvdAqeFgTo4bvhCQqI5m1crOmLGis-zw=w640-h474" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More sunrise views. Just a spectacular morning!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I headed to the
diner for breakfast a bit before 8am. It was fairly quiet, and the food was
excellent. I grabbed coffee to go when I was done, and spent a while in the
service car lounge, enjoying the views, and chatting with an older couple who
were on their way to Toronto to see their children and grandchildren. This wasn’t
nearly as social of a trip as usual, for obvious reasons – but it was nice to
have a little bit of that during the morning. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWyMypPoL3z8a_MEzngfSCP7cwbQTspKsDOYOuVmjlBJ0V2mpt7_YUXWKT4bn1V5g5yOq9mOPAMnHP5s9y3VQYPB__OR6AuS7Pouv_CJ-8L7UJyG4kbwuh9Bxz3T-Eh58n5Am2K657iXKWO80KiiQhlOwAVVAxvDzASGvlOkVO_6FUPlDVyrgEGUKx-w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWyMypPoL3z8a_MEzngfSCP7cwbQTspKsDOYOuVmjlBJ0V2mpt7_YUXWKT4bn1V5g5yOq9mOPAMnHP5s9y3VQYPB__OR6AuS7Pouv_CJ-8L7UJyG4kbwuh9Bxz3T-Eh58n5Am2K657iXKWO80KiiQhlOwAVVAxvDzASGvlOkVO_6FUPlDVyrgEGUKx-w=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu. I still love the style of these, even if the scene is a little fantastical. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLQEYUcdZiyw9E4n5nfaskojY6zq-PmA5u0PsALciubWiIQtnSBa1Ikip6o_DxYB6d4Wa3NinpPG2AU3YEYYqaWiEdsSo-waiw_M-ps4kNO5w1aiErjpjE3sYyDQ5jufcADQc19WL7w9GuA2Buzjc9tvcj697jto8V9CZkdDbgm4IDQKdsAT4kDL39Xw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLQEYUcdZiyw9E4n5nfaskojY6zq-PmA5u0PsALciubWiIQtnSBa1Ikip6o_DxYB6d4Wa3NinpPG2AU3YEYYqaWiEdsSo-waiw_M-ps4kNO5w1aiErjpjE3sYyDQ5jufcADQc19WL7w9GuA2Buzjc9tvcj697jto8V9CZkdDbgm4IDQKdsAT4kDL39Xw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj14MUgNKG2Cj0aUhAKuAnmKYt3HhQpVsVjczdeN0-QQhNDrGyXt8b2vGrIgKkOtdMAh8pNsov_hC6QACzEfPa52xG5bUoIaD6Ac_GflEh8tgmBH5gERejBUqONDrCWAV_n4jwHdhnkLwrL1USX1AvqXJJ5yYEDjQeEqmrtJiykP1vSyuTONfsIOT2_jg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj14MUgNKG2Cj0aUhAKuAnmKYt3HhQpVsVjczdeN0-QQhNDrGyXt8b2vGrIgKkOtdMAh8pNsov_hC6QACzEfPa52xG5bUoIaD6Ac_GflEh8tgmBH5gERejBUqONDrCWAV_n4jwHdhnkLwrL1USX1AvqXJJ5yYEDjQeEqmrtJiykP1vSyuTONfsIOT2_jg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana bread french toast - decadent, but a lovely breakfast for a morning like this. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWr1MenfsL1EKyPOBsLCdGDABo_KDaD8ibuFKTcUkLTo0fs6vAEQQywJXOCzVr6t57nEaVUnqTCoCSeyFptbBuqlH4-dkFohf86gvK6AvAzbZqQZz_u9RQsHwly2tO4GjrGE-brxD-C1L9cl7iaLmwvDWQdPCXtLtgSlv2HvXOAlkiHzofPNtn4tYTaQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWr1MenfsL1EKyPOBsLCdGDABo_KDaD8ibuFKTcUkLTo0fs6vAEQQywJXOCzVr6t57nEaVUnqTCoCSeyFptbBuqlH4-dkFohf86gvK6AvAzbZqQZz_u9RQsHwly2tO4GjrGE-brxD-C1L9cl7iaLmwvDWQdPCXtLtgSlv2HvXOAlkiHzofPNtn4tYTaQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful morning views from the service car. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEZd7wySywZqo1FFW6lRS8ZbMv4BmR7_O3hXogv-SgcVOOoeUTYMoKEksuuReg3tH93_W7ttF1wP9SpRbCbO2qzRh9TNSkqGGQytvx7B_xWk6rwDrqIS8HHmk0w5LYwNPaCRkMd5FkfhVjTqDxVaErPOtr12CQkh79imdMtsJ_yI8RcpaTwREzdwdaEw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEZd7wySywZqo1FFW6lRS8ZbMv4BmR7_O3hXogv-SgcVOOoeUTYMoKEksuuReg3tH93_W7ttF1wP9SpRbCbO2qzRh9TNSkqGGQytvx7B_xWk6rwDrqIS8HHmk0w5LYwNPaCRkMd5FkfhVjTqDxVaErPOtr12CQkh79imdMtsJ_yI8RcpaTwREzdwdaEw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More lovely views. This is what I love about mornings on #15. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had been
running a while behind schedule overnight, but had made that up by the morning.
We made our stop at Drummondville at 8:33, with two stops, and a last call for
breakfast just afterwards at 8:39. We were at St-Hyacinthe at 9:10, right on
time, St-Lambert at 9:46, and finally into Montreal at 10:07, just 4 minutes
late. We had to take the diversion on the Victoria Bridge due to a ship in the
locks, which adds a tiny bit of time to the crossing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggkjcBLq2e8uMxuQz32uinJkFzuEUYfJiGHzHiUXaXClQjjOE57MKJpZLImfoOR7hNJyj-Z2AxRHcgJzA0ayKG9YGaJNYNJDCB-RAjWk2p2dInt9jFpIpYfFa-3cVP47UNUCJ2tzoKgklqGZRGHLWKse3MxLUeiXb5n50U3yivayNC9ylWJVtETQ2Z2Q=s3372" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2516" data-original-width="3372" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggkjcBLq2e8uMxuQz32uinJkFzuEUYfJiGHzHiUXaXClQjjOE57MKJpZLImfoOR7hNJyj-Z2AxRHcgJzA0ayKG9YGaJNYNJDCB-RAjWk2p2dInt9jFpIpYfFa-3cVP47UNUCJ2tzoKgklqGZRGHLWKse3MxLUeiXb5n50U3yivayNC9ylWJVtETQ2Z2Q=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading left to take the diversion on the Victoria bridge. I'm always amazed by the engineering of this bridge, with two separate double-tracked rail spans that rejoin, and road additions on either side. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaZvDCIkWaxiG7458CBD9389O-p5lJGl_HwNPLJmQ-QLHnRUixnJHz9W7GICCXrm8kWY0JUhwxehi-bWurOoPYNlnRXrw1NzZzMPN4lu-qzxmVrU2OU03UHKc3GGu-OHWe-SqOgLnHDx2t3XcORhU5m03m2CUWt7r2vk5uVW-yG5Blg49RYQzCySj-9w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaZvDCIkWaxiG7458CBD9389O-p5lJGl_HwNPLJmQ-QLHnRUixnJHz9W7GICCXrm8kWY0JUhwxehi-bWurOoPYNlnRXrw1NzZzMPN4lu-qzxmVrU2OU03UHKc3GGu-OHWe-SqOgLnHDx2t3XcORhU5m03m2CUWt7r2vk5uVW-yG5Blg49RYQzCySj-9w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reason for the diversion - a ship making its way through the locks. The main span is lowered again, but evidently not yet cleared for us. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDyqop5cj3ZaUTLVg0Wuuvp30AtjW23v7WCGbyN08zrbNJbnTlFa-0BPLp3PeObtY939oNox84PiCXe1WuW2YQt4DGQp6RPR4vM1-bgWC7wK8Rkj0XaqC4Bg3pnDYC7eAqPKAWfb0exwXze0A1qHD2IMnljcoHysCNrBF5cDd6qlXFuv61-SXtT3UgKw=s3634" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2626" data-original-width="3634" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDyqop5cj3ZaUTLVg0Wuuvp30AtjW23v7WCGbyN08zrbNJbnTlFa-0BPLp3PeObtY939oNox84PiCXe1WuW2YQt4DGQp6RPR4vM1-bgWC7wK8Rkj0XaqC4Bg3pnDYC7eAqPKAWfb0exwXze0A1qHD2IMnljcoHysCNrBF5cDd6qlXFuv61-SXtT3UgKw=w640-h462" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curving back to the main bridge, our locomotives visible far ahead. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3q3_RjdDIYtzUZbthq8uYxgnbOvgHEe-w47Y2pvwgAj0AJksee5bR6KW-KmNSjabis_1CC9xR3638_lSP1APxr3msfzMP8-p9NEm-V71WDPiPUQHAiCnMBw7djCwFqSmbjoxj4xbqiyXS8aaNIRnVf6_8ZOAYHacy_r5Z5iurvmp4N-JPAbeYTyH3HA=s3802" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2829" data-original-width="3802" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3q3_RjdDIYtzUZbthq8uYxgnbOvgHEe-w47Y2pvwgAj0AJksee5bR6KW-KmNSjabis_1CC9xR3638_lSP1APxr3msfzMP8-p9NEm-V71WDPiPUQHAiCnMBw7djCwFqSmbjoxj4xbqiyXS8aaNIRnVf6_8ZOAYHacy_r5Z5iurvmp4N-JPAbeYTyH3HA=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montreal!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUppdb9aefghFs1Mn3q-6K7K8EApQGL_Pghe9faEO4JknGgZ0tDDNIrqdLNBCkbuWRFJLD2BSOdNerbwn8oseGRwAle9XCa3aVurh3306OF0uaMc4zxcS37dSV2PkoUhAcRCr2NTMkosbN_fnFDoIG2TJtK32LkCRWDVm8bhKSvt2dqN-ehS8lJKaLnQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUppdb9aefghFs1Mn3q-6K7K8EApQGL_Pghe9faEO4JknGgZ0tDDNIrqdLNBCkbuWRFJLD2BSOdNerbwn8oseGRwAle9XCa3aVurh3306OF0uaMc4zxcS37dSV2PkoUhAcRCr2NTMkosbN_fnFDoIG2TJtK32LkCRWDVm8bhKSvt2dqN-ehS8lJKaLnQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence of the new REM construction abounds - a lot of progress since I was last in the city. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyYD9i31_ZUIYipMx92bB0SsgNJjmtit6aS9ymnuYEPZQZoOB6HsP5RyQbeU0fgK7d1RGvifet7w0ZOoH1j90lkthFEq81SvWrzzEEbEIEmGKCgrgTQ95frEU5UaHAGpVpaXeUo4TWmiLjg7hlMo_hhzeSpTSK_edQGQH2m29eOSge20yH5uVkKJD9NQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyYD9i31_ZUIYipMx92bB0SsgNJjmtit6aS9ymnuYEPZQZoOB6HsP5RyQbeU0fgK7d1RGvifet7w0ZOoH1j90lkthFEq81SvWrzzEEbEIEmGKCgrgTQ95frEU5UaHAGpVpaXeUo4TWmiLjg7hlMo_hhzeSpTSK_edQGQH2m29eOSge20yH5uVkKJD9NQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another sad change in Montreal - the shift of branding from AMT to "exo", and the corresponding ghastly new decoration. To the left are stored MR-90 electrics, sent to a premature demise with the REM replacing the Deux-Montagnes line.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj478agy5VuqbkbIlTvLtPGoFJ3gu8xwJ_3diPnZXbJ0cadfYJt2hbGw_SOEX0BN5upXV6UoBzQDOEl3LbLGbqAORWmn_uJz0UPl76Tz-XsH3cOp6d_1h-6whFU55aC--vU8iZKXKLjr4JjmGbgEU6dO43gj4RGA1FtTviZMYiXU2tM0RM9giFgmCNMDA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj478agy5VuqbkbIlTvLtPGoFJ3gu8xwJ_3diPnZXbJ0cadfYJt2hbGw_SOEX0BN5upXV6UoBzQDOEl3LbLGbqAORWmn_uJz0UPl76Tz-XsH3cOp6d_1h-6whFU55aC--vU8iZKXKLjr4JjmGbgEU6dO43gj4RGA1FtTviZMYiXU2tM0RM9giFgmCNMDA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing the station, more REM work above obscures former views. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYBPdzrB5BAoZf1d4m3lJRD26nix-y2PvqGuKxLKNNDDyWaER0AoFl37hMWqrIUPnKF3HsiLtI1piiPleLTSbS7O6QJ5RLUCqKoen7-MC8r9-dMWixxL6r8YFqsKmQY3HUyhpM0FdlpnTbIoEQUfBMbpMgmJX71iqDYQFAp79gJLOgwVVfNPRNvIVClA=s3660" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2659" data-original-width="3660" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYBPdzrB5BAoZf1d4m3lJRD26nix-y2PvqGuKxLKNNDDyWaER0AoFl37hMWqrIUPnKF3HsiLtI1piiPleLTSbS7O6QJ5RLUCqKoen7-MC8r9-dMWixxL6r8YFqsKmQY3HUyhpM0FdlpnTbIoEQUfBMbpMgmJX71iqDYQFAp79gJLOgwVVfNPRNvIVClA=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montreal! Arriving at Gare Centrale, with more REM construction work evident. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvDGhflMHPN6d4G1RhRyjOX8tuH9PrMuZXCVo4Bxej6hEkA2lk4_bv9MYrAKfV7nt6NXm9YLwxkh6go6oGAn-I-L-pvVAnnBzZFZs00YQ17vwH7YT_QqILFQAnApQEY4r2wTI9p7jNDTn_Tdkhwj_6OvA5ZkkQS9DRuJekkR91m6hvCnGkZWCP1O_jzQ=s3699" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="3699" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvDGhflMHPN6d4G1RhRyjOX8tuH9PrMuZXCVo4Bxej6hEkA2lk4_bv9MYrAKfV7nt6NXm9YLwxkh6go6oGAn-I-L-pvVAnnBzZFZs00YQ17vwH7YT_QqILFQAnApQEY4r2wTI9p7jNDTn_Tdkhwj_6OvA5ZkkQS9DRuJekkR91m6hvCnGkZWCP1O_jzQ=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrived in Montreal, and off the train to head upstairs. </td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwtseATxoGW3SGNX-wmrGgxWKc-m4btg9ZhkPA95iOsEkmwAJkk5wFOOmnWDN-bbWc6Zwq4CEoUun70LvBLPsxUMWLt7CClW8SAP65JRCA82D2jmD7zWlUFLxZa-WdR1N4A3VO-x-QwZuPJtyjbPeSnScFeRoCGp3kJpVjQrz74APdiqn3pMY7Xffd5Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwtseATxoGW3SGNX-wmrGgxWKc-m4btg9ZhkPA95iOsEkmwAJkk5wFOOmnWDN-bbWc6Zwq4CEoUun70LvBLPsxUMWLt7CClW8SAP65JRCA82D2jmD7zWlUFLxZa-WdR1N4A3VO-x-QwZuPJtyjbPeSnScFeRoCGp3kJpVjQrz74APdiqn3pMY7Xffd5Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train 65 for Toronto awaits passengers heading in that direction. </td></tr></tbody></table></div></span><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">At Montreal I
headed upstairs, and for the first time had to go see about picking up my
checked baggage. The baggage carousel in Montreal is tucked away almost in a
back hallway of sorts, and is a rather congested area. Bags were slow being
offloaded, and there was a substantial crowd waiting around with a notable lack
of any station staff to answer questions. Some with the connection to train 65
for Toronto didn’t seem to be sure if there bags were actually being
transferred, and this caused some confusion and evident stress among some
passengers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1jh8ol5NSYc6CL6v2yQ2M5gNRp1LFWqY6xha1p0uNzw5afrT3naRo032okTXoA9ZoynYOMkcudBYav17IwH38ImHE5lh-aLYmdhr0RhUGt8NOjtOmCDFb5Awakk4RumOGjIFH8lXLFy_igKGUveqg83sBnVg9a0A8ojUZfdppzTO7dxwZztqwENFp1g=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1jh8ol5NSYc6CL6v2yQ2M5gNRp1LFWqY6xha1p0uNzw5afrT3naRo032okTXoA9ZoynYOMkcudBYav17IwH38ImHE5lh-aLYmdhr0RhUGt8NOjtOmCDFb5Awakk4RumOGjIFH8lXLFy_igKGUveqg83sBnVg9a0A8ojUZfdppzTO7dxwZztqwENFp1g=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montreal! Always a wonderful station to visit. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">It took about
half an hour for bags to actually roll off, but I eventually got mine and
headed to the Business lounge to wait for Train 35. The lounge was quiet, as
was the station once train 65 boarded, and I found the wait very comfortable.
The agent at the check-in for the lounge checked vaccination proof again, this
time using a QR code scanner, and I received a new check with the current date written
on it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3_eZhOv68xQLRU81AGrlqQbmuiOnGh10V2tqTIzhgQXeOMuTQLZ1HjRgD1kgTlYKCvj3cTzxD1sPKF01_yuk2FT0z7aLn6IYYsw8NBPTravxIDXxRR86k3b4GPDLiR8b1NV3lL1GO6vDE3vxWuamjxC_iZFdhrD-ua2KX2iHKpOQ7pbh0vZ-rdi709w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3_eZhOv68xQLRU81AGrlqQbmuiOnGh10V2tqTIzhgQXeOMuTQLZ1HjRgD1kgTlYKCvj3cTzxD1sPKF01_yuk2FT0z7aLn6IYYsw8NBPTravxIDXxRR86k3b4GPDLiR8b1NV3lL1GO6vDE3vxWuamjxC_iZFdhrD-ua2KX2iHKpOQ7pbh0vZ-rdi709w=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the lounge - promotions for VIA's HFR proposal abound. The lounge was pretty much the same as always, albeit with a requirement to keep masks on when not eating/drinking. Free soft drinks and coffee were still on offer.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Train 35
boarded by around 11:40, and would depart at 11:55. I was in Business class,
and had booked what was meant to be a single, forward facing seat. A week or so
before departure I had received an email informing me that my seat had been
changed – though it was the same seat, it was no backward facing, meaning that
VIA had reversed the orientation of the train. 35 was running push-pull with
locomotives on either end, and the Business class car would now be on the tail
end. On departure, we headed out from the station to the Victoria bridge, and
reversed direction to head for Ottawa. Hopefully this practice will be able to
be ended when the new bidirectional Siemens fleet is in operation, as it seems
baffling to continue doing this, even with locomotives on both ends.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">VIA 35 –
December 20, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6411<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">33xx LRC coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">33xx LRC coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">33xx LRC coach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">3463 LRC
Business Class (*seat 13S)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">6416<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_JPyxqE1py9v_VRo4HuWHea5qX8zxBFew2PnfpBcdviDDZhSrrPPds29H9azgeWruk7Sjrm_1Ox74vffpHfAj3eMwhWf8RwNUmhMJs2GBeMPRhj8MaPSS4LIXoulLCZ5eJ5qW9CgIx_d5RZVuhV8eQHA3M6iWZqVU0B6W-da5ErE6y464Wxbxi2JwJA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_JPyxqE1py9v_VRo4HuWHea5qX8zxBFew2PnfpBcdviDDZhSrrPPds29H9azgeWruk7Sjrm_1Ox74vffpHfAj3eMwhWf8RwNUmhMJs2GBeMPRhj8MaPSS4LIXoulLCZ5eJ5qW9CgIx_d5RZVuhV8eQHA3M6iWZqVU0B6W-da5ErE6y464Wxbxi2JwJA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LRC Business class interior on train 35. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbz61AwPKwehaBXVueLueC7_CEXKAjDgQNGXN6v6HdPtl5Evipe3BSTtmKR1-Pl8iyz_a_Sktogo9BQiWbg093Vozp6Z2RxEInT8DiHyy6TgR_X7hmwAqVRZ-YeMGp7sKC_NvZ5Npok-Jpp0n5Ssrf0VKN5TCtH2vL1AIwTtT0alnaE6xhiDRoN2kcpg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbz61AwPKwehaBXVueLueC7_CEXKAjDgQNGXN6v6HdPtl5Evipe3BSTtmKR1-Pl8iyz_a_Sktogo9BQiWbg093Vozp6Z2RxEInT8DiHyy6TgR_X7hmwAqVRZ-YeMGp7sKC_NvZ5Npok-Jpp0n5Ssrf0VKN5TCtH2vL1AIwTtT0alnaE6xhiDRoN2kcpg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backed out to the bridge, again.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">By this point,
the Business class service offering had returned to pretty much pre-pandemic
standards. The usual pre-meal drink and snack service was offered, then lunch with
the usual several options. Coffee/tea and chocolates were distributed
afterwards. This would change just a day later, as I’ll highlight in my return
trip. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg84nn2nzPNBdq8SkRF2lTvTMlkb6qEl6mg1S4tyfquC5YfxU2J0NA0Q1SgXiTq38xSTnRjdCCAHiOIu_8d90-MEwgGOpfwoOl0I9YiA7sQZtuS5Ea2iDHsujmotfOzhZRgUCRkXvh4PYHeg6HIQR0Lw9chKm1wSHiqmI6-MF3bFspQTu-A0Ma-eKajg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg84nn2nzPNBdq8SkRF2lTvTMlkb6qEl6mg1S4tyfquC5YfxU2J0NA0Q1SgXiTq38xSTnRjdCCAHiOIu_8d90-MEwgGOpfwoOl0I9YiA7sQZtuS5Ea2iDHsujmotfOzhZRgUCRkXvh4PYHeg6HIQR0Lw9chKm1wSHiqmI6-MF3bFspQTu-A0Ma-eKajg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class, or Business glass?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg035ktycmJqYMGTzrtIglvcx1aETSyRgKrl8fyPR2enxk0Rl4mJoFbY69mjmMKVuOsEKIBba2kCpg50cICTbRgU9zy1wd6Vri_VDKV8E8ch7Rr6IESAUk5PtpfQhl9NJu0GjuageRt-QvgDPV-gZZNz1UhsQbX3TifbneQYYOnt397UWVZUUrlS9TesQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg035ktycmJqYMGTzrtIglvcx1aETSyRgKrl8fyPR2enxk0Rl4mJoFbY69mjmMKVuOsEKIBba2kCpg50cICTbRgU9zy1wd6Vri_VDKV8E8ch7Rr6IESAUk5PtpfQhl9NJu0GjuageRt-QvgDPV-gZZNz1UhsQbX3TifbneQYYOnt397UWVZUUrlS9TesQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-meal snack and drink. Full liquor service was available on this trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUn0X9tOasRZckhQoSZjvV-CEhTAbEReVVXFEgecilGvc4xpV1ceR5SJZSwqAfuzUsr972D3EbHP1gWPkt6Gg1wEHWNEvJhU3lZX4rCJwQCzDDkSIcZBdc7-SOx5b-XFh7mm8rJn9NRw8hqlWoJE7NreiroWId0CZ93LlXI5iBovLB4H8FsqVS3sytuA=w640-h480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class meal. This was clearly meant to be basically the same as the honey pecan chicken I had on the Ocean the night before, but made by the Montreal based caterers. It was okay, but nowhere near as good. </td></tr></tbody></table></div></span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYQoFJII4-qDBkUYgnzRvMWBaxY3THKWdfYj58oeNLnB3tAfCSaxKOW1bNAVQWhH3rXT4SVaOCJhs9IKJa56Uolz4v0r0HJkMtrPHaPjn_0liG1S2f-5wSj9h_sDI0KPAjbNetnxyRp-fVRYP6QY9pSL38nEypaYa-LGfHCOL1za6ty7xrhR-cs5V0Xw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYQoFJII4-qDBkUYgnzRvMWBaxY3THKWdfYj58oeNLnB3tAfCSaxKOW1bNAVQWhH3rXT4SVaOCJhs9IKJa56Uolz4v0r0HJkMtrPHaPjn_0liG1S2f-5wSj9h_sDI0KPAjbNetnxyRp-fVRYP6QY9pSL38nEypaYa-LGfHCOL1za6ty7xrhR-cs5V0Xw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views along the Alexandria Sub. The load was pretty light in this car, and people were well spaced out. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiasLITdOLq-vbsyQpX2t12ROcDy4Mf2pQxWFHsn9QQ0idaDDDo4CIjS6tIGzHLFBSbTp0zX56Twb9O1ZSRXat9QxnxC4D-MzGlGxUGVkKqPYxaSb0bsIKrBygrC6Vqd4xkJaBSCUsyoqgYv7IJ1TR15Yd50-yFliEmw64FJNyPIslKTJci_2QXhdGLhA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiasLITdOLq-vbsyQpX2t12ROcDy4Mf2pQxWFHsn9QQ0idaDDDo4CIjS6tIGzHLFBSbTp0zX56Twb9O1ZSRXat9QxnxC4D-MzGlGxUGVkKqPYxaSb0bsIKrBygrC6Vqd4xkJaBSCUsyoqgYv7IJ1TR15Yd50-yFliEmw64FJNyPIslKTJci_2QXhdGLhA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These signs have shown up in most VIA bathrooms, and I don't remember this exact wording being there before - trash in the toilet could cause train delays. Don't be that person!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf_7C2gxim-W9k3q36FXzOA710pCknI5sW4oRqxjEzJJlUVGJt-vWLt-jueKKOfDDJzBylZ2WDVK3j3Bh3f3sFaoTnMmmEPwYxkdXdMl5Va2APeEUbL3leRJdgMqMNK29QWZ_sSU8x7xOe9YNs-oRvX4TuVOBabJWgu0l5fMOKQEPg3AyybhOiJVLLnQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf_7C2gxim-W9k3q36FXzOA710pCknI5sW4oRqxjEzJJlUVGJt-vWLt-jueKKOfDDJzBylZ2WDVK3j3Bh3f3sFaoTnMmmEPwYxkdXdMl5Va2APeEUbL3leRJdgMqMNK29QWZ_sSU8x7xOe9YNs-oRvX4TuVOBabJWgu0l5fMOKQEPg3AyybhOiJVLLnQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More new signage, no doubt indicative of the track and ride quality on many of VIA's routes. Three points of contact is good practice on the railways.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The trip was
mostly smooth, with a decent ride in the LRC. The only issue I found was that
the two locomotives seemed to be out of sync at points through the trip, which
led to the feeling of being rammed back and forth as the two fought against
each other and the slack pulled in and out. It seems this can be an issue on
some top-and-tail sets – another thing that will be done away with on the new
Siemens trains, which will have a locomotive on only one end and semi-permanent
couplings throughout, which will largely eliminate that slack action.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">We did
eventually run into some sort of issue, and ended up stopped in the Moose Creek
bog while one engineer got out to inspect the train. The HEP shut off briefly,
so I expect there was some sort of equipment issue – but whatever it was, it
was resolved fairly quickly, and we were back on our way. We would eventually
arrive at 2:28pm, 23 minutes behind schedule. We arrived on the single high
platform next to the station in Ottawa, which made getting off the train a very
smooth process, even with a large suitcase. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsbEbsjdvce65Q7yu0KUDpk2zpogo-VsuKwaxtPTxnzgUnPK4feBXnI6Nbxh5iT8pdReJ44TG0tggCnQac0JmE40vCZOUmCanHdnJheW8bGFKqJszoB59jlR5ZGO_OP1BWoIgvOxovzFGn8qnFrDgJhUWvNSE4DFM2JgLX4mXAoiV-HmrBLUFFDvUGng=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsbEbsjdvce65Q7yu0KUDpk2zpogo-VsuKwaxtPTxnzgUnPK4feBXnI6Nbxh5iT8pdReJ44TG0tggCnQac0JmE40vCZOUmCanHdnJheW8bGFKqJszoB59jlR5ZGO_OP1BWoIgvOxovzFGn8qnFrDgJhUWvNSE4DFM2JgLX4mXAoiV-HmrBLUFFDvUGng=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our rear locomotive, 6416. This seemed to be the one causing issues through the trip. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwlj_s9AHj7qIdTZmYAS0slN9eKV1AuTvOAXYQJvJq-rCfQ7_2UR0-9ZoTS70KsUyahMgFz3mboNnV-JHIfPlZXv48pnYGo0WaxWdUHzVaw1O1N0gZvcydJcI3ndG7yt4YKUQaatTOP8UFQuijvESfjW3wIbM8Gkx4sS9b8NVOp0MeC0zNCgDhFJVLag=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwlj_s9AHj7qIdTZmYAS0slN9eKV1AuTvOAXYQJvJq-rCfQ7_2UR0-9ZoTS70KsUyahMgFz3mboNnV-JHIfPlZXv48pnYGo0WaxWdUHzVaw1O1N0gZvcydJcI3ndG7yt4YKUQaatTOP8UFQuijvESfjW3wIbM8Gkx4sS9b8NVOp0MeC0zNCgDhFJVLag=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LRCs at the Ottawa high platform. What's up with that black "V" next to the vestibule door?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4dAmoL86QB0y2Q541VmUW7l3teI8v5bTZ0JXUGfk4AEsAsQanaisfuk8EdACtAMcsCxVAC8yYNDj4TJOtoj7VGSa0C6xbpO86nshvGRTpYB-a8kzMKwzafM8fKBIWy6nJiVujmaSahP3zBiRYf_tNnglCmcDljyOj2OE5TfiAdKl_16roPrC6OAftrA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4dAmoL86QB0y2Q541VmUW7l3teI8v5bTZ0JXUGfk4AEsAsQanaisfuk8EdACtAMcsCxVAC8yYNDj4TJOtoj7VGSa0C6xbpO86nshvGRTpYB-a8kzMKwzafM8fKBIWy6nJiVujmaSahP3zBiRYf_tNnglCmcDljyOj2OE5TfiAdKl_16roPrC6OAftrA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Business lounge in Ottawa. I didn't get a chance to properly check this out in either direction, but it looks really nice! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">All in all, the
trip up was very smooth and enjoyable, and despite some of the strangeness of
travelling in these times, it was about as relaxing and stress-free as one
could really ask for. It was fantastic to be back on the train for a proper,
full trip, and it really ran home just how much I had missed being able to do
that regularly. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The following
week in Ottawa would consist of some wonderful time with family, even if it was
awfully cold (!), and before I knew it, I’d be back on the train to head home.
I’ve decided to leave that as a second part, because otherwise I may never get
this report done (it’s taken me long enough to get to part 1 as it is!), and I
don’t want to make this an entirely unmanageable read. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">So for now, I
hope you’ve enjoyed, and stay tuned for part 2!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-39450136763681756542021-12-14T12:39:00.000-04:002021-12-14T12:39:46.726-04:00Ocean observations and videos <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-ZNXxYBcesFF-MKLHBY0c9AU_d91u0AuntyAabmmaHRAAwHRjoGa21tbHPzZXR9WKewG9i1bcPpEoz0DH_uIdmUWKlMx45BCWBtPhveEdPA66dIBe6eeokwShITuW-UZTtGWs1j4C75bowkw6hmRCpGajLX6T95FxsKjLHfyhhjbHSVx_CRXoS95OZw=s3590" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2618" data-original-width="3590" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-ZNXxYBcesFF-MKLHBY0c9AU_d91u0AuntyAabmmaHRAAwHRjoGa21tbHPzZXR9WKewG9i1bcPpEoz0DH_uIdmUWKlMx45BCWBtPhveEdPA66dIBe6eeokwShITuW-UZTtGWs1j4C75bowkw6hmRCpGajLX6T95FxsKjLHfyhhjbHSVx_CRXoS95OZw=w640-h466" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 15 departs Halifax on August 25, 2021.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't had any reason to be travelling over the last few months - with the pandemic still some version of "a thing", extraneous train rides seem a little harder than usual to justify, especially for a longer distance overnight trip. Still, even if I haven't been out on the rails, it has been extremely refreshing to have VIA trains once again coming and going from Halifax. Sometimes you don't realize just how much you appreciate a thing until it's been gone for a while...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">With the initial service offering running just once a week, I decided to try to make a point to get out and see the train every week, if possible. I haven't been able to keep up on this entirely, but I did have the chance to document quite a few of the arrivals and departures over the last few months. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've also had a bit of a shift in my approach to documenting the train. I've never been a really serious photographer, but I have tended to take lots of photos and try to at least come up with something interesting. One downside of photography with passenger trains, especially longer ones like the Ocean, is that it's very difficult to capture the full train in a single photo. When trying to document interesting and unusual consists, like the ones currently operating on the Ocean, this isn't ideal. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">By contrast, video does a much better job of capturing the full train. Similar to my photography, I'm by no means a professional or serious videographer. Until recently, the best I could do was shoot some sub-par video using that mode on one of my digital cameras - and I had done a handful of videos like that, but they never really turned out as well as I'd like. Editing and uploading things to share was also a bit of a chore as well. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward to 2021. With the advent of ever more and more sophisticated smartphones, shooting high definition video is more accessible to the average person than ever. Plus, basic video editing and uploading can be done directly from the device itself, making the whole process far easier. Now, just like with the photography aspect of things, there is plenty of discussion/debate to be had re: the merits of smartphones vs. traditional cameras, etc. - I'm not going to wade into any of that here. I'll just say that I think all of these devices are tools that, if used within their own confines and limitations, can produce results that satisfy the end goals. For me, a lot of this is about having fun and trying to document and share observations - and whatever tool accomplishes that is good enough for me!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Earlier in the summer I finally replaced my ageing phone with a newer model - an iPhone 12 Pro, which is a huge upgrade from what I had before. One of the best features of it is the inclusion of three cameras (the standard one plus a 2X zoom lens and a wide angle lens), as well as an excellent video mode that turns out some really nice results. Also excellent is the ability to seamlessly take photos while shooting video, without obnoxiously interrupting the video stream. I didn't really plan to start into video with this phone, but the first arrival of the eastbound #14 back in August was well after dark, and video turned out to be the best way to capture it. Ever since, I've been finding this to be a really enjoyable way to railfan. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">One very, very useful addition has been getting a tripod attachment that can hold a smartphone. These are inexpensive and easy to come by, and are an invaluable tool for keeping video steady and allowing for some better camera panning and movement. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, with that bit of background, I thought I'd walk through my videos from the last few months, and intersperse some comments about the trains during that time. I did spot several trains that aren't documented on video, and I've included a couple of photos of those in here as well. I hope you find this interesting, and as always, I welcome questions in the comments!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 14 - August 15, 2021</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After the first train departed from the Halifax end, the first eastbound trip from Montreal followed on August 15th. The train ran into substantial delays, and arrived well into the evening. I originally planned to try for a shot at the curve in Bedford (Moirs Mills/Mill Cove), but after CN 121 got cleared to leave town with the Ocean holding at Kinsac, I figured I'd look for somewhere more interesting for an after-dark shot. So I relocated to Bedford Quarry, which offered a spectacular view of the train passing by the still waters of Rocky Lake. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="424" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IBWQ-ga3BX8" width="510" youtube-src-id="IBWQ-ga3BX8"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This train had been expanded from the previous run, with a whopping six Chateau sleepers now in the mix. Four of those were in service and would remain on until the fall, while two were deadheading to Halifax to have some minor clean-up work done by the maintenance folks at this end. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqeU9v0u3zYNPmQM0WVR9Ehup-xr6-JnFcbjQZHCnlXRrAoSK6So9p3akja7WIb5eKCvvK7rX08O1M7AmA3N2Oax0EpSYgJWnb4sa-4rkETZEF7wwqWAXE7ET1mLAkdlomM30G0jkHJFcLF564FAkt2gnDBG4a79ddZoqClA1e7VGAT-toAlOMUubdVA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqeU9v0u3zYNPmQM0WVR9Ehup-xr6-JnFcbjQZHCnlXRrAoSK6So9p3akja7WIb5eKCvvK7rX08O1M7AmA3N2Oax0EpSYgJWnb4sa-4rkETZEF7wwqWAXE7ET1mLAkdlomM30G0jkHJFcLF564FAkt2gnDBG4a79ddZoqClA1e7VGAT-toAlOMUubdVA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train leaving on Aug. 25 had one of the refurbished HEP1 coaches sporting the new teal and yellow paint job. All of the HEP1 coaches that have been on the Ocean since the service resumed have been fully refurbished cars, but most wear the standard scheme with blue stripe and new logos, minus the old waving flags. Only a smaller group of cars seem to have the new scheme - nominally intended to be used in the Corridor, they have mostly appeared on the Canadian. I wish they'd use them on the Ocean, as they'd look quite good with the Renaissance cars!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 15 - Sept. 8, 2021</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My next attempt at video came on a really sunny day, with the westbound train departing Halifax on September 9th. There aren't a lot of good options for the train leaving from Halifax, as the lighting is only really ideal in a few spots. One of those locations, which was first shown to me by the late David Othen, is the little trestle over the Sakville River in Bedford. There's a park nearby that offers a nice view of the bridge, and it works particularly well on video. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="414" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xkqge3fCxa0" width="498" youtube-src-id="xkqge3fCxa0"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't capture the next few trains on video, but here are a few photos from Sept. 13th/14th.<br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVQnpZwYnqF7oI1RTrhQQTuu4jpuEYPwnzW6mQ35AnVquKGu16FpBaLR5plFFNVQjSPkBm3arg-8vGZ9ArGQxkgPuvWYYxiarqrVkHMoojU5-5xent9xbtbOtsgSmR4AcaCy4lAxd2q9jtzoTrh5KB4nI5_ZKEcRh43oOTPlU4QnUpskLnBnZr0te8gg=s3373" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3373" data-original-width="2677" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVQnpZwYnqF7oI1RTrhQQTuu4jpuEYPwnzW6mQ35AnVquKGu16FpBaLR5plFFNVQjSPkBm3arg-8vGZ9ArGQxkgPuvWYYxiarqrVkHMoojU5-5xent9xbtbOtsgSmR4AcaCy4lAxd2q9jtzoTrh5KB4nI5_ZKEcRh43oOTPlU4QnUpskLnBnZr0te8gg=w508-h640" width="508" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14 arrives on Sept. 13, seen here entering the cut and about to dip under Bayers Rd.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje0c_vwnUufk2KrehipvEbmZZnGOVOze1cm-YndIy3e-9qftRj8Px0o0wLXerzugs60qKDORW4yexdm5RzmKO5K2ujG-_MjXVmOQmLPA_61E5wESS1bWr6L9WfIiLRzVcgej3nn1Cff7q6h7d7xY3v_KfG4ABiqXnFociQkcDebSj9vV57EpU-8Wn4eA=s3885" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2690" data-original-width="3885" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje0c_vwnUufk2KrehipvEbmZZnGOVOze1cm-YndIy3e-9qftRj8Px0o0wLXerzugs60qKDORW4yexdm5RzmKO5K2ujG-_MjXVmOQmLPA_61E5wESS1bWr6L9WfIiLRzVcgej3nn1Cff7q6h7d7xY3v_KfG4ABiqXnFociQkcDebSj9vV57EpU-8Wn4eA=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 15 sits at the Halifax station on Sept. 14, 2021. The train is all ready to depart the following day. The "reversal" of the train (i.e. running the locomotives around to the other end) happens in the evening after arrival and all passengers and baggage are off, so the train then sits ready for departure during its layover. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 15 - Sept. 29, 2021</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It would be a few weeks after that before I got out for another shot at #15. This time, I set up behind the farmer's market along the Bedford Highway, just past mile 7 on the Bedford Sub. This makes for a neat view of the train snaking around the curves as it rolls out of town, though an outdoor air conditioning unit added some unwelcome background noise. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="439" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hsuR2xv1w3U" width="527" youtube-src-id="hsuR2xv1w3U"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This trip was deadheading one of the Chateau sleepers (Argenson) back to Montreal. The other, Laval, is still in Halifax as of the time of writing this post (scroll all the way down for a quick look).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As it turned out, travel vlogger Michael Downie ("DownieLive") was on this particular train, and subsequently reached out to ask about using this video clip in his new travel series on Chek TV. You can check out his series, "Downie Live Travels by Train" on Chek TV via their free app: <a href="https://www.cheknews.ca/shows/downie-live-travels-by-train/" target="_blank">https://www.cheknews.ca/shows/downie-live-travels-by-train/ </a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 15 - Oct. 6, 2021</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This next one is admittedly a pretty run of the mill shot. Nothing exciting or special, just the Ocean departing as viewed from the Mumford Rd. overpass. Still, sometimes the seemingly mundane turns out to be interesting in the long run, and it never hurts to capture. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="413" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-gHljRaC7g" width="496" youtube-src-id="Y-gHljRaC7g"></iframe></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 15 - Oct. 13, 2021</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now here's a little mini-chase that I thought was going to be rather mundane, but turned out to be quite a bit more interesting. On this particular day, with a cloudy sky and no strong light in any particular direction, I decided to try a shot from the overpass between Joseph Howe Drive and the Windsor exchange. This offers a view of the train coming by the Fairview shop, and a decent broadside view of them on the main track. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">While waiting for the train, I had my scanner on and heard chatter about a pending detour. CN had left traffic parked on the main line through Rockingham, so the train was going to be routed around through the yard and out the transfer track. Unfortunately, this put them on the nearer track and hampered the view for my initial shot. But a surprise benefit was that it gave me enough time to get out to Millview ahead of the train (even with construction and gridlock traffic!), so I was able to get a view of them there as the skies brightened up. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If you look closely, you can see passengers eating in the dining car. When the Ocean first resumed service, all meals were cold meals delivered to sleeper rooms. By this point in October, passengers had the option to take their meals in the dining car. By October 24, full hot meal service in the diner would resume. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="439" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CUCdbPxWDJE" width="528" youtube-src-id="CUCdbPxWDJE"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 14 - October 18, 2021</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">While it often worked better for me to catch the outbound train, on October 18th the timing lined up well to catch #14 for a change. This particular trip was exciting because it was the first time in the new bidirectional setup that the train featured three locomotives - the third one being added to help deal with wet leaves on the tracks through the New Brunswick wilderness. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It also helped that there was still an impressive array of fall colours, which made for a rather breathtaking view around the curve at Moirs Mills/Mill Cove in Bedford. Unfortunately the light shifted up a little, so it wasn't quite perfect - but it was still pretty impressive!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="444" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GcR5XC487vU" width="534" youtube-src-id="GcR5XC487vU"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Just a short while before this train arrived, VIA announced a long-awaited resumption plan for the Ocean service. The train would return to twice a week in December (as of Dec. 8), and the full 3/week service would resume in June 2022. More on that in a bit. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 14 - Nov. 1, 2021</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">With the clocks rolling back the following week, November 1st would be the last day until next spring that VIA’s Ocean would arrive in Halifax before dark, even if on schedule. The train was running close to on time, less than 20min behind schedule, so it just squeaked in during the last stretch of decent light on this beautiful fall day. Once again, I set up at Moirs Mills/Mill Cove in Bedford, though at a slightly lower vantage point that offered a view amongst the eye-catching inuksuks that have been erected by members of the public. The lighting and the early sunset were pretty great. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="433" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tr8LXVkaRc0" width="520" youtube-src-id="tr8LXVkaRc0"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The train had finally been shortened down at this point for the off-season, with two Chateau sleepers removed. At this point, the forward facing sleeper would be in service on at least some trips, while the backwards facing one would be for crew use. Notably, ex-CP baggage 8613 had been swapped in for the ex-UP 8618. A few other cars have been rotated out of this set as well, included the Ren accessible sleeper and transition car, at least one Ren sleeper, and both HEP1 coaches.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHB_8VvmufBFZfEMNH9Izbmtxawi9niubZPIlu4rDiSNPqv0HnSKCbaggXSLpJridj9S8Y1rmMAlKE5VXPwCkI9SCJQ-X8jYuDBWuNtHvA5apkde2xvJEhOmO879LuIhCZswQvDrkRWd28U73E2F9yDsqiAr693CbF57NsdvDFHrx6jY2gUPGLghes5Q=s3113" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3113" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHB_8VvmufBFZfEMNH9Izbmtxawi9niubZPIlu4rDiSNPqv0HnSKCbaggXSLpJridj9S8Y1rmMAlKE5VXPwCkI9SCJQ-X8jYuDBWuNtHvA5apkde2xvJEhOmO879LuIhCZswQvDrkRWd28U73E2F9yDsqiAr693CbF57NsdvDFHrx6jY2gUPGLghes5Q=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A still from the video linked above. The sunset paired with the inukshuks made for an excellent view.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">With lower passenger volumes, only the HEP1 coaches are in use. These cars have their seats rotated at both ends, so they are the ideal cars to use to ensure all passengers can face forward. With the Ren coaches, only one is oriented in each direction, and the seats cannot be turned. The main reason any Ren coaches are still used is to ensure that there is fully accessible coach space available, something the HEP1s cannot satsify.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 15 - Dec. 1, 2021</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My next video would be exactly one month later, as November didn't work out as well for getting out to see trains. This wasn't an ideal spot, but it worked just well enough to capture the train rolling up grade behind the Halifax shopping centre annex, near the old Sears (once rail-served). </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="439" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xrgmVJows9Q" width="528" youtube-src-id="xrgmVJows9Q"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 14 - First bi-weekly arrival, Dec. 9, 2021</u></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'll bookend this post with notable arrivals of #14. We started with the first eastbound train post-shutdown, and we'll now close off with the first of the bi-weekly arrivals, with the #14 that departed Montreal on Wednesday, December 8th. This marks an expansion of the service, but most importantly, it marks the return of a second consist into operation. This second train set is required for either bi-weekly or tri-weekly operation, as the trains depart from either end on the same day and meet overnight. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A severe snow storm had struck the Nova Scotia the day before, with close to 40cm of snow falling (short lived, as a rain storm a few days later would wipe it all away....ah, winter in Halifax...). This made for a rather beautiful (but frigid) backdrop for #14's arrival, with some light snow falling and the tracks thoroughly blanketed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I decided to head down to the Young Ave. overpass to capture the train arriving on its final approach to the station. Not captured in the video is the mad dash to the other side of the overpass, plowing through the deep snow drifts, to get the going-away shot! The things we do...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="442" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l5efviVYzrc" width="532" youtube-src-id="l5efviVYzrc"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The second consist is set up to mirror the first, both in terms of car types and orientation. This makes for a consistent experience between the trains, and no doubt makes it easier for VIA's booking agents to let passengers know what to expect. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the most recent iteration of both consists. As you may note, some of the cars in set #2 previously appeared in set #1. This is based on the consists of 14 and 15 departing on Dec. 12, 2021. I have not included the locomotive numbers, as those aren't entirely relevant (there are usually two, always back to back). I have also shown each consist in its eastbound orientation (i.e. heading towards Halifax) - the westbound train will be in the reverse order, as the train is not turned in Halifax. </span></p><p><b><u><i><span style="font-size: large;">Ocean set #1</span></i></u></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7009 Renaissance baggage car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">70230 Ren accessible coach (forward)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7208 Ren coach (backward)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7512 Ren sleeper*</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7507 Ren sleeper</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7506 Ren sleeper</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">79526 Ren accessible sleeper</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7314 Ren service car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7401 Ren dining car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7303 Ren service car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7602 Ren transition car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8124 HEP1 coach**</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8127 HEP1 coach</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8220 Chateau Papineau (forward)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8228 Chateau Vercheres (backward)</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8613 HEP1 baggage car</span></p><p><b><u><i><span style="font-size: large;">Ocean set #2</span></i></u></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7003 Renaissance baggage car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">70108 Ren accessible coach (forward)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7231 Ren coach (backward)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7516 Ren sleeper</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7522 Ren sleeper</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7520 Ren sleeper</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">79501 Ren accessible sleeper</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7312 Ren service car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7402 Ren dining car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7309 Ren service car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7601 Ren transition car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8117 HEP1 coach</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8118 HEP1 coach</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8221 Chateau Radisson (forward)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8219 Chateau Montcalm (backward)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8618 HEP1 baggage car</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">*All Renaissance sleepers are oriented backwards (i.e. vestibule at the front) from Montreal, and therefore forward (vestibule at rear) from Halifax.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">**All HEP1 coaches currently in use have been refurbished. They have their seats turned in Halifax for the return journey.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Both of these sets are likely to expand, at least in the HEP sections (not likely to see any more Ren equipment added, simply due to equipment availability) as we head into the busier holiday season. The trains immediately before and after Christmas have been largely sold out for some time, and VIA's reservations system has shown evidence of inventory being added - so it's a safe bet to expect longer trains. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What we might see on those trains in terms of any interesting equipment, and just how long they'll end up being, remains to be seen! It's also still an outstanding question as to whether VIA will eventually plan to add in anything to replace the Park car, which can't be operated in the current bidirectional arrangement. The original consist configuration prior to the pandemic shutdown did include a Skyline, so that's always a possibility. As I've mentioned before, I personally think that the single-level Panorama cars would be an excellent option - but what equipment VIA has available, and what they would be willing to sacrifice from the Canadian's equipment pool to use on the Ocean, remains to be seen. In any case, I expect any such addition is most likely to come when more normal tourist traffic resumes, hopefully heading into next summer. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'll leave things at that for now. All being well, I'll have some more proper trip reporting to do soon - stay tuned! Until then, Merry Christmas, have a safe and happy holiday season, and I wish you all well in the new year! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading :-) </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLbqBU3cbl-vGjbDTDmtzx3o2JmkeQfgNveDDI8cxQjoNE4ezI8zHeklgEyPcuXlY-pXxHJKTt1mYd1dPS8XLAdRAutHLVv1yd92SmRjjFcC5ry2axl_J2oY79GMeJgfc5hSG-lBAEu4R7ea8QejqltP_XzTxo_X8ajP_wRqx5oa99fu31iKhBZDHXtg=s3881" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2620" data-original-width="3881" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLbqBU3cbl-vGjbDTDmtzx3o2JmkeQfgNveDDI8cxQjoNE4ezI8zHeklgEyPcuXlY-pXxHJKTt1mYd1dPS8XLAdRAutHLVv1yd92SmRjjFcC5ry2axl_J2oY79GMeJgfc5hSG-lBAEu4R7ea8QejqltP_XzTxo_X8ajP_wRqx5oa99fu31iKhBZDHXtg=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chateau Laval sits by the Halifax station, having been in town idle for several months now, supposedly for some minor tune-up work (something to keep the local maintenance guys busy?). The Christmas tree lot in the foreground makes for a very festive scene.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-91746907304913380562021-08-13T11:13:00.000-03:002021-08-13T11:13:49.589-03:00The Ocean Returns!<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjino8v8kAvvmqyA9H5vJHCVf2_TTi78JrMddUHY-WPZTM_SZxUQrm_XzwIZ1lMLg5QXBIi2UwufMlrBZkawz4y0s1vere0DhLiU4k66EP8bQC_EzFmPYCkAcA6zmr2tTYIIt-oJKXzbBEL/s2048/image0+%25282%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="2048" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjino8v8kAvvmqyA9H5vJHCVf2_TTi78JrMddUHY-WPZTM_SZxUQrm_XzwIZ1lMLg5QXBIi2UwufMlrBZkawz4y0s1vere0DhLiU4k66EP8bQC_EzFmPYCkAcA6zmr2tTYIIt-oJKXzbBEL/w640-h380/image0+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train #15 is all ready to go at the Halifax station, for the inaugural trip of the Ocean after its lengthy shutdown. A seagull has perched atop the nearest lightpost, no doubt excited to watch the train depart!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It’s been a long wait! Nearly 17 months after the last train departed Halifax, the Ocean is finally back in service, making it the last of VIA’s routes to resume since most of the network ground to a halt in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (<i>*yes, technically the VIA-operated Toronto-Niagara Falls portion of the Maple Leaf is still not in service, but since that’s a jointly operated train with Amtrak, I’m not really counting it here</i>). The last pre-pandemic Ocean departed Halifax on March 13, 2020, and the next train would once again be a departure from Halifax on August 11, 2021. That last run happened unceremoniously amidst a time of uncertainty, with the service suspension announced after the train was already long gone from Halifax. Now, the return was well publicized in advance, and its departure would be marked with an appropriately celebratory air.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As I reflected on in my last post, the past year (now year and a half +) brought changes for nearly all of us, and saw travel virtually shut down across much of the world. Here on the east coast, strict provincial and regional travel restrictions resulted in significant reductions in air service, severed any bus service connections to the rest of the country, and posed a significant roadblock for VIA resuming a service that would run from Quebec through both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. While it wouldn’t have been impossible (VIA did resume the Canadian into Winnipeg while Manitoba had similar quarantine/isolation requirements), it would have had its challenges and appeared to lack support from the respective provinces. VIA was in regular contact with the NB and NS provincial governments, and waited until all parties were more comfortable with the service resumption before moving ahead. Regardless of whether something earlier may have been possible, with travel restrictions easing significantly this summer, it’s clear that the time was now right to get the Ocean back on track. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">For now, the Ocean is only running once per week in each direction. This is consistent with the Canadian and other remote services (except for the Winnipeg-Churchill train), and is also comparable to the reduced frequencies in the Corridor. As we move into the fall, the hope is that all of VIA’s services will be able to get back to their usual frequencies. The Ocean is currently slated to resume 3/week operation in October, but this is of course subject to change. There is also a modified on board service offering in light of ongoing COVID concerns, which I’ll detail more below. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In preparation for the service relaunch, VIA sent a deadhead equipment move from Montreal to Halifax on July 12, arriving in Halifax on the morning of July 13. Why deadhead the train to Halifax instead of just sending the first revenue train from Montreal? The main reason is that while the equipment is based and maintained in Montreal, the on board crews for the Ocean are based in Halifax, and the on board service is coordinated from this end. So they really needed the equipment to be in Halifax for crew training, preparation of the on board service, and general orientation to the new train setup. The deadhead also allowed for a refresher trip for the head end crews, based in Quebec/Ste-Foy, Campbellton, and Moncton. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAVnO6kaoT1YFog9Fn5TVFlMssMJIsJw9P1KDzZzt3_s9jZERxlKQRQkEPIZO_j_xxlfHHZJ8Xf8GlZ-HdPFXhRgzZ5Lodqw-XDlAv6JxicKt_Tpm5UBFzIo3Nu0UYXcNZQGyaYTSzOmZ/s2048/IMG_6602.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="2048" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAVnO6kaoT1YFog9Fn5TVFlMssMJIsJw9P1KDzZzt3_s9jZERxlKQRQkEPIZO_j_xxlfHHZJ8Xf8GlZ-HdPFXhRgzZ5Lodqw-XDlAv6JxicKt_Tpm5UBFzIo3Nu0UYXcNZQGyaYTSzOmZ/w640-h418/IMG_6602.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The deadhead equipment move, operating as VIA 614, rounds the curve at Moirs Mills (Bedford, NS) on its approach to Halifax. Given the normal schedule of this train, it's an exceptionally rare sight to see it coming through this curve in the morning light.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovWot8Wwoa2Ew3taKtDKT3WS32oG7ON-_1nOd-fe6RGkD_ncMSKPzjFSGwTuVZszSx_QdhjBdYScaG2ZIQtt-yeWSc0e7Ax0lLaIrsaEifZPMJ7GOjdx6qHDpdSycnXVSsFuDqgm_LepP/s2048/IMG_6606.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovWot8Wwoa2Ew3taKtDKT3WS32oG7ON-_1nOd-fe6RGkD_ncMSKPzjFSGwTuVZszSx_QdhjBdYScaG2ZIQtt-yeWSc0e7Ax0lLaIrsaEifZPMJ7GOjdx6qHDpdSycnXVSsFuDqgm_LepP/w640-h430/IMG_6606.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ocean's new mix of HEP and Renaissance equipment can be seen here, with the HEP section beyond the Ren transition car. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zjXgd04tf-1Sd8hWxgrib8KUY_fxT5T20WCwvprE-nSa1ZGp7MOsyd317eD3CP_-6jhfUokPANSec70pG5UnoVY0aZ-Trg2RlP3GTHlE1Yp7PPtsJ-BikQFeChO58hR0SYOrj2pXQx4H/s2048/IMG_6618.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="2048" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zjXgd04tf-1Sd8hWxgrib8KUY_fxT5T20WCwvprE-nSa1ZGp7MOsyd317eD3CP_-6jhfUokPANSec70pG5UnoVY0aZ-Trg2RlP3GTHlE1Yp7PPtsJ-BikQFeChO58hR0SYOrj2pXQx4H/w640-h446/IMG_6618.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First VIA equipment to arrive in Halifax in over a year, and the first of any kind here since the two damaged Renaissance coaches were scrapped last summer, VIA 614 pulls up to the station tracks in Halifax. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Despite suspicions that a significant number of new crew members may need to be hired, it seems that there are enough returning on board staff to cover the service, at least for now. But after so many months out of work and with a modified service offering, some re-training is essential.
The deadhead move was originally scheduled to arrive in Halifax around 3am, having left Montreal the previous day at 4h30. Thankfully delays along the way meant that it didn’t arrive until after sunrise, so I was able to go out and catch the train arriving. It’s hard to describe how excited I was to see a VIA train again after so long! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So with the train now in Halifax and the first revenue trip fast approaching, I figured I really needed to make a point of riding that first train. August would mark closer to 20 months since I’d been on a VIA train – by far the longest gap since I started riding regularly in 200</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>7! – so I was more than due for a trip. Plus </span><span>I had lost the opportunity for the "last hurrah" trip I had planned on the final Park car-equipped Ocean, so being aboard the inaugural trip at least seemed like something I should do. W</span><span>ith the new consist and operating model, plus refurbished equipment, I was really curious to get a peek at the onboard experience. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This wasn’t actually quite my first bit of travel since the pandemic began, and it also wasn’t technically my first time back on a train of some sort – I’ll write more about that in a separate post a little later. Had the Ocean restarted a month earlier I could have made a full trip in both directions, but that wasn’t in the cards. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Wanting to make a short trip, I thought through my options. Going all the way to Montreal was going to be too complicated and wouldn’t work with other things going on. Going as far as many other points along the line would require an overnight stay, and a lengthy return bus ride. Even Moncton, Sackville or Amherst wouldn’t work, as the bus departs too early for a same day return. So the only option that could be done using scheduled intercity transportation would be to go as far as Truro, and then return a few hours later with Maritime Bus. This would make for a fairly short trip, but it would still give me a nice taste for the service, and should be a fun time. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When looking through my options, I decided to do something I hadn’t done before and book myself a sleeper cabin even though this was a short day trip. VIA will allow shorter distance sleeper bookings over much of the Ocean’s route. In the past, this would have had the benefit of access to the Park car and dining car, as well as private space, and would make for an attractive option for some folks particularly on a trip of several hours but not overnight. With the current modified service offering, it was going to mean that I would have my own private space, something that’s still quite attractive right now, and I would also get lunch before arrival in Truro. The opportunity to see what the meal service looked like, plus to check out the reportedly spruced up Ren sleepers, made this quite appealing. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">One thing to keep in mind, which I only discovered after booking, is that VIA is currently not allowing the same room to be occupied more than once per trip. Unfortunately this meant that my booking this room for Halifax-Truro would block it for the rest of the trip as well. This also means that the availability of shorter distance rooms may be limited, as VIA can only sell you a room if there is still one available for the full distance. This is being handled manually, so the reservations system may show and allow you to book something that isn’t actually available. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">With that ticket locked in I booked a return bus ticket from Truro, and started looking forward to a train trip for the first time in ages! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">August 11th arrived – on a hot, humid day that seemed intent on alternating between overcast threatening skies and beautiful sun, I made my way down to the Halifax station. After finding a vantage point for a few photos of the train itself, I headed inside. The station itself is not that different from how it was in the past, aside from the various COVID related signage. Masks are required inside the station, and on all VIA trains except when actively eating/drinking or in one’s own sleeper room with the door closed. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwd93vHBpru7Fchps-m2kal6E_cXJYxuZriBa60M3qV5_JV9D0nDr14fo_N8KbCGRPkQ1jhl6GDlvpqXpTdp09t-_9fZtoMydpcZ1GLXqfUt_CsDzL9wVHOfq9qWK02Hm-5EqVLTiLu9h/s2048/3F4A0BB2-B408-49EB-A7E6-F262F196C338.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="2048" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwd93vHBpru7Fchps-m2kal6E_cXJYxuZriBa60M3qV5_JV9D0nDr14fo_N8KbCGRPkQ1jhl6GDlvpqXpTdp09t-_9fZtoMydpcZ1GLXqfUt_CsDzL9wVHOfq9qWK02Hm-5EqVLTiLu9h/w640-h492/3F4A0BB2-B408-49EB-A7E6-F262F196C338.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fences can make for annoying photo blocks, or interesting framing opportunities, depending on how you look at it. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtjlNftBiWmW38qWK2OfgHUdrJIv8QgN_PiucAjn8zjq_HHJigcJUgsdnKTCATqZOMJSM_YMf0Ccp5htKe_ZtdFFQrENWnwmLRdMskxa7BGj5HmuIKN5OEmhfzojuvPaMmLRYBW-5Qgcf/w640-h480/37E073C5-A779-4734-8BFE-171D59C0F4F4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at the always impressive VIA station. Note the entrance to the Maritime Bus office to the right of the main doors.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVqEwD_TUpg6y8ZYZFEhHa39ZhzcpfzsAdeaeMN1szB6vLHmgj7Br2raojhCC3K6lbqIpPOFBwX_TPvedxKA1qayWg0fpHhddHi6RQs2dcFmESzj7yIb812lbMC2JR7-6OHZg8ySJQBW-/s2048/B0DA7FE6-8CE8-4FA0-8F4E-8652FA0D41BC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVqEwD_TUpg6y8ZYZFEhHa39ZhzcpfzsAdeaeMN1szB6vLHmgj7Br2raojhCC3K6lbqIpPOFBwX_TPvedxKA1qayWg0fpHhddHi6RQs2dcFmESzj7yIb812lbMC2JR7-6OHZg8ySJQBW-/w640-h480/B0DA7FE6-8CE8-4FA0-8F4E-8652FA0D41BC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front doors, with additional signage.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixa3D8m9dyBgAeelnq21zCoV5f45qcwsT3nzeXBPQvnTpl0yqRLffTNWL0xk2RRiokj4Q2fQ-gwkJCtWsAd7yX2iVwsogjVCXpCop6IZFvbQKOm83R0ViLHMVNWKd1eyrbWTOlM7huKDFV/s2048/0226A08B-8BC3-4B59-BEE5-F8B919AB04D4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixa3D8m9dyBgAeelnq21zCoV5f45qcwsT3nzeXBPQvnTpl0yqRLffTNWL0xk2RRiokj4Q2fQ-gwkJCtWsAd7yX2iVwsogjVCXpCop6IZFvbQKOm83R0ViLHMVNWKd1eyrbWTOlM7huKDFV/w444-h640/0226A08B-8BC3-4B59-BEE5-F8B919AB04D4.jpeg" width="444" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masque requis.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZRK4MlQQkdzV2xpgSfqDG9V7qQrwAa76WRpw3vd6jjXvElpuDOh0OmMIbIEkfZCpbtxftrP8_iLEvQoj7YG-VfjrVSVkj8g2LEswhFxcICGRCNkPhJ6JGDwUqrcTgXay3qwYx5vCOyw_/s2048/9ECAEFEF-F01D-4354-B5B3-C6062E7D59D4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZRK4MlQQkdzV2xpgSfqDG9V7qQrwAa76WRpw3vd6jjXvElpuDOh0OmMIbIEkfZCpbtxftrP8_iLEvQoj7YG-VfjrVSVkj8g2LEswhFxcICGRCNkPhJ6JGDwUqrcTgXay3qwYx5vCOyw_/w526-h640/9ECAEFEF-F01D-4354-B5B3-C6062E7D59D4.jpeg" width="526" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the COVID signage on the main doors.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2SZJreaibIGUdV9HZIXr9lmMKAGKC1wvWDPycqgRZXFQqiUtEVKeOp29Ja9qsUHoclLBSlIXjfg1SoQGJNwuWmq64fSMQJhqZuk1ouD90MdWCwYGgYPKLlbO2LMYhXAq6vXAh40ljCXh/s2048/C8B0AE8D-5F0B-45BF-B83F-A56E085164C9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2SZJreaibIGUdV9HZIXr9lmMKAGKC1wvWDPycqgRZXFQqiUtEVKeOp29Ja9qsUHoclLBSlIXjfg1SoQGJNwuWmq64fSMQJhqZuk1ouD90MdWCwYGgYPKLlbO2LMYhXAq6vXAh40ljCXh/w478-h640/C8B0AE8D-5F0B-45BF-B83F-A56E085164C9.jpeg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reminders abound to report any COVID-19 symptoms. A questionnaire is included when booking tickets, and a reminder email a couple days before reiterated the need to stay home if experiencing any symptoms or required to self-isolate. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2ZFIGJdwRVzePnrv5-Fettz2wbFRdjRO3qEgG6eXTw2YBBw6BDYDonmif-WePv6mGPeQQqMXFUCvSxrTYZQ4DeJWlpZxJvsSLRJ-Aq-objj-FDqpESVl3m9x8k9VzeIilTb4tdABaQC0/s2048/AD627777-8A52-4891-8A6B-4CBB3FAA2D18.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2ZFIGJdwRVzePnrv5-Fettz2wbFRdjRO3qEgG6eXTw2YBBw6BDYDonmif-WePv6mGPeQQqMXFUCvSxrTYZQ4DeJWlpZxJvsSLRJ-Aq-objj-FDqpESVl3m9x8k9VzeIilTb4tdABaQC0/w640-h480/AD627777-8A52-4891-8A6B-4CBB3FAA2D18.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train outside the station, a sight not seen in ages... Some railfan friends made a sign for the inaugural run, with a reference to a YouTube channel that one of them runs. Keep an eye out for another appearance of that sign later on!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I was pleasantly surprised by how much of a crowd there was at the station. It didn’t look quite as busy as one would expect for a typical mid-August peak season train, but it looked quite busy for the size of train we actually had. Around 20 passengers boarded the sleepers, with more to come along the way (the sleepers were sold out for full Halifax-Montreal bookings), and there was a solid group of coach passengers as well. A handful were other railfans making shorter trips to ride the first train, but many appeared to be folks travelling for whatever purposes they may have, including a few families. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwW9DZEm0igmZyS7c9VeuVpPeo1MIfY8IDwuiAncyMf2jJh3Pn_FjON30WFo-iHtFMLS4k9mN719cHR7yWAR6QgmKs9PQ3lMmYdbzBrP520uCmXHrUdS1SubOuqWuv7yVsPiWUXnfJT7f/s2048/77DC43AB-B03D-403E-ACF6-9AF24C7641A9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwW9DZEm0igmZyS7c9VeuVpPeo1MIfY8IDwuiAncyMf2jJh3Pn_FjON30WFo-iHtFMLS4k9mN719cHR7yWAR6QgmKs9PQ3lMmYdbzBrP520uCmXHrUdS1SubOuqWuv7yVsPiWUXnfJT7f/w640-h458/77DC43AB-B03D-403E-ACF6-9AF24C7641A9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The station is once again alive and bustling, after more than a year sitting empty. Passengers line up to check baggage, and some pick up tickets. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D5E_p0klWPxJ-TrHwaMVN7OCTSzP6hhlWEXJ5PyoACsJNuXAvmxCvaYaDP_KT-wSx395jJOzzsziGYmv-elcUWn3o1acchVguANO7YC2iNCmGhnf8SnztgX5S-rQkTi_6qXZQR2znLRw/s2048/66540322-85E4-44A0-B202-F29B1CA667B6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D5E_p0klWPxJ-TrHwaMVN7OCTSzP6hhlWEXJ5PyoACsJNuXAvmxCvaYaDP_KT-wSx395jJOzzsziGYmv-elcUWn3o1acchVguANO7YC2iNCmGhnf8SnztgX5S-rQkTi_6qXZQR2znLRw/w640-h480/66540322-85E4-44A0-B202-F29B1CA667B6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sizeable crowd waiting to board, with plenty more in the waiting area off to the right. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Boarding was a bit later than usual, only getting underway around 12h45. The process was the same as always – coach passengers headed out through one door and made their way up the platform, with tickets being checked at the coaches. Sleeper passengers checked in with the service manager. Since meals are being delivered to rooms at the moment and the dining car is closed, there is no reservation for meals. As I checked in, the service manager had a laugh about my exceptionally short sleeper trip – but as I explained my rationale, he seemed to appreciate it, and provided a hearty welcome back. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOclYoHlRM3FtOwdpsJwIVVoeb3KWbFIL4s8uTeXGx0qYVKrA6uk_7qXDjbQusSXXhdZEmYv_MBVCODi0LHc2He76oS_XfiZunl-ZLrJ6z4xU8h71yxSOjVMsPSxGctJrmpjlJdc29i0ZN/s2048/FF6DCCFE-F9DF-4019-B07B-4B30BC85BFD9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOclYoHlRM3FtOwdpsJwIVVoeb3KWbFIL4s8uTeXGx0qYVKrA6uk_7qXDjbQusSXXhdZEmYv_MBVCODi0LHc2He76oS_XfiZunl-ZLrJ6z4xU8h71yxSOjVMsPSxGctJrmpjlJdc29i0ZN/w480-h640/FF6DCCFE-F9DF-4019-B07B-4B30BC85BFD9.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeper check-in desk all ready to go - and the train status screen can finally display something, at least when it toggles back to the "Departures" screen.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOYf7zu3SbdS6xmfNXD7jxUKbsI1DTxtDkkkU1Swv5xuiAKP89SGwOUcYSNFr5kqw74R38fSW4Lp3qhYD2hCux5XOnx5q2GSb-1DACKv9v0x4RR2zdER9GzNZd-CY-tsHnQUiPloPccgi/s2048/E37C0758-98FE-4886-AFB1-27B28E8F1B1D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="2048" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOYf7zu3SbdS6xmfNXD7jxUKbsI1DTxtDkkkU1Swv5xuiAKP89SGwOUcYSNFr5kqw74R38fSW4Lp3qhYD2hCux5XOnx5q2GSb-1DACKv9v0x4RR2zdER9GzNZd-CY-tsHnQUiPloPccgi/w640-h472/E37C0758-98FE-4886-AFB1-27B28E8F1B1D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick view on the sunnier side of the train, as the clouds started to break up a bit. This is the new look of the tail end of the westbound Ocean, a far cry from the classic Park car, but not that unfamiliar - for years, the Ocean's Renaissance consists only had a Park car during peak seasons, so the end of the train featuring Ren equipment was not unusual. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevjZgLh6IU6eY4jmfeNe1kMrI5MEkaf9de9ArqOwnfqGW3SbSdKmaKkiUTnWVd7POdgVFW771rytUgVVinp3OGBIr1Dr0nq9mO-S6cp-Kbf3xYlX-TXPI3ci3Cw0gsghfEp-qOgvEp43W/s2048/E71694AE-914E-4271-B5DA-ABD16EBE6555.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1730" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevjZgLh6IU6eY4jmfeNe1kMrI5MEkaf9de9ArqOwnfqGW3SbSdKmaKkiUTnWVd7POdgVFW771rytUgVVinp3OGBIr1Dr0nq9mO-S6cp-Kbf3xYlX-TXPI3ci3Cw0gsghfEp-qOgvEp43W/w540-h640/E71694AE-914E-4271-B5DA-ABD16EBE6555.jpeg" width="540" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down the platform to board the train, steps down and ready for passengers. With only the HEP1 coaches up front being loaded, it was as long a walk as always for economy passengers. If this same consist orientation continues, it will actually then be a long walk for them when returning as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The consist for the first #15 was as follows. This is of course the new bidirectional consist, which allows the train to reverse directions without being turned, requiring only the locomotives to run to the other end. This is in response to VIA losing access to the balloon track at Halterm (PSA Halifax) – see my previous post for more information. As part of this new model, the Park car is a thing of the past. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>VIA 15 – August 11, 2021</u></b> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">6411 </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">6427 (“love the way” wrap, reverse) </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">8618 HEP1 Baggage </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Chateau Radisson (crew) </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">8118 (03) HEP1 Coach </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">8124 (04) HEP1 Coach </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7601 Renaissance Transition Car </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7303 Ren Service Car </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7401 Ren Dining Car </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7314 Ren Service Car </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">79526 (30) Ren Accessible Sleeper </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7506 (37) Ren Sleeper <b>*Room 10 </b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7507 (38) Ren Sleeper </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>7516 (39) </span>Ren Sleeper </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7208 (05) Ren Coach (forward) </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">70230 (06) Ren Accessible coach (reverse) </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7009 Ren Baggage car </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;">Line numbers in brackets </span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A few notes on the consist: the HEP1 coaches are both refurbished, though they still carry the classic blue stripe (with new logos and no flags). The Renaissance equipment in the consist has all had paint touchups and a buff and wax job externally, and all upholstery and carpets have been refreshed. While the HEP1 coaches are having their seats turned to face the direction of travel (except for 4-seaters), the two Renaissance coaches still have their normal seating layout; as such, one Ren coach is backwards in each direction. Priority is therefore being given to using the HEP1 coaches. They were the only ones loaded at Halifax, and I’m not sure if the others were used along the way. I have been told that the reversed Ren coach will be the last car used, as overflow traffic demands it, and will be prioritized for shorter trips. The one Chateau sleeper in the consist was for crew use, but additional Chateau sleepers will be added for the first #14 departure and are available for sale in bedrooms, drawing rooms, and roomettes (no open sections at this time). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikB5BMzbmFic3GIAB3eSwh_-swahYUP50gBHeuam2U7zZeXef8twq8hBjATNfjyU3wnrOEczBDVFxzGULH-4b-y-1JXjWM7p3SnjCVs3BT9y3YUjCxgsxpJBfPoiZcvAzIlCObDnkq-pdy/s2048/IMG_0025.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikB5BMzbmFic3GIAB3eSwh_-swahYUP50gBHeuam2U7zZeXef8twq8hBjATNfjyU3wnrOEczBDVFxzGULH-4b-y-1JXjWM7p3SnjCVs3BT9y3YUjCxgsxpJBfPoiZcvAzIlCObDnkq-pdy/w640-h480/IMG_0025.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view inside one of the refurbished HEP1 coaches on the train. Note the new upholstery and carpeting, akin to the new interiors in the Manor sleepers. A welcome refresh! (Photo courtesy of Ted Bartlett)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3ZNqtlXbroaO7SnwWbf5ux2BVmKYpvimvza0qOC9tyyzXxRIkg-0fow53NVpACBSBlfpP3-oG0BfVtM5vo9yZ3xx6MxmLG5o7JjjL1MEVDHb4TelqW-kMge2H6_vghPbPS3BqmWRtm4b/s2048/IMG_0035.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3ZNqtlXbroaO7SnwWbf5ux2BVmKYpvimvza0qOC9tyyzXxRIkg-0fow53NVpACBSBlfpP3-oG0BfVtM5vo9yZ3xx6MxmLG5o7JjjL1MEVDHb4TelqW-kMge2H6_vghPbPS3BqmWRtm4b/w480-h640/IMG_0035.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New sink in refurbished HEP1 coach. (Photo courtesy of Ted Bartlett)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Qdl3THnEAhRFdXY2j6GK-WloSEmhhr_j8rDobbb2Klb5Pr8dYCRDloIFxSZBRXrPJSE4H-noIDKwje599LtRpQzWepfuNyDQ6fDkEkvRlzqNJgijtoegDNYwzpnLrC5SqL7xmygJGUmB/s2048/IMG_0036.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Qdl3THnEAhRFdXY2j6GK-WloSEmhhr_j8rDobbb2Klb5Pr8dYCRDloIFxSZBRXrPJSE4H-noIDKwje599LtRpQzWepfuNyDQ6fDkEkvRlzqNJgijtoegDNYwzpnLrC5SqL7xmygJGUmB/w480-h640/IMG_0036.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view inside the refurbished HEP1 coach bathroom. (Photo courtesy of Ted Bartlett)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgIXwbMvZ_v6r-9CtvJPGIa9EIb2rqE4UlbMSk-8e-LOBgOapX-jORy-LtrXiV_53ix1tfRhl95gj0XfxIBQiaC7XBSsHiiCdRnayaax8RlnaFzcMKzST-T7tbtGa6Oc7I-AFQ0oMWCes/s2048/F561A056-B90B-43C5-AD7B-39B5B2C06789.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="2048" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgIXwbMvZ_v6r-9CtvJPGIa9EIb2rqE4UlbMSk-8e-LOBgOapX-jORy-LtrXiV_53ix1tfRhl95gj0XfxIBQiaC7XBSsHiiCdRnayaax8RlnaFzcMKzST-T7tbtGa6Oc7I-AFQ0oMWCes/w640-h348/F561A056-B90B-43C5-AD7B-39B5B2C06789.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look at the exterior of the refurbished HEP1 coaches a few days earlier. Unlike the ones currently being used on the Canadian, which received a new teal and yellow livery, these got a refresh of their blue stripe with new logos and no flags. You may note that the striping is slightly different around the vestibule, as the blue was continued on the dutch door but not on the framing around the vestibule.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of notes, before I go into things further, about the COVID-era on board service. At the moment, VIA is requiring all passengers stay in either their seat or sleeper room for the duration of the trip (with the obvious exception of using the washroom or getting off at smoke/fresh air stops. The lounges in the Ren service cars are closed, and despite a dining car being included in the consist, it is not accessible to passengers. Economy food service is being provided by cart (like on Corridor trains), and sleeper passengers will receive all meals in their rooms. This will eventually be modified as the COVID situation continues to improve, hopefully into the fall - but it’s not yet clear exactly when that might be. At that time, it’s also hoped that a Skyline dome will be added to replace the loss of the Park car, but we’ll have to wait and see. That would be very welcome, not just for the dome, but also because the lounges in the Renaissance service cars are rather small and not that well laid out. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">For my short trip I was in car 37, room 10 – the rear facing bedroom (in this direction) at the front end of the car. I was immediately impressed upon boarding with just how nice the Ren sleepers look at the moment. Everything is in really nice shape, everything in my room worked as it should, and I had no complaints at all. The upholstery and carpets have been touched up with the same material as before, so the look is much the same. The only really noticeable change is the addition of antimacassars on the headrests. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp2y4ENOsxPw3VSa4OJrVV79fh4Pj5DPfbis5w5EwNsFJPCS6juCezguNaF0q1efMdVCSR8cQ9YML72rPO7hV-yMCwxh-BN2tz28MkQhE29WpoF_PTv5yhTiXn1EeAP2V53ftJMNHYQiW/s2048/BD5B085F-D60B-4080-A78A-7D631A73BF61.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1687" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp2y4ENOsxPw3VSa4OJrVV79fh4Pj5DPfbis5w5EwNsFJPCS6juCezguNaF0q1efMdVCSR8cQ9YML72rPO7hV-yMCwxh-BN2tz28MkQhE29WpoF_PTv5yhTiXn1EeAP2V53ftJMNHYQiW/w528-h640/BD5B085F-D60B-4080-A78A-7D631A73BF61.jpeg" width="528" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering car 7506 from the vestibule of the next sleeper ahead. The Renaissance sleepers don't have names, but they do have themes. This car is "Cavendish".</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVdKHI76nUdlMu_QB77VM096RhmIlM-uKpWAsqAFieGruzulQg8sE_TM_wl00a2OcZJgo8sxMU1_MHY6hROMflQ6SVsyhhrXefqUZ5BCfQq8ucTs_e_cKR8Fgiv-gdH4_QArttd36HEAQ/s2048/D99D9FCD-CE32-4263-848D-0BBE1B2906EF.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVdKHI76nUdlMu_QB77VM096RhmIlM-uKpWAsqAFieGruzulQg8sE_TM_wl00a2OcZJgo8sxMU1_MHY6hROMflQ6SVsyhhrXefqUZ5BCfQq8ucTs_e_cKR8Fgiv-gdH4_QArttd36HEAQ/w480-h640/D99D9FCD-CE32-4263-848D-0BBE1B2906EF.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the hallway. Room 10 is the first at this end of the car. Not my ideal choice for a longer trip, due to both the lack of shower and being over the trucks, but for the short day trip to Truro it will do just fine. Better to save the nicer rooms for those going longer distances!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvkNHHe7fdu26Z5SKuLRugLsm4bwONjsfC69h0lp_ZQ7Cos9_tFTf83zPK7l_fpWwnxdrJI3DcgxWlGZQBGF_LhPdMrqf1SbE5du8DjO0zclxgocqzN-6VHGj76Ch9hnLt1SNhhmwtxpR/s2048/25725CF0-3AF6-4146-A588-CA8E9854B297.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvkNHHe7fdu26Z5SKuLRugLsm4bwONjsfC69h0lp_ZQ7Cos9_tFTf83zPK7l_fpWwnxdrJI3DcgxWlGZQBGF_LhPdMrqf1SbE5du8DjO0zclxgocqzN-6VHGj76Ch9hnLt1SNhhmwtxpR/w480-h640/25725CF0-3AF6-4146-A588-CA8E9854B297.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back in the other direction, just before the end of the car is a line number indicator and the fire extinguisher. A small storage space for carts, which was initially planned as a coffee/snack station, is to the left out of view.</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWQighsavDdCzvnOaWpEVAoXF5jUubUt9kE7Kh6VVJQeoT15i3jJd0Mx7wM6Roms55jIoiq2wdhAF_-o3rAJ_mDoEjlztOw-uhrOv7zJrVq0rtA9_xv68LCeL736H3Tsdt9WX7kyXtG-F/s2048/25F61A76-799E-4105-945C-364D9D310CD0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWQighsavDdCzvnOaWpEVAoXF5jUubUt9kE7Kh6VVJQeoT15i3jJd0Mx7wM6Roms55jIoiq2wdhAF_-o3rAJ_mDoEjlztOw-uhrOv7zJrVq0rtA9_xv68LCeL736H3Tsdt9WX7kyXtG-F/w480-h640/25F61A76-799E-4105-945C-364D9D310CD0.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First look at the room! Still the same look as before, but nicely tuned up. Note the addition of antimacassars.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBfi1gTBhDGAIga1Jgc1WWu1Zfz7N3nT3ChX4z72QlB2Bsu9FNlRurRTD9bOt_uHtEpCKX3WFPuVO7sTEEQYbq3aGopSrx8aj-bLlcXypBPkUDHqYAizwu1jPDHHX2M2dy-GuF8hVzIos/s2048/1CD907AA-A4E9-4FC8-8EC8-0C1C56248280.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBfi1gTBhDGAIga1Jgc1WWu1Zfz7N3nT3ChX4z72QlB2Bsu9FNlRurRTD9bOt_uHtEpCKX3WFPuVO7sTEEQYbq3aGopSrx8aj-bLlcXypBPkUDHqYAizwu1jPDHHX2M2dy-GuF8hVzIos/w640-h480/1CD907AA-A4E9-4FC8-8EC8-0C1C56248280.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View the opposite way. Light controls on the wall by the door. All of the cieling lights worked in this room, but one of the small reading lights was out. Note that the large red "assistance" button is intended for emergencies (not to call the attendant!) and sounds an alarm through the whole car.</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkykUZGcXz3Sa5qzHJ-wiY7-RPNngpjHKN2orIsMHvIjZUgyWoD6nlpuHHc4S57acOXPttuqF-pq4S2AUcHoGWcLPyVZ2-zF_vEjRHmbfIzX6OuByW-JlrkjZ-0zRAn4Q7YioraoGmAI-/s2048/150FAF0D-5216-416C-B3A4-7F973D83BFA8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkykUZGcXz3Sa5qzHJ-wiY7-RPNngpjHKN2orIsMHvIjZUgyWoD6nlpuHHc4S57acOXPttuqF-pq4S2AUcHoGWcLPyVZ2-zF_vEjRHmbfIzX6OuByW-JlrkjZ-0zRAn4Q7YioraoGmAI-/w480-h640/150FAF0D-5216-416C-B3A4-7F973D83BFA8.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower angle from the seats. Note the bathroom door is by the window, and a small table can pull up from the wall - in this case quite useful for meals served in-room.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygA-hHH3I3Xmmidbtg0YFj2CwkuGQd8dRyYwaXhWaGXAGQJ-B9CNS9wXHY3RG0AM6Z1_Y_dw35RwWfXAOBrkTIbRlilaLweIQOFrIxrPdIq8xRJYvWkIIYbItKuNBHd0gX4hrGSzCWrhq/s2048/303CFE71-B476-4133-A0FD-8E2FB2EC8CAB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygA-hHH3I3Xmmidbtg0YFj2CwkuGQd8dRyYwaXhWaGXAGQJ-B9CNS9wXHY3RG0AM6Z1_Y_dw35RwWfXAOBrkTIbRlilaLweIQOFrIxrPdIq8xRJYvWkIIYbItKuNBHd0gX4hrGSzCWrhq/w640-h480/303CFE71-B476-4133-A0FD-8E2FB2EC8CAB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towels, soap, and wipes in a bag - standard brochures, cups, and water bottles also provided. This centre section folds up for more room, and to accommodate the bunk folding down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu5L02-LQpVbJarAxyGvTrb18iWh6rhJIX1WhaH4YWAe8zDr0UlfC5eO0mYvSH2wo74gzc-1bd7BofABEHE8ui_yumw1grSXuAb7GIgsCMXG5DcRVwViWhitcom5j5mqSLzCYPkEKR_Td/s2048/20702AA0-6E83-4B89-93AA-8FE0E76AEAA9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu5L02-LQpVbJarAxyGvTrb18iWh6rhJIX1WhaH4YWAe8zDr0UlfC5eO0mYvSH2wo74gzc-1bd7BofABEHE8ui_yumw1grSXuAb7GIgsCMXG5DcRVwViWhitcom5j5mqSLzCYPkEKR_Td/w480-h640/20702AA0-6E83-4B89-93AA-8FE0E76AEAA9.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">En suite washroom. No shower in the rooms at this end of the car (rooms 7-10).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1Zyt_Hv2Yt6xiK_6T7_MlRW6jTJmiQS09sRnU3PP4J4sBMyjisUOzK0P4YyKkWL9EFvj57JRS_DT5bKpSOwGDfjTfbtyzChe30ET6qLCZKalk7wg9tFd2N8djDdVnho94fJ00UL_lPrp/s2048/BAEF4EB3-D762-44A4-B778-52E866746A2B.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1Zyt_Hv2Yt6xiK_6T7_MlRW6jTJmiQS09sRnU3PP4J4sBMyjisUOzK0P4YyKkWL9EFvj57JRS_DT5bKpSOwGDfjTfbtyzChe30ET6qLCZKalk7wg9tFd2N8djDdVnho94fJ00UL_lPrp/w480-h640/BAEF4EB3-D762-44A4-B778-52E866746A2B.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View out the door. As you can see, this gives a view out the other side of the train, though the window is not properly aligned to let you see well while sitting down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfPDXDpCLCUZ0fRaKgP0U7dFUwVUYBfY7wF-fGA-zB0hL4ZsC_lD-GfjVxqj9bQyMLaLeFjeBezRlF7d4BANhEkyKJZWLNDau5Qx_0bFS0WDLKesByJAQESz5YTuaNfiwQrv5lspAB8BM/s2048/2A1C7396-D311-4C05-87E8-C22DAC1938C2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfPDXDpCLCUZ0fRaKgP0U7dFUwVUYBfY7wF-fGA-zB0hL4ZsC_lD-GfjVxqj9bQyMLaLeFjeBezRlF7d4BANhEkyKJZWLNDau5Qx_0bFS0WDLKesByJAQESz5YTuaNfiwQrv5lspAB8BM/w640-h480/2A1C7396-D311-4C05-87E8-C22DAC1938C2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An obligatory "train travel in COVID times" selfie. When in the sleepers, you only need to keep your mask on while your door is open, when moving through the train (though you can only do that when getting on/off), and when interacting with the attendants. When your door is closed, you're welcome to take it off. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Settling into my room I noted that the towels are now in a plastic bag along with soap and a sanitizing wipe, and otherwise the usual bottles of water and trip information brochures are provided. Notably, there are no room keys provided, I presume because you are expected to stay in your room. I wonder, though, how this would work if you choose to step off at one of the longer stops (i.e. Moncton/Campbellton/Ste-Foy). Would you need to leave your door open? Perhaps they were just absent from my room because I was making such a short trip.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My attendant came by to give the usual pre-trip talk, explaining emergency procedures and room features, and informed me that lunch service would start shortly. I was hoping this would happen quite soon after departure, given my trip was only to be about an hour and a half. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We were a few minutes late getting away, departing at about 13h05. We had a couple of brief stops getting away from the station, including to throw a switch, but once we got out into the rock cut we picked up speed. A brief stop at Fairview to switch over onto the main line, and then we breezed our way out through Rockingham. CN had been storing container cars on the mainline routinely for months now, but they did get them moved earlier that morning and we had no issues making our way out of town. The rest of the trip to Truro was quick, with only a couple of brief slowdowns where some work was going on around the track. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnW7Sflca_azXqE1tqGzx2NFP9hpcyprFWyl9kQ4moPw18M52265RModquvfXY20EQ-M9mAb269wNDBb25e5p5CYJK0RltyxHQIJmg1pbwBuHtD0MUaZypKiuqRuXgPbpKkJfbluGitTh/s2048/C48D40D9-1457-4DE0-B362-6936EDD94ED2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnW7Sflca_azXqE1tqGzx2NFP9hpcyprFWyl9kQ4moPw18M52265RModquvfXY20EQ-M9mAb269wNDBb25e5p5CYJK0RltyxHQIJmg1pbwBuHtD0MUaZypKiuqRuXgPbpKkJfbluGitTh/w640-h480/C48D40D9-1457-4DE0-B362-6936EDD94ED2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views leaving the south end, looking across to the container terminal where VIA once turned the Ocean...but alas, no more. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWcFfKMmS4acgQj0_pX0dg5sP-6u53htDUNHuXvB9GXNT4OejSUrYThTHjb3SpFPelYQLWGj08GlxDOMfJjHUU1Q6kQ0cyaNS8t4dWYZB8rcJueQ6qbMvzqHXE42nKVTLH2bgJYGnP4Xh/s2048/EE700841-8860-40A5-A2FE-66008FA5E0BB.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWcFfKMmS4acgQj0_pX0dg5sP-6u53htDUNHuXvB9GXNT4OejSUrYThTHjb3SpFPelYQLWGj08GlxDOMfJjHUU1Q6kQ0cyaNS8t4dWYZB8rcJueQ6qbMvzqHXE42nKVTLH2bgJYGnP4Xh/w640-h480/EE700841-8860-40A5-A2FE-66008FA5E0BB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views heading out through the rock cut, as we've leveled off a bit and are surrounded by trees.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCIkYNFc06s9JP9w3PrgquHfq2cwNzdcw09hUjXZ-3jiKyagUJqSzR7MaucbrRw0Kph5lP3VvL7kVA010BKDKIYXyVUsrWoqwo2Jm0jVl_qrKUtBfmKEyvIWTO46iz8hrotlNoeq1_u47/s2048/39364C51-7660-4A00-91D7-5C83EEC66C19.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCIkYNFc06s9JP9w3PrgquHfq2cwNzdcw09hUjXZ-3jiKyagUJqSzR7MaucbrRw0Kph5lP3VvL7kVA010BKDKIYXyVUsrWoqwo2Jm0jVl_qrKUtBfmKEyvIWTO46iz8hrotlNoeq1_u47/w640-h480/39364C51-7660-4A00-91D7-5C83EEC66C19.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedford basin, with the Fairview cove (CERES) port in view, and an ACL ship departing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIPyCQ80wipBtP6aqq2YfPz8eij3umSv1BdDJBFTVTqJV0XtMu0r4UVzNloMItIUmmAEprtUqiyt7o6qqU_PNvKKDcwYHVcbPu4p7tvUZAABUYX70Qw2n47zyVpJs0rUx14YsgNiX-Cdh/s2048/B7F42E30-EA02-4ACB-8BFC-221EC279E921.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIPyCQ80wipBtP6aqq2YfPz8eij3umSv1BdDJBFTVTqJV0XtMu0r4UVzNloMItIUmmAEprtUqiyt7o6qqU_PNvKKDcwYHVcbPu4p7tvUZAABUYX70Qw2n47zyVpJs0rUx14YsgNiX-Cdh/w480-h640/B7F42E30-EA02-4ACB-8BFC-221EC279E921.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views directly across from the room. As you can see, the windows don't line up quite optimally.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzSBncpYaDapObFDkmzY4Qy3pke9eK9MS417iU7LhzfT2GK9YTMpoHgitxPOiGLaxBKj1W8HtVRra_cV-pN_nzAxwlEz5-mqsQxH-4K-_UjPb45FdbhsLlX9iYagysKjNwz0aCE0d-u4P/s2048/DD3D309D-516A-4EA4-A777-DF19491586BE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="2048" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzSBncpYaDapObFDkmzY4Qy3pke9eK9MS417iU7LhzfT2GK9YTMpoHgitxPOiGLaxBKj1W8HtVRra_cV-pN_nzAxwlEz5-mqsQxH-4K-_UjPb45FdbhsLlX9iYagysKjNwz0aCE0d-u4P/w640-h460/DD3D309D-516A-4EA4-A777-DF19491586BE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding the curve at Moirs Mills - unfortunately the best I could do out the hallway-side window.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZZuNcX0_SYEsOqFuPrFvjbGuFYgs_38hPvXDBADNpnrS-9fVOag_hND_P2TUZvr3Iji24cBzP1bfw2W4vjSMed1yfLB7pTgOz-bi4_mBEOa5y940kGodCLeBTydSr51VqnZi3KeOSNAs/s2048/BF184135-47D3-43AB-99BD-AA74A3497201.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZZuNcX0_SYEsOqFuPrFvjbGuFYgs_38hPvXDBADNpnrS-9fVOag_hND_P2TUZvr3Iji24cBzP1bfw2W4vjSMed1yfLB7pTgOz-bi4_mBEOa5y940kGodCLeBTydSr51VqnZi3KeOSNAs/w640-h480/BF184135-47D3-43AB-99BD-AA74A3497201.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing Bedford Quarry.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1VofNTutYaTf4UZYxbTS7ilqcFHUbu54l8NZeSbRpZlzPGdZh_PYfkkGWsnTJ2GUAKLkdkfBt3HGqAzqF27uyv_ZmQFjajFuLmNh8gnwuCmoJqR7y4u5L0n15IdRRJ2QEF-GlbGKC9XQ/s2048/B9A0EA6E-7375-4174-BA24-FB6C2102752E.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1VofNTutYaTf4UZYxbTS7ilqcFHUbu54l8NZeSbRpZlzPGdZh_PYfkkGWsnTJ2GUAKLkdkfBt3HGqAzqF27uyv_ZmQFjajFuLmNh8gnwuCmoJqR7y4u5L0n15IdRRJ2QEF-GlbGKC9XQ/w640-h480/B9A0EA6E-7375-4174-BA24-FB6C2102752E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always one of my favourite views on the trip - passing the gorgeous Grand Lake, just past Laurie Provincial Park.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I wasn’t sure what the etiquette would be regarding sleeper room doors. I had heard that on the Canadian, passengers were being told they needed to keep their doors closed. However, there was no such instruction on the Ocean, at least for the duration I was on. I ended up mostly keeping my door open so I could see the view out both sides. I only closed the door while having lunch, so I could have my mask off and not raise any concerns. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">While the trip out felt familiar in so many ways, it also felt rather odd. I usually do one of two things on westbound trips: I either opt for the later lunch so I can head straight to the Park car and enjoy the views on the way out of the city, or I go for the first lunch sitting and then have the views out both sides of the diner. Being in my room definitely diminished the views along this scenic stretch – in some ways, being in coach (at least in one of the HEP1 coaches) may be slightly better – but it was still enjoyable and comfortable. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Lunch service was quite a bit later than I had hoped. It was around 2pm when my attendant finally came by with lunch options – to her credit, she did make sure I got mine before the cart made its way through the rest of the car. I was just presented with a couple of options, but subsequently was handed a full menu. This is being handed out to passengers shortly before the service starts, and then a few of the crew members (the same ones working as sleeping car attendants) were coming through with a cart with the various meals and drinks. In many ways, this is more reminiscent of VIA’s Business class offering in the Corridor. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">During this initial period, all meals are pre-packaged and cold, in an effort to keep the service as efficient as possible. The options sounded good, and the option I took – the vegan vegetable wrap – was perfectly decent. It was actually much better than many of VIA’s past vegetarian/vegan options, which I’ve often found to be a bit lacking. So I can’t complain too much, but it is definitely a step down from the ambiance of the dining car, with real china and silverware and the meal served as three courses. Thankfully it is only a temporary offering, and traditional dining car service will resume once VIA has determined it is safe and reasonable to do so - hopefully this fall. This isn’t like Amtrak’s experiments with “contemporary dining”, which were meant to be a permanent replacement of the traditional dining car! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj8v0mCsrNMMRgT9iUB2q0KG1XVsUI012CJ_p-GR-QYGa1-ZC7lJcUtj24BcEsDmFp3GTHp1EIa7ffkT6-pYKM1h_oZLS3NODr9QbdtS-Kz8IS3hxu_7VMDb_5PfKF7tKMX5ki0VNzjYP/s2048/102DD5FF-E725-4C6A-A3AC-59AA8C15673A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1823" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj8v0mCsrNMMRgT9iUB2q0KG1XVsUI012CJ_p-GR-QYGa1-ZC7lJcUtj24BcEsDmFp3GTHp1EIa7ffkT6-pYKM1h_oZLS3NODr9QbdtS-Kz8IS3hxu_7VMDb_5PfKF7tKMX5ki0VNzjYP/w570-h640/102DD5FF-E725-4C6A-A3AC-59AA8C15673A.jpeg" width="570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full menu for all meals in both directions.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_pQ_hzLl3IY1TRAuXvZTuG26-0YFXdzK7rH9pOx0WZltzEDzTlUK1Y0_qbucNbXvPg1-dk6Y4bU8WfrzoHZBn1z4UtYbg04IclC4hhCLYTX-KiOmbgtZYyzVD-fR78ij2UHUaICluN_q/s2048/00918FFC-6F00-426F-84EC-742C2BB6E4E2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1630" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_pQ_hzLl3IY1TRAuXvZTuG26-0YFXdzK7rH9pOx0WZltzEDzTlUK1Y0_qbucNbXvPg1-dk6Y4bU8WfrzoHZBn1z4UtYbg04IclC4hhCLYTX-KiOmbgtZYyzVD-fR78ij2UHUaICluN_q/w510-h640/00918FFC-6F00-426F-84EC-742C2BB6E4E2.jpeg" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La meme chose, en francais...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ynErbczcl4Nqlq0flTXb5N0iJ81w9feUBUnPQApWXzZjqqeRndS7DDH6fG1FckjCaqA_DJWDzPkdDJtKJue3FKzB6wIFSCYHcJOY9f2kVGnLf9FdRdkWtPcqsPzzZtAlp8MhP9DEVjUq/s2048/275795C8-27F7-4312-BE4A-1E9C7F3B6007.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="2048" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ynErbczcl4Nqlq0flTXb5N0iJ81w9feUBUnPQApWXzZjqqeRndS7DDH6fG1FckjCaqA_DJWDzPkdDJtKJue3FKzB6wIFSCYHcJOY9f2kVGnLf9FdRdkWtPcqsPzzZtAlp8MhP9DEVjUq/w640-h444/275795C8-27F7-4312-BE4A-1E9C7F3B6007.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My meal - a look at how things are served. There’s a plastic lid I already removed and tucked underneath. Pre-packaged, with wooden utensils. All in all quite decent, and I'm curious about just exactly what the other meals would have looked like. The salad consisted of something akin to orzo, and was not the coleslaw advertised on the menu. Keen eyed veterans of VIA's Business class service might recognize the Theobroma chocolates and Sweets From the Earth dessert, both of which have been staple features in Business class for a number of years.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlmaYrL9zaVij_b5FSDTQDYQTYZvKAkHuBoUsRW1IVmQNtBybLHpuUUwGe7fMG1BXOYz1oWU88mOSII52DR1RKBQz7RjX-bkTLK8zQiT5Kx09cO5wl2sOQB2oH_0PMPHIGyqvv7rp1v9R/s2048/31E8A185-0A8C-4079-87B6-86032595DC16.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlmaYrL9zaVij_b5FSDTQDYQTYZvKAkHuBoUsRW1IVmQNtBybLHpuUUwGe7fMG1BXOYz1oWU88mOSII52DR1RKBQz7RjX-bkTLK8zQiT5Kx09cO5wl2sOQB2oH_0PMPHIGyqvv7rp1v9R/w640-h480/31E8A185-0A8C-4079-87B6-86032595DC16.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vegan vegetable wrap - a mix of grilled vegetables, corn, and beans, with an almost fajita-style tomato sauce. Quite enjoyable, and actually a step up from most of VIA's vegetarian/vegan offerings.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I did quite appreciate the fact that the single menu includes listings for all three meals and in both directions – you can see there’s a slightly different menu for trains 14 and 15, as usual, which makes for some nice variety on a round trip. I appreciate that VIA continues to think about this for passengers who are travelling in both directions. Given that I’d only get to sample one of the offerings, I was glad not to have to bug the crew to find out about further menus. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In the long run I didn’t have a long time to eat lunch, but it was still enough to not have to rush through things. I finished up with enough time to get freshened up and relax for another 15 minutes or so before we rolled in to Truro, and I disembarked. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmjgphMRVHL7qwnkJTWolLbQgaG4hSqpg5FnNrafUrUKIoB0WLHkT7nw1ag5S7SMhU6KjSTbqDd3cQyizq-gBvIT_lk0fu3dTsM_YCUtj3AyrOeiuoatt2GQqas-jea_NYEoznFkaZP74/s2048/4F8FB573-127F-46BB-B154-7ABD9E3E220C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmjgphMRVHL7qwnkJTWolLbQgaG4hSqpg5FnNrafUrUKIoB0WLHkT7nw1ag5S7SMhU6KjSTbqDd3cQyizq-gBvIT_lk0fu3dTsM_YCUtj3AyrOeiuoatt2GQqas-jea_NYEoznFkaZP74/w640-h480/4F8FB573-127F-46BB-B154-7ABD9E3E220C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views along the Stewiacke River. The run from Halifax to Truro is quite scenic, and I spent most of the time just enjoying the views, and occasionally snapping the odd photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF7DbALR9-rD1vkKxuKtrWvEjEsTjYQAKQY1nC2AJP54S67YIEB9sDscxgV07Rx2dB3HHidAdJsTprPc6wvHOz6_OQJLAXfexMbOUyDea4z1qrMgKCayAcCA56y-UW4oH31aVh3GRXBoG/s2048/68D1A5B9-F58F-4AAA-A235-524AE41B9355.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF7DbALR9-rD1vkKxuKtrWvEjEsTjYQAKQY1nC2AJP54S67YIEB9sDscxgV07Rx2dB3HHidAdJsTprPc6wvHOz6_OQJLAXfexMbOUyDea4z1qrMgKCayAcCA56y-UW4oH31aVh3GRXBoG/w640-h480/68D1A5B9-F58F-4AAA-A235-524AE41B9355.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disembarking at Truro. Sad to have to leave the train so soon, but it was still a fun trip!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There was another solid group of passengers boarding at Truro in both the coaches and sleepers, and there appeared to be plenty of baggage being handled. This gave me time to get ahead of the train at the crossing just past the station, and set up for a few photos of the train as it departed. Bon voyage! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36SpcRQvIKGvTOjyrVsMPG20rG7U6P_w8DLzlsEOaEwRhEIKk202_-id3Y-7wRxQjfMCYjQqKgRY6D3ooHQfVc5qVb5QSHGdHPBV8iIPyOxpathRkBRgOmc2Bn9H7ZCBWFEKUo9AVQLQk/s2048/D31BEBB6-4418-4840-9714-F9340445D960.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2048" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36SpcRQvIKGvTOjyrVsMPG20rG7U6P_w8DLzlsEOaEwRhEIKk202_-id3Y-7wRxQjfMCYjQqKgRY6D3ooHQfVc5qVb5QSHGdHPBV8iIPyOxpathRkBRgOmc2Bn9H7ZCBWFEKUo9AVQLQk/w640-h376/D31BEBB6-4418-4840-9714-F9340445D960.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better look at the back-to-back pairing of 6411 and 6427. This had been a rare sight on VIA, as the F40s consistently get run elephant style. There were only a few rare instances on the Ocean and Canadian of back-to-back setups. Now it will be the norm for the Ocean going forward. I look forward to seeing a matching pair of Renaissance scheme units back to back, but it will also be neat to see when they have to add a third unit in the middle during busier times and in the later fall when wet leaves bring the need for extra traction.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0X825EyLUQ_GDoXjdYQ0CkPoPakGLlf_xaB0o_qqWHmVzFNZDy4F2taBuNocRcOmfxoj2SDh5WJW9tw1Vl4n6l4_KKVqwZzBqdQZ5Zv_4mF_Xf0hu_vuH-f8HHkHajinW2EdT3jMmgLVM/s2048/2F29A2BA-D328-48DD-A313-B980D7447093.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0X825EyLUQ_GDoXjdYQ0CkPoPakGLlf_xaB0o_qqWHmVzFNZDy4F2taBuNocRcOmfxoj2SDh5WJW9tw1Vl4n6l4_KKVqwZzBqdQZ5Zv_4mF_Xf0hu_vuH-f8HHkHajinW2EdT3jMmgLVM/w640-h452/2F29A2BA-D328-48DD-A313-B980D7447093.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Departing Truro. The sunny skies that followed us most of the trip had shifted to a threatening overcast that looked like a thunderstorm could be on its way - but then only a short while later it all cleared up again, and with sun out it was a pretty sweltering afternoon!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHbEAV46nSwPDE_o_pZIThS5f88Ww2uXb0p118MoMZ6oXduppZr8l-ZGPteQpsTjPXSBZySbDSR7oQIGHQ6Ck1HzxD0JMaDMl9oe9XuzHDg_sZEU_CmyAkr__rlWYUXQQeueh_0ViqI7F/s2048/1511F31A-A6FB-43BF-9263-E21B521F96AD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="2048" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHbEAV46nSwPDE_o_pZIThS5f88Ww2uXb0p118MoMZ6oXduppZr8l-ZGPteQpsTjPXSBZySbDSR7oQIGHQ6Ck1HzxD0JMaDMl9oe9XuzHDg_sZEU_CmyAkr__rlWYUXQQeueh_0ViqI7F/w640-h402/1511F31A-A6FB-43BF-9263-E21B521F96AD.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling away, with the ex-UP HEP1 baggage car up front. Assuming VIA keeps the consists oriented in the same direction, the HEP section will bring up the rear on the eastbound train.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="2048" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclMXWVr996hWEV14PUsReQle8rWsQ16p6U_RXIxbsB5gkrjoLFeNElUZQ0JqgBlQ0u-HLFh9NOC3H_ZDNv9dr3cze3FCx1xiif3yJPVeRR9VXW2vpjpbDIaNCMEcNFtgDKtP4cP9RF3Vo/w640-h436/0FBED06D-2777-4FC4-9A56-31A2D667EC16.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember that sign in the station earlier? I happened to have set up on the right side of the train to catch the "Bizarre Adventures" crew, riding in the second HEP1 coach, who had taken advantage of a vacant window by their group of seats to celebrate the first trip. You can check out their YouTube channel, which should eventually have some video from this trip: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/BizarreAdventuresYouTube/videos">https://www.youtube.com/c/BizarreAdventuresYouTube/videos</a> </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6gDyGvkoDyWpPxRiymszAm8MNXITANTBBTPhF0BQpgvrmIk7GRgZ0riexEJGSUJKNgUR7BoGmtP0l-Rx3pHQFsezLPNsYykzVaPMkyCPsr0CuCKSS-IzwsGAY7F1P7_OK6e9_9R2KDak/s2048/3CE0B81C-C656-4CDE-8C7B-BD586A89D205.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1486" data-original-width="2048" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6gDyGvkoDyWpPxRiymszAm8MNXITANTBBTPhF0BQpgvrmIk7GRgZ0riexEJGSUJKNgUR7BoGmtP0l-Rx3pHQFsezLPNsYykzVaPMkyCPsr0CuCKSS-IzwsGAY7F1P7_OK6e9_9R2KDak/w640-h464/3CE0B81C-C656-4CDE-8C7B-BD586A89D205.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't get over just how good the Renaissance equipment in this consist actually looks. Says something about how rough they've been for years now! As a passenger I'd much rather be riding in a HEP1 coach, especially now that they're refurbished, but the Ren coaches (especially back to back like this) just look cool.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CRhJ0kUILZ5l5G6cklonqrxEt-DqguaNVPEsBTrXexnM57xje9UuWUhbVtTP8zx9ZOiIKyIURX7fNj-2R2Ckxx54UxYe4xldjFJ124HrVXO3j6XBpeqf_O_dMTpqFwOCr3mbL-TUrpHb/s2048/3D77D553-2594-4E77-8CE8-46FEC6ADDCC7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="2048" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CRhJ0kUILZ5l5G6cklonqrxEt-DqguaNVPEsBTrXexnM57xje9UuWUhbVtTP8zx9ZOiIKyIURX7fNj-2R2Ckxx54UxYe4xldjFJ124HrVXO3j6XBpeqf_O_dMTpqFwOCr3mbL-TUrpHb/w640-h492/3D77D553-2594-4E77-8CE8-46FEC6ADDCC7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new tail end look for the westbound Ocean. With the new consists it will be a baggage car on the tail end either way. If they keep things oriented in the same direction consistently (which would be ideal for consistent operations and to ensure passengers can know whether their accommodations will be forward or backward facing), then the Ren baggage cars will bring up the tail end of #15 and the HEP1 baggage cars will bring up the tail end of #14. Note the window in the end door on this baggage car - I've never seen this before, and I suspect it may be a new addition to facilitate backing moves (like at Ste-Foy) without needing to open the rear door. No such modification was made to the HEP baggage car in this consist, but of course those may move around more - the Ren baggage cars on here will likely stay in captive Ocean service.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">While killing time in Truro I had a quick look through the station – like Halifax, it appears to be much as it was before, just with additional COVID signage. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2ysP4e6GOMXL0Qn95sfEVq0HaBn9Ruv_6B2A5rbOK7tUAlXoMnTer1SmPzh4cG7L_C0lIXehfApcywwIqI-d2VjCwUCNq9E_l98JYcvVFTBIAH76tXz9dCwe7m35lGR6wrJZ8EvrCQ3K/s2048/12254B6C-62EF-40C6-B1F3-110C0B6F399F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1359" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2ysP4e6GOMXL0Qn95sfEVq0HaBn9Ruv_6B2A5rbOK7tUAlXoMnTer1SmPzh4cG7L_C0lIXehfApcywwIqI-d2VjCwUCNq9E_l98JYcvVFTBIAH76tXz9dCwe7m35lGR6wrJZ8EvrCQ3K/w424-h640/12254B6C-62EF-40C6-B1F3-110C0B6F399F.jpeg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the Truro station, with additional COVID signage.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Having arrived in Truro just past 14h30, I didn’t have a huge amount of time to kill before my bus left at 16h20. After watching the train leave, grabbing coffee from Jimolly’s café across the street, and then making the walk to the bus terminal, most of the time had elapsed. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I arrived at the Maritime Bus (formerly Acadian Lines) terminal around 16h00. There were only a handful of passengers there, along with two gentleman I had seen on the train up from Halifax. In total, there would end up being six passengers boarding the bus who had come up on the train. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The bus terminal, unfortunately, has all the hallmarks of a…well, bus terminal. Pretty rough shape, and the bathrooms didn’t look (or smell) like they’d been properly cleaned in ages. Not too much different from how it was in the Acadian Lines days, but it could definitely use some work. Still, Maritime Bus provides a decent service, and they have done an admirable job of keeping people moving through this pandemic. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNakJZflDipcxirCrxz-7jXUz3bGAlBEV6QlMmGyGEoVngoIn5-YfwP3nNRTAobR6m33id4FuKM4wcP-W7Yv6lWyFOjffXW_c22vQ-TIfN6BhEvMZzXmyUvGHtz0mvq7WJnCYc4LZMqGN/s2048/276AA95A-0036-46B2-9C7E-EF4125A4C386.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNakJZflDipcxirCrxz-7jXUz3bGAlBEV6QlMmGyGEoVngoIn5-YfwP3nNRTAobR6m33id4FuKM4wcP-W7Yv6lWyFOjffXW_c22vQ-TIfN6BhEvMZzXmyUvGHtz0mvq7WJnCYc4LZMqGN/w640-h480/276AA95A-0036-46B2-9C7E-EF4125A4C386.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truro bus station - formerly Acadian Lines, now operated by Maritime Bus. When they first launched, Maritime Bus shared the VIA station downtown, but ultimately moved back to this terminal when the downtown option proved too difficult to operate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD74GrNERxcqtKhF_SRP2wEyQjwELqGEVTT7epYtUzstqVAV1IEmTEWtvMCnkTRQH6f3fANhExJhpDATJwWHhGshvLruhR-gzmJX6DKOc4BTZFcAHM-k8AuZkqqtWbwCpra-5mgceD3wbx/s2048/3841B982-93C0-45D7-B99A-4F3D5C8E0BCD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD74GrNERxcqtKhF_SRP2wEyQjwELqGEVTT7epYtUzstqVAV1IEmTEWtvMCnkTRQH6f3fANhExJhpDATJwWHhGshvLruhR-gzmJX6DKOc4BTZFcAHM-k8AuZkqqtWbwCpra-5mgceD3wbx/w640-h480/3841B982-93C0-45D7-B99A-4F3D5C8E0BCD.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the bus terminal. Nice looking Maritime Bus graphics, but aside from that it’s not much to write home about.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmP7tIVLD7ifGkpUXTOIrMw6eAuE04ExenYl8OULKJWJM_SlJgY6q2CoMi645NJenLzyCnAxvcplu4TtJLSjK-qyVJWm9GPKRzJ0-Of3u7zPjqQBO301wBQlYzs4wN7-uH88Vn4i4D48Bc/s2048/C50F9FFB-0EA8-4997-98BE-CA559C773556.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmP7tIVLD7ifGkpUXTOIrMw6eAuE04ExenYl8OULKJWJM_SlJgY6q2CoMi645NJenLzyCnAxvcplu4TtJLSjK-qyVJWm9GPKRzJ0-Of3u7zPjqQBO301wBQlYzs4wN7-uH88Vn4i4D48Bc/w640-h452/C50F9FFB-0EA8-4997-98BE-CA559C773556.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My coach for the ride back to the city. Not as spacious or exciting as the train, but still a reasonably comfortable and reliable option. During the pandemic, Maritime Bus did an admirable job of maintaining some level of essential service throughout their network.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The bus arrived and departed on time. The passenger load was reasonably substantial. I was able to find a seat by myself, but Maritime Bus has ceased their guarantee of spacing passengers out, now that volumes have increased. The Prevost H3-45 coach was in good shape and reasonably comfortable, though the seats are not my favourite design – not a fan of the particular back curvature. The ride, though, was quite smooth. We made good time, had no intermediate stops except the Halifax Airport (where the bus now stops by the main terminal and not at the specific bus bay), and arrived in Dartmouth on time. I decided to end my trip at the Dartmouth terminal as it would be faster to make my way home from there instead of staying on to the downtown terminal and departing from that point. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5_0fXLjcGgF5jaYJaSwc-tTm97HhyKsjs0S0F0cU9qxO6i3DK5L6qmbu6d3XagPivq90rx_GCkMljOdZrQibvuVUwaB2Msv8qLtbQ-_qDbTp5520W1nA_xASZ-0oFWU0qIIZD3TvB35s/s2048/A10F4F57-7034-4630-B12D-9FCF63A5E0C8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5_0fXLjcGgF5jaYJaSwc-tTm97HhyKsjs0S0F0cU9qxO6i3DK5L6qmbu6d3XagPivq90rx_GCkMljOdZrQibvuVUwaB2Msv8qLtbQ-_qDbTp5520W1nA_xASZ-0oFWU0qIIZD3TvB35s/w480-h640/A10F4F57-7034-4630-B12D-9FCF63A5E0C8.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are still some nice views to be had from the bus along the highway, but even though you're treading much of the same ground, there's no dispute that the train takes a far more scenic route. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q3nklMG6ZRaj21A5AvKDdxl3ORoNlm1fX_2um9g8lQNCIhIghGr-odciKuc1yOrkGh4OssGfWGmD0uu0xjFsIKLYwJ5uRUvQ9V4OHc7oHCu3TOorQs9C71YLlYg5dFepZ3IksTF8SG_A/s2048/3352C3F8-5AE3-4B3A-ADF7-0FF2332462E0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q3nklMG6ZRaj21A5AvKDdxl3ORoNlm1fX_2um9g8lQNCIhIghGr-odciKuc1yOrkGh4OssGfWGmD0uu0xjFsIKLYwJ5uRUvQ9V4OHc7oHCu3TOorQs9C71YLlYg5dFepZ3IksTF8SG_A/w480-h640/3352C3F8-5AE3-4B3A-ADF7-0FF2332462E0.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bus seats. I didn't find the seatback curvature to agree that well with my back, but overall the seats were acceptable for a short trip. Leg room is fairly tight. Seatbelts were an interesting feature to note.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvxXinwkSgkcD9J30Z0-D2pWdHgnhq06jP8LUVSfHP-07_yNruI9TVY7JP-c_Nu0Gx-XrjRNDkfRslO2oBSBsjr5LunvY5iUepyH5P0ykpFqV8V_f-z3DhHeYLr7AJvy8k4udEYiiLHpb/s2048/93FC7C96-6ECC-460A-A245-1C0897D37327.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2048" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvxXinwkSgkcD9J30Z0-D2pWdHgnhq06jP8LUVSfHP-07_yNruI9TVY7JP-c_Nu0Gx-XrjRNDkfRslO2oBSBsjr5LunvY5iUepyH5P0ykpFqV8V_f-z3DhHeYLr7AJvy8k4udEYiiLHpb/w640-h394/93FC7C96-6ECC-460A-A245-1C0897D37327.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrived at the uninspiring Dartmouth terminal, in the side of a bit of strip mall. However, I should say that while this terminal itself isn't that impressive, it is quite conveniently located a short walk from the Halifax Transit Dartmouth Bridge Terminal, which makes it an easy connection to transit routes all over the city. It's a far better location than the old Acadian Lines stop in Burnside. This was also announced as the connection point for Maritime Bus routes heading to Lunenburg and points in between.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So all in all, a rather smooth trip. I have no complaints about the bus component, though it obviously wasn’t the focus or highlight of this trip. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On the train front, it was just a real joy to be back on a VIA train for at least a brief trip after this long hiatus. The crew were as helpful and welcoming as always, in spite of the unusual work environment, and it was nice to see many familiar faces. The whole mood in the station on departure was rather jovial, and I see there was a proper celebration as the train arrived in Moncton. Even with just a little taste of the service offering, it seems to me that VIA is doing a pretty respectable job of providing a service that works within the constraints of the current environment, and should make for a comfortable way to travel even before service gets back to normal. It’s not entirely the Ocean as it was in the past, but I have confidence that VIA will be able to get back to something comparable to their past offering in due time, even though it will be missing the Park car and featuring a bit of an odd consist that will pose some logistical challenges as the service ramps up. The biggest issue, now, will be ensuring that the service gets back to its usual schedule, inadequate though it may be, as the current once per week service offering is not that useful for many passengers, and also difficult for the crews who now have a six day trip with the layover in Montreal. As noted above, it will also be important to find some way to provide the sort of lounge space that the Park car once offered as an amenity to sleeper passengers. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There are also, of course, serious questions and concerns about the longer-term prospects for this train. Real improvements in ridership and the quality of service provided to communities along the route will only come if it can be made into a more useful (i.e. frequent) service. Infrastructure improvements are dearly needed through New Brunswick to get the speeds back up to a respectable travel time. And longer term, VIA will need new equipment to keep the train operating as the Renaissance and HEP equipment wears out. These are all items that advocates, citizens, and passengers along the Ocean’s route need to continue to push for, especially to the federal government that holds the purse strings for VIA. New trains and potential dedicated tracks in the Corridor are great, but the rest of VIA’s routes need the investment as well, before it’s too late! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On that note, I’ll wrap this up. Various issues and longer term concerns aside, it was great to see the Ocean back and to get on board for the first of what will hopefully be many, many more rides. I look forward to being able to make a proper end to end trip before too long, and especially look forward to seeing the service return to something more like the past offering. Train travel is something really special, and the last while without it has helped run that home more than ever. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo38f01_9feGa6F4s4Phx6k-4JYlmx2WdusLJGS08jX8Zpz3aoh2wjQyZvCfqXYE50tFLq7Sj0dzILCNZWY8yQTepqVsnzNNbOtecoW5YoD6uzBgmEXr0E3-LFIoteLxy2SlLbKqO7Ep3l/s2048/98DE87F2-06EC-4D7B-A257-6F8185C8DEE2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="2048" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo38f01_9feGa6F4s4Phx6k-4JYlmx2WdusLJGS08jX8Zpz3aoh2wjQyZvCfqXYE50tFLq7Sj0dzILCNZWY8yQTepqVsnzNNbOtecoW5YoD6uzBgmEXr0E3-LFIoteLxy2SlLbKqO7Ep3l/w640-h472/98DE87F2-06EC-4D7B-A257-6F8185C8DEE2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the iconic Park car gone, the classic going away shot is gone for now, so we need to find other points of interest in the existing consist. One really neat thing is the two Renaissance coaches running back to back, something I don’t believe we’ve ever seen before, given the rather restrictive ways the Rens can be coupled together and the fact that the seats are fixed in one direction. There’s something about the symmetry this presents, especially while the cars are so clean and in the sun, that really appeals to me.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Post-Script</i>: a friend at VIA asked after my trip whether I could share any photos for their social media, so I sent a few along – I was quite pleased to see them feature in VIA’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram posts about the Ocean’s return! Now it would be great if VIA management across the board, along with the federal government, could get on board with better supporting this “most beloved route”!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsLhHgD8be5Ux1mWh58v6eco1OmNgIJmGGqTTtOOm-Vt12pOjdwezA_sn1uG8lTLi_5jUbtCoF-JiG_X6y5Ncnab2GZw0sQ2vTF1MSPzKle2FA_SUlwK96LtEnZuK57LNka2NDIwPvBge/s707/VIA_Social.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="681" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsLhHgD8be5Ux1mWh58v6eco1OmNgIJmGGqTTtOOm-Vt12pOjdwezA_sn1uG8lTLi_5jUbtCoF-JiG_X6y5Ncnab2GZw0sQ2vTF1MSPzKle2FA_SUlwK96LtEnZuK57LNka2NDIwPvBge/w616-h640/VIA_Social.png" width="616" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/VIA_Rail/status/1425851560832163844">https://twitter.com/VIA_Rail/status/1425851560832163844</a></span></div>TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-39875969764896504572020-12-23T11:05:00.003-04:002021-01-04T08:59:08.915-04:002020: Looking back at a year without train travel, and looking ahead...<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyACfZ460nz_W2ZE2vtkOq920Wj6AcMUX14pvpyy_jyFBiq0PtO4YBXkZ6DLs1m6zZxYiLhGbTRCqSy3g6ImBJZ3Y0bIWY3PpbBxs5SUrEuCBV-1Oy-q1Kth_WPOSciIEU0c4Fw6viZ1vv/s2048/IMG_5177.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyACfZ460nz_W2ZE2vtkOq920Wj6AcMUX14pvpyy_jyFBiq0PtO4YBXkZ6DLs1m6zZxYiLhGbTRCqSy3g6ImBJZ3Y0bIWY3PpbBxs5SUrEuCBV-1Oy-q1Kth_WPOSciIEU0c4Fw6viZ1vv/w640-h480/IMG_5177.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for a train? You'll be here a while. The displays are still lit up, but there hasn't been a train status to provide in over 9 months. Halifax station in late November 2020.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It’s been a while… </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As we near the end of 2020, I think it’s more than fair to say that this year didn’t turn out the way any of us expected it would. In startling short order, life as we know it changed in ways that few of us really considered possible even in the first months of the year. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Before I really dive into things here, I think it’s important to make it clear that I don’t wish at all to trivialize, minimize, or otherwise downplay the really serious events that have taken place this year. Far too many people have lost their lives, lost loved ones, battled illness, faced financial hardship, and dealt with stresses and uncertainty beyond what many of us have seen before in our lifetime. Here in Nova Scotia, we’ve also seen a string of other tragedies throughout this year, from the incomprehensible massacre that took the lives of 22 people in April, to the recent loss of six fishermen aboard a scallop vessel in the Bay of Fundy. For so many, this has been an absolutely devastating year. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I think it’s important to start with that recognition. This is a train travel blog, so I’m going to write about this year in that context, but I think it needs to be said that there are far more important things in life – and I don’t want to seem at all like I’m minimizing that by reflecting on my disappointment related to train travels that could have been. I also think it’s worth recognizing that even within the context of the trains themselves, I’m just missing out on being able to enjoy the ride and the visits with family on the other end – for the VIA employees who operate and crew these trains, as well as work in the stations and behind the scenes, this year has meant layoffs and the associated hardships that come with that. My heart goes out to all of them, especially those I’ve gotten to know well over the years.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say, this year hasn’t been what I thought it would be. On the train travel front, I had a number of trips in mind – I planned to be on the Ocean quite a few times, as usual, and was thinking about other possibilities to check off parts of the VIA network I haven’t covered before. I was eyeing up more of the Montreal transit system, and maybe getting to the new LRT in Kitchener. I even had a few ideas that may have taken me back south of the border. Instead, this has been the first year in nearly a decade and a half that I haven’t set foot on a single train whatsoever – and with only a handful of days left before the calendar flips over, I can say with confidence that the year will end that way. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve spent quite a bit of time over the last several months thinking about writing this post. I felt I needed to write something, but it’s been hard to figure out exactly how, and when the time was right. Now as we launch into the Christmas season, the absence of train travel and everything that comes with it (the warmth of the season, reconnecting with family and friends) is really weighing on me, and so it feels like the right time. With no new travels to write about, and none on the horizon, I’ll instead look back at this year without trains, and ahead to what train service in this part of the country will look like when it does, eventually, come back. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oyRgFC3OnLnrsi6ZUg3VJ1Ia8Kmyu0b8uf2CsyPotRw-38LDW9ba1kBo_C3-BpXyEmpfRaj9yTkM31oqKdlNaoECbjN4vbCAgNl5SJ6L_8-GljKxsB8T4JEMooTgsuJFWxhrkGXfRATL/s2048/IMG_5568.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oyRgFC3OnLnrsi6ZUg3VJ1Ia8Kmyu0b8uf2CsyPotRw-38LDW9ba1kBo_C3-BpXyEmpfRaj9yTkM31oqKdlNaoECbjN4vbCAgNl5SJ6L_8-GljKxsB8T4JEMooTgsuJFWxhrkGXfRATL/w640-h480/IMG_5568.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only VIA train I would get to photograph in 2020 - #15 departing Halifax, mixed consist in tow, in a blizzard on Jan. 8, 2020.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>2020 - The year without trains...</b></u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TpioW2NwrxKpkoW-qKpQ1gsSmSUmI8eVWvqQAvpHoHGM23el4Twoac7kn5qvLz59ZhW57VZ9XtTgMUhojqSmgqVP9SOFhtN4LFzEJRCpKLU4nkMa9VdXLKQNLUqclCCtle-kn61KM0Hh/s2048/IMG_5930.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1988" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TpioW2NwrxKpkoW-qKpQ1gsSmSUmI8eVWvqQAvpHoHGM23el4Twoac7kn5qvLz59ZhW57VZ9XtTgMUhojqSmgqVP9SOFhtN4LFzEJRCpKLU4nkMa9VdXLKQNLUqclCCtle-kn61KM0Hh/w622-h640/IMG_5930.JPG" width="622" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only VIA equipment in Halifax for most of 2020 would be these two damaged Renaissance coaches, left behind after a derailment in November 2018. Before the end of the summer, they would finally be scrapped.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;">2020 has been an unprecedented year in VIA Rail’s history. Before the pandemic even arrived in Canada, train services across almost the entire country were shut down by blockades in solidarity with the Wetʼsuwetʼen people in British Columbia, and controversy surrounding the Coastal GasLink pipeline. Regardless of perspectives on that issue and whether blockades of rail lines elsewhere in the country are defensible, the end result was that VIA’s services on virtually every line were shut down, including almost all Corridor trains and the Ocean. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">After an extended shutdown, the Ocean finally resumed – but it would run for only a matter of weeks before growing COVID concerns and burgeoning travel restrictions led to an abrupt service suspension on March 13. VIA made the cancellation announcement after #15 had already left Halifax and was near Moncton, and while connecting passengers for that night’s #14 were already en route or in Montreal. Similarly, the Canadian was cancelled with passengers already in the station waiting to board; not at all well planned or executed, from a passenger’s perspective. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As it became clear that things were about to become much more restricted, I had been toying with the idea of making a quick return trip to Rimouski and back – a turnaround that would allow me to leave Halifax on one day’s #15, and connect directly (with a few hours of hanging around in the wee hours of the morning) to the #14 coming the other way, getting back to Halifax the following day. Unfortunately other obligations pushed that off, and then came the suspension – along with the arrival of more serious COVID concern and restrictions – so any hopes for a last hurrah were dashed. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">International travel vlogger Paul Lucas rode the Ocean during that brief window between the end of the blockades and the start of the COVID shutdown. It was, unsurprisingly, a very quiet trip – but it looked like a lovely time on the train. Paul’s report gives a fantastic look at the experience aboard the Ocean (at least as it was pre-COVID), and is worth a watch. I’ll even forgive his insistence on pronouncing VIA as though it were an acronym…</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TJpvoLEFQ3U" width="320" youtube-src-id="TJpvoLEFQ3U"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It seems somewhat appropriate that the last pre-COVID Ocean departed on Friday the 13th. I would have, at the very least, liked to get out to photograph that final train, but VIA’s choice to cancel with no notice meant the train was long gone by the time anyone knew it was the last one. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, a railfan in Quebec was able to get out to film that last pre-COVID #15 as it rolled through Drummondville the next morning, with its snow-encased mixed consist in tow. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hdzf9syX6M0" width="320" youtube-src-id="hdzf9syX6M0"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Since then, the Ocean’s service suspension has continued to be extended on a rolling basis. There was talk of resumption in November, and the Canadian did in fact resume on December 11 (running a truncated Vancouver-Winnipeg service), but with travel restrictions and serious COVID concerns in Quebec, VIA has continued to push off the return of the Ocean. At the time of writing this post, VIA has cancelled departures through the end of February, and blocked sales for March and April trips – it is looking more and more likely that the earliest hope for a return will be for the late spring or summer of 2021, leaving Atlantic Canada devoid of any passenger rail service for more than a full year. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">On the one hand, I can appreciate the logic behind the suspended service. Interregional travel has been strongly discouraged, with good reason, throughout this year. Ridership would be low, and particularly lacking the higher revenue tourist crowd. Travel restrictions would have made it complicated, though far from impossible, to ensure that provincial rules were being followed. Having said that, the suspension of the train has left many communities, especially in northern New Brunswick, without one of their only options for travel to nearby centres, and has created even more isolation throughout the region. I am absolutely convinced that some form of modified train service, focused on the needs of shorter distance and intraregional travellers, could and should have been provided, at the very least through the summer months when COVID was nearly non-existent in the Maritime provinces. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I appreciate that VIA is in a difficult situation. Beyond the logistics of running the train, they have serious financial considerations across the system, and perhaps the costs of running such a service were seen as not worth the benefit – but I continue to be concerned that this further shows how much VIA views their service to Atlantic Canada as primarily a tourist-oriented offering, with little practical purpose for the people in the region. This is a view that needs to change, and we need serious investment in passenger rail across the country if we want to move to a greener, more equitable, and sustainable transportation future from coast to coast – but that’s a whole other topic to dive into. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yyXc_jBdY3vgpIdlmO2-n452SLKhdVA8y7-u_mfTtm9FQ9He4_za9FyUrkUy7rsf7a_RBjmoK9PWtq00bAKXGzu4Os52kwxZQ42sNhE4KoUWmRyHU-yPUO6wF_o2A_eWgioeExag0wiz/s2048/IMG_6005.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yyXc_jBdY3vgpIdlmO2-n452SLKhdVA8y7-u_mfTtm9FQ9He4_za9FyUrkUy7rsf7a_RBjmoK9PWtq00bAKXGzu4Os52kwxZQ42sNhE4KoUWmRyHU-yPUO6wF_o2A_eWgioeExag0wiz/w640-h456/IMG_6005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sad fate... these two Ren coaches (7220 and 7222) were destined for scrap after the 2018 derailment, but it was hard not to see their torn up shreds as somewhat of a representation of the sad state of VIA's service to Atlantic Canada. Photographed on Sept. 16, 2020</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>The future of the Ocean </b></u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When the Ocean eventually does resume, the train isn’t going to look quite the same. This is probably my main disappointment (in terms of train travel, of course) with the way that 2020 panned out. As you may recall, in my last post after Christmas 2019, I alluded to plans to try to ride the Ocean as much as possible this year, to take in the final days of the more “classic” train. I even had very specific plans for the end of October, which of course didn’t come to pass. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Before the coronavirus had even made its emergence in the human species, we knew that VIA’s operations in Halifax would have to change due to the scheduled loss of the Halterm loop, a balloon track at the south-end container terminal that was used for decades to turn the train after arrival in Halifax. With business booming and the port expanding, Halterm (now PSA Halifax) decided they could no longer spare the room to maintain access for VIA. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTKG4Ae739i-hwxBBBzQYx1_oQ0i-eX_GjgQsJ2_OtiU-nitmsSC87XFxPQ4WgVJTTf9WooaF3ASJVzChSV5qCBzPEWzb7ynvl_42vZAfg7U07GLqrkz99WLGceI6BniXJQhe0z3LGKFI/s2048/PSA1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTKG4Ae739i-hwxBBBzQYx1_oQ0i-eX_GjgQsJ2_OtiU-nitmsSC87XFxPQ4WgVJTTf9WooaF3ASJVzChSV5qCBzPEWzb7ynvl_42vZAfg7U07GLqrkz99WLGceI6BniXJQhe0z3LGKFI/w640-h480/PSA1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracks paved over, and containers stacked on top - by early September, with VIA not running, PSA Halifax had already rendered this side of the balloon track inaccessible.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gkfvZxpSw65QwICs40eO7FKFioEsiy35zYs1BsEM41UvzzsiB-FfqMSkrNcVRgA4JXTVOOmCQgs5BUwpmU0BrlDJbRVe9oCQryT1IrvYfTEFM6R0oi4v8EgPOxQ1ikkGtyGol9rHh7Zk/s2048/PSA2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="2048" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gkfvZxpSw65QwICs40eO7FKFioEsiy35zYs1BsEM41UvzzsiB-FfqMSkrNcVRgA4JXTVOOmCQgs5BUwpmU0BrlDJbRVe9oCQryT1IrvYfTEFM6R0oi4v8EgPOxQ1ikkGtyGol9rHh7Zk/w640-h506/PSA2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking the other way - that's a whole lot of containers. A surge in traffic late in the summer left the port scrambling to find places to store containers. Note that they did also pave in the flange gaps next to the railheads, so no train could operate on this part of the loop any more, even though the track remains.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">After lengthy negotiations and a mediated agreement to extend access, VIA was set to lose access on Nov. 1, 2020.
With that in mind, VIA was no longer going to be able to turn its trains in Halifax. Other options were explored – re-installing the wye at Windsor Jct., using the wye at the Milford gypsum mine, or even installing a turntable by the station – all were deemed to be either too expensive, too labour intensive, or to pose too many safety concerns (e.g. having to back the train many miles, including across unprotected private crossings). So with no infrastructure option available, the only alternative would be a new operating configuration. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The solution is ultimately quite simple. VIA will run the locomotives on the train back to back, with one facing either direction. After arriving in Halifax, they will back out of the station, and use a run-around track to move the locomotives to the opposite end. Simple as that! Aside from having to disconnect and reconnect various cables, it’s hardly any more complex of an operation than running out and through the loop.
So that works great for the locomotives – but what about the passenger equipment? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Details of the new arrangement have been scarce, but the one thing VIA has confirmed is that the new consists will comprise a mix of HEP and Renaissance equipment. Why the mix? In part, this ensures that they can still maintain accessible sleeper and coach space, which the Renaissance cars have but the HEP equipment lacks. They can also continue using the Ren dining/service car sets. Using all Renaissance equipment is also not an option, simply because so much of that fleet has been sidelined by age and decay, combined with incidents I’ve written about in other posts. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So in all likelihood, each of the two consists will have one end comprised of HEP equipment, the other comprised of Renaissance, with a single Ren transition car in the middle. This will differ from the more recent “mixed” consist, which used two Ren transition cars to facilitate a Renaissance block mid-train. This won’t be an option for two consists, as VIA only has three Ren transition cars and it seems unlikely they’ll build more. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In this new consist there will be a few complications. The first is the direction of travel of the various equipment. For most sleeper accommodations, dining cars, and service/lounge cars, this isn’t a big deal – these cars can operate nearly the same in either direction, with various rooms and tables already facing different directions. Roomettes in the HEP equipment will be one exception, though having some sleepers facing either direction could provide a mix. For the coaches, seats in the HEP1 coaches can be turned, so while the cars are being cleaned the seats can be rearranged. Alternatively, they could be set up with half facing one way, and half the other. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">What about baggage cars? On the Ocean, at most stations one of the engineers handles the baggage, so this ideally needs to be adjacent to the locomotives. Running with a baggage car on either end of the train can alleviate this – and on the Renaissance end it will be essential, as it will be needed to allow the locomotives to attach to the train. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The million dollar question is, of course, what about the Park car and any other dome cars? This has been a signature feature of the train, and a key draw for sleeper passengers. The rooms in the Park were always popular, even sold at a much higher fare, helping the bottom line of the train. Unfortunately it appears that, in all likelihood, the days of Park cars on the Ocean have come to an end. A Park car isn’t ideal to run mid-train (and there's no passenger access at one end!), and without the ability to turn it and rearrange the consist, it just won’t be feasible to use. VIA could, of course, decide in the long-run to sandwich one in between the HEP baggage car and the HEP section of the train, but this seems unlikely (and everything I’ve heard so far says it’s not on the table). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So what is a likely outcome? It wouldn’t be surprising to see a Skyline car in the mix. If oriented the right way, this would allow for café service to the HEP coach section, and the shorter lounge end and dome access could be kept exclusively for sleeper passengers. The car could fit neatly mid-train, so that isn’t an issue. The one downside would be that the seats in the dome would be backwards one way, but those should be capable of being re-arranged to a half forward/half back facing arrangement for the Skylines required. If VIA was willing to free up four cars, perhaps two could feature on each consist with one facing each direction – but this seems a bit less likely, given equipment demands out west.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Personally, I’d love to see the single level glass-roofed Panorama cars, typically only used on the Canadian west of Edmonton, be re-purposed for the Ocean instead. They could be set up with half the seats facing each way, and would work beautifully as a mid-train observation and lounge car. Alas, I suspect it’s unlikely that VIA would sacrifice those from the prime tourist market in the west. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So there are still lots of unknowns, and I’m not even sure that VIA has worked out all the details yet. There’s also the added uncertainty with COVID, and whether some health considerations may still be in play by the time the train resumes, which could make for a different service offering for the short-term vs. the longer term plan. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In any case, the train is going to be different, and I’ll be forever disappointed that I didn’t get the chance for a proper “farewell” trip. Still, I’m grateful for the many opportunities I’ve had to ride different iterations of this train over the last 13 years, and I look forward to hopefully many trips on the new Ocean – whatever it looks like, and whenever it’s safe to ride. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDyO7k55mY8RSNFM1Ty2kTaNDLemKRMQvmagvUcSJ3vE13A2vskNrd6bP-WOEiOb97Sc1ZdP5pC1KCk2koqmLQFcHcPx1MxW5U50kg4IJ5ES0sO0jZa75Hl5z6jBToLH-RS3U80tW1xco/s2048/50.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDyO7k55mY8RSNFM1Ty2kTaNDLemKRMQvmagvUcSJ3vE13A2vskNrd6bP-WOEiOb97Sc1ZdP5pC1KCk2koqmLQFcHcPx1MxW5U50kg4IJ5ES0sO0jZa75Hl5z6jBToLH-RS3U80tW1xco/w640-h480/50.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This might be the last Park car going-away shot I'll ever get to take on the Ocean, given that the new consist almost certainly won't include one. Never say never, but I suspect I may have to head west to see Park cars from here on out. Jan. 8, 2020.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hQxYA0lL-1KxH1GbT6KxkoT4uU5rZv25bGLtd-h8TIQvXAb8nuevonlrWTSi7l2JQO7pQeJ8WeHvAg_vJBnTJxBesx-x5FvwprtiFcugZu8d243HUovuLv2j4XHN0_nm_AObUechsx1Q/s2048/IMG_4864.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hQxYA0lL-1KxH1GbT6KxkoT4uU5rZv25bGLtd-h8TIQvXAb8nuevonlrWTSi7l2JQO7pQeJ8WeHvAg_vJBnTJxBesx-x5FvwprtiFcugZu8d243HUovuLv2j4XHN0_nm_AObUechsx1Q/w640-h480/IMG_4864.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last train I was on - #14 at Halifax, returning after Christmas travels last year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>A travel blogger's dilemma</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So, what now? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When I started this blog, it was really just to provide a format for a trip report about my cross-Canada trip in 2017 that I could share with family, friends, and acquaintances beyond the confines of the railfan groups where I might normally post such a thing. I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d ever post anything else, or if it would just be a one-off for that trip. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Since then, I’ve found it to be an excellent platform for posting trip reports, and I’ve enjoyed keeping up with it – whether anyone has been reading it or not!
I’ve never really intended for it to be a regular, frequently updated blog – certainly nothing the likes of Eric Gagnon’s <i>Trackside Treasure</i>, or similar – but my trips were generally frequent enough that I was able to continue posting something on a reasonably regular basis. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">With no trips this year, and perhaps for a while yet, what does this blog become?
It could just sit idle, as it has for much of this year. I could try to dig up more old trip reports, for additional “<i>From the Archives</i>” type posts. It could feature other railfan expeditions or content, though there’s also been very little of that over the course of this year. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">One thing I have been contemplating is posting some smaller-scale content. This year may have been devoid of 1:1 scale trains, but it has been filled with their 1:87 scale cousins. Model railroading has helped me get through a lot of the strange, difficult days of this year. It is a hobby supremely well suited to days confined indoors, and has provided a welcome escape from the world outside.
I often post about my modelling on various model railroad forums and groups, but those formats don’t work as well for longer form posting – such as a step by step “how to” of a project, a backgrounder about a layout, or a story-oriented photo essay. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxnaagBprNcw5yepIzZkNhrJ_Mbr-6qoSINYpsVpU890zPsB6eLKFa1P_ZmcjtubB37vIKaTXWi76U3KclEpNHOvKFWd_lySqo6VjoyFStORA-HmMhi_wkeO7w82ny76WKjQ7I-9ubNaq/s2048/IMG_5881.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxnaagBprNcw5yepIzZkNhrJ_Mbr-6qoSINYpsVpU890zPsB6eLKFa1P_ZmcjtubB37vIKaTXWi76U3KclEpNHOvKFWd_lySqo6VjoyFStORA-HmMhi_wkeO7w82ny76WKjQ7I-9ubNaq/w640-h426/IMG_5881.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There may not be any real VIA trains in Halifax right now, but the miniature ones are still running on my layout...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I was particularly inspired by a recent Trackside Treasure post, in which Eric explored the myriad photo opportunities in a small section of his layout. It’s things like this that I envision diving into here. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2020/12/cn-3120-rs-18-in-18-inches.html">http://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2020/12/cn-3120-rs-18-in-18-inches.html</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">
Who knows – this may become a bit more varied of a blog, depending on just how much I end up feeling like taking on! It may be a bit less of “<i>Tim’s Train Travels</i>”, but if it’s still involving <i>Tim</i> and <i>Trains</i>, I guess we’re at least 2/3 of the way there. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So with that, until we connect again, I will wish you all a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a healthy, happy start to the New Year!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHD0e-6vxXeXpkujXLpSPZA63K2yW-W1vqLXv_MSMB63pAWVeBhDDJrlD42y3PNfC9PJn2DaUmzZDl4MhXiLc3IU5Y3vnKVdN6ZnQVmyro8ldhP_hj97HIaZVCX-wqbven6Pl6D69HO3Qi/s1548/model_bw_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1548" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHD0e-6vxXeXpkujXLpSPZA63K2yW-W1vqLXv_MSMB63pAWVeBhDDJrlD42y3PNfC9PJn2DaUmzZDl4MhXiLc3IU5Y3vnKVdN6ZnQVmyro8ldhP_hj97HIaZVCX-wqbven6Pl6D69HO3Qi/w640-h426/model_bw_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnight meet in miniature. A recreation of the wee hours meet between Trains 15 and 14, somewhere in the snowy wilderness of Quebec, with passengers settled in and fast asleep, relaxed and excited for Christmas festivities at the other end of their journey. Part of the beauty of model railroading is the ability to recreate scenes that are a thing of the past, keeping a little piece of history alive.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com5Halifax Regional Municipality, NS, Canada44.648763500000008 -63.575238716.338529663821163 -98.7314887 72.958997336178854 -28.4189887tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-74826892912993104432020-02-25T09:20:00.002-04:002020-02-25T09:33:33.505-04:00Trains for Christmas: the Ocean, exo, and Ottawa's LRT<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQXyCmQETKdVEgTY9sIdPUezl46K7L3OJFAI8nA-zcfIFbeIz6TgbGLOPcCcuroZrWWNPl1QnjwptixgkScIJGwGMiZARp5vc_KDu9LEJNZkVXntXwf7fxL1FmywGNDiCatZwqpWzPKUq/s1600/44.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQXyCmQETKdVEgTY9sIdPUezl46K7L3OJFAI8nA-zcfIFbeIz6TgbGLOPcCcuroZrWWNPl1QnjwptixgkScIJGwGMiZARp5vc_KDu9LEJNZkVXntXwf7fxL1FmywGNDiCatZwqpWzPKUq/s640/44.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wasn't my train, though it was the same set of equipment that I rode on my return eastbound trip. Departing in a snow storm on Jan. 8, 2020, VIA 15 shows off why the train is such a great way to travel in the winter. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Last year, I wrote about how much I love riding the train at Christmas.
As far as I’m concerned, it really is the best time of the year to be on a
train, and the only way I really care to travel around the holidays. So I was
understandably pleased to have the chance to take the train to Ottawa and back
over Christmas 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The trip was really enjoyable in both directions. Since I’ve written in
quite a bit of detail about the experience on board VIA’s Ocean service in
previous reports, and this trip didn’t really deviate much from the norm, I’m
not going to give a full narration of the journey. Instead, I’m going to
provide consists and the highlights of the trip, and some commentary in the
form of captions on the photos as I go along. While in Montreal and Ottawa I
also had the chance to ride some commuter trains, including the new Ottawa LRT,
so I’ll include a few photos and commentary about that experience as well. At
the end of this report, I have an important note about impending changes for
the Ocean’s service. If you’ve been thinking about riding this train or have
and particularly enjoy the current operation, you may want to read that and
take note.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So we begin in Halifax on December 22, 2019. There were no extra trains
for the holidays this year, but the dates of operation were adjusted slightly
due to Christmas day falling on a Wednesday. In addition to that adjustment,
VIA tweaked the schedule of the Ocean on a couple of days when the adjusted
days of operation would require a same-day turnaround of the equipment in
Montreal. On those days, the preceding #15 ran on a 1-hour earlier schedule,
and that day’s #14 departed about half an hour behind schedule. As it turned
out, this would affect both of my trains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There was a good crowd at the station in Halifax, largely boarding the
coaches. The boarding call came a bit over half an hour before our early 12pm
scheduled departure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gG6aItOUBSD_jrokaAPdpqtDuHNcxe_GVR8QMxigmGm6BDzWukqRWgrRFLirgosylnW9xD0DpI9PrQ2EGzPoQXkjwFaFpyBLtNzOX0qO5BbzioUgAS48Ai4kAzNI8b-64Rky4i3hVp-B/s1600/IMG_4823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gG6aItOUBSD_jrokaAPdpqtDuHNcxe_GVR8QMxigmGm6BDzWukqRWgrRFLirgosylnW9xD0DpI9PrQ2EGzPoQXkjwFaFpyBLtNzOX0qO5BbzioUgAS48Ai4kAzNI8b-64Rky4i3hVp-B/s640/IMG_4823.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy crowd in the Halifax station. Note the new skylights, a result of the renovations that wrapped up last summer. The space looks really beautiful, and is particularly nice when decorated up for the holidays. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmxAzVdm2n_C4yi53IpC4z_xH-IoNHdzBAzv_z1pRr0X5avjrEUg5_Q9lKWH07jzXU_5bytWzi-R5rCxkPjXjLmqh6UYl4X5rArVFVQ2T4VzJ0y0L3vDL0LMhMFiwaYlujBwxBhwtNNBj/s1600/IMG_5359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmxAzVdm2n_C4yi53IpC4z_xH-IoNHdzBAzv_z1pRr0X5avjrEUg5_Q9lKWH07jzXU_5bytWzi-R5rCxkPjXjLmqh6UYl4X5rArVFVQ2T4VzJ0y0L3vDL0LMhMFiwaYlujBwxBhwtNNBj/s640/IMG_5359.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign in the station promotes the recent renovation work. Nice to see this historic station getting some attention. Now if only we could get more trains!</td></tr>
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</span></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDJkf1aUA3p_lq8Bj7RZR2r1VGSvZ_VFP8NCG_UVUp2KxfLEVuY9ogXsPdix-Y9MPNhHiSYYtISr1Ff3e2MJIlFNWBtheoKwtoMmkVhxYSIAUdqYQaRFvSSSuzjUISQQSkvmmNIEApnSN/s1600/80867120_10158353402645955_705531666373804032_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDJkf1aUA3p_lq8Bj7RZR2r1VGSvZ_VFP8NCG_UVUp2KxfLEVuY9ogXsPdix-Y9MPNhHiSYYtISr1Ff3e2MJIlFNWBtheoKwtoMmkVhxYSIAUdqYQaRFvSSSuzjUISQQSkvmmNIEApnSN/s640/80867120_10158353402645955_705531666373804032_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The iconic Park car on the tail end of the Ocean, as it awaits departure in Halifax. A single Chateau sleeper ahead gives a brief illusion of a fully stainless train. Impending changes this fall may see the end of this classic tail end - see my notes at the end of this post. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The consist for this sizeable Renaissance train was as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">VIA 15 - December 22, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6429<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6406<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6439<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7003 Renaissance<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baggage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7223 (03) Ren Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">70230 (05) Ren Accessible Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7227 (04) Ren Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7208 (06) Ren Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7200 (07) Ren Coach <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7312 Ren Service Car<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7402 Ren Diner<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7313 Ren Service Car<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">79501 (30) Ren Accessible Sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7507 (33) Ren Sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7522 (34) Ren Sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7517 (35) Ren Sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>7518 (36) Ren Sleeper *Room 5</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7520 (37) Ren Sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7519 (38) Ren Sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7516 (39) Ren Sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7600 Ren Transition<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chateau Roberval (crew)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Assiniboine Park (40)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>*Line numbers are in brackets. Note the odd coach numbering – appears
to have been thrown off due to the placement of the accessible coach, which is
always line number 05 on the Ren set in the current setup. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I found the Renaissance sleeper that I was in to be in fairly decent
shape. Aside from an issue with the table (which I hardly use anyway), the only
problem was that the shower seemed to only have very hot water – something I
have encountered before. The room was also pretty cool, but I found that quite
comfortable to sleep in once under the generous duvet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvMczKggKTk2RNuB_krAD9CNJhyMISZmCWbvd2OfsnTv0CCKJAQB4AApruWTz1ptsEqZH7cm38lzeEQaMvWcvMDCVF_82ER5HOWU9eM1Q3ZbejG_CYhdK81UsrZ8ob3mbE7VaXkDgjVNf/s1600/IMG_4827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvMczKggKTk2RNuB_krAD9CNJhyMISZmCWbvd2OfsnTv0CCKJAQB4AApruWTz1ptsEqZH7cm38lzeEQaMvWcvMDCVF_82ER5HOWU9eM1Q3ZbejG_CYhdK81UsrZ8ob3mbE7VaXkDgjVNf/s640/IMG_4827.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside a Renaissance sleeper. The narrow hallways are a result of the narrow British loading gauge they were built to, and make passing someone else in the halls nearly impossible. Navigating the train often means waiting at the end of the car for oncoming traffic!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIFk7Pex3iyIU2vqkP3plhPgXx7_EXVgClzhrYag8idx5gh7J9rDJ_9LzZl-M0CEsRrp15a4M_UVcYhNaLwUHE45ZpOIOFiUBMNC6pbA_7UUau3HtQroxv3CZeOxpb2xvprVJNKwtt9I-/s1600/IMG_4829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIFk7Pex3iyIU2vqkP3plhPgXx7_EXVgClzhrYag8idx5gh7J9rDJ_9LzZl-M0CEsRrp15a4M_UVcYhNaLwUHE45ZpOIOFiUBMNC6pbA_7UUau3HtQroxv3CZeOxpb2xvprVJNKwtt9I-/s640/IMG_4829.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room 5 - the best room in a Renaissance sleeper. Forward facing, shower-equipped, and almost smack-dab in the middle of the car. Can't ask for a better ride. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Departure was ultimately delayed due to several late arriving
passengers, some of whom needed assistance boarding, and all of whom had
checked baggage that had to be loaded. It seems the change of the departure
time may have thrown some people off! We departed at 12:18pm, but ran slow
through the cut, not making it to the switch at Fairview Jct. until 12:40. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As usual, the passenger load was reasonable, but lighter in this
direction than the corresponding run from Montreal. We had 141 in coach and 39 in the sleepers leaving Halifax, with
plenty more boarding along the way (especially at Moncton). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKeR-AXWMsqDi5c5ZXww9LO5Puwwq1La2m2yruPTmIgWCNf6zYXHEbnwb5Elf7MZERBiS1IOENSaEQhKrohs_TzfHApjLYejs5o7oauGCq3z5Y8KbOxoCznfmyvHNmf3ep2cWzuSYI1aE/s1600/IMG_4831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKeR-AXWMsqDi5c5ZXww9LO5Puwwq1La2m2yruPTmIgWCNf6zYXHEbnwb5Elf7MZERBiS1IOENSaEQhKrohs_TzfHApjLYejs5o7oauGCq3z5Y8KbOxoCznfmyvHNmf3ep2cWzuSYI1aE/s640/IMG_4831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With departure delayed, I made my way to the Park car to settle in before the crowds found their way back. An opportunistic shot of the bullet lounge, before it filled. This is one of the Park cars that is still sporting its late 1990s refurbishment interior. Compare this to the interior of Revelstoke Park on the return trip. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqU7HShjjj8wYZxc7jUM97xedPmgPgT5j39xNSxx9w9uI8YKDT2TrV-cdg3mFn8UiRbWqiIATA-vUVHqDeAOdTRMQFdkTmyoKQG8a0FF4Ykgoz1LdUqOfSFdwhKFipRNHZmjGu0nL4vJw/s1600/IMG_5363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqU7HShjjj8wYZxc7jUM97xedPmgPgT5j39xNSxx9w9uI8YKDT2TrV-cdg3mFn8UiRbWqiIATA-vUVHqDeAOdTRMQFdkTmyoKQG8a0FF4Ykgoz1LdUqOfSFdwhKFipRNHZmjGu0nL4vJw/s640/IMG_5363.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu in the Park car. An assortment of snacks and drinks, though coffee, tea, and other snacks are available for free in the lounge. More complete snack offerings can be found in the service cars adjacent to the diner. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ffqk14iCFnNkKyHZ99tF2DHCqLf7XGs_5eN5qB4Tqfmuxb7PadN2ixJVq8W5yeiutLoSUm-O4FnljV2KU9TtKMVmvv5m40lnqbU85hwTjyYzEXI2_-jkjsjIXC3NMbIFZxSjCe_8mhLv/s1600/IMG_5364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ffqk14iCFnNkKyHZ99tF2DHCqLf7XGs_5eN5qB4Tqfmuxb7PadN2ixJVq8W5yeiutLoSUm-O4FnljV2KU9TtKMVmvv5m40lnqbU85hwTjyYzEXI2_-jkjsjIXC3NMbIFZxSjCe_8mhLv/s640/IMG_5364.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mural lounge beneath the dome. There's no good views here, but it's a comfortable space to relax and socialize - especially nice in the evening, when there's not much to see outside. Though rarely used, there is actually a TV hidden in the top part of that cabinet on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8IO4vGO5kDof4zMqaYkFsdUoHooCJ4cikIjHbL1klOEB92RSkIQnmpypg3GfjtOFmbUZd9YQrCuiGugxsIF5DoAw0m5ZJwZ5_1upSsppWNoY_rqerX509T90Qe8ebuxObGbjTXQVPGxr/s1600/IMG_5365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8IO4vGO5kDof4zMqaYkFsdUoHooCJ4cikIjHbL1klOEB92RSkIQnmpypg3GfjtOFmbUZd9YQrCuiGugxsIF5DoAw0m5ZJwZ5_1upSsppWNoY_rqerX509T90Qe8ebuxObGbjTXQVPGxr/s640/IMG_5365.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the tail end - note the smattering of Christmas decor. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3v9WMcIAECwMc5T9PZ0IYz0Z_WTCE6OV1ZUqJPTQ5hmKhTuYsalpEcoFoXeluDPYovcr9-RP5MFBB00Xh6n_jzAXt6k5UGZ3s9X8G67VInY-4dNfXa4a7Htn8ZWvElna3iUmBoLnbi-1/s1600/IMG_5367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3v9WMcIAECwMc5T9PZ0IYz0Z_WTCE6OV1ZUqJPTQ5hmKhTuYsalpEcoFoXeluDPYovcr9-RP5MFBB00Xh6n_jzAXt6k5UGZ3s9X8G67VInY-4dNfXa4a7Htn8ZWvElna3iUmBoLnbi-1/s640/IMG_5367.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to pull away from the Halifax station. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF7AuOPWyPIl8XbQhd_RUtqVzeFo0AahUkSz44QCDaQ9OWeP_4Jt14m-kJq9zYPtvHgbEq7TeYOVlHeDXgOdzoQE8AOjxx43qcl6Filp2RvOeNzsvhBaCUkFC9CuLxN3w3xALOQhgvIhh/s1600/IMG_5370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF7AuOPWyPIl8XbQhd_RUtqVzeFo0AahUkSz44QCDaQ9OWeP_4Jt14m-kJq9zYPtvHgbEq7TeYOVlHeDXgOdzoQE8AOjxx43qcl6Filp2RvOeNzsvhBaCUkFC9CuLxN3w3xALOQhgvIhh/s640/IMG_5370.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two damaged Renaissance coaches are still sitting in their own deadline at the station. These were damaged in a derailment in November 2018, and are slowly being cannibalized for parts. They will eventually most likely be scrapped on site. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkzVJ5WTmaZZ1oAZMEABWxhnNehKhp73WQW3kw1WvZDDbyCn-ZUyNFoq7rTNQFNHQA2fDp4jWWMKSbwG8nbiaDwJ1CAZx_ZKoS6i9BqjVxplUrGoFXJCX-YClPikNQuyBEpB8faoHUre-/s1600/IMG_5372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkzVJ5WTmaZZ1oAZMEABWxhnNehKhp73WQW3kw1WvZDDbyCn-ZUyNFoq7rTNQFNHQA2fDp4jWWMKSbwG8nbiaDwJ1CAZx_ZKoS6i9BqjVxplUrGoFXJCX-YClPikNQuyBEpB8faoHUre-/s640/IMG_5372.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing the Fairview "shops", now a desolate landscape. The last remaining major building on the former CN roundhouse site was destroyed by a spectacular fire late in 2019, and torn down. It's a strange sight - all that now remains are the fuel racks and a few small storage buildings. The turntable is also still there, though rarely used.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMZ8CDU-7ckNeSsOLDwKx2df9G0ZfMa268X_-NiTXQYQqKYRleLqQ3Ak1iqoXZBz06_E4NSoMLXlfD5FBtzCUP_0HKC4xE0dHzWlau2S53oVg1EJ03x1oSYKDzIsvg8T6hMefX0glndSr/s1600/IMG_5373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMZ8CDU-7ckNeSsOLDwKx2df9G0ZfMa268X_-NiTXQYQqKYRleLqQ3Ak1iqoXZBz06_E4NSoMLXlfD5FBtzCUP_0HKC4xE0dHzWlau2S53oVg1EJ03x1oSYKDzIsvg8T6hMefX0glndSr/s640/IMG_5373.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting a recently-arrived CN 120 just past Fairview.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaPeiai6uBa1_eUWC0iQ91dU0GYRGa4MzqYViJmne2X5Vzfjvw9gzA5X7sdkEYxRDyxV5yyMKKZJ-A105565QwM-P08Q3xYovQ2xbgZs5Zi-9aN-xEH_VEmecbkl46ccPTEz5-BscJfC9/s1600/IMG_5375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaPeiai6uBa1_eUWC0iQ91dU0GYRGa4MzqYViJmne2X5Vzfjvw9gzA5X7sdkEYxRDyxV5yyMKKZJ-A105565QwM-P08Q3xYovQ2xbgZs5Zi-9aN-xEH_VEmecbkl46ccPTEz5-BscJfC9/s640/IMG_5375.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The DPU from CN 120 sits on the tail end of its train, the front half having already been pulled off. It's a busy day in Rockingham yard.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lunch calls were to be at 12 (delayed, but ultimately started before we
departed) and at 1:30pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSABwACvzagPD0YGsGwRBj2nuFz67aAbwjgB1QDbryMS7foddLS3A1263olbGH16XLIAhcMM8yIv2di1XibiMb5bxhwE6E_3FmXyz_kytkvYD2vMvguxYauN6pZ6Gj22awS0GEkRFpCh9/s1600/IMG_5376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSABwACvzagPD0YGsGwRBj2nuFz67aAbwjgB1QDbryMS7foddLS3A1263olbGH16XLIAhcMM8yIv2di1XibiMb5bxhwE6E_3FmXyz_kytkvYD2vMvguxYauN6pZ6Gj22awS0GEkRFpCh9/s640/IMG_5376.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu - some familiar items. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4IRN3PByw3P_6icUwqKeyVoDUQxvo1X7rhkrHh8I0mCytoFnKPB8tqZrKg4JtzJw4CIEReafjq61tK6FlrhltCguuruyGZ0LF_DRxExNCQ4qYEy_KUF9coxaY2VZlD8uuUgDJq5oZpke/s1600/IMG_5377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4IRN3PByw3P_6icUwqKeyVoDUQxvo1X7rhkrHh8I0mCytoFnKPB8tqZrKg4JtzJw4CIEReafjq61tK6FlrhltCguuruyGZ0LF_DRxExNCQ4qYEy_KUF9coxaY2VZlD8uuUgDJq5oZpke/s640/IMG_5377.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish chowder, to start. This was a long time dinner feature on the Ocean, and has recently been relocated to the lunch menu. It's thoroughly enjoyable in either context.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaLnaRVYOuivlzjs75aYO-zh1RckKM2cDyajS4n2FLit83PQWeL68kOTGj7j2UAeruR1MdKp8nHuuUTgX1j9mc7NHxBMlQUvlPWnV2leJsv-kazKjvSSjVphMcRudYdEbUv3FQ_Vw4QE4/s1600/IMG_5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaLnaRVYOuivlzjs75aYO-zh1RckKM2cDyajS4n2FLit83PQWeL68kOTGj7j2UAeruR1MdKp8nHuuUTgX1j9mc7NHxBMlQUvlPWnV2leJsv-kazKjvSSjVphMcRudYdEbUv3FQ_Vw4QE4/s640/IMG_5378.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken schnitzel. A rather tasty lunch.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvuRIc8gQnLKVb5fy9SrGCyryQUCDoLldvb22zBN_YESSbs5PuIQVYJyGtEJ7xl8888lC4IZbIQSZjQgXoESt2wG0tu0zMO2X1VsmhlWyRRldkiChKbHQvfOz_Fpq2eqP7Z_JcLAmOWaw/s1600/IMG_5379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvuRIc8gQnLKVb5fy9SrGCyryQUCDoLldvb22zBN_YESSbs5PuIQVYJyGtEJ7xl8888lC4IZbIQSZjQgXoESt2wG0tu0zMO2X1VsmhlWyRRldkiChKbHQvfOz_Fpq2eqP7Z_JcLAmOWaw/s640/IMG_5379.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mille-feuille, which has been the lunch dessert staple for a while now. Always delightful, though a challenge to eat without making a mess!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">One interesting thing to note was that this was the first time I had been on board since VIA made the switch to no longer accepting cash on board their trains (I had made one last coach trip from Amherst to Halifax in October just before the change, and made a point to buy something from the canteen with cash one last time!). VIA now only accepts credit cards and VIA gift cards for payment on board. The little terminals are pretty nifty, accepting either tap or chip payment. I found they worked pretty well on both trips, but it seems they are integrated with the same smartphone system that VIA uses for ticket scanning, and they can occasionally be problematic. How reliably they worked seemed to depend on which crew member you spoke to, with some saying it had been very smooth and others saying they were a headache. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i8SyDM6iLkBpaJ8BiXJ5ays6kOR8_glWx0k31FUbi_-oPqhOVI-Fon-ckfblXtGgpm7DIZg9yQCDrF8Ul3f6Ygw9iTYD0ZYN0y_QPm-Dt-GHcnr7PzPCE-eNbjd6LnuH3jdkv0jvV5ql/s1600/IMG_5380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i8SyDM6iLkBpaJ8BiXJ5ays6kOR8_glWx0k31FUbi_-oPqhOVI-Fon-ckfblXtGgpm7DIZg9yQCDrF8Ul3f6Ygw9iTYD0ZYN0y_QPm-Dt-GHcnr7PzPCE-eNbjd6LnuH3jdkv0jvV5ql/s640/IMG_5380.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new wireless electronic payment terminals. These replace cash payments on board, and also replace the archaic carbon paper credit card swipe setup that VIA was still using prior to last October. They are the most compact payment terminals I've ever seen, being roughly the size of a small smartphone. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As we made our way, we had double stops at both Amherst and Sackville, and otherwise kept up a good pace through the afternoon.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg943mfxoXT6MyY04FQn2_T_8_ogD-lUsUDCudi0NHP3qFyRDRIHjy0QOgaDrlVbA_g0UMAmhM6ANOsT8hxzvIZ6xFBJlGR8BtU5nlc4-_BSoeE22hH7JAvEt6wjZqBgNK0N5kO0m5-4fnW/s1600/IMG_5381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg943mfxoXT6MyY04FQn2_T_8_ogD-lUsUDCudi0NHP3qFyRDRIHjy0QOgaDrlVbA_g0UMAmhM6ANOsT8hxzvIZ6xFBJlGR8BtU5nlc4-_BSoeE22hH7JAvEt6wjZqBgNK0N5kO0m5-4fnW/s640/IMG_5381.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of freezing precipitation obscured the forward view from the dome for some parts of the afternoon, and into the evening. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvzDSL5AccTMzD2d0qDhgHJOPgNAGlT8tuEllzeApbozYmQoK6-bA_Mqv9x83aCliQdVMPcmJP-VJh31kb78qH2Dmfw8Z0hY9xrnclDX-F3lqgzlOn72W7ZLeY7x8_XGWTi0ZiguyCnR0/s1600/IMG_5383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvzDSL5AccTMzD2d0qDhgHJOPgNAGlT8tuEllzeApbozYmQoK6-bA_Mqv9x83aCliQdVMPcmJP-VJh31kb78qH2Dmfw8Z0hY9xrnclDX-F3lqgzlOn72W7ZLeY7x8_XGWTi0ZiguyCnR0/s640/IMG_5383.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views near Amherst, on a dreary afternoon. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRQzCXNUnPpdP5W196RM4kZckLZKCVM5DqVUR7HkdnymIbhyphenhyphenMZxjsc5rASKVPIC7C91XtF2njTC8oe3El0ZQnoW4M9wOswygvuJtVv5Mic9ezZpEO6DfoGtC-Sa2CJtyzud5gP6WBV_eX/s1600/IMG_5384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRQzCXNUnPpdP5W196RM4kZckLZKCVM5DqVUR7HkdnymIbhyphenhyphenMZxjsc5rASKVPIC7C91XtF2njTC8oe3El0ZQnoW4M9wOswygvuJtVv5Mic9ezZpEO6DfoGtC-Sa2CJtyzud5gP6WBV_eX/s640/IMG_5384.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vestibule views. Standard issue snow brush to the right.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Through the afternoon, I took some photos of various interior details in the Renaissance cars. As the days of these cars are likely numbered, I thought it worth recording some of the less-often photographed interior elements. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH98Zycb5R4BiPnsb6njpfRleeXckKgRWr-C7rjrk_BexRGRRE6JDWOYOF_KDHtgzdSBuG6CuSb_oCbCnqJH24e4Wf8utoU2y-NnR5X995dGB5pdAihWRQmYys6wPQH2qZzdvj1eoCM4wY/s1600/IMG_5388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH98Zycb5R4BiPnsb6njpfRleeXckKgRWr-C7rjrk_BexRGRRE6JDWOYOF_KDHtgzdSBuG6CuSb_oCbCnqJH24e4Wf8utoU2y-NnR5X995dGB5pdAihWRQmYys6wPQH2qZzdvj1eoCM4wY/s640/IMG_5388.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Equipment cabinets inside the Renaissance transition car. Emergency equipment is located below, and a fire extinguisher above. The cabinet to the left houses various electrical equipment for the car. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji33usQQl1t3l4HfqKmFCPVXP9IR6wbsaPF5s5VdLefULRk2JW4_-phX6jT3bWUw7eBkTv561mazjBLEoafBfJAUJKDVGCRRHIFtu2BYHbWjBfcoMSOcBD8N5imH-K89Iz10BhtboApAzq/s1600/IMG_5390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji33usQQl1t3l4HfqKmFCPVXP9IR6wbsaPF5s5VdLefULRk2JW4_-phX6jT3bWUw7eBkTv561mazjBLEoafBfJAUJKDVGCRRHIFtu2BYHbWjBfcoMSOcBD8N5imH-K89Iz10BhtboApAzq/s640/IMG_5390.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large freezer in the Renaissance transition car. Additional supplies for the diner and service cars can be stored here. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf2XQs1hxRryhPgXAwcs3EsDvWzUOlGB8EEgyQezxIUB9acnevF-GIZYbpXwXpa8bJ8ExNSkoFbcLM7cTJwngKa64E8aQzRS4vM-xWI7xs4XoJ69ObJ9Q7nEFv5eMs6iMRu78IZKZZbsw/s1600/IMG_5391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf2XQs1hxRryhPgXAwcs3EsDvWzUOlGB8EEgyQezxIUB9acnevF-GIZYbpXwXpa8bJ8ExNSkoFbcLM7cTJwngKa64E8aQzRS4vM-xWI7xs4XoJ69ObJ9Q7nEFv5eMs6iMRu78IZKZZbsw/s640/IMG_5391.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This small space is included at the front end of each Renaissance sleeper, with the exception of a few where it has been covered over and the accessible cars, which have access to the accessible bedroom here instead. As originally built, the idea would be to have coffee/tea and other amenities for sleeper passengers located here. There's also a small service cart below (to the right), the same as those used to provide at-seat snack and drink service on Corridor trains. Presumably this would have allowed for sleeper attendants to go room-to-room offering this kind of service. I don't know if this was ever used in practice, but when the service was modified to allow for a Park car to be included on the train and other amenities provided from the service cars, this kind of service was really redundant. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZXXWbqQaNwtp2_tinCibPIaTtBJKcqd2foVtbR2VmM43VrX3LWr_3MeJqmjB4YmYtHK1mjSVP_lHFEHf1vKUpFDNU5quLgwAF0mPkxe4uWUae0wkh4QXvqnP76NXBpnyKxF27lzRzqwZ/s1600/IMG_5392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZXXWbqQaNwtp2_tinCibPIaTtBJKcqd2foVtbR2VmM43VrX3LWr_3MeJqmjB4YmYtHK1mjSVP_lHFEHf1vKUpFDNU5quLgwAF0mPkxe4uWUae0wkh4QXvqnP76NXBpnyKxF27lzRzqwZ/s640/IMG_5392.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vestibule end of a Renaissance sleeper. The exterior doors are to either side, and the car's electrical equipment is located directly ahead. The hallway through the car is to the right. The sealed vestibules provide for a seamless transition between cars, and you'd often hardly know that you're passing from one to another - a stark contrast with the traditional HEP equipment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eYtdQ26Hn__UB5UZ9BWq7liH246R0DUROeHpxkFGxgIwohnNSfI_mf5Aa-4ypIt21fBf1ZrNh-Xe1SIEk4LigRrdEfB4Ek8XrTqqenoxi6087hppcqWxcX-dtDrzhF2mAe7-cI5BvS5F/s1600/IMG_5393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eYtdQ26Hn__UB5UZ9BWq7liH246R0DUROeHpxkFGxgIwohnNSfI_mf5Aa-4ypIt21fBf1ZrNh-Xe1SIEk4LigRrdEfB4Ek8XrTqqenoxi6087hppcqWxcX-dtDrzhF2mAe7-cI5BvS5F/s640/IMG_5393.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Located across from the small service area at the front of a Ren sleeper, each car has a fire extinguisher and an emergency power shutoff. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZeKQ-lxd0h2jLom1M8JGOr1lyMWHfAeJLpu0_ABoHxA_nrhXKZls6-k50Ad6lFzzeVAjc1xQjxvZ4JGgftttyVQqLGFNtuz9IyTMA_8E70KVpkRv3R15qG9Ca4D1Q0f86c6jNbU1ApJJ/s1600/IMG_5394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZeKQ-lxd0h2jLom1M8JGOr1lyMWHfAeJLpu0_ABoHxA_nrhXKZls6-k50Ad6lFzzeVAjc1xQjxvZ4JGgftttyVQqLGFNtuz9IyTMA_8E70KVpkRv3R15qG9Ca4D1Q0f86c6jNbU1ApJJ/s640/IMG_5394.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Canadian railroading essential - the snow brush. While the vestibules themselves are well sealed, the exterior steps still get clogged up with snow in the winter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKZD965brmpcgkyP4fovK6sPGP9Y0TNpq1ACF1bByGOG19Jqv0572O6w8LRn733al788thjMQJ8CS9sI5Ibt06rcsM9-qVMgvGSdRHJYbeXdPylHSrrN9sleXhNiMK9DWBqFtLzYSun31/s1600/IMG_5399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKZD965brmpcgkyP4fovK6sPGP9Y0TNpq1ACF1bByGOG19Jqv0572O6w8LRn733al788thjMQJ8CS9sI5Ibt06rcsM9-qVMgvGSdRHJYbeXdPylHSrrN9sleXhNiMK9DWBqFtLzYSun31/s640/IMG_5399.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward from the transition car to the last Renaissance sleeper. Note the sliding doors, which are standard on the Ren cars and operate with the push of a button. The transition car itself has a solid door that looks much more like something you'd find in your house, rather than on a train (to the left). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We would ultimately depart Moncton at 4:57pm, further delayed due to lots of coach passengers and baggage boarding at that stop.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi0sFF37jEFY9YsyH6iESF580jrzabLVGMKPD9WZNDq8Ae-RtxQdR5PF1W0T8YzBZGRSpT9C5kDQF0h19kSLpqoKBLVpGzFqqUx0ZzzWddTn2cZmw5E6nKN-OCiVgX5sXo73kCMdlLFOj/s1600/IMG_5397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi0sFF37jEFY9YsyH6iESF580jrzabLVGMKPD9WZNDq8Ae-RtxQdR5PF1W0T8YzBZGRSpT9C5kDQF0h19kSLpqoKBLVpGzFqqUx0ZzzWddTn2cZmw5E6nKN-OCiVgX5sXo73kCMdlLFOj/s640/IMG_5397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paused at Moncton, our three locomotives are refuelled for the journey onwards.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Dinner calls were at 5, 6:30 and 8 pm.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwQS3Qw26zCpb0I-VH6QNyoRy67UiVlmEThAg2WjVl7jg6TPNJAFtW-wkbtv3k1WtBDHORJ_7Ty9XRRWMlOjp8hXeR5am0cERcOBzLwJtTbJQSi_qFldGHjyWxTA9_yuJnXbpdLnLrsFt/s1600/IMG_5400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwQS3Qw26zCpb0I-VH6QNyoRy67UiVlmEThAg2WjVl7jg6TPNJAFtW-wkbtv3k1WtBDHORJ_7Ty9XRRWMlOjp8hXeR5am0cERcOBzLwJtTbJQSi_qFldGHjyWxTA9_yuJnXbpdLnLrsFt/s640/IMG_5400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance dining car, set for dinner. There were different little festive centerpieces on each table. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBNj8bZks3JP0KFNnpUqHISQcFLKvuwMqVlQbI2CBIpqmx_2U52QZ8X_CImEChbxGG_obA8yO-l-FFOb-ngAC9mMS4MYE-3aUmKtcUtNx8npWbFNWLLETajtH6ack-ktlDcLbBsX4EU04/s1600/IMG_5401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBNj8bZks3JP0KFNnpUqHISQcFLKvuwMqVlQbI2CBIpqmx_2U52QZ8X_CImEChbxGG_obA8yO-l-FFOb-ngAC9mMS4MYE-3aUmKtcUtNx8npWbFNWLLETajtH6ack-ktlDcLbBsX4EU04/s640/IMG_5401.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2MIrYREccCzMA909ziFZs-EHaXQ0PMQkmTgVHChaZvTXrC44EMjGZYmhaFiNnUgNhf7Ns89gGKosDjqSZKrPPKzfQxeAdttevYV15tx5_XEYYu96MeWriR9bIktxs4Le8qfqiDS44MMt/s1600/IMG_5402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2MIrYREccCzMA909ziFZs-EHaXQ0PMQkmTgVHChaZvTXrC44EMjGZYmhaFiNnUgNhf7Ns89gGKosDjqSZKrPPKzfQxeAdttevYV15tx5_XEYYu96MeWriR9bIktxs4Le8qfqiDS44MMt/s640/IMG_5402.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caprese salad appetizer. Quite tasty, though I found it to be a bit much as a starter. Could also do with a bit less of the balsamic glaze!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhbJs352POvGXjmBQlENGHQHFpcdNSVgOwrJu3YKKYx9cr8E3v9iZ6qccQd0a8OQi4LxLwlB9r-3-rglSwNva81oo1ncTCpWaVNOqM8fyGuO42zVBySwjLgKRsPI1DTmAQHUeJ7tVtgRi/s1600/IMG_5403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhbJs352POvGXjmBQlENGHQHFpcdNSVgOwrJu3YKKYx9cr8E3v9iZ6qccQd0a8OQi4LxLwlB9r-3-rglSwNva81oo1ncTCpWaVNOqM8fyGuO42zVBySwjLgKRsPI1DTmAQHUeJ7tVtgRi/s640/IMG_5403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filet of sole. Doesn't look overly exciting (maybe it's just the lack of colour), but it was actually very good. Dessert is not pictured, but it was the same chocolate caramel cake that has been standard on here for some time now. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We were through Rogersville at 6:04pm with no stop, and would
eventually arrive at Campbellton at 10:19pm. I decided to step out for some
fresh (and very cold!) air before bed, and realized that the crew were having
issues with deploying the steps on that side of the train. Some had frozen
(Campbellton is the first left-side stop after Truro, so plenty of time for ice
to build up), and there was also ice on the platform that interfered with their
operation. We departed there at 10:38pm, and I headed off to bed shortly
thereafter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By the morning we had not only made up time, but were running ahead of
even our earlier schedule. We were at Drummondville by 7:08am (departed 7:16),
St-Hyacinthe at 7:42, and St-Lambert at 8:15. Despite even having to use the
diversion on the Victoria Bridge, we were still in to Montreal Central Station
by 8:38am, nearly half an hour ahead of our already early scheduled arrival.
Arriving at that hour had me reminiscing about my earlier days of riding this
train over a decade ago, when the Montreal arrival was scheduled for closer to
8am. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsmXgGE9OLQFjKeudF_G7Yyl3sq9aMTqWupnkXAwFzeH8wWqpOtBVepJonLTAlKxlBqdnNngZ8Olb-PBoEp4zhRFJUFPh4XVKedE_2DGhTWrqpH5uqpTBDWGa6MN5_CCpcHaDz4CscWRy/s1600/IMG_4834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsmXgGE9OLQFjKeudF_G7Yyl3sq9aMTqWupnkXAwFzeH8wWqpOtBVepJonLTAlKxlBqdnNngZ8Olb-PBoEp4zhRFJUFPh4XVKedE_2DGhTWrqpH5uqpTBDWGa6MN5_CCpcHaDz4CscWRy/s640/IMG_4834.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It would be a bright and sunny day, but it was still dull and overcast as I made my way to breakfast in Drummondville.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGFix_3plbfFRt2nGaxoBWKdrrPU3sojexkfv8sktzo99n-fzd5mf6WJfYrqb7HHDK6uRcQw8dC4cefvhoIwhCln_MUaJrvsJb2NxwYsZt7nd6-KN2RMz2eQXHQwGnk4_QU5Q9tl4YXJB/s1600/IMG_5409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGFix_3plbfFRt2nGaxoBWKdrrPU3sojexkfv8sktzo99n-fzd5mf6WJfYrqb7HHDK6uRcQw8dC4cefvhoIwhCln_MUaJrvsJb2NxwYsZt7nd6-KN2RMz2eQXHQwGnk4_QU5Q9tl4YXJB/s640/IMG_5409.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast options.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vvsYiz_M-k3_NTGNgRHYG72m_JHYeZy9EGU0T59FaTlMgwrj0iKQkG3R2GbFz6Muqjhyphenhyphenl5iDjPmzfg2fECDk5FjyD64MgxERghEM5MytqKNtmVqI2zLVLUzDV5n96ZvIgSlIzIAzqsoj/s1600/IMG_5410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vvsYiz_M-k3_NTGNgRHYG72m_JHYeZy9EGU0T59FaTlMgwrj0iKQkG3R2GbFz6Muqjhyphenhyphenl5iDjPmzfg2fECDk5FjyD64MgxERghEM5MytqKNtmVqI2zLVLUzDV5n96ZvIgSlIzIAzqsoj/s640/IMG_5410.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden breakfast bread, and plenty of coffee. A rather nice way to start the day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFAsiGWXQW4tni52Pw75HTnJYM_twsa_rk1Sg6xCqlU8rCGJX9LcLY5UweywDUdD2GSxvQvZ8o4OVI6RBIH8Zl0Cw9YR5qZRXt7WKGZ0-Mudf4IiyKtme-EV2KboBklzyeb0CuwzsEVCS/s1600/IMG_4837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFAsiGWXQW4tni52Pw75HTnJYM_twsa_rk1Sg6xCqlU8rCGJX9LcLY5UweywDUdD2GSxvQvZ8o4OVI6RBIH8Zl0Cw9YR5qZRXt7WKGZ0-Mudf4IiyKtme-EV2KboBklzyeb0CuwzsEVCS/s640/IMG_4837.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brightening up as we make our fast final run in toward Montreal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL4p56wtrWXy9uip_nezWgWx2kmSqxHecjpPg57ijFw4SMVZw-iqsYobpTZoQeiyT0uVydRReJzJ1PHByhsBn2_9XiJIWiqQaEAOGp9ffndS6quj1v7I3RO4iXjgXb4lPd7Jpp-VW3RQm/s1600/IMG_5414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL4p56wtrWXy9uip_nezWgWx2kmSqxHecjpPg57ijFw4SMVZw-iqsYobpTZoQeiyT0uVydRReJzJ1PHByhsBn2_9XiJIWiqQaEAOGp9ffndS6quj1v7I3RO4iXjgXb4lPd7Jpp-VW3RQm/s640/IMG_5414.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we depart St-Lambert, the lift bridge directly ahead is in the upright position. The Victoria bridge has a whole separate double-tracked diversion to deal with this frequent occurrence, as ships traverse the lock. An impressive bit of engineering!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqugtABwWeKGPGA6SxMfiNwM3_-oR3Wx2nhZrlFAqH7yNdxeH6d7vJgSLvliMDFu9Z8zGLO_6f8KcdtYNn6cwdxBxs5XzVad54yt6VgtESROqaSpd4y8ltA19vmpdTqLj0uaGiFb4NWAK/s1600/IMG_5415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqugtABwWeKGPGA6SxMfiNwM3_-oR3Wx2nhZrlFAqH7yNdxeH6d7vJgSLvliMDFu9Z8zGLO_6f8KcdtYNn6cwdxBxs5XzVad54yt6VgtESROqaSpd4y8ltA19vmpdTqLj0uaGiFb4NWAK/s640/IMG_5415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we swing left onto the diversion, a CN freight (which had been waiting for us to make our stop and clear the station) starts up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRZacibE2kNcN4wqj3pU2TQ66mwh2Tu5TBr4Kk7gWpnkf9bB9vzaM_ZrQnS-T-iBbRzZgLzZNbvopUjd_Y2K8fijTMtbGjPjUft99Ccnz5c6OF1h0GI9eTwoovuoUPo9gylYdK0RxNmtl/s1600/IMG_5419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRZacibE2kNcN4wqj3pU2TQ66mwh2Tu5TBr4Kk7gWpnkf9bB9vzaM_ZrQnS-T-iBbRzZgLzZNbvopUjd_Y2K8fijTMtbGjPjUft99Ccnz5c6OF1h0GI9eTwoovuoUPo9gylYdK0RxNmtl/s640/IMG_5419.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from one lift section to the other, the ship that necessitated the lift is visible on its approach. For the volume of trains that cross this bridge, having an option to not halt traffic is very useful. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxXjmJwCownjkApVWB5k4cOYoN5W4q6ywmxxwcSqjXgkyIEXfDsTVIkmZ4WHXf_sIZ9CKws9iKpEDeft3AAJeJzUpMeNsBHv3uL6CMre33t4_f0w3PPHkcD46nmvS9Xe-MIqQoafPZAVY/s1600/IMG_5417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxXjmJwCownjkApVWB5k4cOYoN5W4q6ywmxxwcSqjXgkyIEXfDsTVIkmZ4WHXf_sIZ9CKws9iKpEDeft3AAJeJzUpMeNsBHv3uL6CMre33t4_f0w3PPHkcD46nmvS9Xe-MIqQoafPZAVY/s640/IMG_5417.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swinging around on the diversion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvUzXthvxlzrJ8Aw1uF-qdd9XngXMnhGvyL2k-XhAvC7XwWhCOVTVwv79DeqOXLmd8ib5_NkXu9pdFE8mWDT3cdH-YBjZ_nQZkQeD5Oq1HsqvVYiFeTj-HrpJnfycPBX8O80BsA1ZruHx/s1600/IMG_5420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvUzXthvxlzrJ8Aw1uF-qdd9XngXMnhGvyL2k-XhAvC7XwWhCOVTVwv79DeqOXLmd8ib5_NkXu9pdFE8mWDT3cdH-YBjZ_nQZkQeD5Oq1HsqvVYiFeTj-HrpJnfycPBX8O80BsA1ZruHx/s640/IMG_5420.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we near the end of the diversion, the two bridges re-combine. I'm always amazed by the way the road bridge components deal with this, with one lane lifting up and over the rail section at the juncture. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-_ksOmNtq8YII2aOgaJJSYKVsWKpmoVpnA1MGnEovcFvTBjdGmCSd45oA_e35if3OA5UZLiO-AhsNj6VqpcnpkRQNyUvTvgzNCxb5je23fVAaC3S8Syj-oY59qs_waQdFaS92Jh7w4A6/s1600/IMG_5421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-_ksOmNtq8YII2aOgaJJSYKVsWKpmoVpnA1MGnEovcFvTBjdGmCSd45oA_e35if3OA5UZLiO-AhsNj6VqpcnpkRQNyUvTvgzNCxb5je23fVAaC3S8Syj-oY59qs_waQdFaS92Jh7w4A6/s640/IMG_5421.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming off the Victoria bridge, a lone F40 is emerging from VIA's Montreal Maintenance Centre. It would soon make its way over to the station as well. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mTTwUukLmtvt1Mke6lyjNh5c96EzJ6N-31ot3fracGWs1IBA0Rt5qKIFYEqT_wvpIEuq5z-xokI-BNARI6CSQBxl_rtRqK9yOFS0AlVdkUHVOadXF5jOVH20qV8u-teDIXbTJhZOV2d5/s1600/IMG_5424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mTTwUukLmtvt1Mke6lyjNh5c96EzJ6N-31ot3fracGWs1IBA0Rt5qKIFYEqT_wvpIEuq5z-xokI-BNARI6CSQBxl_rtRqK9yOFS0AlVdkUHVOadXF5jOVH20qV8u-teDIXbTJhZOV2d5/s640/IMG_5424.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final approach into Central Station, with exo commuter trains (an EMU on the left and a string of ALP45DP-hauled multilevels on the right) await assignment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGv6YyihG4SYIHAgIilV7A4kwOCysy-RXBs17JmxnOZNyAMrYk8ueAW7WNyDVg7lu5a7iT4gXiYOuKPdoUBoSg6aGpCDFJwvurS3fRymJLWdYtfwTRc71GoQP-iLQN1VZVokZMBoiJilg/s1600/IMG_5427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGv6YyihG4SYIHAgIilV7A4kwOCysy-RXBs17JmxnOZNyAMrYk8ueAW7WNyDVg7lu5a7iT4gXiYOuKPdoUBoSg6aGpCDFJwvurS3fRymJLWdYtfwTRc71GoQP-iLQN1VZVokZMBoiJilg/s640/IMG_5427.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Train 15 on track 13, down underneath the majestic Central station. Note the longer gap fillers required for the narrow Renaissance cars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2CqQ1iJRuLFzfupsvpVoDsTw2uPFEGjpU_upe2YGKigjCZwdMSrz2MqVT9h9fuDVbU7IzNeO04DZgzKX5h2otI3QfbxrLMA8gCRQccT8U_8ws61lrdF4gNRESM6cnrwfnCVzZCKm-Twl/s1600/01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2CqQ1iJRuLFzfupsvpVoDsTw2uPFEGjpU_upe2YGKigjCZwdMSrz2MqVT9h9fuDVbU7IzNeO04DZgzKX5h2otI3QfbxrLMA8gCRQccT8U_8ws61lrdF4gNRESM6cnrwfnCVzZCKm-Twl/s640/01.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Corridor train waits on an adjacent track in the bowels of Central Station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rhEf1FVILfOsnGbwwKQge_zhaHPNOw3QfpUmiBVbqWahgmRl-tdJXeI3UTTk74_Uuy6miuTpR7omHc7WeOr6T9Nx5gXtkLZfWU3wKhDJP0WrdwaW0Yb5zwQPEWM_l5Jy0FBgJKAQKKPG/s1600/IMG_4842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rhEf1FVILfOsnGbwwKQge_zhaHPNOw3QfpUmiBVbqWahgmRl-tdJXeI3UTTk74_Uuy6miuTpR7omHc7WeOr6T9Nx5gXtkLZfWU3wKhDJP0WrdwaW0Yb5zwQPEWM_l5Jy0FBgJKAQKKPG/s640/IMG_4842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of carolers make for a very warm welcome to Montreal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While in Montreal, I decided to make a very quick exo (formerly AMT)
commuter train ride. The Mount Royal tunnel is due to be converted to the new
automated light rail “REM” service, and commuter service through the tunnel
will end in a few months’ time. This seemed like it could be my last chance to
ride through it as-is, so I figured I could make a quick out-and-back trip to
Canora station using a Deux-Montagnes line train out, and a Mascouche line
train back in, with about 10min between them. As it turned out, both were running with ALP45DP-hauled
multi-level trains. It was my first time on this equipment, and I was quite
impressed with the comfort of the ride. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHjI7mQcUEtsXrCxetc85PbFpYjQqLBnvPzhAyiXLPH1TSMLnNVYo0idUx4f7Pdq8PyFUwyakIM3xCoyupXvw29qkdLrVocifFdheoYIkPfMG9hW1JzphiiJuFZfUW_nb3pcaN4baYNFh/s1600/03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHjI7mQcUEtsXrCxetc85PbFpYjQqLBnvPzhAyiXLPH1TSMLnNVYo0idUx4f7Pdq8PyFUwyakIM3xCoyupXvw29qkdLrVocifFdheoYIkPfMG9hW1JzphiiJuFZfUW_nb3pcaN4baYNFh/s640/03.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign of things to come - the new automated light rail system being funded by Quebec's pension fund will make for major changes to the Montreal transit scene. Some aspects of it will be welcome, and it is an impressive project - but it will also render large chunks of the already excellent commuter rail network redundant. There are a lot of questions about the quality of service it will provide on the existing heavy rail commuter line that a part of the system will largely replace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpluEibKMom-Owos6fYdFm9x3uBRF_DcG5erihCFIPEs6MVJIPIlNxuNLtSIdggRal3uenTTvI_M5nf2zAQ3kXiwdSg0B6R33sMCnvp3Qnc8IAYcBfEBl1I-txixSKKwVwNL5WXG3RmbNx/s1600/05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpluEibKMom-Owos6fYdFm9x3uBRF_DcG5erihCFIPEs6MVJIPIlNxuNLtSIdggRal3uenTTvI_M5nf2zAQ3kXiwdSg0B6R33sMCnvp3Qnc8IAYcBfEBl1I-txixSKKwVwNL5WXG3RmbNx/s640/05.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside a Bombardier multi-level coach. The seating is very comfortable and spacious for a commuter run.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVePq49E1la8RSs1kf_nD80xIQxY05zR28dFu12_NLigs0gfW8jTPKqn-qvEpscIPbWBOGwB4opcNXsGi25gjbX1JGTZo4bpdoPJTaOa73xYlTRXYQyXQsHVlt4VlGwB_g930WkpmPa1l/s1600/06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVePq49E1la8RSs1kf_nD80xIQxY05zR28dFu12_NLigs0gfW8jTPKqn-qvEpscIPbWBOGwB4opcNXsGi25gjbX1JGTZo4bpdoPJTaOa73xYlTRXYQyXQsHVlt4VlGwB_g930WkpmPa1l/s640/06.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the things I like most about these cars is the way the seating is set up - half faces in each direction, but it's done so half of the car faces all one way and the other the opposite, with just a few facing pairs. This seems to me to be a much more comfortable setup than the bilevels used by GO Transit, which have virtually all seats set up as 4-seater facing pairs. Note as well that the upper levels of these cars are designated as quiet zones (clearly not an issue here...). There are also small retractable coat hooks by each pair of seats. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzxY5Qe0qeYmodQGsQLcpq5mx_iiDszsnPyssWRB00x46uDFylf-vyzFjTdOmInBBLg2NW-g-W0XPQH8meyGsL2VP7gA4UO8dL1flugqYt14iVgnZeJ7J7HVLpj7USpuYeRhIbgh2IB4R/s1600/07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzxY5Qe0qeYmodQGsQLcpq5mx_iiDszsnPyssWRB00x46uDFylf-vyzFjTdOmInBBLg2NW-g-W0XPQH8meyGsL2VP7gA4UO8dL1flugqYt14iVgnZeJ7J7HVLpj7USpuYeRhIbgh2IB4R/s640/07.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the upper and lower levels from the end section, where the accessible space is located. The high level doors are to the right and left here, while the low level doors (with permanently fixed low steps) are behind me at the end of the car.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMRjF_VBsI9k4jZfAXEoQEKTJ7RjixvohBGDszEYCk8uHlRZktZXN2-xaO3LoxI9YPpp981iBCBrTjE4o1XhEJE1x1Ejjf4291viIYDGw9w2ZSqWD9nh8uWyV1sPVi1CBzWv_lx6vzp3C/s1600/08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMRjF_VBsI9k4jZfAXEoQEKTJ7RjixvohBGDszEYCk8uHlRZktZXN2-xaO3LoxI9YPpp981iBCBrTjE4o1XhEJE1x1Ejjf4291viIYDGw9w2ZSqWD9nh8uWyV1sPVi1CBzWv_lx6vzp3C/s640/08.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The accessible seating area, and the vestibule with low level doors straight ahead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSZtogvAXP9xB6_hsXU6wtwv3G5r25DnXPVb_yUQFobyYiZ_6AJuYb51vbDKd6KPy1Q8V0uGE1vN2u79BMWzwt-eY-9LiX158J4iDOWkncmwARxc2KrPx87P7ySf8WNGEKKrC8qLstLyi/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSZtogvAXP9xB6_hsXU6wtwv3G5r25DnXPVb_yUQFobyYiZ_6AJuYb51vbDKd6KPy1Q8V0uGE1vN2u79BMWzwt-eY-9LiX158J4iDOWkncmwARxc2KrPx87P7ySf8WNGEKKrC8qLstLyi/s640/10.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the train at Canora, the pair of now exo-branded ALP45DPs accelerate the impressively long train away from the station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8RH3zcu6DjRKvZBk-93gSlSDPOGs6wbBKZ12hVsn3MU88PRbshFRNExv4dvtnMJBm6TCLKvhqIG8OS5MT-ooL4Rws7xXeOiRdzSLPj0IP0n1-YUXl5T22O2vBsT_aI5zFEOjXu4ChI9H/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8RH3zcu6DjRKvZBk-93gSlSDPOGs6wbBKZ12hVsn3MU88PRbshFRNExv4dvtnMJBm6TCLKvhqIG8OS5MT-ooL4Rws7xXeOiRdzSLPj0IP0n1-YUXl5T22O2vBsT_aI5zFEOjXu4ChI9H/s640/11.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The temporary relocated Canora station, reduced to a single track. Note the overhead electric wires above the new temporary platform. Soon all of this will be closed for construction of the REM.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jq52aOJRcdAOJoGbNjlYf8F6YJN8d6OSGFOMc1BKNEAffsIHHi5qCIckMXMG5dYQppgGJAvIhg7b4K9T36hsMBFJHyVMOAFkKWlSnjuMoXJyhyphenhyphenYt4JZ1ZsxxIZiev3t2rCOHY4u3KeUu/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jq52aOJRcdAOJoGbNjlYf8F6YJN8d6OSGFOMc1BKNEAffsIHHi5qCIckMXMG5dYQppgGJAvIhg7b4K9T36hsMBFJHyVMOAFkKWlSnjuMoXJyhyphenhyphenYt4JZ1ZsxxIZiev3t2rCOHY4u3KeUu/s640/14.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My return train arrives, a much shorter 3-car train from the Mascouche line. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfA1JK1jJ9HIXNQv49GqxHZ5drSGt7KWKwPE017hIuz3fS9agROwhdSAjxh89UDNkM_S-ZKkrEI5PUJNfmTr1tcUrvxKSAUbIFRcsRn61eNIr_75q8vQY8cRDJJ5tePNz7opwhFrVtXi-/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfA1JK1jJ9HIXNQv49GqxHZ5drSGt7KWKwPE017hIuz3fS9agROwhdSAjxh89UDNkM_S-ZKkrEI5PUJNfmTr1tcUrvxKSAUbIFRcsRn61eNIr_75q8vQY8cRDJJ5tePNz7opwhFrVtXi-/s640/15.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made my way to the cab car, where the end door was briefly open. Just after snapping this shot it was closed, and I watched through the middle window as we headed for the tunnel. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofrGpnQJ-pbWr0urXEX8JRiQtt-JNv0HcVGDM5JCp7pl0TDcbzH1m5mO2sz5MB7xVU8BPw0Kkw-RVq0xvaYWebb9Rn2Ngv58A1Re0cxZVpa38adm0D3YpFbhZW7k00fFQCMyv2NQh_2Z0/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofrGpnQJ-pbWr0urXEX8JRiQtt-JNv0HcVGDM5JCp7pl0TDcbzH1m5mO2sz5MB7xVU8BPw0Kkw-RVq0xvaYWebb9Rn2Ngv58A1Re0cxZVpa38adm0D3YpFbhZW7k00fFQCMyv2NQh_2Z0/s640/16.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brief bit of daylight view as we head back to the darkness of the Mount Royal tunnel. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After that quick ride I went to run some errands in downtown Montreal,
and also wandered around the old Windsor Station. While I’d been around that
area plenty of times before, I hadn’t actually ventured into the historic
station. It’s fascinating to stand there and imagine what it would have been
like in its CP-run glory days, as passengers milled about and boarded trains
heading all across the country.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrP0xe90ZBEpRlattl7O11F9QoJr85b553Y8p1ZShYKsF_hLoFUCy47a0Ax-ducx537t8wootPbhrBRUBdadMvYGjE0T3LEXtJMi6dqNiZHnHH9gYXtOWVY0erqq8jVDeNunNhhXIfBcqt/s1600/IMG_5451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrP0xe90ZBEpRlattl7O11F9QoJr85b553Y8p1ZShYKsF_hLoFUCy47a0Ax-ducx537t8wootPbhrBRUBdadMvYGjE0T3LEXtJMi6dqNiZHnHH9gYXtOWVY0erqq8jVDeNunNhhXIfBcqt/s640/IMG_5451.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montreal. What more can I say?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03AwkgV4X8KeISftC5BaI4-YW0ue2hHgqM8Mh75jxphvh-U6AQlGAt_OiGtJBzvqbcB5WiOgFDhLq8dRQjxJAR7gdJgTW-_HLNt3N-TWaHAWLAVXTZk-hlTz2StesTbHCA6Ilil9f9OG-/s1600/IMG_5452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03AwkgV4X8KeISftC5BaI4-YW0ue2hHgqM8Mh75jxphvh-U6AQlGAt_OiGtJBzvqbcB5WiOgFDhLq8dRQjxJAR7gdJgTW-_HLNt3N-TWaHAWLAVXTZk-hlTz2StesTbHCA6Ilil9f9OG-/s640/IMG_5452.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old CP Windsor Station. The concourse is open to the public and leads off to some businesses. There are historical displays commemorating the railway history of the station, which was once a busy hub for Canadian Pacific's transcontinental, intercity, and commuter trains. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNI801vi8ErGLT4hWd1uS2o95o67ggcIm3FHcCbC3tu0PO6zI_NxZcNVUYPWYMujOD0WME-sBjzRES7fYHtoSYeCflBdXf2VYlhtnM5ziju1Wm4F5IZ13WohwBSC0D1ryC1qNkBmaNIQV2/s1600/IMG_5453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNI801vi8ErGLT4hWd1uS2o95o67ggcIm3FHcCbC3tu0PO6zI_NxZcNVUYPWYMujOD0WME-sBjzRES7fYHtoSYeCflBdXf2VYlhtnM5ziju1Wm4F5IZ13WohwBSC0D1ryC1qNkBmaNIQV2/s640/IMG_5453.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is outside the old Windsor Station, and next to the modern Bell Centre. One part of the train shed still exists, incorporated into the building to the right. Where this outdoor rink is located was once where the end of the stub tracks ran in, and passengers would make their way down the platforms. The closest remaining bit of the track that led here is back on the other side of the Bell Centre, where the modern AMT Lucien L'Allier station stands today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Back at the current-day Central station, I picked up my bags (as usual,
I used the checkroom service at Central station to leave my carry-ons while I
wandered around) and boarded train 35 for Ottawa.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">VIA 35 – Dec. 23, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6401<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3468 (01) LRC Business Class <b>*</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3335 (03) LRC Economy Class<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3370 (04) LRC Economy Class<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Both of the coaches on this train were in the old LRC scheme outside,
but had been refreshed inside with the new style seating and the 50/50
forward/back configuration. Having arrived from Quebec City, #35 has to back
out of the station to reverse directions before heading onwards. We departed a
few minutes behind schedule at 12:04pm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I was in Business class, which is my preference on #35. If booked in
advance, the price differential is usually pretty reasonable, and the departure
time means that the train is running right over lunch time. Business class has
its greatest value, in my opinion, when the train is running through a normal
meal period. Lunch was served by Coteau, with service starting only from the
front of the car. By the time they got to me nearer the back of the car, one of
the lunch options was gone. The cold plate, which I chose, was perfectly
enjoyable. The ride was pretty smooth, and we ultimately made up time to arrive
slightly early at 2:10pm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQGYPhyphenhyphenzp6NLhR2yeGPjVfxpCUJCVqmpP07LuQIt8XtaySnMpJyGdCnHbGaTw0Ublbb4_FUSu8eZGpwAejyixFXG9e78X5caewSpKlvbPTl7a_tfaI6mGwIORdnXj80d0TxU5x82qlZPd/s1600/IMG_4846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQGYPhyphenhyphenzp6NLhR2yeGPjVfxpCUJCVqmpP07LuQIt8XtaySnMpJyGdCnHbGaTw0Ublbb4_FUSu8eZGpwAejyixFXG9e78X5caewSpKlvbPTl7a_tfaI6mGwIORdnXj80d0TxU5x82qlZPd/s640/IMG_4846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brew from Beau's, one of the local craft options available on VIA's corridor trains. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qQhdkit4FDunrfNyD8XHv06HmoNNtaUBE9w90kMv8qijVR7NBu66jmLIQGE1eR8YQliNYfPB03a9aRyIEUP2wtBNCr5EPZoMdBXi-2AHfPSJ_xFtuMqJK4kEAsO-S8gfpPCXHKzi4OTr/s1600/IMG_5457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qQhdkit4FDunrfNyD8XHv06HmoNNtaUBE9w90kMv8qijVR7NBu66jmLIQGE1eR8YQliNYfPB03a9aRyIEUP2wtBNCr5EPZoMdBXi-2AHfPSJ_xFtuMqJK4kEAsO-S8gfpPCXHKzi4OTr/s640/IMG_5457.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class lunch. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9hHfMdEHrz_pQbg6KE6oveKp7m0ref3nbdfhyphenhyphen-F4o8-UY_KO1FrPCl7ab2rk-wG4fgNJhyvSUEE2rupq4UtOVwdM2BtdK83H9gULev09gIYkbzhPcAiizGmgc0JlVu3JZ_v46vSqy4qG/s1600/IMG_5459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9hHfMdEHrz_pQbg6KE6oveKp7m0ref3nbdfhyphenhyphen-F4o8-UY_KO1FrPCl7ab2rk-wG4fgNJhyvSUEE2rupq4UtOVwdM2BtdK83H9gULev09gIYkbzhPcAiizGmgc0JlVu3JZ_v46vSqy4qG/s640/IMG_5459.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the things I really like about the new Business class interiors is that the single seats are shifted out from the wall to allow for the little table down to the right. This means you have a much better view out the next window ahead, as long as no one has closed the curtain. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6_ZTi9vPcIXnLRQaQkb0mMAA6-6mHAvr16EDOSOgqLDPx9kZbpXcjy4oOQ8hhdApR_hyphenhyphenhr8GyhBbb1Q82C_wRadr3dsruCTRlFWwGEESo-CMierOqELl1UM8DxmwCwfpW9LQ-9cuEWWQ/s1600/IMG_5460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6_ZTi9vPcIXnLRQaQkb0mMAA6-6mHAvr16EDOSOgqLDPx9kZbpXcjy4oOQ8hhdApR_hyphenhyphenhr8GyhBbb1Q82C_wRadr3dsruCTRlFWwGEESo-CMierOqELl1UM8DxmwCwfpW9LQ-9cuEWWQ/s640/IMG_5460.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LRC Business class interior, with the new 2+1 seating configuration. The forward half of the car has seats facing backwards. This same interior design is slowly being introduced to the HEP2s, to bring some consistency to the service offering. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Arriving at the station, there was some confusion about where checked
baggage would be arriving. The normal baggage area is being renovated at the
moment, and it’s covered over with no indication as to where alternative
service will be provided. An employee finally informed us that the cart would
just be driving around to the front entrance, and a short while later it
arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There are also major renovations ongoing to to Business lounge in the station, so it is currently closed and a temporary lounge is in place near the Ministry of Coffee. I didn't have a chance to see inside, as I wasn't in Business class on my return.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiuclLTJxhrQjo7M5BnE6oA8vUq1P5h84YXh26evfKKgzJ7bIjC3QU0_A0B0xxlKoGYqQB-lIb2KGmJezPMks_eV2Cb5FoBoqS__eIQxLfz3butQCofWT_BnTVJXDUBA2spptARNHOrjR/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiuclLTJxhrQjo7M5BnE6oA8vUq1P5h84YXh26evfKKgzJ7bIjC3QU0_A0B0xxlKoGYqQB-lIb2KGmJezPMks_eV2Cb5FoBoqS__eIQxLfz3butQCofWT_BnTVJXDUBA2spptARNHOrjR/s640/17.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Ottawa, another Corridor train is preparing to depart on the high platform adjacent to the station. Note that 917 is one of the only P42s not wearing a version of the new silver and yellow wrap, while the LRC club behind it is the only business class car that has been wrapped. The rest of the train is HEP2s. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMPv3En9vXk0maJTPJuMF3V_HjeyFUOnzUQToCHjYMcUJTa3sXPE-VKYwyIlokrBPC92YtpEvWkYFaDnz7QEJXYuMyMUYfGcci9pIcO6o7kWnSP2voqq3JbvYgGz7FC_DL-QQNlBS99sI/s1600/18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMPv3En9vXk0maJTPJuMF3V_HjeyFUOnzUQToCHjYMcUJTa3sXPE-VKYwyIlokrBPC92YtpEvWkYFaDnz7QEJXYuMyMUYfGcci9pIcO6o7kWnSP2voqq3JbvYgGz7FC_DL-QQNlBS99sI/s640/18.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More signs of things to come: promotion for the new Siemens trains that VIA has ordered to replace their Corridor fleet are all over stations throughout the Corridor. There are also signs up promoting the proposed HFR project, which is still pending final cabinet funding approval. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWU1WBy3TqNINFLw_7bRIwP1lBMswFtITI-rLIN5vcqj3cqnJzsrEKaM0n3mwQJltyU4ETXMtvAp6-31HaTk38lHL3NO5QAUB0p_kwitnDbd_I65o51-KZN3g7gV2XUIzWmP7N4M-__3F/s1600/IMG_5464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWU1WBy3TqNINFLw_7bRIwP1lBMswFtITI-rLIN5vcqj3cqnJzsrEKaM0n3mwQJltyU4ETXMtvAp6-31HaTk38lHL3NO5QAUB0p_kwitnDbd_I65o51-KZN3g7gV2XUIzWmP7N4M-__3F/s640/IMG_5464.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter danger! There's something about the graphic design of these signs that I really enjoy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With all bags in hand, I headed off to try my luck with the new O-Train
Confederation Line. Since its much-delayed launch in September 2019, the new
LRT line has been plagued with problems. Some were forseen by observers well
before the system launched, and others have unexpectedly cropped up as the
trains got running. I’m not going to delve into that in any great detail here,
except to acknowledge that there is clearly a lot of work left to be done to
get the system running properly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hopefully those problems can get sorted out before long, because when it does run as intended, the LRT is actually a pretty fantastic
addition to the Ottawa transit landscape. I have previously taken a bus from
the train station to my parent’s home near Tunney’s Pasture, and the difference
with riding the LRT was astounding. It was far more spacious and comfortable,
and the ride through the tunnel downtown was immensely faster than the old slow
bus slog through downtown. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Getting to the LRT from the VIA station was quite straightforward. The
signage is pretty good, and while you do have to walk outside, it’s not too far
to go. I found the ticket purchasing interface to be really intuitive and quick
to use, the elevator was spacious and quick (ideal with a large bag), and while
a train had just departed as I bought my ticket, the next train arrived just a
few minutes after I got to the platform. Getting off at Tunney’s Pasture, I had
only a short walk to finish my journey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPY3CaPfsDvsni7pQH6qCzS7085KLM9YbpXAB5bkjHy_NgIY22etlf3EgveSIhSV5faJIfrvMWAlsa8M0lxlahlZXnx68bjUuVQokXRBqCAIfFrLzDqOJ_-i16F0drgij2z-49RFIVMO2/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPY3CaPfsDvsni7pQH6qCzS7085KLM9YbpXAB5bkjHy_NgIY22etlf3EgveSIhSV5faJIfrvMWAlsa8M0lxlahlZXnx68bjUuVQokXRBqCAIfFrLzDqOJ_-i16F0drgij2z-49RFIVMO2/s640/19.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signage inside the Ottawa station, directing to the O-train. The large red O ("lifesaver") has been adopted as the distinct symbol for the service. This seemed to cause some confusion at first, because for newcomers to the city it isn't entirely clear that it refers to the train. The new "Downtown in under 10 minutes" sign (with photo of the train) seems to have been added to help address that. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPNLkpSYhAZVVnagP9ErLZbVweUdfvjPRripYOtLI0ZyeyVO28KOySgWbjAfSQfQ1oLPXoWr45DmUQAy56yl4GiOepjeLVf7JU_89RIOg1-aBe8ccLl__NJmlT5RQU2VaM1tRJQdHSQKK/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPNLkpSYhAZVVnagP9ErLZbVweUdfvjPRripYOtLI0ZyeyVO28KOySgWbjAfSQfQ1oLPXoWr45DmUQAy56yl4GiOepjeLVf7JU_89RIOg1-aBe8ccLl__NJmlT5RQU2VaM1tRJQdHSQKK/s640/20.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the station, the O-train Tremblay station is a short walk, not more than heading to either of the parking lots. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg198gWKfdMIinvGS2O1dUBpZTCyBUfhSUDIlLQvfK2LSfIKBKZYMeovykmUxejnGakdPE4jy0IB4lsnBoveEfy3MbixpLrdAiqDIonpRLk5IamsLplSKAr1XFlgxoA9i8coLk7hkA-Nftx/s1600/21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg198gWKfdMIinvGS2O1dUBpZTCyBUfhSUDIlLQvfK2LSfIKBKZYMeovykmUxejnGakdPE4jy0IB4lsnBoveEfy3MbixpLrdAiqDIonpRLk5IamsLplSKAr1XFlgxoA9i8coLk7hkA-Nftx/s640/21.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ticket machines are intuitive, and quick and easy to use. You can purchase single fares or longer passes. The machine prints a ticket-like card with a QR code. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1v9tuqanKSMl2u7ZCUZhLB4RlkzCSzMgbY3s3uWFIiwB-Mt8iDo_MaFaxzmrEazqRSusKwpbzu4hxcOayPr8tpZkPTWD9aiwVGhqIyXWy66kwwbiBE4Bjki7AB3x8y1VaZxIlvgDILM9P/s1600/22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1v9tuqanKSMl2u7ZCUZhLB4RlkzCSzMgbY3s3uWFIiwB-Mt8iDo_MaFaxzmrEazqRSusKwpbzu4hxcOayPr8tpZkPTWD9aiwVGhqIyXWy66kwwbiBE4Bjki7AB3x8y1VaZxIlvgDILM9P/s640/22.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fare points - scan the QR code from your ticket or tap your Presto card, and you're in. You can see the tracks below to the left. Platforms are on the outside here, and you can access either one from the upper level. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tMhexnoP0vs9-YefZ5fAA8zc3hwNHRLiqenVV6lEOo3bCJ6ggbvnPGHbnp_o4hGdVBa3s0Utqedn70LTrmmNNZd1n8sr0LkP9cn-LgSJzbyxJCHMqKTk1_qGesT6phcngrZFIOvX2KFn/s1600/23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tMhexnoP0vs9-YefZ5fAA8zc3hwNHRLiqenVV6lEOo3bCJ6ggbvnPGHbnp_o4hGdVBa3s0Utqedn70LTrmmNNZd1n8sr0LkP9cn-LgSJzbyxJCHMqKTk1_qGesT6phcngrZFIOvX2KFn/s640/23.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Toronto-bound VIA train departs in the background, looking towards the downtown direction on the line. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDJJpJVgFhxyxMxAjBpSi_J_UW1__F4xLu6JNuELPZqjdNFUlXkcJ2yDipn-R1hwosndfriuegH0VBQUHSZaLjV7cZscEPr618aJP0WI1XF89gFUL2J6P_UIcFGELgG_ji1MoYDTGXwid/s1600/25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDJJpJVgFhxyxMxAjBpSi_J_UW1__F4xLu6JNuELPZqjdNFUlXkcJ2yDipn-R1hwosndfriuegH0VBQUHSZaLjV7cZscEPr618aJP0WI1XF89gFUL2J6P_UIcFGELgG_ji1MoYDTGXwid/s640/25.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My train arrives! The Confederation line operates with coupled-pairs of these Alstom Citadis Spirit light rail vehicles. It is fully electrified with overhead wires, and operates on a semi-autonomous control system. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOxGdbcR6RgMQRr3uwaRBQeMU9SOYqzsEOoY9qEJ_PbwG-2rN2Kc3bB4tj-8w9CvEgMjj4ziW6PjMFOpV39RPBA1Umj1qqF9fbDds5XYwN8-Pt5LxDlhb0JLEMU6r92CIgFVWWvAaUEqu/s1600/26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOxGdbcR6RgMQRr3uwaRBQeMU9SOYqzsEOoY9qEJ_PbwG-2rN2Kc3bB4tj-8w9CvEgMjj4ziW6PjMFOpV39RPBA1Umj1qqF9fbDds5XYwN8-Pt5LxDlhb0JLEMU6r92CIgFVWWvAaUEqu/s640/26.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flexible barriers block the space between the coupled vehicles. They prevent people getting onto the tracks, but are flexible so someone trapped could get out. The trains are programmed to stop at exact platform spots, so this will always be between the trains. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Over the next few days I would head out to ride the whole Confederation
Line from end to end, as well as the original diesel Trillium line
(impressively, it is possible to do both in their entirety on a single fare).
Given that the Trillium Line will close this spring for rebuilding and expansion
as part of the next stage of the system construction, I figured it was worth
getting in a last ride.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yBjR0YlzPUk3NiZQaT_62rKS33Elikh7coDIaMd7vp7oI6l9709JAsyj0F-XqTus8ENcgcUaFh9TV-z7X6FQYloXjT45gQncm2-WRt3vRAbqhiNMQb5EasRlsoeqTneE7CHRgpmtsOlk/s1600/27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yBjR0YlzPUk3NiZQaT_62rKS33Elikh7coDIaMd7vp7oI6l9709JAsyj0F-XqTus8ENcgcUaFh9TV-z7X6FQYloXjT45gQncm2-WRt3vRAbqhiNMQb5EasRlsoeqTneE7CHRgpmtsOlk/s640/27.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forward view through the cab, as we meet an oncoming train. The system is fully double tracked, with right-hand running as the norm. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS54fuf69XF0ae6AByp94wN1y7YIqK5FO80OgnXFiDjpkHINfeYPMIvpKUNswQtX3zyw16zBSpsobx08ejxs9tV29nln4UvVxNXFwCRz4lrRZoHqVL9ORmrUlV9xuebNgOAbnOQtw6jVI/s1600/28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS54fuf69XF0ae6AByp94wN1y7YIqK5FO80OgnXFiDjpkHINfeYPMIvpKUNswQtX3zyw16zBSpsobx08ejxs9tV29nln4UvVxNXFwCRz4lrRZoHqVL9ORmrUlV9xuebNgOAbnOQtw6jVI/s640/28.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the line, at the eastern terminus of Blair. The next phase will extend this line further east. Note that this station uses a central platform, making accessing trains in both directions possible from the same platform.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O4d1n_bqz1h6AtNLbsTWGqsk0r-xwzmvFNO61_WLGwtznycDvSelO2ouPxzm4d5jD5kf551_qTnD_zr8N6ZfFaS6z_lO5ynyEId4WDfRWZDalE0L8Gauum8lFmePL8ChwDXSz-DuZF95/s1600/29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0O4d1n_bqz1h6AtNLbsTWGqsk0r-xwzmvFNO61_WLGwtznycDvSelO2ouPxzm4d5jD5kf551_qTnD_zr8N6ZfFaS6z_lO5ynyEId4WDfRWZDalE0L8Gauum8lFmePL8ChwDXSz-DuZF95/s640/29.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Between trains at Blair. Every station has these barriers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcnUPfTGvlZJgXiIqP8wXO9dpFdLcGEsDFiJnz1xf_0-5S71DNmhtMJJuBP-zeUB9yQRI3phDun9hc0Q1EcN0LYbnMZrwFbVazmZ7PrsvUPb1EbcvFNlySQBwxRtkQs_7o0WImjwrswxS/s1600/30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcnUPfTGvlZJgXiIqP8wXO9dpFdLcGEsDFiJnz1xf_0-5S71DNmhtMJJuBP-zeUB9yQRI3phDun9hc0Q1EcN0LYbnMZrwFbVazmZ7PrsvUPb1EbcvFNlySQBwxRtkQs_7o0WImjwrswxS/s640/30.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we depart the station, we have to cross over to get back to our normal right-hand position. An oncoming train is approaching, and waits for us to clear the way. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGj2oyLlSteRBpQKLk0ZodlolzhleGLXLazPRV0Ck_uOpOCJjGgZ8JQNs0EXtPyOL4y02TSH4PuZpXFF-Cv3-iBlb-T2Tntv5ysLh_B2GXavKz_jWBl072_2RWpBwO4L5EIo8bGVLKwT6/s1600/31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGj2oyLlSteRBpQKLk0ZodlolzhleGLXLazPRV0Ck_uOpOCJjGgZ8JQNs0EXtPyOL4y02TSH4PuZpXFF-Cv3-iBlb-T2Tntv5ysLh_B2GXavKz_jWBl072_2RWpBwO4L5EIo8bGVLKwT6/s640/31.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A central feature of the new line is the downtown tunnel, which allows the trains to get through the city core without delays. This definitely has the feel of a subway for this part of the run. This is Paliament station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQOczEgRsfK2WbavTf4n1F4YSR92l4ggwNfkzLkr80v8XNQNsOHLfduRTaP2HPGEXFOJrG-6WfxERlmQExbc5RZvfl71FP3TpGq6wZ966hmmrzW9wQd0xB1MHq517NLFzJg3O2y2Z_rfy/s1600/32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQOczEgRsfK2WbavTf4n1F4YSR92l4ggwNfkzLkr80v8XNQNsOHLfduRTaP2HPGEXFOJrG-6WfxERlmQExbc5RZvfl71FP3TpGq6wZ966hmmrzW9wQd0xB1MHq517NLFzJg3O2y2Z_rfy/s640/32.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above ground at Parliament, quite the trek above the station itself. A series of escalators and stairs, as well as an elevator option, provide access down to the tracks themselves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtG1uzzC05OXK-J78mMz81JqTNrHcXTruClbb6pP8K4xkViigoumRXzlG6D5EOnZZlQVxSFBXieqfbLmn6AUZCz8YSyRHYkmS8hKESqfObzBAALC9AIa-huLDzuOd-RVV-xTxL5ptcEVK/s1600/33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtG1uzzC05OXK-J78mMz81JqTNrHcXTruClbb6pP8K4xkViigoumRXzlG6D5EOnZZlQVxSFBXieqfbLmn6AUZCz8YSyRHYkmS8hKESqfObzBAALC9AIa-huLDzuOd-RVV-xTxL5ptcEVK/s640/33.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parliament station, looking west through the tunnel. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLpXiOejEhydIS80p_dIR_GyOFqBRdhjSKKH473Y0YEf7-LM6Yd9TccrOqyOaCfOaCE-8VkvgwKfnHgQx9bd7JwjgqLcKFjrbbekJTKUxpaCP1Rg7GPbKAsCq7LjfJoJLxyFlRym-kfjT/s1600/34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLpXiOejEhydIS80p_dIR_GyOFqBRdhjSKKH473Y0YEf7-LM6Yd9TccrOqyOaCfOaCE-8VkvgwKfnHgQx9bd7JwjgqLcKFjrbbekJTKUxpaCP1Rg7GPbKAsCq7LjfJoJLxyFlRym-kfjT/s640/34.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train arrives.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxaxxLhBfO3lriurU606acmPLVpUn-lzg6a4CQ9D07BIKFodLTs0Fycd5WByt2xfh6LPbY8Qc6dyajjB5odP-es__XU2Pvi9ezA5TWy-Cz-fdFIOK7ZY07SN8yw8cUVJMq3PxTqtJI7-G/s1600/35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxaxxLhBfO3lriurU606acmPLVpUn-lzg6a4CQ9D07BIKFodLTs0Fycd5WByt2xfh6LPbY8Qc6dyajjB5odP-es__XU2Pvi9ezA5TWy-Cz-fdFIOK7ZY07SN8yw8cUVJMq3PxTqtJI7-G/s640/35.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Bayview station, the transfer point between the Confederation and Trillium lines. The elevated Confederation line is on the right, while the Trillium line's new platform is down the stairs straight ahead. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1JGE3hN-mtr0PZ2rxyJ_UakTr3ljGUDSyAWg0paxeKgSYEdNt1lSUNNnpz5PI-3lR88iuWUjeKSKynZbnjTXOPVrxO6uvFQLO3Dg__fxxtMlrXsghgIY07T8yCon4z6HIHL_dlBPK-ng/s1600/36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1JGE3hN-mtr0PZ2rxyJ_UakTr3ljGUDSyAWg0paxeKgSYEdNt1lSUNNnpz5PI-3lR88iuWUjeKSKynZbnjTXOPVrxO6uvFQLO3Dg__fxxtMlrXsghgIY07T8yCon4z6HIHL_dlBPK-ng/s640/36.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the line, for now...the next phase of the diesel Trillium line will continue south along this former CP right of way, adding several new stations to the line. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Uhz6nPfNqESEvu22U5QNbEAFzOQTgasB9MrFTQKO5MyInr1RWnwdTrf3zJ7mDd84Oe14qGDzhUHWTf4T-BHTvkQ-8RebdzcW8Wtu5DnIr1EkD0NJyl-RLl8Uol37c2jOrN6Av7gJZBMC/s1600/37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Uhz6nPfNqESEvu22U5QNbEAFzOQTgasB9MrFTQKO5MyInr1RWnwdTrf3zJ7mDd84Oe14qGDzhUHWTf4T-BHTvkQ-8RebdzcW8Wtu5DnIr1EkD0NJyl-RLl8Uol37c2jOrN6Av7gJZBMC/s640/37.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at Bayview, at the Confederation line level. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB_xsj3_eDP1_pSrxivN7xuRmcyHDH1PTKYTqb4Cq60w5usZeahXYrvEpCAqrGbTwaCfjDUQOZpOOhKVMwuIaA73wfZZI0FQ7bAUGqbTTickIUwj-lHR2JnfE7vhN3xjYls-KjcaNzykr/s1600/38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB_xsj3_eDP1_pSrxivN7xuRmcyHDH1PTKYTqb4Cq60w5usZeahXYrvEpCAqrGbTwaCfjDUQOZpOOhKVMwuIaA73wfZZI0FQ7bAUGqbTTickIUwj-lHR2JnfE7vhN3xjYls-KjcaNzykr/s640/38.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last shot, showing off the seating inside the new Confederation line trains. More like a subway or bus than the much more comfortable regional intercity style seating in the Trillium line's LINT trains, but still comfortable. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On December 27</span><sup style="font-family: inherit;">th</sup><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">, I headed out for my return journey. This
time I had a ride to the station, and boarded VIA 28 – this is the later
connection to the Ocean, and one I hadn’t tried before, usually opting for the
earlier #26. This is clearly an extremely popular train, running a solid 6 car
LRC consist with two in-service Business class cars and an impressive crowd
boarding. I was very excited to see that I would finally get to make use of the
high platform adjacent to the station. It is extremely well designed, and made
the boarding experience the easiest it has ever been. Interestingly, a 6-car
train is the maximum that can just squeeze onto that platform.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">VIA 28 – Dec. 27, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6404<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3451 (01) LRC Business Class<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3477 (91) LRC Business Class<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3322 (03) LRC Economy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3318 (04) LRC Economy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3302 (05) LRC Economy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">3329 (06) LRC Economy<b> *12A</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDxqxcGwR7yCTKfGC3BqThpjhuRUkHKab0YJ35YXycEf9bSq83eUdnexPDrI3we-NKcfk74AUyjDLIWZUQVwYzEs9mSx0QzWUOUHL0uBEshY7-sXVbElRIkNV7q0pIFTsHFu0MVXh1vcX/s1600/40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDxqxcGwR7yCTKfGC3BqThpjhuRUkHKab0YJ35YXycEf9bSq83eUdnexPDrI3we-NKcfk74AUyjDLIWZUQVwYzEs9mSx0QzWUOUHL0uBEshY7-sXVbElRIkNV7q0pIFTsHFu0MVXh1vcX/s640/40.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train 28 at the new high level platform. Wide stairs and ramps in multiple directions make the platform very easy to access, no matter where in the train you're headed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysChJuZcjr3Hw_VdHyOofJecbKn0Me_YBRUUSnhjHqtm6dUyb7gUmDAueflWTI9p_c4nyQGmsEng3c3HwVQVPGrFnl6zigNWHYkkzbAMy6UBehrWiWQywfHs4jStVp9AHdh2byyCroS3Y/s1600/41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysChJuZcjr3Hw_VdHyOofJecbKn0Me_YBRUUSnhjHqtm6dUyb7gUmDAueflWTI9p_c4nyQGmsEng3c3HwVQVPGrFnl6zigNWHYkkzbAMy6UBehrWiWQywfHs4jStVp9AHdh2byyCroS3Y/s640/41.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Convenient boarding. Eventually, more platforms at Ottawa are planned for conversion to high level, which will improve accessibility for all train departures and arrivals. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I noted that checked baggage (only available if connecting to the
Ocean) was loaded into Car 91. All LRC cars had the new interiors, though
externally were in a mix of schemes. I was in Economy class this time, as I
find Business class on the late afternoon departure much harder to justify,
unless the price differential is really good. We departed on time with a good
full train, and after a delay at Coteau waiting for a signal, we would
ultimately be 10 minutes late arriving in Montreal. During our stop at Dorval,
I noticed that the VIA shuttle to the airport is actually a small white Blue
Bird bus with large VIA logos on both sides and the rear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Once in Montreal, sleeper check-in had begun – so I checked in, then
relaxed for a while in the lounge before boarding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On the way back, our train was the hodge-podge mix of HEP and
Renaissance equipment, necessitated by the dwindling number of available
Renaissance cars. I took advantage of this to book a roomette in one of the
Chateau sleepers. Originally opting for a roomette 8, I was surprised when I
boarded to find that my reservation had been changed to 7 in the same car. Once
on board, I realized why – there had been an issue with the windowblind in that
8, and it had been removed entirely. Not conducive for sleep! I happily
switched over to #7 instead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">VIA 14 – Dec. 27, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6443<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6433<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">6426<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8619 HEP baggage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8123 (02?) HEP1 Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8140 (04) HEP1 Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8137 (05) HEP1 Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">8138 (04?) HEP1 Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7601 Renaissance Transition<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">70217 (07) Ren Accessible Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7309 Ren Service Car<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7401 Ren Diner<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7314 Ren Service Car<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">79515 (30) Ren Accessible Sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7512 (31) Ren Sleeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">7602 Ren Transition<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chateau Brulé (35)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chateau Bienville (36)
*Roomette 7</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chateau Laval (38)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chateau Marquette (37)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chateau Rigaud (39<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Revelstoke Park (40)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>*Note the really weird line numbering on this train. Not sure if the
coach numbers are accurate (I wrote down what was in the external number displays, but that
might not have been changed). The sleeper numbers had to do with how
the train was crewed, and the fact that one sleeper was emptying entirely at
Moncton (where one of the employees would also end his trip). </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cge4gkRqOV2V8szITxGSyxKAShrN6f4rJAlqGeEK6YDCXieO_uRZBI3rKS-XMrjyeOhki9ph8kSXBQ_mA41-olS5ZlONNYKKsRmMxJ2_7N3ej6GdbU5OC8sXToxx4WBI19QEkuehFgNw/s1600/IMG_5515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cge4gkRqOV2V8szITxGSyxKAShrN6f4rJAlqGeEK6YDCXieO_uRZBI3rKS-XMrjyeOhki9ph8kSXBQ_mA41-olS5ZlONNYKKsRmMxJ2_7N3ej6GdbU5OC8sXToxx4WBI19QEkuehFgNw/s640/IMG_5515.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across from roomette 7 to roomette 8. Note that the entire window blind fixtures have been removed from the problematic window. This roomette was uninhabited, and I kept the door open (and light off, once we left) to give myself a view out the other side of the train when I felt like having my door open. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We boarded around 7pm, with departure at 7:30 – as I noted at the start
of this report, this was one of the days with the same-day equipment
turnaround, so our entire schedule was shifted half an hour later than usual.
First dinner call was on departure, and the second was at 9:30.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiRmLqX9jfplCTxj7SLSzX6pteni6dvpsrV24Q7CLfijL5xgZNxBJFq4zB3FIdjb7QCZiD2BvGZE-q_jkPQKv23rMMFrcS1dl6VShzXK33z4FkJMAXJd7pHKOp45GRpHLo_K9ij0uPjBX/s1600/IMG_5517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiRmLqX9jfplCTxj7SLSzX6pteni6dvpsrV24Q7CLfijL5xgZNxBJFq4zB3FIdjb7QCZiD2BvGZE-q_jkPQKv23rMMFrcS1dl6VShzXK33z4FkJMAXJd7pHKOp45GRpHLo_K9ij0uPjBX/s640/IMG_5517.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu. As you can see from the green meal reservation ticket to the top left, this was the 7:30pm dinner call.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU9rNl0pMi3bdZ_DlU0xphAUduOAC6SmKEYyI7uDdm4SxgGvVSNE3ZsvsWnOuvvMPPnNAzQfG5iHV5qVOb4qC8x6baWNjuSdvullzevB1rq7t6OcMUMGbo5Rd2KJzNKklY5G8PNr1zj7B/s1600/IMG_5519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU9rNl0pMi3bdZ_DlU0xphAUduOAC6SmKEYyI7uDdm4SxgGvVSNE3ZsvsWnOuvvMPPnNAzQfG5iHV5qVOb4qC8x6baWNjuSdvullzevB1rq7t6OcMUMGbo5Rd2KJzNKklY5G8PNr1zj7B/s640/IMG_5519.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salad appetizer, with smoked salmon, shaved fennel, oranges and mixed greens. A very nice starter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76agBIaVbC3y3m3bgJyJwteYs2PyQh5Jt_k-Pr8KVlmLzZNCwnUADOHEgBZjKE5aZmaf5G3iJ8cNafTL-tRpKhd7ejWyDiY7P3z4V2iG4m-TlFRucPb9FJnmQ6QjPAeaQXEqEuDXz6OZZ/s1600/IMG_5520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76agBIaVbC3y3m3bgJyJwteYs2PyQh5Jt_k-Pr8KVlmLzZNCwnUADOHEgBZjKE5aZmaf5G3iJ8cNafTL-tRpKhd7ejWyDiY7P3z4V2iG4m-TlFRucPb9FJnmQ6QjPAeaQXEqEuDXz6OZZ/s640/IMG_5520.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut cranberry chicken. I had tried this before and really enjoyed it, and it didn't disappoint on its repeat appearance.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The evening was relaxing, and I headed to bed after departing Ste-Foy
and leaving Joffre Yard. The ride was comfortable, and I slept very well in my
roomette.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlagjRFQNLofikwTtkXSUfQX1iU6F0gCfKNz-UwGPq890_RRraAFW0D-fwNi2FE5hEr8IJze4q6BcTXd9XTYOBWfzSb528vehzcNhyphenhyphenS4ZEPOABeCuIQeIFwBCpxJhme3dB4K0LB8LDEk6L/s1600/IMG_5526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlagjRFQNLofikwTtkXSUfQX1iU6F0gCfKNz-UwGPq890_RRraAFW0D-fwNi2FE5hEr8IJze4q6BcTXd9XTYOBWfzSb528vehzcNhyphenhyphenS4ZEPOABeCuIQeIFwBCpxJhme3dB4K0LB8LDEk6L/s640/IMG_5526.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Park comparison - this is the more recently refurbished interior of Revelstoke Park. Compare this to the photos of Assiniboine Park above, and you can see this is in much sharper condition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i6des9WfvJwc-5zE4N1LIVU2p__gZATowPo2_l8fh6PJici-0hAE5IpsPJUVk987toigz6q4KoZf-GaiYvQCGQO8JnH0ss0_CEUqyx899Df4RerNe9aXVQ6N1QWocTz6tYOemXAK4wwj/s1600/IMG_5527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i6des9WfvJwc-5zE4N1LIVU2p__gZATowPo2_l8fh6PJici-0hAE5IpsPJUVk987toigz6q4KoZf-GaiYvQCGQO8JnH0ss0_CEUqyx899Df4RerNe9aXVQ6N1QWocTz6tYOemXAK4wwj/s640/IMG_5527.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the dome stairs in Revelstoke Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb9R-83iHb7jm0RHYIo9cOz9Kv8zioRXCXznwMrKS_iBESlf2kqiPS3vsqKZFGsDLgkmY6WEEFT1wyHYONspAy7ircbocY8KRKfwde68JfO8pIjZ0Neb23QZL-mIB7dnH026AjeHxC1nS/s1600/IMG_5528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb9R-83iHb7jm0RHYIo9cOz9Kv8zioRXCXznwMrKS_iBESlf2kqiPS3vsqKZFGsDLgkmY6WEEFT1wyHYONspAy7ircbocY8KRKfwde68JfO8pIjZ0Neb23QZL-mIB7dnH026AjeHxC1nS/s640/IMG_5528.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mural lounge in Revelstoke Park, again, looking clean and classy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHBN_YNGlFwRb1emJSLAlRYlJw4oKpAdMwoReB1ItpBnwl2mTmnnRPTejTstfuZ2IQjz-y_Q7-_Q_9VpMeJ33DzOTcWhuV-NuwF7xiRHKDQ2yCYT0tM0IDBaNzb22iMWAQ5dVt7UcDY9c/s1600/IMG_5529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHBN_YNGlFwRb1emJSLAlRYlJw4oKpAdMwoReB1ItpBnwl2mTmnnRPTejTstfuZ2IQjz-y_Q7-_Q_9VpMeJ33DzOTcWhuV-NuwF7xiRHKDQ2yCYT0tM0IDBaNzb22iMWAQ5dVt7UcDY9c/s640/IMG_5529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bar area. Interestingly, I find the splash of brown on the counter facade makes this look like an interior from the 1970s.</td></tr>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By the next morning, we were only a few minutes behind schedule. I
wandered down for breakfast before the last call, and ended up seated with
someone I had met on the train and dined with several years earlier. It’s a
small world, sometimes…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The only odd thing I noted during out morning run was that we made a
stop by the switch just across the second Miramichi river bridge. We had
stopped there in the other direction as well – I wonder if there is a new
requirement for the crews to stop and verify that the switch has been set
properly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLS1rUQeo-uRmX9Ihrxo1VoBigIZH4CQmXkmGk-kDnalw6JnZ3qahERDB_mTkQSwpVJjYj432uPErCzjNkVROY5PHz24MeJ74AffpN-pCF_GdQaMj2LOrd_THLaeUhSTckbpG-Kpcu8Fb/s1600/IMG_5530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLS1rUQeo-uRmX9Ihrxo1VoBigIZH4CQmXkmGk-kDnalw6JnZ3qahERDB_mTkQSwpVJjYj432uPErCzjNkVROY5PHz24MeJ74AffpN-pCF_GdQaMj2LOrd_THLaeUhSTckbpG-Kpcu8Fb/s640/IMG_5530.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance diner, set for breakfast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSwkD_NebbFo_kAyYqOVTkrfQVkVYP0F_alzU3QtOyG-ovFO-MnTAZYq4GE6yi9mZYy-Jk0JqnOzsVdQrWL2KSWVKqkMhIlxVsqEyYJcjaSZ0OK9vhtyWIkF5PR6VQjlWxYoDhzgEe89K/s1600/IMG_5531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSwkD_NebbFo_kAyYqOVTkrfQVkVYP0F_alzU3QtOyG-ovFO-MnTAZYq4GE6yi9mZYy-Jk0JqnOzsVdQrWL2KSWVKqkMhIlxVsqEyYJcjaSZ0OK9vhtyWIkF5PR6VQjlWxYoDhzgEe89K/s640/IMG_5531.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsf_eJ9GfkdNugQDzJwzD8XJIWr4kP2Wx2jev4dc9SmjANvVT_7rRDncwmxst0ZSV1s0Yk9gjtoIKm0ktyC_QrPPsyT9g7wd5-E4baVTDWCzDVSm_pjN_FPMviA-OZhKvkOhGU0000pzWc/s1600/IMG_5532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsf_eJ9GfkdNugQDzJwzD8XJIWr4kP2Wx2jev4dc9SmjANvVT_7rRDncwmxst0ZSV1s0Yk9gjtoIKm0ktyC_QrPPsyT9g7wd5-E4baVTDWCzDVSm_pjN_FPMviA-OZhKvkOhGU0000pzWc/s640/IMG_5532.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I opted for the havarti and leek omelette. The omelette itself was just okay, but the accompaniments were all quite good. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqwHn8D_VtXYUuthhhZq_TmJxC__2md23dyOESaRT7BDcA3eYF6oKETt64St6x3Cj7JOae7smvKhVu0dcealxJWGnEFjVEIVw5MPlhkDNeukdj229Efv4aeLuDYsTns7ExI4aLS_AmCNJ/s1600/IMG_5534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqwHn8D_VtXYUuthhhZq_TmJxC__2md23dyOESaRT7BDcA3eYF6oKETt64St6x3Cj7JOae7smvKhVu0dcealxJWGnEFjVEIVw5MPlhkDNeukdj229Efv4aeLuDYsTns7ExI4aLS_AmCNJ/s640/IMG_5534.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty train at Bathurst. This isn't a designated smoking/stretching stop, but it tends to be long enough that the crew often let people step out. At this time of year, many stops are longer due to the amount of baggage people are bringing with them around the holidays. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBKbrMtyBwC9R5CadUZM8VEtix6iS5tdgO9qoIQkDLvJCOaHX3_fMFN_eSAdMW7e7NkSrobSI7JsN9giyi5cJEH-viYwfIhEdaOxSq10qOrC2-SvfkXQBX3PZr9LHc-AkFsyCIrC8hnaz/s1600/IMG_5537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBKbrMtyBwC9R5CadUZM8VEtix6iS5tdgO9qoIQkDLvJCOaHX3_fMFN_eSAdMW7e7NkSrobSI7JsN9giyi5cJEH-viYwfIhEdaOxSq10qOrC2-SvfkXQBX3PZr9LHc-AkFsyCIrC8hnaz/s640/IMG_5537.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Miramichi. The dome is the ideal place to really appreciate the full structure of these impressive bridges. I also took advantage of one of the quieter times in the dome (during the first lunch call, if I recall correctly) to snap this photo - there was consistently more of a crowd up here through the trip.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By Moncton we were making good time. During our stop, we had a meet with a short local train returning to Gordon Yard. Shortly after that cleared, we backed out to the main (standard practice at Moncton, to allow the use of the CTC controlled switch at the west end of the station) and continued onwards. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYi5EnDmK9fboyVRFGMGvHlRdGkyo7hDdy9FZH68ZCF6AbT_7c_QUKupduCFV1E6IdsD2FRBKLBG9LqhPhgsbLVgyWXTOJb_CeYNKmxzTYpiM9qwtycXS7tjHPseJ6CaqLwnNpVRtXDa2/s1600/IMG_5541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYi5EnDmK9fboyVRFGMGvHlRdGkyo7hDdy9FZH68ZCF6AbT_7c_QUKupduCFV1E6IdsD2FRBKLBG9LqhPhgsbLVgyWXTOJb_CeYNKmxzTYpiM9qwtycXS7tjHPseJ6CaqLwnNpVRtXDa2/s640/IMG_5541.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14 at Moncton, looking at the rear stainless steel section.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm-FkCn6ILZAwl_POMmtt1Wsw7J3Xs4HsyHQeVFXZqGpH0EaapP4v9emdNk9djwInC7XRrd1Od4iw2kzlJWt1GDYwZChu-1UItAoKCH4pSiT9AZAfCrj8OcPknjdyN5kEGS89s1Q3JV69/s1600/IMG_5542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm-FkCn6ILZAwl_POMmtt1Wsw7J3Xs4HsyHQeVFXZqGpH0EaapP4v9emdNk9djwInC7XRrd1Od4iw2kzlJWt1GDYwZChu-1UItAoKCH4pSiT9AZAfCrj8OcPknjdyN5kEGS89s1Q3JV69/s640/IMG_5542.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking ahead to the mixed portion of the train, with the Renaissance block and another stainless block up front. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIibWj6Gom-jraODh85eV9YCd-qZa1LZ9bloyeupt56WrNOO0O7VXZlmK25EqGu1uwpjKdGfAzornNeAnsbtkgyYJdqgk2-D4ayergfSh8H8P1HvLcneS6xa8dZXmXoPZ8iZz0D6IEwyOI/s1600/IMG_5544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIibWj6Gom-jraODh85eV9YCd-qZa1LZ9bloyeupt56WrNOO0O7VXZlmK25EqGu1uwpjKdGfAzornNeAnsbtkgyYJdqgk2-D4ayergfSh8H8P1HvLcneS6xa8dZXmXoPZ8iZz0D6IEwyOI/s640/IMG_5544.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park car reflections. I can never pass up this shot. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeietLfQIObKyUrjnQ90ss_XD0_nY6V0zlICZw9T3NWEHGaHAw6wEyGxVkF8GIz8uJHOPH-hV7oNbDZuUJL0txavvUCGMhh1Zul6ci9jDbjzmdxf8yMr4AIGQAxYFr7gkJ2A8E1OrMfNzl/s1600/42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeietLfQIObKyUrjnQ90ss_XD0_nY6V0zlICZw9T3NWEHGaHAw6wEyGxVkF8GIz8uJHOPH-hV7oNbDZuUJL0txavvUCGMhh1Zul6ci9jDbjzmdxf8yMr4AIGQAxYFr7gkJ2A8E1OrMfNzl/s640/42.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A long-hood running CN 4112 leads a short local train past VIA 14 during its Moncton station stop. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnzE73pmO00zWIyst5uT1sGQlMLK8zIE_FFpwJUpL2jH2oZjEMSndLd_7-Trel4BtdEfB314rIXDy5ZmEfetaOtQOEknuXLwHTfZudtUXrdZGz3F0dLwQzlBjmezgktvFO6tS3v62kERl/s1600/43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnzE73pmO00zWIyst5uT1sGQlMLK8zIE_FFpwJUpL2jH2oZjEMSndLd_7-Trel4BtdEfB314rIXDy5ZmEfetaOtQOEknuXLwHTfZudtUXrdZGz3F0dLwQzlBjmezgktvFO6tS3v62kERl/s640/43.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I said short train, I meant it. The little GP9 is plenty of power for this two car wonder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lunch calls were at 12 and 2pm. I went for the second one, after departure from Moncton.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfEPsrZ_bPYJTS62P68V2zr2C_Sq77LmTUBHHJStfLUCwww5KM29SrrjbKWh958ERPRgFJQvEqF52mETsE4eDYgrD8WaBZx3su2HcSVlbFRGuDReD3tvKEy8_M7ZXv1RsxuiQsKXIfTN3/s1600/IMG_5549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfEPsrZ_bPYJTS62P68V2zr2C_Sq77LmTUBHHJStfLUCwww5KM29SrrjbKWh958ERPRgFJQvEqF52mETsE4eDYgrD8WaBZx3su2HcSVlbFRGuDReD3tvKEy8_M7ZXv1RsxuiQsKXIfTN3/s640/IMG_5549.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7d1Fvq2njyHkGyVOh7A_RXoFJslfEePyqdDo1k5tiosfVTkO3K0zXtbELBBD4oG-HfFd9akxgA_GRupTWIU7q4tCytz7g3tyxTAjeTlnNXy7VAa9Ez99JXXLuYD8N8tz5wf7n3Ye8Rg7g/s1600/IMG_5550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7d1Fvq2njyHkGyVOh7A_RXoFJslfEePyqdDo1k5tiosfVTkO3K0zXtbELBBD4oG-HfFd9akxgA_GRupTWIU7q4tCytz7g3tyxTAjeTlnNXy7VAa9Ez99JXXLuYD8N8tz5wf7n3Ye8Rg7g/s640/IMG_5550.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fish chowder, once again. Something that I'm glad is a staple on the menu.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70oicuNkYpF3lI4ZyonqMWKeQOQIFer1nPx9lMz-5h_CoMuXinyQYClq1B194o8C0nsdm3OW80s1p9GuZ25UYXvgkPXJURtT6Uj7ny8FyiPbxQYLZNltNwlLi4kcKc7Xw7yv60yJw4U8W/s1600/IMG_5551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70oicuNkYpF3lI4ZyonqMWKeQOQIFer1nPx9lMz-5h_CoMuXinyQYClq1B194o8C0nsdm3OW80s1p9GuZ25UYXvgkPXJURtT6Uj7ny8FyiPbxQYLZNltNwlLi4kcKc7Xw7yv60yJw4U8W/s640/IMG_5551.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling fishy, I went for the salmon croquettes. They were good, though the Kraft tartar sauce was less than amazing (and could have used a second one). The grilled vegetables were nice, and the rice was alright. Dessert is not pictured, but was the same mille-feuille as on the westbound trip.</td></tr>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We would make two long stops at Sackville, one stop at Amherst, and no
stop at Springhill. Ultimately we ended up a bit behind schedule, and would
finally arrive at Halifax at 6:32pm, not too far past our schedule half hour
late run.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1EDRdA-OB6PUNgWG3o0oRp3Vw-XgZwIpZ0ClJu1m0bu9PEZ56DNH4UD9yKf_7jEe6-D4DAeW0nUyNJzGn_8po1hGRK5SKBKvz14UlYQHv_py9RCrIphQWU-luyybSicwcBgH_r7rb3iw/s1600/IMG_5552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1EDRdA-OB6PUNgWG3o0oRp3Vw-XgZwIpZ0ClJu1m0bu9PEZ56DNH4UD9yKf_7jEe6-D4DAeW0nUyNJzGn_8po1hGRK5SKBKvz14UlYQHv_py9RCrIphQWU-luyybSicwcBgH_r7rb3iw/s640/IMG_5552.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views on the Tantramar marshes. The dark paint inside Revelstoke's refurbished dome makes for a nicer frame than the old grey interiors.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTawcEpae21RC77Z5iJNb-op1wwXmtsmgdRUepZMZ6Ar7digibKYZwJakEaUR7daphU4XjwDDzqOIpcZwZ1FBV7F5HEcX_gqVhyBBnF8PBfqoMWavByf6BGF3uzKO48cvPmZp7tCA1ySgk/s1600/IMG_5556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTawcEpae21RC77Z5iJNb-op1wwXmtsmgdRUepZMZ6Ar7digibKYZwJakEaUR7daphU4XjwDDzqOIpcZwZ1FBV7F5HEcX_gqVhyBBnF8PBfqoMWavByf6BGF3uzKO48cvPmZp7tCA1ySgk/s640/IMG_5556.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shot I can never pass up - heading into the curve as we branch away from our brief parallel of the Trans-Canada, heading toward the NB-NS border. The mixed train doesn't look as nice as either a solid matched Renaissance or HEP consist, but it's still nice to capture much of the long train winding around the curve.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VO_EA5iM13cho62Zds4aJsi3GkSPjQHCyGMn4kD9DBvoqu3ajIdPk1t4MqT4D_FQ4guMRzIqKvGn_HqT3UrRiBX5CFeVB1BAZCf63kmuaRMm8rUjRplJdMt7u0Lms4Sjj1QEcljneZ_H/s1600/IMG_5564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VO_EA5iM13cho62Zds4aJsi3GkSPjQHCyGMn4kD9DBvoqu3ajIdPk1t4MqT4D_FQ4guMRzIqKvGn_HqT3UrRiBX5CFeVB1BAZCf63kmuaRMm8rUjRplJdMt7u0Lms4Sjj1QEcljneZ_H/s640/IMG_5564.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon mood...with the light falling, the wintery world rolling by and the smooth rocking of the train, it's nice to just sit in your room and relax. An afternoon snooze is a likely possibility...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">All in all, the return trip was smooth and enjoyable. The only minor
issue was that the shower in Chateau Bienville, in complete contrast with my
Renaissance room on the way down, had <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">no </i>hot
water. I could have made my way to a different car to try my luck elsewhere,
but by the time I realized the issue I decided to just brave the cold. That
sure woke me up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Riding the mixed set was once again an interesting experience. Having
the HEP sleepers is definitely enjoyable, particularly for the wider range of accommodation options, and I also genuinely like continuing
to have the Renaissance diner in the mix. The 2-person tables are nice, and the
catered meal service works much more smoothly in these diners than it does in
the HEP diners (or Skylines, as I experienced last spring). When this train
eventually reverts to all-HEP equipment, as planned, I am curious if they will
return to on board cooking, or try to maintain the catered arrangement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1rlL10YXwwv46sYPzkbrXySkTobazoCeq53-YKG36sOYt2qoKTzBPZC3G5BQoRUQwCCLS7u-ma9N_LGvr3KvIHRDUJQKo60sFU6k7IGwv6PB0dTfo-F79WYLITciuNOTqnJdoNW5ncYN/s1600/IMG_4864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1rlL10YXwwv46sYPzkbrXySkTobazoCeq53-YKG36sOYt2qoKTzBPZC3G5BQoRUQwCCLS7u-ma9N_LGvr3KvIHRDUJQKo60sFU6k7IGwv6PB0dTfo-F79WYLITciuNOTqnJdoNW5ncYN/s640/IMG_4864.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14 under the platform lights at Halifax, as passengers make the long chilly walk to the station. </td></tr>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>The Ocean’s future: changes are
coming</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On a closing note, and as I think ahead to my next trip, I should note
that major changes are likely coming to the Ocean this fall. As of November 1,
2020, VIA will no longer have access to the loop track that they use to turn
their trains in Halifax. PSA Halifax, formerly Halterm, has decided that they
can no longer spare the room occupied by the loop track as the port continues
to expand. Despite being on Crown land, PSA operates the infrastructure and has
the ability to tell VIA if they can or can’t use the track. They initially gave
notice to VIA that they would lose access as of November 1<sup>st</sup> last
year. Transport Canada mediated negotiations resulted in an extension to
November of 2020, but it now seems that this deadline is real, final, and
non-negotiable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With the loop unavailable, VIA has nowhere else to turn a train. The
nearest useable wye is in Truro, more than 60 miles away. The former wye at
Windsor Jct., which was a much closer option and
the former backup for when the loop was unavailable, has been removed. Short of
finding somewhere to build a new wye or reinstalling the one at Windsor Jct.
(which would require cooperation from CN and significant funding), VIA will not
be able to turn the Ocean around. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So what does that mean for the Ocean? Details are still murky, but it
appears that VIA will be moving to a new train arrangement that will allow them
to run it as a bidirectional train. In this setup, the locomotives would run
back to back, and after arrival in Halifax, the train would be pulled out of
the station, and a nearby runaround would be used to move the locomotives to
the other end. The consist itself would run in reverse for its return trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There remain a lot of unknowns about the equipment setup. VIA’s
corporate plans have indicated that the Renaissance equipment would need to be
withdrawn, as the coaches can’t operate in both directions (and the equipment
is generally nearing the end of its life). But it is also possible that they
could renovate some of those cars to have 50/50 forward/backwards seating. The
sleepers, service cars and dining cars should be able to operate in either
direction, as they were designed to run that way from the start. Keeping at
least some Rens in operation for a while longer would help with capacity
constraints, and would also ensure that VIA maintains accessible coach and
sleeper accommodations on the Ocean. So we may well see a similar mix of
equipment as we currently have, but what that will look like is a real question.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The one near certainty in this bidirectional operating model is that
the classic Park Cars, the tail-end dome/lounge/sleepers, will likely disappear
from the train. Their curved tail end means that they can’t be run mid-train,
and poses challenges for running them directly behind the power (in all
likelihood, a bidirectional set would have baggage cars at both ends, as
baggage service is handled by one of the engineers at most station stops en
route). A modified Skyline could presumably help fill in this gap, but the Park
is an iconic car whose loss will be acutely felt. It also removes the large
sleeper rooms that VIA currently sells at a premium, and which are consistently
popular. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It's likely that we’ll start to hear details about VIA’s plans for the
fall over the coming months. In any case, I’ll offer the advice that is always
so wise to heed, given the long history of disappearing and changing passenger
trains in this country – if you want to ride the Ocean as it currently exists,
don’t delay – get out and do it. All being well, we will still have a
full-service long distance train between Halifax and Montreal after November 1,
2020; but it’s very likely it won’t look the same, and some of its iconic charm
may be gone forever. I know I’ll be trying to ride as much as I can before that date…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oH-hZ9ZFPlOR_HAi55cW8g5324-4RRqUoyXjJfciBxvl3M6cIaS4Ud1J3N49Xixpr9iiS01RIURukLu3yT830CGhurMRouFGD38u-cbpnQU7A4lTvZhpP7S5gRBfFIwiMAVRxWtNDeGW/s1600/50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oH-hZ9ZFPlOR_HAi55cW8g5324-4RRqUoyXjJfciBxvl3M6cIaS4Ud1J3N49Xixpr9iiS01RIURukLu3yT830CGhurMRouFGD38u-cbpnQU7A4lTvZhpP7S5gRBfFIwiMAVRxWtNDeGW/s640/50.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fitting note to close us off. A Park-car-tailed VIA 15 disappears into a winter wonderland, with passengers warm and cozy on board, enjoying the best way there is to travel when the winter weather turns foul...</td></tr>
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<br />TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-19431091141585923542019-09-30T10:57:00.001-03:002019-10-09T08:05:55.019-03:00A Mixed-up Ocean<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOUirFcxYLF04F0_u0bRXlBnA0dhRTbvLHwJSinJavUgBIpZgvdFtV-rU6iL8iY9P2Uu4sdwpGVq5ye6MOjAdwzKAv_cILA0TLpc8uSBLxWNCUxN5C9LNuAaFM4K1Jwr-inlnu1tpUthA/s1600/70324035_10158005507975955_1366319209566437376_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOUirFcxYLF04F0_u0bRXlBnA0dhRTbvLHwJSinJavUgBIpZgvdFtV-rU6iL8iY9P2Uu4sdwpGVq5ye6MOjAdwzKAv_cILA0TLpc8uSBLxWNCUxN5C9LNuAaFM4K1Jwr-inlnu1tpUthA/s640/70324035_10158005507975955_1366319209566437376_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As September rolled around, I prepared to celebrate
one of those milestone birthdays - you know, the ones that our base 10 thinking
tells us are more important than the year before or after – and I figured that
I should try to do something significant to mark the occasion. Of course I
quickly decided that the best way to do so would be on board a train; but which
one? </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After much deliberation, I decided that it would be
most enjoyable on board the Ocean – my stand-by train, one that I’ve travelled
on so often that it feels comfortable, like a second home (on rails). The plan
would be to start off in Halifax on Friday, riding all the way to Montreal,
then spending a few hours there before catching a Corridor train back to Quebec
City. Then spend the night and next day in Quebec, leaving on Sunday night’s
train from Ste-Foy.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This would make for a relaxed and train-heavy long
weekend, would get me in to Gare du Palais for the first time, and would still
allow for plenty of time to explore and enjoy the old city.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As an added bonus, the train in each direction would
be operating with the “Mix” equipment that VIA has been running on one Ocean
train all summer – mostly HEP, but with a block of Renaissance cars in the
middle of the train (see the previous post for photos of this unique train). I
had been very eager to ride this particular setup, so it made the trip even
more exciting.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We departed from Halifax under sunny skies, but
slightly cooler temperatures than are usual for this time of year. Hurricane
Dorian had rolled through Halifax the previous weekend, causing full day delays
to trains – we were glad it was well out of the way so as not to interfere with
our trip! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Departure time was changed for the summer to 12:45
instead of the usual 1pm, to allow extra time to combine the train before
departure, as the long summer consists had to be split to fit on the station
platform. However, our train was all in one section – a HEP coach had been
removed (coach traffic quiets down after school is back, while the sleepers
stay busy with tourist traffic through October), so the train could now fit on
the platform. When we departed, I noticed that an extension had been added to
one platform to allow access to the baggage car on a slightly longer train.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Check in and the boarding call took place by around
12:20. As we headed out on to the platform, we noted the always impressive
Queen Mary 2 in the background, making a Halifax call. It was a decent walk up
to our sleeper, the very first of the HEP section, and then we boarded and got
settled in to bedroom D of Chateau Rigaud.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniOHL0btyJ49zPBxwkc9zOPApN4RJkw_jyff8HsuJLvYX-dMTSZD5uq9XW6EolYcQY7BNg_uncDPDsnp5kWKN9ULyw4O8uvN5rKOe71m2pWx9FpKyXeOpqC_V06VOAhQ9tdwE9n0HZst6/s1600/IMG_4635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniOHL0btyJ49zPBxwkc9zOPApN4RJkw_jyff8HsuJLvYX-dMTSZD5uq9XW6EolYcQY7BNg_uncDPDsnp5kWKN9ULyw4O8uvN5rKOe71m2pWx9FpKyXeOpqC_V06VOAhQ9tdwE9n0HZst6/s640/IMG_4635.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed train in the station - the Renaissance block in the middle does really look rather incongruous with the rest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtetvi8yUUZv0ncvtzo_yDLByiPHMBlz2HMfAcThRifmAmDi96PH74WRsen5HGz0-yXIflpuUAZxVcs9fPrxCuirkH_OcBWj_5U2Y21vfsRj2yzB4-Gjptcvfmu8N4em4awEjMQggEebj/s1600/IMG_4636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtetvi8yUUZv0ncvtzo_yDLByiPHMBlz2HMfAcThRifmAmDi96PH74WRsen5HGz0-yXIflpuUAZxVcs9fPrxCuirkH_OcBWj_5U2Y21vfsRj2yzB4-Gjptcvfmu8N4em4awEjMQggEebj/s640/IMG_4636.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen Mary 2 as backdrop. When the Chateau sleepers in the foreground were built, transatlantic ocean liners were in their final days, as air traffic would pick up in the following decades. Though nearly half a century younger, the Queen Mary 2 is the last vestige of that lineage in service today. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcpETMt4HhdIxERm9hkREu7hczP9unWlbcM3nj3BmuMQqPt1Wn2sbzDXvnh4myAwL5-pui-8jz9R96E-mElyhcrRFmFd6ygBpHhnLDSgRxkIVCLOjsBR3LVbFqkiugjPBRKtNXjS3v1HQ/s1600/IMG_4637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcpETMt4HhdIxERm9hkREu7hczP9unWlbcM3nj3BmuMQqPt1Wn2sbzDXvnh4myAwL5-pui-8jz9R96E-mElyhcrRFmFd6ygBpHhnLDSgRxkIVCLOjsBR3LVbFqkiugjPBRKtNXjS3v1HQ/s640/IMG_4637.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ocean and the ocean liner. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The consist follows: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><b>VIA 15 – September 13, 2019</b></span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6409 F40 Locomotive</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6456 F40 Locomotive</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8622 HEP1 Baggage</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8137 (03) HEP1 Coach </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8140 (04) HEP1 Coach</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8138 (05) HEP1 Coach</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">7601 Renaissance Transition
Car</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">70217 (07) Renaissance Accessible
Coach</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">7309 Renaissance Service Car</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">7401 Renaissance Dining Car</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">7314 Renaissance Service Car</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">79515 (30) Renaissance
Accessible Sleeper</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">7512 (31) Renaissance
Sleeper</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">7602 Renaissance Transition
Car</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Rigaud (34) *Room D</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Laval (35)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Montcalm (36)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Dollier (37)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Marquette (38)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Bienville (39)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Assiniboine Park (40)<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">*Line numbers in
brackets. Bedrooms in several of the Chateau sleepers were refurbished. Note
that the 30-31 numbering on the Ren sleepers is unusual, as the typical line
numbering has 30 as the first sleeper and all others sequentially numbered down
from 40 at the rear. The coach line numbering is also interesting – the accessible
Ren coach has been kept as 07, and the other cars have been numbered from 03.
The sequence was complete for much of the summer when a fourth HEP coach was
included.</span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The mixed consist has created some challenges for the
crew, working with two different types of equipment. One thing that hadn’t
occurred to me before is that the PA systems don’t work between the two types
of equipment. Normally, this means that separate announcements need to be made
in the Park car. In this case, all on board announcements have to be made 3
times – once in the HEP coaches, once in the Renaissance block, and once in the
HEP sleepers! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">On walking through the train, I noted that the bedrooms
and drawing rooms in several Chateau sleepers were refurbished. This was the
case in Laval and Montcalm for sure, but Chateau Rigaud was entirely in its
late-90s interior décor. As has been the case on other recent Chateau trips,
the sleepers could clearly use some attention and proper refurbishment.
Everything worked properly in our car, and the seats and beds were comfortable,
but the upholstery is clearly wearing and the cars are looking and feeling old.
Having said that, the ride in Rigaud was quite good. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKOjDAzLMJwUDMuNDw57UzitTqvxaVgdrTaxvyeDYEdJzY66Ky7hLigoLAxqF6gtlfnGCBD1OP_prbOnHXAsdq01hRz-S66YfApVOqL9Pj73YE0p2u-x53r7dj7TR1zOJb1ex1MSTFPg8/s1600/IMG_5262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKOjDAzLMJwUDMuNDw57UzitTqvxaVgdrTaxvyeDYEdJzY66Ky7hLigoLAxqF6gtlfnGCBD1OP_prbOnHXAsdq01hRz-S66YfApVOqL9Pj73YE0p2u-x53r7dj7TR1zOJb1ex1MSTFPg8/s640/IMG_5262.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partially refurbished drawing room in Chateau Montcalm - not our room, though I wish it were!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9XE3T-7UQJH4XxKUamcWHWR6DYhpJCP8mJjdevo0Zdd9Vk508Y22jtWBpDjOEkE_nAFgVOWvq2YaD4oTyCX8oq-i3a5g6zi69mZrzIVkR5KFo0rlXylzPxDfZvaNBLgt1nCrsSfW5obg/s1600/IMG_5263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9XE3T-7UQJH4XxKUamcWHWR6DYhpJCP8mJjdevo0Zdd9Vk508Y22jtWBpDjOEkE_nAFgVOWvq2YaD4oTyCX8oq-i3a5g6zi69mZrzIVkR5KFo0rlXylzPxDfZvaNBLgt1nCrsSfW5obg/s640/IMG_5263.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refurbished seats in the drawing room of Chateau Montcalm. Several sleepers had this new upholstery and decor, while our car (Rigaud) still had the '90s era blue and pink. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> didn’t take any detailed photos inside our room on
this occasion, as I’ve covered those in past trips. Have a scroll back if you’d
like to see more photos of a Chateau bedroom (even specifically Room D, during
last Christmas’ travels).</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There was a decent crowd on board from Halifax, and we
would pick up more along the way. Still, the train was far from full. This
would very much not be the case on the return trip…</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We departed “late”, but technically right on the
planned departure time of 1pm. As we left town, I was amazed by the treatment
we received from CN. Normally the Ocean has to stop to throw one switch heading
in to the rock cut, and another near Fairview Jct – on this occasion both were
already in the proper position, so we made good time out of downtown. CN 120
had already arrived at Rockingham, and the main was clear as we headed through.
As we approached Milford, CN 511 (the Milford-Wright’s Cove gypsum train) was
waiting at the mine as we blew past. Even more amazingly, before we reached
Truro we *passed* CN 407 at Alton – the Dartmouth-Moncton train was running
late ahead of us, so rather than forcing us to slow down and wait behind them
as they got in to the Truro yard, they took the siding and let us overtake
them. I could hardly believe it…so this is what passenger trains getting
priority feels like!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0hLONPx4o3nVlY8KZlqBQjl9eHtfEiZgozvYRMa1DPqCGeyB0Y8hmSKrCLzYbqneykfGOmxp4yZfGpUv-1smjjxdzbeFqjTVHwzlzDDB_qdgaC9A1j_61Vg1vwQp7deCKCSAPKn7cbTq/s1600/IMG_4638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0hLONPx4o3nVlY8KZlqBQjl9eHtfEiZgozvYRMa1DPqCGeyB0Y8hmSKrCLzYbqneykfGOmxp4yZfGpUv-1smjjxdzbeFqjTVHwzlzDDB_qdgaC9A1j_61Vg1vwQp7deCKCSAPKn7cbTq/s640/IMG_4638.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Departing under beautiful skies. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawAo3ogoXKjd4sBBQqu2oI3c0FAXIGU3L_5lc2x6y0AA6zlHI7RcDm55F1rfYgVLllWPWjz-z4AN3l5X-is7Z5mUo99ujqG6xL2i5mZx_HOIpg93Rl4xIRDQQCklMCHPNfMEBwDBNmvRq/s1600/IMG_5239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawAo3ogoXKjd4sBBQqu2oI3c0FAXIGU3L_5lc2x6y0AA6zlHI7RcDm55F1rfYgVLllWPWjz-z4AN3l5X-is7Z5mUo99ujqG6xL2i5mZx_HOIpg93Rl4xIRDQQCklMCHPNfMEBwDBNmvRq/s640/IMG_5239.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Platform extension at Halifax - this end appears to have been added fairly recently, to allow a slightly longer train to be serviced on two of the station tracks. In the background are two Renaissance coaches damaged in last November's derailment, which are slowly being parted out. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8sVb5hwGie45HKXwZSr3nGdQHIMDQtojlf8yUnOQiK6_1d3llWsazfLtA8g1qs0g8TuW_ETCqnoQVZL2l2zDqNkAh9vMTBOqwI1vw7oev8rhvUGCIfHHhclUyXu23TmKDAA51tc0_-4P/s1600/IMG_4639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8sVb5hwGie45HKXwZSr3nGdQHIMDQtojlf8yUnOQiK6_1d3llWsazfLtA8g1qs0g8TuW_ETCqnoQVZL2l2zDqNkAh9vMTBOqwI1vw7oev8rhvUGCIfHHhclUyXu23TmKDAA51tc0_-4P/s640/IMG_4639.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing CN 120 at Rockingham.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Vb14OsPG77Vwn9mRCqdWV6diyfg1d5venV_rzdTlhy85ZuP3HPzuQTvJlBZPvoVv-Wukrb2hfZWdxkdsvp0mQ_Jqb6zmhGZfTDH2tXwig0ElU-3RCO1CZGbEnFSI5oZpD_22yRcMMGZI/s1600/IMG_5241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Vb14OsPG77Vwn9mRCqdWV6diyfg1d5venV_rzdTlhy85ZuP3HPzuQTvJlBZPvoVv-Wukrb2hfZWdxkdsvp0mQ_Jqb6zmhGZfTDH2tXwig0ElU-3RCO1CZGbEnFSI5oZpD_22yRcMMGZI/s640/IMG_5241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Containers at Rockingham, along the Bedford Basin. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9F2YG4CKwR8Sav1XwNVfAKOJTvZYM4AunpAugxPfS6r6screSyNjqj8-igDzP62PUJyJMze__p_ldWLaje2ZvMHGcyH67rC5pZ-ZJR5pv9oTsDsllXUXEalyl9ov2UqsAePdz___vP6i/s1600/IMG_5245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9F2YG4CKwR8Sav1XwNVfAKOJTvZYM4AunpAugxPfS6r6screSyNjqj8-igDzP62PUJyJMze__p_ldWLaje2ZvMHGcyH67rC5pZ-ZJR5pv9oTsDsllXUXEalyl9ov2UqsAePdz___vP6i/s640/IMG_5245.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN 511 waiting at the Milford gypsum mine as we blast through.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaDvFqviLDImSbBCzzBohjyHgcsTV_pwvWHtbA3ffoKMyb5R1TbBM7FTSoB_fjP3B5HWd2gYpx-WeBpGfnIacLOiNCawjgrp5HIzqzDshGVfgvvN_0iq2MjgtPukyZeBIxCCro1dRYSGj/s1600/IMG_5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaDvFqviLDImSbBCzzBohjyHgcsTV_pwvWHtbA3ffoKMyb5R1TbBM7FTSoB_fjP3B5HWd2gYpx-WeBpGfnIacLOiNCawjgrp5HIzqzDshGVfgvvN_0iq2MjgtPukyZeBIxCCro1dRYSGj/s640/IMG_5247.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In rather unusual fashion, we're the ones sailing past these autoracks - not the other way around!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vA1VOgd4u5kHHjcNdvYsF8Vpf9E_ov4IwyMfxau5J8R2e2qTgpxXesHz4EJdWgIEiRVmyji73s2epPMZ87dW-Yfk2ihmw6O22fV6tmuJKu7ba3nD0hLhdzSu_-E7sDYqYjAaakOpQCtm/s1600/IMG_5249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vA1VOgd4u5kHHjcNdvYsF8Vpf9E_ov4IwyMfxau5J8R2e2qTgpxXesHz4EJdWgIEiRVmyji73s2epPMZ87dW-Yfk2ihmw6O22fV6tmuJKu7ba3nD0hLhdzSu_-E7sDYqYjAaakOpQCtm/s640/IMG_5249.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that we've passed, CN 407 prepares to leave the siding at Alton to follow us towards Truro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We opted for the second lunch sitting at 2:45. Heading
up from our sleeper to the dining car was a strange experience in this mixed
consist. Leaving the first Chateau, you make the walk through the transition
car’s long empty corridor. It’s much like heading forward from the Park car on
a conventional Ocean consist. Then it’s on to the two Renaissance sleepers, and
before you know it you’ve arrived at the rear service car, and on to the diner.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">One of the nice things about the Renaissance diners is
the availability of 2-person tables, for folks travelling as couples. The other
benefit is that the current catered meal service is much more efficiently
prepared and served in a Renaissance diner than it is in a HEP diner (or
Skyline, as we had in the spring!). Since HEP equipment has become a more
regular feature substituting on the Ocean, VIA dropped the on-board cooking
that they used to offer on Christmas extras, and has gone to catered meals at
all times – so may as well have a Renaissance diner.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Lunch was quite decent. Photos cover the menu and
contents, just missing a photo of the mille-feuille (see that in the return
trip). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecmwrnuV4BbQcXyPVtaUIjSartPJ798Hc7DxdpvW338OTfITIlnLe_0A2VXsXNZhGkuQ7EQ72vRT6aBKE_sNoEUI10Gis9PRp8LMNj22-6s92Nv80iVS706Z8AirdIDNF8ZgjUVqN1amT/s1600/IMG_5251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecmwrnuV4BbQcXyPVtaUIjSartPJ798Hc7DxdpvW338OTfITIlnLe_0A2VXsXNZhGkuQ7EQ72vRT6aBKE_sNoEUI10Gis9PRp8LMNj22-6s92Nv80iVS706Z8AirdIDNF8ZgjUVqN1amT/s640/IMG_5251.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjWrMVcwIbS2AWqrNiyf1iwKYFJfXCruYq4r7WBDOu6cVrTdLMYC-WDby5Yizq6MvbgiDLLb2LPC3HWjhVy1BrFJ3mko3Y0u8PUJbZVyxUV4sgivisP8gpO93YPiesd4Dwpg36vMZ6U0F/s1600/IMG_5252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjWrMVcwIbS2AWqrNiyf1iwKYFJfXCruYq4r7WBDOu6cVrTdLMYC-WDby5Yizq6MvbgiDLLb2LPC3HWjhVy1BrFJ3mko3Y0u8PUJbZVyxUV4sgivisP8gpO93YPiesd4Dwpg36vMZ6U0F/s640/IMG_5252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance dining car - 4-seater side. Still loving the teal tablecloths, which were introduced a couple of years ago. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoQUhA3g9ehd4fnXfjcrTXzssXnIlwrezjk2slj8eduzxfEcxZoDqNDfAKYAyon0tTsjRKDzP2QPFRKVhMg3CD2lFWCpSBOYBY91jx2x4vxOuxUGF6kTZ1mBG8fIcFvEErlbZy7rPK0Cg/s1600/IMG_5253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoQUhA3g9ehd4fnXfjcrTXzssXnIlwrezjk2slj8eduzxfEcxZoDqNDfAKYAyon0tTsjRKDzP2QPFRKVhMg3CD2lFWCpSBOYBY91jx2x4vxOuxUGF6kTZ1mBG8fIcFvEErlbZy7rPK0Cg/s640/IMG_5253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seafood chowder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Kgm7SqFo6_lyZLG4GJaubO8xQJdKinePOqKj3CG0VNW7aKdUBd_g8sNhsTtW3F0LwNz0zMDnR6CtAa4Mvw2GNYpYNgUvPrWBuR3FxVilrp0mFXRxNA_GWiirpGUUpexmoGDRJiy7tkxY/s1600/IMG_5254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Kgm7SqFo6_lyZLG4GJaubO8xQJdKinePOqKj3CG0VNW7aKdUBd_g8sNhsTtW3F0LwNz0zMDnR6CtAa4Mvw2GNYpYNgUvPrWBuR3FxVilrp0mFXRxNA_GWiirpGUUpexmoGDRJiy7tkxY/s640/IMG_5254.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon nicoise salad, served cold. Enjoyable, though the potatoes were a little odd. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As the afternoon wore on, we enjoyed a wine and cheese
tasting in the Park car, and interesting stories from the Park car learning
coordinator – though geared towards tourists, there were still some interesting
tidbits for those of us who live in the region. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The late afternoon and evening were relaxed, and we
continued to make good time. The views outside were lovely, and a surprising
number of leaves had begun to change with the cooler temperatures. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrCPegB_md870Xt6eM3Zjj4J5bch5qeFMs9kNAsn6Wwl4Srse5DaqUDTy5Jetx5Gt1rPWCDiwxdvLMFj3ozWfnH0aKdXP9hB7yxy7uyk8O2WulOAGdiijkIIR1mo-iRyobF4VyjSxaTr0/s1600/IMG_5250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrCPegB_md870Xt6eM3Zjj4J5bch5qeFMs9kNAsn6Wwl4Srse5DaqUDTy5Jetx5Gt1rPWCDiwxdvLMFj3ozWfnH0aKdXP9hB7yxy7uyk8O2WulOAGdiijkIIR1mo-iRyobF4VyjSxaTr0/s640/IMG_5250.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiet in the Park car dome. It would pick up in here shortly, when the first lunch sitting wrapped up, but would never become as busy as on the return trip. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1UQriyT7sL-SlpinphoBgjYf41BeMpiQvtI-sAM2WJSEWRMtK0CtT2dRepFVWXUciyXT_wnT_6nh5LMujX2RfNkUmQwbsfoFqr2wkDhMkG1tB0wqGbPlMZDcFGOyHkEGraGA9syekpK1/s1600/IMG_5255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1UQriyT7sL-SlpinphoBgjYf41BeMpiQvtI-sAM2WJSEWRMtK0CtT2dRepFVWXUciyXT_wnT_6nh5LMujX2RfNkUmQwbsfoFqr2wkDhMkG1tB0wqGbPlMZDcFGOyHkEGraGA9syekpK1/s640/IMG_5255.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun on the marshes, heading to New Brunswick. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloZyVD_HKzMLb285th30c9HzC3TGSWI5SNlk7gVVJ60ZESx_N3gioslJTdp3Wijc9XEx9SoNqrma2XxdTpylft7Erarc_5xV3jScXU_oeoSlM7OIT1SR_0fdJsrUR_2zXv_h5Y-Zuz-ja/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloZyVD_HKzMLb285th30c9HzC3TGSWI5SNlk7gVVJ60ZESx_N3gioslJTdp3Wijc9XEx9SoNqrma2XxdTpylft7Erarc_5xV3jScXU_oeoSlM7OIT1SR_0fdJsrUR_2zXv_h5Y-Zuz-ja/s640/IMG_5259.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon sun on the Tantramar marsh - these views never get old. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUEZtFlm_5nSgPU7GhHup_ZSg4TdNImR8K42xG7fs8EPT69UhLa2jP31TVImkwnb3LKj4Tns_ofCpFR8JCsaYGddSdDYxw9q751f0qAEx2Tt2eaKLIF8XTwTr47vXoBuxZ4W6yICmY8_V/s1600/IMG_5261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUEZtFlm_5nSgPU7GhHup_ZSg4TdNImR8K42xG7fs8EPT69UhLa2jP31TVImkwnb3LKj4Tns_ofCpFR8JCsaYGddSdDYxw9q751f0qAEx2Tt2eaKLIF8XTwTr47vXoBuxZ4W6yICmY8_V/s640/IMG_5261.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refuelling at Moncton. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikQxmpBnushymQMLH60pytaYBKO3aXQY_f6h67sU1QBv_Y05gsfu0MiGfhw9z-4IsFuE_OSZBjNvFjk9u_QHyvlZj9QBUuPlB0nRoFzWV6LRD_xz0fOizxpXDnGLysI-3DVlfPecZ3BKS/s1600/IMG_5265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikQxmpBnushymQMLH60pytaYBKO3aXQY_f6h67sU1QBv_Y05gsfu0MiGfhw9z-4IsFuE_OSZBjNvFjk9u_QHyvlZj9QBUuPlB0nRoFzWV6LRD_xz0fOizxpXDnGLysI-3DVlfPecZ3BKS/s640/IMG_5265.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bogs in New Brunswick. Someday I'll spot a moose here. Someday...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpUTuphkNGmrz0hkB6We1vrkPpVsAJa9cz4V3tH5_JaXyD4yxCVKtjfpPVGnGjRplEagESzQCLApgGFEl1PtBjEWkH3GozewTEAgE354EkancGqAM3Lm0Nz5dckAsLdTyLz2H6PjNVvcu/s1600/IMG_5267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpUTuphkNGmrz0hkB6We1vrkPpVsAJa9cz4V3tH5_JaXyD4yxCVKtjfpPVGnGjRplEagESzQCLApgGFEl1PtBjEWkH3GozewTEAgE354EkancGqAM3Lm0Nz5dckAsLdTyLz2H6PjNVvcu/s640/IMG_5267.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miramichi river sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAummQ7oYCiR8CC8iz6WrYgtKJ7sC4Fp87jtrFBMi8-MmWIJl7CNPYeZOKQcWUndhFMbQyW3fJN0Ofd0_UMGeL9LQguTF5_sOi_DW28-ZWzHVMFIdUKFjwv77knlz_VnVt11hObs8t_-6-/s1600/IMG_5269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAummQ7oYCiR8CC8iz6WrYgtKJ7sC4Fp87jtrFBMi8-MmWIJl7CNPYeZOKQcWUndhFMbQyW3fJN0Ofd0_UMGeL9LQguTF5_sOi_DW28-ZWzHVMFIdUKFjwv77knlz_VnVt11hObs8t_-6-/s640/IMG_5269.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miramichi river sunset, take 2 - bridge edition. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Dinner reservations were taken for 5:15 and 7:45 – only two sittings, as the crowd wasn’t quite big enough to justify a third. Having had such a late lunch we opted for the second, and were glad we did! Supper, like lunch before it, was quite good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-DfbsHYU4y7Ym4ZhpSOJl9ChRH7IqXZ_l99OxoDHnehxBSsFmd6nUxX8Y9kqJ1-ck3hRnKcMuhj6l05dXZnVeUOoJ0nKzaHKslSq1hTTWg8S0qvmgV7nHp_z9ZVaYpjJRO6dQSbo9VZg/s1600/IMG_5270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-DfbsHYU4y7Ym4ZhpSOJl9ChRH7IqXZ_l99OxoDHnehxBSsFmd6nUxX8Y9kqJ1-ck3hRnKcMuhj6l05dXZnVeUOoJ0nKzaHKslSq1hTTWg8S0qvmgV7nHp_z9ZVaYpjJRO6dQSbo9VZg/s640/IMG_5270.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNywKvK80eXUxEP-jVfNo4pWlE37BT4xGtaWnHclgYGcKamtxXnkHJXGejiyIAWFv16KR6HITGOmica5d0ihlmmiu8hYBCkFUgdQE_HX-EF0tlqqjC2C8kQKJFCLWn52TeyBZi5bQ8atK-/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNywKvK80eXUxEP-jVfNo4pWlE37BT4xGtaWnHclgYGcKamtxXnkHJXGejiyIAWFv16KR6HITGOmica5d0ihlmmiu8hYBCkFUgdQE_HX-EF0tlqqjC2C8kQKJFCLWn52TeyBZi5bQ8atK-/s640/IMG_5271.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked fish appetizer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tInxNCDtVZyt9rt8avOEh0827ExutEB5kRON47GQwt9JliWi_DvUJrVTNB_-qMoIQxHz0dQ0z91vwDPJkztEJO59hJeM54K5KqXYLQzbdF_XS6Usr4Lou4Ia9e1Yanq41pvRJTN6WceL/s1600/IMG_5272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tInxNCDtVZyt9rt8avOEh0827ExutEB5kRON47GQwt9JliWi_DvUJrVTNB_-qMoIQxHz0dQ0z91vwDPJkztEJO59hJeM54K5KqXYLQzbdF_XS6Usr4Lou4Ia9e1Yanq41pvRJTN6WceL/s640/IMG_5272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honey pecan chicken - an excellent choice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPkYmBlOEjumlJ1M5AgxOtvlyVPIDDh-IJjxWEJ-ksE1Mwx7vEnKGqzucytw2on2ZBWKuJUQMQ0pmTPzBxUvckZXBF-CEaKTmbO4hNxVCc2ZeM45q4895BTZiJbar6lVg8NLGOkiAJv0Q/s1600/IMG_5273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPkYmBlOEjumlJ1M5AgxOtvlyVPIDDh-IJjxWEJ-ksE1Mwx7vEnKGqzucytw2on2ZBWKuJUQMQ0pmTPzBxUvckZXBF-CEaKTmbO4hNxVCc2ZeM45q4895BTZiJbar6lVg8NLGOkiAJv0Q/s640/IMG_5273.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate caramel cake - this has been the defacto supper dessert on the Ocean for a while now. Not a bad option by any means, though I do kind of hope they change it up soon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After supper we returned to the Park car, and enjoyed
the views from the darkened dome as we made our way through the last part of
New Brunswick. We had a brief delay leaving Campbellton, as we waited on an
eastbound freight to arrive in the yard.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The Park developed a quite lively social atmosphere
that evening. There was no live musician, but someone put on a selection of
Stan Rogers music through a small portable speaker, and a good sized crowd in
the rear lounge seemed to be enjoying themselves wholeheartedly. Eventually we
made our way back to the room for the night, where I slept reasonably soundly
in the spacious and comfortable upper bunk. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Morning arrived with grey skies and a forecast of
rain, and I wandered up for breakfast shortly before the last call. As usual,
the breakfast in this direction was absolutely superb! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi46ezrlcPUN89WG0rrY-66nEyF1eTbllubTkChbz51oEssu9r6gSadhArtesU8uFJMWu-fDlfXov4nYqjHUEYsdjFEbwNitqeXWx7YUTHf_INPdUXrZy684DsPGJNwdWeEzSeKCpfhah6/s1600/70007336_10158008218790955_6655723364763566080_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi46ezrlcPUN89WG0rrY-66nEyF1eTbllubTkChbz51oEssu9r6gSadhArtesU8uFJMWu-fDlfXov4nYqjHUEYsdjFEbwNitqeXWx7YUTHf_INPdUXrZy684DsPGJNwdWeEzSeKCpfhah6/s320/70007336_10158008218790955_6655723364763566080_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stylish breakfast menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHY-VDu1Mx0e__tdC5Yyf5eRnIDC4NUhEBOqMoJJUmaSLldHho4xWIVlOJumzQBwm_w3WKnX6TQGBM9_JRcSk1Ebm6fvZKpdSdgSgHVuHHctx_7m21tx90mby1Q2LE46nNyqYvLRpHMFJ/s1600/IMG_5274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHY-VDu1Mx0e__tdC5Yyf5eRnIDC4NUhEBOqMoJJUmaSLldHho4xWIVlOJumzQBwm_w3WKnX6TQGBM9_JRcSk1Ebm6fvZKpdSdgSgHVuHHctx_7m21tx90mby1Q2LE46nNyqYvLRpHMFJ/s640/IMG_5274.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast options - the french toast options are consistently good, though the eggs also tend to turn out well. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLmu-kXIR-Zm7oKTylQt7RLo7FrpKk3mzTkNKHxM5FZFYvGSjS0emQoAwXnqRw7g9L0tcPdCsKpR9j0c7gsbDhtv2DfAFHInARDJDxAW1Z3143a522kfhatEoM7tbxXqCPmfXuwlAPLYG/s1600/IMG_4643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLmu-kXIR-Zm7oKTylQt7RLo7FrpKk3mzTkNKHxM5FZFYvGSjS0emQoAwXnqRw7g9L0tcPdCsKpR9j0c7gsbDhtv2DfAFHInARDJDxAW1Z3143a522kfhatEoM7tbxXqCPmfXuwlAPLYG/s640/IMG_4643.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana bread french toast - superb!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Arrival in Montreal was on time to the minute.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Heading upstairs, we dropped our bags off at the
baggage counter for storage, and headed out to explore a bit of downtown
Montreal. After a few hours out in the cool, slightly damp day, we returned to
Gare Centrale to board VIA 624. This train was exceptionally busy, and there
was a bit of confusion because of a last minute equipment change. Up until a
few days earlier, that train was intended to be a mixed consist (LRC+HEP2) with
two Business Class cars – we were to be in the second car, Car 91. A few days
before the trip we got a notice that this had been changed; the consist would
now be all HEP2, with only a single non-refurbished HEP2 club in Business Class
service.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Given that the HEP2s are all being refurbished, I was
glad to get at least one more chance to ride a club car with the old interior.
The cars are 2+2, and while the layout isn’t nearly as nice as the refurbished
cars (armrest tables are a particular drawback), the seats are considerably
more comfortable.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNsFoWHL49lpJvGEqsofIMt7iZtQrqswHKube5Qtxs7VGI-RDDuKAzP9tc9kJ-bXxLiwZHolWqF-D-kb1kdArU1ILdN657jsT6UW_eQlfVDf08wfZPjWTAMufoq_x3-Mga9QWBHTD-qm1/s1600/IMG_4645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNsFoWHL49lpJvGEqsofIMt7iZtQrqswHKube5Qtxs7VGI-RDDuKAzP9tc9kJ-bXxLiwZHolWqF-D-kb1kdArU1ILdN657jsT6UW_eQlfVDf08wfZPjWTAMufoq_x3-Mga9QWBHTD-qm1/s640/IMG_4645.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It hasn't been called VIA 1 for a long time now, but this iconic branding still graces the non-refurbished HEP2 club cars. I'll be sad to see that logo disappear. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I foolishly didn’t get a consist for our train. We had
P42 #915 leading, and the train was entirely HEP2s. With the exception of our
club car, the rest of the HEP2s were refurbished with the new LRC style seats
and 50/50 forward/back seating layout. They looked very nice from the outside,
but I didn’t get a chance to tour inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The train was very busy, in large part due to a host
of tour passengers heading to Quebec to board cruise ships. Because there were
so many cruise passengers, many people had large suitcases. With no checked
baggage service, luggage space on board was sparse. In our car, one bathroom
was closed off to be used just for storing bags!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As this is an Ottawa-Montreal-Quebec train, we first
had to back out from the station before heading forward across the Victoria
bridge. After that the trip was quite uneventful, as many Corridor trains are. The
Business Class service was excellent as usual, with a good meal and attentive
service. The old HEP2 seats were comfortable, but the inconvenience of the
armrest tables and more limited space did make a case for the benefits of the
new interior layouts.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUDE_PzimOprQrSxcP2GoxuduY9TXyK7-yKOhoVA4rH1cSU04-a3g6UlomQ9fvS3pRzWZpJ3qobe9XWHgOCnOIy8MZdREnacO3fG-nukDmgnwYk7sDXvoLYrae1tjb-Hj35uD2inhMSxF/s1600/IMG_5276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUDE_PzimOprQrSxcP2GoxuduY9TXyK7-yKOhoVA4rH1cSU04-a3g6UlomQ9fvS3pRzWZpJ3qobe9XWHgOCnOIy8MZdREnacO3fG-nukDmgnwYk7sDXvoLYrae1tjb-Hj35uD2inhMSxF/s640/IMG_5276.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class meal - cold option, thoroughly enjoyable, though the armrest mounted tables aren't ideal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ27cGDmFRXdEhxbNWmgq0azCDYw8BYXmRjQFgDlmpe4VS0eVDGcQGKOE2OqZVmZEY26OB_OZtk7I-pTcAefU_IgtBdr52KXK0Ri9lz9KBzXG9Usj_S8pCRtP0R4GlAtdW3OrDBbYcV1U3/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ27cGDmFRXdEhxbNWmgq0azCDYw8BYXmRjQFgDlmpe4VS0eVDGcQGKOE2OqZVmZEY26OB_OZtk7I-pTcAefU_IgtBdr52KXK0Ri9lz9KBzXG9Usj_S8pCRtP0R4GlAtdW3OrDBbYcV1U3/s640/IMG_4649.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views by Cap-Rouge - I didn't realize just how scenic the first bit of the line is once you leave Ste-Foy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsDLsV9N7osY0KWoj314_sXNsnlyRjLCucl1j9vophZ9sdFTIUqFzjMU0xKE0Vg0wVX5Gi2WUm2bnd3wIJZHWqqf2cF0tDIlZsJOx5-hPGWpNmGiTnX0J2EUPNDwWjpE5hoU3OWfCzMhU/s1600/IMG_5277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsDLsV9N7osY0KWoj314_sXNsnlyRjLCucl1j9vophZ9sdFTIUqFzjMU0xKE0Vg0wVX5Gi2WUm2bnd3wIJZHWqqf2cF0tDIlZsJOx5-hPGWpNmGiTnX0J2EUPNDwWjpE5hoU3OWfCzMhU/s640/IMG_5277.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refurbished HEP2 coach on our train. All of the coaches were refurbished, but not all were in the new scheme. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMIPCYGxWTwSnudxaiNm4i9b-9TO6WkykoLFK97adsWMJI-L71vPaj7Y4w0eoESwwcslnZK6NtL_k5S2UWcZhmu4Qu4etpGKYpLNZmw6VLvbxiUTJJGavOQtmmNcNSR6IuC6zNtH3A5dd/s1600/IMG_5278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMIPCYGxWTwSnudxaiNm4i9b-9TO6WkykoLFK97adsWMJI-L71vPaj7Y4w0eoESwwcslnZK6NtL_k5S2UWcZhmu4Qu4etpGKYpLNZmw6VLvbxiUTJJGavOQtmmNcNSR6IuC6zNtH3A5dd/s640/IMG_5278.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 915, which led our train to Quebec, in the small trainshed at Gare du Palais. The white sign just above (to the left) of the locomotive indicates that it is the stop point for 900 series locomotives. There is a separate stopping point for the 900s and 6400s.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The highlights of this trip were undoubtedly the run
between Ste-Foy and Quebec, and the arrival at Gare du Palais. The turn at Cap
Rouge is actually much more scenic (and tighter!) than I had realized it would
be. Despite having left Montreal about 10 minutes late, we arrived at Quebec
11min early.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Gare du Palais is a beautiful station, but it’s also
much smaller in person than I thought it would be. The best way I can think to
describe it is that it looks like a scaled down version of an ornate, big city
train station. It feels more quaint and homey than one might expect. I was
thoroughly impressed, and am sad that I won’t have regular opportunities to use
that station. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzlVYum8ey1j0lk1lwRlc0nEFsEeu7jMpWTapzCWQ_ivt9LPPj1mUUKgq9Q08tWl8vWJWwXjUfLxaMS8i_40hi6i3XGq1J3BSs5FG0V1wJa7uHNSDUpw1vQeOaXwlIwcKsdapo6l0T8te/s1600/IMG_4651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzlVYum8ey1j0lk1lwRlc0nEFsEeu7jMpWTapzCWQ_ivt9LPPj1mUUKgq9Q08tWl8vWJWwXjUfLxaMS8i_40hi6i3XGq1J3BSs5FG0V1wJa7uHNSDUpw1vQeOaXwlIwcKsdapo6l0T8te/s640/IMG_4651.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Gare du Palais. The platforms, ticket office and Business Class lounge are all off to the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8ELPUmyvhdgdRCdJF6-s0rZUt_hj25DUyfAJ6tXcSaNwRJCCG9Ki8Y3EKwgwvwdN5ujNqA10pz4tDnWoCYA7NHb4Sc5DLI6ATPH2fYbptN4nNzk9u4Qc_0ED0uSioxU502jl4gdPz5oL/s1600/IMG_4653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8ELPUmyvhdgdRCdJF6-s0rZUt_hj25DUyfAJ6tXcSaNwRJCCG9Ki8Y3EKwgwvwdN5ujNqA10pz4tDnWoCYA7NHb4Sc5DLI6ATPH2fYbptN4nNzk9u4Qc_0ED0uSioxU502jl4gdPz5oL/s640/IMG_4653.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gare du Palais. Gorgeous!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtlqYqaYohtIJ90rVUmck_KPMwffsI_o3VDg4RUkcX2cgObEYwU2d43Lt77pKgIDNQqzQaGwCLql9kRFGarlTxrQEYTBA_oenFr1R-nSsrkbW9AdJUuiWjmmpy7ogOXNrlXyr7ALz-G5w/s1600/IMG_4654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtlqYqaYohtIJ90rVUmck_KPMwffsI_o3VDg4RUkcX2cgObEYwU2d43Lt77pKgIDNQqzQaGwCLql9kRFGarlTxrQEYTBA_oenFr1R-nSsrkbW9AdJUuiWjmmpy7ogOXNrlXyr7ALz-G5w/s640/IMG_4654.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountain outside Gare du Palais.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKhyphenhyphen224d6zzLwJTupWmf3-5aqk3vxPi7m0Pz1ShNkZSV9fqmS0uPgqewklKHS5Sy3ixBTM-4179HT2yenL7lvrGwXh25powRmydZOYqEMkU_VVTb_v21TG0IdYY6-BuNDObsUyYredmM_/s1600/IMG_5284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKhyphenhyphen224d6zzLwJTupWmf3-5aqk3vxPi7m0Pz1ShNkZSV9fqmS0uPgqewklKHS5Sy3ixBTM-4179HT2yenL7lvrGwXh25powRmydZOYqEMkU_VVTb_v21TG0IdYY6-BuNDObsUyYredmM_/s640/IMG_5284.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign for the shuttle to connect with the Ocean, inside the entrance to the station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Quebec is a wonderful old city, and we had a great
time during our brief stay. We saw a lot, but were surprised by how incredibly
busy it was – several cruise ships were in at the same time, and this made for
crowded streets and shops!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3l0LE9CFodlxWI6U62O8rz3QLpnfdfmnrclH0S8xyfwXlEO2U2H0CTuNLYwQuro_CCb7TOlCsR1xbbnFy6lKSAkKHYUbYpRWY5MGyWsg-CoR8tbqNMpC3u7suJ1JnQvVrpI1EK5N5m_C/s1600/IMG_4660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3l0LE9CFodlxWI6U62O8rz3QLpnfdfmnrclH0S8xyfwXlEO2U2H0CTuNLYwQuro_CCb7TOlCsR1xbbnFy6lKSAkKHYUbYpRWY5MGyWsg-CoR8tbqNMpC3u7suJ1JnQvVrpI1EK5N5m_C/s640/IMG_4660.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the lower streets of old Quebec - a rare moment with a break in the crowds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4f06hJfCQpiZ2sbrK-5LwVRQyP_9KMWw9jiw-2T4gTNGt8HeE8oVPLi1t6jrdA7cXRoRND1YcozSdMB5fUvCJ1JaE2ttIh98iVyEP70qRR-hobck7Ug5YgbHMLEzcxnDqk96ivCsS7jD/s1600/IMG_5289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4f06hJfCQpiZ2sbrK-5LwVRQyP_9KMWw9jiw-2T4gTNGt8HeE8oVPLi1t6jrdA7cXRoRND1YcozSdMB5fUvCJ1JaE2ttIh98iVyEP70qRR-hobck7Ug5YgbHMLEzcxnDqk96ivCsS7jD/s640/IMG_5289.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chateau Frontenac - a Quebec icon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFM-6PKZq2Qg3kC5OaoC2al9CPoeX5SzdWRF3uyeao5JVRoaaOtrw7Ao2xEJOp1A4YXoj-EQQfXKkcckh6TQboFqtIg-ze-fIr_7GWu0jZpHB8Ne9fd4jjUPoZsoMGe5EtZ1aJD5FTC-b/s1600/IMG_5290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFM-6PKZq2Qg3kC5OaoC2al9CPoeX5SzdWRF3uyeao5JVRoaaOtrw7Ao2xEJOp1A4YXoj-EQQfXKkcckh6TQboFqtIg-ze-fIr_7GWu0jZpHB8Ne9fd4jjUPoZsoMGe5EtZ1aJD5FTC-b/s640/IMG_5290.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views across the old city. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">On Sunday, we headed to the station in the morning to
see about storing out bags for the day. Though we hadn’t booked it initially,
we decided to book the shuttle that VIA offers from Quebec to Ste-Foy. Despite
being described as a “shuttle”, it’s really just taxis to accommodate however
many passengers there are. The convenience is that VIA makes the taxi
arrangements, you can store bags for the day at Gare du Palais for no
additional charge, and the taxis are timed to arrive at Ste-Foy a reasonable
time ahead of the train’s departure. We were told to be back at the station by
8:30 at the latest, as they’d need to get everyone sorted and sent to Ste-Foy
ahead of the ~10:30pm arrival of VIA 14.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After an excellent day, we arrived back at the station
at 8:30 and picked up our bags from the ticket counter just as the first group
of passengers was being ushered out to waiting taxis. We were told another two
cabs would be coming for the remainder of us, and we could wait in the Business
Lounge until then.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Unfortunately during our wait, the station attendant
came in to inform us that #14 was running late from Montreal. How late? Almost
2.5 hours…!!! What on earth??</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Turns out that a freight train hit and killed someone
on the tracks west of Napanee earlier in the afternoon. This halted several
Corridor trains for an extended period, and Train 64, the connection to the
Ocean from Toronto, was delayed more than 4 hours. With more than 60 passengers
on board connecting to our #14, and the next train three days later, VIA
decided to hold the Ocean to allow for that connection. Welcome news for those
passengers, I’m sure, but less exciting for those of us boarding late in the
evening. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; 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font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; 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font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Unfortunately we still got sent out to Ste-Foy around
the same time we would if the train was on time, as the last train of the
evening was arriving and then the station agents would be off duty. This meant
a rather long wait at Ste-Foy, a less comfortable station with nothing in the
immediate vicinity. This is a definite downside of taking the VIA shuttle, vs.
opting for our own arrangements (such as a cab or bus). Still, we took things
in stride, played a few games of cribbage, and awaited the train. A CN GP9RM
switching in front of the station provided some entertainment (well, for me
anyway). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The train finally arrived at 12:34am. Coach passengers
and baggage were handled during a first stop, then the train pulled forward to
load the sleepers. The Service Manager came in to the station to scan tickets
and give us all a rundown of the amenities and schedule for the next day, so we
would all be able to get straight to bed once we boarded.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhON3hWAgX5WVqUfT8yR4RujQQ0rwn5BChDf8kKqemVa0tBUEZ3mmdbYeCMa1iYTMBuZm1Kch_WFdPTirhmXS6OgMSe3RBDEtGbq6j46VwvhCHlc75Xlp9WEO5h753WKee9ZjkrSST55cTu/s1600/IMG_4678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhON3hWAgX5WVqUfT8yR4RujQQ0rwn5BChDf8kKqemVa0tBUEZ3mmdbYeCMa1iYTMBuZm1Kch_WFdPTirhmXS6OgMSe3RBDEtGbq6j46VwvhCHlc75Xlp9WEO5h753WKee9ZjkrSST55cTu/s640/IMG_4678.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think many of us were feeling a little blurry eyed by the time the train arrived!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjtscseumeVSPms3Fihfx-B69aw3H8MVL3pMJS9yOOdINjCDs_wXIOTpHyJRDT02uqbIyOp0CCwzIJ-6EGsZufjBA7o4p-bMspQl_nP3CdjQPtgQHIlY91g907NFRKsg8tFiTjRVWoV6l/s1600/IMG_5292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjtscseumeVSPms3Fihfx-B69aw3H8MVL3pMJS9yOOdINjCDs_wXIOTpHyJRDT02uqbIyOp0CCwzIJ-6EGsZufjBA7o4p-bMspQl_nP3CdjQPtgQHIlY91g907NFRKsg8tFiTjRVWoV6l/s640/IMG_5292.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coach stop at Ste-Foy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiNSU4ZI1K7vbnAlFH-gj3JZdGiFvGpeXPsDSdPqYJa85RRW9BkiE-S4xwwJ2IH9LVmlp6seHqpy6TcD_2deskEWcmRRWSzUW0HnbFoym6N2kj3IpTpNImdcexOHkPiv5edcRJwTQXn7s/s1600/IMG_5293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiNSU4ZI1K7vbnAlFH-gj3JZdGiFvGpeXPsDSdPqYJa85RRW9BkiE-S4xwwJ2IH9LVmlp6seHqpy6TcD_2deskEWcmRRWSzUW0HnbFoym6N2kj3IpTpNImdcexOHkPiv5edcRJwTQXn7s/s640/IMG_5293.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full moon over the first Renaissance transition car, paused at Ste-Foy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Our return consist was the same as the way up – the
only exception was that our locomotives were now 6409 and 6438. We were in
Chateau Laval this time, as Car 35. We had booked upper and lower berths in
section 03, and were pleasantly surprised when we boarded to see that we would
have the sections in that car entirely to ourselves. Our attendant had made up
section 02, had placed a table in 01, and left 03 open. This turned what is
normally a more open, less private accommodation option into a more
semi-private setup. We were quite fortunate with this, because as I would
discover on walking through the train the next day, almost all of the sections
through the rest of the train were occupied. Only our car and 34 ahead of us
had just a single section made up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As we got ourselves settled in and ready for bed, the
train made its way to the east end of Joffre yard. There was a track gang doing
work on the track next to us, which was pretty neat to watch. We waited a good
20 minutes or so for a freight to arrive at the yard. Then we were on our way,
and we got off to sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZ7S4SZ1ZQZLMos7VUsmu72bKd7k96i2iIAPHLoswl8APfhSqZMXmehaLQcbLIAkDbcaEPpH7pOszImJZdx3aDFlOXAQdWy_P4tyM5HbnPvJfqb9spWLml7KSg0i4wkN1crMsXMez_O0I/s1600/IMG_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZ7S4SZ1ZQZLMos7VUsmu72bKd7k96i2iIAPHLoswl8APfhSqZMXmehaLQcbLIAkDbcaEPpH7pOszImJZdx3aDFlOXAQdWy_P4tyM5HbnPvJfqb9spWLml7KSg0i4wkN1crMsXMez_O0I/s640/IMG_4681.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Track gang working at Joffre yard - pulling spikes. Pretty neat stuff to watch. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While the ride in room D in Rigaud was very
comfortable, the ride in 02 of Laval was quite a bit rougher. This may just be
due to being over the trucks and in a lengthwise configuration, where you get
jostled around a lot more with the side to side movement of the train. In any
case, neither of us slept super well – but by the morning we got up for the
last breakfast call (later than usual, due to our late running), and settled in
for a relaxing day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">By Matapedia we were running about 3h20min late. This
made for some nice morning views, though we had slept through a good chunk of
that due to how late we got to bed, along with the time change overnight. Due to the delays, the head end crew changed at Matapedia instead of Campbellton.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBfRzlxZ0rBtzOUMdEpnpZMTcz3fJp3ho49f-EbBa1Mbm6-aaYh4w9Z_2yWiKLulwejQKlNBxSWDSTFcbsugpQ2tbhueMQEuWLirGT0CwcFO_YyvUCzyQh9w1lGNHT2j4y0v7CQ11MjBG/s1600/IMG_5294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBfRzlxZ0rBtzOUMdEpnpZMTcz3fJp3ho49f-EbBa1Mbm6-aaYh4w9Z_2yWiKLulwejQKlNBxSWDSTFcbsugpQ2tbhueMQEuWLirGT0CwcFO_YyvUCzyQh9w1lGNHT2j4y0v7CQ11MjBG/s640/IMG_5294.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu - different selection from the westbound trip, and already a little coffee stained. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoC4vMXZsF95-j2SR0EerAnXStEfADHJG0r0_kyaFLWR53A1W19sTYPa7L022Az-LJThrNWb4fcPuOFs_QGwwN5uvIDcMwQJjr2Kq7_Xn3aV4pkYz8abMUIBEUq1fJbrmfE8HxgC4o41Ys/s1600/IMG_5295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoC4vMXZsF95-j2SR0EerAnXStEfADHJG0r0_kyaFLWR53A1W19sTYPa7L022Az-LJThrNWb4fcPuOFs_QGwwN5uvIDcMwQJjr2Kq7_Xn3aV4pkYz8abMUIBEUq1fJbrmfE8HxgC4o41Ys/s640/IMG_5295.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brekfast - crepes. Quite good, though the maple syrup on the side seemed redundant, given the syrup of some description that was already added. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7waKgmz_y6zQvIOX5J36itLwEd2XRt1riEQuOEPxJFZlJauT1dNypJtVadVWyhXN_9W2tYPoS0aC_JsuuGdKm1nKJ_ESojK5zBH1KMAFWZgXiY6-ZG3sPR7akMIsyzO79Ak2p0MSzoxC/s1600/IMG_5296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7waKgmz_y6zQvIOX5J36itLwEd2XRt1riEQuOEPxJFZlJauT1dNypJtVadVWyhXN_9W2tYPoS0aC_JsuuGdKm1nKJ_ESojK5zBH1KMAFWZgXiY6-ZG3sPR7akMIsyzO79Ak2p0MSzoxC/s640/IMG_5296.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late morning stop at Campbellton. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zsz6gKEC0gjCVZw1xHmewsf-w4kh5FcwSy68tOUEAq-fCzR66SKEmcsKViKjtGeEREC5hAqSx73sV65LdRCBZv-FTnOW6i_jvrVLmGlHC3m8nOFSw0pjbpJ6da6tATUf5aFhllqi_Py8/s1600/IMG_5298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zsz6gKEC0gjCVZw1xHmewsf-w4kh5FcwSy68tOUEAq-fCzR66SKEmcsKViKjtGeEREC5hAqSx73sV65LdRCBZv-FTnOW6i_jvrVLmGlHC3m8nOFSw0pjbpJ6da6tATUf5aFhllqi_Py8/s640/IMG_5298.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vestibule view. Step on up...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gZI8U5TkDWRTIojX2zygF9anVSAO_PBUD8PpC7Q6SAELHRclHY_Wd4e5eJEYfOYbwWFi39Aa31Lk8CYvU2DsgsABKrtqCiXMdvqM6Dhntn2Xt1B2MVfhrSVBRrbexw3z8O939aU_ubif/s1600/IMG_5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gZI8U5TkDWRTIojX2zygF9anVSAO_PBUD8PpC7Q6SAELHRclHY_Wd4e5eJEYfOYbwWFi39Aa31Lk8CYvU2DsgsABKrtqCiXMdvqM6Dhntn2Xt1B2MVfhrSVBRrbexw3z8O939aU_ubif/s640/IMG_5299.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many people out for a stretch and fresh air at Campbellton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOUiCymjS3CU6NfEcFVDPSLnWDa7RZPOj2zXOB1adUbl6T2ir1M_ZqnEeKB2wjeJHKaYNlPSoBtze61mckJKQ9lhyphenhyphentdxbHGk1mTTB392DxcUDGY1WQJz4BU2Om1Mp5MNOcbTUrmdy9HQU/s1600/IMG_5300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOUiCymjS3CU6NfEcFVDPSLnWDa7RZPOj2zXOB1adUbl6T2ir1M_ZqnEeKB2wjeJHKaYNlPSoBtze61mckJKQ9lhyphenhyphentdxbHGk1mTTB392DxcUDGY1WQJz4BU2Om1Mp5MNOcbTUrmdy9HQU/s640/IMG_5300.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vestibule views, across the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After breakfast, showering and getting pulled
together, we headed for the Park car. Much to our amazement, the train was busy
enough that there wasn’t a single seat available in the dome or the bullet
lounge, and only a few spaces in the mural lounge below the dome!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMPQmgFrPVlY0lZhIjcQVO7zyWkI4TmBuG3U6FmmzonXIza7nLc91mvmsdtTNifwJT6mvbGpBvLt2QIbe0ou96KolaHz8rjtVWLo3nyU15J-92Bql56ICYTpIyyvi1wPZrTTz1E2v646F/s1600/IMG_4688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMPQmgFrPVlY0lZhIjcQVO7zyWkI4TmBuG3U6FmmzonXIza7nLc91mvmsdtTNifwJT6mvbGpBvLt2QIbe0ou96KolaHz8rjtVWLo3nyU15J-92Bql56ICYTpIyyvi1wPZrTTz1E2v646F/s640/IMG_4688.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mural lounge below the Park car's dome is an ideal place to relax and socialize in the evening, but much less ideal for sightseeing. A few of us were standing to catch the Baie des Chaleurs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuy7_MzXLgDIbB-2DxjgdXOj8vGMEqvJklBvA8xayInccU_VYZPyj8JRacCu0PgKdtueiDyGbrlvVc0iub0yF03uHWAszFNPOWimLUPaO2IcsGBQ1EroQAFvV3c2OVNVmPO7HXT81XkSPN/s1600/IMG_4690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuy7_MzXLgDIbB-2DxjgdXOj8vGMEqvJklBvA8xayInccU_VYZPyj8JRacCu0PgKdtueiDyGbrlvVc0iub0yF03uHWAszFNPOWimLUPaO2IcsGBQ1EroQAFvV3c2OVNVmPO7HXT81XkSPN/s640/IMG_4690.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More views across the bay, from the small windows. This section of track is considered vulnerable to potential washouts, so there is a slow order over one section, and some sort of electronic washout detection system is visible along the right of way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Overall, the sleepers on this trip were very close to
full. Bedrooms and drawing rooms were all sold, many roomettes were occupied,
and some berths in all cars were sold – all three sections were set up in
several of the rear-most sleepers, and only the first two had a single section
occupied.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Lunch reservations were made for 11:45, 1:30, and
3:15. Passengers going only as far as Moncton were prioritized for the first,
and all three were ultimately quite full, with both ends of the diner in
service. We opted for 1:30, and had a lovely meal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0dy0rjEHa7RYdNqhvZeBrpKnHWwW_FnpuZQgP4jUqq_krEPGzkTiNOa4QVOv14GlaqgE0WRJGWXi0vJU0O6T8MjMwdODXkIRLsTw2hAxWg-IXjw3ckmd9Vg5nmGCtphyVRNU6Ux6P64Z/s1600/IMG_5301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0dy0rjEHa7RYdNqhvZeBrpKnHWwW_FnpuZQgP4jUqq_krEPGzkTiNOa4QVOv14GlaqgE0WRJGWXi0vJU0O6T8MjMwdODXkIRLsTw2hAxWg-IXjw3ckmd9Vg5nmGCtphyVRNU6Ux6P64Z/s640/IMG_5301.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEhuvXlk438jMGnbiSCmp-4lz6dTqxo2f-ZHMsASZZLGPWS92LxZNhJk3xczJb2VnWMf5HM_ixVTbvc4Srk2VRI9x3LQt-dYfp6tMs2q6bKXKFTkJrVBAO0XeOCooyExw4waLFqkKoyxt/s1600/IMG_5302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEhuvXlk438jMGnbiSCmp-4lz6dTqxo2f-ZHMsASZZLGPWS92LxZNhJk3xczJb2VnWMf5HM_ixVTbvc4Srk2VRI9x3LQt-dYfp6tMs2q6bKXKFTkJrVBAO0XeOCooyExw4waLFqkKoyxt/s640/IMG_5302.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken shish taouk - I was very glad to see this back on the menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4AVF-PIpF8Etg-0WVkmrxRfUG8FO103HqLVHp1oHpzeBeq3cAtXKf0HdijIRV7oxx1Pg_ew9axsyUnZg6sZjHgnTcNELS4_0N7jbHyzNk6sE1d2B3nhSuNlab16EIOeMDGplG-jja3vs/s1600/IMG_5304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4AVF-PIpF8Etg-0WVkmrxRfUG8FO103HqLVHp1oHpzeBeq3cAtXKf0HdijIRV7oxx1Pg_ew9axsyUnZg6sZjHgnTcNELS4_0N7jbHyzNk6sE1d2B3nhSuNlab16EIOeMDGplG-jja3vs/s640/IMG_5304.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mille-feuille - current go to lunch dessert, and I won't complain if this continues to stick around. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Aside from the late running, the rest of
the day was fairly relaxed and uneventful. We eventually found space in the
dome as some people migrated to meals and their rooms, and enjoyed the
surprising amount of early fall colour in the trees along the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Due to the late running, VIA ordered
St-Hubert takeout meals from Moncton – a choice between chicken dinners or
salads. This is fairly standard practice if the train is over 2 hours late. It
was served directly to passengers’ accommodations.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PVPtFFNNmSThONKYxJQqna_VaXfFHPdPdewqEvk6k4dOm41u0aEQci0UVyQbbBakBT-Eek6Q5kzlIH6XIOytUUOH6hTrw-_ybU2BsKTL8ngLUCyH2ExkYc3UBSJWHCQB-EMsFd3ugUDT/s1600/IMG_5303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PVPtFFNNmSThONKYxJQqna_VaXfFHPdPdewqEvk6k4dOm41u0aEQci0UVyQbbBakBT-Eek6Q5kzlIH6XIOytUUOH6hTrw-_ybU2BsKTL8ngLUCyH2ExkYc3UBSJWHCQB-EMsFd3ugUDT/s640/IMG_5303.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch time views.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpHBGczylY82ILlx4ZwfKuzRnBNotMfcPUkb65AeIcSaGP-7OgoKGToTAALECyb2J-NCNWOiDXBjrcJ8VxmilKLU_ZtuIYv8VcKR3oVfib4idyEHAFiJn2DjfKuaHsI6TFjRnZtizXs4v/s1600/IMG_4691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpHBGczylY82ILlx4ZwfKuzRnBNotMfcPUkb65AeIcSaGP-7OgoKGToTAALECyb2J-NCNWOiDXBjrcJ8VxmilKLU_ZtuIYv8VcKR3oVfib4idyEHAFiJn2DjfKuaHsI6TFjRnZtizXs4v/s640/IMG_4691.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall colours, much more present than I anticipated for mid September.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbrEhfzKDLXP4WCn1Hn5BoDj-iJPjrY-beBUk544boqyeB98TXn-g8y2iMrM2TebN8vMRYj-m4hzzstukw5Ygz0Dlb_Kk7VoeigKSffeTry4PnFmNz_Z3hzRnN3G1Qszd9cZNfDf9E_Ih/s1600/IMG_4693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbrEhfzKDLXP4WCn1Hn5BoDj-iJPjrY-beBUk544boqyeB98TXn-g8y2iMrM2TebN8vMRYj-m4hzzstukw5Ygz0Dlb_Kk7VoeigKSffeTry4PnFmNz_Z3hzRnN3G1Qszd9cZNfDf9E_Ih/s640/IMG_4693.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colourful bogs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CFPM6nkh1fxlVhfQdzoeA9PvmOmEA5V2-0yyneRC-tewN964N565w3o5_YYZmwzsZl7Vx_fvO0vC6sa7mlNCz3LH2LSHyP5HrZbXUIzXkEeYQ9B2RZjXSlEmDsvLLmwcUbSebOCQSTgK/s1600/IMG_5305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CFPM6nkh1fxlVhfQdzoeA9PvmOmEA5V2-0yyneRC-tewN964N565w3o5_YYZmwzsZl7Vx_fvO0vC6sa7mlNCz3LH2LSHyP5HrZbXUIzXkEeYQ9B2RZjXSlEmDsvLLmwcUbSebOCQSTgK/s640/IMG_5305.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped at Moncton, still under rather gloomy skies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gKxl36D8k7ERCMDLRonRNFW7b0N4txZtOQ3ruDM3iRm-TD5Jw0LTXAOKudsUteqxWK5vRLkmMUC0CWomHbpP7PKT5lPuH8axMc-fm4oiRoe1oHPZsSVMJhpsPDPPQVznjaAOd3r5kdCg/s1600/IMG_5308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gKxl36D8k7ERCMDLRonRNFW7b0N4txZtOQ3ruDM3iRm-TD5Jw0LTXAOKudsUteqxWK5vRLkmMUC0CWomHbpP7PKT5lPuH8axMc-fm4oiRoe1oHPZsSVMJhpsPDPPQVznjaAOd3r5kdCg/s640/IMG_5308.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HEP section behind, Renaissance section ahead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKitxZRvvsCv1jgnFKtBV4loXkJwTEkCi9ph3xJMAsGqZG9oeedMSAmVIv0ZLMHEJKeuCz535XvDEuDzXJvqyQlQdJk32AVGzLLLwnrcEZkgnfz4AY3V5ok889cHbLb1pcAKSr6OpwlzLr/s1600/IMG_4697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKitxZRvvsCv1jgnFKtBV4loXkJwTEkCi9ph3xJMAsGqZG9oeedMSAmVIv0ZLMHEJKeuCz535XvDEuDzXJvqyQlQdJk32AVGzLLLwnrcEZkgnfz4AY3V5ok889cHbLb1pcAKSr6OpwlzLr/s640/IMG_4697.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful skies over Folly Lake. There would be many more stunning views as the sun dropped in the sky and the clouds parted, but I opted to enjoy them instead of trying to capture more on film (er, pixels...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwmgDFZqqDmSq8ORpR_2B42whclMEh01Qkq-DwEzeBloxEm9J1Ioq0s9hKyl3pvRfwnUg1YASTrUKYcgDkcf31DFd3TvXxLsZllNc9r-lAg_Zy2w1cvgBF-V-7qdMIzOEtOK_nAvNHZmE/s1600/IMG_5309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwmgDFZqqDmSq8ORpR_2B42whclMEh01Qkq-DwEzeBloxEm9J1Ioq0s9hKyl3pvRfwnUg1YASTrUKYcgDkcf31DFd3TvXxLsZllNc9r-lAg_Zy2w1cvgBF-V-7qdMIzOEtOK_nAvNHZmE/s640/IMG_5309.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St-Hubert dinners, in section 01. Note the classic checkerboard table (game pieces not included).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">With the days getting shorter, it was dark
by not long past Truro. The final hour and a half sped by in darkness, and we
arrived at the Halifax station just after 8pm, 3h11min late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rtxNBS1yccN6-Ov1dvDAvRcgZG8WNEOcoEVo8CIsEyRH3BYCPQ3LhyphenhyphengqXlPpmUMOhnC_26fETLR2f_hF_qqPUuzmeG3LcTf44D2s9v-gLQwLesZ5A-BRhWIFBglsJ_gVWmVXj4eIX4p0/s1600/IMG_4698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rtxNBS1yccN6-Ov1dvDAvRcgZG8WNEOcoEVo8CIsEyRH3BYCPQ3LhyphenhyphengqXlPpmUMOhnC_26fETLR2f_hF_qqPUuzmeG3LcTf44D2s9v-gLQwLesZ5A-BRhWIFBglsJ_gVWmVXj4eIX4p0/s640/IMG_4698.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After dark in Halifax, looking more like a scene from the winter than mid September. A long, long walk from the back...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">All in all, an excellent way to spend a
weekend!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">~-~-~</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While it was initially planned to be a
solution for the summer equipment crunch, it looks like the Mixed consist will
remain on one Ocean set for the foreseeable future. The VIA reservations system
is now showing that equipment type and mix of HEP and Ren accommodations
through until April of next year, which means we will likely see a shortened
version of this set all winter and spring. With the full retirement of the
Renaissance equipment not far off on the horizon, it seems likely that the days
of the Ocean running with all Renaissance equipment have come to an end. While
many railfans will celebrate their demise, and some passengers will be happy
with the consistent return of a variety of sleeper options, the end of the Rens
will have serious implications for VIA’s long distance equipment pool. Unless
or until they’re able to acquire new long distance sleepers and other cars, a
return to a fully HEP Ocean will mean shorter trains on either the Ocean or
Canadian (or both), and will rule out any chance of a return to more frequent
service. There will also be a need for serious refurbishment of much of the
remaining HEP equipment, which hasn’t received that kind of attention in years.
Love them or hate them, the Rens did provide VIA with a lot more equipment
capacity and flexibility.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">For the next while, it will be interesting
to see how the changes take place. Might we see a move to two mixed consists
before a full HEP conversion?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In any case, I feel like I’m about due for
a Renaissance trip…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">‘Til the next time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0UCmaGw0OQ_W87hcnr_h0_VPSdtqfIe8RQkQHGet7HZz0pArVee8a_e9Sy6M_KlKIydbnlgF0UrgLjXYyYN54Et6G8S1Be7SLU2PgmuUKijcU2qzxRKjDYenQUhkjdNojUtj3Q8-1Qbs/s1600/69779278_10158005507990955_3773562093081460736_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0UCmaGw0OQ_W87hcnr_h0_VPSdtqfIe8RQkQHGet7HZz0pArVee8a_e9Sy6M_KlKIydbnlgF0UrgLjXYyYN54Et6G8S1Be7SLU2PgmuUKijcU2qzxRKjDYenQUhkjdNojUtj3Q8-1Qbs/s640/69779278_10158005507990955_3773562093081460736_o.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It feels almost cliché to end the post with a rear-view from the Park car, but some things just work too well. Bon voyage!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-37589258607815229482019-08-09T14:17:00.004-03:002019-08-13T13:49:50.014-03:00Loving the summer way<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">VIA's latest marketing campaign has revolved around the phrase "love the way", coupled with its French counterpart, "la voie qu'on aime". Its imagery is stronger in French, as while the term "voie" literally translates as "way", it is also used to refer to railway tracks. Their last campaign ("the future is on board") heralded optimism for a bright future, while this one focuses on the joys of rail travel - a way where you can actually love the journey, not just getting where you're going. As a lover of train travel, this certainly rings true.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The new slogan is showing up all over VIA materials and properties, and has even made its way to the trains themselves. As the 40th anniversary branding starts to disappear, wrapped locomotives that first bore Canada 150 branding have now migrated to a new look, with the bilingual slogans joining the large VIA logos atop silver sides. On August 2, I had the chance to catch locomotive 6416 on its first journey to the Maritimes in the new livery, leading Train 15 as it departed Halifax.</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26UoCnDBsPo8DOCimIjcr2_qDnQ0gx8f6p8yBRxgplllGL1XCtKgZ8xyo3j5Nr3KEs_voddH8mEDClaTX-mLSzhCEPhQv6n7jXsBJAllxVepKhyphenhyphenWEr_XTOH7jxPRSWqpVeg7PO4auK40v/s1600/IMG_5219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26UoCnDBsPo8DOCimIjcr2_qDnQ0gx8f6p8yBRxgplllGL1XCtKgZ8xyo3j5Nr3KEs_voddH8mEDClaTX-mLSzhCEPhQv6n7jXsBJAllxVepKhyphenhyphenWEr_XTOH7jxPRSWqpVeg7PO4auK40v/s640/IMG_5219.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding the bend towards the Young Ave overpass, next to lines of container cars and under the extensive grain loading infrastructure. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU3Iws1sb1nYvfJtGNXXuD8ekGiBN6KcGD3T-Fg5HhvC2Di-YflxsGXbJ4XmSl0s5SJ0Bz7rbDJskbq36Y8ulP8xvtdGhsK4EWgeswxUcpAh6FgATRcrf0CMhcZRL5aoqgNQt9qEspGjT/s1600/IMG_5223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1600" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU3Iws1sb1nYvfJtGNXXuD8ekGiBN6KcGD3T-Fg5HhvC2Di-YflxsGXbJ4XmSl0s5SJ0Bz7rbDJskbq36Y8ulP8xvtdGhsK4EWgeswxUcpAh6FgATRcrf0CMhcZRL5aoqgNQt9qEspGjT/s640/IMG_5223.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"la voie qu'on aime" - turn over locomotive for English instructions. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As usual this summer, the Ocean has swelled to accommodate many summer time travellers. One set of equipment is the usual enormous Renaissance consist, with 5 coaches, 9 sleepers, and a crew Chateau sleeper ahead of the Park car. The other set of equipment, seen in the photos above and below, is something quite new - a mixed set of HEP and Renaissance equipment, with HEP baggage and four coaches, followed be a Renaissance block of transition, accessible coach, service car, diner, service car, accessible sleeper, sleeper, and transition, and finally another HEP block of 6 Chateau sleepers and the Park car; a monster of a train, necessitated by damage to Ren equipment over the winter and a shortage of HEP diners. It does have the benefit of maintaining consistent dining service between the two trains (particularly helpful for the crew), offering accessible Renaissance coach and sleeper space, and also offering up a variety of HEP accommodations for folks who prefer that option. This consist is slated to stay on until after Christmas, according to the VIA reservation system, and it seems entirely possible that it could remain beyond that. Will we ever see a return to two full Ren sets?</span><br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcaQc8zubx1wc-U8CSrzfpvj2z3XL5RG8bAGLZn5XNW0H5DpdST0zWjr8YmVj0rJbtoEoNOWvrUgbAWS07CvNIwuXX1uSzlbXLJz7tHgbK9Cdw8lHfFLUWhXm8DSKuN39vnmxAD_G69d3/s1600/IMG_5225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcaQc8zubx1wc-U8CSrzfpvj2z3XL5RG8bAGLZn5XNW0H5DpdST0zWjr8YmVj0rJbtoEoNOWvrUgbAWS07CvNIwuXX1uSzlbXLJz7tHgbK9Cdw8lHfFLUWhXm8DSKuN39vnmxAD_G69d3/s640/IMG_5225.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HEP coaches, with alternating CP and American ancestry, make up the first part of the train.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpupDyhPIlehVEX9nIlGxIR9ZjmCkVMnNX4iXkxPXsm5N58Gks4nX_tvNZ8xXGtsRfV1NtnIWj5TriDCSKH7huoa_HgnUq5CiXsxaOiHST23icgqWWZJNLYRbnUaMmPFc_Ljo5lyR0Lo1/s1600/IMG_5226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1559" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpupDyhPIlehVEX9nIlGxIR9ZjmCkVMnNX4iXkxPXsm5N58Gks4nX_tvNZ8xXGtsRfV1NtnIWj5TriDCSKH7huoa_HgnUq5CiXsxaOiHST23icgqWWZJNLYRbnUaMmPFc_Ljo5lyR0Lo1/s640/IMG_5226.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Renaissance block begins - transition cars are required at both ends to make this work. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-yOBImtdhk4WE1u96ag-oXiPWbbzpIQoPrKAzQbJQyJ7jkGhRZSLtX40yTOldJ3XDgi1QWqg-xLcEMCILmI6HGWXY2vH3tqh1LSj3cO6YLggIXZ47EcP7lx9j-d9YOvVftL981Nkd1Jo/s1600/IMG_5229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-yOBImtdhk4WE1u96ag-oXiPWbbzpIQoPrKAzQbJQyJ7jkGhRZSLtX40yTOldJ3XDgi1QWqg-xLcEMCILmI6HGWXY2vH3tqh1LSj3cO6YLggIXZ47EcP7lx9j-d9YOvVftL981Nkd1Jo/s640/IMG_5229.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coach block - some passengers are seated in the Renaissance coach rather than the HEP coaches ahead.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRtchtA_wAHVL1ajx_G6StUvshk11vpNK8xvMl-LeWiUXSzyRY-pU0x2Zr7fRAnecbjaFlGRDV49GDFDbgcFuv6uwR9o2zJLuUCUAO4OnqzwD5i4kptvfSy0EoUkKcHkoNqD-csP_FDDT/s1600/IMG_5233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRtchtA_wAHVL1ajx_G6StUvshk11vpNK8xvMl-LeWiUXSzyRY-pU0x2Zr7fRAnecbjaFlGRDV49GDFDbgcFuv6uwR9o2zJLuUCUAO4OnqzwD5i4kptvfSy0EoUkKcHkoNqD-csP_FDDT/s640/IMG_5233.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The full Ren block, with second transition before the Chateau sleepers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJM5iPg6mtMw8RBoQCogUJ7lKKpubXfT3Y2U_qTXCbdn3xDljGQUBMVUX1Hc9YCIkqnAuX5DITjm6UFI6QhQieSkBq-uOgmEP43xf9fkBA3R80pCbB6qqEgLScUgBO_iEXPsD7ZMlWITP/s1600/IMG_5235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1600" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJM5iPg6mtMw8RBoQCogUJ7lKKpubXfT3Y2U_qTXCbdn3xDljGQUBMVUX1Hc9YCIkqnAuX5DITjm6UFI6QhQieSkBq-uOgmEP43xf9fkBA3R80pCbB6qqEgLScUgBO_iEXPsD7ZMlWITP/s640/IMG_5235.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rens snaking through the crossovers, their diminutive size on display between the two HEP blocks. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2A9nd2hAv3e1zByrCRtkH78kzP5_eG766jxpacnJjjI8pRGHhnzI3WFhl-JV-Q_hKcjWBbLB9Vdw3jaqishfm7vPtd-17dXpVoOWcQL62W9dIH6iC-5tXUQq2eQOG0up6RdXUJbWIEUK/s1600/cut_cover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1363" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2A9nd2hAv3e1zByrCRtkH78kzP5_eG766jxpacnJjjI8pRGHhnzI3WFhl-JV-Q_hKcjWBbLB9Vdw3jaqishfm7vPtd-17dXpVoOWcQL62W9dIH6iC-5tXUQq2eQOG0up6RdXUJbWIEUK/s640/cut_cover2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tail end. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The enormous trains have required a slight adjustment to the schedule at the Halifax end. Departure time has been moved up to 12:45 between July and October, but arrival at Truro is still for the same time. This extra 15 minutes is intended to provide enough time for the train to be reassembled. With such long consists, the trains must be split to fit on the Halifax platforms - the Ren set has the Chateau and Park set on the adjacent track, while the mixed set has been split with the last few Chateau sleepers and the Park car on the second track. At 12:45 with everyone on board, the combination begins, and the hope is that the train will still get away from town by 1 pm.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of Halifax, the downtown VIA station has been undergoing major renovations over the last year. The roof and skylight needed to be replaced, and this work meant that for the past year, the interior of the station has been taken up with scaffolding (tastefully hidden behind temporary walls) and a low drop ceiling, which restricted space in the station and made for tight quarters at busy times, especially for claiming baggage. Thankfully this work has come to an end, and the results appear to be well worthwhile. Have a look at the before and after:</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3Oek5klXkqFc1404cKhVgzr2XSQ70N7RvVSt2M_NsuuM767PzG8aDbMaVjZjD5XfzNbRqpjnv-hRLUZi3UlWFDb0Ji2F3BXMebV8dD29vVcUQnLkblCjM6mK1Dckjp1KUn1r6mhXlNdS/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3Oek5klXkqFc1404cKhVgzr2XSQ70N7RvVSt2M_NsuuM767PzG8aDbMaVjZjD5XfzNbRqpjnv-hRLUZi3UlWFDb0Ji2F3BXMebV8dD29vVcUQnLkblCjM6mK1Dckjp1KUn1r6mhXlNdS/s640/IMG_3827.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then - Halifax station mid-renovations, with scaffolding and drop ceiling. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJSZRS6osbxWieVITrrs5DE1C-ygvfiYily1WzP3ENKB89rBKk-NC9PuU-xBntcv8bT_xUdE0X3I6p9Y2_W7aME2pIdm-Xj-GFbFG1M5cptl7ofHJKVzGmi7TU4YSTzyDBvllWo97pYsI/s1600/Halifax+station_Aug+2+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJSZRS6osbxWieVITrrs5DE1C-ygvfiYily1WzP3ENKB89rBKk-NC9PuU-xBntcv8bT_xUdE0X3I6p9Y2_W7aME2pIdm-Xj-GFbFG1M5cptl7ofHJKVzGmi7TU4YSTzyDBvllWo97pYsI/s640/Halifax+station_Aug+2+2019.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now - opened back up, with new roof and skylights - beautiful! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This summer has been filled with a good share of travelling on my end, but very little by train. In July I was off to Calgary, and despite some considerable time spent contemplating circuitous and convoluted rail routings that could get me part of the way there, it became clear that the 5h flight was the only really sensible option. Despite that, there were opportunities to work in some little bits of rail travel while in town.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The CTrain system is Calgary's light rail transit system, with two main lines (blue and red) that traverse between the northwest and southeast, and west and northeast, with the two sharing track through the downtown core. Apart from the downtown it's all off-street running, with a combination of grade separation at level, tracks in medians, elevated sections, tunnels, and even a good share of gated level crossings. Trains run on overhead electrification, and feature several generations of Siemens-built equipment with various interior arrangements. Trains feature twin cars that can be coupled together to make longer trains. The system is incredibly well used, and is a super effective way to quickly get around much of the city. I covered a good chunk of it while in town, and was happy to have managed to ride every generation of equipment.</span> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFQ0VRR2dCeQkDaA2IThYh7zTdsUtAU_EjS7fxTzZkVVcJ3mNrO-bvmc96iVEKTamdJ_Kt_yMerF68qmo0b_TSUa6G53UQ_znNvElx7aaU_pfelp1EoTkqB9wOuunhrLuRjtLg_EAO5nS/s1600/IMG_5024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFQ0VRR2dCeQkDaA2IThYh7zTdsUtAU_EjS7fxTzZkVVcJ3mNrO-bvmc96iVEKTamdJ_Kt_yMerF68qmo0b_TSUa6G53UQ_znNvElx7aaU_pfelp1EoTkqB9wOuunhrLuRjtLg_EAO5nS/s640/IMG_5024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Series 8 Siemens SD-160NG train.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjtjizKEvtHggDl_ndCaMeHhrhPbPuz-YNnBJcG0y-Ax8Oq3X4gUkaE6mi0x_DHgDEvijpxMyWJqph7e_iSm-gKiOz2RWPKfhO7SJWIWULgqI5mRn1iwOp_xGJHq0jSRcAr1Pxl1jbhmF/s1600/IMG_5026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjtjizKEvtHggDl_ndCaMeHhrhPbPuz-YNnBJcG0y-Ax8Oq3X4gUkaE6mi0x_DHgDEvijpxMyWJqph7e_iSm-gKiOz2RWPKfhO7SJWIWULgqI5mRn1iwOp_xGJHq0jSRcAr1Pxl1jbhmF/s640/IMG_5026.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of a Siemens SD-160 train. These have well cushioned, forward and rear facing seats, which I found to be the most comfortable of all of the trains we rode. The later Series 8 trains have side facing seats, which optimize standing room but are less comfortable to sit in; the newest S200 units are similar, with hard plastic seats. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_peXPNgPGlwR_mc7k3squrINI-kCfndQvzqRen1z0ZPDznwFpRaOQ28mXN5T38lQEHSK6AKKeJ9FPURUXlbO8KlAoMbnmkqLrC0EBtCiv-Y54eehzUr1lQX_F_ku8TAdaWeAtXBgFys1g/s1600/IMG_5032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_peXPNgPGlwR_mc7k3squrINI-kCfndQvzqRen1z0ZPDznwFpRaOQ28mXN5T38lQEHSK6AKKeJ9FPURUXlbO8KlAoMbnmkqLrC0EBtCiv-Y54eehzUr1lQX_F_ku8TAdaWeAtXBgFys1g/s640/IMG_5032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newest trains in the fleet - Siemens S200, delivered from 2013 onwards. By far the quietest trains inside, but less comfortable seating. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CLnyQCAhFSdWsG8L2tAQIE2qOxna9h4YnmLVc5O6aOMAMfm4x558TCFiw7obUo_O241P75UdkTy3WjzLmAdvPTf9Lop9hLjTeoG3hMbdGwLrBtt_dBLCDWTcMDg_AhlLvh7oK-40rhKO/s1600/IMG_5033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CLnyQCAhFSdWsG8L2tAQIE2qOxna9h4YnmLVc5O6aOMAMfm4x558TCFiw7obUo_O241P75UdkTy3WjzLmAdvPTf9Lop9hLjTeoG3hMbdGwLrBtt_dBLCDWTcMDg_AhlLvh7oK-40rhKO/s640/IMG_5033.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite the less comfortable seats, the forward view from the S200 trains is the best in the fleet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDVYJmetiHujwMyHWvbyg3x1A7V4s_xyIFhOnjNeIvkHpi8CnZQh9FX5dyprlGihiwLdlCMjK8rCargkr2ygRfPxoe_4gKP_2rZ6JKEX8RK2VAeq7JDjAnswfHqz1dztPRETgQ-ULu4RG/s1600/IMG_5035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1360" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDVYJmetiHujwMyHWvbyg3x1A7V4s_xyIFhOnjNeIvkHpi8CnZQh9FX5dyprlGihiwLdlCMjK8rCargkr2ygRfPxoe_4gKP_2rZ6JKEX8RK2VAeq7JDjAnswfHqz1dztPRETgQ-ULu4RG/s640/IMG_5035.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trains that started it all - a Siemens-Duewag U2 train, the off-the-shelf German design that was used for the first CTrains when the system was built. These same units were used in Edmonton, and their success helped establish Siemens' place as a light rail manufacturer in North America. I found these trains to be quite comfortable despite their age (recognizing, of course, that they have been refurbished over the years), and the folding doors were pretty neat. Mostly, it's just really impressive to see them still running (and in the old livery, to boot) in rush hour along with multiple generations of their descendants. </td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Calgary boasts lots of freight action, but no intercity passenger rail. The Rocky Mountaineer does serve there, but its land-cruise setup (and high price tag) keep it from being any sort of useful transportation for most people. I would have been happy to see the train while in town, but didn't get the chance. Riding it was far out of the budget.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The one other bit of train riding I did fit in, however, came in the form of two different historic sites. The first was at Calgary's Heritage Park, an absolute must-visit attraction for anyone even remotely interested in the history of the region. The park is a living history museum with exhibits covering a wide-swath of Calgary's history, and it features some working exhibits not seen at many attractions of its kind - this includes a theme park with rides dating back to the early 20th century, a scaled down paddle-wheeler offering tours around the bay, and most excitingly, a full-size train running a loop around the park, with stops at three stations! It's an amazing thing to hear and see the steam locomotive making its way around the park. Rides are included with admission, so just hop on at any station and hop off wherever you please.</span> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUoUy1Euu_ecLItbg91mSM0VuF5BxY2fABMKD86Vfv4wof1792q3Y5AvyED9ZClGz9zANBM_KeQOQmZHhN8diFvLe9uy3WLg8wLKXNuZMdua2BMi6eP0hygtXBzK1abiUvi-VFL9ZWls4/s1600/IMG_5060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUoUy1Euu_ecLItbg91mSM0VuF5BxY2fABMKD86Vfv4wof1792q3Y5AvyED9ZClGz9zANBM_KeQOQmZHhN8diFvLe9uy3WLg8wLKXNuZMdua2BMi6eP0hygtXBzK1abiUvi-VFL9ZWls4/s640/IMG_5060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train eases in to Shepard station. While I'm not clear on the heritage of the first two cars, the third is a former CN Mountain observation car, an absolutely stunning passenger car with full open platforms at either end. Can you imagine riding that through the Rockies? </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As if the steam train in the park weren't enough, there's also an old electric trolly that runs through the parking lot - for a modest fee, you can get a ride back to your car (or in our case, a slight detour en route to the bus stop).</span> <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-G_uP9ARUjRXJN1sLLCs-k5ASgTvLurKVvlalBfvFCD8tMFEVs_toOQ3VLkELLxGTB8qwDrOJxVmrKdxNUItRzVSDmgkSLEj2L0rR8I82D434jbR9qqKLpULriIv2ZysmHB-Q0pcyUw8/s1600/IMG_5089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-G_uP9ARUjRXJN1sLLCs-k5ASgTvLurKVvlalBfvFCD8tMFEVs_toOQ3VLkELLxGTB8qwDrOJxVmrKdxNUItRzVSDmgkSLEj2L0rR8I82D434jbR9qqKLpULriIv2ZysmHB-Q0pcyUw8/s640/IMG_5089.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On board the trolley. Just as good of a forward view as the new CTrains!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, our travels around near town brought us to the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site, which is near Drumheller AB. An easy drive from Calgary, it is well worth checking out. The history of coal mining in the region is fascinating, and the opportunity to tour the remnant of the mine and see the last standing wooden coal tipple in Canada is very much worthwhile. Plus, you can ride the little battery-powered mine train on a 2'-gauge railway around the site; but be forewarned, it's a rough ride!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5NxXeaztvKo6FT6EqZgkgGyZs6hTwQsBuvv2eHVTyUiwkah4l2wljTXgwfxIFpi0k3Q7RYDQmXss2nm1Sx-10r8URI_CRr8aJ3HKqKWbiDrX6zCAN_TTImSJbanYhs50yGtGRK8oojF0/s1600/IMG_5113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5NxXeaztvKo6FT6EqZgkgGyZs6hTwQsBuvv2eHVTyUiwkah4l2wljTXgwfxIFpi0k3Q7RYDQmXss2nm1Sx-10r8URI_CRr8aJ3HKqKWbiDrX6zCAN_TTImSJbanYhs50yGtGRK8oojF0/s640/IMG_5113.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlas No. 3 train - a battery powered electric locomotive hauls the small coal cars that provided both a way to move coal out of the mine, and a way to move miners into the sprawling tunnels. Just make sure you're holding on when the slack kicks out...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Travelling along the CP route through the Rockies provided lots and lots of opportunities to see and appreciate railroading through the mountains. Unfortunately there is no passenger service on that line except for the Rocky Mountaineer, since VIA's Canadian was rerouted decades ago. It's a shame, because the spectacles of that route would be absolutely breathtaking from the rails. All the same, it was wonderful to appreciate the endless parade of freight trains, from vantage points high and low.</span> <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVbRsMjoNvIJn_PyTbTCtsvW-h6ZoEA6x8yB5WMaBbFdi6gbsjlIbgQ6z9A0Wx8A5XaeNgzsRGEF_Kczj_BS6C1bv81NcKKa3nWbyw75ji-IH464KCIWK4Tp_-3ojDpoOYUGp_T0YAdlG/s1600/IMG_5149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVbRsMjoNvIJn_PyTbTCtsvW-h6ZoEA6x8yB5WMaBbFdi6gbsjlIbgQ6z9A0Wx8A5XaeNgzsRGEF_Kczj_BS6C1bv81NcKKa3nWbyw75ji-IH464KCIWK4Tp_-3ojDpoOYUGp_T0YAdlG/s640/IMG_5149.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crew change at Field. This train had just descended through the spiral tunnels, and was picking up a new crew to continue on its way into BC. It would wait here for a short while for another train to arrive at Field and clear the main. The parade of trains up and down the pass was seemingly endless. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0I1268gdO4MBGL6CPIQPNURiJYoaVwqlV4-qeivSJmc1HgyqscvJuyrv7EyW75d87Lq4hDYj83siV_0B55cLDzA-BVFkGqgagfvNseLk0zFi2NKAuc7Oj99VuJ4YZCtRdJgOX4dc09Pm/s1600/IMG_5165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0I1268gdO4MBGL6CPIQPNURiJYoaVwqlV4-qeivSJmc1HgyqscvJuyrv7EyW75d87Lq4hDYj83siV_0B55cLDzA-BVFkGqgagfvNseLk0zFi2NKAuc7Oj99VuJ4YZCtRdJgOX4dc09Pm/s640/IMG_5165.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dwarfed by the mountains - viewed from Paget Peak, both railway and highway through the Kicking Horse Pass look like tiny specks on the landscape. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHjmpNsn9cTJm5PD0N4Ka0lBtHLo7zOUbUg49RflaHL2q5GCTgt7pScDBJNvAE84kBMMdapzoIHIQfw-dcZNTkUP06bjHD9mv1q32bk6FKnyhy8rWX64Ysw9aqQNF_IxUpN1OztglA2Kp/s1600/IMG_5170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHjmpNsn9cTJm5PD0N4Ka0lBtHLo7zOUbUg49RflaHL2q5GCTgt7pScDBJNvAE84kBMMdapzoIHIQfw-dcZNTkUP06bjHD9mv1q32bk6FKnyhy8rWX64Ysw9aqQNF_IxUpN1OztglA2Kp/s640/IMG_5170.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewed from Paget Peak, a CP grain train works its way up grade. From this point we could see two passing sidings and the length of mainline between them, with entire trains visible in a single view. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So much of this country was built on the railways, and virtually all goods we use day to day still travel on ribbons of steel. It's sad that passengers can no longer ride on so many of the rail lines that still link those communities; yet it's wonderful that we have what we do, and always worth every opportunity to enjoy it - whether its the timeless beauty of VIA's stainless steel streamliners (the voyage which launched this blog), the preserved pieces of railway heritage, or the modern light rail systems that drive business in a bustling modern metropolis. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love the way!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF9FH-kl9j2J0zmbY1LYaupP8JrrVOv7wUhsTnU0bTSAcFwjsdu-7v7i3SgG0xGcZkXn7jZU1ONTBxHvCGyyLfumKvJlGYz0oXgBHErq-FfLlIRLKE5SG1JnaZTlZOIfPV8hiw4ew3IQD/s1600/IMG_5088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF9FH-kl9j2J0zmbY1LYaupP8JrrVOv7wUhsTnU0bTSAcFwjsdu-7v7i3SgG0xGcZkXn7jZU1ONTBxHvCGyyLfumKvJlGYz0oXgBHErq-FfLlIRLKE5SG1JnaZTlZOIfPV8hiw4ew3IQD/s640/IMG_5088.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closing view at Heritage Park. The scenes seemingly invite the photographer to play around with black and white and vintage looks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-29862845470613565232019-06-17T08:52:00.000-03:002019-06-17T08:52:29.797-03:00To Ottawa and back<br />
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4GmgdaSzY5HabpyCn1i5nKM0rFxlCRu5I8L6s1VVMVzQ8mPwBaX9srY3xQRjTTGFhc0wNX0aCBeUsy_dyYFD8Hmhovuwrihq7oz3qMx63ql_yJY8XNmrTZAMYbACl2IsEYZPyjpX_DIJ/s1600/F19A03DF-DFC8-4A8C-8287-F078611D3243.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4GmgdaSzY5HabpyCn1i5nKM0rFxlCRu5I8L6s1VVMVzQ8mPwBaX9srY3xQRjTTGFhc0wNX0aCBeUsy_dyYFD8Hmhovuwrihq7oz3qMx63ql_yJY8XNmrTZAMYbACl2IsEYZPyjpX_DIJ/s640/F19A03DF-DFC8-4A8C-8287-F078611D3243.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The consist for VIA 14 backs up to Central Station in Montreal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It hadn’t been long since my last outing on the rails at the
end of March, but as May rolled around I found cause to be in Ottawa for a
weekend near the end of the month. Unlike Montreal, where a solid weekend can
be worked in by using the Friday and Sunday trains, Ottawa presents a bit more
of a challenge to work in entirely by rail. The connection between Montreal is
fast and convenient (a speedy 2-hour trip), but with the earliest connection on
a Saturday you can’t make it to Ottawa until early afternoon, and the return on
Sunday requires a mid-afternoon departure. Not much time to do anything, though
a Saturday evening event would still be manageable. </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In this case my purpose for being in Ottawa was a meeting that
commenced on Saturday morning, so the train up would not be feasible. On the
return, however, I figured I could squeeze it in. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So on Friday May 24<sup>th</sup> I headed off to the Halifax airport
after work to board a flight. The Halifax airport is a fairly good distance
outside the city – it’s a 32km drive from downtown. Not that many years ago the
only ways to get out to the airport, if you weren’t driving, were a pricey cab
ride ($50+), or some sort of shuttle bus (~ $20+ and limited availability).
Thankfully Halifax Transit (then Metro Transit) launched a bus route to the
airport in early 2012. Route 320 operates under the “MetroX” branding, as a
limited stop longer distance route. Running hourly most of the time and every
30 minutes during morning and evening peaks, it provides service for passengers
going to and from the airport, employees working at or near the airport, and
commuters from the Fall River area who can use the park and ride and catch the
bus. The fare? A bus ticket ($2) plus $1, or $3.50 cash. Not a bad deal by any
stretch!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So one bus from work to the Bridge Terminal, then the 320 to the
airport. I gave myself plenty of time as the last time I flew through Halifax I
found the security line was very slow. This was not the case this time, as the
airport has just completed a major overhaul of the security screening area, and
it now seems to operate remarkably efficiently. So I ended up with plenty of
time to kill. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The flight itself was with Porter, my usual preference for
Halifax-Ottawa flights. Their Q400s are the most comfortable of their kind
(apparently a result of the shorter runway at Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport,
which required them to order planes with a lower passenger capacity), the
complimentary beverage and snack service is always nice, and while there’s no in-flight
entertainment system, on such a short flight you don’t really need it. Despite
it having been a rainy day, it cleared up around the time we took off, and the
flight was smooth and uneventful right to Ottawa. On the way over Montreal I
was able to spot the various locations I’d pass through on the train a few days
later, heading from downtown out through Mont St-Hilaire. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlGq_Hl12kANMOm1IduWRMsnr_YBYH3eKQD-ztzB7L_r8l6cUkY22SZbeqTRv88pkHZwc68MQXS69uyS3fuT3TqweaKTW0hmHhwG44XJ7SKRnzKtEpLFIUDRiA0psoM38IPSoMo8J-DoY/s1600/IMG_4241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1390" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlGq_Hl12kANMOm1IduWRMsnr_YBYH3eKQD-ztzB7L_r8l6cUkY22SZbeqTRv88pkHZwc68MQXS69uyS3fuT3TqweaKTW0hmHhwG44XJ7SKRnzKtEpLFIUDRiA0psoM38IPSoMo8J-DoY/s640/IMG_4241.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My plane has arrived. To make the most efficient use of its fleet, Porter operates these Halifax-Ottawa flights as one part of what is ultimately a St. John's-Toronto flight. The plane first flies St. John's-Halifax, then Halifax-Ottawa, and finally Ottawa-Toronto. Makes for a lengthy flight if you're going the full thing, but the shorter segments work well for people travelling on those legs. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqtznPRes2qGr2dyoQRWeFbQrf_IB4yLWkgs7Lq0xUt4t3WwmSfZUVb6emBYmX0cak-6Yzq_b3tghC0v9DWGtfnhZPwEylyGBI7Fkh7uUpfTl8P8cRH146djUVpyp5TLdeFI7gccqHuJ8/s1600/IMG_4243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqtznPRes2qGr2dyoQRWeFbQrf_IB4yLWkgs7Lq0xUt4t3WwmSfZUVb6emBYmX0cak-6Yzq_b3tghC0v9DWGtfnhZPwEylyGBI7Fkh7uUpfTl8P8cRH146djUVpyp5TLdeFI7gccqHuJ8/s640/IMG_4243.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunnier above the clouds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj7lWarYMerY5ROGL0kn9QyC4LE19ZenL-WIjVdNEDlhS1_Yk8iTA2chGbE7CYhQxobQJ03PoEtYNkLEznqMye1CKjtAzqOmWd50v8-n8q9VlUailDwUj5T5H4KtZzsPE4UM7frRLOqM_/s1600/IMG_4245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj7lWarYMerY5ROGL0kn9QyC4LE19ZenL-WIjVdNEDlhS1_Yk8iTA2chGbE7CYhQxobQJ03PoEtYNkLEznqMye1CKjtAzqOmWd50v8-n8q9VlUailDwUj5T5H4KtZzsPE4UM7frRLOqM_/s640/IMG_4245.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porter snack service. A special drink offering for a limited time was a Bombay Sapphire "Gin Mule", so had to give that a try. Quite enjoyable. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoChVSmfKjznCbS_fq9Vt5wKMcnoOe0Lj0BdoeAAAMky4BCJdAZOwYcElgKi4fnwQIryydQrsOA1S-c8KOcx48Gy4wWWZ8P4djRu7R1XJAAMds5kBDTjlFA4FrL8gm0ixPX8QCaa2cF9q5/s1600/IMG_4250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoChVSmfKjznCbS_fq9Vt5wKMcnoOe0Lj0BdoeAAAMky4BCJdAZOwYcElgKi4fnwQIryydQrsOA1S-c8KOcx48Gy4wWWZ8P4djRu7R1XJAAMds5kBDTjlFA4FrL8gm0ixPX8QCaa2cF9q5/s640/IMG_4250.jpg" width="538" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial view of Montreal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChg4u367RoJ8vi9OIwgcMqs1pshU6nr40zjzC0pDDKBexnZXRl-pX8cTXEmhn9Ikvvige2fDG2lHBJ-dq8q5M-op4EOffH1hgAVt8G5WKzO8l6eOUDCGr_nRi0-Ycxynvj_x4Wk5Ekalg/s1600/IMG_4254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChg4u367RoJ8vi9OIwgcMqs1pshU6nr40zjzC0pDDKBexnZXRl-pX8cTXEmhn9Ikvvige2fDG2lHBJ-dq8q5M-op4EOffH1hgAVt8G5WKzO8l6eOUDCGr_nRi0-Ycxynvj_x4Wk5Ekalg/s640/IMG_4254.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on the ground, under much nicer skies in Ottawa. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I had been hoping (as many were!) that the new Confederation Line would
be open by the time I made this visit to the city, but alas, delays continue.
The exciting thing now is that trains are testing through the day, operating
simulated service schedules, complete with station announcements. It’s easy to
imagine that the line is really running, until you notice the lack of people in
the stations and on the trains. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">While waiting for a bus at Bayview I snapped a few photos of the
testing trains, both in single and double unit configurations. These electric
Alstom Citadis Spirit trains accelerate impressively, and are remarkably quiet.
I sure look forward to riding them (hopefully next time I’m in town!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgUFLQyWkSM-kJgH2dZXxrM0NoDakIhaKVjh2NdjEjnOGJqC3HVLer75W3Nwe8w-CD-sTH7EBY38hB5BkFhe1jsRYpwDrYPsJrj4ZBLu0xplAzqQY_lxU2PUS646AHepu1WqrC4vrXDi8/s1600/IMG_4886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgUFLQyWkSM-kJgH2dZXxrM0NoDakIhaKVjh2NdjEjnOGJqC3HVLer75W3Nwe8w-CD-sTH7EBY38hB5BkFhe1jsRYpwDrYPsJrj4ZBLu0xplAzqQY_lxU2PUS646AHepu1WqrC4vrXDi8/s640/IMG_4886.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A single-unit Citadis Spirit train charges uphill into Bayview station, coming from downtown.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvGjxmh0fLU37TVXxIQOZfDk5Kr4dW-n9RO3HlH4JYheLkqyHQhX1TbudJomKqb6Z-_RZu0iFX0FZMpbxVtbLBohBgCUt_AECBj5a_9FlVNIklJhqFxXaYFQHPZOM7wbZAbZZluCBPEJg/s1600/IMG_4887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvGjxmh0fLU37TVXxIQOZfDk5Kr4dW-n9RO3HlH4JYheLkqyHQhX1TbudJomKqb6Z-_RZu0iFX0FZMpbxVtbLBohBgCUt_AECBj5a_9FlVNIklJhqFxXaYFQHPZOM7wbZAbZZluCBPEJg/s640/IMG_4887.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Bayview station is on the right - this will be the transfer point between the Trillium and Confederation Lines. At present, the Trillium Line trains stop just off to the left under the overpass. When the Confederation Line opens, they will use the platform directly ahead which will bring them in underneath the main station, allowing for easy transfers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLuZXdMjf_b2cwCP2Fin_pT53qw9K9B8JYcZU2JpXJjApy-dCAbH8m79acRRXJCy7P-M17jOkh4TPtKLWh1awTUyWhG8EfQwwu2mbG4UbHv4-WTzC_7ocyZmCyn0qzomDFZa0r1uygRRl/s1600/IMG_4890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLuZXdMjf_b2cwCP2Fin_pT53qw9K9B8JYcZU2JpXJjApy-dCAbH8m79acRRXJCy7P-M17jOkh4TPtKLWh1awTUyWhG8EfQwwu2mbG4UbHv4-WTzC_7ocyZmCyn0qzomDFZa0r1uygRRl/s640/IMG_4890.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-image: none;">
A double-unit train is heading towards Bayview as it meets a single unit train heading for the tunnel under downtown, with the Parliament Buildings towering in the background. Once open and operating, these trains should be a major improvement for commuting through downtown Ottawa. </div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM5siC6Ol9_WAA2nItZcl1D_nxtZVakgwF0RkoOivaULQPUnhR1uJE9oSfzfIP5O1n_Kry-VNlMJIm-4jGoXDQyRpDgqKKu8dnyHtwSHQzUk1BPviKRQjAM-emlI4dBspy-MYaOkJBE54/s1600/IMG_4901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMq7zu0Z4_442Hn95OHM0erEyrLJ5EbUIPg36u9nKc-B7H94xwomEKSVEbEDR3MAZT6aBvKQV0ZcBDmHyeR0zkjo5GWvYZcWStPHIjQc2zFK-LQR95zQdvVGQhKi5VyKkf03LxPHAQ3xX/s1600/IMG_4897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMq7zu0Z4_442Hn95OHM0erEyrLJ5EbUIPg36u9nKc-B7H94xwomEKSVEbEDR3MAZT6aBvKQV0ZcBDmHyeR0zkjo5GWvYZcWStPHIjQc2zFK-LQR95zQdvVGQhKi5VyKkf03LxPHAQ3xX/s640/IMG_4897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tunney's Pasture station, the western terminus of phase 1 of the Confederation Line. Apart from a few finishing touches, it looks ready to run. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5aIqEJ9YuZa7g0S3cXl9chtdJGPhAvhyphenhyphenrc0TlU701K2ELe5CoemcVAdgw2yv5vII4QaeuaDwNUKBshyFL6lb6nPaRQJjpTW6Ra85LM7i22O0zWh0VwVjtEOs5wdTHc2SmTDoAUL9vgzg/s1600/IMG_4900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5aIqEJ9YuZa7g0S3cXl9chtdJGPhAvhyphenhyphenrc0TlU701K2ELe5CoemcVAdgw2yv5vII4QaeuaDwNUKBshyFL6lb6nPaRQJjpTW6Ra85LM7i22O0zWh0VwVjtEOs5wdTHc2SmTDoAUL9vgzg/s640/IMG_4900.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A train approaches Tunney's Pasture through the impressive double crossover. With this being the terminus for phase 1, at this point trains will be arriving and then reversing direction at this station, so they may need to be able to be on either platform and then get back to the proper track to depart. So crossovers are necessary for now. Eventually Tunney's Pasture will be a run-through station, but crossovers are still useful at regular intervals to allow trains to be detoured around maintenance work, issues, etc. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41vpVb0utpTQI2sF5ek-KJf8HnlIOcSVpU6xnmkdx2_u2V-Nn21dbL2k_QNeE9Xgig7IXYRMC5xD2jkfH5OMusc7u45BCp-W7pYGCAMJF3AIfQbc5sBdQWhGAzQKKOZapQqcAAjxoPKk9/s1600/IMG_4901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41vpVb0utpTQI2sF5ek-KJf8HnlIOcSVpU6xnmkdx2_u2V-Nn21dbL2k_QNeE9Xgig7IXYRMC5xD2jkfH5OMusc7u45BCp-W7pYGCAMJF3AIfQbc5sBdQWhGAzQKKOZapQqcAAjxoPKk9/s640/IMG_4901.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign says it all. With the heavy construction, concrete ties and full overhead wiring, this always ends up looking to me like a European high speed train could come flying through at any moment. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">With meetings wrapped up for the day on Saturday, I worked in a quick
ride on the Trillium Line O-train. I only really needed to go from Carling to
Bayview, but where’s the fun in that? A Carling-Mooney’s Bay-Bayview detour was
more fun, and got me on two of the four trains running that day. The Trillium
Line will soon be closing for nearly two years while it is overhauled and
expanded. When it re-opens it will offer service farther south and include a
spur to the airport, and will operate with new Stadler FLIRT trains – I’m quite
excited about those.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz0WxQk67l8rp86DfE5wGesSoJaqSwso_SrcFWPYfYdZKl6TGfQ412yFBsJinP6SYMLWrIOWZDjsD7LD7RCLgbchCFmjEbq54_kqaBQdLosBDMZNxPe_z0UTXQaZvLeNGPdIL3ipsxvPT/s1600/IMG_4865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz0WxQk67l8rp86DfE5wGesSoJaqSwso_SrcFWPYfYdZKl6TGfQ412yFBsJinP6SYMLWrIOWZDjsD7LD7RCLgbchCFmjEbq54_kqaBQdLosBDMZNxPe_z0UTXQaZvLeNGPdIL3ipsxvPT/s640/IMG_4865.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trillium Line Alstom Coradia LINT C8 departs Carling on its way to Bayview station. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwkRwOJf9jr50RFrxMnqzCuaal03HQITth_Dlj281FJdoQOP6gEqDDmfZWPopm65GO1eJbYi5BjiQ0Ve7iBm29Qb2sCwVfAakfTmNmJZEV_QhbmMT3jlJlRhi7uJUlzoRKB3KPUok_r3y/s1600/IMG_4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwkRwOJf9jr50RFrxMnqzCuaal03HQITth_Dlj281FJdoQOP6gEqDDmfZWPopm65GO1eJbYi5BjiQ0Ve7iBm29Qb2sCwVfAakfTmNmJZEV_QhbmMT3jlJlRhi7uJUlzoRKB3KPUok_r3y/s640/IMG_4867.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train C4 departs Mooney's Bay. I hopped on this train at Carling and got off here, to catch the next train coming back from Greenboro. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkdB2uojHSjVUgcR5AvHnp6X7-S_MX_9XG4AlfxTFuMV5M7s9Q4_lPmwqNnUN54qcvXxbO4qqj3RmtaaxyxnIw7zvj_4fnzTwCx_kHRSd6i6dAelPmhq4Yyv2XVX3BCzrSpCsd1j-wnUr/s1600/IMG_4872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkdB2uojHSjVUgcR5AvHnp6X7-S_MX_9XG4AlfxTFuMV5M7s9Q4_lPmwqNnUN54qcvXxbO4qqj3RmtaaxyxnIw7zvj_4fnzTwCx_kHRSd6i6dAelPmhq4Yyv2XVX3BCzrSpCsd1j-wnUr/s640/IMG_4872.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After meeting C4 at Walkley, C9 has crossed the VIA line at Ellwood Diamond and is arriving at Mooney's Bay station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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</div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTvq_ysyMxvSrsZxVE3_RzXDgvmofbRQYPUujGsG8FkxbCCYpkiMaNvFFeyYuw3abPCB-JnNPIuUAQ24BPodGmHIPd8PwaSKFIApoHLxqqZnVc9jP2AHIWBt0kgDPECZafCdN_JlbT_5I/s1600/IMG_4876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTvq_ysyMxvSrsZxVE3_RzXDgvmofbRQYPUujGsG8FkxbCCYpkiMaNvFFeyYuw3abPCB-JnNPIuUAQ24BPodGmHIPd8PwaSKFIApoHLxqqZnVc9jP2AHIWBt0kgDPECZafCdN_JlbT_5I/s640/IMG_4876.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The operator's cab at one end of C9. Unlike the old Bombardier Talents, these Alstom trains don't have a large glass door behind the cab; but they do have a small window, which offers a view. The operators often close the curtain across this window at the lead end, but at the trailing end it's often open. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNx-eaKMSzmu0dQjMbPSHyNKQzKbWtjPYubx5OBrqKrp8X-CZVRJtvRyzzVA5qxOHDWA7aDaJWXf3d12BBaPcxJHks1-DgdFjBLiTDpmBakcInNxVPiJylwCMME5vpV0LbjFuqrF1Mwgs/s1600/IMG_4877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNx-eaKMSzmu0dQjMbPSHyNKQzKbWtjPYubx5OBrqKrp8X-CZVRJtvRyzzVA5qxOHDWA7aDaJWXf3d12BBaPcxJHks1-DgdFjBLiTDpmBakcInNxVPiJylwCMME5vpV0LbjFuqrF1Mwgs/s640/IMG_4877.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Rideau River approaching Carleton. </td></tr>
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</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj5wwtmCJ_Eh0rU9wFbegdCqj_S8CVrXr04iYZPBPmre6-3xRni5AixMxnh8jvhUQe_pC7SRaw0osvk_TAEstFJpjzHp2IxeoshaQo4DMklcxJ8dcpjgv5HXRYYP6YCtb9NyCaw_2e4tt/s1600/IMG_4880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj5wwtmCJ_Eh0rU9wFbegdCqj_S8CVrXr04iYZPBPmre6-3xRni5AixMxnh8jvhUQe_pC7SRaw0osvk_TAEstFJpjzHp2IxeoshaQo4DMklcxJ8dcpjgv5HXRYYP6YCtb9NyCaw_2e4tt/s640/IMG_4880.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's C8 again, departing Carleton en route to Greenboro, as we head off towards Bayview. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The weekend clipped along, and before I knew it, Sunday afternoon had
arrived. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiHhV_ia05lpScAOB9onVdyh98SJPrCPUO25ZTxRwEuKrnFBiVZ-I1DfPjLBZTJGc6GyqA3d-eIvTaj2Hi_o9y3NeWOkGFAth2Bb_L7FwRWK9Akr3TBm32ChPBW3Z3ibZai8mC9_1TOAI/s1600/IMG_4281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiHhV_ia05lpScAOB9onVdyh98SJPrCPUO25ZTxRwEuKrnFBiVZ-I1DfPjLBZTJGc6GyqA3d-eIvTaj2Hi_o9y3NeWOkGFAth2Bb_L7FwRWK9Akr3TBm32ChPBW3Z3ibZai8mC9_1TOAI/s640/IMG_4281.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottawa station, with gorgeous blossoming trees outside. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVxm7sPmHoKvSQi_6bjiep0rBSnVNrfmet6bcybVB43uHfJym3yVcT-21TMvJ94OsiPMq4ja-fr6uP7CIhBFVDIeyuMWJmNgZOSXdHlsT8Z8icq-XSaWCZkIqEdK-ARoa2OKjPJ9KMQ1_/s1600/IMG_4283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1338" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVxm7sPmHoKvSQi_6bjiep0rBSnVNrfmet6bcybVB43uHfJym3yVcT-21TMvJ94OsiPMq4ja-fr6uP7CIhBFVDIeyuMWJmNgZOSXdHlsT8Z8icq-XSaWCZkIqEdK-ARoa2OKjPJ9KMQ1_/s640/IMG_4283.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which way to the trains? Alas, I have yet to use the new high platform located directly through the doors ahead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There are two designated eastward connections to the Ocean from Ottawa
– VIA 26 and 28 (there are also several earlier trains one could use, but these
aren’t offered by default). #28 would work well nearly all the time and leaves
later, with a shorter layover in Montreal; but my preference has always been
26, which leaves earlier in the afternoon and offers a few hours in Montreal.
More peace of mind as a connection, but especially on a nice day like this, it
also offers a few hours to get out and explore downtown Montreal. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The trip on 26 was smooth and uneventful. I didn’t get all numbers, but
here’s the consist: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">VIA 26 - May 26, 2019</span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">917<br />
34xx LRC Club<br />
34xx LRC Club</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">40xx HEP2 Club</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">41xx HEP2 Coach</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">4117 HEP2 Coach</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">4100 HEP2 Coach*</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I was seated in the last car. The HEP2 fleet is in the process of being
refurbished, but none of the cars on this train were. The ride was a bit rough,
but not terrible. We had meets with VIA 35 (Carlsbad Springs) and 635 (just
before De Beaujeau), and would finally arrive in Montreal 4 minutes late. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD53H3RcTwDf1E03OLePJ7aZczabS3z0kc-E7XAa01ve45c_EEtYEvHhW4UPMVjAVhFBsomarpDZA40u5RIGcwZ_YWVzvtGBMrntjKyIXCp4qAaHoGzuw3veNOaH_j6gMCQ_4JSJm-No0J/s1600/IMG_4287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD53H3RcTwDf1E03OLePJ7aZczabS3z0kc-E7XAa01ve45c_EEtYEvHhW4UPMVjAVhFBsomarpDZA40u5RIGcwZ_YWVzvtGBMrntjKyIXCp4qAaHoGzuw3veNOaH_j6gMCQ_4JSJm-No0J/s640/IMG_4287.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic HEP2 coach interior. These cars were rebuilt by VIA in the mid-90s to supplement the Corridor fleet. Hailing from a variety of American backgrounds, they were given a standardized interior built to closely match the LRCs. Aside from the colour, the one major difference between these and the old LRC seats is the centre armrest - on the HEP2s it is movable (as seen on the right), and the tray tables are stowed in the outer armrest, while on the LRCs the centre armrest is solid and contains the tray tables. The LRCs are in the process of getting all new seats, and the HEP2s will slowly follow suit. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcBU78oIKlHErwWQxmXcX4UCfz6bsITr1e_f1dlbL98qzP-LiI6NeidVBageO61lAOptLUZ4k1v2MQIi7okqw1SZiklbPfz-NPDcZg2ETwwVQtCQ_KshCPGob4jWCRDeea3rfXrZLzx_6/s1600/IMG_4286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcBU78oIKlHErwWQxmXcX4UCfz6bsITr1e_f1dlbL98qzP-LiI6NeidVBageO61lAOptLUZ4k1v2MQIi7okqw1SZiklbPfz-NPDcZg2ETwwVQtCQ_KshCPGob4jWCRDeea3rfXrZLzx_6/s640/IMG_4286.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the back. Toronto, that way!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2A2laC-fS06ybn9WcFXliUVOb4eJ0o9C1x6ihyRM3se-zPWu7DlFekTPLMC4ylQdeqCMhsiAODTgBE7AyInUp6L_63f1VmVBAEB8SVSnITDCemvWzf0CD0oaNpUKKrAJgnfaG0srAf70/s1600/IMG_4288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2A2laC-fS06ybn9WcFXliUVOb4eJ0o9C1x6ihyRM3se-zPWu7DlFekTPLMC4ylQdeqCMhsiAODTgBE7AyInUp6L_63f1VmVBAEB8SVSnITDCemvWzf0CD0oaNpUKKrAJgnfaG0srAf70/s640/IMG_4288.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sign was on the back wall of the washroom, such that you most likely wouldn't see it until you'd already made use of the supposedly out of service toilet (which did, in fact work). The message says to "use other one", but the other one in the car (which also seemed to be entirely functional) had the same sign. Both look like they've been posted for a while...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyz2h1NuVQgVa225dUGNO_d369ZlPplDGzg1EzGnaGRktsUYcQMxAGFVTjh-uYFqUol6yrDaBI9iL8mxImf7J__QW7TBGWXWIUsrkBOT3GkH8r2t1_LbkfkxbZWaFvhTuJEnDtmPo-sSO/s1600/IMG_4289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyz2h1NuVQgVa225dUGNO_d369ZlPplDGzg1EzGnaGRktsUYcQMxAGFVTjh-uYFqUol6yrDaBI9iL8mxImf7J__QW7TBGWXWIUsrkBOT3GkH8r2t1_LbkfkxbZWaFvhTuJEnDtmPo-sSO/s640/IMG_4289.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View out the back, clipping along on the last fast stretch before Montreal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If you’re travelling through Montreal with carry-on bags, VIA will
store these for you at the baggage counter in the station. There’s no charge if
you’re in a sleeper, and a small charge (<$10) if you’re in coach. I dropped
my bags and headed out exploring. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">For a change, I headed southeast from the station to the Peel Basin. It’s
a lovely area and a nice walk, plus it offers some nice views of trains coming
and going from the station. Among other things, I spotted the all-Budd
stainless steel consist for my evening departure, and a few other trains as
well. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZWKfTxq8QPw5EH1JSb9OTbQx7Gs0VjsYvo0f4UWc0MJhFxlaisjzeGy5DdKKxgQrupzsC3w2uvwD_j5lN5-UO23Pawd7Sf7Gdudo1F2EAhhT_0L83-0fGOjTZHDRLvzrzoIzNH-0KYnp/s1600/IMG_4909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZWKfTxq8QPw5EH1JSb9OTbQx7Gs0VjsYvo0f4UWc0MJhFxlaisjzeGy5DdKKxgQrupzsC3w2uvwD_j5lN5-UO23Pawd7Sf7Gdudo1F2EAhhT_0L83-0fGOjTZHDRLvzrzoIzNH-0KYnp/s640/IMG_4909.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The consist for VIA 14, in all its stainless steel glory, backs towards Montreal's Central Station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64aG5L0fqIUheozmmG9v9s_UVa1n_X_R3pUHwiCN8JwLC9m5r5QaAI_eFyKDCeiCMc_UbXDEZ5sNspDI75YkBHoTRkFjQgVhkgVoiDJKswZ8oCgRUvhWKWGdVjl_o1AqbO-Kcn4_tlMk3/s1600/IMG_4911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64aG5L0fqIUheozmmG9v9s_UVa1n_X_R3pUHwiCN8JwLC9m5r5QaAI_eFyKDCeiCMc_UbXDEZ5sNspDI75YkBHoTRkFjQgVhkgVoiDJKswZ8oCgRUvhWKWGdVjl_o1AqbO-Kcn4_tlMk3/s640/IMG_4911.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assiniboine Park, bringing up the markers (and leading for the moment...). It's one of the Park cars that could definitely use some work, inside and out. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Wm7rhI7orz9rH9HIVg5OcRW6er94AEIaLXU7uR9qokYR8wBsqXZDQYyeDVz0HrDAUWStKdM8qmG87WAEqtus41vmfITad-Mf8_19DVR5f-ogmrPkelnJd8n-vO-pmArbL8crk8FH_D81/s1600/IMG_4913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Wm7rhI7orz9rH9HIVg5OcRW6er94AEIaLXU7uR9qokYR8wBsqXZDQYyeDVz0HrDAUWStKdM8qmG87WAEqtus41vmfITad-Mf8_19DVR5f-ogmrPkelnJd8n-vO-pmArbL8crk8FH_D81/s640/IMG_4913.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14, with 40th anniversary wrapped 6437 in the lead. They had to wait a few minutes here for a track to clear. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO1hdI9DHyAzPmGjGs_60R2P3WqngcWlBaZ5SWQDoi2DpVPhgM4PuGZ4AK8NUb8lh5cfUV-mQ9VgzG4KydOuTSfszMD6P9UYZQ6zIZd5HVI22VFM0vxrkUBas7qhZg33LdHSduIIueGSv/s1600/IMG_4916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO1hdI9DHyAzPmGjGs_60R2P3WqngcWlBaZ5SWQDoi2DpVPhgM4PuGZ4AK8NUb8lh5cfUV-mQ9VgzG4KydOuTSfszMD6P9UYZQ6zIZd5HVI22VFM0vxrkUBas7qhZg33LdHSduIIueGSv/s640/IMG_4916.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 915, one of only a few non-wrapped P42s, backs out of the station with its train, clearing the way for #14.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03scA3UCANjz3XjL_WWD-pBVMyexS9nMruQX75TOQtTnStjM2akuRcFjaCfXKhph04-lKNGpd3_gcIa4-PDJbYHB_IFxk19mo7oMBNc1eOKcGpHRcBTmlH-b2NgH3l4-7xLy4WMGEs13f/s1600/IMG_4923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03scA3UCANjz3XjL_WWD-pBVMyexS9nMruQX75TOQtTnStjM2akuRcFjaCfXKhph04-lKNGpd3_gcIa4-PDJbYHB_IFxk19mo7oMBNc1eOKcGpHRcBTmlH-b2NgH3l4-7xLy4WMGEs13f/s640/IMG_4923.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction has begun on Montreal's automated light rail "REM" system. This is one of the first major pieces in place, and it sadly obstructs what was once a really nice view of trains across the basin. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNdksOs0LGFoZqNJDHFv_wEGDLExAH3kknCSozc-v60jv3V6p8Jy6uhuVJQFPA27Bhk7nGblnyzYyHeExyeyVrhKlazUmRuCuKm3_YmGydJNV1WeXbaOi52sFtzzv341eygX3tAFCOMAT/s1600/IMG_4924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNdksOs0LGFoZqNJDHFv_wEGDLExAH3kknCSozc-v60jv3V6p8Jy6uhuVJQFPA27Bhk7nGblnyzYyHeExyeyVrhKlazUmRuCuKm3_YmGydJNV1WeXbaOi52sFtzzv341eygX3tAFCOMAT/s640/IMG_4924.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the shadow of the REM construction, a VIA consist backs out of the station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqIQxaGX9FaPv8cxENcc3-GauP_C4hYlY6aoAfQVfuTrkv328z3QnHg3b9Jzi1JqDIMUfoWjCLaTQqrbAfplvIJGs359mnM4LsXNNrcNRCcvJ03knr6APmcDOPlIR4Ww8-EC-OWhwiDAH/s1600/IMG_4929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqIQxaGX9FaPv8cxENcc3-GauP_C4hYlY6aoAfQVfuTrkv328z3QnHg3b9Jzi1JqDIMUfoWjCLaTQqrbAfplvIJGs359mnM4LsXNNrcNRCcvJ03knr6APmcDOPlIR4Ww8-EC-OWhwiDAH/s640/IMG_4929.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The future is on board - so says the car. With a new Corridor fleet on the way, there's only a few more years left for these venerable LRCs. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpU_dLnByy99QL-mIt4QAmSJcPW897SniQRMM6W7lAobj_TS6ADM9_2QjDmNWyGCl4x1iqUSVND1GXA9-MQj-81peQnskUhV66gaAxTjx8hlrKlI20JnrOKfiH_OClScYyYqaX37QwVx6/s1600/IMG_4932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpU_dLnByy99QL-mIt4QAmSJcPW897SniQRMM6W7lAobj_TS6ADM9_2QjDmNWyGCl4x1iqUSVND1GXA9-MQj-81peQnskUhV66gaAxTjx8hlrKlI20JnrOKfiH_OClScYyYqaX37QwVx6/s640/IMG_4932.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 913, one of two P42s that had the 40 Years logos removed from its wrap (after having poppies applied for Remembrance Day), is in charge of this train backing out of the station and heading for the maintenance centre. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlDdbateQhSvUa7m0YbAzyZi9app5KS5blf4XTsTmhWWGu0F-dLY76v8BgpQtQ9lP-Z2ckY6KQtn3SbPPGo_F1EG-QwZjQ1MGoblO4AceobfZAHpk_C273jlxJpMyzY21uxWfRF00HWX9/s1600/IMG_4297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlDdbateQhSvUa7m0YbAzyZi9app5KS5blf4XTsTmhWWGu0F-dLY76v8BgpQtQ9lP-Z2ckY6KQtn3SbPPGo_F1EG-QwZjQ1MGoblO4AceobfZAHpk_C273jlxJpMyzY21uxWfRF00HWX9/s640/IMG_4297.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the Peel Basin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgse6vGZ3NWltOJxRaD4VW38PCubKLNg2ia-M_VWrv5rf7trvddAX88bAb1NVz3kKUZdYwbPGSBSDmRLxIDvK4socq_2k8kwv5XmYrGLZ7Td_dt-GXhlsAywC4drf58VFUIMsj6vo4u96lD/s1600/IMG_4298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgse6vGZ3NWltOJxRaD4VW38PCubKLNg2ia-M_VWrv5rf7trvddAX88bAb1NVz3kKUZdYwbPGSBSDmRLxIDvK4socq_2k8kwv5XmYrGLZ7Td_dt-GXhlsAywC4drf58VFUIMsj6vo4u96lD/s640/IMG_4298.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peel Basin, on a beautiful day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The consist of #14, which I spotted there and would soon board, was as
follows: </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">VIA 14 - May 26, 2019</span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6437 (VIA40 wrap)<br />
6452<br />
8622<br />
8137 (03)<br />
8138 (04)<br />
8140 (05) [*with "WiFi and lounge zone" at rear]<br />
Empress diner [*operating in reverse, kitchen at rear]<br />
Chateau Rigaud (33)<br />
Chateau Montcalm (34)<br />
Chateau Laval (35)<br />
Chateau Brule (36)<br />
Chateau Dollier (37)<br />
Chateau Bienville (38)<br /><strong>
Chateau Roberval (39) *Upper 1</strong><br />
Assiniboine Park (40)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">*Line numbers in brackets. None
of the cars on this train were refurbished.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I swear, I didn’t deliberately plan this to be on yet another Budd
Ocean! At this point, with few Rens in service and their time quickly coming
towards an end, I would actually be quite happy to make a Renaissance trip… </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You'll note my additional comment next to the third coach -
VIA pulled the Skylines off of this consist a few weeks ago, replacing them
with dining car Empress. Evidently the Skylines were needed elsewhere, with the
Canadian getting up to peak frequency and length, and Skylines filling in on
the Churchill trains in place of dining cars. The following week that diner would
be removed and replaced with a block of Renaissance cars (with coach/service
car/diner/service car and sleepers, bracketed by transition cars). I had
wondered, in the interim, how they were handling food and drink service for
coach passengers, and whether they were actually giving them any sort of lounge
access. Turns out they had set up the rear part of the coach as a "WiFi
and Lounge Zone" (so said the printed signs). The last 4 or 5 rows of that
coach were set aside, with two 4-seaters set up with tables in between. There
were passengers seated in all three coaches, but this rear section was kept as
somewhere separate for people to go to work, have a snack, etc. They had also
set up free coffee and tea for coach passengers to access, which was kept
resupplied through the trip. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WLp72JWy0D3VU7dN-_Hlpo6OBNDJmkXvfXIelu2d_gKKrovvaoelPvQrSgKl4s0oWyRmUn-f64a7IOCQUg9o3ZdbvxxbR0KBCjK21Xue6zXwF23a0h8JyDcAyi0lGCTfES09xcc3pYxk/s1600/IMG_4321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WLp72JWy0D3VU7dN-_Hlpo6OBNDJmkXvfXIelu2d_gKKrovvaoelPvQrSgKl4s0oWyRmUn-f64a7IOCQUg9o3ZdbvxxbR0KBCjK21Xue6zXwF23a0h8JyDcAyi0lGCTfES09xcc3pYxk/s640/IMG_4321.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign at the rear of the coach, marking this area off as a lounge area. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3hAmwwZgxnQCeG1-SPEtMvuR6gbqXLovrHw44h0cgTpgbjYBoi7K0dGnU_-M5bQjdAWhS7-r_p2AfQXkbFBBFpS0uIZWhGSUMKkH7RTMx2q-s8v-suXBuZIwhg2d5cfo9hW7hxsRQrJ8/s1600/IMG_4322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3hAmwwZgxnQCeG1-SPEtMvuR6gbqXLovrHw44h0cgTpgbjYBoi7K0dGnU_-M5bQjdAWhS7-r_p2AfQXkbFBBFpS0uIZWhGSUMKkH7RTMx2q-s8v-suXBuZIwhg2d5cfo9hW7hxsRQrJ8/s640/IMG_4322.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More signs indicating the "WiFi Zone". As you can see below, a few blocks of seat at this end of the car were set up as facing pairs with tables between, making a makeshift lounge. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Canteen service was being done from the pair of booths at the end of the dining
car. That's why the diner was running in reverse of its usual setup, with the
kitchen at the rear instead of forward. A pair of Corridor-style food carts
were in use, with one blocking off access to the rest of the dining car and the
other being used for occasional trips through the coaches for at-seat service.
A large soft-sided cooler was set up on one of the booth tables with cold
drinks, and coffee and hot water were being resupplied from the kitchen. I
forgot to ask if any hot options were on offer, but I do know that a variety of
sandwiches was available. Coach passengers occasionally sat in those booths
while waiting for or consuming what they got from the canteen, but they were
not permitted beyond the partition into the rest of the dining car. Coach passengers can sometimes access the diner for some meals if the sleepers aren't too busy (this was the case on my trip at the end of March), but with the combination of a very busy train and some other food issues that would arise, there was no offering to them on this trip. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0RTEDlhwiA6s0KYeSvQahMHgASHTvt7TzgSDRviTILCDmU111V5ku5nOs3hYAPVo2d9b_nY05qELYAjWGXqoBmAXCuFkQ-zcaYsp0BNlB02u8no93r7Tpjii7x3ti815mEIVa6tyg2tZ/s1600/IMG_4319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0RTEDlhwiA6s0KYeSvQahMHgASHTvt7TzgSDRviTILCDmU111V5ku5nOs3hYAPVo2d9b_nY05qELYAjWGXqoBmAXCuFkQ-zcaYsp0BNlB02u8no93r7Tpjii7x3ti815mEIVa6tyg2tZ/s640/IMG_4319.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Canteen" at the end of the diner. The Corridor-style food cart serves as an indicator to coach passengers that they are not to proceed any farther. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Despite none of these HEP1 cars being properly WiFi equipped, VIA did have some
sort of interim setup that was providing WiFi in both the rear of that coach
and also in the Park car. I didn't try it in the coach, but found the service
spotty in the Park - comparable to the usual Ren service car WiFi reliability on
the Ocean.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I was surprised on check in to discover how busy the train was. Apparently several
of the last few trips had summer peak-level passenger loads, which is somewhat
early for the Ocean. I didn't get total passenger counts, but I do know that
every bedroom and drawing room in the seven sleepers were full, lots of the
roomettes were occupied, and both the upper and lower berths of two sections in
Car 39 were occupied. All three coaches were occupied, with 04 quite full and
03 and 05 about half full when I walked through at Bathurst. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I was in Upper Berth 1, and was quite surprised when I
reached my section to discover that I actually had a couple sharing the lower
berth! VIA will sell an upper or lower berth for two people (it’s a tight
squeeze!), though you have to book that through an agent. Thankfully this
couple were really lovely people, and section 2 across the aisle was
unoccupied, giving us plenty of space.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As usual, we departed Montreal right on time. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt1C2S1JBgNlN57v988HgaNhizqIyelNAj8j8vG5ByEd-lqAeVAN6Mk4W6Th0UEkOqhPadR3S5WtHWmVVQ2yebj_M0dUSB6KcKIB7W1PKYC1awcMP5DTrqVSOL937yEeLIU4J3vageTLF/s1600/IMG_4934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt1C2S1JBgNlN57v988HgaNhizqIyelNAj8j8vG5ByEd-lqAeVAN6Mk4W6Th0UEkOqhPadR3S5WtHWmVVQ2yebj_M0dUSB6KcKIB7W1PKYC1awcMP5DTrqVSOL937yEeLIU4J3vageTLF/s640/IMG_4934.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading across the St. Lawrence, with the new Champlain Bridge visible on the horizon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjM9_1jxGon_gUfTXedYziNrKZjnZssS4KBUfhCgx2U5RtjbSxiXzN7Li6_ub873Cw00vx1S5lF3-JRWrap_IWfEeHlILT3KQPKAszZobJ3wmxSM0bjCLGTmmlD6QsX57IctgJjuHTmPa/s1600/IMG_4939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjM9_1jxGon_gUfTXedYziNrKZjnZssS4KBUfhCgx2U5RtjbSxiXzN7Li6_ub873Cw00vx1S5lF3-JRWrap_IWfEeHlILT3KQPKAszZobJ3wmxSM0bjCLGTmmlD6QsX57IctgJjuHTmPa/s640/IMG_4939.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ship in the locks, between the two routings of the Victoria Bridge. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnTtT3yqmYgO38zuShasdkaNRO6mK6sVel6Ym1MLYfkb4tOVD643unFZi3jHjlxC4lQoZ_Jn35kdEju4qINhsGG8IJ3u40_3V8B_R_CKP9zgthmWrrPwZeTVIGgJOMhMgPLd3E_w2WVID/s1600/IMG_4940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnTtT3yqmYgO38zuShasdkaNRO6mK6sVel6Ym1MLYfkb4tOVD643unFZi3jHjlxC4lQoZ_Jn35kdEju4qINhsGG8IJ3u40_3V8B_R_CKP9zgthmWrrPwZeTVIGgJOMhMgPLd3E_w2WVID/s640/IMG_4940.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few in the dome - this would be nearly or entirely full through most of the trip, but many people were either at supper or hadn't found it yet. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2cw_dUbWeKiDz6wyRYnxs1nBSkuuwCAICGzBpzIblrdgcPFb5PGfXvwpbc128JVRQtGNwlfGURDMyZlsrsXMgDmmm6RCLeSBoFBBGWa4RTb0Cu3Qzw7U-jJs0QwTtx8KmCecyr9puf2a/s1600/IMG_4943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2cw_dUbWeKiDz6wyRYnxs1nBSkuuwCAICGzBpzIblrdgcPFb5PGfXvwpbc128JVRQtGNwlfGURDMyZlsrsXMgDmmm6RCLeSBoFBBGWa4RTb0Cu3Qzw7U-jJs0QwTtx8KmCecyr9puf2a/s640/IMG_4943.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting the Adirondack at St-Lambert, with Amtrak 110 leading. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Dinner sittings on departure were
scheduled for 7 and 8:45. I had opted for the second sitting, which got delayed
quite a bit, so it was well after 9 when the call was made and close to 10pm
when we got food. Everyone at my table ended up having dessert during the
station stop at Ste-Foy! The first sitting was completely full and the second
was almost full, with 9 tables (all of the main tables and one booth table)
being used. They had run out of one meal option by the time I ordered, and
subsequently ran low on another and one appetizer option, and asked for
volunteers to change meals (with a free glass of wine as compensation -
something I hadn't seen before). Food was all excellent, despite being very
late. As usual, this was the catered Renaissance-style meals, despite
having a full Budd diner (though the next morning would shake that up…)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVL3-1W3ijL2ujTjZBPiCqsKtRbHkQSsmeGPuMFYzvOWd_4fvuu0ZgMu-Ei00ztK1LgaqJdYihcThyphenhyphen7RcxY4OtU9aq4IjgE6hLQSERnt9se8GYA5TniErn8yRixL5VyZ8abYcfJy5XDS7/s1600/IMG_4307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVL3-1W3ijL2ujTjZBPiCqsKtRbHkQSsmeGPuMFYzvOWd_4fvuu0ZgMu-Ei00ztK1LgaqJdYihcThyphenhyphen7RcxY4OtU9aq4IjgE6hLQSERnt9se8GYA5TniErn8yRixL5VyZ8abYcfJy5XDS7/s640/IMG_4307.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu. VIA does change up the menus fairly often, though some of the same offerings tend to pop up from time to time. In this case, the dinner menu was identical (though in a proper format) to the one leaving Montreal on my trip at the end of March. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPnyxqBnJ9iFgm2iLNnPZpliyRfesiY-is6u-FNwNIJyEWG8GJi608ZnmH3e6M12JgOYL28qJ-hhsPa4vokm5lENp-9KVW_aet5Rui0TVTWGgQa1bHL26KLltJ7JlKXxEZnNuJZKMyGRG/s1600/IMG_4308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPnyxqBnJ9iFgm2iLNnPZpliyRfesiY-is6u-FNwNIJyEWG8GJi608ZnmH3e6M12JgOYL28qJ-hhsPa4vokm5lENp-9KVW_aet5Rui0TVTWGgQa1bHL26KLltJ7JlKXxEZnNuJZKMyGRG/s640/IMG_4308.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italian roasted cod. A popular dinner choice, and really quite excellent. The soup to start (tomato bisque) and chocolate caramel cake that followed are not pictured, but have featured and have been photographed on a number of past trips. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The evening was uneventful and we ran on time. Early in the evening (and
through the next day) there were performances from a musician – James Gray –
travelling as part of VIA’s Artists on Board program. These sorts of
performances always add a nice extra ambiance to the Park car, and everyone in
attendance seemed to be enjoying themselves. You can check out James’ music here:
</span><a href="https://www.jamesgraymusic.ca/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">https://www.jamesgraymusic.ca/</span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vFakHKFJsbATuIl5LjNKb5r_hHHQS12g5p5soVsQIS6Q8lza_VF7yBOa7976-NwcGjevlvRZQz_TVQ9AZusiwltXok4bxYmgUzU6D4XwF2nwIi_Y4nwCvw8sFlGq_T4-2Ki7_6HIHyLh/s1600/IMG_4304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vFakHKFJsbATuIl5LjNKb5r_hHHQS12g5p5soVsQIS6Q8lza_VF7yBOa7976-NwcGjevlvRZQz_TVQ9AZusiwltXok4bxYmgUzU6D4XwF2nwIi_Y4nwCvw8sFlGq_T4-2Ki7_6HIHyLh/s640/IMG_4304.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Gray performs in the Park car lounge. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Later in the evening I enjoyed a while of relaxing in the
darkness of the dome, watching what I could see of the countryside – spotting the
CN business train at Joffre was the main highlight – then returned to my berth.
The attendant had made up the berths – a physically demanding task! – around
supper time. Riding in these open sections you don’t have private space outside
of your bed, but the large washrooms at the end of the car provide ample space
to get ready for bed. This was my first time travelling in an upper berth (I’ve
been in lowers a number of times). I found it was actually perfectly
comfortable, though a little warm for the first while. I missed having the
window the lower berth offers, but it did avoid distractions during the night. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">One thing to keep in mind if you’re travelling in either
upper or lower berths – as of right now, neither the berths in the Chateau nor
Manor sleepers have electrical outlets. So they are actually the one
accommodation on the train (coach seats and all other sleeper spaces have
outlets) where you can’t charge a phone or whatever else you might need to do.
There are some outlets in public spaces (like the Park car), but it’s probably
wise to bring a portable battery pack to keep your devices juiced up. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGS04UzYwlJchSDivYNRNmcCf1NM2hZERPVAkcNIJMjre8c9UWGd6t6G-3me1ramHvSGblk3FUDx-mN3f9iBsprPWjHvit6w7-JNe6eDUC0g7LkvGT8l_9gv1oc95x5apo2JtMW9kszSf2/s1600/IMG_4312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGS04UzYwlJchSDivYNRNmcCf1NM2hZERPVAkcNIJMjre8c9UWGd6t6G-3me1ramHvSGblk3FUDx-mN3f9iBsprPWjHvit6w7-JNe6eDUC0g7LkvGT8l_9gv1oc95x5apo2JtMW9kszSf2/s640/IMG_4312.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside an upper berth. The heavy curtain on the left provides privacy and blocks a decent amount of sound, though I found more light made it over the top than you would get in the lower berth. There are lights, air vents at the top, a mirror at each end, and slung storage pockets to keep any items you'd like to have near by through the night. Larger items can be stowed underneath the berths in the section, or in the luggage area at the end of the car (most conveniently in the one at the rear end of the next car forward). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Jv6x7HRUapSeEJ_1e417V94qcE1aCiYYg7OZIzNexxw1fzICuWW_cT6y2GHNCmKztn3nl7gfJ1kdQUk9rfnCANlFf6Iorkn8XdordD3LpUE1nY-85zgkhOgfoyrQEr_6aCLuQcS2RAYJ/s1600/IMG_4323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Jv6x7HRUapSeEJ_1e417V94qcE1aCiYYg7OZIzNexxw1fzICuWW_cT6y2GHNCmKztn3nl7gfJ1kdQUk9rfnCANlFf6Iorkn8XdordD3LpUE1nY-85zgkhOgfoyrQEr_6aCLuQcS2RAYJ/s640/IMG_4323.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berths the next morning. The upper, in darkness, is accessed by the large and sturdy ladder, much easier to navigate than those in the bedrooms. The lower, as shown here, has access to the window, and the headrests from the daytime setup fold up to provide shelves at the ends to store some smaller items. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Come morning, I got up around 8, headed to the shower, then
made my way forward for breakfast just after 8:30. I was surprised to find a
line heading into the diner, and then found out that they were running behind
because of a rather unfortunate occurrence the night before. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The dining car staff had come to start breakfast prep around
6am, only to discover that the fridge storing all of the catered meals for
breakfast and lunch had shut off during the night. It had reached above safe
temperatures, and since no one knew how long it had been off (apparently 15min
is the maximum time they can keep food stored above safe temperatures), they
had to throw out all of the breakfast and lunch meals (!)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">With that gone, early risers were offered a partial continental option, with
cereals and toast - but no yogurt, fruit, etc. At Campbellton the crew made a
supply run to Sobeys (conveniently across the street from the station) and acquired a huge quantity of eggs, bacon and potatoes
so that they could cook a full bacon and eggs breakfast with hashbrowns. This
is one of the perks of having a real diner on the train! So anyone who went for
a later breakfast had that full option, which was really excellent. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboqDgFEIzgaFuU-fwYvWKkG22rHBgVRqOJDcs5yh52D1aXe1ai0pqh877SFrx0AzQ8t88y8WUOM55SmBeEUuYY3ZTkvnFxvpLufHfGqz1fosdOf0WKQRoABu3qvOmd8B4ZvNVRhzMqkS1/s1600/IMG_4317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboqDgFEIzgaFuU-fwYvWKkG22rHBgVRqOJDcs5yh52D1aXe1ai0pqh877SFrx0AzQ8t88y8WUOM55SmBeEUuYY3ZTkvnFxvpLufHfGqz1fosdOf0WKQRoABu3qvOmd8B4ZvNVRhzMqkS1/s640/IMG_4317.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A proper train breakfast! Hard to beat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwEkJMeHiO87rF2vN4dSPomhbZzZxLlUuuYzXfpfu5WSuvXDgn3wVKdxOyG1XuIiwNJjxVco6bRLWpGL0T1y5AG317eRA-zHKGoxu9vmXgDbyq0nGQdveEBLzBSvpLMxtKlxE1rKGXpjz/s1600/IMG_4314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1502" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwEkJMeHiO87rF2vN4dSPomhbZzZxLlUuuYzXfpfu5WSuvXDgn3wVKdxOyG1XuIiwNJjxVco6bRLWpGL0T1y5AG317eRA-zHKGoxu9vmXgDbyq0nGQdveEBLzBSvpLMxtKlxE1rKGXpjz/s640/IMG_4314.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a hard to beat view to accompany that breakfast. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Some readers may recall that VIA had offered some actual cooked on board meals
on Budd Oceans in the past - Christmas substitutions originally had several
options for all meals, but then they cut back to a single eggs-any-style breakfast option.
Last year and this year, as the Budd substitutions have become a
longer-standing feature, they've resorted to only the catered options for all
meals. So while many of the passengers may not have been aware, I at least
realized that this was an unusual treat, and enjoyed it!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The Sobeys stop also resupplied the coach canteen, as all sandwiches had to be
disposed of. Apparently the crew bought every single pre-made sandwich and wrap
that Sobeys had in stock (it was a good morning for that Sobeys...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33-Pyp8EHWQlAmkHVdZ50GO8PnoDgg3j5Zn7fA_tehRbDG8AOqrqXewU0Y-fNeA_OdoY3jRAeF3YWe0T1tDkOIBB-4UBs-FZurLZ3rsTwV3NKEzcwyDYnLJkdrcFdna_yPn03uU02nmdN/s1600/IMG_4320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33-Pyp8EHWQlAmkHVdZ50GO8PnoDgg3j5Zn7fA_tehRbDG8AOqrqXewU0Y-fNeA_OdoY3jRAeF3YWe0T1tDkOIBB-4UBs-FZurLZ3rsTwV3NKEzcwyDYnLJkdrcFdna_yPn03uU02nmdN/s640/IMG_4320.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathurst stop. We were here for a few minutes, so a brief jaunt outside was allowed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4QwxXBPJCzQJxSlT4W2DRLZFL2RmghPTv5bIfJtstnMDhWBIYNw_SJxeg2u1e-uHvxRn34y520loKNFQlkMsiJcD2a8Ddc1wsP7lRrrBkKhwHZJbH7dfJ0mIZguPNQl_KGudM3l2iF_j/s1600/IMG_4946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4QwxXBPJCzQJxSlT4W2DRLZFL2RmghPTv5bIfJtstnMDhWBIYNw_SJxeg2u1e-uHvxRn34y520loKNFQlkMsiJcD2a8Ddc1wsP7lRrrBkKhwHZJbH7dfJ0mIZguPNQl_KGudM3l2iF_j/s640/IMG_4946.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped at Bathurst - the diner, right behind the last coach, and running dining room forward. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Unfortunately by the time lunch rolled around, it was a less exciting affair.
The call was made to order meals to the train, similar to how they often do
extra meals when the train is very late. Those meals have typically been St.
Hubert or Swiss Chalet chicken dinners, but this time around they went for
Dixie Lee in Miramichi. So boxed fried chicken dinners were brought on for all
sleeper passengers, and delivered to our accommodations or the Park car. I had
mine in the dome, and while the food wasn't necessarily my first choice, it was
good for what it was and enjoying it in the dome felt like a sort of discount
"dome diner" experience. I did hear several passengers lamenting not
getting to have another proper meal in the dining car, and at least a few
seemed disappointed with the offering - but overall most people seemed to
understand the situation and appreciated the effort being made to make up for
it. I never got a clear answer on what was being provided for vegetarians or
others with special dietary needs. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1o26_I0LQFSMYl2XMcJ9uSfM6Kq79-9bSP5rW2nfC0w9L61qg9VxwnZtIXE8-sOBQjeX94eBH4g9h6DCxSEJh-arl3tBTPMzFnWImIBkONHGhPH2HiZ-KzopT9jHbuRB3aoj1f8nnftsL/s1600/IMG_4325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1o26_I0LQFSMYl2XMcJ9uSfM6Kq79-9bSP5rW2nfC0w9L61qg9VxwnZtIXE8-sOBQjeX94eBH4g9h6DCxSEJh-arl3tBTPMzFnWImIBkONHGhPH2HiZ-KzopT9jHbuRB3aoj1f8nnftsL/s640/IMG_4325.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch in a box. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHm7cofV9y2lpyeYze4j2KvFpvmQll5Eq741UM37aqY9QHarx5l-7NNhP54v2cZazOw47Pa5TPq3hYFoie-AHdF9j1MKD-nasbXrPnH0VLaiaJK0bJH6TNQAR-SqS_qtZadF3dl-wD11A/s1600/IMG_4328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHm7cofV9y2lpyeYze4j2KvFpvmQll5Eq741UM37aqY9QHarx5l-7NNhP54v2cZazOw47Pa5TPq3hYFoie-AHdF9j1MKD-nasbXrPnH0VLaiaJK0bJH6TNQAR-SqS_qtZadF3dl-wD11A/s640/IMG_4328.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discount dome diner. Not the most exciting views, as we crept through the forests between Miramichi and Rogersville, but still pretty nifty. There was some coleslaw buried in that box, but otherwise not a vegetable in sight...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The rest of the morning was quite uneventful, though the two
food-related stops had put us about an hour behind.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaaQfgZtnS74VsXSeSO1mnBot7aw2w-OugKsF2LhqXqpdq50sXslwVXRUGU-iZYlfPKQSzWm1t1gLrYQsGdNhk0jojlhKp58Z0DgPgDCSKQPRM1xB3RuVc84G0Ad9-FHSbTdnHH8mBwom/s1600/IMG_4948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaaQfgZtnS74VsXSeSO1mnBot7aw2w-OugKsF2LhqXqpdq50sXslwVXRUGU-iZYlfPKQSzWm1t1gLrYQsGdNhk0jojlhKp58Z0DgPgDCSKQPRM1xB3RuVc84G0Ad9-FHSbTdnHH8mBwom/s640/IMG_4948.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stainless steel at Moncton. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5moCOwjACfrINhTj9mRtviBUUa3F89cEUaniLM0SjFlB_uvAzGlllmLI8BnsJw8wrdipl6YSVerbs8-_PxgWEog-rk5A-kp_QVDYEOmFz0JrIspnEjmQRzVqqvZ4BlLBqor5j740Ag2H/s1600/IMG_4949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5moCOwjACfrINhTj9mRtviBUUa3F89cEUaniLM0SjFlB_uvAzGlllmLI8BnsJw8wrdipl6YSVerbs8-_PxgWEog-rk5A-kp_QVDYEOmFz0JrIspnEjmQRzVqqvZ4BlLBqor5j740Ag2H/s640/IMG_4949.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That giant freezer at Sackville - now nearly entirely covered!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKt2U65hvfCG4yocwxPUhhyt06jFma1EGEejeSMS_B298Zz5Oll7ixson3ma4DAlGkafd4K9qA7ETOfWGE2KA9_JrJlZQO6Fg8o_MQcORN1KewnIiMHITdPsL7U9hbc22WF_k0E5yTYao/s1600/IMG_4952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKt2U65hvfCG4yocwxPUhhyt06jFma1EGEejeSMS_B298Zz5Oll7ixson3ma4DAlGkafd4K9qA7ETOfWGE2KA9_JrJlZQO6Fg8o_MQcORN1KewnIiMHITdPsL7U9hbc22WF_k0E5yTYao/s640/IMG_4952.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amherst, meeting the CN local with a single car in tow. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtrNbrvXeijhGJ45tvqxOVv8GoQEs1AWOTprQqNfKPC0mm6gFRAON9oqXEtMESlwVMhw7gsPFwOY9yXp2wxjpuIqxJTLqvO5cGI34PqAATVj0Dvy_I2aJoiyvAFDPrjFRWT3MaVAQu9SD/s1600/IMG_4953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtrNbrvXeijhGJ45tvqxOVv8GoQEs1AWOTprQqNfKPC0mm6gFRAON9oqXEtMESlwVMhw7gsPFwOY9yXp2wxjpuIqxJTLqvO5cGI34PqAATVj0Dvy_I2aJoiyvAFDPrjFRWT3MaVAQu9SD/s640/IMG_4953.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The open section across the aisle (#2). The attendant had set up a table in this section, which made it a nice place to sit while the other sections were made up for the night. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We also had a meet with a freight (late-running CN 407) at
Springhill, which turned out to be a longer delay than usual because we
actually had someone getting off at Springhill Junction. We needed to be on the
main line for the stop, so we tucked just in to the west end of the siding,
waited for 407 to clear, then backed out onto the main to proceed ahead to the
"station" (really a gravel parking lot) stop. Not a major delay, but
it did put us about another 20 minutes behind. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfj8yJjX018JPD5dir0PtSLiHQRm2xsLpFiVee7SX1SjYhdPcE4w3M9T0ECso4OetJGq7KHl4Dpk26c_0OPd8ff851Mj3lTebOsb00LOqcSg9TGd4cz8Rl08PfeIj_E3G3HVqBQCxtwE-/s1600/IMG_4329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfj8yJjX018JPD5dir0PtSLiHQRm2xsLpFiVee7SX1SjYhdPcE4w3M9T0ECso4OetJGq7KHl4Dpk26c_0OPd8ff851Mj3lTebOsb00LOqcSg9TGd4cz8Rl08PfeIj_E3G3HVqBQCxtwE-/s640/IMG_4329.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just inside the siding at Springhill, one of our engineers waits to do a roll-by of the approaching freight, and then verify the signal and switch so we can back out. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkz3zQK-rP5Q1HbDyTpxk_7i-yPZCbTwinYnXQLLDRti-Jf0AQDEBekV_piAMDwCuT3bdv2phV5SWYH0SM7f4iznUnWbFCU2xWbVDYaQ4ELlEZ9oA_hB-zLYSLrIgHgNl7w1Jz9YnTZ1U/s1600/IMG_4330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkz3zQK-rP5Q1HbDyTpxk_7i-yPZCbTwinYnXQLLDRti-Jf0AQDEBekV_piAMDwCuT3bdv2phV5SWYH0SM7f4iznUnWbFCU2xWbVDYaQ4ELlEZ9oA_hB-zLYSLrIgHgNl7w1Jz9YnTZ1U/s640/IMG_4330.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a bit of a wait, CN 407 arrives.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mLazw7VYYuM3PXo0nUFaHsOOHXUfNfr-mbWynJ1TeVo_nVjhTDZkpDMpNgmiZx09uRDOEWjkhM2E5cfKrR1MMikcXYPObhOhlwEyrtektI8DBPDmMsGUxjPjVPDQZZVXFvg0xF6_AbZc/s1600/IMG_4331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mLazw7VYYuM3PXo0nUFaHsOOHXUfNfr-mbWynJ1TeVo_nVjhTDZkpDMpNgmiZx09uRDOEWjkhM2E5cfKrR1MMikcXYPObhOhlwEyrtektI8DBPDmMsGUxjPjVPDQZZVXFvg0xF6_AbZc/s640/IMG_4331.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passengers in the dome watch the freight speed by - this was an unusual train for 407, as they had picked up some container traffic that didn't make it out on 121. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The remainder of the trip was pretty routine. We made good time,
but maintained most of that delay, arriving in Halifax at 7:09pm, just shy of
1h20min late. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wvQBgcV_goY-gMgWevN7_AJtiQKf7lksQw5apTGZ0YvtJEZSkmQ2ISbl4ripRVo6gy1VfIMUDmSb2HfPhw5mfWz9UQI99PoLJUgdJ7FjleG6ncWsdKRwG7ApiQGZ3rjGb0tH3kmcgmuf/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wvQBgcV_goY-gMgWevN7_AJtiQKf7lksQw5apTGZ0YvtJEZSkmQ2ISbl4ripRVo6gy1VfIMUDmSb2HfPhw5mfWz9UQI99PoLJUgdJ7FjleG6ncWsdKRwG7ApiQGZ3rjGb0tH3kmcgmuf/s640/IMG_4332.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folly Lake, relaxing in the open section across the aisle, coffee at hand. With all of the other berth passengers having disembarked at Moncton, this end of the car was very quiet for the remainder of the trip. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">All in all it was another great trip, made more interesting
by the unusual food situation. Now with the summer arriving, the trains
are longer, more people are travelling, and I’m definitely looking forward to
getting back on the rails somewhere. I’ve got some ideas, but nothing definitive
planned quite yet. Until then, whenever and wherever it happens to be… </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX32LLFGnhhjdxNJxowGgWa0n1PrXG6hUmeEYRltBy0VD-Wre9Sji5gqYfxJEbKj-_9n3JqLhFYqNQy5KTvbi0M6cJh1BvAKzfe1UuQ8F9G7Gz3vqAjkFzXzAhHgr_nz1ioXCjBtcHYE3D/s1600/IMG_4334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX32LLFGnhhjdxNJxowGgWa0n1PrXG6hUmeEYRltBy0VD-Wre9Sji5gqYfxJEbKj-_9n3JqLhFYqNQy5KTvbi0M6cJh1BvAKzfe1UuQ8F9G7Gz3vqAjkFzXzAhHgr_nz1ioXCjBtcHYE3D/s640/IMG_4334.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in Halifax. The sunny weather from Montreal only followed us part way, and it was damp and gloomy by the time we arrived, much like when I left a few days earlier. </td></tr>
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TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-48374383170213255842019-05-06T10:56:00.002-03:002019-06-14T08:40:20.316-03:00A weekend in Montreal, and another Stainless Ocean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKEYWaGxB-h6XP43CkYiQ0F3CDpIaKb2kgdiI6r6glqbycosfHtXPSfIaenZh0QDDl1bCh2KaqwDoBhkIr-blRz8ZB4gFtaD6PR7mllzeQeQdCICWNPBH5YzFUlQPmILoscpBn92n_AIi/s1600/19-03-29B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKEYWaGxB-h6XP43CkYiQ0F3CDpIaKb2kgdiI6r6glqbycosfHtXPSfIaenZh0QDDl1bCh2KaqwDoBhkIr-blRz8ZB4gFtaD6PR7mllzeQeQdCICWNPBH5YzFUlQPmILoscpBn92n_AIi/s640/19-03-29B.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver and blue has once again become a common sight on the Ocean. Our train clips along at Oxford Jct. Photo by David Morris. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">At the end
of March my partner and I were headed up to Montreal for a Saturday night
concert. Coming from Halifax, a Saturday night event works perfectly with VIA
Rail’s current Ocean schedule (one of the few things that is convenient under
the post-2012 3/week schedule). The train leaves Halifax Friday afternoon,
arriving in Montreal at 10am on Saturday. Then the return trip is Sunday
evening, getting you back to Halifax by supper time on Monday. You couldn’t plan
it much better than that, and at this time of year, when driving or flying can
be unreliable (an April 9<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">th</span></sup> snow storm in Halifax this year was a
good reminder of that!), the train is a pretty reliable option. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After
Christmas, one set of HEP (Budd-built stainless steel) equipment had stayed on
the Ocean until early February. Unlike previous winters, the substitution did
actually end then rather than being extended out until nearer the peak season.
Even if it had been extended, I realized that it would be on the opposite
rotation and our train in both directions would be Renaissance. Ah well – as I
discussed in my last report, the Renaissance equipment does have a lot of
features I like, so it would still be a pleasant trip. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Much to my
surprise, another unexpected incident just over a week before our trip changed
all of that. On March 20<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">th</span></sup>, VIA #15 had left Truro and was up to
track speed near Belmont NS, when they collided with “debris” on the tracks. It
turned out that a CN work crew was preparing for rail replacement along that
section of track, and had laid down piles of tie plates (heavy, metal plates
that sit between the ties and rails, and through which the spikes that hold the
rails in place are driven) *between the rails*. This is not historically
standard practice – tie plates are usually laid down outside of the rails,
where they can be picked up by track work equipment but cause no potential
issues for trains running over them. Apparently CN changed this practice
recently. One VIA crew member suggested it was to try to make it harder for
potential vandals or thieves to see the piles of metal while they were waiting
to be installed. Whatever the reason, it turns out this practice was not
without its issues. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Earlier in
the year a VIA Rail corridor train near Brighton ON struck similar “debris”,
which ruptured the locomotive’s fuel tank, broke passenger car windows, and
nearly hit a CN employee who was nearby at the time. The cause was ultimately
revealed to be tie plates, similarly stacked between the rails, which were
lifted up and thrown around by the forces of the fast passenger train passing
over top. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In the case
of the Ocean at Belmont, the tie plates caused extensive damage to the train.
There was no derailment and fortunately no injuries, but the second
locomotive’s fuel tank was ruptured and spilled fuel, windows were apparently
broken on one car, and there was extensive underbody damage along the entire
length of the train. Cables were ripped out, air lines were damaged, and water
tanks were ruptured. Passengers were ultimately evacuated and bussed, with the
train cancelled from that point onwards. It would take several days before the
train could be repaired enough to even move it back to Montreal. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">With one
Renaissance set out of service, VIA had to act quickly to ensure that the
following day’s #14 could leave from Montreal. A set of Budd/HEP equipment was
hastily pulled together, using mostly cars that had been on the substitution at
Christmas and through January. This train left Montreal on the evening of March
22<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">nd</span></sup>, and it quickly became apparent that it would be staying on the
Ocean for a while.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So what did
all of this mean for our trip? Well, it meant that our previously scheduled
Renaissance trip would now be HEP equipment in both directions! I certainly
wasn’t going to complain, though I must admit that I’m starting to be a little
baffled by my record of ending up with HEP substitutions!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We had
already booked in Renaissance sleeping car accommodations in both directions,
so the substitution now meant that we would be re-assigned to HEP
accommodations. These substitutions can be complicated – Renaissance cars have
only bedrooms (“Cabin for 2”), while HEP sleepers (in this case Chateaus) have
only three bedrooms, a drawing room (“Cabin for 3”), roomettes (“Cabin for 1”)
and upper and lower berths. VIA generally tries to re-accommodate people to
bedrooms (hence why I’ve ended up solo in HEP bedrooms on a couple of my
previous trips), but they also usually fill the drawing rooms as well with some
couples with existing bookings. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Much to my
surprise and excitement, I discovered that for #15 we had been re-assigned to
Car 38 Room A, the drawing room of Chateau Dollier! For those not familiar with
these rooms, they are the largest rooms in the classic Budd-built HEP
equipment. Chateau sleepers and Park cars (as originally built) each have one
per car. The day time setup features two chairs and a large sofa, with the
largest window of any traditional sleeping car room VIA offers (the new
Prestige cars on the Canadian have larger windows). At night, the sofa folds
down to form one bed and two bunks lower in front of the window, running in the
direction of travel. When occupied by only two passengers, the two lower bunks
can be lowered meaning that nobody has to climb a ladder to bed. Photos and
more details will follow as we get to that part of the trip. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">On the way
back we would just have a standard bedroom, though we ended up with the best
one in the Chateaus – Room B, which is perfectly centered in the car and has
solid walls on either side, offering slightly better soundproofing than rooms C
and D. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So with all
of that context, let’s move on to the trip itself! On a chilly and overcast
March 29<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">th</span></sup> we made our way to the station. No bags to check on this
short trip, but we did need to pick up tickets. Upon arrival we noticed the
station was very quiet, not surprising for this time of year. As we took our
new tickets and checked in at the sleeper check-in counter, we discovered that
the load was very light – only 6 passengers in the sleepers leaving Halifax,
and only 13 in coach! We would of course pick up plenty more people along the
way, but this highlighted that we really were in the midst of one of the
quietest travel times of the year. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvAfveoFjOQYiC6z62LSOgM4DsZrnTBxlJvGeWXrzwyT7ZWFYKAL2ceEplBoDlNGqABf6t9O0_IGJQh5_BZLjm3SEdvxsKpE8-Ig9qWnzVwYXJahyphenhyphenPY7Wh8JRrzT6Zoq97_L-zdhrL5aG/s1600/IMG_4060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvAfveoFjOQYiC6z62LSOgM4DsZrnTBxlJvGeWXrzwyT7ZWFYKAL2ceEplBoDlNGqABf6t9O0_IGJQh5_BZLjm3SEdvxsKpE8-Ig9qWnzVwYXJahyphenhyphenPY7Wh8JRrzT6Zoq97_L-zdhrL5aG/s640/IMG_4060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train awaits!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Heading out
to the platform we saw our silver and blue train awaiting us. A much more
compact version of the train I rode at Christmas. The one extremely unique
feature of this particular train was that just like its massive Christmas
counterpart, it featured 3 domes – but no dining car! VIA has a shortage of
dining cars at the moment, with some off to RailGD for refurbishment, and
others out of service due to maintenance issues. So there wasn’t one available
to add to this train. Fortunately there is another option, which actually works
very well on quiet off-season trains – the Skyline car.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">When VIA
inherited the Skylines from CP, they were set up with a lounge in the short end
and coach seating in the long end. VIA ultimately reconfigured these with a
café area in the long end, with six four-seater tables. They reconfigured the space under the dome to add a galley to provide takeout snack
service for coach passengers, and the small kitchen that once served the "coffee shop" could be used to cook and prepare meals. They also turned the seats in the domes so the
cars could operate with the café section at the rear, facing the sleeping cars.
The idea with this setup was that it could be used on the Canadian and other
trains in the off-season, allowing them to use it in place of running a full
dining car. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">At Christmas
time the second Skyline on the Ocean was used as overflow space in addition to
the dining car, on account of the enormous passenger load on at least one train
leaving Montreal. On this trip it would be the sole provider of meal service,
acting in place of a full diner just the way it was intended to be used. With
light passenger loads the lower capacity wouldn’t be a major issue.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Here’s the consist for our train leaving Halifax. Keen eyed
observers who’ve followed my blog may note that a lot of this equipment was on
the massive Christmas Budd set from a few months ago. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">VIA 15 – March 29, 2019</span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6448 F40 Locomotive</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6453 F40 Locomotive</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8622 HEP1 Baggage</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8137 (03) HEP1 Coach </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8138 (04) HEP1 Coach</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8516 Skyline Dome (Economy Service)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8501 Skyline Dome (Dining Car Service)</span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Laval (36)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Brulé <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(37)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><strong>Chateau Dollier (38) *Room A</strong></span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Bienville (39)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Assiniboine Park (40)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">*Line numbers in brackets. None
of the cars on this train were refurbished. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We boarded the train and made our way into our enormous room. There
really is nothing else on the train that quite compares to a Chateau drawing
room, especially when travelling with only two passengers. I had previously
travelled in one with two others, and it was very comfortable for three – but
for two it was just downright luxurious. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some photos of the day time setup.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7k__l3BnvyFwoh4C_ARjya7Hq8yl7ByiZVxXRH-_-OemUcW_T7Wh6WMp82bfhbcFlM60855JloKqYbNqHTjzLvQVMM0xfMAJQC-qWD5Y05WMdbY6wXkzh8ZwSMSuVO1sJ1f4iGNkiArWx/s1600/IMG_4772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7k__l3BnvyFwoh4C_ARjya7Hq8yl7ByiZVxXRH-_-OemUcW_T7Wh6WMp82bfhbcFlM60855JloKqYbNqHTjzLvQVMM0xfMAJQC-qWD5Y05WMdbY6wXkzh8ZwSMSuVO1sJ1f4iGNkiArWx/s640/IMG_4772.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Chateau drawing room, with its unmistakable pink wallpaper still (mostly) intact. On the left is the door to the hallway. Next to that is the large closet, and to the right is the door to the en-suite toilet, followed by the vanity and sink. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist9yVS7Mib2FzhJvJME0JQ3DGcF3KrrmhBAckRiDrWoqG1Z8YPiS5kUEIv-xpsPl-W-AhcvAWz9zBu22xko2Oe5IM-U8sVdS3-MH9nf5p-T7Yv1VTEetPGzax0-W-_AyZpiVyxZz1OHKL/s1600/IMG_4774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist9yVS7Mib2FzhJvJME0JQ3DGcF3KrrmhBAckRiDrWoqG1Z8YPiS5kUEIv-xpsPl-W-AhcvAWz9zBu22xko2Oe5IM-U8sVdS3-MH9nf5p-T7Yv1VTEetPGzax0-W-_AyZpiVyxZz1OHKL/s640/IMG_4774.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking in to the en-suite - compact, but still plenty of room. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JSRK1jG9COI3tV-hZugkMKso4g4RLq6phGyrVmU6rQySrSvjvUN9W-te6kFoauTzEKdnWriYKhXlLmmmHjba85jdtLGdnRUfKp5lkotPwTiVbV9hOKN62GHcS2JE6WvI43HgU9VKhwyf/s1600/IMG_4775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JSRK1jG9COI3tV-hZugkMKso4g4RLq6phGyrVmU6rQySrSvjvUN9W-te6kFoauTzEKdnWriYKhXlLmmmHjba85jdtLGdnRUfKp5lkotPwTiVbV9hOKN62GHcS2JE6WvI43HgU9VKhwyf/s640/IMG_4775.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The large closet, with plenty of space for coats and bags. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_9tR8g2-HLuCoy3rJu4KwP2EMuCrNNEAaY3IorPcqxxh2soor4OwYe2qYlO6RMpPTXlLvwB_dQTJxlPLICMqo-0WNLE1XwJxm_8jYJFl0t0jn8Rrl_VnlbW8MxRbNMEFo1CtNoi99plM/s1600/IMG_4776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_9tR8g2-HLuCoy3rJu4KwP2EMuCrNNEAaY3IorPcqxxh2soor4OwYe2qYlO6RMpPTXlLvwB_dQTJxlPLICMqo-0WNLE1XwJxm_8jYJFl0t0jn8Rrl_VnlbW8MxRbNMEFo1CtNoi99plM/s640/IMG_4776.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next to the couch is another surprisingly spacious cabinet, with space for shoes or boots, or anything you might like. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoIWvFM9qpQg93nikAncsVnhKPOEZe5l8qDGkTOLXr_idNO-p3LGr-qkGQBASinxLWkODG5OUSTDbstvjaDj18bFHf0NTTqgT2T1ex48Dqr6G84-1Es6S0O7yDT7yCiVzFm01187gRl12/s1600/IMG_4777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoIWvFM9qpQg93nikAncsVnhKPOEZe5l8qDGkTOLXr_idNO-p3LGr-qkGQBASinxLWkODG5OUSTDbstvjaDj18bFHf0NTTqgT2T1ex48Dqr6G84-1Es6S0O7yDT7yCiVzFm01187gRl12/s640/IMG_4777.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sofa, with ample space for two or three people.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EIGVGYn8XKmLk-poQsTnrrQRLAdLZZvSZ13wZ2x9Zi3ebd9kyDPiEYiy4OqrdmlOTpgxJkxpPSZZpanFU2geH0Jnm63RsIeJSyBe5Ri-Z4dm7qQqmOAKJDoVOwcQ4X11J7cPthWN6o4D/s1600/IMG_4829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EIGVGYn8XKmLk-poQsTnrrQRLAdLZZvSZ13wZ2x9Zi3ebd9kyDPiEYiy4OqrdmlOTpgxJkxpPSZZpanFU2geH0Jnm63RsIeJSyBe5Ri-Z4dm7qQqmOAKJDoVOwcQ4X11J7cPthWN6o4D/s640/IMG_4829.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In addition to the sofa there are two moveable chairs. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qKX7lDQRSCpWc9wNMFoBSPCg5LLaKnURtwCIbde3wyYZ9DIqrfOgC41Grb2R7rvnKN19QvecA6JnrNJ0BhWzctKg4fFsUhAKjyqT71-hFyNSrFIcQW3rPvrFKbrU5QGGmqTPZYuYJnhs/s1600/IMG_4771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qKX7lDQRSCpWc9wNMFoBSPCg5LLaKnURtwCIbde3wyYZ9DIqrfOgC41Grb2R7rvnKN19QvecA6JnrNJ0BhWzctKg4fFsUhAKjyqT71-hFyNSrFIcQW3rPvrFKbrU5QGGmqTPZYuYJnhs/s640/IMG_4771.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another perk of the drawing room is the enormous window - almost the size of a full coach window, and the largest in any sleeping car room by a substantial margin. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">At check-in we were informed that there would be no formal sittings for
lunch – we were told to go when we were hungry, and there would ultimately be a
last call. As we got underway there was an announcement that coach passengers
were welcome to come for meals, they just needed to ask the coach attendant to
make a reservation. There were at least several coach passengers who took
advantage of this in either direction on our trip. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">As the train started moving from Halifax right on time at 1pm, we
headed straight to the Skyline to have our lunch. Despite having a small
kitchen, the meals were still the usual catered provisions used on the
Renaissance trains. As those who’ve followed my postings will know, these meals
are routinely excellent, and not at all what many would expect from
pre-prepared affairs. The presentation obviously helps, and there is always
something to be said for the atmosphere of enjoying a meal on the train – even
if not in a full dining car! Lunch was very enjoyable, and I’ll let the photos
(and captions) speak to that.</span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MYgPx-m9JA3kcmUKeOmM_RXP0Ed2Fd3slxsH9mhJIfHm1PdW1hY1ZyaPRB5SGXvYeM4CpQObi5FBKCKaAOLpOZRBtz_kCJOu9mVBk_HvQvL6kZNZ82M2v9V-Yv3khgs1kWTz2QIQmSBi/s1600/IMG_4765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MYgPx-m9JA3kcmUKeOmM_RXP0Ed2Fd3slxsH9mhJIfHm1PdW1hY1ZyaPRB5SGXvYeM4CpQObi5FBKCKaAOLpOZRBtz_kCJOu9mVBk_HvQvL6kZNZ82M2v9V-Yv3khgs1kWTz2QIQmSBi/s640/IMG_4765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyline tables, set for lunch. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxmfZ-XqH1OMMJrN3qYspbLW0MV7WoK0K2ca9hYTHACS_TAA2mDDU_5JmLqX26gKDjY_0AQl7TOy2_aUZtS2zFWfM4wF2qdC_OvietCMEnRAooj6hw_zGCQoDwnVGcxM9OzjXyNdjiqrI/s1600/IMG_4766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxmfZ-XqH1OMMJrN3qYspbLW0MV7WoK0K2ca9hYTHACS_TAA2mDDU_5JmLqX26gKDjY_0AQl7TOy2_aUZtS2zFWfM4wF2qdC_OvietCMEnRAooj6hw_zGCQoDwnVGcxM9OzjXyNdjiqrI/s640/IMG_4766.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Skyline café decked out as the diner. The teal tablecloths work quite well with the pink and light green colours on the chairs. This is looking forward, so the small kitchen is just ahead, accessed by the hallway that swings to the left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDs58AmcolR3-JMtVt4hdrTxGQRz_kuwgEep0uQvvPRWfgBJ32RVll1L0l7wRBJ20Ri8RXn5N8M2HeO4uYCISPhTEa2lSGNSH2oAxeYYkBnuBTqsClxRyoHFmJ2-w0SiI0bBVUoQ5gJV-/s1600/IMG_4767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDs58AmcolR3-JMtVt4hdrTxGQRz_kuwgEep0uQvvPRWfgBJ32RVll1L0l7wRBJ20Ri8RXn5N8M2HeO4uYCISPhTEa2lSGNSH2oAxeYYkBnuBTqsClxRyoHFmJ2-w0SiI0bBVUoQ5gJV-/s640/IMG_4767.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the back. The Skyline only has 6 tables, so capacity is more limited than a full diner. Perfectly adequate for a quiet train like this. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aTw-pquIseGSNCbOU-53Ig7fcDxowk9UfeDgiZHxJyNxAcPiDw7WfYsFWSPsHZbw5pzAAFppTL3NdIhAk9BpKm4lT1IU3GQuNHRpSqhYGPT-LIXamDKz08d4GPRJBGxR18OleNM_mDQT/s1600/IMG_4177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aTw-pquIseGSNCbOU-53Ig7fcDxowk9UfeDgiZHxJyNxAcPiDw7WfYsFWSPsHZbw5pzAAFppTL3NdIhAk9BpKm4lT1IU3GQuNHRpSqhYGPT-LIXamDKz08d4GPRJBGxR18OleNM_mDQT/s640/IMG_4177.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the small kitchen/galley underneath the dome in the Skyline. VIA is still using the Ocean's normal catered meals, which just need to be reheated and plated, so most of this kitchen wasn't being put to use. Meal service was slower than usual, as the oven can only heat so many meals at once. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDWA6aU3plrpaPvaemTFdNYtwoWSxV1IT33Kv4hkcJLKs5LU7cShqE2wMnZJnmrbLmtvZVq9h8chdApbQLWU2kO7l6PawWFRyQpOORAae8ghWtST6ttVLpTIloguFypSK7AXFc4VXwILz/s1600/IMG_4768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDWA6aU3plrpaPvaemTFdNYtwoWSxV1IT33Kv4hkcJLKs5LU7cShqE2wMnZJnmrbLmtvZVq9h8chdApbQLWU2kO7l6PawWFRyQpOORAae8ghWtST6ttVLpTIloguFypSK7AXFc4VXwILz/s640/IMG_4768.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish chowder. This has been moved to the lunch menu, after having been a dinner staple for years. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE64H7UuumEUmz5HSzOYmQQhs9YTkvyMiOPN4wWQEfvflmKd3OvvXpaB9o9czp4xB0i0X7JLBHDcEquiS5R-skCWNydSAHchui6giL6YTNeUQCbT30s7O5mJkMML3eiAPB7_NnQ1aCMfr9/s1600/IMG_4769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE64H7UuumEUmz5HSzOYmQQhs9YTkvyMiOPN4wWQEfvflmKd3OvvXpaB9o9czp4xB0i0X7JLBHDcEquiS5R-skCWNydSAHchui6giL6YTNeUQCbT30s7O5mJkMML3eiAPB7_NnQ1aCMfr9/s640/IMG_4769.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I neglected to photograph the menu for this lunch, but I believe this was branded as a chicken "schnitzel". The sort of pickled potato salad was odd, but the rest was lovely. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bgVj1rdJhsx7ie_aeam17ZFvkJFG0VzyC8p8CpEFMVz5RoiNlPumPtE8RseOspTNFnH-xZ_LPrzL6QeUWQWTdXQbx7h-8DKfN5ENMfRtwmaHUYO_77byR2vnla3nB_acQHeuksXq5ycF/s1600/IMG_4770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bgVj1rdJhsx7ie_aeam17ZFvkJFG0VzyC8p8CpEFMVz5RoiNlPumPtE8RseOspTNFnH-xZ_LPrzL6QeUWQWTdXQbx7h-8DKfN5ENMfRtwmaHUYO_77byR2vnla3nB_acQHeuksXq5ycF/s640/IMG_4770.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A maple cake, for dessert. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">We made excellent time through the afternoon, and picked up more people
along the way. We had stops at Truro, Springhill Junction (a rarity!) and
Amherst, but rolled right through Sackville. We were early by Moncton, where we
made our normal long stop for re-supply, re-fueling, and a stretch and smoke
break for those on board. We spent much of the afternoon in the Park car dome,
enjoying the view as we snaked along through the varying Nova Scotia landscape
and into New Brunswick.</span> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPyoaN4CxUefh3hV_eJo3IP7GxmHW9jRoEdSpU_C6WMbo7Pe4hUPnriSQXzK2lbzs1Tucc9kU4wkFmiGVjDl0fnKnJDRguICGO-Yhp1FV5vOzx25y1zZEAB6UFHB-i7jpg6MGNJDDEf9r/s1600/IMG_4778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPyoaN4CxUefh3hV_eJo3IP7GxmHW9jRoEdSpU_C6WMbo7Pe4hUPnriSQXzK2lbzs1Tucc9kU4wkFmiGVjDl0fnKnJDRguICGO-Yhp1FV5vOzx25y1zZEAB6UFHB-i7jpg6MGNJDDEf9r/s640/IMG_4778.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Park car's bullet lounge, with selection of teas and fruit. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNL1Tr37SKGluw7bnKLlxM9k9O20NNZuxwZrFCBwjZQ2WTF543ppYmr2IH0VKj23H5jQhKbdBlD6ZFUu0s4pb-_qTZkJbaA2OBP-N0ESQ1dU0VZH7vvJYeZGDqKUCHwB0hVdCONwYXNGD/s1600/IMG_4779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNL1Tr37SKGluw7bnKLlxM9k9O20NNZuxwZrFCBwjZQ2WTF543ppYmr2IH0VKj23H5jQhKbdBlD6ZFUu0s4pb-_qTZkJbaA2OBP-N0ESQ1dU0VZH7vvJYeZGDqKUCHwB0hVdCONwYXNGD/s640/IMG_4779.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mural lounge below the Park car dome. A comfy place to relax. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhE2atPBFXU-jPnaYCzhs8l-CcU6Hnfmfh7NnjK37jzvjmlGODCZJUvZQIm7sIwIRnd6JQKnOIOxjRMnG2Ux6844nKsPTAZ94CYowuKJJGtF4r46GyLJdYYYz-mwFt5NlSTDbApp-veLN/s1600/IMG_4780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhE2atPBFXU-jPnaYCzhs8l-CcU6Hnfmfh7NnjK37jzvjmlGODCZJUvZQIm7sIwIRnd6JQKnOIOxjRMnG2Ux6844nKsPTAZ94CYowuKJJGtF4r46GyLJdYYYz-mwFt5NlSTDbApp-veLN/s640/IMG_4780.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up into the dome. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofUXfagCuAcuKvChgJ79A2XlfWLuZqxbXVaP_6Cn4p6s_hQa02pXWJhegddcWiuGClF-iQEf0otIXhY4dZb6z4MhFEYq0Y0W7-W5UJLQ2oEJGTqvy3lPvAdooDh461RkqZm_qUuzGTuR0/s1600/19-03-29C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofUXfagCuAcuKvChgJ79A2XlfWLuZqxbXVaP_6Cn4p6s_hQa02pXWJhegddcWiuGClF-iQEf0otIXhY4dZb6z4MhFEYq0Y0W7-W5UJLQ2oEJGTqvy3lPvAdooDh461RkqZm_qUuzGTuR0/s640/19-03-29C.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train arrives at Amherst, with a group of passengers waiting to board. Photo by David Morris. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4yHljbAVkr653lQAGoqVt7fXbzeSQVx5iLPxRwJUFAa4Md7ALHGSZOfE_pMqdq-jvylJVTU3UD6RC8mNkRv2P1fFt-2Xx700Beui6nOBXYWuoC249hKelVUC-3kEn8uDpjRxElfTcj9g/s1600/19-03-29D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4yHljbAVkr653lQAGoqVt7fXbzeSQVx5iLPxRwJUFAa4Md7ALHGSZOfE_pMqdq-jvylJVTU3UD6RC8mNkRv2P1fFt-2Xx700Beui6nOBXYWuoC249hKelVUC-3kEn8uDpjRxElfTcj9g/s640/19-03-29D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train at Amherst. We were in the Park car at this point, and I was in the bullet lounge as I noticed David taking this photo - but I can't quite see myself here! Photo by David Morris. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03USIkG9kiKsS0Vkl69viD1CV1te91u1LP72j7zSiNLZFHFJc5eg96XB8dTpM8jRt6W90nuJRPnYc_GN0sMXO8M8GpJqG2gEXkgut1FZ2IR4SuQVsSI7jCiPLo0JtWZFQj9RqIaXPBf7M/s1600/IMG_4783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03USIkG9kiKsS0Vkl69viD1CV1te91u1LP72j7zSiNLZFHFJc5eg96XB8dTpM8jRt6W90nuJRPnYc_GN0sMXO8M8GpJqG2gEXkgut1FZ2IR4SuQVsSI7jCiPLo0JtWZFQj9RqIaXPBf7M/s640/IMG_4783.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Amherst, we duck under the Trans-Canada highway and head out onto the marshes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCI8t4iXRx2VNc3NSr9vAN7OhJ-fXu8AHSJndBKm6pkKx6_t-thIdGCombEoorH-YzKkVIGzcsPHJGUnnN9mQCqymfQhfUd63ieJV8cNIXZwYpVd_iZDS2xgDyp7yKAfoI-CcpuBtbXXD/s1600/IMG_4786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCI8t4iXRx2VNc3NSr9vAN7OhJ-fXu8AHSJndBKm6pkKx6_t-thIdGCombEoorH-YzKkVIGzcsPHJGUnnN9mQCqymfQhfUd63ieJV8cNIXZwYpVd_iZDS2xgDyp7yKAfoI-CcpuBtbXXD/s640/IMG_4786.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straightening out on the marsh. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEltCQugipPFs4hKt2ci5n0Nair_1ypQCdjUhk260GkvM9qBWC1xRTKJ3ezsPDPMOADjSc8St1KySSIfghRLsNCcgJ4MGXoqyuaTXyy-xAmeR6zP5y269UPBFpaO5vo96jN-3ybgg-8N3w/s1600/IMG_4789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEltCQugipPFs4hKt2ci5n0Nair_1ypQCdjUhk260GkvM9qBWC1xRTKJ3ezsPDPMOADjSc8St1KySSIfghRLsNCcgJ4MGXoqyuaTXyy-xAmeR6zP5y269UPBFpaO5vo96jN-3ybgg-8N3w/s640/IMG_4789.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This curve, as we come to parallel the highway, is always a highlight of this part of the trip. Unfortunately the gloomy March day didn't make for the most exciting photo. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiBzsqzvQrTBs5ygqFlmrD5Cwz10UAwoX7Am3FO6UxDPzhfyCAkLg8TQW8TEAl8BLnBgjI7utPXp4wOyQMIdaMME2aj4KfOPpKBhFVi3ysCOEH3NSepnWsS3bdnbPXkNSmiuTFLUILFxC/s1600/IMG_4794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiBzsqzvQrTBs5ygqFlmrD5Cwz10UAwoX7Am3FO6UxDPzhfyCAkLg8TQW8TEAl8BLnBgjI7utPXp4wOyQMIdaMME2aj4KfOPpKBhFVi3ysCOEH3NSepnWsS3bdnbPXkNSmiuTFLUILFxC/s640/IMG_4794.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across the Tantramar marsh, with its always captivating mudflats. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIyfV6MT8MRWEwZq84SRdXU7bsyU-lb5gbaGobb4Qo7tQFBd6zXeYpJn0DrAksnNiwcF0FVUsoKWnFpz8Vbeh3e7N1hW9aHifdFd9WcC5ZbsiX1xavx2Za8xjTkghCLsIZ-SS91OCdBvM/s1600/IMG_4799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIyfV6MT8MRWEwZq84SRdXU7bsyU-lb5gbaGobb4Qo7tQFBd6zXeYpJn0DrAksnNiwcF0FVUsoKWnFpz8Vbeh3e7N1hW9aHifdFd9WcC5ZbsiX1xavx2Za8xjTkghCLsIZ-SS91OCdBvM/s640/IMG_4799.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice scour and the strong tidal action make for some fascinating mud formations. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5iFjGtxrXSFdRKOv1pvCVzuhV-kY6-AqLmALm9cosTHDg0B50QHaPrC98lqPMgqsFbSAqHps8eh9m86TtcLVaR74EOyQvRiM0TgHwNQflGsVikR7ud-X-6qWVVhRD4GlSRV7VSoEXKmV/s1600/IMG_4801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1600" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5iFjGtxrXSFdRKOv1pvCVzuhV-kY6-AqLmALm9cosTHDg0B50QHaPrC98lqPMgqsFbSAqHps8eh9m86TtcLVaR74EOyQvRiM0TgHwNQflGsVikR7ud-X-6qWVVhRD4GlSRV7VSoEXKmV/s640/IMG_4801.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mud landscape always looks interesting at low tide, and never quite the same. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopqE1kHho1975TXzxLEV9x8AeN-3ym90dn2BJQAj5BAK5Qgz0Y5VB8B_xQmi6_SnXfTxGC1A11O_5ua18inkDunQtlTiyrzf0PC7RRo5k0s4qqgPUVmqahiEj65H1lUY0CwUfhg7GF68c/s1600/IMG_4806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopqE1kHho1975TXzxLEV9x8AeN-3ym90dn2BJQAj5BAK5Qgz0Y5VB8B_xQmi6_SnXfTxGC1A11O_5ua18inkDunQtlTiyrzf0PC7RRo5k0s4qqgPUVmqahiEj65H1lUY0CwUfhg7GF68c/s640/IMG_4806.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refuelling as more passengers board at Moncton. The snow melt made for a sizeable puddle to jump across...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QMXdkNHQPBX1XAXEbVnN9sHJPNF5_OBBxt0_AeALXE6nntdMIHBvoNnMHPTBoLUBGfwZSzZ1FWYOx4TaorSrrb3GxStmZKl9fAaowMdvH9_C7qFunqnXW9ylJJKV4J2et1Rve4Qqv0tn/s1600/IMG_4808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QMXdkNHQPBX1XAXEbVnN9sHJPNF5_OBBxt0_AeALXE6nntdMIHBvoNnMHPTBoLUBGfwZSzZ1FWYOx4TaorSrrb3GxStmZKl9fAaowMdvH9_C7qFunqnXW9ylJJKV4J2et1Rve4Qqv0tn/s640/IMG_4808.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double domes at Moncton. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWZvRo1PrVLtlY794Wzt3eAsQ9rnSxbhQwCspwcBE7Ql_wIFS3to9oHLaO2po4vll4KHzs6YBZj41aC48kRs9lqcE6dCdswhAKOL7PxyJsnJ7zfupJFCyhm3xRkhlSU3ALjwLq1AASWkV/s1600/IMG_4812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWZvRo1PrVLtlY794Wzt3eAsQ9rnSxbhQwCspwcBE7Ql_wIFS3to9oHLaO2po4vll4KHzs6YBZj41aC48kRs9lqcE6dCdswhAKOL7PxyJsnJ7zfupJFCyhm3xRkhlSU3ALjwLq1AASWkV/s640/IMG_4812.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for departure at Moncton. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8PH1lzatFskJxh8mUd3AJ5jUbwv15V4It58ugxRJUYikeH36qJU4Ik6MsEUMYPI8eRx0tuBCu2K79fNGQUCK5gv7BvY3zKAjkNankYKvkZSfdK95SsD8mdKvpSOoIlvorQ6WBVrRCNAo/s1600/IMG_4813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8PH1lzatFskJxh8mUd3AJ5jUbwv15V4It58ugxRJUYikeH36qJU4Ik6MsEUMYPI8eRx0tuBCu2K79fNGQUCK5gv7BvY3zKAjkNankYKvkZSfdK95SsD8mdKvpSOoIlvorQ6WBVrRCNAo/s640/IMG_4813.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Avenir Centre has really changed the landscape around the station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sgbr9yppXkkqXFO1pxFHGv_70FiOj03Bc_ldFsBzj-awbpYG5MoGiIoE0_nHnH7m5sxVM6AQWUAIi3ceHGF9L3Yc5Z-qAMc6FYl2HGNnVFz6k4Av2BXvfq1vO83dC87urhMymmvUEpFt/s1600/IMG_4814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sgbr9yppXkkqXFO1pxFHGv_70FiOj03Bc_ldFsBzj-awbpYG5MoGiIoE0_nHnH7m5sxVM6AQWUAIi3ceHGF9L3Yc5Z-qAMc6FYl2HGNnVFz6k4Av2BXvfq1vO83dC87urhMymmvUEpFt/s640/IMG_4814.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I enjoyed this - the French translation of VIA's "The Future is on Board" slogan seems particularly well suited here, as the banner speaking to "l'avenir" shares the frame with Moncton's Avenir Centre. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQUd1a83Ai5mRnMeZ5kzrnUFkfijakE9xH2wzgys6WVR3Tl6EZ-URL88j8IyFEWQhTmFr-shk9WJjwiqFzNhKx7Z1guehrA1cJ7x5r5SnYaHYTbTRPYQxt8-k7PqPuYOCSQVwAXMzIM9P/s1600/IMG_4815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQUd1a83Ai5mRnMeZ5kzrnUFkfijakE9xH2wzgys6WVR3Tl6EZ-URL88j8IyFEWQhTmFr-shk9WJjwiqFzNhKx7Z1guehrA1cJ7x5r5SnYaHYTbTRPYQxt8-k7PqPuYOCSQVwAXMzIM9P/s640/IMG_4815.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snow pile nearly obscures the VIA sign at Miramichi. Halifax had surprisingly little snow through this winter, but the same could not be said for northern New Brunswick!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There were three sittings for dinner. This was a bit unusual for this
time of year, but no doubt had to do with the limited capacity of the Skyline
café. It was still a small crowd, but by Moncton there were plenty more people
on board. Sittings were at 5:30, 7, and 8:30pm. We initially planned to go for
7pm, but upon realizing it was quite full (as were we, after a good lunch
earlier!), we decided to wait for the 8:30 sitting. Only a few others were
there for that sitting. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Just like lunch, supper was very enjoyable.</span> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPSd1z2L71RoAx-NWhIlrPRPAtxqTWd-Pyhl9GGuCiHX0msnjcyFZnEvAJaIVVi6qxzz9q-t14Gch-nIqwG38iih9sgTTcIDCDiSI_nFn3cxdoP48SvfjkeT0rvqt4czA3nt8JueGHH_G/s1600/IMG_4817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPSd1z2L71RoAx-NWhIlrPRPAtxqTWd-Pyhl9GGuCiHX0msnjcyFZnEvAJaIVVi6qxzz9q-t14Gch-nIqwG38iih9sgTTcIDCDiSI_nFn3cxdoP48SvfjkeT0rvqt4czA3nt8JueGHH_G/s640/IMG_4817.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu. Some familiar offerings, but the menu changes regularly enough that it's never exactly the same. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSq81pBtbIycQqRlBhyphenhyphentLt8vjLofGuZelfKQYbuLTObqD_AEuQnlRmj18L2692g-FdX4U924WYA2YS0h1qe7hs1rKcMhMIi720iWKCYt3bDnMwAuE3S75jKOsv1C49nj1MYuvJRUw0A-C/s1600/IMG_4818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSq81pBtbIycQqRlBhyphenhyphentLt8vjLofGuZelfKQYbuLTObqD_AEuQnlRmj18L2692g-FdX4U924WYA2YS0h1qe7hs1rKcMhMIi720iWKCYt3bDnMwAuE3S75jKOsv1C49nj1MYuvJRUw0A-C/s640/IMG_4818.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner settings in the Skyline, a slightly more formal atmosphere than lunch. The artwork on the wall displays an old CPR dinner menu, quite appropriate for the context. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX-ryXmaB2mc_GhSGvXcGHPdo2YRY_DPW0bWnxADqA8_C9nLlcEIeX5Dn7O1JNSLU0drJfo46B8-eJ91TNtrdLEQUjkXBvXV7X5JNhdmqA0_2SRzksLad2FvzTgKXdoZqd8yE5t5OWKKn/s1600/IMG_4819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX-ryXmaB2mc_GhSGvXcGHPdo2YRY_DPW0bWnxADqA8_C9nLlcEIeX5Dn7O1JNSLU0drJfo46B8-eJ91TNtrdLEQUjkXBvXV7X5JNhdmqA0_2SRzksLad2FvzTgKXdoZqd8yE5t5OWKKn/s640/IMG_4819.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The non-soup appetizer option. Smoked mozzarella, pickled onions, and a balsamic glaze. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltiQDyxO0o31tr1oxHCaHglgQOeiaEbS_7-89fATRu3DEePyK2WCTBsbMqX3PzWVjSHnu38RS0ymWMlx4ghDReLLF-EwFFf69ROM8LFfkeIcJ8NP3GxlZIl0-vs7LAOrtsRbXRmB7Bh7i/s1600/IMG_4820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltiQDyxO0o31tr1oxHCaHglgQOeiaEbS_7-89fATRu3DEePyK2WCTBsbMqX3PzWVjSHnu38RS0ymWMlx4ghDReLLF-EwFFf69ROM8LFfkeIcJ8NP3GxlZIl0-vs7LAOrtsRbXRmB7Bh7i/s640/IMG_4820.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry ravioli - quite tasty, or so I was told. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlofPg9v9Sx5eK49HWMinwcTSpzWfYnP6fukV1kd1-rBiiUXAe-OOfp9e0JjxRlbI-EoWattT9Q5FZrG1YWgcbmxwgbmExcWNYDnZdoFQ7Agg0NrPlCTkiKNtWYqmGQy0s92lGN7G5O2G/s1600/IMG_4821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlofPg9v9Sx5eK49HWMinwcTSpzWfYnP6fukV1kd1-rBiiUXAe-OOfp9e0JjxRlbI-EoWattT9Q5FZrG1YWgcbmxwgbmExcWNYDnZdoFQ7Agg0NrPlCTkiKNtWYqmGQy0s92lGN7G5O2G/s640/IMG_4821.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure how the "Pier 21" part plays in, but this butter chicken was quite good. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1q9gHnEsRfnu9obYn2gTES13l5duZ2bXIuBvdE_0E5hLE8S6M0WM_MpMeU5Jsofyz9JtvWmCz9inuwGCnEbbzdlKNUnGtBaAjF3P5uiQ6Yw5tvOxKp4GtlLQCXV8KT0xPtH2dgWgpNJO/s1600/IMG_4822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1q9gHnEsRfnu9obYn2gTES13l5duZ2bXIuBvdE_0E5hLE8S6M0WM_MpMeU5Jsofyz9JtvWmCz9inuwGCnEbbzdlKNUnGtBaAjF3P5uiQ6Yw5tvOxKp4GtlLQCXV8KT0xPtH2dgWgpNJO/s640/IMG_4822.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate caramel cake - a familiar feature these days. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">After supper we headed back to the Park car for a bit, then picked up a
drink from the bar and returned to our room. During supper our attendant had
made up the beds – just the lowers – and the drawing room was just as
comfortable (if not more so!) in this arrangement.</span> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PA5Lk9LX9806y5wI5cXUPxDxO8o3M_XTtwYzLlktqPBxN_PsMR7jT_w6BksHId6FeGPOKm2zdIZG24PtcWBDTizFcSvdyS9_sO5Md679n98pEuf85iJ5WxcRsdw4hX67iiMaEqJMToLr/s1600/IMG_4823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PA5Lk9LX9806y5wI5cXUPxDxO8o3M_XTtwYzLlktqPBxN_PsMR7jT_w6BksHId6FeGPOKm2zdIZG24PtcWBDTizFcSvdyS9_sO5Md679n98pEuf85iJ5WxcRsdw4hX67iiMaEqJMToLr/s640/IMG_4823.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night-time setup in the drawing room. The sofa neatly converts into one bed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fGS3MMOmfZL9_PCooymY71jNv5znKkQK58jYMc2OXmPPRD8MLHuRJNQLdh1tWTWzwq_VzC31sRClQL2ngkVypNLJJBHuGuHCGrSCQBkX61fGfnYuhtazCnQptlzKU59VTS5ux-TFRuLa/s1600/IMG_4824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8fGS3MMOmfZL9_PCooymY71jNv5znKkQK58jYMc2OXmPPRD8MLHuRJNQLdh1tWTWzwq_VzC31sRClQL2ngkVypNLJJBHuGuHCGrSCQBkX61fGfnYuhtazCnQptlzKU59VTS5ux-TFRuLa/s640/IMG_4824.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two chairs fold down nearly flat, and tuck under the second lower bed, which drops down murphy-bed style from the wall. If three people occupied this room, the upper bunk would lower from the ceiling above this one. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As we made our way to the edge of New Brunswick and into Quebec, we
called it a night and headed to bed. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We awoke the next morning to more snow west of Ste-Foy, continuing the
white landscapes we’d seen through the night. It was kind of strange to see so
much white, having had so little snow in Halifax this winter. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">We were still making excellent time, arriving early at the final stops
approaching Montreal. The last hours of the morning flew by, between showering,
getting breakfast in the Skyline-diner, and enjoying fresh coffee and lovely
views as we clipped along the final approach to the beautiful city of Montreal.
Our final arrival was a few minutes ahead of schedule, just as we had been the
whole way.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndU8VlQ6T7g8_hEa5wlk5Gpe4S_iprrZ0rdxta9GsRzuodqXHcg1VeeituIgtU3C1kVCiG9Z7IBke1-1DOpiasvhCEnD6H0rOv3XyESH7ZZXPlTPysWTFZJDYOqJRUE9YIetItn6g_EZy/s1600/IMG_4825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndU8VlQ6T7g8_hEa5wlk5Gpe4S_iprrZ0rdxta9GsRzuodqXHcg1VeeituIgtU3C1kVCiG9Z7IBke1-1DOpiasvhCEnD6H0rOv3XyESH7ZZXPlTPysWTFZJDYOqJRUE9YIetItn6g_EZy/s640/IMG_4825.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu. Note the prices at the bottom for coach passengers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVRO9o1N10xjCGdOxKVMru9sPasUklUnf6C_8p0S_vbkODyd17q7iaScq8McflpYBxB-rrGBMNAx97aQlcj9idTngtHTgnZjnLyx-sgcqC1xT7Oaql7bKGB3210pcS1I6nrEodWvmKlIP/s1600/IMG_4826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVRO9o1N10xjCGdOxKVMru9sPasUklUnf6C_8p0S_vbkODyd17q7iaScq8McflpYBxB-rrGBMNAx97aQlcj9idTngtHTgnZjnLyx-sgcqC1xT7Oaql7bKGB3210pcS1I6nrEodWvmKlIP/s640/IMG_4826.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Golden breakfast bread"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGvtuD_5CDYhGzz9DzVTDbPhYynQ7-Rg49wpomFustRu3HNSEvRjGkZmBIM3Ge1jUNqkCvAHnN1lAagswO56-1-oQAkG4JhZJ3XRP2JHtMogKGlJbRQKpdjYmVpCCRkXFcaYopcm4woyw/s1600/IMG_4066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGvtuD_5CDYhGzz9DzVTDbPhYynQ7-Rg49wpomFustRu3HNSEvRjGkZmBIM3Ge1jUNqkCvAHnN1lAagswO56-1-oQAkG4JhZJ3XRP2JHtMogKGlJbRQKpdjYmVpCCRkXFcaYopcm4woyw/s640/IMG_4066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park car views, clipping along on the final stretch to Montreal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">As we disembarked we bid a brief farewell to the crew, knowing that we
would see them again the next day – just like us, the Halifax-based crew would
be making the return on the same train the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Our short stay in Montreal was excellent, despite frigid weather that
felt a bit more like early than late March. The concert was top-notch, as
expected. We had made the trip to see the British alt-rock band Muse, my
favourite band – an incredibly talented 3-piece that put on some of the most
impressive and extravagant live shows around, combining brilliant visuals and
theatrics with an underlying musical performance that is consistently
proficient and shows off the talent of each of the respective members. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I know this is a train travel blog, but I couldn’t report this without
including at least a couple of little glimpses of their show. If you have the
chance and enjoy these kinds of concerts, go see them!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihJChNl2zO-1ajblccBTHs6VR1ZFbm-VonFzVvZNh-I_FPDrpIeOk3uOP9mwTHwblMfsAknDk7SA8gHeWXF-4KAhxNfs8K7qVedPEnor6Z3wP0b1Zz0zcHfna9NAWaIkqlf3Ol9ag1E73/s1600/IMG_4137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihJChNl2zO-1ajblccBTHs6VR1ZFbm-VonFzVvZNh-I_FPDrpIeOk3uOP9mwTHwblMfsAknDk7SA8gHeWXF-4KAhxNfs8K7qVedPEnor6Z3wP0b1Zz0zcHfna9NAWaIkqlf3Ol9ag1E73/s640/IMG_4137.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse. Being this close to the stage, the photos can't even begin to do justice to how immense and impressive this production was. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf7cYfV02WRtGuit550sbLV1iG6SMX8QtJCLKRtRsVOcI1RWWT_pdaOC_uetn_n6teEEgIxa2AGRwrvGegRWaiS9TZQ8nSHd5Cdt9Gzye635iG4cVs1eTpZ7u2cqf0JVFaloLzlLkhP2a/s1600/IMG_4119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf7cYfV02WRtGuit550sbLV1iG6SMX8QtJCLKRtRsVOcI1RWWT_pdaOC_uetn_n6teEEgIxa2AGRwrvGegRWaiS9TZQ8nSHd5Cdt9Gzye635iG4cVs1eTpZ7u2cqf0JVFaloLzlLkhP2a/s640/IMG_4119.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHbQU9ahwlMtdTtBNxAXOhLD4PdcJzoUKfvwTEALX25oTx48YYorPTS6ljVC7y6OgpU3IXCTxY2kus9HE6gegXfGxfw6zWcgpXtXsjJ_fnqjUFai96994mwmK-eWXdFla_NdhpCdBeAAx/s1600/IMG_4151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHbQU9ahwlMtdTtBNxAXOhLD4PdcJzoUKfvwTEALX25oTx48YYorPTS6ljVC7y6OgpU3IXCTxY2kus9HE6gegXfGxfw6zWcgpXtXsjJ_fnqjUFai96994mwmK-eWXdFla_NdhpCdBeAAx/s640/IMG_4151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the wildly impressive parts of this phenomenal show was this giant skeletal robot (dubbed "Murph"), which emerged from the stage near the end of the show! It's an inflatable (though it doesn't look much like it) and is astonishingly mobile, opening and closing its jaw, flailing about, and looking like he could grab the band members at any moment. Just incredible. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The following day involved some touring around Montreal. My brother had
come down from Ottawa to join us for the concert and weekend in the city, so we
tried to hit a few highlights – we ventured to La Banquise for their renowned
poutine, visited a tea house in the old downtown, and drove over Mount Royal to
take in the views of the city (on a nicer day we might have taken a bit of a
hike…with the bitter wind, we decided against it!). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">The day flew by, and before we knew it we were bidding by brother
farewell and heading back to Gare Centrale to check in for our return trip. We
arrived by around 6:15, with boarding scheduled for 6:30. After check-in and
making our meal reservation (options were 7 or 8:30, and we opted for the
latter), we prepared to head into the lounge, only to discover that boarding
had already begun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We were supposed to be in Car 38 Room B, which would have put us right
next to our previous accommodation in Chateau Dollier. On checking in we found
out that we had been moved to Car 36 Room B, as our original room had an issue
with its window blind (it wouldn’t open!). This put us farther from the Park
car, but much closer to our meals. Of course with only 4 sleepers, it still
wasn’t a long walk in any direction. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The consist for the return was the same, save for a third locomotive
and a change of the second engine. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">VIA 14 – March 31, 2018</span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6448 F40 Locomotive</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6411 F40 Locomotive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6459 F40 Locomotive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8622 HEP1 Baggage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8137 (03) HEP1 Coach </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8138 (04) HEP1 Coach</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8516 Skyline Dome (Economy Service)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8501 Skyline Dome (Dining Car Service)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><strong>Chateau Laval (36) *Room B</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Brulé <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(37)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Dollier (38)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Bienville (39)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Assiniboine Park (40)</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiiqERbEr9qDZZP3oC7AvC78hgzkbD-kIsIaHyc7N_pFFempflCYxRCM-Og58tIHyY8ONyXh0Hz6w5TkeOTRCAS0hs1VvGyp8f5Vclx7x_vU9PeGLdjkBdgJw75FSXnTUYUjDneLXmxwB/s1600/IMG_4171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiiqERbEr9qDZZP3oC7AvC78hgzkbD-kIsIaHyc7N_pFFempflCYxRCM-Og58tIHyY8ONyXh0Hz6w5TkeOTRCAS0hs1VvGyp8f5Vclx7x_vU9PeGLdjkBdgJw75FSXnTUYUjDneLXmxwB/s640/IMG_4171.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train awaits in the bowls of Montreal's Gare Centrale. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I didn’t really take any photos of our bedroom this time,
but I have covered the HEP bedrooms in previous posts, including a Chateau Room
B last winter. This one was no different from those, but still in its late-90s
upholstery, and looking pretty worn. Still, everything worked and it was a
comfortable ride. This was the first time I had ridden in one of these bedrooms
with someone else. It definitely felt cramped after having Room A in the other
direction, and it felt pretty similar to a Renaissance bedroom in terms of the
amount of space to move around with everything set up.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The passenger loads on the way back were comparable to the
way up. Still, with the small space in the Skyline café, meals were pretty
full. The 8:30 dinner sitting seemed to be the more popular one, with the car
nearly full. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There had clearly been some issue with getting the menus
properly printed for the return trip. Instead of the cards like on the way
down, these menus were just printed on 8.5x11” copier paper in grayscale –
clearly a hasty job. A minor issue, and not something that detracted from the
experience. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Supper was excellent, once again.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgCJawq5ezGZ3bv8OOTuigeoL01QwkV7qUqySoUnIjkvpPctSOrglOIyy5OJcSdV-ba27qeXxnYQKu2gkVhFbTk5pTONh3oVN1IbK-aXD_BlYQrwuNi2vjPYBxiJSvsaBRa-2RhX8KHeT/s1600/IMG_4831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgCJawq5ezGZ3bv8OOTuigeoL01QwkV7qUqySoUnIjkvpPctSOrglOIyy5OJcSdV-ba27qeXxnYQKu2gkVhFbTk5pTONh3oVN1IbK-aXD_BlYQrwuNi2vjPYBxiJSvsaBRa-2RhX8KHeT/s640/IMG_4831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu, which appeared to have been hastily printed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5N7WZvnI5u5ZwyoorvzolynoRCPeZ66nD1g7qbOINCY7hap7kYAGISuEJa-MsH_tL64sO_0Va-bZkCkrD9sRKCiAWkHcKeKlAmWJfhopv-OkWqxPChZwm_UjKa_AnyR-_PG0Q5r64d0Tt/s1600/IMG_4832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5N7WZvnI5u5ZwyoorvzolynoRCPeZ66nD1g7qbOINCY7hap7kYAGISuEJa-MsH_tL64sO_0Va-bZkCkrD9sRKCiAWkHcKeKlAmWJfhopv-OkWqxPChZwm_UjKa_AnyR-_PG0Q5r64d0Tt/s640/IMG_4832.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A different non-soup appetizer - smoked salmon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DD-8kILw4uoBu39G-GyiywHPh7YP_89ysyKj0k6Pkpm40_PnS3cHLbYIsDqAMq4GqTWDfWYQroTwyi521AaR8sVSYsjxn1N15LRfhaZ95r4Ex9JfBt22tbLYkhYfF3YY3Z5bOnwtyChf/s1600/IMG_4833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DD-8kILw4uoBu39G-GyiywHPh7YP_89ysyKj0k6Pkpm40_PnS3cHLbYIsDqAMq4GqTWDfWYQroTwyi521AaR8sVSYsjxn1N15LRfhaZ95r4Ex9JfBt22tbLYkhYfF3YY3Z5bOnwtyChf/s640/IMG_4833.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut cranberry chicken. Quite good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As the evening wore on, we spent quite a bit of time in the
Park car, enjoying the view in the dark. With the dome lights dimmed and plenty
of snow on the ground, you can see surprisingly much on even an overcast night.
We met at least three different freights before Ste-Foy and another at Joffre,
but these were all well timed and we stayed on schedule.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I did note that while the second Skyline still had its dome
lights on, the lights had been dimmed in the coach Skyline. This is a rare
occurrence, but I’m sure very much appreciated by coach passengers keen to
enjoy the evening view. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Eventually we headed off to bed. I got to experience the
upper bunk in a HEP bedroom for the first time, and very much enjoyed it. Much
more spacious than the upper bunk in a Renaissance room, both in headroom and
bed width, and I had an excellent sleep.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">The next morning brought more snowy views of the New
Brunswick countryside. The first part of the day was appropriately leisurely,
with a late breakfast, coffee in the dome, and eventually getting showered and
dressed for the day. We made good time through to Moncton, where we got held up
waiting for CN 407 to arrive – the only delay of our trip, which would
ultimately get us to Halifax about 15 minutes late.</span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpjZ74og1JyrNoT4zKOc0tO0IRXFJW5LProFcTHieFdZKr5-jFcMAokCGSQmEED8C9ljzBCffVGI8M4g43OXWVDPSVYMPC00FYUjRE42F2i25AEFAgDVFXnuL3XvUqP6ziSkaOwob3dqu/s1600/IMG_4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1217" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpjZ74og1JyrNoT4zKOc0tO0IRXFJW5LProFcTHieFdZKr5-jFcMAokCGSQmEED8C9ljzBCffVGI8M4g43OXWVDPSVYMPC00FYUjRE42F2i25AEFAgDVFXnuL3XvUqP6ziSkaOwob3dqu/s640/IMG_4174.JPG" width="594" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB63NF2zu3ijgxG9ZnBbOynbMmGcOHUl5egKYsj38HcET6q5vjm1HUHKEpK5SLIp774tlqXYxmAJosaVbdc6QmVcaHW4WyD06ACZXuS5AxK_jqT57FAkk5eJlu1I3d3DVxvLgTNFy6Mbgx/s1600/IMG_4176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB63NF2zu3ijgxG9ZnBbOynbMmGcOHUl5egKYsj38HcET6q5vjm1HUHKEpK5SLIp774tlqXYxmAJosaVbdc6QmVcaHW4WyD06ACZXuS5AxK_jqT57FAkk5eJlu1I3d3DVxvLgTNFy6Mbgx/s640/IMG_4176.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Havarti and leek omelette. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKMulWCcRRLI2_dWi_EuP6FeluUIIgFuZjVe9DxmpBdTlMUIetSKZaAIzokP8qst_RICKUOmvKWJIRW0weKDOvqMZnsVHS__zX5EyMv2OxnRGDzk9sP0Eoh5hUjJvfmeXjJh9BQeRboCK/s1600/IMG_4178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKMulWCcRRLI2_dWi_EuP6FeluUIIgFuZjVe9DxmpBdTlMUIetSKZaAIzokP8qst_RICKUOmvKWJIRW0weKDOvqMZnsVHS__zX5EyMv2OxnRGDzk9sP0Eoh5hUjJvfmeXjJh9BQeRboCK/s640/IMG_4178.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking forward from the second Skyline dome. This car seemed to be minimally patronized, given that the Park car was conveniently accessible for sleeper passengers, and coach passengers had their own Skyline just ahead. The two domes being so close together does remove some of the forward view, but it's not too bad. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJ7VIE00V8eui3Vn4UMcP8Ni8VgrOYd1nPrHBqr1Z1MyEcVmVa8hwkhd2xh3xuUQbIWaai5fn0RiZRnNHBvUNAWNXBHXBotaSZjgIGtQrr8nTV9bOqV1keWaI_lMNudMitGBhca1sT9uj/s1600/IMG_4179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJ7VIE00V8eui3Vn4UMcP8Ni8VgrOYd1nPrHBqr1Z1MyEcVmVa8hwkhd2xh3xuUQbIWaai5fn0RiZRnNHBvUNAWNXBHXBotaSZjgIGtQrr8nTV9bOqV1keWaI_lMNudMitGBhca1sT9uj/s640/IMG_4179.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN 407 arrives at Moncton, rolling through on the mainline toward the yard. The meet with this train often causes some delay to the eastbound Ocean. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">The sun broke through a bit throughout the day, making for
some nicer views on the last stretch. There were two lunch sittings – 12 and
1:30, and we went for the second. Once again, the meals were more than
satisfactory.</span> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl83u0D_nSyfpbVa608fLK_5hYO1c7411f8k7vHqVIBxy96Hp064bzkOSlyeypZGOdy3EWeDuo23AUhm1erEEJzwWlL7Sf2T7DrtRU8o9AbeA9750HNx8G12nRANFGmsQlnLGwiLVc_vga/s1600/IMG_4834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl83u0D_nSyfpbVa608fLK_5hYO1c7411f8k7vHqVIBxy96Hp064bzkOSlyeypZGOdy3EWeDuo23AUhm1erEEJzwWlL7Sf2T7DrtRU8o9AbeA9750HNx8G12nRANFGmsQlnLGwiLVc_vga/s640/IMG_4834.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu - again, appearing to have been hastily printed or photocopied. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvjpwEBkzAVk3VHsvo5EjTTMnJEyPOPG6_LYccWHNGcKSmuOTv0LRbbhY1jflU3rdqy2mgpt8eFIurtfMBP1YOGr-x7ZIb8w2l0BC5J6VgQqRvml2vTFVDk6Q2YO-aVvctoB9x1JdYgDs/s1600/IMG_4836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvjpwEBkzAVk3VHsvo5EjTTMnJEyPOPG6_LYccWHNGcKSmuOTv0LRbbhY1jflU3rdqy2mgpt8eFIurtfMBP1YOGr-x7ZIb8w2l0BC5J6VgQqRvml2vTFVDk6Q2YO-aVvctoB9x1JdYgDs/s640/IMG_4836.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beef tenderloin - a nice somewhat lighter lunch, ideal when being kept well fed on board. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_MqDq8ZC-CoomrKQAagX0q6tUAPur792e7YNvuKTXMersbQoT-9tV2Iy1lVAnZhjhLalG8NU79sJA7LFS_wyy1UmsGLD4yEmPHbIVacbqGDr42MLQKv8MJYPqYkmmvjMIpIFfSfADkDn/s1600/IMG_4838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_MqDq8ZC-CoomrKQAagX0q6tUAPur792e7YNvuKTXMersbQoT-9tV2Iy1lVAnZhjhLalG8NU79sJA7LFS_wyy1UmsGLD4yEmPHbIVacbqGDr42MLQKv8MJYPqYkmmvjMIpIFfSfADkDn/s640/IMG_4838.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The maple cake, again. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This time we made quick stops at Sackville and Amherst, but
no stop at Springhill Jct. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The remainder of the trip was immensely relaxing, and we
were both actually somewhat sad to be running on time – we wouldn’t have minded
a few extra hours being added to our trip!</span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L8c_05Y7pW9DzEC5M3iMCPkdyeKUvBzKIsyNscjpwLEWPUhAp7QOlAx44Nnm5zvNTrtQxVD7I6pnaAsQIGKBGQ5n7hcILpym6bay3JTR3fwIyVpgMtXAVuWe1VmPB4abgSDNpIxR5-w5/s1600/IMG_4839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L8c_05Y7pW9DzEC5M3iMCPkdyeKUvBzKIsyNscjpwLEWPUhAp7QOlAx44Nnm5zvNTrtQxVD7I6pnaAsQIGKBGQ5n7hcILpym6bay3JTR3fwIyVpgMtXAVuWe1VmPB4abgSDNpIxR5-w5/s640/IMG_4839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work crews at the siding in Belmont, not far from where the incident occurred that forced this HEP equipment into service. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxprl37JURaYLpZki0BMQh-vmjuNgyikJk_eGsL9_nTkOclaxkljhWkoYYE-OmPOvLkLK9kqocVVet1SaEjZ41rZeayAPXxlPH1JW189vk_gE4PESXXhsPMaFDz6Byloxh1N1uSEUz-d5F/s1600/IMG_4841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxprl37JURaYLpZki0BMQh-vmjuNgyikJk_eGsL9_nTkOclaxkljhWkoYYE-OmPOvLkLK9kqocVVet1SaEjZ41rZeayAPXxlPH1JW189vk_gE4PESXXhsPMaFDz6Byloxh1N1uSEUz-d5F/s640/IMG_4841.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfront views on Grand Lake. Many people seem to be disappointed that the Ocean doesn't provide views of the actual ocean, but the impressive lakes on the approach to Halifax make up for some of that. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuNCA_30TbOfx-PU18ESRw7zXjbKjlE3XV66E7hJMDfKLJERu40713qgmCAUrtb3lG-uWB1d3Imjnun6afIJE-xrNUjINguOqAoeKl-lR2VMrMZL5nOLu7d0t9vPHETAduCDUChxc7mVg/s1600/IMG_4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuNCA_30TbOfx-PU18ESRw7zXjbKjlE3XV66E7hJMDfKLJERu40713qgmCAUrtb3lG-uWB1d3Imjnun6afIJE-xrNUjINguOqAoeKl-lR2VMrMZL5nOLu7d0t9vPHETAduCDUChxc7mVg/s640/IMG_4843.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aptly named Grand Lake. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Wj-QwAVEnMFuUH0nS6u9sgseneaXmTJhusEpPNxpgASq7VwumVgNokv8V_CdvDwf-meCszLbqE9pEbSY6W1pXN4QZOElSVRNq64DKUOdKV7RS27kXYaDKClw_FflmDoEc3YPxC2-aUN-/s1600/IMG_4849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Wj-QwAVEnMFuUH0nS6u9sgseneaXmTJhusEpPNxpgASq7VwumVgNokv8V_CdvDwf-meCszLbqE9pEbSY6W1pXN4QZOElSVRNq64DKUOdKV7RS27kXYaDKClw_FflmDoEc3YPxC2-aUN-/s640/IMG_4849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedford Basin views. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Ultimately we would arrive in Halifax about 15 minutes late,
sad to be leaving the train, but glad to have had such an excellent weekend
away.</span> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HU4vgYT9IdxhzrUUApnVVqfNF9XIp4T1OKnIgrXZ1h2bJAIBS2Bv2ToSx2sH7ZGQSARdvnI-_Tqn1uhdwa5XrNiZhgEmpjkjAKlP40d5P0x094uc50BtzOhhDEkYGAOKJXiguCr_Ckl8/s1600/IMG_4853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HU4vgYT9IdxhzrUUApnVVqfNF9XIp4T1OKnIgrXZ1h2bJAIBS2Bv2ToSx2sH7ZGQSARdvnI-_Tqn1uhdwa5XrNiZhgEmpjkjAKlP40d5P0x094uc50BtzOhhDEkYGAOKJXiguCr_Ckl8/s640/IMG_4853.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in Halifax. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The HEP substitution on the Ocean has continued since, and
will until the start of June. After that it looks like VIA will be moving to a
mixed consist on one of the trains for the summer, with a combination of
Renaissance and HEP cars. From what I've been told, it sounds like it will basically be a HEP consist with a Renaissance dining set (service car-diner-service car) and sleeper(s) sandwiched in the middle - promising to be a unique consist to see (and ride).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Another derailment of the in-service
Renaissance set on April 4<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">th</span></sup>, just a few days after our trip,
fortunately did minimal damage and has only temporarily sidelined a Renaissance
transition car and Park car. These should be repaired soon. Had it been worse,
it could have caused some serious equipment availability issues. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This quiet off season trip reminded me again of how much I
enjoy travelling on this train at any time of year. It’s consistently the best
way to travel from the Maritimes to Montreal, and even more enjoyable when you
have someone to travel with </span><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Til the next time…</span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span>TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-44935637375157746062019-01-18T11:38:00.001-04:002019-01-18T11:38:55.987-04:00Christmas 2018: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (on a train!)
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><em><strong>~ Christmas 2018 ~</strong></em></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjKsBqkFX-En9OLaLUlPH4_Ob5T1lzvpyB3D4SSzIOJoW_RlxSBeDWYO2tduyNbh-YxNFYgIYpwl4joacvbRtheAoSkchKswuTM1s82fZ896vvJ02aaZs3BscCzzYl6XrJsdCgr6VkwOE/s1600/18-12-23-61.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjKsBqkFX-En9OLaLUlPH4_Ob5T1lzvpyB3D4SSzIOJoW_RlxSBeDWYO2tduyNbh-YxNFYgIYpwl4joacvbRtheAoSkchKswuTM1s82fZ896vvJ02aaZs3BscCzzYl6XrJsdCgr6VkwOE/s640/18-12-23-61.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our stainless steel VIA #15, heading into the sunset at Sackville NB. Photo by David Morris. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There is no better time of the year to be on a train than at Christmas.
I’ve had the great fortune of being able to travel by train around Christmas
for every year since 2007, and these days I don’t think it would feel like
Christmas at all if I wasn’t on a train at some point. There’s just something
really special about the atmosphere all along the way, from the stations to the
trains themselves. There’s something particularly special about VIA Rail’s
Ocean during that time of year. The trains are as long as they get in the
busiest summer months, but the ridership is completely different – there are
few tourists, and every part of the train, from the coaches to the sleepers, is
packed with people who are using the train to travel to see friends and family
for the holidays. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">For the last several years VIA has run extra trains on the Ocean
through the holidays, which has also meant the return of a stainless steel HEP1
consist to facilitate the extra trains. VIA had continued to indicate that the
extras were now a standard practice, so I assumed they would return once again.
Unfortunately, during my last trip back in October, I found out that a decision
had been made and there would be no extra trains this year. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Two reasons were given: first, the existing dates of operation worked
very well around the holidays – Christmas eve and day and New Year’s Eve and
Day both well on a Monday-Tuesday, which nicely interlays with the
Sunday-Wednesday-Friday schedule. There were definitely places where extras
could have been added, but it wasn’t as obvious as some years and there was no
need for re-scheduling trains. Second, there was a concern about available
equipment – issues with the Renaissance equipment during the extreme cold last
Christmas caused major delays and eventually one cancellation. Running only the
usual trains would allow for a spare set of HEP equipment to be on hand just in
case, rather than already being required to manage the extra runs. With quite a
bit of HEP equipment (coaches and diners) in for refurbishment right now,
there’s not quite as much available as usual. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Exactly one month before Christmas a rather unexpected occurrence
forced that spare HEP set into service more abruptly than expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On November 25<sup>th</sup>, the equipment
for Train 15 derailed in Halifax while heading for the Halterm balloon track to
turn before departure. No one was on board (besides the engineers) and there
were no injuries, but the derailment forced the cancellation of that day’s
train and left one set of Renaissance equipment crippled in Halifax. A hospital
train of that equipment ran back to Montreal a short while later, with 2
damaged coaches left behind in Halifax. In order to run the next #14 from
Montreal, VIA pulled together a set of HEP equipment. This stayed on in rotation
for a few weeks, and soon the reservations system showed it operating on what
promised to be the busiest train of the holidays - #14 on December 21<sup>st</sup>.</span>
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Xw12Ig69o5xBZ8Sxuyc50QssY7HYp10eSL56vwkNpQE2W9ZHKF3fxXLmi1pR28axocyAF8UBNd4KnpwIWvK3cN77IjTT7hERPxr1RnxpWKPk67qoWyrLxRNiuyRJXAYdNW3YMHIPWSa5/s1600/IMG_4318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Xw12Ig69o5xBZ8Sxuyc50QssY7HYp10eSL56vwkNpQE2W9ZHKF3fxXLmi1pR28axocyAF8UBNd4KnpwIWvK3cN77IjTT7hERPxr1RnxpWKPk67qoWyrLxRNiuyRJXAYdNW3YMHIPWSa5/s640/IMG_4318.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derailment-damaged Renaissance coaches (7220 and 7222) still left behind in Halifax. The latest I've heard is that they'll likely be stripped down for parts and scrapped, but time will tell. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEgO12t3wOyVWEQHYu3skDmsQ-cPpVx-jJ10l498xSYOQ_lzImUm0ZTVanvsb8prQmp-fp5P0uXLUZSvfDrmKKFPyIzL_g4jNi-d_A1FeiUOcnaFg4Ns7gsueyQz7mQhC-5JaiW3hhpx0/s1600/IMG_4329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEgO12t3wOyVWEQHYu3skDmsQ-cPpVx-jJ10l498xSYOQ_lzImUm0ZTVanvsb8prQmp-fp5P0uXLUZSvfDrmKKFPyIzL_g4jNi-d_A1FeiUOcnaFg4Ns7gsueyQz7mQhC-5JaiW3hhpx0/s640/IMG_4329.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of 7222, showing the unique Renaissance couplers that make these cars so much more difficult to uncouple and couple (but facilitate nice sealed transitions between cars). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Interestingly enough, the second Renaissance set was pulled back in to
service with new coaches added before the holidays, operating on two round trips. But the HEP
equipment was still showing as returning for December 21<sup>st</sup> – why the
change? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The answer would become clear when that #14 departed Montreal. It was
absolutely MASSIVE. VIA had evidently made the decision to use the HEP
equipment on the busiest holiday runs, not because the Renaissance equipment
was unavailable, but because they could dramatically expand capacity on those
trains by running with HEPs. A HEP1 coach, for example, seats 62. A Renaissance
coach seats only 48. A Chateau sleeper can accommodate as many as 23, a Manor,
22. A Ren sleeper can handle a maximum of 20, but since there are only double
bedrooms a car could be “full” with only 10 passengers. A Chateau or Manor
could at a minimum be “full” with 18 or 16 respectively.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happily for me, a December 21<sup>st</sup> HEP #14 also meant that my
westbound trip would be that exact same HEP train. So with that, let’s get on
to the trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><em><strong><u>The Westbound Trip</u></strong></em></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My trip began on December 23rd. I arrived at the Halifax station by
taxi about an hour before departure, to ensure I had adequate time to check my
suitcase. The station was busy, as was expected. The ongoing renovations mean
that the station waiting area is much smaller, and it felt crowded as people
waited for the boarding call. With some time to spare, I decided to walk along
the fence outside and take some photos of the train itself.</span> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQdTgJg0Am65EXL0dv4pg0qMKp1eXVso9F8BkeL46AndQqbVSjM6hIN32luwTT7WvG2Xsqw0KEOv_QgZtKSQAIUGrbM8DfK-Czngt0NtSI0nyxMEzNGc3LG98f4ctCwkv3p0DUFtkM06t/s1600/IMG_4299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQdTgJg0Am65EXL0dv4pg0qMKp1eXVso9F8BkeL46AndQqbVSjM6hIN32luwTT7WvG2Xsqw0KEOv_QgZtKSQAIUGrbM8DfK-Czngt0NtSI0nyxMEzNGc3LG98f4ctCwkv3p0DUFtkM06t/s640/IMG_4299.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lousy sun, but the view of that train is impressive no matter what. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xNQv6EBnj9z61Z3X9IjoWn5i4orfYybBvto48Pi2AhhJDnADy4Xvp_-V6PSMalaJ7Wa7Wmz0Qvh3-xF7_fUUmiYJvXqjI_EKSQzvE3v-MMrR43j-wwAtPgS5LNAh7oxUMGwlScoCTyBC/s1600/IMG_4301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xNQv6EBnj9z61Z3X9IjoWn5i4orfYybBvto48Pi2AhhJDnADy4Xvp_-V6PSMalaJ7Wa7Wmz0Qvh3-xF7_fUUmiYJvXqjI_EKSQzvE3v-MMrR43j-wwAtPgS5LNAh7oxUMGwlScoCTyBC/s640/IMG_4301.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brock Manor! This was my home-away-from-home for 4 days on the Canadian nearly two years ago. Nice to see it down in my neck of the woods!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwo8aYRjO1hmsOJhdHWUVs06LIqSETBXGwwqDvBCpNyMuNE7MgVdPNzEF6LTt7CZaXfaRfHa1MCcR6NZ3DIOZfANYCaX1RZrKvQ_5wb_zJgNPP2OqV53EfHPBV06z6hOuWQLW1f4VAPuE/s1600/IMG_4304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwo8aYRjO1hmsOJhdHWUVs06LIqSETBXGwwqDvBCpNyMuNE7MgVdPNzEF6LTt7CZaXfaRfHa1MCcR6NZ3DIOZfANYCaX1RZrKvQ_5wb_zJgNPP2OqV53EfHPBV06z6hOuWQLW1f4VAPuE/s640/IMG_4304.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passengers head out for the long trek up the platform to the coaches, some 12+ cars away. The three locomotives and baggage car wait on the adjacent track. The baggage is being loaded before they head up to the front end. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Seeing that gleaming stainless steel streamliner always warms my heart,
but seeing it on this particular day was a thing of wonder. This train was far
larger than past holiday substitutions, which an impressive 18 cars – including
6 (yes, six!) coaches, all of which had been in service and packed on the
eastbound trip the day before – and 7 sleepers. Most impressive and perhaps
even unprecedented on the Ocean was the presence of TWO Skyline dome cars – one
ahead of the diner, and one behind. The forward one would serve as the standard
lounge and takeout café service for coach passengers. The one behind the diner
was an extra dome and lounge for sleeper passengers, but it had also been used
as an overflow dining car on the Dec. 21<sup>st</sup> #14. A friend of mine had
travelled down on that train and mentioned that they seated people in the
Skyline café, which was outfitted with tablecloths and full place settings, for
each meal through the trip. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">With this length of train and three locomotives, the whole thing
couldn’t fit inside the limit of one station track. So they had cut off the
locomotives and baggage car, and set them on the adjacent track until departure.
This also made loading baggage much easier for the station staff.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8MPlm6V-NcPEjmnR6lwXWcfKdhRBI2PQQmeKl_uoqBMOoJSC9QxWJL7DD-9pI7Ai1B6I_zTp5VPPLOTT1ndqIKEcPvng1xQCwiRIYHVrKAAyycmJ0pWofV2z6cSBxkZA9U4KhytX_dEu/s1600/IMG_4311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8MPlm6V-NcPEjmnR6lwXWcfKdhRBI2PQQmeKl_uoqBMOoJSC9QxWJL7DD-9pI7Ai1B6I_zTp5VPPLOTT1ndqIKEcPvng1xQCwiRIYHVrKAAyycmJ0pWofV2z6cSBxkZA9U4KhytX_dEu/s640/IMG_4311.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The baggage car and locomotives, on the adjacent track. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hpQIraYk1bkj4BbN_cd5pVIdSTJgJCp7c15XKW6Id2wP8qTii9pO-P_AM8BIOPRyotz2MNbLbyy0yXt4DrPpqwAD3fkuN1LqxETbWCd87u4z6XGccXhyphenhyphen6ga_y4CTwQFxLM2UD_LTUDzW/s1600/IMG_4313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hpQIraYk1bkj4BbN_cd5pVIdSTJgJCp7c15XKW6Id2wP8qTii9pO-P_AM8BIOPRyotz2MNbLbyy0yXt4DrPpqwAD3fkuN1LqxETbWCd87u4z6XGccXhyphenhyphen6ga_y4CTwQFxLM2UD_LTUDzW/s640/IMG_4313.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up the train from the rear, with well-worn Assiniboine Park bringing up the markers (and coupler paddle). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Check in for sleeper passengers happened by around 12:20, and the
boarding call was made shortly after 12:30. I made my way onto the platform and
found my way to car 39, Chateau Rigaud, where I was set up in Room D. I had
originally booked a Renaissance bedroom before the equipment change, so I was
moved to a Chateau bedroom at no extra cost (a nice “upgrade” –normally there
is a higher surcharge for single occupancy in Chateau and Manor bedrooms, since
roomettes and berths are also available). This is a forward facing bedroom,
immediately adjacent to the shower and the open sections. The most exciting
thing I noted was that the chairs in the bedroom had been refurbished somewhat
similar to the ones in the Manor bedrooms, and were actually even nicer and
more comfortable than the ones I had in previous Manors. Overall the room was
comfortable and in good shape, and the ride was quite nice. I’ll comment later
on about how it compares to the Renaissance bedrooms normally offered on this
train.</span> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8UwGT4VoqIVch4-vCc8jmZNv8NQV_Fl4NeTwyDnl_NRxh5e5aia-OpnK9qDD4HYMFrhFzAMhHuAON0l0aPKgDLC9IKXOowP_DB0YaXqX4uDwGylNo8hTeY-jltH1Q5GtlrVcIgGDPGIg/s1600/IMG_4314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8UwGT4VoqIVch4-vCc8jmZNv8NQV_Fl4NeTwyDnl_NRxh5e5aia-OpnK9qDD4HYMFrhFzAMhHuAON0l0aPKgDLC9IKXOowP_DB0YaXqX4uDwGylNo8hTeY-jltH1Q5GtlrVcIgGDPGIg/s640/IMG_4314.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside bedroom D in Chateau Rigaud. Note the refurbished seats, though the rest of the car looks pretty much like a standard '90s era Chateau interior. Particularly keen-eyed (and knowledgeable) viewers may note that bedroom D has one of the stretcher windows in the car - noticeable from the heavier window frame with twist latches around the sides and bottom. This window can be unscrewed and folds out like a flap, allowing a stretcher to be passed in to the room from the outside. This was a standard feature on passenger cars back in the days when trains were the main (and often only) way to get between a lot of places, and people who were ill and infirmed might need to be transported this way. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmnBKN9JvvOHiUxwo7BLyb0quJrndKgpjc9MH6wgeexF7C6gXuChbl2PU6Y0ft_ePoHqQ03YFpOx127XSQhcrkohzvX_CHM4H0kSBrcwPUhCZbv_A6MOnMiC3YD6jVkRP4_b3r78ESI82/s1600/IMG_4315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmnBKN9JvvOHiUxwo7BLyb0quJrndKgpjc9MH6wgeexF7C6gXuChbl2PU6Y0ft_ePoHqQ03YFpOx127XSQhcrkohzvX_CHM4H0kSBrcwPUhCZbv_A6MOnMiC3YD6jVkRP4_b3r78ESI82/s640/IMG_4315.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loco 6459 outside my window, soon to head for the front end. When I took this picture I had no idea that 6459 would later nearly sabotage our trip. Read on...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Here’s the magnificent consist of
this incredible train:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">VIA 15 – December 23, 2018</span></u></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">6418 F40 Locomotive</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">6457 F40 Locomotive</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">6459 F40 Locomotive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8608 HEP1 Baggage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8103 (03) HEP1 Coach </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8140 (04) HEP1 Coach</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8138 (05) HEP1 Coach</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8119 (06) HEP1 Coach </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8137 (07) HEP1 Coach </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8139 (08) HEP1 Coach</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8516 Skyline Dome</span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Frontenac Dining Car</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8501 Skyline Dome</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Chateau Marquette (33)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Chateau Bienville (34)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Chateau Dollier (35)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Brock Manor (36)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Dunsmuir Manor (37)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Chateau Brulé <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(38)</span></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Chateau Rigaud (39) *Room D</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Assiniboine Park (40)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">*Line numbers in brackets. The coaches still appeared to be using their
standard numbering, even though only a few of them were in use. </span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There were a lot of common east
coast visitors in this consist, such as Chateaus Bienville, Brule and Dollier.
Brock Manor was a nice surprise, as that was the car that I rode on the
Canadian nearly 2 years ago. It was pretty neat to walk through and see that
same car and roomette again. Chateau Marquette was quite interesting, because
it was a car I frankly forgot even existed.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The locomotives and baggage car
headed forward at 12:46, which allowed them time to get coupled up and add only
a minimal delay to our departure. We got underway at 1:07pm, and I headed to
the dining car for the first lunch sitting.</span> </span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5Fp-wx6b8K0ezmYISKm6RrZ2Oo6ofWwQZugr2drQFbnBF2-uOHH69ewzRRZR4yAE1ZpSjpL3ViWGch83TUMmn7OGOf5BEN-cg_5nBPCe8VDKMM9cUcc0Ct35x8_hhBr6bFzrbNp20r80/s1600/IMG_4317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5Fp-wx6b8K0ezmYISKm6RrZ2Oo6ofWwQZugr2drQFbnBF2-uOHH69ewzRRZR4yAE1ZpSjpL3ViWGch83TUMmn7OGOf5BEN-cg_5nBPCe8VDKMM9cUcc0Ct35x8_hhBr6bFzrbNp20r80/s640/IMG_4317.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back along the roof of the train, from the second Skyline dome. There's actually more train forward from this dome than behind!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Similar to the last two years,
all of the meals on board were the standard catered Renaissance fare, despite
the proper dining car and full kitchen. Despite that the meals were still quite
enjoyable. I’ll let the photos (and my captions, I suppose) do the talking. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRa6buWOLT-I8Dd9xQA7qpk-jneWgCl8PPcfImDR0KWromnB6G6mcE9AjbzTs1ZvYGdslWRpthgm0n9roPZ6qpzdvLJBkjc4SHHzJhhymUoIXg1EwjJGR2lEftSgKFxif711jBKBSX6MG/s1600/IMG_4341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRa6buWOLT-I8Dd9xQA7qpk-jneWgCl8PPcfImDR0KWromnB6G6mcE9AjbzTs1ZvYGdslWRpthgm0n9roPZ6qpzdvLJBkjc4SHHzJhhymUoIXg1EwjJGR2lEftSgKFxif711jBKBSX6MG/s640/IMG_4341.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diner Frontenac, all set and ready for lunch. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaS5PrkYpan56zeGW6I2s7iGZjb3RJzSmNlHRiBvGLB1ByMdJYsbqsS6lq2B4V_YX6pE1IZ_X_jusziWQlncN5HfBMOpkjVhdMxKk_e4QvtIkWOI36X293SQ8y_b-P621MOJ32NBKGoAT-/s1600/IMG_4328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1381" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaS5PrkYpan56zeGW6I2s7iGZjb3RJzSmNlHRiBvGLB1ByMdJYsbqsS6lq2B4V_YX6pE1IZ_X_jusziWQlncN5HfBMOpkjVhdMxKk_e4QvtIkWOI36X293SQ8y_b-P621MOJ32NBKGoAT-/s640/IMG_4328.JPG" width="552" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFet0b90_fwVswdK7DjNZ8TWl-3lLnQuhrCW-DkUS6QwQrLFsYZNWZZ7VGttpX9B9YgA5vYa3Zsl1raNq6IINOXzGtENIkdUeoYrEf9B_ZH1HIsyFdB5d26EhyphenhyphenGnBod4yRlPSgJ2A4Ei0L/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFet0b90_fwVswdK7DjNZ8TWl-3lLnQuhrCW-DkUS6QwQrLFsYZNWZZ7VGttpX9B9YgA5vYa3Zsl1raNq6IINOXzGtENIkdUeoYrEf9B_ZH1HIsyFdB5d26EhyphenhyphenGnBod4yRlPSgJ2A4Ei0L/s640/IMG_4332.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish chowder, to start. Nine Locks IPA as accompaniment. The on board beer selection has recently been expanded to include more local craft options from Halifax. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJX9lrJbApFLjVcX8cssIIR1cWJZKsTPb94fnrLl9hE0_MMp0MNqa_sqUScJgy85sh1VXZkpTS76uofnuyUd-HsujUvU5oNMZXsX1URAsCkt38cUOFoBZDpdfpH6f6kabuYGPMCq-O2oG/s1600/IMG_4334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJX9lrJbApFLjVcX8cssIIR1cWJZKsTPb94fnrLl9hE0_MMp0MNqa_sqUScJgy85sh1VXZkpTS76uofnuyUd-HsujUvU5oNMZXsX1URAsCkt38cUOFoBZDpdfpH6f6kabuYGPMCq-O2oG/s640/IMG_4334.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon Nicoise salad, served cold. Quite enjoyable. There was also a Mille-feuille for dessert, which is pictured on the return trip. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfMpkagaKdYfP_CWDy2SiGwS65eo6HYJN-8yG0qmdc3ENMPz154drufus-PXOdzvXObMr6Bjt2LaGnQLE_ymyMn1Fxi1KWFqYsiT4xrUzpTjKV9pA9rqRv9k-rD30ncdh_isNx730CACW/s1600/IMG_4336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfMpkagaKdYfP_CWDy2SiGwS65eo6HYJN-8yG0qmdc3ENMPz154drufus-PXOdzvXObMr6Bjt2LaGnQLE_ymyMn1Fxi1KWFqYsiT4xrUzpTjKV9pA9rqRv9k-rD30ncdh_isNx730CACW/s640/IMG_4336.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tables in the dining car. On the previous #14, the full dining car and the Skyline café were used for meals. On this trip the load was lighter, and though each sitting was decently full, they didn't use the booths at the end of the car. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">While coming and going from the diner I took some photos inside Skyline 8501, to give a good look at the various features of these cars.</span> </span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC-v6MpPha7bDW39SBCVYcAITcJkQS_WgmC-NEAvtT1nBD1YsKGE8OuWQmWq8bjXVmoRB0U4iYZgnKh4L5ml3A1OyaZRLBaxMbs2oLef3C0IO9QUJfx5aPkIEfmGbe3CljbIgq-w2JVe4/s1600/IMG_4325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjC-v6MpPha7bDW39SBCVYcAITcJkQS_WgmC-NEAvtT1nBD1YsKGE8OuWQmWq8bjXVmoRB0U4iYZgnKh4L5ml3A1OyaZRLBaxMbs2oLef3C0IO9QUJfx5aPkIEfmGbe3CljbIgq-w2JVe4/s640/IMG_4325.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyline dome lounge. This is at the front of the car. On the forward Skyline, this is lounge space for coach passengers. On this one it was available for sleeper passengers, though lightly used on this trip. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTnBMF4FDTjsWCQXdC85OmpQ0RL9Lvxmc2pj3On0-deIWJaxQv5_XzKfqLDIx-n1rL5GDgbmso6LT5k3C_g_xkJrUHYK8UJ9fYZOCKYKA4j5AUIqOoJ9WxEiJgOk8ZKB_qZyZVqrUIX37/s1600/IMG_4326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTnBMF4FDTjsWCQXdC85OmpQ0RL9Lvxmc2pj3On0-deIWJaxQv5_XzKfqLDIx-n1rL5GDgbmso6LT5k3C_g_xkJrUHYK8UJ9fYZOCKYKA4j5AUIqOoJ9WxEiJgOk8ZKB_qZyZVqrUIX37/s640/IMG_4326.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward in the lounge. The dining car is ahead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBOZV2rxL31t5lKAq92R0AEVazmbMICMvaDRNn8SgOgiM4eBUH_wQKp35VJzU3b2zr4V16hXa6b2ejb-TH0Rii8UrX0uGhUWrnEfQRStWcO8A3Ms0ykTU2MZCI5_7rsKL0n15t9v_VgTt/s1600/IMG_4327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBOZV2rxL31t5lKAq92R0AEVazmbMICMvaDRNn8SgOgiM4eBUH_wQKp35VJzU3b2zr4V16hXa6b2ejb-TH0Rii8UrX0uGhUWrnEfQRStWcO8A3Ms0ykTU2MZCI5_7rsKL0n15t9v_VgTt/s640/IMG_4327.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyline dome. The seats in here were in much better shape than in Assiniboine, though both cars could use a refurbishment. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw38byR8Z7I-Ye4sik-aSStaahvyHxzlmk8e_-yoHdBkH0R7S0Nu8mNp7XaDvcnXOGCevQGXeLdmbPpbpwu97rwcgxl2UzVQX7nbdBkcEkg1IJu7_xXByxBytnbviivnxE-Zg4tmg4NLAi/s1600/IMG_4322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw38byR8Z7I-Ye4sik-aSStaahvyHxzlmk8e_-yoHdBkH0R7S0Nu8mNp7XaDvcnXOGCevQGXeLdmbPpbpwu97rwcgxl2UzVQX7nbdBkcEkg1IJu7_xXByxBytnbviivnxE-Zg4tmg4NLAi/s640/IMG_4322.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takeout snack area under the dome in the Skyline. In the Economy car, this is used to prepare and sell various takeout food for coach passengers, as the dining car is often off limits (Economy passengers only allowed in if there is sufficient space).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipWwf6STUwaEW1rTUXl_-DDmIA_S96MgEBhIk1v79o_qJG0sOVbGJXdFgJgXCSHg8ryss1vWI-QIismauIJuoG7iF8A-u9yVJAmOyuXQUlWCXF_vdf8sVl0Aa0kqnVVeNq08cWksWgYIn/s1600/IMG_4323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipWwf6STUwaEW1rTUXl_-DDmIA_S96MgEBhIk1v79o_qJG0sOVbGJXdFgJgXCSHg8ryss1vWI-QIismauIJuoG7iF8A-u9yVJAmOyuXQUlWCXF_vdf8sVl0Aa0kqnVVeNq08cWksWgYIn/s640/IMG_4323.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crew meals, stored in a fridge in the Skyline rather than the dining car. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGUdTwXu-niZ8m8MouTxObml6FC68wtzZZ6Ug8pCXP2nzEuCa3a8Dpt0sV_Zol26Oxs2bD__PSxaCjrZQdXPbfvmlIUuSpW61Jut0JpZQAPtyGDz7WB6RGSXlx9WvelgoHWIfUUoF3TBj/s1600/IMG_4324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGUdTwXu-niZ8m8MouTxObml6FC68wtzZZ6Ug8pCXP2nzEuCa3a8Dpt0sV_Zol26Oxs2bD__PSxaCjrZQdXPbfvmlIUuSpW61Jut0JpZQAPtyGDz7WB6RGSXlx9WvelgoHWIfUUoF3TBj/s640/IMG_4324.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takeout menu, with a number of options scratched off. There was no one actually serving anything here, as the forward Skyline was doing the coach duty. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPxWRX_dge1Z7TWhyphenhyphenFyFMRqZOIk_t_XDuDOwvbkOk-HjFCnpSqcF71KwxLDl1f8-opMvbHdmdxztt2uWM5f9mituGrdy1lyMKTahgpk8WOtlUXiGDJIJkfCSVYR6ml69yZp34qP5Tzo27/s1600/IMG_4345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPxWRX_dge1Z7TWhyphenhyphenFyFMRqZOIk_t_XDuDOwvbkOk-HjFCnpSqcF71KwxLDl1f8-opMvbHdmdxztt2uWM5f9mituGrdy1lyMKTahgpk8WOtlUXiGDJIJkfCSVYR6ml69yZp34qP5Tzo27/s640/IMG_4345.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming around the corner towards the café section, there is space for coffee, water, etc. On the Canadian this area is often used to provide various amenities for passengers. On this trip nothing was set out, but on the previous trip this was used for prepping things for meals. Not pictured is the small galley/kitchen that is also under the dome, between the takeout area and this section. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBH-QOvakexIafn8kirspWbCeR-MHNeaYvzvxtABdqTk8ke9brSxF5jHMJUglYiNd299fmkfMaiL1hpAYPqUgdo_5F7mjwJDfB9UaswT45yNUdgVSyuzdAYHq31HJdAwo6pFeO5MT-Quk/s1600/IMG_4344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBH-QOvakexIafn8kirspWbCeR-MHNeaYvzvxtABdqTk8ke9brSxF5jHMJUglYiNd299fmkfMaiL1hpAYPqUgdo_5F7mjwJDfB9UaswT45yNUdgVSyuzdAYHq31HJdAwo6pFeO5MT-Quk/s640/IMG_4344.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Café section at the rear end of the Skyline. This was set and used as dining car space on the previous day's #14. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first long stretch of the
trip was enjoyable and uneventful. There was a good crowd on board, though
nowhere near as busy as the #14 that had necessitated this massive train. In
contrast to the 6 fully loaded coaches on that trip, we had just 2 in service
from Halifax (a third was used from Moncton onwards). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had stops at Truro, Amherst and Sackville,
and as usual no stop at Springhill Jct. Later on in the trip we would make
stops almost everywhere on the schedule.</span> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeWU6gyuxMlgGKufwemFhZXU1hfk2s-HAYMToShruTjzlZGvWNXt85bqhA6EkoyWskKmMzQccHC0zhxy5siJzpPootX_8EK1kHhrNwIgC1PuwCNshOQhoNVRZE7JY5wTSeKGerUzvQGi1/s1600/IMG_4338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeWU6gyuxMlgGKufwemFhZXU1hfk2s-HAYMToShruTjzlZGvWNXt85bqhA6EkoyWskKmMzQccHC0zhxy5siJzpPootX_8EK1kHhrNwIgC1PuwCNshOQhoNVRZE7JY5wTSeKGerUzvQGi1/s640/IMG_4338.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"NO ENTRY". Posted at the rear of the fourth coach. I believe this one was opened up at Moncton. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4RfRud_1_1slTWhVTqegcpNFVJ9bQp7KctO5lg_fMmkEyE54HyDIfp6pAg_Xwovd9xbum6kFmR4JzY4iGGipsG1ckQYNOFN8R8WrlcMhy_wjmdLpKMVaKf9gqlHIacN7gaAgM1ah55dQ/s1600/IMG_4340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4RfRud_1_1slTWhVTqegcpNFVJ9bQp7KctO5lg_fMmkEyE54HyDIfp6pAg_Xwovd9xbum6kFmR4JzY4iGGipsG1ckQYNOFN8R8WrlcMhy_wjmdLpKMVaKf9gqlHIacN7gaAgM1ah55dQ/s640/IMG_4340.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs of the Canadian... This was on the back of the second Skyline, and is clearly a sign of its usual use and placement on the Canadian. The Ocean has no Prestige! (well, not the class anyway...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM3_-R9VVZQgPMF_Zzn-A2X_tyZeMs6nBY4AbEQdQaLok5BtQraTYqLHOcP065X7pqulA5x1ft1RLHHsdf-39XFXOPA7rNrKQ7ma6LRHKbQdL72HDhIHd_B2Nryg6kRRVsnEnuzoWgSe2/s1600/IMG_4342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM3_-R9VVZQgPMF_Zzn-A2X_tyZeMs6nBY4AbEQdQaLok5BtQraTYqLHOcP065X7pqulA5x1ft1RLHHsdf-39XFXOPA7rNrKQ7ma6LRHKbQdL72HDhIHd_B2Nryg6kRRVsnEnuzoWgSe2/s640/IMG_4342.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Skyline lounge near Truro. That's flooding outside, not a normal waterfront view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XufCutmfuLwZWCnF5Wtb3kPtDlFIAr9VK5vxFb9Q6RJJFXRy9g7cN8cAeRPA2rwFhdtK4q7uvfwFAvykbOawR4gLzNiskQYqqYvSDBnOko95agN5rX1ALb7OSSo_BG16O_npCel1Lipi/s1600/IMG_4347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XufCutmfuLwZWCnF5Wtb3kPtDlFIAr9VK5vxFb9Q6RJJFXRy9g7cN8cAeRPA2rwFhdtK4q7uvfwFAvykbOawR4gLzNiskQYqqYvSDBnOko95agN5rX1ALb7OSSo_BG16O_npCel1Lipi/s640/IMG_4347.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An attempt at Christmas décor, in one of the sleepers. It wasn't clear if the candy canes were decoration or meant for the taking, or both. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqR94o7nr_THGsYjXt6VRFcCl7K3sdwQaaczBhkwz23EfVpCkXPzFF8_XcrkwBUaGSjeUu2B-UDUte_rM5ITrOXXXGkhmQmOSAYd7HvtSunDfbmFC5Shu8f514Gr8b29hZhHdWjTbLS0J/s1600/IMG_4352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqR94o7nr_THGsYjXt6VRFcCl7K3sdwQaaczBhkwz23EfVpCkXPzFF8_XcrkwBUaGSjeUu2B-UDUte_rM5ITrOXXXGkhmQmOSAYd7HvtSunDfbmFC5Shu8f514Gr8b29hZhHdWjTbLS0J/s640/IMG_4352.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from my room as we pass Folly Lake. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVf5XqNqfVnZwUho2wa5xWKLhqeZxqv1yO8YeEIssFivbEXimZead1jW2lk59p7xFTyKzf5fbdOmeaChgYlGt6wt2nmlnoFG09CE2JeNbyAcYHMqi6EJxUlYFLZLIMetq6cYQRpJJQXHQ/s1600/IMG_4353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVf5XqNqfVnZwUho2wa5xWKLhqeZxqv1yO8YeEIssFivbEXimZead1jW2lk59p7xFTyKzf5fbdOmeaChgYlGt6wt2nmlnoFG09CE2JeNbyAcYHMqi6EJxUlYFLZLIMetq6cYQRpJJQXHQ/s640/IMG_4353.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A neat feature in Assiniboine Park - the table used for serving coffee, just beside the stairs to the dome, was originally used as a writing desk. The idea was that you could write a letter to someone while travelling, and it could then be handed off to train staff to be put into the mail for delivery (trains at the time handled a lot of mail service). These desks are still there in the non-Prestige Park cars, but a more rare feature of Assiniboine is that it still has the original chair! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were a few railfans out
photographing our train. I spotted a few, but only managed to photograph one,
as he shot our train at Fort Lawrence.</span> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMHp-zE44nQ7ebEpb5gEgaBLgN-pDkWO69GA7kPtJKkvwV-V3Zw01ndpRcpAKVHxhQl9J3j8jUhWOrkqM3xxFIy3gcl-y4JmveOS4ow1Bv0rnbMPeY-UbsxfNi6On24_tg5cdADwaVcF3/s1600/IMG_4358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMHp-zE44nQ7ebEpb5gEgaBLgN-pDkWO69GA7kPtJKkvwV-V3Zw01ndpRcpAKVHxhQl9J3j8jUhWOrkqM3xxFIy3gcl-y4JmveOS4ow1Bv0rnbMPeY-UbsxfNi6On24_tg5cdADwaVcF3/s640/IMG_4358.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Railfanning a railfan. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">David Morris sent me a couple of
photos of our train. Here's one of us at Nappan, near Amherst.</span> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyJLvgB2x9bPPRDUL-Q_X4PKhu4P_EvgoCUuXMX1FDbK2zcNV5Pbmzvw9A6Q9zdGcLi60oGQKaXEtJhM8B4u2CsMsE8TDAvwqPL6ddmbVlPgkXhOo-PnUF3WAOGN9-fvKbBRhw2ohXXs4/s1600/18-12-23-04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyJLvgB2x9bPPRDUL-Q_X4PKhu4P_EvgoCUuXMX1FDbK2zcNV5Pbmzvw9A6Q9zdGcLi60oGQKaXEtJhM8B4u2CsMsE8TDAvwqPL6ddmbVlPgkXhOo-PnUF3WAOGN9-fvKbBRhw2ohXXs4/s640/18-12-23-04.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train at Nappan, not long before arrival in Amherst. Getting a full train this long in one frame requires one to be a fair way from the tracks! Photo by David Morris. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I noticed through the first
stretch that the ride was jerky at times. The HEP equipment handles differently
from the usual Renaissance, with more slack between the cars and more potential
for jerking movements. I noticed the ride after Campbellton and in the morning
through Quebec was much smoother, so I suspect it just had to do with the head
end crew’s familiarity with the equipment – or perhaps just a different style
of operation. It didn’t detract from the trip, but it was an interesting thing
to note.</span> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyP8X2cytPlUBkJnyGrSiOcJplsZQrwGJnpdArfchlejYUFXFF0hE5C5lfDwNcrUtA4rH3z6qhmCaepdPTwvzxBikLIMx0Gecb-pGEfqkSJ8wFI9GYgnIYhZs4rv69xnW4Z5kGhFid_WuG/s1600/IMG_4365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyP8X2cytPlUBkJnyGrSiOcJplsZQrwGJnpdArfchlejYUFXFF0hE5C5lfDwNcrUtA4rH3z6qhmCaepdPTwvzxBikLIMx0Gecb-pGEfqkSJ8wFI9GYgnIYhZs4rv69xnW4Z5kGhFid_WuG/s640/IMG_4365.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding the curve across the Tantramar marsh, between Amherst and Sackville. This view is really impressive with a long train, and the late afternoon sun. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWWCd3eHzS00ZvzH4XwBQE3Ps0BrWrm8K4nvXYRozJJLi4j94mlc4xw4yxIfHXHWxlP3KlgiKzjJ_SG4LCNU4muwqq7gYhD0yLSa4LQHexEn9zUP1JNnzclU0McI-COZh1VUoPOH7pWmX/s1600/IMG_4367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWWCd3eHzS00ZvzH4XwBQE3Ps0BrWrm8K4nvXYRozJJLi4j94mlc4xw4yxIfHXHWxlP3KlgiKzjJ_SG4LCNU4muwqq7gYhD0yLSa4LQHexEn9zUP1JNnzclU0McI-COZh1VUoPOH7pWmX/s640/IMG_4367.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view...can't get enough of this. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-B9V_ufLIDMAj6dJkVnQieXDwssVI5EFmT4lGym5xv_2HOZeE_WQD1wK7D4DzDLbMDblesfypN95uQEnizD7GMgwK9xFhf3XE3ttn1_LNOHrs4Va4rvaKAwVORiqm9ldqoLP9ZCKif1Sz/s1600/IMG_4370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-B9V_ufLIDMAj6dJkVnQieXDwssVI5EFmT4lGym5xv_2HOZeE_WQD1wK7D4DzDLbMDblesfypN95uQEnizD7GMgwK9xFhf3XE3ttn1_LNOHrs4Va4rvaKAwVORiqm9ldqoLP9ZCKif1Sz/s640/IMG_4370.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One more. Man, that train... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBHjXKRwMVF4J54Z61TzmOb1284Q_bq8MEvJDnucqOtP890dytUfbdI2tqjjKN-cUk3ob82yPzYBqk3h8H_ZcfkOiyIUOu0hD28eiuGAuGeGHscO6Q21uiRjtyxEKz9hNlYPVYKCNWQY1/s1600/18-12-23-57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBHjXKRwMVF4J54Z61TzmOb1284Q_bq8MEvJDnucqOtP890dytUfbdI2tqjjKN-cUk3ob82yPzYBqk3h8H_ZcfkOiyIUOu0hD28eiuGAuGeGHscO6Q21uiRjtyxEKz9hNlYPVYKCNWQY1/s640/18-12-23-57.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Sackville NB. I'm in the dome of the Park car, waaaaaaaaaaay at the back. Another photo from David Morris. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskaprWT4pht9pbWdb7FF8BPJTNW7Z05Ei7R3Tm7r6-oFSCeD825o2h1_LQX45PStU-7yDUkVcVY7uLatyUFFZHaqB_Scm5xLNosqVb92LdsHm8kwbHgBCWv_ox5mf4005h3Jsy-bLpNge/s1600/18-12-23-59.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskaprWT4pht9pbWdb7FF8BPJTNW7Z05Ei7R3Tm7r6-oFSCeD825o2h1_LQX45PStU-7yDUkVcVY7uLatyUFFZHaqB_Scm5xLNosqVb92LdsHm8kwbHgBCWv_ox5mf4005h3Jsy-bLpNge/s640/18-12-23-59.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The money shot at Sackville - the early sunset glints off the stunning stainless steel train. Many thanks once again to David Morris for this photo. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPncz3-ShujYV81cv8ppIh9Hg3F2NU_7KdK34Cu0wyN3mK2IuaeLY4e28tI4ZmaDwbPLNPDaQCs6cvHyIPst7CgbWSfBXL6gYOcCZZbmytG79kIFqH_2SLRJWfhVFZBhg-B6SkE_sZ_Luu/s1600/IMG_4374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPncz3-ShujYV81cv8ppIh9Hg3F2NU_7KdK34Cu0wyN3mK2IuaeLY4e28tI4ZmaDwbPLNPDaQCs6cvHyIPst7CgbWSfBXL6gYOcCZZbmytG79kIFqH_2SLRJWfhVFZBhg-B6SkE_sZ_Luu/s640/IMG_4374.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To add to David's photos, here's the view from the Park car dome at the same time, as we pulled in to Sackville. Love that sun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwaUPq232H5FfYHp4FB8VoDVHHh7dVw7DVFYKAfKOryUjQYrZJB-WeZaPr75b5pSJiQtfLOzSJrvH6-IcJU0m-QswjMIsFPpPhg4eBxJ0HUg6Jw9aKmjR22MpJXqXqkx4bOs0bSGXUyu6/s1600/IMG_4375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwaUPq232H5FfYHp4FB8VoDVHHh7dVw7DVFYKAfKOryUjQYrZJB-WeZaPr75b5pSJiQtfLOzSJrvH6-IcJU0m-QswjMIsFPpPhg4eBxJ0HUg6Jw9aKmjR22MpJXqXqkx4bOs0bSGXUyu6/s640/IMG_4375.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forward view from the dome, heading in to the sunset towards Moncton. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0n3vEztM6BL0RwyxtY-kJPaGHyaC0CHCYCjT4Rw-n3PhXhUIQUaEJyv5xPgZcdRurb19-SqcHRP9brlEdBC1Rs1UO2F-4hBKk-zlLCMn2VR6L_XXZFgkxLRheqqLBRj_lUqWJ1KFlv-c/s1600/IMG_4383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0n3vEztM6BL0RwyxtY-kJPaGHyaC0CHCYCjT4Rw-n3PhXhUIQUaEJyv5xPgZcdRurb19-SqcHRP9brlEdBC1Rs1UO2F-4hBKk-zlLCMn2VR6L_XXZFgkxLRheqqLBRj_lUqWJ1KFlv-c/s640/IMG_4383.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moncton. Nice headgear on the attendant just ahead!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcf1cPANRf3CMnmvSMbra5qbnHFi5pDMQ_FhNNF_w81cxHMOGnBiD0A_aNRSsbaDnEzG7hH6XdyFaV8apgvlnRdTu1hCrVCApxyPZAsqYGxc-kIR9xijaDeWi3IXuKsHtuT29Qpf-ROKN/s1600/IMG_3969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcf1cPANRf3CMnmvSMbra5qbnHFi5pDMQ_FhNNF_w81cxHMOGnBiD0A_aNRSsbaDnEzG7hH6XdyFaV8apgvlnRdTu1hCrVCApxyPZAsqYGxc-kIR9xijaDeWi3IXuKsHtuT29Qpf-ROKN/s640/IMG_3969.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broader shot at Moncton. The yellow glow from the old sodium lamps on the platform just adds to the sunset, and makes this a really irresistible shot. We would soon depart into the woods of New Brunswick in darkness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I headed off to the second dinner
call after leaving Moncton. There were three sittings on this particular trip,
and I went with a few people I knew to the second one. The food was, again,
perfectly enjoyable.</span> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVE55Mf0zRXoF_e0g1-gbsgUkO5mxrW5fZADxHI_fThRsDK5iGxiaynzVai8nK5XnbGKouuhx5JELvjCC7LiaRg1Veb45RqwQciwFkJYvMY4UhazAtChVqUmP_NtgshRibOh9nfNeff5V7/s1600/IMG_4386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVE55Mf0zRXoF_e0g1-gbsgUkO5mxrW5fZADxHI_fThRsDK5iGxiaynzVai8nK5XnbGKouuhx5JELvjCC7LiaRg1Veb45RqwQciwFkJYvMY4UhazAtChVqUmP_NtgshRibOh9nfNeff5V7/s640/IMG_4386.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EH5zWEnvWc8gMo64Jx9QNTdsiBhyphenhyphenkbDspGlWYCPQ2iCMr0KorIhmcmznM2jufsnEw8IkXSJnJ-FduD4JPfaOpI66RPc0RBprzhMo1qjDx1IkCyAP5ZORg33lLl3BgsZGuDu9zwic1Csq/s1600/IMG_4387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EH5zWEnvWc8gMo64Jx9QNTdsiBhyphenhyphenkbDspGlWYCPQ2iCMr0KorIhmcmznM2jufsnEw8IkXSJnJ-FduD4JPfaOpI66RPc0RBprzhMo1qjDx1IkCyAP5ZORg33lLl3BgsZGuDu9zwic1Csq/s640/IMG_4387.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something different - I passed on the soup and went for this smoked fish platter. Quite nice for a change. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD5T1DMvk76WKOOUOeibsu5e74kVUWrZkc25BvoyF-gjZ-eu8JNOfeF8q1MkJoWUJI16O8hAMJJbgOeSQCR2pfmavtur2ykg5nWbXYmbj__6cayNYi4ZVZmg2a58_uF8MleRGPiVUAUSs/s1600/IMG_4388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD5T1DMvk76WKOOUOeibsu5e74kVUWrZkc25BvoyF-gjZ-eu8JNOfeF8q1MkJoWUJI16O8hAMJJbgOeSQCR2pfmavtur2ykg5nWbXYmbj__6cayNYi4ZVZmg2a58_uF8MleRGPiVUAUSs/s640/IMG_4388.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honey pecan chicken. Tasty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj-MI63qwnoXzlLsFy62H4h0k3BFQQ0uFT3R8pI5Ml86Vdy_k9cEsr8OwzJl8d3rRG6mvmWj5-KEf4eiFg_0IBBVC5jZD8gvLL4YG_BxayvEry-adFWqriX4-V9pbDfH9qs6QoW1wwWRu/s1600/IMG_4389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj-MI63qwnoXzlLsFy62H4h0k3BFQQ0uFT3R8pI5Ml86Vdy_k9cEsr8OwzJl8d3rRG6mvmWj5-KEf4eiFg_0IBBVC5jZD8gvLL4YG_BxayvEry-adFWqriX4-V9pbDfH9qs6QoW1wwWRu/s640/IMG_4389.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate caramel cake for dessert. This has been one of the standard offerings for the last little while, and it's pretty hard to pass up. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After supper I retired to the
Park car, where the lights in the dome were off and we could enjoy what view
was available. There isn’t much interesting until after Bathurst, but with snow
on the ground and a good full moon you can actually see quite a bit. The extra
addition of Christmas lights along the way is another bonus of this time of
year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We had arrived at Bathurst a bit
early, and then had a rather long stop as we boarded lots of people and
baggage. A few moments after leaving the station, the power on board the train
cut out. Dang… A few minutes later it came back on, and then just as quickly
cut out again. This repeated a couple of times, and I suddenly started having
flashbacks to several years ago, when a very similar situation just a little
farther up the line left my train stranded at Matapedia, and resulted in a long
bus ride to Montreal. </span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Park car attendant was just
downstairs, and I could hear the radio crackling with chatter from the head
end. Multiple solutions were attempted. With power back on we started moving
again, then it cut out and we stopped again. More solutions were tried.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In the long run, it appeared that
our third locomotive (6459) was causing problems with the head-end power. The
ultimate decision was to cut that locomotive offline (put it in standby mode)
and bypass it, effectively running the train with just the other two. This is
one of the benefits of having an extra locomotive! Nearly an hour after the
first issues we made it to Campbellton, with just another brief failure outside
the station. There would be no issues after that time. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We were a bit over an hour late
at Campbellton, and an hour and a half late when we left. I stayed up in the
dome to enjoy the run to Matapedia, and a bit of the run through the valley.
With a bright moon and snow all around, the view of the silver train snaking
along the river was really quite stunning. But at some point it was time for
bed, and I headed back to my room to settle down. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I slept remarkably well, and
snoozed my first alarm. Eventually I got myself out of bed, somewhere between
Ste-Foy and Drummondville. By now we were only about half an hour late, having
made up plenty of time overnight. I made use of the shower just steps away from
my room, and made my way to the dining car for breakfast.</span> </span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvtoRo178ozimIc2NtI-k7IFs2I0oqri3BDZe_yB8LidXpuwW37sRp_OsYoNNsDDHdAhFwubOeGODqxMA2m1d0TCWTjaE1HXIuDsNJP2tXtNBmHCqFIWSPPBD_iqodmZBKOT99Savqifm/s1600/IMG_4391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvtoRo178ozimIc2NtI-k7IFs2I0oqri3BDZe_yB8LidXpuwW37sRp_OsYoNNsDDHdAhFwubOeGODqxMA2m1d0TCWTjaE1HXIuDsNJP2tXtNBmHCqFIWSPPBD_iqodmZBKOT99Savqifm/s640/IMG_4391.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning view, from the dining car. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, the usual special
breakfast option in the HEP diner was not available, so there were no cooked to
order eggs. Despite this, breakfast was still perfectly fine – not the best,
but not awful by any stretch.</span> </span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi-dIZ4E4-DCLDdR2uAkERyrTW-txLqhHQSNSVNdx-SHjSjjyOzTqOjPEbxWozeVSnCYKkjngdEE_Fee9MZujWQAyhr_JYU_JfqE8KK0tKKkMS94oC8gzBQZDldMZ_I0cL41cmCp37o7E/s1600/IMG_4392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi-dIZ4E4-DCLDdR2uAkERyrTW-txLqhHQSNSVNdx-SHjSjjyOzTqOjPEbxWozeVSnCYKkjngdEE_Fee9MZujWQAyhr_JYU_JfqE8KK0tKKkMS94oC8gzBQZDldMZ_I0cL41cmCp37o7E/s640/IMG_4392.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast! I opted for the scrambled eggs, hoping that they were being fried up on the flat top in the kitchen. Alas, they were just being reheated in the oven (though the toast was fresh). A little on the soggy side, but all in all this was still a really nice way to start the morning. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">After breakfast I stopped off at
the Skyline for a while, to watch the train from a different vantage point.
Then, feeling in the mood for some more coffee, I made my way back to the Park
car and grabbed a cup of coffee from the lounge behind the dome. The seats in
Assiniboine Park are in need of some work, but the view was still as
exceptional as always.</span> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2HxqmnUJqLmIO7783O4ZuD9ESynwxocAIZ9QJZVXExs1QYGXvuXI_C_dcN966ARXmP2QMoViQIE-_i2QPSkpjdLTnSBW8L2-hrYhBuQtcvz40Nce35N9q7h7Xgvyc4GL-vkM2Wmdl_vP/s1600/IMG_4396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2HxqmnUJqLmIO7783O4ZuD9ESynwxocAIZ9QJZVXExs1QYGXvuXI_C_dcN966ARXmP2QMoViQIE-_i2QPSkpjdLTnSBW8L2-hrYhBuQtcvz40Nce35N9q7h7Xgvyc4GL-vkM2Wmdl_vP/s640/IMG_4396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward from the second Skyline. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7gYZZgMlLY6eA8qlwA589GGeWPfnGrqEtLWqeTTW99MY3AylXDK9Dpn7yYJLZ-R4Jypt1Rx0rfQFHOGDQL_fDvX8M76uYwd38cTkwBOi1BaQ1y14KOM7anJNdAZq0sOlGWrL-rOQdx0K/s1600/IMG_4398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7gYZZgMlLY6eA8qlwA589GGeWPfnGrqEtLWqeTTW99MY3AylXDK9Dpn7yYJLZ-R4Jypt1Rx0rfQFHOGDQL_fDvX8M76uYwd38cTkwBOi1BaQ1y14KOM7anJNdAZq0sOlGWrL-rOQdx0K/s640/IMG_4398.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back from the second Skyline. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfv-frBdOJPjTIJ9QcVdgrHFo6panY66FYxq0gSXDKoAg08WPGm-i4QjHx8M7ri91cD2woPn1bfzoUjPjZi6GEmFAK3yNkavYdBprFfulJFoBV5FrmCFoo__9rFTmcgv6JwBHI-GaXUtX/s1600/IMG_4399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfv-frBdOJPjTIJ9QcVdgrHFo6panY66FYxq0gSXDKoAg08WPGm-i4QjHx8M7ri91cD2woPn1bfzoUjPjZi6GEmFAK3yNkavYdBprFfulJFoBV5FrmCFoo__9rFTmcgv6JwBHI-GaXUtX/s640/IMG_4399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading on to the bridge over the Saint-Francois river, just before Drummondville. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OupCs_jKOy_qRi8-hpOqU8MtmMDIDLuoF_L3NP-JoEqMPev7bzlRiM91r8fbHgEADf_ffjmTrVD8HdfiTdcc_Fh38aaMP2lbxEquPjxfLrJJh14rrlsaUdgm9fbE-BInZM9okuPG5-4J/s1600/IMG_4400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OupCs_jKOy_qRi8-hpOqU8MtmMDIDLuoF_L3NP-JoEqMPev7bzlRiM91r8fbHgEADf_ffjmTrVD8HdfiTdcc_Fh38aaMP2lbxEquPjxfLrJJh14rrlsaUdgm9fbE-BInZM9okuPG5-4J/s640/IMG_4400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild water on the Saint-Francois River.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkY5vM-AKvfHoZUtT9c-Le_QW7UqD64UeP7IFLPnmntnrQsxL7pCtiOEqR_Bo3coQHfIomvqO52bNRS6wwzdpPiK6KWQ7sfjYpnatdkdmVtBoAl24JtmBSdRapWua-RQWI4JW2jJd449f/s1600/IMG_4401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkY5vM-AKvfHoZUtT9c-Le_QW7UqD64UeP7IFLPnmntnrQsxL7pCtiOEqR_Bo3coQHfIomvqO52bNRS6wwzdpPiK6KWQ7sfjYpnatdkdmVtBoAl24JtmBSdRapWua-RQWI4JW2jJd449f/s640/IMG_4401.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's often some impressive water over the Barrage de Drummondville, and today was a particularly stunning example. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizVfHGzMIU8SNxRbCJRkY6R2FpU4m98MFwyb6ZAGRYdzhqg88pFRWau6Nrqw04B5FU9aw2wt-t1gZV7MooDlX7Kh6fTxnfw-tS3ox2izV8Vn5_-4u8umHTK73rAz17F01lApGWH8dAriA/s1600/IMG_4403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1600" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizVfHGzMIU8SNxRbCJRkY6R2FpU4m98MFwyb6ZAGRYdzhqg88pFRWau6Nrqw04B5FU9aw2wt-t1gZV7MooDlX7Kh6fTxnfw-tS3ox2izV8Vn5_-4u8umHTK73rAz17F01lApGWH8dAriA/s640/IMG_4403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Ste-Rosalie, shortly before Saint Hyacinthe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlpVNxw5HH6GgNxIQUvsJKbjHf4y95rhehw1S-AnYf2GYjqZZUIr7D4KISyGZ8yCCn-r2zr5QoFqTOw1YqbntfB0kR4qvoL4qGP444ZKEjfrXtjC8GyKqC6R8U-CSoXGHJPfT_ZvD2riC/s1600/IMG_4406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlpVNxw5HH6GgNxIQUvsJKbjHf4y95rhehw1S-AnYf2GYjqZZUIr7D4KISyGZ8yCCn-r2zr5QoFqTOw1YqbntfB0kR4qvoL4qGP444ZKEjfrXtjC8GyKqC6R8U-CSoXGHJPfT_ZvD2riC/s640/IMG_4406.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A slug at St-Hyacinthe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love the last stretch of the
trip in to Montreal. After the slow meandering of the night before, the train
is by this time blasting along pushing from 80 to 95mph at times. The signs of
urban life slowly emerge, and finally Montreal emerges on the skyline. I spotted another railfan photographing us as we crossed the gorgeous Beloeil bridge across the Richelieu River. He was photographing us with a drone, and his photo showed up soon afterwards online. Thanks to Frank Jolin for this stunning photo of our beautiful train (see link to original below). I'm in the dome of Assiniboine Park, at the back of the train and not even visible in this photo!</span> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKT6qgLLSO-mXjOOssR9qKEoE9eOT6llEGpZtcNFXUvr7NOnbqDok4oHhneOGjeYNbrHpz8GNjhdHo1wbSzbCp4TvKVQH0to9BVJv58WqwPRR3v2siSs-uNcAgAtrl2IZ3VoVnFa6Zqiad/s1600/jolin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKT6qgLLSO-mXjOOssR9qKEoE9eOT6llEGpZtcNFXUvr7NOnbqDok4oHhneOGjeYNbrHpz8GNjhdHo1wbSzbCp4TvKVQH0to9BVJv58WqwPRR3v2siSs-uNcAgAtrl2IZ3VoVnFa6Zqiad/s640/jolin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Frank Jolin, posted at Railpictures.net: <a href="http://railpictures.net/photo/681785/">http://railpictures.net/photo/681785/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX72nBq-xQYolhfq5uY54Hn1mZaH9tElCneM81VEEc-IM2fuqyotXwKWZd5xxBL27FD6iipmLaUzWkaBwa4PvuGEgvEdooO86Q3NvHklu56KTbodtr4ywpPKyGQ0xBy33c3YjiUEiKvJVj/s1600/IMG_4411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX72nBq-xQYolhfq5uY54Hn1mZaH9tElCneM81VEEc-IM2fuqyotXwKWZd5xxBL27FD6iipmLaUzWkaBwa4PvuGEgvEdooO86Q3NvHklu56KTbodtr4ywpPKyGQ0xBy33c3YjiUEiKvJVj/s640/IMG_4411.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some interesting power at Southwark yard, just before St-Lambert. The Montreal skyline is visible looming in the background. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKFXc_n8tyna5WOzypTuENHD0nnCiiHpCBu47c_MCUvc3UR2xZl2pfhy3ayfYFN1GQf9cZRyiDuTDyStghp_pBgCcOcQxqieo5OxBy5k61bHIvztyDbcurC1Awg2O0kn7MeaoPOfBM_l8/s1600/IMG_4413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="1600" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKFXc_n8tyna5WOzypTuENHD0nnCiiHpCBu47c_MCUvc3UR2xZl2pfhy3ayfYFN1GQf9cZRyiDuTDyStghp_pBgCcOcQxqieo5OxBy5k61bHIvztyDbcurC1Awg2O0kn7MeaoPOfBM_l8/s640/IMG_4413.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN activity at Southwark.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIfaK4rzw8hZc_nSDPyC1uflV0V8D-iC_gSN5FCCIwgiY3Pd7QhuHUnLJB8GkaqcARlXPsiGzPgKR_-3PFnrosGJjAVHLJcGviaDExGijk7fpDrE2lSMb-szt2HRJyc6g0LSOoDztQ0qZ/s1600/IMG_4415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIfaK4rzw8hZc_nSDPyC1uflV0V8D-iC_gSN5FCCIwgiY3Pd7QhuHUnLJB8GkaqcARlXPsiGzPgKR_-3PFnrosGJjAVHLJcGviaDExGijk7fpDrE2lSMb-szt2HRJyc6g0LSOoDztQ0qZ/s640/IMG_4415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Victoria Bridge into Montreal. The new Champlain bridge is visible under construction in the distance. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98rVKgJDvIBtxSh-slvoZmeTzFNeMT-uJZ8C-kqWunnMAMM21hkoglY4hQLsXw7grNisNMeL-Rc5qQJs0b0GgV5pCsHQKfdbfW-01DYjv5xaM7FIH51Fiw7URr3BH_xaZlRuSDzeyQ7WC/s1600/IMG_4418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98rVKgJDvIBtxSh-slvoZmeTzFNeMT-uJZ8C-kqWunnMAMM21hkoglY4hQLsXw7grNisNMeL-Rc5qQJs0b0GgV5pCsHQKfdbfW-01DYjv5xaM7FIH51Fiw7URr3BH_xaZlRuSDzeyQ7WC/s640/IMG_4418.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various AMT (sorry, "Exo") equipment around the old Pointe-Saint-Charles site. I love that one trio, with a Bombardier MLV, an old Canadian Vickers gallery car, and an ex-GO Hawker Siddely single level all together. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBpxNMvhUzSE_dxAQ6goO35le1gc-b-QyPa6vbV6Gyu55W-_cZk0W-5iE3QA19yUh2xgZQpMP-O_OQFT7D5ZjojOZP-YCMf7mwPO2HKqQqoXvyppsB6KQ4lyrmwWxPZIqoGG72gFozNBf/s1600/IMG_4420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBpxNMvhUzSE_dxAQ6goO35le1gc-b-QyPa6vbV6Gyu55W-_cZk0W-5iE3QA19yUh2xgZQpMP-O_OQFT7D5ZjojOZP-YCMf7mwPO2HKqQqoXvyppsB6KQ4lyrmwWxPZIqoGG72gFozNBf/s640/IMG_4420.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Assiniboine as we snake our way in to Gare Centrale. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
pulled into the station at 10:28am, only 25 minutes late. Not bad, given our
delay during the night.</span> </span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdXQmvavU8fk-gGnEZB76tFlq9cgY8SogG8ZTbfmfXQJykLcaBImM50ge1nBtdvYAwAj8EZ4aep4PZN4h6zbaEV-8zUGh2Bmj99kMKyBI6S8PeessunHk4D-PecXoBxhCK-2Wv73-xq8i/s1600/IMG_4423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdXQmvavU8fk-gGnEZB76tFlq9cgY8SogG8ZTbfmfXQJykLcaBImM50ge1nBtdvYAwAj8EZ4aep4PZN4h6zbaEV-8zUGh2Bmj99kMKyBI6S8PeessunHk4D-PecXoBxhCK-2Wv73-xq8i/s640/IMG_4423.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train was long enough that we couldn't fit entirely under the station, so the last few cars were outside. A great view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0yzqKhMVt0WWUXmtS86CNiE9nIiYeXFbUOPnh1L_RLp2xfeJ9DcPF_LNwUQ-8P8inXENHOqAfCr10Z5zt7EDEl1JdhaIhyphenhyphenT2U5oHSG810un4o6laHj38hZYuibWd7iDPlgeEdHWeIY6J/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0yzqKhMVt0WWUXmtS86CNiE9nIiYeXFbUOPnh1L_RLp2xfeJ9DcPF_LNwUQ-8P8inXENHOqAfCr10Z5zt7EDEl1JdhaIhyphenhyphenT2U5oHSG810un4o6laHj38hZYuibWd7iDPlgeEdHWeIY6J/s640/IMG_4425.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare opportunity to photograph the outside of Place Bonaventure from this end of the platform. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Montreal’s Central Station is a
magnificent place, and it’s an especially wonderful place to be around
Christmas. There’s a different decorative theme every year, and this time it
was a play on pink.</span> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8goINFGAvLGK-E9DZc0XWFp_-S4Ln1tHAyseyj4WPpGMWHAy9F3ynMBUUAqfECDffBuM8cJ_wyqZdSBpBljIc7TngT5_DVzj6ZPrfXckqjCFZzuzLYb1MMFCcccArKlsuZVKOunH828n/s1600/IMG_3973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8goINFGAvLGK-E9DZc0XWFp_-S4Ln1tHAyseyj4WPpGMWHAy9F3ynMBUUAqfECDffBuM8cJ_wyqZdSBpBljIc7TngT5_DVzj6ZPrfXckqjCFZzuzLYb1MMFCcccArKlsuZVKOunH828n/s640/IMG_3973.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This says it all. I love this station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN3qAWXb10Z7v8lbe6qY-CWAMIt0kOcEZ_7TFJje2IwSxGerLICxEv7tsb-tXgv6qy6zNy0lzo4Lr6-fcIaul_n6oAORPASQoG-VNmI7VjkMT4VmmOmbJpIcuyEnENTsF2Kzv9t7l382W/s1600/IMG_4426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1034" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN3qAWXb10Z7v8lbe6qY-CWAMIt0kOcEZ_7TFJje2IwSxGerLICxEv7tsb-tXgv6qy6zNy0lzo4Lr6-fcIaul_n6oAORPASQoG-VNmI7VjkMT4VmmOmbJpIcuyEnENTsF2Kzv9t7l382W/s640/IMG_4426.JPG" width="412" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey look, you can pretend to be on a train while waiting for your train!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After a bit of a wait, I bid
farewell to a couple of friends who were on the trip with me, and made my way
back down to board VIA #35 to Ottawa. On a Monday #35 is running with an
all-HEP consist, in contrast to other days when it runs with an LRC club and
then a mix of HEP2 and HEP1 coaches. I was in Business class, so ended up
seated in HEP2 club 4003 (seat 11A). It was nice to get to ride one of these
again. It may well be the last time I get to ride a classic HEP2 club with the
old seats and layout, as these are all getting re-done with the new LRC style
interiors. This will make for a nice and comfortable layout, with 2+1 seating
and more space, but it will sacrifice the comfier old club seats for the newer
style, which aren’t awful but also aren’t terribly cushy. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The ride was smooth, and we ended up about half an hour delayed due to a late arrival of the train from Quebec (35 runs Quebec-Montreal-Ottawa), and then a wait for a meet just before Ottawa. On departure from Montreal the train backs out to the Victoria bridge, then proceeds forward on toward Ottawa. Lunch was good, and I was please to see that Beau's "Lug Tread" (of Vankleek Hill ON) is now one of the offerings in the on-board drink selections. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g6Otpx00VfmW5M4WlqvZ9o85oWttlqm3qhOydiRenMc0uO23p39KsEO7z1r8ddTA86IsYyR1Xuq653QqeVTlscc37-JZA30dqvjrvWsBnhJ1goEZ6OAaAXtJOH6Trz0D0dynH_dwPd4Q/s1600/IMG_4427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g6Otpx00VfmW5M4WlqvZ9o85oWttlqm3qhOydiRenMc0uO23p39KsEO7z1r8ddTA86IsYyR1Xuq653QqeVTlscc37-JZA30dqvjrvWsBnhJ1goEZ6OAaAXtJOH6Trz0D0dynH_dwPd4Q/s640/IMG_4427.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Montreal as we backed out to the Victoria Bridge before heading forward.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkraTgXv0aJpS37xOf2N4AbrQD02koVTAO48bEW7AI0IkkhGnPxIiJbI4TVNDYTmpYzm_W1y0ZM-4eeZyKGCoN_wyB-Q-vlAtlqTy54zmpppBy7SOsjJYR0nZimbww50Myi9MtEvoh5R4/s1600/IMG_4428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkraTgXv0aJpS37xOf2N4AbrQD02koVTAO48bEW7AI0IkkhGnPxIiJbI4TVNDYTmpYzm_W1y0ZM-4eeZyKGCoN_wyB-Q-vlAtlqTy54zmpppBy7SOsjJYR0nZimbww50Myi9MtEvoh5R4/s640/IMG_4428.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old HEP2 club. I will miss these seats when they are re-done, though the new layout is much nicer. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBXioLSkp5-qaE7FyS0iJTvhx0MY9j3aRd7ZJvQt9JkscOPUG798zvhJ_yZauVqWJSVEvG-fZT0fpGhim03eijV6dJGpDd_iciPaRK9FuU6YDl2Tkbj9RPm_N3cEcKjJqhKrMHCcWBVeE/s1600/IMG_4432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBXioLSkp5-qaE7FyS0iJTvhx0MY9j3aRd7ZJvQt9JkscOPUG798zvhJ_yZauVqWJSVEvG-fZT0fpGhim03eijV6dJGpDd_iciPaRK9FuU6YDl2Tkbj9RPm_N3cEcKjJqhKrMHCcWBVeE/s640/IMG_4432.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Exo", which was once AMT, at Dorval. I'm going to miss the two-tone blue scheme on these trains when they go to the new, bland Exo branding. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5gD7nU2uEEpEqI7pvSdiNzjlYn0QH9yurESNeWFO-_3_rkr5FI6Jjv1opfslTjhj4e7WTHXXnZ5xiG1zmdxWqoY3joYG9Kkv6frp4qF_4QmrMpMxClLB7pLeV5uNfVICdyP-g4mjcHYv/s1600/IMG_4435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5gD7nU2uEEpEqI7pvSdiNzjlYn0QH9yurESNeWFO-_3_rkr5FI6Jjv1opfslTjhj4e7WTHXXnZ5xiG1zmdxWqoY3joYG9Kkv6frp4qF_4QmrMpMxClLB7pLeV5uNfVICdyP-g4mjcHYv/s640/IMG_4435.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs of things to come - the AMT logo is gone from the side of this ex-GO F59PH, and "Exo" now adorns the front nameplate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjx8nU24QqFxz15Para2uE3ZQlC6kkk5avMV-Toov7OVJ0jvaLlZk3SXdr77ODv-QfeRk6gWvh1xHNfMOdKiv5hPGhMkA1MgOy4z6xtH6PAMdG8gJdRFSuMOw_jdtnjuLWx9voQJZdNxo/s1600/IMG_4438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjx8nU24QqFxz15Para2uE3ZQlC6kkk5avMV-Toov7OVJ0jvaLlZk3SXdr77ODv-QfeRk6gWvh1xHNfMOdKiv5hPGhMkA1MgOy4z6xtH6PAMdG8gJdRFSuMOw_jdtnjuLWx9voQJZdNxo/s640/IMG_4438.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business class lunch. Cold chicken plate with celeriac salad and all the fixings. Really quite nice, though I was reminded of just how lousy these old armrest tray tables are.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CSHmS7Tdby8iSx8V5BYefYiEZDtt5g-aG2Kjn0oXAIwjsimuh5k4O3ej5ybq32VSAGaad2-QHRLx3_ko5ixtIa5wZtrgvVANNByTeINwo3j3rejPCAsMV_4OA53-QV7Akp_WfqgSVe77/s1600/IMG_4440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CSHmS7Tdby8iSx8V5BYefYiEZDtt5g-aG2Kjn0oXAIwjsimuh5k4O3ej5ybq32VSAGaad2-QHRLx3_ko5ixtIa5wZtrgvVANNByTeINwo3j3rejPCAsMV_4OA53-QV7Akp_WfqgSVe77/s640/IMG_4440.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CP at De Beaujeu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8ezZSvV3Q0m2_PnJ_oJwI4i8fyEtw25MOSiUcYnBtyyKw3D_rUd7w6C2Kpn9t1aRDJAHs3cqXouXOh9tQvwQF5hV886OZj-dsSVQA6PJ5dUw8cNdBXRrp8lGRMOWS8zz8IDJ-OkbwuYN/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8ezZSvV3Q0m2_PnJ_oJwI4i8fyEtw25MOSiUcYnBtyyKw3D_rUd7w6C2Kpn9t1aRDJAHs3cqXouXOh9tQvwQF5hV886OZj-dsSVQA6PJ5dUw8cNdBXRrp8lGRMOWS8zz8IDJ-OkbwuYN/s640/IMG_4441.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow fields in a blur, pushing 95mph. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUj7suPshHxj_WtvWyxEwZJLYbLhTU-ljHPLpmIhh-OGwxiiVePHgZgpHYOB2S7jOBkXan2FIVVPkdqMxOYbZokhbmgsgesoJpBenMVSAIaN8UOJlg1WZipzRHaSNGXPiFQN-TJyc2cYl/s1600/IMG_4443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUj7suPshHxj_WtvWyxEwZJLYbLhTU-ljHPLpmIhh-OGwxiiVePHgZgpHYOB2S7jOBkXan2FIVVPkdqMxOYbZokhbmgsgesoJpBenMVSAIaN8UOJlg1WZipzRHaSNGXPiFQN-TJyc2cYl/s640/IMG_4443.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassel Brewing, at Casselman ON. Their imagery is very railway inspired, unsurprising since they're located right by the tracks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I arrived in Ottawa on Christmas
Eve, refreshed and in a very festive mood after the trip. On entering the
station in Ottawa I was pleased to note that a new café (the Ministry of
Coffee) has opened in the station, filling a void left when the previous food
provider closed up last year.</span> </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zoV2IKmxoHWpqzPevtHOBmOW2z2bXASaxoG_dAacAokFEutMgM1ad6eUfg9qK2jRsWuCyHMv01r3Nx9xFEbZvxBlb8joSTdKjIT3hyphenhyphenEaemH15iUNBmL5nsFXw3bpzyjvhPpB0ECWLKUi/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zoV2IKmxoHWpqzPevtHOBmOW2z2bXASaxoG_dAacAokFEutMgM1ad6eUfg9qK2jRsWuCyHMv01r3Nx9xFEbZvxBlb8joSTdKjIT3hyphenhyphenEaemH15iUNBmL5nsFXw3bpzyjvhPpB0ECWLKUi/s640/IMG_4444.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving in Ottawa, a spare F40 is parked on a stub track. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE6H65sHGdcnJ85haCzKR9rWOJQylYM63o312lf3I_nz6RsVchQaIMYPZ1mwXFYxfNO92VUUp02JH0M0uX7nP7H7bQLPrCGGazcAkU8x3gQCpTbK6Kus_SOPFYmmadQ2NpRWN4AXvDC_w/s1600/IMG_4445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE6H65sHGdcnJ85haCzKR9rWOJQylYM63o312lf3I_nz6RsVchQaIMYPZ1mwXFYxfNO92VUUp02JH0M0uX7nP7H7bQLPrCGGazcAkU8x3gQCpTbK6Kus_SOPFYmmadQ2NpRWN4AXvDC_w/s640/IMG_4445.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival in Ottawa, on a frigid Christmas Eve. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKzwNzEChyphenhyphenXtI92Bs6YFcstV68xGVHz2H8hcMecoxYxMwk5DuMD6xEmYgF6UkNvRBxuil2OyoUxKFpiIHYrrv895QpPZMR4f9Cm8kUH0LnnIMVYYRuUf2323zSSd1z8QcDSUfVAJ8lvEi/s1600/IMG_4450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKzwNzEChyphenhyphenXtI92Bs6YFcstV68xGVHz2H8hcMecoxYxMwk5DuMD6xEmYgF6UkNvRBxuil2OyoUxKFpiIHYrrv895QpPZMR4f9Cm8kUH0LnnIMVYYRuUf2323zSSd1z8QcDSUfVAJ8lvEi/s640/IMG_4450.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ministry of Coffee - an excellent new addition to the Ottawa station!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8wwYxCfTg4vOT7nL5QO8gc_FAYObLnWDMfrPT-GlxUiV2i0dw03m7qrAQY6dKUfy_7HUrJvhqbQRGytoUxxKL0U1ybER0Ee93xwMYr-lY3_XbXNEe35xOolVaPMtWUODnTizpTejPYQ7/s1600/IMG_4452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8wwYxCfTg4vOT7nL5QO8gc_FAYObLnWDMfrPT-GlxUiV2i0dw03m7qrAQY6dKUfy_7HUrJvhqbQRGytoUxxKL0U1ybER0Ee93xwMYr-lY3_XbXNEe35xOolVaPMtWUODnTizpTejPYQ7/s640/IMG_4452.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Ottawa. Unless you pull in on the new high level platform, you have to take an escalator (or ramp) down under the tracks, and then ascend into the station through this rather impressive spiral ramp (or the much less inspiring escalators). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I picked up my checked bag after a short wait, and then headed off ready to enjoy Christmas with family. At the end of the week I would return to this station, ready to make the trip home. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><em><strong><u>The Return</u></strong></em></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I was back in the Ottawa train
station on Dec. 28<sup>th</sup>, to board VIA 26 to Montreal. This time I was
back in a more conventional Ottawa-Montreal mixed consist, with a pair of LRC
clubs (both in service) followed by three HEP2 coaches. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW6KPqeUjjkKMydqVicJiVNTiDrvdibCUyW55MsGdZ3fWsmqCyjI9bGOzCi2KDmAT2j8_7c_nkHMssZ3J62e1o_26vtWKm7qqYi1fw47iJYg298_EdcIvKXqHw2g8FWZfF5DKZxpqx6e4/s1600/IMG_4453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="911" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW6KPqeUjjkKMydqVicJiVNTiDrvdibCUyW55MsGdZ3fWsmqCyjI9bGOzCi2KDmAT2j8_7c_nkHMssZ3J62e1o_26vtWKm7qqYi1fw47iJYg298_EdcIvKXqHw2g8FWZfF5DKZxpqx6e4/s640/IMG_4453.JPG" width="364" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ascending the ramp to the platform in Ottawa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvtb0skT_ssZEu9SxvQH963gD1iJsq51AmXEqH5121IDBeIePwLP50Gu6thi3K3zbX7eRXePPnoaKC9XtcC_x2iJypmnztjzrMhq83wqHR2vtFbNQQglASacpKhFeSpxy1Y0UhX01Vf93/s1600/IMG_4457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvtb0skT_ssZEu9SxvQH963gD1iJsq51AmXEqH5121IDBeIePwLP50Gu6thi3K3zbX7eRXePPnoaKC9XtcC_x2iJypmnztjzrMhq83wqHR2vtFbNQQglASacpKhFeSpxy1Y0UhX01Vf93/s640/IMG_4457.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second LRC club, in 40th anniversary graphics. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_dNxMcrVGehkT9kHrr73rB5ASo_Y24yUKnG5UlmeQYEg1AaabNgfjY4R_XiscI21MB1NHLvZv6UNF2pYtnaTqi6RLf_bfzBXOcIqzCsabnam7HWjEnorUK0chMHUg5UMDXnzxQRxi3uw/s1600/IMG_4458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_dNxMcrVGehkT9kHrr73rB5ASo_Y24yUKnG5UlmeQYEg1AaabNgfjY4R_XiscI21MB1NHLvZv6UNF2pYtnaTqi6RLf_bfzBXOcIqzCsabnam7HWjEnorUK0chMHUg5UMDXnzxQRxi3uw/s640/IMG_4458.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passengers board VIA 26.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9dyuyo5YWrscNhr_A0AXbQYoRgtP9BZATwjxXidzs5VBJNmh_2yFb1_xuOB9vQTRF4YBMpJkzZxmCX1tsNPpQcjNKbHQwQ7WqugyblBE6yGmjsnRfmLnnTRo-4_-4mbwxPRE7N3PQMeI/s1600/IMG_4459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9dyuyo5YWrscNhr_A0AXbQYoRgtP9BZATwjxXidzs5VBJNmh_2yFb1_xuOB9vQTRF4YBMpJkzZxmCX1tsNPpQcjNKbHQwQ7WqugyblBE6yGmjsnRfmLnnTRo-4_-4mbwxPRE7N3PQMeI/s640/IMG_4459.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ride for the trip, in 3462. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I actually caught the full
consist this time, something I don’t always do for my Corridor trips. It was:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">VIA 26 – December 28, 2018</span></u></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">6458 F40 Locomotive</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">3462 (01) LRC Club <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">*Seat 12S</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">3476 (91) LRC Club (VIA 40 Years wrap)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">4008 (03) HEP2 Coach</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">4100 (04) HEP2 Coach</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">4117 (05) HEP2 Coach</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just like the trip the other way, this ride was smooth and pretty
uneventful – were it not for a short wait just outside Montreal station, we
would have been right on time. I had checked my suitcase again before
departure. VIA doesn’t offer checked baggage on these Ottawa-Montreal trains,
but if you are connecting to the Ocean you can check bags and they are stored
somewhere on board by the crew, then transferred to the Ocean’s baggage car in
Montreal.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The LRC club was comfortable, and
I was again reminded of how nice the new Business class layout is, even if the
seats aren’t my favourite. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuk2acOhIKSga7UirM4MWioceeic_4hxCKqKT7CbJHwiJdqkWgVaa3rvISMnOYdDcnfbmFs3Ixe7ajWdBQ7MgExJ1T27lhFZ01pRNbZCQ_-dJjblvUUDLG_gwp20_jOOQWrB_JwXBhtI4/s1600/IMG_4462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuk2acOhIKSga7UirM4MWioceeic_4hxCKqKT7CbJHwiJdqkWgVaa3rvISMnOYdDcnfbmFs3Ixe7ajWdBQ7MgExJ1T27lhFZ01pRNbZCQ_-dJjblvUUDLG_gwp20_jOOQWrB_JwXBhtI4/s640/IMG_4462.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward from my seat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hievcWpc4FgW7fPyMXo0DV6WlDdOMIOSbmqOoMesCAt2qpQqz9uJMFzArnC5shELbGtYbMqN76ALQFy_RN4SDuXfb2Vtjb4tp7ip006J1e8sdw0LeOcJ2LEy5VarCaRob-fMcQBApqJ5/s1600/IMG_4464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hievcWpc4FgW7fPyMXo0DV6WlDdOMIOSbmqOoMesCAt2qpQqz9uJMFzArnC5shELbGtYbMqN76ALQFy_RN4SDuXfb2Vtjb4tp7ip006J1e8sdw0LeOcJ2LEy5VarCaRob-fMcQBApqJ5/s640/IMG_4464.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This car has a bit of an identity crisis - this should be displaying "2601", for Train 26, Car 01; but it appears the crew forgot to change it over after it came in as Train 33. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MRyP1Y0E8XqG1ycOFcyW9vU93m-H5Jy5L8lBg2p0jku63IMiFEAakSRNyfHiZ7yiU22r0spOs19nzVg8u5gEoJUJg03mfIp7Kb9YQQiwU5Cf4rNmzx2nARltoNOvIcFY9OEi5KUKP_t5/s1600/IMG_4465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MRyP1Y0E8XqG1ycOFcyW9vU93m-H5Jy5L8lBg2p0jku63IMiFEAakSRNyfHiZ7yiU22r0spOs19nzVg8u5gEoJUJg03mfIp7Kb9YQQiwU5Cf4rNmzx2nARltoNOvIcFY9OEi5KUKP_t5/s640/IMG_4465.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light meal. Cold roast beef with potato salad, fresh veggies, etc. The seat-back table on these LRCs is much better than the old armrest mounted ones. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIscD7_eKdua3GNzekgqVH5YprBDS9epAU_ZMEYa1mA9EbbE5ZLX5HlHd5ge3KaMQDEjzyHH3luFYPa6t5xD_SRYOLUJxhMoOqAr85C0xcpp_ETTMLFnqbNlvDzJ7tfk-czCjq1rt-cTcY/s1600/IMG_4466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIscD7_eKdua3GNzekgqVH5YprBDS9epAU_ZMEYa1mA9EbbE5ZLX5HlHd5ge3KaMQDEjzyHH3luFYPa6t5xD_SRYOLUJxhMoOqAr85C0xcpp_ETTMLFnqbNlvDzJ7tfk-czCjq1rt-cTcY/s640/IMG_4466.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overall view of LRC Club 3462. The HEP2 clubs will soon be getting this same layout and style of seats. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I don’t ever feel like there’s a
whole lot to say about these Ottawa-Montreal trips. It’s a nice, short, fast
run, with some decent scenery along the way. The trip really flies by in
Business, as the various parts of the meal and drink service take up most of
the trip. On time performance is usually very good, as VIA owns most of the
line. Overall I have a hard time imagining why anyone would want to travel any
other way when going between Ottawa and Montreal.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Back in Montreal I made my way to
lounge, and just decided to kill time there until check in and the boarding
call. I discovered that there were once again a few people I knew travelling on
this train (seems to happen a lot around this time of year!), so I spent some
time in the lounge catching up with them. Check-in and meal reservations for
sleeper passengers happened about an hour before departure, and then we
actually boarded by about 6:20pm, a full 40 minutes before departure. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_x6OQkHOkbHLdq0osPk906UIRIW0CSpGTVxfAWTkdaAr35Dak13xz0PvWWF5k7Oz3pZpWsONQ2TFplkHvaPv7rVcYzyTCYVe2-QHvBgI-pXy9wXKPYEi7QIoXhBmt-osM_zoUsCTzD-aG/s1600/IMG_4467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1216" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_x6OQkHOkbHLdq0osPk906UIRIW0CSpGTVxfAWTkdaAr35Dak13xz0PvWWF5k7Oz3pZpWsONQ2TFplkHvaPv7rVcYzyTCYVe2-QHvBgI-pXy9wXKPYEi7QIoXhBmt-osM_zoUsCTzD-aG/s640/IMG_4467.JPG" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in Montreal - a stylized porter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipdU6TeCJKKHbVAFOqUt7b2kEmidUIPpomwY9xW7Uih6-JS6GVx4cVIsbO9RdS6bdcZrnB831O87T5HAfHWsrsm87k1mwHHNrYZfHJPZBhpBBAmE0Wgd1FHaZaslPLgwztNwvuac-gLMm/s1600/IMG_4468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1194" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipdU6TeCJKKHbVAFOqUt7b2kEmidUIPpomwY9xW7Uih6-JS6GVx4cVIsbO9RdS6bdcZrnB831O87T5HAfHWsrsm87k1mwHHNrYZfHJPZBhpBBAmE0Wgd1FHaZaslPLgwztNwvuac-gLMm/s640/IMG_4468.JPG" width="477" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of VIA's current creative advertising - the use of various yellow elements to finish off the VIA logo is pretty neat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJuR8hV3u0hYDIvd0KQeCOYStTSii0uI4HQXXVembcNUFEw-YdorEbm8etBj81Rd_xGKnlJvuZZi_z17PSJi2JRUM01TUVFNJXWd7OkfDit5bf9HYFt8XWSU2UHNYrslacBEGbWyFNEiU/s1600/IMG_3987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJuR8hV3u0hYDIvd0KQeCOYStTSii0uI4HQXXVembcNUFEw-YdorEbm8etBj81Rd_xGKnlJvuZZi_z17PSJi2JRUM01TUVFNJXWd7OkfDit5bf9HYFt8XWSU2UHNYrslacBEGbWyFNEiU/s640/IMG_3987.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another example - I really like this ad campaign. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxumXRo5vko4iALDXQ9iLFwRxtK8DeTSYeI1H_hYf2PyuEDbM2ZB7cp_uzpSPA_GAq-QzMJpgYucr8l9bKaE-VvXa27aLvVXtdmqoZR0O21oygHnooJh4vdRJdYbb9Rb1nNERAAMJ27_gX/s1600/IMG_3988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxumXRo5vko4iALDXQ9iLFwRxtK8DeTSYeI1H_hYf2PyuEDbM2ZB7cp_uzpSPA_GAq-QzMJpgYucr8l9bKaE-VvXa27aLvVXtdmqoZR0O21oygHnooJh4vdRJdYbb9Rb1nNERAAMJ27_gX/s640/IMG_3988.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Panorama lounge in Montreal. Complimentary coffees, tea, snacks, etc. are available for passengers travelling in Business or Sleeper class. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I headed down the escalator to
the tracks below the station, where the Ocean awaited. I knew that this return
would be on the usual Renaissance equipment, but in some ways I was happy to
have the chance to compare the two trains with trips less than a week apart. The
Renaissance equipment is quickly coming to the end of its service life. Fairly
recently, VIA indicated that it is planned to be withdrawn from the Ocean by
the fall of 2020, with the train returning to HEP equipment year-round. As many
issues as the Rens have had, it’s still nice equipment in some respects, and a
unique part of Canadian rail history. It will be kind of sad to see it meet its
end.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The consist for this trip was
pretty big by Renaissance standards:</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><u>VIA 14 – December 28, 2018</u></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">6411 F40 Locomotive</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">6437 F40 Locomotive</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">6425 F40 Locomotive</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7009 Renaissance
Baggage</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7228 (03) Renaissance
Coach</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7226 (04) Renaissance
Coach</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">70230 (05) Renaissance
Accessible Coach</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7200 (06) Renaissance
Coach</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7231 (07) Renaissance
Coach</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7309 Renaissance
Service Car (Economy)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7400 Renaissance
Dining Car</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7308 Renaissance
Service Car (Sleeper)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">79501 (30) Renaissance
Accessible Sleeper</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7522 (33) Renaissance
Sleeper</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7503 (34) Renaissance
Sleeper</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7510 (35) Renaissance
Sleeper</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7506 (36) Renaissance Sleeper</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7513 (37) Renaissance
Sleeper</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7504 (38) Renaissance
Sleeper</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7516 (39) Renaissance Sleeper *Room 5</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">7601 Renaissance
Transition</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8211 (crew) Chateau Lasalle</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8715 (40) Tremblant Park</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I found my way to my room. My
attendant informed me of one issue with the room – the door lock key was
sticking most of the time. He showed me a simple fix for it, which helped
throughout the trip. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Walking in to the Renaissance
sleeper after being in a HEP sleeper just days early, I was struck by two
things: first, with the Rens being so much smaller (built to British
standards), the corridors and room felt much tighter and more cramped. On the
other hand, everything about the Renaissance sleepers feels much more modern,
owing to the fact that they were built in the later ‘90s rather than the 1950s.
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Renaissance sleepers have
only double bedrooms. Having just been in a Chateau bedroom, this was a good
opportunity for a direct comparison. The Chateau bedrooms (and the Manors as
well) are much larger in every respect – wider beds, more floor space, a larger
closet, and much more storage space. The Rens have only minimal storage under
the bench seat, and a smaller closet behind the mirrors across from the bed.
Both rooms have a bathroom, though the Chateaus have basically a toilet in a
small closet and then a large sink out in the room. The Ren bathrooms are
larger, and in the case of 6 of the rooms in each car, they have an en-suite
shower. The window shades in the Chateaus are more effective, while the Rens
now have curtains (replacing the old paper shades that fell apart and rarely
worked right). These are nice enough, but I don’t like that you can’t pin them
back, as they tend to cover a certain amount of each side of the window. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The biggest pros for the
Renaissance rooms are the availability of an en-suite shower (when it works
right), the locking door, the ability to lower and raise your own beds whenever
you want, and the much quieter ride. The pros for the Chateau rooms are the
much larger space, more luggage room, wider and comfier beds, better daytime
seating, and a little spigot for drinking water (much better than the bottled
water offered in the Rens). </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">All in all they both have their
pluses, and I honestly enjoy both. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">On departure I headed back to the
Park, to enjoy the views leaving the city. Our Park this time, Tremblant, was
in much better shape than Assiniboine. Comfier seats, nicely refurbished, and
even some Christmas decorations in the rear lounge!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I had opted for the second dinner
sitting, which happened near Drummondville. Supper was excellent. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtle3qWKa12UBxZ0G_CkxVy2EOHm6gS_jtQknbOZj5n3TpGBA1HT5ygIw-2PVcuTsDbcRS_h2D0C1r0PdMYMllTT3GHG2Mm3jgs9ybN2HExtCHqunNq9Yboot7JoFCrYWd0QzYACeCm80/s1600/IMG_4473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtle3qWKa12UBxZ0G_CkxVy2EOHm6gS_jtQknbOZj5n3TpGBA1HT5ygIw-2PVcuTsDbcRS_h2D0C1r0PdMYMllTT3GHG2Mm3jgs9ybN2HExtCHqunNq9Yboot7JoFCrYWd0QzYACeCm80/s640/IMG_4473.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi206MnIX5TUJvLC37mmyVjaIVSkhDdvLEmvSUYWhmnMiLPMEbBpe6dj6GlkWPzq18_UzjdyRfoG0HeIywqbTSEwxmuqg-kcodm6623d0N-yz_PBJH8dYIYOFdCk73n7Ub51vA8eHjvbDcU/s1600/IMG_4474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="1600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi206MnIX5TUJvLC37mmyVjaIVSkhDdvLEmvSUYWhmnMiLPMEbBpe6dj6GlkWPzq18_UzjdyRfoG0HeIywqbTSEwxmuqg-kcodm6623d0N-yz_PBJH8dYIYOFdCk73n7Ub51vA8eHjvbDcU/s640/IMG_4474.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato bisque to start.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8WMFr9YcST2sPQx7azLrDcq2nvrGPc61to0w-Dz8SfLI8vUWh8syXuHKHnkmvRFHqxcIGftbqcUGO-LZaJNwNb4e_2BUSJMdldox4ZURwT1_tnJu4jDxWvajUNQuc_absb1qxEfrONwt/s1600/IMG_4475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8WMFr9YcST2sPQx7azLrDcq2nvrGPc61to0w-Dz8SfLI8vUWh8syXuHKHnkmvRFHqxcIGftbqcUGO-LZaJNwNb4e_2BUSJMdldox4ZURwT1_tnJu4jDxWvajUNQuc_absb1qxEfrONwt/s640/IMG_4475.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast turkey dinner - genuinely enjoyable. Dessert isn't pictured, but it was the same as the other direction. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfpkdnsD2LtoGArn12IUhfGrE7x6TbYdrfhfMtbGaCtYjMqyoRY8fENG8TeqGehoUrDfjfPEdzVXc2CKaz4RO8_HvBOb-V7CHVKusrlxMocKktZnaa10dr6p8Jviu5Bt9NGnxANTuVRuR/s1600/IMG_4477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfpkdnsD2LtoGArn12IUhfGrE7x6TbYdrfhfMtbGaCtYjMqyoRY8fENG8TeqGehoUrDfjfPEdzVXc2CKaz4RO8_HvBOb-V7CHVKusrlxMocKktZnaa10dr6p8Jviu5Bt9NGnxANTuVRuR/s640/IMG_4477.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A microwave in Renaissance service car 7308 - still bearing the British Rail logo! A nod to its heritage, and amazing that it has persisted on at least a few of these microwaves over the years. Worth noting that, contrary to popular belief, the Renaissance meals are not re-hated in these microwaves. There are hot air ovens just to the left for that purpose. The microwave handles a variety of other tasks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Afterwards I
headed back to my room for a while until the stop at Ste-Foy, where we arrived
considerably early and spent quite a lot of time before making the backup to
the mainline. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6aifmPLHWHV1wavcmMkvp7HzYM0Yon8sz5uVfc0A-BBC7X-TYqbuquIvgs_3a6OEs5unszf29rmpaT3Xn17k2pwhZfdjsWBNOF-vvaEgyBYdi0OmesM7zlQOFjZh7ngALI4IoajxNjLZ/s1600/IMG_4478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6aifmPLHWHV1wavcmMkvp7HzYM0Yon8sz5uVfc0A-BBC7X-TYqbuquIvgs_3a6OEs5unszf29rmpaT3Xn17k2pwhZfdjsWBNOF-vvaEgyBYdi0OmesM7zlQOFjZh7ngALI4IoajxNjLZ/s640/IMG_4478.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice on snow at Ste-Foy. It had been a mix of rain and freezing rain through the afternoon and evening. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexKniRTfcTxOX4_43M3jD9D1U22m_0iTpo65SxqcL3hgIGOhDOELShGXmqekKilZBo9RfTLRt6v2kuedac80ZIDdZU0rmVIrNj9EatlaVYgzBvq_oA-YqXR7Omk4f2OYCx6RJe6o3IFQx/s1600/IMG_4481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexKniRTfcTxOX4_43M3jD9D1U22m_0iTpo65SxqcL3hgIGOhDOELShGXmqekKilZBo9RfTLRt6v2kuedac80ZIDdZU0rmVIrNj9EatlaVYgzBvq_oA-YqXR7Omk4f2OYCx6RJe6o3IFQx/s640/IMG_4481.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train at Ste-Foy. Lots of ice everywhere. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM-e02QeMw73tKArctLch1ASLvXbf7bXwP0oU9h-4hhtG8exAslKk3xoNX7wXdquA3L5CwMy9PjsHL5rE4pjcPy0rlkxES1myVBxvDUzn2SqKEbcHskLJsdKNOVmzMJEAxEYWfVH59WgA/s1600/IMG_4482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1600" height="455" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM-e02QeMw73tKArctLch1ASLvXbf7bXwP0oU9h-4hhtG8exAslKk3xoNX7wXdquA3L5CwMy9PjsHL5rE4pjcPy0rlkxES1myVBxvDUzn2SqKEbcHskLJsdKNOVmzMJEAxEYWfVH59WgA/s640/IMG_4482.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear of the train at Ste-Foy, with the crew Chateau and Park car behind the Renaissance transition car.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitnPYqjkGAEmA59fEKC1KFMwWmZwd-QI4wdwSf6jbr_JUrHaVsynhspsmRJp6KDi2fn3IMYWYPWlTgPFxunsBiDQ02i-ty8YOdQafcUeGljlnTGffU-FuqxJct4pXSZTKi0vY-0e_2A1t/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitnPYqjkGAEmA59fEKC1KFMwWmZwd-QI4wdwSf6jbr_JUrHaVsynhspsmRJp6KDi2fn3IMYWYPWlTgPFxunsBiDQ02i-ty8YOdQafcUeGljlnTGffU-FuqxJct4pXSZTKi0vY-0e_2A1t/s640/IMG_4483.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas lights inside the lounge of Tremblant Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9n6jp2nCjnkxQhE6DGbo0RzfJut5lxMfwdpgeC5TDRWybQojZwbdkUOfZjbQ7-FZO2Q2J0QQbX6gzyyyHaG_cKxET-_uuS1cCGlSaK0_956VO0yOnwKKK4QQenJG_hcjtYXQwbvmNrQLR/s1600/IMG_4484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9n6jp2nCjnkxQhE6DGbo0RzfJut5lxMfwdpgeC5TDRWybQojZwbdkUOfZjbQ7-FZO2Q2J0QQbX6gzyyyHaG_cKxET-_uuS1cCGlSaK0_956VO0yOnwKKK4QQenJG_hcjtYXQwbvmNrQLR/s640/IMG_4484.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping to a low angle to capture the icy snow. It was a little treacherous! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVJO37JKiL9cMQQz3CNkTXKJK5241-48PoEii1F5-EG1krsxW066XNnSYLtR1UC1RVW27lIt4ctX1iRgQzm9mjRORQQ0Zn60rw11tsLanygptsuQJxFIulVVvguIaDpuP7MzHOCuXq4qQ/s1600/IMG_4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVJO37JKiL9cMQQz3CNkTXKJK5241-48PoEii1F5-EG1krsxW066XNnSYLtR1UC1RVW27lIt4ctX1iRgQzm9mjRORQQ0Zn60rw11tsLanygptsuQJxFIulVVvguIaDpuP7MzHOCuXq4qQ/s640/IMG_4486.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance transition car, looking toward the Chateau. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSgy9WmyRjJSreUfwwP73aB6wyYqXwVJ3ILt09ezTNfs9a5EpLC8hM5iO2ncC_x96PCs8sI5fZEWTfxiEsECbxj8WTYprFrXH81D2ElR-EBm6qgJ2cSiIO7M9AzWt1U5l325WEB83NVZB/s1600/IMG_4487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSgy9WmyRjJSreUfwwP73aB6wyYqXwVJ3ILt09ezTNfs9a5EpLC8hM5iO2ncC_x96PCs8sI5fZEWTfxiEsECbxj8WTYprFrXH81D2ElR-EBm6qgJ2cSiIO7M9AzWt1U5l325WEB83NVZB/s640/IMG_4487.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance transition car, looking forward.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gXRXm3jyLI1zxDqL-V5HxCeRhnWHDvJvgRfvRehlS5GUygyMvvWynAN-2Qjy2ExE62gzGV0Shsnan4AA9RltQ6ZbSCfhwDpNws1N-l5Qp8SWk-UT3D9zy94B2HQ8vi0xnNSB1yxPyfS-/s1600/IMG_4488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gXRXm3jyLI1zxDqL-V5HxCeRhnWHDvJvgRfvRehlS5GUygyMvvWynAN-2Qjy2ExE62gzGV0Shsnan4AA9RltQ6ZbSCfhwDpNws1N-l5Qp8SWk-UT3D9zy94B2HQ8vi0xnNSB1yxPyfS-/s640/IMG_4488.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down to the lounge from Tremblant's dome. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I stayed in the dome through Joffre yard to see if there was
anything interesting, and then headed off to bed.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just like the way up I slept
incredibly well. I stayed in bed longer than I had initially planned, then got
dressed and headed for breakfast.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBXbP1sKoPggKK8YafvQD-PoxISOjDTIdZw4qbqNjWH3efIm2p00-A6rS9WPIZExuhy2bYkUxXxxjnBeXQragN-DhswZNKahKWzPuv9rtAb7CA-3A9-bZDAOev_ZzyrJlFYLKcLYeyooJ/s1600/IMG_3989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBXbP1sKoPggKK8YafvQD-PoxISOjDTIdZw4qbqNjWH3efIm2p00-A6rS9WPIZExuhy2bYkUxXxxjnBeXQragN-DhswZNKahKWzPuv9rtAb7CA-3A9-bZDAOev_ZzyrJlFYLKcLYeyooJ/s640/IMG_3989.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wintery views between Campbellton and Bathurst.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQusmjE7tyUH74Ud052f1dvrAx0Vny4_K0zwARNm7SydjR387X4sDrf-8ad3UXqazeUGk3XCN_GWAIpPocQ7MEFzbiZ_CpkFtqgx-GgD_yVIiacX37vtzLvTnHmTmH1obY_yGDGyv7v01/s1600/IMG_4494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQusmjE7tyUH74Ud052f1dvrAx0Vny4_K0zwARNm7SydjR387X4sDrf-8ad3UXqazeUGk3XCN_GWAIpPocQ7MEFzbiZ_CpkFtqgx-GgD_yVIiacX37vtzLvTnHmTmH1obY_yGDGyv7v01/s640/IMG_4494.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow, snow, snow. There would be none of this in Halifax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtNjjh32YokQVwCpguFu7NGi1f4QJdFlcRMAv5nJTCBJzBB9KVzZMYF_G1id5MFroKeLMznKlDGuZSijagBjMoFzS3a-pL-NGap3apBEic4nCx3DgMpz-1brku0DmXdP6hz4tdp5Ubdye/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtNjjh32YokQVwCpguFu7NGi1f4QJdFlcRMAv5nJTCBJzBB9KVzZMYF_G1id5MFroKeLMznKlDGuZSijagBjMoFzS3a-pL-NGap3apBEic4nCx3DgMpz-1brku0DmXdP6hz4tdp5Ubdye/s640/IMG_4495.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast - crepes with dried and fresh fruit, nuts, bacon, and maple syrup. A nice start to the day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHhk9-9kmJy7zVUujN6oHmWnYq8vf982WglRRiwxsUW4ev72Lhto89pYNQy7AcWdiOtDBQroP47rxcVn3pl61tAJDpWVBXAk49Z7P8XpkwbVWRQj9EkGNJ7lFlPM93qswDUSVxJW3Dj58/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHhk9-9kmJy7zVUujN6oHmWnYq8vf982WglRRiwxsUW4ev72Lhto89pYNQy7AcWdiOtDBQroP47rxcVn3pl61tAJDpWVBXAk49Z7P8XpkwbVWRQj9EkGNJ7lFlPM93qswDUSVxJW3Dj58/s640/IMG_4496.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wintery blur out the window at the foot of my bed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Returning to my room I went to take
a shower, only to discover that there was no hot water! Only ice cold… Not
wishing to torture myself, I packed up my things and wandered back to the crew
Chateau sleeper, where I used the common shower in the car. Definitely one of
the pluses of having that car in the consist! I was later informed that this
was an issue in the whole car, and not something they could fix en route. So
other passengers in that car were also advised to use the Chateau shower,
should they so wish.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The rest of the day was very
relaxing. I headed back to my room for a bit of a nap at some point, and
ultimately had lunch at the second sitting, which carried through the stop in
Moncton. We had ended up a bit delayed, but no one seemed to fussed about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ride in my Renaissance sleeper was quiet
and remarkably smooth – still probably the best quality of that equipment. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgf4cuYwxgRtmybfLsBBZXMa8zDazNGcHGSCCqOQ2BYurBHJguHy8SX6WQnpWcDEE6Ol-1HuGDAk6Ryjfg20xO1Hft2XKNfVmI6HrKSeVaT-QTwvtx_uy2LUbkJl-PPMZf9FGwDcZ24LI/s1600/IMG_4502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgf4cuYwxgRtmybfLsBBZXMa8zDazNGcHGSCCqOQ2BYurBHJguHy8SX6WQnpWcDEE6Ol-1HuGDAk6Ryjfg20xO1Hft2XKNfVmI6HrKSeVaT-QTwvtx_uy2LUbkJl-PPMZf9FGwDcZ24LI/s640/IMG_4502.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the lounge in Tremblant Park. With no view from the dome due to ice, this was a nice place to relax. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5RrNzfFpRrUEW0IQWYsJuiwjy6ju3mCZXT13FQ691bftLPrnvLYX7GrAJc2XpuQLG0qmHhfLMRjripDziZ9qWmwrD3m-2i9UwCXlfzbR6o_sSuP4OE62oiUe2xjY1lnYObFh5U6kB7qT/s1600/IMG_4503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5RrNzfFpRrUEW0IQWYsJuiwjy6ju3mCZXT13FQ691bftLPrnvLYX7GrAJc2XpuQLG0qmHhfLMRjripDziZ9qWmwrD3m-2i9UwCXlfzbR6o_sSuP4OE62oiUe2xjY1lnYObFh5U6kB7qT/s640/IMG_4503.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just having crossed the second of the Miramich River bridges, a CN hirail was on the spur at Nelson Jct just ahead of the CN oil train, which I wasn't quick enough to photograph. If you look carefully, you can just see the large CN noodle on the lead locomotive, through the trees on the right. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz2ESNlMIRDUO6ZFlZofy-EGTWIYUs2zS9D1vq8t9tYFE5g6nw9tUfnVvdh5gPUmZg0ILQQIscajjl2PHAMlpaqi6T_KpG3xGjgPiBHLwJCj-BmR9ZIUmxdZixQIvgpNfrijmX-5D8Wok/s1600/IMG_4504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1295" data-original-width="1600" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz2ESNlMIRDUO6ZFlZofy-EGTWIYUs2zS9D1vq8t9tYFE5g6nw9tUfnVvdh5gPUmZg0ILQQIscajjl2PHAMlpaqi6T_KpG3xGjgPiBHLwJCj-BmR9ZIUmxdZixQIvgpNfrijmX-5D8Wok/s640/IMG_4504.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This always irks me a little. These labels are featured throughout VIA's trains, and while true, they tend to give a bit of a skewed perspective. Yes, VIA is subsidized by the Government of Canada. You know what else is subsidized? The roads we drive on. The airports where planes take off and land. Public transit systems. Every form of passenger transportation receives some sort of subsidy, whether direct or indirect. Unfortunately VIA is often the victim of added scrutiny and cuts because they are the most obvious "offender". At some point I hope we can get beyond this idea of "subsidy" that should be minimized, and recognize that it is worth paying to provide essential, high quality passenger transportation systems for our country!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There was a decent crowd on
board. The dining car was quite full each time I went, and the Park car was
well patronized in the dome and both lounges. Unfortunately the dome ended up
iced over for much of the trip, which significantly reduced how much we could
enjoy the view. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JJuMvitQEHZoIqY4_XaoYKT3fiqF_NUtZIGJFewpzdl18mI2iFu4N_w7XwZ8TpS7LxM2zqxzy17T-HUmr8RlWmFQROnnabl5GY6E0gzilipfLZVOYyeXB0iqv0dBxHA23bsYwPXjJhtj/s1600/IMG_4505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1408" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JJuMvitQEHZoIqY4_XaoYKT3fiqF_NUtZIGJFewpzdl18mI2iFu4N_w7XwZ8TpS7LxM2zqxzy17T-HUmr8RlWmFQROnnabl5GY6E0gzilipfLZVOYyeXB0iqv0dBxHA23bsYwPXjJhtj/s640/IMG_4505.JPG" width="563" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXqA0HHyw9DADc-VBotj0igZjBdc5aeECnKm5EuYmAZ240R1tk8BatayVzPWD41cK7zZ9I468fHYPvMBMs1EVGLj1QR6Mqp-iktpfr9OIoA71g8c-BzTAGTMIIBl6pEzL0O1EdhO-W8Lo/s1600/IMG_4506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXqA0HHyw9DADc-VBotj0igZjBdc5aeECnKm5EuYmAZ240R1tk8BatayVzPWD41cK7zZ9I468fHYPvMBMs1EVGLj1QR6Mqp-iktpfr9OIoA71g8c-BzTAGTMIIBl6pEzL0O1EdhO-W8Lo/s640/IMG_4506.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Shish Taouk, with potato salad. One of the best train lunches I've had!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4okigD46EhJvmZhM0XFw2M0EHa4IZPzzsl9A2Dwra2tAuKgWGUdqoz1cbhNbxGJkR9izv_lQHD4krpHn0JiDtUuvZh_dxB09sKW7ANOehbEQLKw4fyrLcBzct5DtXetHxWLLD4_WkyBd6/s1600/IMG_4507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4okigD46EhJvmZhM0XFw2M0EHa4IZPzzsl9A2Dwra2tAuKgWGUdqoz1cbhNbxGJkR9izv_lQHD4krpHn0JiDtUuvZh_dxB09sKW7ANOehbEQLKw4fyrLcBzct5DtXetHxWLLD4_WkyBd6/s640/IMG_4507.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mille-feuille, a top notch dessert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n06i4xl9Pe2v25ilGSiTUb0sdCtXtWIwiCekPKj4SUskh3fa47cC8rr8dCoJWf4cT_cWhUlYjyGzWPCD9JXL4bqG3A_kKeMlQ4HcTodx9DbPSC5ZvjgnRXtOAenK8jCXl8ekwy59eoVL/s1600/IMG_4513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n06i4xl9Pe2v25ilGSiTUb0sdCtXtWIwiCekPKj4SUskh3fa47cC8rr8dCoJWf4cT_cWhUlYjyGzWPCD9JXL4bqG3A_kKeMlQ4HcTodx9DbPSC5ZvjgnRXtOAenK8jCXl8ekwy59eoVL/s640/IMG_4513.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An impressive structure near Sackville. There was much discussion on board about what this was, and ultimately I would discover that it is in fact an under-construction 14-story automated freezer. Being built by Terra Beata and Burnbrae farms, this will store cranberries, blueberries, and whatever other products it can. It's one heck of a structure!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g96b9IQU_S5hbieiSPUoiR20NwGf3FUdxkH4uoUhpxqUL2PkVlXvXuWyfmfRJWLCQCgCupCJFWQQKCwCrwA6XpuOl7ntWifv7Nk7ISVJXGIUJkmZ2o7Kj1KwtbYkerUMDSNSMMmxwtk0/s1600/IMG_4516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g96b9IQU_S5hbieiSPUoiR20NwGf3FUdxkH4uoUhpxqUL2PkVlXvXuWyfmfRJWLCQCgCupCJFWQQKCwCrwA6XpuOl7ntWifv7Nk7ISVJXGIUJkmZ2o7Kj1KwtbYkerUMDSNSMMmxwtk0/s640/IMG_4516.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With a still-icy front end of the dome, this was the best I could do for the nice curve view across the marsh, heading for Amherst.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCSIqdGWFa3yMu5RtnKS0eOGPVcEixsCd1llwHu9o3cZc3DeBdWkdqN4ftbhtiLROcKER62yafXZ0Sz6ZnvbLhzK1rjr0FvSpUF2ecudax6BVxZ9W4Cvyn9opE0FiXIMHwagl1aKA6Wgs/s1600/IMG_4523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCSIqdGWFa3yMu5RtnKS0eOGPVcEixsCd1llwHu9o3cZc3DeBdWkdqN4ftbhtiLROcKER62yafXZ0Sz6ZnvbLhzK1rjr0FvSpUF2ecudax6BVxZ9W4Cvyn9opE0FiXIMHwagl1aKA6Wgs/s640/IMG_4523.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas décor in Tremblant Park's lounge. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOyrgHOt27p9enqOq-tFPgs8pPH83Bz_6XsRMTUlmTXcKjVZOcDEYzLBJgAPaaGj9unjcQKqqnGsrwRXMQq4AGR9ZR9SsOXaqlzx24vlpxVdYQABRB3XBwDJWYD4FEc39hxijrOm0hNZy/s1600/IMG_4526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOyrgHOt27p9enqOq-tFPgs8pPH83Bz_6XsRMTUlmTXcKjVZOcDEYzLBJgAPaaGj9unjcQKqqnGsrwRXMQq4AGR9ZR9SsOXaqlzx24vlpxVdYQABRB3XBwDJWYD4FEc39hxijrOm0hNZy/s640/IMG_4526.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dome at night, heading on the last stretch to Halifax. It's hard to photograph anything at this time, but I think this gives some of the feel of the experience, and why riding the darkened dome in the evening is such a great experience. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We ultimately arrived in Halifax
at 6:40pm, 49min behind schedule. Picking up baggage at the station with the
renovation work going on was a bit chaotic, as there was very limited access to
the baggage carousel. But it still wasn’t too long before I had suitcase in
hand and was off to hail a cab to head home.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">All in all, another really lovely
trip. It was neat to get to directly compare a few different types of equipment
– HEP1 vs. Renaissance on the Ocean, and HEP2 vs. LRC clubs in the Corridor. In
both cases there are definite pluses to each, and I find it really hard to just
definitively declare one or the other to be superior. At the end of the day I’d
probably lean to the HEPs on the Ocean and the LRCs in the Corridor, but it
will still be kind of sad when the variety no longer exists.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That’s all for now. It’s a new
year – 2019 promises lots of good things, and I hope there will be some fun
train trips in there. Who knows where I may end up! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until the next time…</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlQq27gsLEWY16cKTrXYSuyFcBDZB4IHi7pZiL_A57Wxv_xT2G7rtBLGJB9_LSpXAVTwmyey15r1VHGCwHUumIfx8jK_ErOQlOTC2loHzkNVKfmY2Hcw4BLBgGdFkvV6bsy5nbaKmUDqI/s1600/IMG_4528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlQq27gsLEWY16cKTrXYSuyFcBDZB4IHi7pZiL_A57Wxv_xT2G7rtBLGJB9_LSpXAVTwmyey15r1VHGCwHUumIfx8jK_ErOQlOTC2loHzkNVKfmY2Hcw4BLBgGdFkvV6bsy5nbaKmUDqI/s640/IMG_4528.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14, in Halifax, on a cool and lightly rainy December evening. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-26954624552915993002018-12-05T12:26:00.002-04:002019-06-28T12:07:04.004-03:00A Miscellaneous Mish-Mash of Modes<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Mmmm…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0NgOHrW6Vi6VMlldLpUY4buGWmxkoMrpvHmVO2X7cBoVRsjLDt9gKzCSKMTQbadujTMmbJPH-fPJ8Dkjn5x8owM0F-NI9J0D8Rf6oyW2vwYGL-qHdL6j82MBzEL-aVnlgUPk0AoStVE7/s1600/img_modes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0NgOHrW6Vi6VMlldLpUY4buGWmxkoMrpvHmVO2X7cBoVRsjLDt9gKzCSKMTQbadujTMmbJPH-fPJ8Dkjn5x8owM0F-NI9J0D8Rf6oyW2vwYGL-qHdL6j82MBzEL-aVnlgUPk0AoStVE7/s1600/img_modes.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The holidays
are fast approaching, and as usual for me, that will involve train travel to
and from Ottawa to visit family for Christmas. This is easily my favourite time
of year to be on the train – there’s just something about the festive
atmosphere that makes it especially enjoyable. With that trip coming up soon, I figured
that it would probably be a good idea to put together a post covering some
other travels of mine over the last two months, before I end up feeling like I
should report on this next trip instead! </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This
particular post is going to be, as titled, a bit of a mish-mash of modes. Sure,
there’s some train content, but I thought it might be neat to spice things up a
little and talk about the other means of transportation that I worked in. So come along as we travel by air, rail, and sea...</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">…by
AIR</span></u></i></b></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We begin on
October 12<sup>th</sup>. I was heading to Ottawa for a weekend and needed to be
around for the full day on Saturday, so a Halifax to Ottawa flight on Friday
afternoon made the most sense. This route is quite well served these days, with
a good range of direct flights from Air Canada, Porter, and WestJet. My
experience (very much confirmed while planning this trip) is that there is very
little fare difference between the three – even when one announces a sale, the
others tend to match the price within hours or a day or so. So it really comes
down to the rest of the package. </span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I’ve
typically liked to fly with Porter because they offer some extra little perks –
namely free drinks (including alcohol) and snacks during the flight – and their
Q400s are quite comfortable, thanks to their choice to put in comfortable and
well-spaced seats. They also have a nice lounge at the Ottawa airport, though
nothing at the Halifax end. I’ve also found their rewards program to be fairly
reasonable (I’ve been able to get a substantial discount on one flight so far).
</span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Air Canada
offers more flight options through the day, and fly a variety of aircraft on
the route. You don’t get much, but many of their planes have seat-back
entertainment that Porter doesn’t offer. I am a fan of their little CRJs and
Dash 8s – while small, they have pretty good seats. </span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">WestJet
doesn’t have as many flight options, but they are generally known for good
customer service. They offer both standard flights and WestJet “Encore” – this
service flies with Q400s, but they feature the opposite of everything that
Porter’s Q400s have. The seats are small, hard, and crammed ridiculously
tightly together. After one flight on one earlier this year, I have decided to
avoid Encore at all costs. In this instance, however, I noticed that there was a
regular WestJet mid-afternoon flight that fit my schedule well, and happened to be operating
with the brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8. These planes are the newest version of the
737 platform, which WestJet built their initial fleet around. The MAX 8
incorporates<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>new features like better
noise suppression systems, quieter engines, and Boeing’s “sky interior” cabin
design. After being very impressed with the new 787 Dreamliner I flew on last
year, I figured I would like to give this a try. So WestJet it would be. <em>[Edit: This was just a few weeks before the first of a pair of tragic crashes involving 737 MAX aircraft, which would ultimately expose critical safety flaws in the planes and lead to the global fleet being grounded. Boeing is in the process of trying to address the issues, but more flaws have been identified and the future of these planes is unclear. The grounding has caused major scheduling issues for airlines including WestJet and Air Canada, who have at least temporarily lost a substantial chunk of their narrow-body fleets]</em></span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I headed off
to the airport on Halifax Transit’s MetroX route 320 service, which runs to the
airport from downtown via Fall River. This bus is still a pretty recent
addition, and I absolutely love it. The fare is just a dollar above the regular
fare (a total of $3.50 cash or $3 if you use a bus ticket), and the ride takes
just over half an hour from the Dartmouth Bridge Terminal. Sure beats a $60 cab
ride… </span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I’ve always
quite liked Halifax airport, and recent renovations and additions have made it
an even nicer place to be (the only exception being the temporary closure of
the upper level viewing deck). It’s not too big, it’s easy to find your way
around, and there’s a pretty excellent assortment of shops and services on both
sides of security. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0WLQqutUHitr_QdoKHzdQgsXlQ_lHwPnOS6L4AoJ19kjGU0sSswg7dUYiUy0m9BljC72Pna96Pm2AsYLngvw2jRg-kvywmOwx3iXRIDQl01yabxCq_TzGb8S7OZVwThexlcUQ6u_KcjU/s1600/43880554_10157087650460955_6566305929527033856_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0WLQqutUHitr_QdoKHzdQgsXlQ_lHwPnOS6L4AoJ19kjGU0sSswg7dUYiUy0m9BljC72Pna96Pm2AsYLngvw2jRg-kvywmOwx3iXRIDQl01yabxCq_TzGb8S7OZVwThexlcUQ6u_KcjU/s640/43880554_10157087650460955_6566305929527033856_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best new additions to the Halifax airport - Liquid Assets is a liquor store selling local beer, wine and spirits. It's after security, so you can actually buy things and take them in your carry-on baggage (as long as you left space!). They just ask that you don't drink it on the plane. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Security
screening was a bit slow on this particular day due to the installation of
some new equipment. The waiting area at the gate was also crowded, due to a
couple of flights departing from adjacent gates at nearly the same time. Aside
from that the boarding experience was pretty smooth, and I made my way to my
seat near the rear of the plane. The 737 is a single aisle aircraft with 3+3
seating. I was in an aisle seat, and it soon became clear that no one was going
to be in the middle or window seat. After confirming this with the attendant, I
slipped in to the window seat, enjoying the extra space I was lucky enough to
have. The economy seating in WestJet’s MAX 8 is pretty decent. They are using
the newer slimline seats, which are relatively hard and certainly not
luxurious; but the seat pitch is acceptable, and I felt like it would have been
perfectly comfortable for a 2h flight – especially when I suddenly had extra
room and could spread out!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Just as I
was getting comfortable the flight attendant came back and informed me, much to
my surprise, that they actually had a “Plus” seat up front for me, if I wanted
it. The “Plus” seats are still in Economy, but have more legroom and appear to
be a bit comfier. Never one to turn down an offer like this, I picked up my
bags and started toward the front. Even more to my surprise, as I reached the
front I was informed that I was actually being move to the<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Premium</i> section, which is WestJet’s first-class offering. Premium
features seats with more legroom and an adjustable headrest, as well as a
filler placed in the middle seat to create a 2+2 setup with even more room
(this is soon to be replaced with larger 2+2 seating). Clearly there was a
shortage of people in Premium on this flight, so they pulled a few people up to
fill out the space – I certainly wasn’t complaining! </span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQU-FrQM0E25zSlUMJy5y5KPbP-j4YMC0-ZMxrCurpz0r1I4Uda_PK2k5AED965JHNc_jgvm3JbdOA98pUuEX5S3ZSLtM7EPVj-gMYR2JBqmmaFl7i5jF2AGQUorUog2jOr2zanbiFq92/s1600/IMG_3786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQU-FrQM0E25zSlUMJy5y5KPbP-j4YMC0-ZMxrCurpz0r1I4Uda_PK2k5AED965JHNc_jgvm3JbdOA98pUuEX5S3ZSLtM7EPVj-gMYR2JBqmmaFl7i5jF2AGQUorUog2jOr2zanbiFq92/s640/IMG_3786.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A centre divider is placed into the middle seat, providing more space (and cup holders), as well as functionally making it 2+2 seating. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8j-fvW8SpiEFmOfVLJdC3Z4o2gMbznuBXnHtGs0idUnaGDq9YP1A-GdffyvjZ78wrsYioSXCUk_3nlFvKaUlIA6ybDFsEv97vBkIkEGTgXvFBHlnDgtDYnoP9pNZZBkaoP4lJC7SMO_1/s1600/IMG_3795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8j-fvW8SpiEFmOfVLJdC3Z4o2gMbznuBXnHtGs0idUnaGDq9YP1A-GdffyvjZ78wrsYioSXCUk_3nlFvKaUlIA6ybDFsEv97vBkIkEGTgXvFBHlnDgtDYnoP9pNZZBkaoP4lJC7SMO_1/s640/IMG_3795.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward. You can see the blue-toned lights on the ceiling and walls, which are part of the "sky interior" and provide a nice ambience in flight. The dedicated washroom for the premium section is just ahead to the left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyU02TPVgxlGDZ1SSCdzM5C_8NZEdFMeOfO3mcD5I_DPz1WM5geB2oLvqtRRln4jTobYVcPJ7vhg2j6xBY88CrzCntrl8rFsOCjkaY_HQbp-tmr9v05Pivm0VJznCcXS1IqidKX5a-PVO/s1600/IMG_3797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyU02TPVgxlGDZ1SSCdzM5C_8NZEdFMeOfO3mcD5I_DPz1WM5geB2oLvqtRRln4jTobYVcPJ7vhg2j6xBY88CrzCntrl8rFsOCjkaY_HQbp-tmr9v05Pivm0VJznCcXS1IqidKX5a-PVO/s640/IMG_3797.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the leg room! Very much comparable to what I had in Air Canada's Premium Economy offering on their 787s. You basically have two windows to yourself, and as you can see here, the headrest is adjustable (something the regular economy seats lack).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The service
on a short flight like this was actually quite a bit like Porter’s economy
service – you get to choose from a selection of free drinks (including
alcohol), and various snacks. A dedicated attendant serves the passengers in
this section, and I found she was extremely attentive. My drink was replaced
the first time before I could even ask. There was also a second and even third
offering of snacks during the flight. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuS7f4SoY6Lpx3MX5MhT_HR37nNLfpCeNkL6aTmJ_GQ4PjPjEuEPGblzAayXZ-5mTlGl-2Fb7GZCoVs9I5SmvSYfk5549Fm9-9IbzU9KaT-w5otVHD148NNgO6sXUnxJkL4ztuKjE87k7/s1600/IMG_3787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuS7f4SoY6Lpx3MX5MhT_HR37nNLfpCeNkL6aTmJ_GQ4PjPjEuEPGblzAayXZ-5mTlGl-2Fb7GZCoVs9I5SmvSYfk5549Fm9-9IbzU9KaT-w5otVHD148NNgO6sXUnxJkL4ztuKjE87k7/s640/IMG_3787.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granville Island pale ale and the first round of snacks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFxeja0v4crhC7jRDsxtdDcg4r_YHwsPxlR7tvo4At9vuqVdM9go0n_kHlOGpOLrdRvwgitqNDRWfw0PtP0SFqg3g2ZnLdckx98nK1JEKwCj39kHlO57hOQMdly1XSxGBK5yZX00U9tFa/s1600/IMG_3788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFxeja0v4crhC7jRDsxtdDcg4r_YHwsPxlR7tvo4At9vuqVdM9go0n_kHlOGpOLrdRvwgitqNDRWfw0PtP0SFqg3g2ZnLdckx98nK1JEKwCj39kHlO57hOQMdly1XSxGBK5yZX00U9tFa/s640/IMG_3788.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The full drink menu - all complimentary, of course. Something for everyone!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sjx9hMnmGW3TWxAgx2J_vR9TYMHphrCvI3E72oDE5zACxBzYIXXfewBAbpD0Xy7-onuHopI9bbBAN6w0OCbGAgLdwJ6IGultYPpeBoI01JCY64qUzZBiMn0vgqnvwZKfT0rJKNEv_CCT/s1600/IMG_3791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sjx9hMnmGW3TWxAgx2J_vR9TYMHphrCvI3E72oDE5zACxBzYIXXfewBAbpD0Xy7-onuHopI9bbBAN6w0OCbGAgLdwJ6IGultYPpeBoI01JCY64qUzZBiMn0vgqnvwZKfT0rJKNEv_CCT/s640/IMG_3791.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee, and a top up of snacks - and there was much more on offer. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The other
perks of Premium are a dedicated washroom at the front of the cabin (still as
tiny as the others…), and being seated at the front means that you’re first off
the plane. So after a smooth flight through mostly sunny skies (once we got
above the canopy leaving Halifax) and an on-time arrival in Ottawa, I was off
the plane in short order. I did find the MAX 8 to be quite comfortable, and
remarkably quiet during the flight. The sky interior lighting, which was set to
a light blue throughout the flight, did make for a nice atmosphere. <span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I also
tried out WestJet’s in-flight entertainment system, which is accessed via their
app on a mobile device, laptop or tablet (I used my phone). You basically
connect the app to a WiFi signal in the plane, and then have access to a
variety of entertainment options. I found that it worked incredibly smoothly,
and was considerably better than even Air Canada’s newest offerings. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6ODfYPOzBRuPCOapiwLHk58_wWDZ7qjl4alSgxmFeweY4magi8z_isG36fjJzogLw0uvL5eY6QpY_QpBkKW7p-LkzQG8BZlMnzyA_Ry9OBBeRBOV2DI4r0EuUuzEsBgKHmUp-iEAhyphenhyphenQG/s1600/IMG_3784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6ODfYPOzBRuPCOapiwLHk58_wWDZ7qjl4alSgxmFeweY4magi8z_isG36fjJzogLw0uvL5eY6QpY_QpBkKW7p-LkzQG8BZlMnzyA_Ry9OBBeRBOV2DI4r0EuUuzEsBgKHmUp-iEAhyphenhyphenQG/s640/IMG_3784.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark skies over Halifax - heavy rain in the forecast had me worried, but we took off without issue. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHlBalQHsLZ5wEEV2JSbZWhT-byOX_67p8SQ5xJMQhF8-hqMBlYJD11kAXI0wlEAJIObMr5UjpS69EV4kyXSgfcHEQ7FNNeUTF9LIzLD7qQszYi0WTJsMKAvb8-293H-kb_9s2Rsx_NDG/s1600/IMG_3789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1562" data-original-width="1224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHlBalQHsLZ5wEEV2JSbZWhT-byOX_67p8SQ5xJMQhF8-hqMBlYJD11kAXI0wlEAJIObMr5UjpS69EV4kyXSgfcHEQ7FNNeUTF9LIzLD7qQszYi0WTJsMKAvb8-293H-kb_9s2Rsx_NDG/s640/IMG_3789.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit further along, the cloud cover far below changed to look almost like a pillowy bed, or rolling snow-covered hills. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfcrPsUz4RkvU_JAKh8o8p7FjmQd9fPu-fiARW47UnN-GqHkModN7zskeVjEismTLOKpCgXXrykUy3GK7_FGq41UJTiuNrsgYRga9PARiiWPco4lehWMp7icOK734FvzU2gCUlxamTgwN/s1600/IMG_3790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfcrPsUz4RkvU_JAKh8o8p7FjmQd9fPu-fiARW47UnN-GqHkModN7zskeVjEismTLOKpCgXXrykUy3GK7_FGq41UJTiuNrsgYRga9PARiiWPco4lehWMp7icOK734FvzU2gCUlxamTgwN/s640/IMG_3790.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back - the new engines really are remarkably quiet. Also note the added split wing-tip, a new feature on this generation of the 737. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4y9pob3PdXmUY50NO57nYMnhDEI1B-xsk5wkFxZtqkWFPiBZdi_e7YuUfHlCjPq4sU1d3KH4DdfBw3DMGA3LeTqObAMRWPzyyReJRRncdfv20So4SfojEsPQS_CNTsDUuktYV6oYDH-2L/s1600/IMG_3794+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1520" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4y9pob3PdXmUY50NO57nYMnhDEI1B-xsk5wkFxZtqkWFPiBZdi_e7YuUfHlCjPq4sU1d3KH4DdfBw3DMGA3LeTqObAMRWPzyyReJRRncdfv20So4SfojEsPQS_CNTsDUuktYV6oYDH-2L/s640/IMG_3794+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearer skies over the Ottawa valley, nearly there. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD80UIyIjxJaXD_V1ddA-IS20LhNEYGjsUTEqIowxBaL5PhQNYrzST2UZ4oN7pRki3Txv44EjCS4XRHZp0tXds5ULzusHvYrnvqw7OHvjl6BV_AkYWH1Vcu-h0BDe-n7kieygNg-4ix5V7/s1600/IMG_4041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD80UIyIjxJaXD_V1ddA-IS20LhNEYGjsUTEqIowxBaL5PhQNYrzST2UZ4oN7pRki3Txv44EjCS4XRHZp0tXds5ULzusHvYrnvqw7OHvjl6BV_AkYWH1Vcu-h0BDe-n7kieygNg-4ix5V7/s640/IMG_4041.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My plane in Ottawa, sporting the newest version of the WestJet livery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">…by
RAIL</span></u></i></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">At the end
of the weekend I departed Ottawa to head back by train. I had decided to take
advantage of the excellent fares offered in Economy class to make the trip back
in much cheaper accommodations. A lot of people think of the train as being
expensive – this can be true if you’re travelling in sleeper class, and with
good reason, as you’re paying for a lot more than just basic transportation. Still,
there are deals to be had. One thing a lot of people seem to miss is that
Economy can actually be much cheaper than flying. An average Economy ticket
from Halifax to Montreal, for example, can routinely be had in the $110-130
range one way. Compare that to the average $200 cheap flights. Sure, it’s a
longer trip, but it’s not a bad option. It had been several years since I made
a full trip on the Ocean in Economy, so I was interested to see how it would
compare. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">First off I
had to get from Ottawa to Montreal. I took the earlier connecting option (VIA
26) so that I would have a bit of time in Montreal. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FEml95dh1anzb2JnN7nKrc8wzRo4GuqBhBz9Pkbbn8nYKmC-Z2vJRkZl-48ydLAGu7e562Q7qQB4PXB9s6gzU3T_P6sYwEXChTTwJx2egH8RZiFovOfNlnP_xE0k70yYdjnUQsDG5AM4/s1600/IMG_4042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FEml95dh1anzb2JnN7nKrc8wzRo4GuqBhBz9Pkbbn8nYKmC-Z2vJRkZl-48ydLAGu7e562Q7qQB4PXB9s6gzU3T_P6sYwEXChTTwJx2egH8RZiFovOfNlnP_xE0k70yYdjnUQsDG5AM4/s640/IMG_4042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottawa station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv3xaON-t_aFFV8_bG8fX77V-OyUUDRPqd0-XYrYwZhPbQxqGhfsG1EtQRg5BZ01kpjAaCUdWQn1jG0zvFZrFpzNdDv5BRhPJUo6FwxynYGF-rD69eDMhgXt7Z3tZGTp3mTACKaXHl328/s1600/IMG_4043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1178" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv3xaON-t_aFFV8_bG8fX77V-OyUUDRPqd0-XYrYwZhPbQxqGhfsG1EtQRg5BZ01kpjAaCUdWQn1jG0zvFZrFpzNdDv5BRhPJUo6FwxynYGF-rD69eDMhgXt7Z3tZGTp3mTACKaXHl328/s640/IMG_4043.JPG" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of VIA's particularly clever new ads.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPD57PBMCeG8K92c5kfGT_UWwcdi8M-J3XeigeI3G3RUFxzcj8UsjNhyVwzWJreRw9ViDx_HZT-hvIG9knT4Ub7Vd4O12kK0ZwYUhkqDdk64WGknVOp4tsjaIin5kgN3-h_8RxZ5ytq83/s1600/IMG_4044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPD57PBMCeG8K92c5kfGT_UWwcdi8M-J3XeigeI3G3RUFxzcj8UsjNhyVwzWJreRw9ViDx_HZT-hvIG9knT4Ub7Vd4O12kK0ZwYUhkqDdk64WGknVOp4tsjaIin5kgN3-h_8RxZ5ytq83/s640/IMG_4044.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the VIA 40th anniversary branding in Ottawa station. I really like this particular campaign.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp70eu-7nCAeXRaKJMkYve8_6jiOj1BrTs5mSt3lCv4tPMQGRHLSqCketDJPoZv2JyeyVfCFfKZXbfwcNorQtcRBHJgQzKKL6sr6Zf2BhX72Z-XBXHhpkRwHLQx6IiyJQOHgvQTuVEMmI/s1600/IMG_4045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp70eu-7nCAeXRaKJMkYve8_6jiOj1BrTs5mSt3lCv4tPMQGRHLSqCketDJPoZv2JyeyVfCFfKZXbfwcNorQtcRBHJgQzKKL6sr6Zf2BhX72Z-XBXHhpkRwHLQx6IiyJQOHgvQTuVEMmI/s640/IMG_4045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another train behind ours - not sure of the number, but I believe this had just arrived from Toronto. Note the rack of marker paddles to the right hand side. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The consist,
with incomplete numbers was:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">VIA 26 -
October 14, 2018</span></u></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6451</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">LRC Club
(Business class)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">LRC Club
(economy service)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">HEP2 Coach
(4105 – seat 6D)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">HEP2 Coach</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">HEP1 Coach</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The trip to
Montreal was mostly pretty smooth. I had a good window seat in a HEP2 with the
old seating (these are being refurbished right now), all forward-facing. There
was a woman next to me at first but she asked to move to an empty quad seater
to have more room to stretch out, so I ended up with plenty of space. We had a
brief stop near Glen Robertson where a crew was working on a crossing, but
otherwise we made it to Montreal just slightly behind schedule. Ride quality
seemed pretty decent. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1t3V81E6tvm9HFiZKe9DYCp1k7zg4wdMw28Sjj67DuXLzvlPqwV1S4vRVDRdJC8DcHqWEkm3UOXKVuA0DXWrV4EP9SoCGEAmPcxKlz8zXFkf0uTygMPWgo50EuTM0IpiDBaDOUdHhyKK/s1600/IMG_4049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1t3V81E6tvm9HFiZKe9DYCp1k7zg4wdMw28Sjj67DuXLzvlPqwV1S4vRVDRdJC8DcHqWEkm3UOXKVuA0DXWrV4EP9SoCGEAmPcxKlz8zXFkf0uTygMPWgo50EuTM0IpiDBaDOUdHhyKK/s640/IMG_4049.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical farmland views heading southwest from Ottawa. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhlk4gmPWwuYnlocZka8C82w7HcNeWq2X_mh1nlx7_5TIjVd-T_YpXjYIFmb9O9EPwzBm6BFxsVxtOtV-LcvGeNnFGY51kPbX0evlLZ_ugI1LMAp7dTccOlNxhsNjUly-PNmCc9o1b3sp/s1600/IMG_4050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhlk4gmPWwuYnlocZka8C82w7HcNeWq2X_mh1nlx7_5TIjVd-T_YpXjYIFmb9O9EPwzBm6BFxsVxtOtV-LcvGeNnFGY51kPbX0evlLZ_ugI1LMAp7dTccOlNxhsNjUly-PNmCc9o1b3sp/s640/IMG_4050.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More farm views through the opposite side of the train. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR4zQT9vCs9Q54tC3XiWhcESIK7yQPW8ErvPMVghxACqN2Xt5B-sIncRQiL1f7ueQ3lswXyvcRJH0sdgB5Hf9VyzspXQC5VZrjVI1GVgW-2Ypaxz64bz7JnSJASwD_6Emr8q8uN1ny7_6/s1600/IMG_4052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR4zQT9vCs9Q54tC3XiWhcESIK7yQPW8ErvPMVghxACqN2Xt5B-sIncRQiL1f7ueQ3lswXyvcRJH0sdgB5Hf9VyzspXQC5VZrjVI1GVgW-2Ypaxz64bz7JnSJASwD_6Emr8q8uN1ny7_6/s640/IMG_4052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing an AMT (well, "EXO" actually) train before Dorval. No sign of the new branding on this one, yet...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3I_tOuazSM4pPYaU7_A1Y7hZpWelwVs62uLGAH0GAjLzq1RS48ZZrLLeQHz7YVy6O6MsvwBtt3fgoLLfiqgEoNgb6Q7Li2NQq8TxQqVTHa5zN0HzrOZ2gBC6QQbPSJiObHvF_W_EfDQ8W/s1600/IMG_4053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3I_tOuazSM4pPYaU7_A1Y7hZpWelwVs62uLGAH0GAjLzq1RS48ZZrLLeQHz7YVy6O6MsvwBtt3fgoLLfiqgEoNgb6Q7Li2NQq8TxQqVTHa5zN0HzrOZ2gBC6QQbPSJiObHvF_W_EfDQ8W/s640/IMG_4053.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View inside a HEP2 coach. This is one of the ex-Southern Pacific cars with distinctive small windows. The HEP2s are currently undergoing a refurbishment program which will give them seats matching the new LRC interiors (2+2 in Economy and 2+1 in Business). While I like the space and general setup of the new interiors, I still think these old seats are comfier. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgiEIFNqrY_SYHQ0JPBDEREqk9ATA8cfKOsq9hVmqJSfEuxqtyEXw8NbBbJ7BnCdSqYhG0XsfynXVCSOwGw2Uqyx19IyRM0chXnKw-M8p955movMRmA7mFhOuoswLAgWgCAP-yOmK2uDW/s1600/IMG_4056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgiEIFNqrY_SYHQ0JPBDEREqk9ATA8cfKOsq9hVmqJSfEuxqtyEXw8NbBbJ7BnCdSqYhG0XsfynXVCSOwGw2Uqyx19IyRM0chXnKw-M8p955movMRmA7mFhOuoswLAgWgCAP-yOmK2uDW/s640/IMG_4056.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Track 13, boarding for train 14. Note the new electronic signs that were recently installed. It wasn't this dark in the station - my camera just decided to pick up the bright lights of the new sign and the classic flashing platform sign. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The most
notable thing about this trip was that as of Oct. 10th, VIA has added assigned
seating in Economy class on the Ocean, making this one of the first trips where
this was in place. As a result, the coaches are prominently wearing line
numbers (on cards in the door windows, same as the sleepers). I recall seeing
some line numbering of coaches in the past, but it wasn't always that
consistent and often wasn't displayed, and most of the time passengers weren't
being informed what numbered coach they were in. It was just a matter of the
crew grouping people into cars based on their destinations. I found the seat
assignment worked very smoothly. I would normally line up early in Montreal to
ensure I could get a seat that I wanted, but this time I just showed up mid-way
through boarding and found my seat with no issue. Passengers did seem to be
respecting the assignments, and I only noticed one case where someone had taken
a seat they weren't meant to (someone with an aisle seat moved to a window and
had to be displaced at a later stop). There was at least one couple that had
ended up with separate assignments and asked to move to sit together, and the
crew were able to accommodate. All in all, it seemed well accepted and well-functioning,
and it did seem to make it easier for the crew. There was an announcement on
board to remind people that seat assignment had been implemented, and asking
them to please respect the assignments (similar to announcements on many
Corridor trains). </span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-nTYz9d0tNftGvTgUcmkorDrh9mrA3LMv-og4TNs4uK49t2kRsLlYZ42WnngcCRU_0bVYvM5v2J5jn1GOzwjcf9REvOIbOHmc6XD2vARThBTqOHelj0M7iFBLU5dQ-Xwr8DK00KlFJ96/s1600/IMG_4057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-nTYz9d0tNftGvTgUcmkorDrh9mrA3LMv-og4TNs4uK49t2kRsLlYZ42WnngcCRU_0bVYvM5v2J5jn1GOzwjcf9REvOIbOHmc6XD2vARThBTqOHelj0M7iFBLU5dQ-Xwr8DK00KlFJ96/s640/IMG_4057.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean sleepers ready for boarding in Montreal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKign5c4I-J-g-yXCTixIDwuTjQZvT9PaShCRfpkaW9PFsMHI2LOoOs0sr8lmafjIU50Olr7vwKOBzKv4GMj7-4Hcd3qyjts16ktpa9So8IkkvSTEAxobSXP3loX-RNlwDnAcFyKL2u_mi/s1600/IMG_3819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1476" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKign5c4I-J-g-yXCTixIDwuTjQZvT9PaShCRfpkaW9PFsMHI2LOoOs0sr8lmafjIU50Olr7vwKOBzKv4GMj7-4Hcd3qyjts16ktpa9So8IkkvSTEAxobSXP3loX-RNlwDnAcFyKL2u_mi/s640/IMG_3819.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding the train in Montreal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Line numbering is consistent with the Corridor. The first coach will be
numbered 3, and since there is no Business class there will be no car 1. VIA
never uses the line number 2, even with additional Business class cars (they
number them 91). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br />
<u>VIA 14 - October 14, 2018</u><br />
6414<br />
6429<br />
6457<br />
7009 Baggage<br />
7228 (03) Coach<br />
7226 (04) Coach<br />
70230 (05) Accessible Coach<br />
7208 (06) Coach<br />
7309 Service Car<br />
7400 Diner<br />
7308 Service Car<br />
79526 (30) Accessible Sleeper<br />
7509 (32) Sleeper<br />
7517 (33) Sleeper<br />
7522 (34) Sleeper<br />
7503 (35) Sleeper<br />
7510 (36) Sleeper<br />
7506 (37) Sleeper<br />
7513 (38) Sleeper<br />
7516 (39) Sleeper<br />
7601 Transition<br />
8202 Chateau Bienville (crew)<br />
8716 Tweedsmuir Park (40)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br />
The train wasn't full, but there was still a good load with passengers in all
four coaches and a sizable sleeper load. There was still a fair bit of tourist
traffic for the fall colours, but it was starting to tail off, and this was to
be the last peak-length train for the season. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBJ9sPHoowuZ1Z95z3STAPOq70Ys7Nt3K43igDg2tuoLYkIOKW_esNWPDiGJk4IcHJqkHz2x2rn0hx2OAFw22ENhUcyKM8GQGhy6Num-1JX46dnF1dZuSHgr77mcGAADWS75IfUFx-VVd/s1600/IMG_3823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBJ9sPHoowuZ1Z95z3STAPOq70Ys7Nt3K43igDg2tuoLYkIOKW_esNWPDiGJk4IcHJqkHz2x2rn0hx2OAFw22ENhUcyKM8GQGhy6Num-1JX46dnF1dZuSHgr77mcGAADWS75IfUFx-VVd/s640/IMG_3823.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Breakfast on the Ocean - Economy passengers have limited access to the dining car if there is space. My general experience is that you can quite reliably get in for breakfast in either direction, lunch out of Halifax, and occasionally for other meals on quiet trips.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The trip was
smooth and quite uneventful, and we arrived about 10 minutes early in Halifax.
I didn’t do any thorough photographing through the train itself (I had meant to
get a good shot in the coaches, but I forgot!), but I did take some photos of
the passing scenery. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDnJDBki4C9cbAqp5cCFTWjGuduBP7LJC6d_F7AmAWK-nFoYJMDOaB7Xzqxk-Sj-zinjjEJBaa3uflzyWBqOpXZKgUPrUEtcHQ11UQsWwbbvLd7SD6adWwrn-hT1c2Dq0wQaVh2awWO-z/s1600/IMG_4060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDnJDBki4C9cbAqp5cCFTWjGuduBP7LJC6d_F7AmAWK-nFoYJMDOaB7Xzqxk-Sj-zinjjEJBaa3uflzyWBqOpXZKgUPrUEtcHQ11UQsWwbbvLd7SD6adWwrn-hT1c2Dq0wQaVh2awWO-z/s640/IMG_4060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning views between Matapedia and Campbellton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3-CD0mK6sNYNeaDoNtQ0wKZwR3SlYBQBshinGNOUZU-G__1KiRoVo_VN4U67_M1URfygEKtaqpk-FvdvnpCm8gzLcT5Vj1cx1TBRO4oo-5nnH6RNwZH4O382wCcV5hXTdvIrONDGXsSv/s1600/IMG_4068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3-CD0mK6sNYNeaDoNtQ0wKZwR3SlYBQBshinGNOUZU-G__1KiRoVo_VN4U67_M1URfygEKtaqpk-FvdvnpCm8gzLcT5Vj1cx1TBRO4oo-5nnH6RNwZH4O382wCcV5hXTdvIrONDGXsSv/s640/IMG_4068.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campbellton - a scale test car on a flat car makes for an unusual view in front of the Campbellton bridge, and the orange and red hillside beyond. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWL7Tr2HVeAF1HdXmNBAbyj0Hcaj7cTH6uTDNTYzflR-Qas2lD_yoHnFS9HDlEfhgb2nu7AP1-T1IUqQ7PDnwachbWgyBQiVrje2A-cQhtNZWF7ktK07ACiCXSgAylUdnFRCdHG3c3hki/s1600/IMG_4076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWL7Tr2HVeAF1HdXmNBAbyj0Hcaj7cTH6uTDNTYzflR-Qas2lD_yoHnFS9HDlEfhgb2nu7AP1-T1IUqQ7PDnwachbWgyBQiVrje2A-cQhtNZWF7ktK07ACiCXSgAylUdnFRCdHG3c3hki/s640/IMG_4076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baie des Chaleurs, looking to Gaspé.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCLXKbZaqzPzIzNZ3bF5Jibl2WjnLYHPqaDkR8gKUu2jtvZeVjBHUBP4K1ZhLSwx5G8IwluNMHDz3uyiZaYeeRzUQFWTCTmjB0enTE4-tjjKpdFMQGqPYqa3J3XUKK_0BsLid-yVVSbxG/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCLXKbZaqzPzIzNZ3bF5Jibl2WjnLYHPqaDkR8gKUu2jtvZeVjBHUBP4K1ZhLSwx5G8IwluNMHDz3uyiZaYeeRzUQFWTCTmjB0enTE4-tjjKpdFMQGqPYqa3J3XUKK_0BsLid-yVVSbxG/s640/IMG_3824.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing one of many smaller rivers through the New Brunswick wilderness. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J3bXn1ol2hRAUeU2bOAl_ATWPlbGypUljURiALDsIUf9T2tpBPaS7CMl4jVmJuiAnlP1WzgQl9DqNtnS0Jru67NS7F9FdBj0mq3NAMR7ZFa0VI0c4KjMTwJ6R-vhqEXL_oD9htqNxCpU/s1600/IMG_4078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J3bXn1ol2hRAUeU2bOAl_ATWPlbGypUljURiALDsIUf9T2tpBPaS7CMl4jVmJuiAnlP1WzgQl9DqNtnS0Jru67NS7F9FdBj0mq3NAMR7ZFa0VI0c4KjMTwJ6R-vhqEXL_oD9htqNxCpU/s640/IMG_4078.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work crews on the Miramichi - barges are being used for repair work on the bridge. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Cr2IXeKTNpz1JQaD3MpsJJP6-07GGNXwDze-TNDD_gVU_76X9KacWWsh8f0uxR4Ksx7nNPBJNp_FyqSrVafkEhgZYapaIn3BEcZdK42bi6je3MamlhtQu8g1D0rhOgOyoydsta0s4rWQ/s1600/IMG_4082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Cr2IXeKTNpz1JQaD3MpsJJP6-07GGNXwDze-TNDD_gVU_76X9KacWWsh8f0uxR4Ksx7nNPBJNp_FyqSrVafkEhgZYapaIn3BEcZdK42bi6je3MamlhtQu8g1D0rhOgOyoydsta0s4rWQ/s640/IMG_4082.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny skies in Moncton - Park car on the tail, and crew Chateau just ahead. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMscK1OVIWW0U4EyXADLk2D3cCZhT5Myy2CkJ-EbszKHIz8D1RAueollSJ2DzUxECGvZx4sv5ba1MCcnCx59uT_Yb88mvCX987oeuYLhVmxTabiZBOH8N_UAQZIjVjaouKKhHGg2Oi_nl/s1600/IMG_4096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMscK1OVIWW0U4EyXADLk2D3cCZhT5Myy2CkJ-EbszKHIz8D1RAueollSJ2DzUxECGvZx4sv5ba1MCcnCx59uT_Yb88mvCX987oeuYLhVmxTabiZBOH8N_UAQZIjVjaouKKhHGg2Oi_nl/s640/IMG_4096.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some gloomier clouds over the rolling farmlands south of Truro. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHkTLVpu29gzgfSzjoM1Hi88lizT1BxkAMQCDYnORIA7qoiVXM52vXFV8OkKdV8yKv5y_myke2m7RrFwlIE0pnYwZ_7obeMJmd3JV7c9HgFYpbZEgRb_P1nVd2W5yksEI6MjwMGX2i48L/s1600/IMG_4098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHkTLVpu29gzgfSzjoM1Hi88lizT1BxkAMQCDYnORIA7qoiVXM52vXFV8OkKdV8yKv5y_myke2m7RrFwlIE0pnYwZ_7obeMJmd3JV7c9HgFYpbZEgRb_P1nVd2W5yksEI6MjwMGX2i48L/s640/IMG_4098.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many gorgeous lakes that the train passes on the final approach to Halifax. Plus bonus utility lines.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97R_0x2Hyyl0v3bn9wKVmcrQPe1ZVDOd9xwiQAm97ng77xQCB8dMObMboEor9OXiWT9v_qpl_gtaWxV5wqOXkA0pafo0Ks0v70k5YglEDGMcQdwyiRJ_UWnTHWL40xid9u0eLTPdp1eyf/s1600/IMG_4099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1600" height="493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97R_0x2Hyyl0v3bn9wKVmcrQPe1ZVDOd9xwiQAm97ng77xQCB8dMObMboEor9OXiWT9v_qpl_gtaWxV5wqOXkA0pafo0Ks0v70k5YglEDGMcQdwyiRJ_UWnTHWL40xid9u0eLTPdp1eyf/s640/IMG_4099.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14 after arrival in Halifax. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7Y0oKtIj9iqbYY1bto20HQUPbQ_2XnJjrKrjhu_Iv4JOqe3MNqJvOk7KvuJ9gtvB6qVJYJFXUx4c3XIELv2Nl20Gv9W3Tz4vaRvE2VbfY4FNIysuUqHD-TJ9JhtbDfdKNZqYMrtVPBbp/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7Y0oKtIj9iqbYY1bto20HQUPbQ_2XnJjrKrjhu_Iv4JOqe3MNqJvOk7KvuJ9gtvB6qVJYJFXUx4c3XIELv2Nl20Gv9W3Tz4vaRvE2VbfY4FNIysuUqHD-TJ9JhtbDfdKNZqYMrtVPBbp/s640/IMG_3827.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Halifax station (this was actually from the next day, and not after arrival - hence the lack of people). The roof is being extensively worked on, so they have put in a temporary drop ceiling and scaffolding. They've actually done a pretty nice job of hiding much of the construction work, and have added some images meant to look like they're through the window of a train. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">…by
SEA</span></u></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">November 8,
2018</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So there’s
two modes covered, but a little over a month later there was one more in store!
I was travelling for work to Saint George New Brunswick, and it happened to
work out that it made sense to take the ferry across from Digby to Saint John.
I had never taken this ferry before, so I was quite excited to have the
opportunity to try it out. </span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Bay Ferries
operates this ferry service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a
subsidiary of Northumberland Ferries, which operates the ferries between PEI
and Caribou NS. Bay Ferries also operates the Yarmouth to Portland CAT ferry.
The Digby-Saint John service has its earliest roots in the steamship service
operated by the Dominion Atlantic Railway and then Canadian Pacific (of which
the DAR was a subsidiary). There have been plenty of changes over the many
decades of operation, leading up to the current service, and I don’t know it
all that well so I won’t dive into it here. The most relevant information is
that the ferry now operates a year-round service, with multiple crossings at
some times of year and single sailings in each direction during the quieter
months. It is operated by a single vessel, which limits how many crossings can
be made. </span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This route
was served for decades by the venerable <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Princess
of Acadia</i>, a CPR vessel which finally reached the end of its sailing career
in 2015. It was replaced by the current vessel, a South Korean-built Greek ferry formerly named
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue Star Ithaki</i>, which now bears
the name <em>MV Fundy Rose</em> (named after Rose
Fortune, an important historical figure from the Annapolis Valley). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wldDZVwUJ676OxxWjyZrhUTPmjeDz8xmgwm46cVtGHhYWI-kHsTX1wU9oNuuSZ8WyZMIxHPDOrWQRph1tymkzel0rF3ilRqdNsFeuoYzgEE2f5tfL7EySD-7eV0iHILegjX21EvvtDam/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wldDZVwUJ676OxxWjyZrhUTPmjeDz8xmgwm46cVtGHhYWI-kHsTX1wU9oNuuSZ8WyZMIxHPDOrWQRph1tymkzel0rF3ilRqdNsFeuoYzgEE2f5tfL7EySD-7eV0iHILegjX21EvvtDam/s640/IMG_4218.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deck plans for the Fundy Rose.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Bay Ferries
recommends that all passengers should make reservations, and has set a cut-off
check-in time of one hour before departure. I arrived at the Digby terminal
just before that one hour cut-off, and found the setup there to be a little bit
confusing. There are booths that were clearly used for check-in at some point
in time (maybe in the summer?), but those were closed up. Someone was able to
direct me to park near the main terminal and go inside to check-in, which ended
up being a smooth process. I was then sent back out to drive into line and wait
to board, which would only be about 10 minutes later. The terminal itself was
quite spacious and well laid out. The ferry sees plenty of walk-on passengers,
so the terminal serves as a good waiting area for them. Passengers don’t walk
directly on to the ferry – they board a shuttle bus, which drives them on
board. </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMh5Fvdo1tbFQdj-GibU6wRSD8hSLCyDHkWJ-WGr7KYa9QCr9SmouaYK745xLyKQcYb6d7jNnNLwSlsjJEHfE6D-914E6QZOBdrXAEcfJ2B57c971x-gic_IlU8DRfWQvMqefvF4knzag/s1600/IMG_4228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMh5Fvdo1tbFQdj-GibU6wRSD8hSLCyDHkWJ-WGr7KYa9QCr9SmouaYK745xLyKQcYb6d7jNnNLwSlsjJEHfE6D-914E6QZOBdrXAEcfJ2B57c971x-gic_IlU8DRfWQvMqefvF4knzag/s640/IMG_4228.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading ramp lifting, the ferry prepares to cast off. The terminal design is quite impressive, as it has to be able to accommodate the dramatic tides of the Bay of Fundy, which make the loading height considerably different throughout the day (note the visible high water mark on the walls to the left). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The vehicle
decks are of an interesting design. Boarding at Digby is from the stern, and
smaller vehicles drive up a steep ramp on the left side of the vessel after
entering. This brought me to the upper deck, where I was then directed to drive
around in a loop and into a final parking position. This would prove to be far
more interesting at the other end…</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBPH3p0paYZByg0jzPdJpJQT3dWkO8J14IDasKaqFAVB9x7-EsHoecO_-2GVLBC8nEUTItQ6mePl-M3a8loVCyAE6QVAuHMtruhCuAVRwrjxt9oaL62sgWDgT_34aD_u-nad_SAD_Oldu/s1600/IMG_4261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBPH3p0paYZByg0jzPdJpJQT3dWkO8J14IDasKaqFAVB9x7-EsHoecO_-2GVLBC8nEUTItQ6mePl-M3a8loVCyAE6QVAuHMtruhCuAVRwrjxt9oaL62sgWDgT_34aD_u-nad_SAD_Oldu/s640/IMG_4261.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the upper vehicle deck. The yellow area on the left is the ramp - while loading, the near end of it was dropped down. When unloading, the front end of it dropped down. The whole thing tilts like a long teeter-totter. To the right is a central area where elevators, stairs and escalators are located. There are more lanes for vehicle parking on the right hand side. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Leaving the
car I headed upstairs to explore the vessel. I must say that I was quite
impressed with the layout. There are quite nice forward lounges with a view
over the bow, a large seating area with reclining “airline” style seats,
smaller lounge spaces with TVs, a dedicated truckers lounge, booth style seats,
and two rear decks with lots of space and patio-style chairs. The upper rear
deck has a bar that would be open in the summer, and the lower rear deck
provides a smoking area. There is a small bit of open deck on the right side of
the ferry, but no outside area with a good forward view. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFJaA4R8DfLXtkvkjsuJ1qnMs3kWAOCMZRPYi5Tbr_hGWJR6z88rqfn2bFdDGvhqSQMES6QWMcN28NL3NKL8tqaod_xtFbpu2rK6UN0X4QXJkcm7B-xsEbYflM3LjdqmrxJf7_v-Mlmqj/s1600/IMG_4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFJaA4R8DfLXtkvkjsuJ1qnMs3kWAOCMZRPYi5Tbr_hGWJR6z88rqfn2bFdDGvhqSQMES6QWMcN28NL3NKL8tqaod_xtFbpu2rK6UN0X4QXJkcm7B-xsEbYflM3LjdqmrxJf7_v-Mlmqj/s640/IMG_4211.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the lounges near the front of the vessel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeSay9MqQDdRYMVckMU4iWmJ0cDJpq7ke1djUWN8ym14VpR4-40iYIqsgCUA52JNvLJN31bBrLxIq111jOFgoQM3sw-9ooKX-HyAOWYMiI4b5LDcIrNYG9yYmQivQFS_-R47pOSKRJ5cq/s1600/IMG_4212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeSay9MqQDdRYMVckMU4iWmJ0cDJpq7ke1djUWN8ym14VpR4-40iYIqsgCUA52JNvLJN31bBrLxIq111jOFgoQM3sw-9ooKX-HyAOWYMiI4b5LDcIrNYG9yYmQivQFS_-R47pOSKRJ5cq/s640/IMG_4212.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the front - the large windows give a view directly over the bow. There are three distinct lounge areas in this forward area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQk9gRQF8fTY9abrsAi1ZgZ4A8oawJWSCHbfLaxSrJ-dUZZAjC4Trdp-asvruFdWgq_x05_CssqXmWGQv3wtrUNIKWrqMeRpIWoVn9IuPtIHmR81JZGNkOitaGTUtuiU2mhR34MxQkT6s/s1600/IMG_4240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQk9gRQF8fTY9abrsAi1ZgZ4A8oawJWSCHbfLaxSrJ-dUZZAjC4Trdp-asvruFdWgq_x05_CssqXmWGQv3wtrUNIKWrqMeRpIWoVn9IuPtIHmR81JZGNkOitaGTUtuiU2mhR34MxQkT6s/s640/IMG_4240.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward from the lounge. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VVtjlCdt6s-PqVLNzMfWJkLw3aozUebQhzX1i2PztPORi9TEYvnlv3GwpzExwPHNYRyY2g4t7nnqrLKYXtAbEGdoSI4W6MOELUmb6ZaqQ0BnAsN5JzL5Wiyp5DyVSZCATMO2LN8izHyf/s1600/IMG_4214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VVtjlCdt6s-PqVLNzMfWJkLw3aozUebQhzX1i2PztPORi9TEYvnlv3GwpzExwPHNYRyY2g4t7nnqrLKYXtAbEGdoSI4W6MOELUmb6ZaqQ0BnAsN5JzL5Wiyp5DyVSZCATMO2LN8izHyf/s640/IMG_4214.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving to around mid-ship we have this large seating area with airline style seats, generously spaced and in a 2+4+2 layout. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXEL2FeWEq5h0MbRyqvVQg450ToPAwNoiyUjvGIDeS1_8W3choFmiHnsKj-GRiMiNPvLSZIWfAYhwAO_NwsaE0hLOEJudIW3SHFR-d6z-6wYtuOKEGZ1yoO6cGjmkmKu5FQgAOGEOGVtj/s1600/IMG_4215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXEL2FeWEq5h0MbRyqvVQg450ToPAwNoiyUjvGIDeS1_8W3choFmiHnsKj-GRiMiNPvLSZIWfAYhwAO_NwsaE0hLOEJudIW3SHFR-d6z-6wYtuOKEGZ1yoO6cGjmkmKu5FQgAOGEOGVtj/s640/IMG_4215.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward in the main comfier seating area. The TVs played a movie (at relatively low volume), and the windows on the left give a view out to sea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQddGHQDIvZVUlERQatoknq94f0JQLeQMHqftLTseF2VSQUisCTHaraS5mcUG7YfQpBPRwn7vqxmaYNaI_glGfsbesN_K7dW2-jDkpcqhtRhw_dzXzkjjXUJkCGxFbCHuaJ03sXHBJaXd/s1600/IMG_4219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQddGHQDIvZVUlERQatoknq94f0JQLeQMHqftLTseF2VSQUisCTHaraS5mcUG7YfQpBPRwn7vqxmaYNaI_glGfsbesN_K7dW2-jDkpcqhtRhw_dzXzkjjXUJkCGxFbCHuaJ03sXHBJaXd/s640/IMG_4219.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rear upper open deck. Patio style chairs were stacked along the edges and available to use. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUfzJRun-eqKigJEljmP9NyaYYP_joN8Xj0thbMT6zpyusKmjnk_UbNjB18KYYICtMZfzRNhlopDMAZlwcbMvj1kMPA75eteIFLOnRvfJi1z2TBlohV5wYD6GZO853LWagqeavrFsteGu/s1600/IMG_4222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUfzJRun-eqKigJEljmP9NyaYYP_joN8Xj0thbMT6zpyusKmjnk_UbNjB18KYYICtMZfzRNhlopDMAZlwcbMvj1kMPA75eteIFLOnRvfJi1z2TBlohV5wYD6GZO853LWagqeavrFsteGu/s640/IMG_4222.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward on the rear deck. There is a bar/café that would be open in the summer, and a nice mix of fully open and partially enclosed areas. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmssKsGT8mXBk65vVsP_l3amgHQZjc0jS4AxjNFzFoglFcEj-XRC_lrFTN8nkZqEE79NxShOD-LfD3gpY7LhsepSEer3LHgx8Q6TcP1bnnM7YP9DFRnZSeH7kSK9mXZjEjP1Jnj3cgIYw/s1600/IMG_4223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmssKsGT8mXBk65vVsP_l3amgHQZjc0jS4AxjNFzFoglFcEj-XRC_lrFTN8nkZqEE79NxShOD-LfD3gpY7LhsepSEer3LHgx8Q6TcP1bnnM7YP9DFRnZSeH7kSK9mXZjEjP1Jnj3cgIYw/s640/IMG_4223.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As far forward as you can go outside - this deck extends up the right hand side. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuTW0GPlmIyw_Y9YMNDxZQZ3AcTfkFtfmhisVUzfV233X4Vril8-NubbzLJcGuPofF_61JX8vDerySwpyb4M_Fe97iVRohO3HGHFZcydp7wwpZqms3apObgfgtFe5LljaXvHJlIr3DjXG/s1600/IMG_4225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuTW0GPlmIyw_Y9YMNDxZQZ3AcTfkFtfmhisVUzfV233X4Vril8-NubbzLJcGuPofF_61JX8vDerySwpyb4M_Fe97iVRohO3HGHFZcydp7wwpZqms3apObgfgtFe5LljaXvHJlIr3DjXG/s640/IMG_4225.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back along the right hand outer deck. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMo0N0jH2FcIRYeCHiJTPdj8jxHEtQoQQJLx_djinWhZMSX7n9FDTt2dMeW8h9Q3i9IkvEzj3_fK5aQVVPY9lW0CtseXVUPCAMvgpii6EcKHLcoeO0nz6J5cOOVS5ym_Ug09Z3caIPwje/s1600/IMG_4257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMo0N0jH2FcIRYeCHiJTPdj8jxHEtQoQQJLx_djinWhZMSX7n9FDTt2dMeW8h9Q3i9IkvEzj3_fK5aQVVPY9lW0CtseXVUPCAMvgpii6EcKHLcoeO0nz6J5cOOVS5ym_Ug09Z3caIPwje/s640/IMG_4257.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs between decks, and lots of flashy colours!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KxsyLXW99CeiD7WPGqdyAjC9YriSm4GHFFNEWzr556mztSDtlWk-byR-HqPgKwRgQdmOl-U6wWeU1Z1F0Cditp0L1yYIqzcec5hgVyKPC0v6hQVMpZ19gew8s8PHZcIHNw4U2a9ql3Mq/s1600/IMG_4258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KxsyLXW99CeiD7WPGqdyAjC9YriSm4GHFFNEWzr556mztSDtlWk-byR-HqPgKwRgQdmOl-U6wWeU1Z1F0Cditp0L1yYIqzcec5hgVyKPC0v6hQVMpZ19gew8s8PHZcIHNw4U2a9ql3Mq/s640/IMG_4258.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Escalators from the lower decks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Inside there
is a JavaMoose café serving coffee and snacks, and a full cafeteria serving a
variety of meals. I had my supper there, which was perfectly alright –
comparable to what you’d expect from a cafeteria, but nothing to get overly
excited about. There is also a small gift shop, which opened briefly during the
crossing. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6BDjqGG6eLyr0TCNzFcGhnQ1AG8qF2hpcCC1JMr34HauSJjWW8fsB2CBJ4YvHhfAvO3YrpXqC5QW2iq_Gy37YY-WRnQ2jaUB2SaHJtndpPFB5NTxes3i2pSAgIq8__cV8QVDqv7SGDON/s1600/IMG_4213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6BDjqGG6eLyr0TCNzFcGhnQ1AG8qF2hpcCC1JMr34HauSJjWW8fsB2CBJ4YvHhfAvO3YrpXqC5QW2iq_Gy37YY-WRnQ2jaUB2SaHJtndpPFB5NTxes3i2pSAgIq8__cV8QVDqv7SGDON/s640/IMG_4213.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Java Moose café, immediately behind the forward lounges. The gift shop is just off to the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9rYnZD8RpUazioWbEGn-l6TFY1kt8j1DlGgjbqhotOaPZ-cNwvBcpmBZ4XCX4pXL_Y_ACFzVUP3R7f0LzVEXh30vXn3znJSIUeEbF630Wx7Yu473wpYXse90Bwn2OHbKtS39P_an77C0/s1600/IMG_4216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9rYnZD8RpUazioWbEGn-l6TFY1kt8j1DlGgjbqhotOaPZ-cNwvBcpmBZ4XCX4pXL_Y_ACFzVUP3R7f0LzVEXh30vXn3znJSIUeEbF630Wx7Yu473wpYXse90Bwn2OHbKtS39P_an77C0/s640/IMG_4216.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafeteria at the rear end. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF21YKKh3zvz-FhlHooFjg9yU-ebx09QJPOK1H8e-P3CShqYMWXXWmqE4QkJLbkSi5F2glCzeqwvw1F2XXEWQTPuLTycztHkBjgkx7Ox7GdCtJfr-rcJjv4EeQf4fOiXIzMLoVzeKMYMxc/s1600/IMG_4256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="1600" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF21YKKh3zvz-FhlHooFjg9yU-ebx09QJPOK1H8e-P3CShqYMWXXWmqE4QkJLbkSi5F2glCzeqwvw1F2XXEWQTPuLTycztHkBjgkx7Ox7GdCtJfr-rcJjv4EeQf4fOiXIzMLoVzeKMYMxc/s640/IMG_4256.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch/dinner menu at the cafeteria. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The trip
takes 2h15min. We left a good 20 minutes ahead of schedule (which is why being
on time for the one hour cutoff is important!), and made good time to Saint
John. The crossing was a little bit choppy and quite blustery (and cold!)
outside, but not too bad. I spent a good bit of time outside (with a nice warm
coffee in hand!), and also explored the various parts of the vessel and tried
out all of the seating areas at some point. I quite enjoyed the forward lounge,
and found that the airline-style seating section was probably the most
comfortable to just sit down and stretch out (seat pitch was much more like on a long
distance train than a plane). </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The
passenger load was light, though still enough that the boat felt well
populated. I did have to wonder what it would be like in the summer when it’s
quite full. There were a good number of truckers on board, many of whom
congregated together in the cafeteria through supper time. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The best
thing about the crossing was watching the sunset as we left Digby – I’ll let
the photos speak for themselves!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"></span><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2Z2JKTFQZ1_jcWfQrsUGsfbWm5n2ZP6c58x_1KR_IgU79PCcy_BoW31uPBwXfMMATF6EK8d07D4Ud2uXy4PDeN9U1DFiESXxqWgulJOzbJtAMC5-8fvfIcNpjX0GNEd5r7imriqr-35H/s1600/IMG_4232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2Z2JKTFQZ1_jcWfQrsUGsfbWm5n2ZP6c58x_1KR_IgU79PCcy_BoW31uPBwXfMMATF6EK8d07D4Ud2uXy4PDeN9U1DFiESXxqWgulJOzbJtAMC5-8fvfIcNpjX0GNEd5r7imriqr-35H/s640/IMG_4232.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the dock in Digby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHBsivb1d6FJ9IeVLd-aRdJI-wUr7uuCzCeGDcLKgmFN-__aF3yj6dHfDUyIqKLCNDKMAyYCoaCoagp_5vs7zsQqGEqdjhKk-kscqnHblXT8piGB8_5UkO04EHGrlPT6F-iryU_zAW34z/s1600/IMG_4239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHBsivb1d6FJ9IeVLd-aRdJI-wUr7uuCzCeGDcLKgmFN-__aF3yj6dHfDUyIqKLCNDKMAyYCoaCoagp_5vs7zsQqGEqdjhKk-kscqnHblXT8piGB8_5UkO04EHGrlPT6F-iryU_zAW34z/s640/IMG_4239.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the Annapolis Basin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGBG82P2Y9yh2_J2EjCBi-VAhGYML2tRfvIMsv4JFfnNyHbUlr4dGXDC0Vyt7PxkxyalxXSqJgijwNS_IWfZZ_5uJJOLc34e5DGUpXoAi2n5wSNNksGYI2WKX_IiNz638Psga7Cyh5zWY/s1600/IMG_4243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGBG82P2Y9yh2_J2EjCBi-VAhGYML2tRfvIMsv4JFfnNyHbUlr4dGXDC0Vyt7PxkxyalxXSqJgijwNS_IWfZZ_5uJJOLc34e5DGUpXoAi2n5wSNNksGYI2WKX_IiNz638Psga7Cyh5zWY/s640/IMG_4243.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the Bay of Fundy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF_V7O4Faxb7ij053ZMZvvWq25D-5ViHdCZTHxycwGqAg7NYhpPsfgf_V-xGEosipfS6m6RH9-MWXUn0t9PhZD_BdthRdwrWrZA8FJqXq-HUFwZy8kIOVYWIMfzyxrS8mLqRutKHfjrHJ/s1600/IMG_4245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRF_V7O4Faxb7ij053ZMZvvWq25D-5ViHdCZTHxycwGqAg7NYhpPsfgf_V-xGEosipfS6m6RH9-MWXUn0t9PhZD_BdthRdwrWrZA8FJqXq-HUFwZy8kIOVYWIMfzyxrS8mLqRutKHfjrHJ/s640/IMG_4245.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind turbines west of Digby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJK_C55JJqQNmZtJ9HBipBlNFFCnSbgOebUim8Fl4hoX61tMzjM7hbt7obJtjLfHf6hTHcEz7FUek10g8QhZqFauTvTOqCd-0llAg1kTD9Tj-fFggf-EaMPMqS0R-KW6Wnfj6H6FGBb-9d/s1600/IMG_4248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJK_C55JJqQNmZtJ9HBipBlNFFCnSbgOebUim8Fl4hoX61tMzjM7hbt7obJtjLfHf6hTHcEz7FUek10g8QhZqFauTvTOqCd-0llAg1kTD9Tj-fFggf-EaMPMqS0R-KW6Wnfj6H6FGBb-9d/s640/IMG_4248.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More sunset - it was really difficult to get a shot with the flag extended, as it was quite choppy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRYD6H1chNG_rSYvZJDiute6QMHCqvT7LUrlW5DmVg2rM9CwsYG1uy944MSEZ7wf5fRq017hyUI5oY0EQGjGvM0Wu8u0euyFRLjVl3uVtkqRQrms_P923zLn1tul40OxV0INB-Ycd1hyphenhypheng/s1600/IMG_4253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRYD6H1chNG_rSYvZJDiute6QMHCqvT7LUrlW5DmVg2rM9CwsYG1uy944MSEZ7wf5fRq017hyUI5oY0EQGjGvM0Wu8u0euyFRLjVl3uVtkqRQrms_P923zLn1tul40OxV0INB-Ycd1hyphenhypheng/s640/IMG_4253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back over the side - the Fundy Rose signs are illuminated. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Unloading at
the Saint John end was interesting – the ramp that we entered on turns out to
be reversible. During the crossing it lifts up so it’s basically flat with the
rest of the deck, then it lowers at the opposite end to let cars descend toward
the bow, as unloading is through the front at Saint John. This all made for an
interesting experience, as most cars had to make the loop around on the upper
deck to get to the other end of the ramp. That involves some very tight turns!
In the end it all worked smoothly, and a few minutes driving later I was at my
hotel. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiziMwJ9UVZgeTaEuh5-Z_ewpofUWEbS-Blf8TapwO5UIAQ-jXNKcMGosvlj_S0Hgnod1TCiTH0dD9lPa0WK9oECkhHJoXHa8THs7j9eEBnkbriCilhU6MSsn13LlqdBWP9mn12nKvvNf/s1600/IMG_3898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiziMwJ9UVZgeTaEuh5-Z_ewpofUWEbS-Blf8TapwO5UIAQ-jXNKcMGosvlj_S0Hgnod1TCiTH0dD9lPa0WK9oECkhHJoXHa8THs7j9eEBnkbriCilhU6MSsn13LlqdBWP9mn12nKvvNf/s640/IMG_3898.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving in Saint John NB.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyxiJhI966JNFCGD_gJNqtGfkc2JusqFdcZf16EJsHviTuWG_HFZouFzty95VRxFYbHyd6ly5B5ExdEtbEy5Cbl45_fZ9TMrYqhQfCbXWNCVgtCLSGmrnPY8x3pxsF6KLimmC6AD41hPB/s1600/IMG_4260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyxiJhI966JNFCGD_gJNqtGfkc2JusqFdcZf16EJsHviTuWG_HFZouFzty95VRxFYbHyd6ly5B5ExdEtbEy5Cbl45_fZ9TMrYqhQfCbXWNCVgtCLSGmrnPY8x3pxsF6KLimmC6AD41hPB/s640/IMG_4260.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Saint John ferry dock. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So all in
all, a most enjoyable trip – certainly far more pleasant than the drive all the
way around! I would definitely recommend the ferry to anyone who’s making the
trek around and who would like to avoid having to drive as much. Even with having to arrive early, the travel time was comparable, especially if you factor in having to stop somewhere to eat during the drive. Yes, it’s more
expensive (though you do save a good bit on gas), but at the end of the day
you’re paying for the convenience of getting to relax and enjoy the travelling
instead of being behind the wheel. Seems like a reasonable trade-off to
consider, especially if it’s only an occasional trip!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So there you
have it, a bit of air, rail, and sea travel, all rolled up into one. I expect
I’ll be back to posting something when I return after Christmas, with another
(hopefully enjoyable!) holiday train trip under my belt. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Until then,
enjoy the colder days, and travel safely!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
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TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-87563994083634296982018-07-04T09:46:00.000-03:002018-07-04T09:46:00.707-03:00Planes, Trains and Automobiles - to Ottawa and South - PART 2<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Part 2: New England and Amtrak!</span></u></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8eMlIQtejlPQ0ipsAF7M-LPkenyRZ3mzEbPlaLTat-Z2PY94fJgbHWH_YDE73I26bZ77SOuoCw3XdPMiZG7irUF-1j9KLISqt8WEJyHd73Bw5EZGHJXabniyAYjmeJFrRalywFtTkL5Y/s1600/IMG_3715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="1600" height="615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8eMlIQtejlPQ0ipsAF7M-LPkenyRZ3mzEbPlaLTat-Z2PY94fJgbHWH_YDE73I26bZ77SOuoCw3XdPMiZG7irUF-1j9KLISqt8WEJyHd73Bw5EZGHJXabniyAYjmeJFrRalywFtTkL5Y/s640/IMG_3715.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're not in Canada any more...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">With that Ottawa trip finished and a whole day (yes, one entire day)
back in Halifax to recuperate and pack, I hopped in a car at 5am on May 30<sup>th</sup>
to head off to the USA. As I mentioned at the beginning of the last post, a
group of us were headed to the New England/Northeast Railroad Prototype
Modelers Meet (NERPM) in Enfield Connecticut. The meet was on June 1<sup>st</sup>
and 2<sup>nd</sup>, so we decided to leave on May 30<sup>th</sup> and take two
full days to make the drive, mostly railfanning along the way. We caught a lot
of trains along the way, including some really neat stuff. I’m not going to
chronicle this entire trip here, because my goal with this blog is to primarily
focus on my passenger train travels (and the connecting trips), so what I’m going
to do instead is focus on only the passenger rail aspects of this trip – the
passenger trains I photographed, and the ones I rode. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I will be posting some of the other neat stuff, including CN, NB
Southern, St. L&A, PanAm, and some other New England odds and ends, over on
my Flickr page in the near future. So keep an eye on that if you’re interested:
</span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/timberley512/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/timberley512/</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The first day was all freight, as was most of the second day. But by
late in the afternoon on May 31<sup>st</sup>, we had made our way to Warwick
Rhode Island to visit the incredible (and I mean really, really incredible) AA
Hobbies. An absolute must for all HO scale model railroaders, and one of the
many highlights of this trip!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In addition to AA Hobbies being an amazing shop, it also happens to be
right next to the Northeast Corridor, and very close to one of the 150mph
sections for Amtrak’s Acela express. On our way to the shop we scouted a
location, and stumbled upon a great spot. A quick check of online live tracking
and schedules showed that there would be a south/westbound Northeast Regional
and a north/eastbound Acela within a roughly half hour period, so we set up and
waited. It wouldn’t be long before the NER train came blasting through,
maintaining a solid 125mph clip. Wow! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoI6uj4E1lx9BYJS4tURpZX2oHDGgtxvqeJuKCNEhhnnYiabxLsaLnI0VtgQhvvzg8Eq-k8GV63DeX2s8XOgWCNadO-McoJKyp3zMTaPDTPSdTdXjagyXgmnVBNhOeip3hgNohdxOqCqv/s1600/IMG_3630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoI6uj4E1lx9BYJS4tURpZX2oHDGgtxvqeJuKCNEhhnnYiabxLsaLnI0VtgQhvvzg8Eq-k8GV63DeX2s8XOgWCNadO-McoJKyp3zMTaPDTPSdTdXjagyXgmnVBNhOeip3hgNohdxOqCqv/s640/IMG_3630.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northeast Regional at 125mph, with a still fresh Siemens ACS-64 leading an 8-pack of Amfleets. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTWbVgM9YgBiJgRQIZYcuoIoAo4Jy6zJXbrSop8lanLP1o8alYCrroJTrdeUeUGPLAIBrz8B6AuYUJvubsl-65jiejBHjMPkdcL2OkZmmNkbOt-5HRnaebioeFF8kVFvJfoPMm6Amacvc/s1600/IMG_3631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTWbVgM9YgBiJgRQIZYcuoIoAo4Jy6zJXbrSop8lanLP1o8alYCrroJTrdeUeUGPLAIBrz8B6AuYUJvubsl-65jiejBHjMPkdcL2OkZmmNkbOt-5HRnaebioeFF8kVFvJfoPMm6Amacvc/s640/IMG_3631.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As fast as it arrived it was gone into the evening light...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Then the real show unfolded a short while later, as the Acela came tearing
through at a blistering 150mph. Again…wow. The rush of a train blasting by at
that kind of speed is incredible, and the sound is something else. It’s also
very difficult to photograph clearly…</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjCZVKW7H1vDmDUNJXIbKEEJSwVTuU1tA4ybJGlZO_RAhPECJaZBod-IzZMbQ7AWhlr9CfwwTGkK6mITJB3xCAaKugM3aUWeHmZQ7gsK5ORp8XIySNjUzMn7ywPl0zTw_J25FeOG-jE3T/s1600/IMG_3633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjCZVKW7H1vDmDUNJXIbKEEJSwVTuU1tA4ybJGlZO_RAhPECJaZBod-IzZMbQ7AWhlr9CfwwTGkK6mITJB3xCAaKugM3aUWeHmZQ7gsK5ORp8XIySNjUzMn7ywPl0zTw_J25FeOG-jE3T/s640/IMG_3633.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what 150mph looks like. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgVn75I0FX9d-ai15GqXZT2zbWERJ3kWbO46qm4YKhnBu9M532peENcIcGTOqH5KphZJm66PCTK2jS9Qunmxtyae1J_sp8o3nvaR1pBkyzwQZ0lClwjYleTy8PAZ69dpK51lKA4pyKUzu/s1600/IMG_3634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgVn75I0FX9d-ai15GqXZT2zbWERJ3kWbO46qm4YKhnBu9M532peENcIcGTOqH5KphZJm66PCTK2jS9Qunmxtyae1J_sp8o3nvaR1pBkyzwQZ0lClwjYleTy8PAZ69dpK51lKA4pyKUzu/s640/IMG_3634.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Within seconds of this photo, the train was completely out of sight. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Just as we were packing up to head off, one of the guys shouted “train!” After the NER went through we had noticed the high-speed crossover
re-align for the nearest track, which is non-electrified, so we knew something
different must be coming through soon. Lo and behold, an MBTA train arrived (at
a much slower clip), led by one of their unique MPI HSP46 locomotives. After that, we packed it in. All in
all a successful, short visit to the NEC trackside. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2i1mdt5iq7mNLM_yJe2JaPDiUHTry0vvb6i6VYxPL0bXERVjW8fU5I-k9cTuI3sqbyfNyWSM_pqBoDSIpkp_GGMpGUqWPi7hBxk4Ep_Pzsx2ZKc0o8qzh2G0iAPRsgAlWdNUbo1VpS_o/s1600/IMG_3637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2i1mdt5iq7mNLM_yJe2JaPDiUHTry0vvb6i6VYxPL0bXERVjW8fU5I-k9cTuI3sqbyfNyWSM_pqBoDSIpkp_GGMpGUqWPi7hBxk4Ep_Pzsx2ZKc0o8qzh2G0iAPRsgAlWdNUbo1VpS_o/s640/IMG_3637.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diverting from the electric line. Good thing this funky MPI unit has a GEVO engine under the hood...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Our next run-in with passenger trains came during one of the days of
the meet (June 1), when we decided to head away to check out another nearby
hobby shop in Connecticut. We checked the passenger timetables and live
tracking info, and saw that we should be able to catch the Vermonter at Windsor
Locks, which was on our way back to the meet. As it turned out, due to delays
we would be able to catch both the southbound *and* northbound Vermonters
within minutes of each other at Windsor Locks! </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Windsor Locks is a small station on the Springfield-New Haven line. It’s
a typical “Amshack”, with no staff or ticket facilities. It’s basically a
park-and-ride, with just enough platform to accommodate the two paired end
vestibules between Amfleet I coaches. We had a bit of a wait, and then saw the
lights from the northbound train. As we waited, we realized that it had taken
the siding just to the south, as it awaited the southbound train that had just
left Springfield. So the southbound Vermonter arrived first, then after the
meet the northbound rolled through. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1mZUqZg0d0Wdi0rsqW9oVR4yCDBmDm0pWn-p7VXtKr28ObOrE3qaA9M9bMZc8grHMglz7s3bEotVOPVGGb4LMe4-HIkYb92hEZd83W2Lxwj5hDNLQ6Ro2QccRevuiHwSXKCQDOp_D5vA/s1600/IMG_3497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1mZUqZg0d0Wdi0rsqW9oVR4yCDBmDm0pWn-p7VXtKr28ObOrE3qaA9M9bMZc8grHMglz7s3bEotVOPVGGb4LMe4-HIkYb92hEZd83W2Lxwj5hDNLQ6Ro2QccRevuiHwSXKCQDOp_D5vA/s640/IMG_3497.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windsor Locks CT. Park and ride with an Amshack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HnLl4Lhp_j0WSaGBMODwMbnihf5cGSnfeyFaF50f2boIidTiAy-c7ypQ3akz84qcJpkWQHcG5kTdShGxQlS1zppcpTZ4E1m_Dez0QQqmoWOAbZHWaWS_g_vC-eMgAM_n3hQ98iG-fj_E/s1600/IMG_3492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1497" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HnLl4Lhp_j0WSaGBMODwMbnihf5cGSnfeyFaF50f2boIidTiAy-c7ypQ3akz84qcJpkWQHcG5kTdShGxQlS1zppcpTZ4E1m_Dez0QQqmoWOAbZHWaWS_g_vC-eMgAM_n3hQ98iG-fj_E/s640/IMG_3492.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southbound Vermonter, behind P42 #13.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzbSsw9oJs1IG8XARLvH0yG_YFeqwvX5R6YTXRl2EOkQZr_dY0nxuFTrQJRO_qAZeu1AJHTkoTV3oAvYvScSeqdMIA4-RFwAUwvSwrSWeOznGBe0cMOZLAt06UjGUtM4U1YWZOYfTEeY5/s1600/IMG_3493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzbSsw9oJs1IG8XARLvH0yG_YFeqwvX5R6YTXRl2EOkQZr_dY0nxuFTrQJRO_qAZeu1AJHTkoTV3oAvYvScSeqdMIA4-RFwAUwvSwrSWeOznGBe0cMOZLAt06UjGUtM4U1YWZOYfTEeY5/s640/IMG_3493.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crew member looks around as the train pulls away. I noticed that it seems to be common practice on Amtrak to open the Amfleet doors on approach and departure from a station, and only drop the step trap as the train stops. On VIA this doesn't happen - doors must be closed and secured before the train moves, and the doors can't be opened until the engineer gives the go-ahead. Some crew members do, however, open the dutch doors on the HEP fleet. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIXogr6SRhD49crwcgwJh05RZFkIepOa87PN6gfNZjVnoY9ygFfeTrDN9CQ2oyhRrACJVRbtXrTQBypCFJY9-3XDm0qfMo3OnMKGdOS8AMgMnNq2JLtiJselWfiHeohCKGE_8VomqTJHi/s1600/IMG_3495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIXogr6SRhD49crwcgwJh05RZFkIepOa87PN6gfNZjVnoY9ygFfeTrDN9CQ2oyhRrACJVRbtXrTQBypCFJY9-3XDm0qfMo3OnMKGdOS8AMgMnNq2JLtiJselWfiHeohCKGE_8VomqTJHi/s640/IMG_3495.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few minutes later, the northbound Vermonter behind #9. Lots of low numbered P42s around. This particular unit would make another appearance at New haven a couple days later (keep an eye out below). A few passengers got on and off here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VNZuE0xiZVJ5dVrswvu_ZAtLHOx_nrEGOasLECf75uzjtSFoc7I-DIBDElefagMfo5lYGTOE8tqSjpnqpqJr7zQdVOE0E5ucRV7DNr9V83UJqZs14m2sHVYQDuf-QVSdA3qqcAwXPevF/s1600/IMG_3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1389" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VNZuE0xiZVJ5dVrswvu_ZAtLHOx_nrEGOasLECf75uzjtSFoc7I-DIBDElefagMfo5lYGTOE8tqSjpnqpqJr7zQdVOE0E5ucRV7DNr9V83UJqZs14m2sHVYQDuf-QVSdA3qqcAwXPevF/s640/IMG_3496.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vermonter departs, and shows off just how filthy an Amcan can get. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As the meet wound up, we had allocated ourselves another two days for
the trip back, with no hard deadlines set in stone. I mentioned that I really
wanted to work in a quick Amtrak trip for fun, and somewhat to my surprise,
everyone else in our car was also on board for the idea! After studying our
options and taking inspiration from our visit the day before, we decided to
board Amtrak shuttle 405 at Windsor Locks and ride it south to New Haven, where
we could check out the activity there, and then return on Amtrak shuttle 460 in
time to still get to other places we wanted to see that day. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We arrived at Windsor Locks about 20 minutes ahead of our train. There
are no ticketing options there, so I had downloaded the Amtrak app and bought
our tickets in advance. Like VIA, Amtrak’s app allows you to open a boarding
pass on your phone with a QR code that the conductor will scan. Unlike VIA,
which gives individual passes for each passenger, Amtrak actually lumps group
bookings onto a single pass. So I had one code, which could be scanned a single
time to cover all four of us. Neat! Amtrak’s system also seemed to work more
smoothly than VIA’s. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The train arrived on time, with ex-Metroliner cab car 9645 leading. The
consist for our train would be the same in both directions (just running the
opposite way). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Amtrak Shuttle 405/460 – June
3, 2018</span></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">108 P42DC</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">82523 Amfleet I coach</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">9645 Ex-Metroliner cab car</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tsFsB1ptb_V13xRJwHFfIZPB5Sr5saQMtiYty_S8oCpW0tDAhHRGooaJWBiBM6IVNvBBo3C-XPIfeKsczT3VCqKE4gW2ORmh8gFJq3tgHUKsv9rhk-qyL-6p094m-DtMjZIjA5iIItU2/s1600/IMG_3661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tsFsB1ptb_V13xRJwHFfIZPB5Sr5saQMtiYty_S8oCpW0tDAhHRGooaJWBiBM6IVNvBBo3C-XPIfeKsczT3VCqKE4gW2ORmh8gFJq3tgHUKsv9rhk-qyL-6p094m-DtMjZIjA5iIItU2/s640/IMG_3661.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train arrives! I didn't catch it in a photo, but the strobes were flashing on the top as the train arrived (as were the ditch lights). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Mxpi6qACDtRb6qHH5nhPkcswzi6X8rapS4dGPUpGhTlTOnwVENHevK14VBC_p4s4_sqn62hPETf0xMiZHA_XsrGq4nAxcUxy8uQHr-fPKDbl1O1NhV3brkg3VhEdo4el7numedgnMQwH/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Mxpi6qACDtRb6qHH5nhPkcswzi6X8rapS4dGPUpGhTlTOnwVENHevK14VBC_p4s4_sqn62hPETf0xMiZHA_XsrGq4nAxcUxy8uQHr-fPKDbl1O1NhV3brkg3VhEdo4el7numedgnMQwH/s640/IMG_3663.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our ride to New Haven. The door opens, and we climb aboard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Boarding the train was really smooth. The conductor directed us up and
into the Amfleet I coach, and we found available seats. The train was mostly
empty, but would fill up substantially at Hartford and a few other stops. The
shuttles that Amtrak operates between Springfield and New Haven are all aligned
to act as connections with Northeast Regional trains between Boston and New
York. There are also a few regionals that originate and terminate in Springfield.
I had initially hoped to ride one of those too, as it would give us a train
with a longer consist and a café car, but the shuttles made the most sense in
our timing. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WdR485ZCv_TdLN3mK0qXujdkdy4E7JQ4NQl8UgsSQDorjmVeR79wi3tUtwbtyg1RhI2K1yJFSmuQEnhQfbP5K0WG0tcFPCiM_n6T8v7cuZQf1BBgF7GMFn-O2IQRuBdpS1rWaHk2PDnI/s1600/IMG_3501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WdR485ZCv_TdLN3mK0qXujdkdy4E7JQ4NQl8UgsSQDorjmVeR79wi3tUtwbtyg1RhI2K1yJFSmuQEnhQfbP5K0WG0tcFPCiM_n6T8v7cuZQf1BBgF7GMFn-O2IQRuBdpS1rWaHk2PDnI/s640/IMG_3501.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our seats. Finally inside an Amfleet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The conductor scanned the one ticket, and placed a check above our
seats. Simple as that. Only the coach was being used – the cab car was gated
off. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This was my first time in an Amfleet coach, and I must say that I was
reasonably impressed. This was one of the cars that has not been re-done in the current Amfleet interior overhaul program. I was glad of this, as I was hoping to have a baseline for what the cars were like before seeing how the refurbs compare. The seats are comfortable, and remind me somewhat of the
seats in VIA’s HEP1 coaches, just with less recline and no leg rest. The tray
tables look very similar to the ones in the HEP1s, likely a similar design
owing to their Budd heritage. The seat spacing in the AM1s is comparable to an
LRC, so is clearly ideal for short-distance travel. The layout actually
reminded me of the LRCs quite a bit, with the location of luggage racks and the
design of the bathrooms, and the sliding vestibule doors, but obviously they lack
the galley for food service and the exposed overhead luggage racks are also
more like VIA’s HEP1s. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowg-Vz8uPSOAdPFQmDKgQanp7bR6U1OiMIM1HklpQiHUoWt1mHDaP2Po-Wm-EFvN5GWo-1EzGtePDHBQoBWmITbfAf_X7NTPgx3AZ3qHAixgeraaSwafznwCHjRnganL-U-6A-vJJaLnt/s1600/IMG_3765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowg-Vz8uPSOAdPFQmDKgQanp7bR6U1OiMIM1HklpQiHUoWt1mHDaP2Po-Wm-EFvN5GWo-1EzGtePDHBQoBWmITbfAf_X7NTPgx3AZ3qHAixgeraaSwafznwCHjRnganL-U-6A-vJJaLnt/s640/IMG_3765.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amfleet I seats: quite comfy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDd3ECgXfK_QBPr-3Q8cfjJDUU5COpklI6jPPDvT9RMzSai18_00otAF7uRnIrHHMsSqfMTFDSwli77Hwk8RGHEh9s_A5taB5zffFap-Oa0oi20CoL_94r_vUiIfRCKg9vzyRSlO5q9-A/s1600/IMG_3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDd3ECgXfK_QBPr-3Q8cfjJDUU5COpklI6jPPDvT9RMzSai18_00otAF7uRnIrHHMsSqfMTFDSwli77Hwk8RGHEh9s_A5taB5zffFap-Oa0oi20CoL_94r_vUiIfRCKg9vzyRSlO5q9-A/s640/IMG_3504.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down the coach. Luggage rack to the right. Note the exit lighting along the floor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBBuhCZ7iUoqRBQUZHEOsdBwrI76YP8uswyV3PqkDVKdFbbh6RetFFjJXV2lP89vWiq36mjz7kiRednSkP9HQvmf9rC9T2RtO3w9vefviOaHOb3LqKMqvBXhsSQ8Q1itlQcZKbwfkR2d0/s1600/IMG_3761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBBuhCZ7iUoqRBQUZHEOsdBwrI76YP8uswyV3PqkDVKdFbbh6RetFFjJXV2lP89vWiq36mjz7kiRednSkP9HQvmf9rC9T2RtO3w9vefviOaHOb3LqKMqvBXhsSQ8Q1itlQcZKbwfkR2d0/s640/IMG_3761.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward. Note the lighted displays, automatic sliding doors (like many of the LRCs), and bathroom on the right. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">On the shuttles Amtrak has arranged the cars with 50/50
forward/backwards seating, but they did it the opposite way that VIA has done
in their LRCs – the seats at each end face the ends, with 4-seaters near the
ends of the car. VIA has instead opted for the seats facing the centre of the
car, with facing pairs mid-car. I think I like the Amtrak setup better. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The windows in the Amfleets are indeed small, but I didn’t find them as
bad as I thought I might. The centre divider also wasn’t overly distracting,
but of course at the end of the day any of VIA’s equipment does win for overall
better view. One of the effects of the small windows is that the car is darker
inside in daylight than an LRC of HEP1/2 would be. It’s a little more like in
the Renaissance cars – of course in those, the culprit is high-mounted seats
that block the windows, rather than small windows themselves. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk2jaRQWLWsqOELam7CfNCj131Kg8PW4c0F-IPFbdKRa4cJGL8j7aEgcCp6ozLn2X-CC6XFaXkIUw33urMorg6FKRWlWNM2irTe7cxrMvK7nxxPjTwDQqP-vdfCeLJlzMxwk3x6jIU-mO/s1600/IMG_3763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk2jaRQWLWsqOELam7CfNCj131Kg8PW4c0F-IPFbdKRa4cJGL8j7aEgcCp6ozLn2X-CC6XFaXkIUw33urMorg6FKRWlWNM2irTe7cxrMvK7nxxPjTwDQqP-vdfCeLJlzMxwk3x6jIU-mO/s640/IMG_3763.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out an Amfleet I window.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The ride in the car was comfortable, though much of this is likely
thanks to the track along the line, which has been upgraded for new commuter
service and higher-speed Amtrak operation (both of which started after we were
there). The most annoying element of this trip was the PA speakers in the car
we were in, which had heavy distortion and sounded awful. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There was lots of neat stuff to see along the way, then next thing we
knew were in New Haven. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GPF0TJDM50KgSqWTrwCBo4A_TuG4G7Hd-s-PRn6dLtWGfXCDH5KfFr1_K1vx74BmlN9dSjX-E80Bu1E1-9kBwb5pviD6wq2px9HTZpl-c_niv52vv3v4-cydSZLT5iHr8e4ZlUY281Nr/s1600/IMG_3667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GPF0TJDM50KgSqWTrwCBo4A_TuG4G7Hd-s-PRn6dLtWGfXCDH5KfFr1_K1vx74BmlN9dSjX-E80Bu1E1-9kBwb5pviD6wq2px9HTZpl-c_niv52vv3v4-cydSZLT5iHr8e4ZlUY281Nr/s640/IMG_3667.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passengers are off, and our train prepares to head to the yard until it is needed for the return trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGksjaJhq-95R6oIoNnVcxXXnGSCiOnWI9ZTtccApF7PK0aMCp5Hd09QCLYLjGy6qN2E9xUrCDUwAgJY88-plYu9l5NRGrLIQtr9h4Bt0qjBylSKxfGTGuunTujleSijKoc6_c3oVrSLw/s1600/IMG_3668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGksjaJhq-95R6oIoNnVcxXXnGSCiOnWI9ZTtccApF7PK0aMCp5Hd09QCLYLjGy6qN2E9xUrCDUwAgJY88-plYu9l5NRGrLIQtr9h4Bt0qjBylSKxfGTGuunTujleSijKoc6_c3oVrSLw/s640/IMG_3668.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of the funky ex-Metroliner cab car. Clearly there is no left-side visibility for the crew. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5I1W2Gtw2pcnzzhke1_vixL86WccDR0ewgi_PhfZSJYrqQmp3ZRRT04UEvs56c0BceteYXv6RxB8aHve5JG5q5BGnnLSG84YxAe-FZimrRQn_7vhVj1W3pcX8GbGs99MZwq1D0AaXSpN4/s1600/IMG_3670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5I1W2Gtw2pcnzzhke1_vixL86WccDR0ewgi_PhfZSJYrqQmp3ZRRT04UEvs56c0BceteYXv6RxB8aHve5JG5q5BGnnLSG84YxAe-FZimrRQn_7vhVj1W3pcX8GbGs99MZwq1D0AaXSpN4/s640/IMG_3670.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train heads for the yard, which is just off the right. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After getting off the train we waited around on the
platform for a Northeast Regional (195) that was due shortly, and watched some of the
unique commuter equipment around the station. New Haven is a busy place, with
no shortage of passenger activity…even on a Sunday!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzP4nXIFOsQQa1udRbt5hVAwRMUscRizZyswJGodc9Y19tnfeiQGvpRSjIxfSLIDDnm0Wd8ozYZgoDJ5QQ-uLJPl7VNy4sXjmkC25Md6u420iTnF3z3rLnKqwjQQZ9B7S6VI_2eJkwgOJ/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzP4nXIFOsQQa1udRbt5hVAwRMUscRizZyswJGodc9Y19tnfeiQGvpRSjIxfSLIDDnm0Wd8ozYZgoDJ5QQ-uLJPl7VNy4sXjmkC25Md6u420iTnF3z3rLnKqwjQQZ9B7S6VI_2eJkwgOJ/s640/IMG_3693.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really unique looking MetroNorth commuter equipment. These trains were all over the place, and looked nice inside (from what could be seen through the windows)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOiWQzOoU7yoBHRxG7poTN2_euoy1s-dPNsuytck4CqGdLConQOPi0ODk664r6Gv3ijLfmCPaKrzl8oU18ppAzzOgfhV9ihQPmAiHlXf2-GBIWnWj2YsKkhuYoEmT43ET9uHEZqwSFwAy/s1600/IMG_3674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOiWQzOoU7yoBHRxG7poTN2_euoy1s-dPNsuytck4CqGdLConQOPi0ODk664r6Gv3ijLfmCPaKrzl8oU18ppAzzOgfhV9ihQPmAiHlXf2-GBIWnWj2YsKkhuYoEmT43ET9uHEZqwSFwAy/s640/IMG_3674.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northeast Regional 195 arrives at New Haven. This is the onward connection to New York for passengers on shuttle 405. The ditch lights are mid-flash, hence only one showing up...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstAIJwiRULlBBFhQVxAVFj2wagkhshiPsxUKA0nJFDYKegO5CWcAZlN367s_UGPrXkEvoZh2tgJ_uis2CAr3z7qpM3odv2Io7Wd6VGcPce546tZ84Luy8y7noNCHOt4k9Wtj-ua8FImCT/s1600/IMG_3677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstAIJwiRULlBBFhQVxAVFj2wagkhshiPsxUKA0nJFDYKegO5CWcAZlN367s_UGPrXkEvoZh2tgJ_uis2CAr3z7qpM3odv2Io7Wd6VGcPce546tZ84Luy8y7noNCHOt4k9Wtj-ua8FImCT/s640/IMG_3677.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Café car on Amtrak 195.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdVoPbvR_2EpA_d6sM_PIJ2RHbk5GCdVl6op3OoB8aipjWOyKEP98IXu-yTE7WQZwXWTz2uiZqeZuxPWamc_vJ4v1CH39UBCbQ6RF0bhrAgf9dIyV9im4OdJ1GPdbyTm6cLv-rUXdAM1R/s1600/IMG_3680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdVoPbvR_2EpA_d6sM_PIJ2RHbk5GCdVl6op3OoB8aipjWOyKEP98IXu-yTE7WQZwXWTz2uiZqeZuxPWamc_vJ4v1CH39UBCbQ6RF0bhrAgf9dIyV9im4OdJ1GPdbyTm6cLv-rUXdAM1R/s640/IMG_3680.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Businessclass car on Amtrak 195.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFemuAtMVNkOo5qKou0N0pQ4hWvVS7-4mj4MCE7eGl5lrgDvA-ZpQ_uxkkWNuEVIY_tjYPrDlih38UaGqDnUQaEytBtLsoffhRRY3ccMf15U86izNfZ4fk3BqFAZC4i4g27lsl9_hHMSE/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFemuAtMVNkOo5qKou0N0pQ4hWvVS7-4mj4MCE7eGl5lrgDvA-ZpQ_uxkkWNuEVIY_tjYPrDlih38UaGqDnUQaEytBtLsoffhRRY3ccMf15U86izNfZ4fk3BqFAZC4i4g27lsl9_hHMSE/s640/IMG_3502.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A friendly conductor has a bit of a laugh as Amtrak 195 pulls away. Once again, he rode with the door open like this pretty well to the end of the platform.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzOCgQGa51nmgyD3isF1YBGZnQyDb8ajrRo4Oi5qDXfuLZk4KcsyqD0LgsKwls23ZvtCxSr-wlp8kMeEs4-O8V6SRbOOSh_sUmAWIAI2S_wp3ylaiDirbFGqzZWybvVyZAKOo5Klg-0lH/s1600/IMG_3695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzOCgQGa51nmgyD3isF1YBGZnQyDb8ajrRo4Oi5qDXfuLZk4KcsyqD0LgsKwls23ZvtCxSr-wlp8kMeEs4-O8V6SRbOOSh_sUmAWIAI2S_wp3ylaiDirbFGqzZWybvVyZAKOo5Klg-0lH/s640/IMG_3695.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over to the Amtrak yard by the station. Note the P&W loco (there are actually two back-to-back), and our train (with red markers on) just to the left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTSJmgnkSJpMkOhr8q1Mn5EReJWforlwLRf6nudfm9hradDEwztPOlcy5UyZw-HBDxZcuqgevdcLEqAZ_Zjz0mtkma6Qt3Vq4M7oVbjeC1taqi5njVDd6td2Ml8fEt-EUsUvaxI9wP5on/s1600/IMG_3699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTSJmgnkSJpMkOhr8q1Mn5EReJWforlwLRf6nudfm9hradDEwztPOlcy5UyZw-HBDxZcuqgevdcLEqAZ_Zjz0mtkma6Qt3Vq4M7oVbjeC1taqi5njVDd6td2Ml8fEt-EUsUvaxI9wP5on/s640/IMG_3699.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence of railway heritage - Penn Central sign still visible through the rust.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy9Ab4zwadyHIOW159KS3q9tF6boPb0V7la5oPPSrCWdtVMSHnUFAk40-ZHFf7brsPVYmhNlMwgjnQyYCKQrQTesJcf0_HX_BRF2dDhQF78ImPlkt9-WdHnY-Igjspg4Z7u6kpJ7ftaAz/s1600/IMG_3720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy9Ab4zwadyHIOW159KS3q9tF6boPb0V7la5oPPSrCWdtVMSHnUFAk40-ZHFf7brsPVYmhNlMwgjnQyYCKQrQTesJcf0_HX_BRF2dDhQF78ImPlkt9-WdHnY-Igjspg4Z7u6kpJ7ftaAz/s640/IMG_3720.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind one of those funky Metro North trains is an ex-Amtrak P42 operating for Connecticut commuter rail. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqQMxy60BMjF-7bS3npH7QJmHoGMELgPg2kUhg8UGMA96r-YuHcgBJPh_hFfi7OFWfh2x1Y6GO47CXRvp-xEduQCjolHtmYagYWN1cS12vtXUT9Rnose8fU6S4g4b2pH60T0-gjlyodrx/s1600/IMG_3729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqQMxy60BMjF-7bS3npH7QJmHoGMELgPg2kUhg8UGMA96r-YuHcgBJPh_hFfi7OFWfh2x1Y6GO47CXRvp-xEduQCjolHtmYagYWN1cS12vtXUT9Rnose8fU6S4g4b2pH60T0-gjlyodrx/s640/IMG_3729.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the side of that P42 you can clearly see where the Amtrak logo was covered and the Connecticut commuter logo was added. This won't be around for long, because Connecticut commuter services are being rebranded as "CT Rail".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4O_wbSAc3qgPqC-NawKNl2o48cFhiI99kscuVvXgN3AInNAFfmdv2SbL0m_FArGle_enU86oB85uBPUfCGG9pnjhhN1aU2WB4asjwY__7beHKEc44u8c23ShVg2SJQglNbLHX-7SnMOX/s1600/IMG_3731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4O_wbSAc3qgPqC-NawKNl2o48cFhiI99kscuVvXgN3AInNAFfmdv2SbL0m_FArGle_enU86oB85uBPUfCGG9pnjhhN1aU2WB4asjwY__7beHKEc44u8c23ShVg2SJQglNbLHX-7SnMOX/s640/IMG_3731.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another sign of railway heritage that won't be around much longer...Connecticut's commuter rail has used the classic New Haven logo and even a variant of their paint scheme on much of their equipment, but this will soon disappear as the CT Rail branding takes over. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The main thing we were waiting for was the Northeast Regional 157 from
Springfield that would be following us, as it would be switching locomotives
here from diesel to electric, to complete its run to New York. That train
arrived as expected, with a pair of P42s on the lead. The operation was really
neat to watch, and in a short while the ACS-64 had the train back on its way. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguNFJEhYg-FLh7gCh5nrEqQcdnpmd6Mh8vIN2ZiCP0leZtBn5Ow7wNiLJaCnxJuoRwn6YBRAZYrP2bVcgdC0j6R54RkOIwLVAuywbuIjV6NI5IgAKdrJ9umuD2EYj6TuV4Ev1dvvoYnM-/s1600/IMG_3702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1600" height="503" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguNFJEhYg-FLh7gCh5nrEqQcdnpmd6Mh8vIN2ZiCP0leZtBn5Ow7wNiLJaCnxJuoRwn6YBRAZYrP2bVcgdC0j6R54RkOIwLVAuywbuIjV6NI5IgAKdrJ9umuD2EYj6TuV4Ev1dvvoYnM-/s640/IMG_3702.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northeast Regional 157 arrives from Springfield, and to my surprise has two P42s (the first of which was a familiar face from two days earlier) on the head end. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYecWblnC2QpF8mA05eKpToEOTf4unQ0WMylxc572rwp57nwUzsdR4RjMsowcYWKfwhP6udVnbi4N9TMIyXRGMWudAcjKf_LTLEVMIXj_TWUahmDbq2_U_zdpcgHO3gV7TpJAb0dkSTmBd/s1600/IMG_3709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYecWblnC2QpF8mA05eKpToEOTf4unQ0WMylxc572rwp57nwUzsdR4RjMsowcYWKfwhP6udVnbi4N9TMIyXRGMWudAcjKf_LTLEVMIXj_TWUahmDbq2_U_zdpcgHO3gV7TpJAb0dkSTmBd/s640/IMG_3709.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amtrak crews prepare to cut out the two P42s, as an ACS-64 waits on the track ahead. Once disconnected, the P42s will take the switch to run around on the track to the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7DZ3Ay6O6InbBbeAC2OBBSp2Hlnl-iQoEfZMNJrEYMHeEYR-rXHBd1B-RR0_iWGPzNiyUKd-WTPtiOmmol-467XF0AJiAO4BUKrMEhe53mH0hy6gGA-PzkuXbTdFcJJULoSq__Lq2j4r/s1600/IMG_3712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7DZ3Ay6O6InbBbeAC2OBBSp2Hlnl-iQoEfZMNJrEYMHeEYR-rXHBd1B-RR0_iWGPzNiyUKd-WTPtiOmmol-467XF0AJiAO4BUKrMEhe53mH0hy6gGA-PzkuXbTdFcJJULoSq__Lq2j4r/s640/IMG_3712.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With their train cut off (which was a bit dramatic - the air wasn't shut off when they first cut, so there was a lot of hissing and blowing until it was shut off!), #9 and 110 head off to the yard. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRbAi9-fOlL6LFTncLbYyBmAkLvoXLXsOmuEemnyH_JMiR7IC8ntd3VWoVZv-SfQdrxEvMdipWfPyMoFQD72A-4_uXmWrvfSbNU7nnBJY_PlN2jlTtHfkJJscSbAxiaFW3oqdA9spswc0/s1600/IMG_3715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRbAi9-fOlL6LFTncLbYyBmAkLvoXLXsOmuEemnyH_JMiR7IC8ntd3VWoVZv-SfQdrxEvMdipWfPyMoFQD72A-4_uXmWrvfSbNU7nnBJY_PlN2jlTtHfkJJscSbAxiaFW3oqdA9spswc0/s640/IMG_3715.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ACS-64 643 rolls in to connect to the train.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjBsXq1Llf1_A8lbrkx1Tjy_esn6uOrUKVrKVpeUbqsDNuwLJYu8PVGGuo_bQBMW6X_0_cM3zcmyt6y1wm0KUJ1qv_h2y_i1pZxpBkQPfhxaBWxxv7i8C00TTAssn-CokS3f9kwAfVROc/s1600/IMG_3721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1600" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjBsXq1Llf1_A8lbrkx1Tjy_esn6uOrUKVrKVpeUbqsDNuwLJYu8PVGGuo_bQBMW6X_0_cM3zcmyt6y1wm0KUJ1qv_h2y_i1pZxpBkQPfhxaBWxxv7i8C00TTAssn-CokS3f9kwAfVROc/s640/IMG_3721.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ACS-64 643. These Siemens locomotives have replaced Amtrak's venerable AEM7s as the workhorse electric power in the Northeast Corridor. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6dD-Q_-qXln_n-mvNB26ngdsBrtDbaZM8mWgYJl_ZfxBu_CwejqMrUnjK_MTNlhS0KWL6DjplVjnpmbK_cYelpAcN9djHhKVItOjPQQd2zKjJdHXs8pQJMJswQfODm7qkQo4M77RwucB/s1600/IMG_3726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6dD-Q_-qXln_n-mvNB26ngdsBrtDbaZM8mWgYJl_ZfxBu_CwejqMrUnjK_MTNlhS0KWL6DjplVjnpmbK_cYelpAcN9djHhKVItOjPQQd2zKjJdHXs8pQJMJswQfODm7qkQo4M77RwucB/s640/IMG_3726.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now running electric, #157 heads off on its way to New York, as two other Siemens electrics rest in the yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After this activity we headed inside to check out the station (really
impressive!), and then wandered up the street to see what we could see of the
Amtrak facility. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMV8A9O9EE3_6aHKRcI_MLg-aFLO-Uu9Epcu7-OVSi8Do3wDmmLTqKeMJOA-3s0DKAAtG1pVeZ1t2_dnwxgPrDjV3i2gtWEXqMYXp6W8nA3ti1I5aw6oTZyoLWs-CeP2DCukPCePaFYDc/s1600/IMG_3727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMV8A9O9EE3_6aHKRcI_MLg-aFLO-Uu9Epcu7-OVSi8Do3wDmmLTqKeMJOA-3s0DKAAtG1pVeZ1t2_dnwxgPrDjV3i2gtWEXqMYXp6W8nA3ti1I5aw6oTZyoLWs-CeP2DCukPCePaFYDc/s640/IMG_3727.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Haven station, from the platforms. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoVc75N4-3n_wm3_IUNlLp37VeJgPasLWg3rRdHtXEDyPQFNaCX5aXCISPMO6slyEpQ6O2xufaz8G0fBy7S3J8vCNlUOxeWFbz88ILSJXy6I4G2260LCrrfoiGmrDdj65FjcOyIPAoScn/s1600/IMG_3732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoVc75N4-3n_wm3_IUNlLp37VeJgPasLWg3rRdHtXEDyPQFNaCX5aXCISPMO6slyEpQ6O2xufaz8G0fBy7S3J8vCNlUOxeWFbz88ILSJXy6I4G2260LCrrfoiGmrDdj65FjcOyIPAoScn/s640/IMG_3732.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are quite a few tracks! The numbering was not at all clear in terms of which track followed which - I suspect there's a history behind all that. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlDP9Tbl2Wj2EGouoESyx5lFFgN_6h-ZZ1rfHsvePDgU7LNze20zZUKWDPSuQgrLJwCWRluhs1uvyIZ2y_q103wETM8qHcJFH3C25OQhtu9mfBbJ72muNH3sOk0r-tH7U-3gkFED_0if5/s1600/IMG_3733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlDP9Tbl2Wj2EGouoESyx5lFFgN_6h-ZZ1rfHsvePDgU7LNze20zZUKWDPSuQgrLJwCWRluhs1uvyIZ2y_q103wETM8qHcJFH3C25OQhtu9mfBbJ72muNH3sOk0r-tH7U-3gkFED_0if5/s640/IMG_3733.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you descend from the platforms (by elevator or stairs) you arrive in these tubular tunnels. Pretty neat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s9QubCTEU2SGugAyyYJ0mcu73q9xeGShLsCZt_clAx9arA4c6Rb4N49DOJEEaitRldGmswWeKHwFiHtNbsKuqbR4eLzCAhe-MoEO6bTR1r76DuddJ8J28zQDdI_l0z9fLm1bmu_W83pj/s1600/IMG_3734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7s9QubCTEU2SGugAyyYJ0mcu73q9xeGShLsCZt_clAx9arA4c6Rb4N49DOJEEaitRldGmswWeKHwFiHtNbsKuqbR4eLzCAhe-MoEO6bTR1r76DuddJ8J28zQDdI_l0z9fLm1bmu_W83pj/s640/IMG_3734.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I said before, New Haven is a busy place - this is the <em>Sunday</em> schedule (from 10 to 12:30), and its quite a bit quieter than a weekday would be. Our shuttle for the return (460) is on the board. Amtrak trains are blue, Metro North in red, and Connecticut commuter in grey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5joNLbxKfBY2iaq_Y_V_gfAvg0n4oZWhyphenhypheny9o6taUgN63oK9VGJ60ostncKWayY1ImlseGyswBmw00QTcOA2Ds0RX04m_ifvkvEjHpwGtgxMtSHvMpWLJFMtzXKrnT_m5koytDSqLpY6Ps/s1600/IMG_3735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5joNLbxKfBY2iaq_Y_V_gfAvg0n4oZWhyphenhypheny9o6taUgN63oK9VGJ60ostncKWayY1ImlseGyswBmw00QTcOA2Ds0RX04m_ifvkvEjHpwGtgxMtSHvMpWLJFMtzXKrnT_m5koytDSqLpY6Ps/s640/IMG_3735.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ascending to the main New Haven station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1osQWztAhzlnZdaxN6cdzRWf99Cd25kYIiQEvymKj3we5O59cBuHPeTji1ph6hjgBrpbVNfau-hw3tn3CWk7XxNuYDo2ISjsDQyKhDy-a3IkW0g1IEsvHRk39caTjxVt7_K9cbo2IWGU/s1600/IMG_3736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1osQWztAhzlnZdaxN6cdzRWf99Cd25kYIiQEvymKj3we5O59cBuHPeTji1ph6hjgBrpbVNfau-hw3tn3CWk7XxNuYDo2ISjsDQyKhDy-a3IkW0g1IEsvHRk39caTjxVt7_K9cbo2IWGU/s640/IMG_3736.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the station! Ticket wickets along the left, restaurants/shops along the right. You can't really see it that well here, but each bench is topped with models of various New Haven trains (in larger scales). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZV67lwLaVnxdjDmZSjunmQVPin3uqGH5XzS_EKrDwaUyX0M-Jj2pJyXpPp80W0XnW1QDirRHCuhgjI_ZprMQj_HMn50UZJqmiTq1CcCluZv9LM5CSDi8EIYlEp9IV2R96r4DF6KgP_AP/s1600/IMG_3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZV67lwLaVnxdjDmZSjunmQVPin3uqGH5XzS_EKrDwaUyX0M-Jj2pJyXpPp80W0XnW1QDirRHCuhgjI_ZprMQj_HMn50UZJqmiTq1CcCluZv9LM5CSDi8EIYlEp9IV2R96r4DF6KgP_AP/s640/IMG_3738.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new look - CT rail. The machine on the left has a sign advertising the soon-to-launch commuter service on the Hartford line (New Haven to Springfield). Service was delayed starting and would ultimately get underway later in June. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VI-bbA_zIIuqUlua_8_Dbt-_GXhf3vcxwmJgrokJYePDv4HKkRBwrcIUSfXxEwC3ufX3FvFKIZ6orrzB5wnDKHsfSyPHUPDfBHffcyMku0_8Pl8pcltZxRz-1L7UY2DipMeD-F1wqif0/s1600/IMG_3757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VI-bbA_zIIuqUlua_8_Dbt-_GXhf3vcxwmJgrokJYePDv4HKkRBwrcIUSfXxEwC3ufX3FvFKIZ6orrzB5wnDKHsfSyPHUPDfBHffcyMku0_8Pl8pcltZxRz-1L7UY2DipMeD-F1wqif0/s640/IMG_3757.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't think those wooden benches could recline...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KMNap6TEWf4oPtwhRclJK_1EaAlSR7fWwVEwGkxmp3DNVGoNE-EqUoMo9i5BOkrtCMIY1fVBoKycqIDMjPrhRviGcYubStAvRFzFD9fnGN_HOVUn9Rd0xVjaDiB-ZsIgG_DYL0BwWPz4/s1600/IMG_3758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KMNap6TEWf4oPtwhRclJK_1EaAlSR7fWwVEwGkxmp3DNVGoNE-EqUoMo9i5BOkrtCMIY1fVBoKycqIDMjPrhRviGcYubStAvRFzFD9fnGN_HOVUn9Rd0xVjaDiB-ZsIgG_DYL0BwWPz4/s640/IMG_3758.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">History of the restoration of New Haven Union Station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwjWfe60qXm5b1wxG2im7iLsgrVl67v-unvuwDn5-sf8xpHoPg-43Y8NA8EKRb-UQQgIxEe8EK7s7OkQCRaU42-EhvK_epQV0Qzhn8T23l6s2uUk4GRLZNrKCLIvizJenAAr6rVzHgVf-/s1600/IMG_3743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwjWfe60qXm5b1wxG2im7iLsgrVl67v-unvuwDn5-sf8xpHoPg-43Y8NA8EKRb-UQQgIxEe8EK7s7OkQCRaU42-EhvK_epQV0Qzhn8T23l6s2uUk4GRLZNrKCLIvizJenAAr6rVzHgVf-/s640/IMG_3743.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amtrak yard at New Haven. There is a small shop here, and quite a bit of power on hand. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbg47OaKrfmXoH_vJHDVWZvPpoSeGoUt7U0BuvcrHoIs_5sFYfuO7pL01glo0FNA_HbNAENrtjtDBLbFL1LTfEXSzBuyPbUiUKstfjexK5e2Dbub3w_FhLkJPAWb5SzKAfSu97pwquzQrs/s1600/IMG_3745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbg47OaKrfmXoH_vJHDVWZvPpoSeGoUt7U0BuvcrHoIs_5sFYfuO7pL01glo0FNA_HbNAENrtjtDBLbFL1LTfEXSzBuyPbUiUKstfjexK5e2Dbub3w_FhLkJPAWb5SzKAfSu97pwquzQrs/s640/IMG_3745.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting power in the Amtrak yard - a few switchers, a Dash 8, and...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A3fqQm8_Zs5L7iw4_6yDOYxgDvMY3NR7WEZwTQgieezhdM5ergAZuzkVq8EZLJx6rfNMP-_Vk_jpMxOYLKCTYVyeeZ2ElZHkf6Md8_o1gnonryRxn1IE2catMY6QWeekj6cYrkE4WbT5/s1600/IMG_3752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A3fqQm8_Zs5L7iw4_6yDOYxgDvMY3NR7WEZwTQgieezhdM5ergAZuzkVq8EZLJx6rfNMP-_Vk_jpMxOYLKCTYVyeeZ2ElZHkf6Md8_o1gnonryRxn1IE2catMY6QWeekj6cYrkE4WbT5/s640/IMG_3752.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">...a former GO Transit GP40TC! Now rebuilt and classified as GP38H-3.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We didn’t have a lot of time to kill, so before long it was time to
grab something to eat (Subway to take on the train did the trick), and make our
way back out through the tunnels to our platform, where the same train we came
down on was waiting to take us back. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwJAEVb6OLqlU857mmsjdyvig88W19icLDd92BK053eWFDyaBxtiKdJ25a1X3Pp679tATkXPNiXHiFqDupz7aq9ZCMCl1nC-ccxcFzqX-fdKDSeSxJtbxn3d4OE8sS8yMZCfKt5YIgFJu/s1600/IMG_3759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwJAEVb6OLqlU857mmsjdyvig88W19icLDd92BK053eWFDyaBxtiKdJ25a1X3Pp679tATkXPNiXHiFqDupz7aq9ZCMCl1nC-ccxcFzqX-fdKDSeSxJtbxn3d4OE8sS8yMZCfKt5YIgFJu/s1600/IMG_3759.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train, once again, ready to return - locomotive leading this time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We ended up in the same coach once again. I had hoped to ride in the
cab car, but it was already filled up, so we settled for the coach. I did peek
in, and saw that the block of seats nearest the cab end was barred off. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The trip back was smooth and uneventful, just like the trip down, and
we arrived just a few minutes behind schedule. We hopped off, photographed the
train as it left, and then headed back to our car and were on our way. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFRnmb_3SmHxCykCLqU1bo_1IYblqDBKvREvsgtfaAZtm4_wx5z2pZjouQFeXc03_V7OzP08CvpbXVo1oh5Cf1zkmskEjlWJA3yKLShZje6MtmKqS4__h40xzHix81s2A4lgAWQkl0z7Q/s1600/IMG_3768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFRnmb_3SmHxCykCLqU1bo_1IYblqDBKvREvsgtfaAZtm4_wx5z2pZjouQFeXc03_V7OzP08CvpbXVo1oh5Cf1zkmskEjlWJA3yKLShZje6MtmKqS4__h40xzHix81s2A4lgAWQkl0z7Q/s640/IMG_3768.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just as we saw it at the start of the day, but now with red markers illuminated, our train heads off to its final stop at Springfield.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9LRl1JrhX0vVGpiI_sYO-MfHa8za-yoqWduit2T4Si9BJ3M53PqYrEN0RXj2Frp07oWAQMRSbioYzEIzPFrVyMaHzkQaHWVSrVDy5TOcnE7ZwCK_vgOAnyhBKWB1mdRHQV7MnEBa1fcR/s1600/IMG_3769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9LRl1JrhX0vVGpiI_sYO-MfHa8za-yoqWduit2T4Si9BJ3M53PqYrEN0RXj2Frp07oWAQMRSbioYzEIzPFrVyMaHzkQaHWVSrVDy5TOcnE7ZwCK_vgOAnyhBKWB1mdRHQV7MnEBa1fcR/s640/IMG_3769.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we got loaded back in the car, I snapped one more photo of the little station at Windsor Locks. Simple and functional.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Overall, a really fun little trip! There’s a lot more Amtrak travelling
I want to do in the future (Acela, various regional and long-distance trains),
but for now this was a great first taste of America’s national passenger
railway. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The return trip had only one bit of passenger content – an MBTA
commuter train at Shirley MA. This featured another HSP46, and a display of the
rather unusual MBTA practice of running single-level and bi-level equipment in
the same consist. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT9a856IFHvOiKlMACCqhIeKYWmUdSOVHXLI0NGSbeVu_1LZ5arlVXiCbRbvlZvI4ERNlzaXxEfFqDmLZpOmzhPyvPH0UFSYLQ6G6hr9tNIaWkAjCP1ItsEa_VYEwCDnpfA0nrixOKrMp/s1600/IMG_3778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1600" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT9a856IFHvOiKlMACCqhIeKYWmUdSOVHXLI0NGSbeVu_1LZ5arlVXiCbRbvlZvI4ERNlzaXxEfFqDmLZpOmzhPyvPH0UFSYLQ6G6hr9tNIaWkAjCP1ItsEa_VYEwCDnpfA0nrixOKrMp/s640/IMG_3778.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An MBTA commuter train rounds the corner into Shirley MA, horn blaring for the crossing right at the station. The train is outbound from Boston, nearing the end of its run on the Fitchburg Line.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdRwxf68v4_UfIPzL8AHlRUIkkkHkul8W7DqRYBof1rv-W_89Dm5GKPfKBe6lRMlNd7MFb1Mj1rC__vpWYK9JNcawQdlUAGrhu2P1nN_NYSsDjN9OhnqEn4dz3A6DyV7syQo-cGbOUx_U/s1600/IMG_3781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdRwxf68v4_UfIPzL8AHlRUIkkkHkul8W7DqRYBof1rv-W_89Dm5GKPfKBe6lRMlNd7MFb1Mj1rC__vpWYK9JNcawQdlUAGrhu2P1nN_NYSsDjN9OhnqEn4dz3A6DyV7syQo-cGbOUx_U/s640/IMG_3781.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the coolest things about MBTA - running bi-levels mid consist with single level equipment! They even have a consistent paint scheme that sensibly flows between the two car types! The bilevel is one of the newer Hyundai-Rotem cars - the design is very similar to the earlier Kawasaki orders (still classed BTC-4, just different order), and I don't know the ins and outs of the differences. Interestingly the end doors are all a step-trap design - at high level platforms, at least some cars have automatic doors that can be opened by trainline - but at low level platforms (like this one), a conductor has to manually open any doors that will be boarding. It's somewhat odd to see after being used to commuter operations like GO and AMT (and even the O-Train) where all doors automatically (or at the push of a button) open at each station. In the case of AMT, their mixed high and low level door designs allow this at both high and low level platforms. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2sYYjqajAsji4lufxHJLKEMprqqOuFVuTgtkc9hXOOkSZikCmEVrmGOxa_DZhUy8LyoMd3jVYnpVUdDcVxujd8rbghfLSMLJ_YaIfpW9NzgvbY-yUaStH5lmTGTLbpbGcCRVbrkxidbJ/s1600/IMG_3782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2sYYjqajAsji4lufxHJLKEMprqqOuFVuTgtkc9hXOOkSZikCmEVrmGOxa_DZhUy8LyoMd3jVYnpVUdDcVxujd8rbghfLSMLJ_YaIfpW9NzgvbY-yUaStH5lmTGTLbpbGcCRVbrkxidbJ/s640/IMG_3782.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single-level Bombardier CTC-1B cab car. Those windows make the Amfleet I windows look generous. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This stop at Shirley also gave us, by incredible coincidence, an
opportunity to catch something else really cool (but not passenger-related)….keep
an eye on my Flickr page to see that!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I thought we might get a chance to see the Downeaster, but the next day
began rainy and our timing didn’t line up well. So we made the rest of the trip
home, with just a few more stops to check out freight activity along the way. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So that’s all for now. Until the next time…</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_4W0iOycNvGdZZlELjnIbw-1nwiFs0_TBz2BwMKVWH8psLGaIggRXS4oExBKmN7rX0-CPpvI3gd6Fr4bdm3CWrOKUI1PUNdoEWvRfWDVHkks89-bPt1gpSDSBwFGyFDR9Fl44ulV8s3k/s1600/IMG_3784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_4W0iOycNvGdZZlELjnIbw-1nwiFs0_TBz2BwMKVWH8psLGaIggRXS4oExBKmN7rX0-CPpvI3gd6Fr4bdm3CWrOKUI1PUNdoEWvRfWDVHkks89-bPt1gpSDSBwFGyFDR9Fl44ulV8s3k/s640/IMG_3784.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little station at Shirley MA. This looks fancier, but it amounts to basically the same thing as the Amshack at Windsor Locks - a small, partially enclosed waiting area, timetables posted outside, and just enough platform for the station stops. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-20860962058810560162018-06-27T12:25:00.002-03:002018-06-27T12:25:27.626-03:00Planes, Trains and Automobiles - to Ottawa and South - PART 1
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Planes, Trains and Automobiles - to Ottawa and South</span></u></div>
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</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVZsfY2VizYxN1AiWWI5raYHWbQtdIOxrXrRgdjqJI6aYHfKPjjVg6SGNAhl-GTVG79q_VBjfJ3vXV7hzcH-nzydQHp-Z2anc7oHftpxMSgOYV0tEKgT-KzS9AcSUX3i8m-UdpAhXADAF/s1600/IMG_3969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVZsfY2VizYxN1AiWWI5raYHWbQtdIOxrXrRgdjqJI6aYHfKPjjVg6SGNAhl-GTVG79q_VBjfJ3vXV7hzcH-nzydQHp-Z2anc7oHftpxMSgOYV0tEKgT-KzS9AcSUX3i8m-UdpAhXADAF/s640/IMG_3969.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance cars on VIA 14, the Ocean, at Moncton NB. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The end of May 2018 saw me heading off on a rather hastily
planned visit to the Nation’s Capital. I had been invited to attend the
Transport Action Canada Annual General Meeting, and decided that I could make
the trip up by air one way and by rail on the return. I hadn’t been expecting
to make another VIA trip just yet, so this was a welcome opportunity. It would
also give me a chance to check out a bit of the new O-Train Confederation Line,
which is still months away from starting operations but is very much a part of
the landscape. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I mention that this trip was rather hastily planned. It was,
effectively, shoehorned in just before another trip which I had been planning
for close to a year. A group of us from the Maritimes were planning to head south
to Enfield CT, to attend the New England/Northeast Regional Prototype Modelers
Meet (NERPM) on June 1-2. That would be a road trip (and a wildly fun one!)
which would bring me into some new territory, and I hoped to catch plenty of
passenger train action in the process. I was also hoping to squeeze in my first
trip on Amtrak, and ultimately I would manage to make that happen. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So I’m going to post two parts to this report, the first
heading off to Ottawa and back, and the second heading south of the border. The
two trips aren’t inherently connected, but they happened so close together
(with only a day back in Halifax in between) that I keep thinking of them as
one adventure. So, here we go… </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Part 1: Ottawa</span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">On May 25<sup>th</sup> I left from work and headed straight
to the airport. For several years now Halifax Transit has been running route
320, which connects downtown Halifax and Dartmouth to the airport. Anyone
familiar with Halifax knows that the airport is a fair hike outside of town
(just over 30km from downtown). For years, your only options to get there
without a car were a ~$60+ cab ride, or the more sparsely scheduled airport
shuttle buses and Acadian Lines/Maritime Bus buses, either of which would run
you $20-30 one way. In May of 2012, then Metro Transit launched a new MetroX
service to the airport via Fall River (with a park and ride facility built
there). The bus is somewhat slower than other ways to get to the airport, as it
makes its Fall River stop and meanders through the industrial park around the
airport to provide service for people working there, but it works well, runs
once an hour, provides service from downtown and the well-connected Dartmouth
Bridge Terminal, and the cost is impossible to beat – the usual fare ($2.50 cash
or a $2 ticket) plus $1 one way. The bus always seems to be well patronized,
though much of that traffic is people working at the airport and using the Fall
River park and ride. For people like me, it works extremely well, and I use it
any time I am flying in or out of the city. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I arrived at the airport with some time to spare, so I
grabbed something to eat and then headed through security. Halifax is a really
nice airport to fly out of; it’s small enough to be easy to navigate, but big
enough to have plenty of amenities (and good flight options). Security is
usually pretty smooth, and the gate waiting areas are spacious and provide
excellent views of the runways. While waiting for my flight there was a flurry
of activity, and I had the chance to watch the usual mix of commercial flights
plus the Nova Scotia EHS LifeFlight plane (with a friend of mine at the
controls), a DFO patrol plane, and a C-130 Hercules. One of CN's private jets was also in town and I saw it elsewhere at the airport, but didn't get a chance for a photo. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIC1Qrz08NAuRoMCFdB0DGYxjhEeCK2rB-LJHuko6QcbYBmBShlbBzqhebneE1EEnaOluGS5uDOrsdU1GxPlaZhGC113U7e8YRL-5xtjRxgiMLXfnJTGcttJbXKG4znC7KUk5R3GjBBye/s1600/IMG_3890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIC1Qrz08NAuRoMCFdB0DGYxjhEeCK2rB-LJHuko6QcbYBmBShlbBzqhebneE1EEnaOluGS5uDOrsdU1GxPlaZhGC113U7e8YRL-5xtjRxgiMLXfnJTGcttJbXKG4znC7KUk5R3GjBBye/s640/IMG_3890.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EHS LifeFlight plane landing at YHZ.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OG_xwEqD0_zpkBjrj9xqr8nHdl41A2EBYSh6EEhZJFOoksJAPzcZFxiaJbuXoSnK_ATxN9VfYBTN9G4BkT06voyzRGu5ZA6PPLVldZCeoO6Ai_ux_qu79rBUvNkDPva7akFvZTRrJBvF/s1600/IMG_3891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OG_xwEqD0_zpkBjrj9xqr8nHdl41A2EBYSh6EEhZJFOoksJAPzcZFxiaJbuXoSnK_ATxN9VfYBTN9G4BkT06voyzRGu5ZA6PPLVldZCeoO6Ai_ux_qu79rBUvNkDPva7akFvZTRrJBvF/s640/IMG_3891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DFO patrol (leased from PAL) taxiing at YHZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RsLNEyEbU7VEa7b4RpQ6bW4KAoxBlDQbr4ZvugkhZ7CHcXmuD6V31WgLO8Dzc4G394v_pfG-0bHMrm6lV6y-fIJBPenjVJ8d2rHMUlowBB738Ga_Y6u3zvDgcsBhx82s_TeykoKdiXdr/s1600/IMG_3897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RsLNEyEbU7VEa7b4RpQ6bW4KAoxBlDQbr4ZvugkhZ7CHcXmuD6V31WgLO8Dzc4G394v_pfG-0bHMrm6lV6y-fIJBPenjVJ8d2rHMUlowBB738Ga_Y6u3zvDgcsBhx82s_TeykoKdiXdr/s640/IMG_3897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A C-130 Hercules landing at YHZ. This particular afternoon brought quite a bit out of the ordinary. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Shortly before scheduled departure my plane arrived. I was
flying with Porter; they offer direct flights to Ottawa from Halifax, but that
plane typically originates in Newfoundland and then continues on to Toronto. My
ride for today would be C-GLQF, Porter 805. I like Porter’s Q400s. They’re
small planes, but the layout is spacious for what they are and the seats are
comfy. The same cannot be said for WestJet’s version of the same plane, which
uses less comfortable seats and has way too many crammed in (but I digress…)</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0Vb5kX6WwoZgB6WR1Ye1A-P-1OeEEyROTbcWMgBuE6VCn8wBZOTazc0HmKtM2WAVS7yp7z2I_RFGlkyeWkaoqXcMFSrJ1bbaVGDv6DRFstvVnpHFNBWLTIQYNKvMBJMCJJ5pytEWjqaZ/s1600/IMG_3901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0Vb5kX6WwoZgB6WR1Ye1A-P-1OeEEyROTbcWMgBuE6VCn8wBZOTazc0HmKtM2WAVS7yp7z2I_RFGlkyeWkaoqXcMFSrJ1bbaVGDv6DRFstvVnpHFNBWLTIQYNKvMBJMCJJ5pytEWjqaZ/s640/IMG_3901.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ride to Ottawa. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Porter still offers a complimentary snack and drinks
in-flight. They recently changed their beer selection from Steamwhistle to Ace
Hill (Light or Pilsner). It’s nothing to write home about, but any complimentary
drink in an aircraft is enjoyable enough. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6heqW9PXgEip4XQW-fYxeNGgvfg1WXgl14UKa6wKZXxX5-AkmvXjcUGxMKEJBd3oDzhls6qK6RZd16NsFA5K9EfYS2j-D46Kw0bVRiSEatYySGWCcDnF8atwhJ9fN8WCmSqrf7vzLdW47/s1600/IMG_3480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6heqW9PXgEip4XQW-fYxeNGgvfg1WXgl14UKa6wKZXxX5-AkmvXjcUGxMKEJBd3oDzhls6qK6RZd16NsFA5K9EfYS2j-D46Kw0bVRiSEatYySGWCcDnF8atwhJ9fN8WCmSqrf7vzLdW47/s640/IMG_3480.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drink in the sky, compliments of Porter (unfortunately not served by that little racoon guy)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The flight was a bit rough on the way up, but once we were
above the clouds it was fairly smooth, and despite warnings about storm
activity in Ottawa we landed without issue. As much as I prefer the train, I
can’t deny that covering that distance in barely 2 hours is remarkable. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzMXWHS5uDSqcdFV6yEFyqojBkAy4lxL3L_HDGTjfLxf6xV5DOldgRmgudOWkvqLcGkR5EsJuTWEAuryCIT7si6pbxUEUhChZtoGUvzcMdIrWDNNEjUTLPQbMSsi0oMxcoki2ZVy1aMC4/s1600/IMG_3478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzMXWHS5uDSqcdFV6yEFyqojBkAy4lxL3L_HDGTjfLxf6xV5DOldgRmgudOWkvqLcGkR5EsJuTWEAuryCIT7si6pbxUEUhChZtoGUvzcMdIrWDNNEjUTLPQbMSsi0oMxcoki2ZVy1aMC4/s640/IMG_3478.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's often hard to really effectively capture the impressive views from a plane through the tiny windows. There is still a part of me every flight that thinks about just how incredible it is that we are among the tiny fraction of people who've ever lived who have actually been able to see the clouds from above. Flight is an incredible thing, and perhaps more incredible is the way we take it for granted. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After the TAC AGM wrapped up on the 26<sup>th</sup>, one of
the board members had arranged a walking/bus/train tour to check out the new
O-Train construction, ride a bit of the Trillium line, and ultimately end up
visiting the Ottawa Valley HOTrak setup. Our first bit of exploring took us by
the Pimisi (formerly LeBreton) station, by the west portal of the downtown
tunnel. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJTxyn0DqYBko8374Oi3q3bvIWLeuFcrSykrnePQeDYjPh1jYK0r9Ch3eaBlvrwG3mUsIGetDogNOoklOSNbfNXYzfkyq4A1_4wjyHLF3XuXk0VQB5WkAPJa9dpmVM74t_-OLG5NghyYE/s1600/IMG_3902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJTxyn0DqYBko8374Oi3q3bvIWLeuFcrSykrnePQeDYjPh1jYK0r9Ch3eaBlvrwG3mUsIGetDogNOoklOSNbfNXYzfkyq4A1_4wjyHLF3XuXk0VQB5WkAPJa9dpmVM74t_-OLG5NghyYE/s640/IMG_3902.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from Pimisi station to the west portal of the downtown tunnel. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We then took a bus to Tunney’s Pasture, the west end of the
first phase, where the track ends and the old Transitway begins. Just east of
Tunney’s we had the chance to see one of the new Alstom Citadis LRT vehicles,
which are currently testing on the line. These are set up as 4-car
bidirectional sets that can be operated in service as coupled pairs. They are
electric, running off overhead catenary. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6m4Ggt-viXCrLRTBe71F1MLdd8vfCQhyphenhyphenxvQYTurqIC7L7rp545e3OiCcT8rycDXR1B0P12bcux-Md8s8lIEgnH_eH6jqunD87V-o46pDzr_HLGeUVHzyMiRxHO0HS6tkMnhzY7fViVjW/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6m4Ggt-viXCrLRTBe71F1MLdd8vfCQhyphenhyphenxvQYTurqIC7L7rp545e3OiCcT8rycDXR1B0P12bcux-Md8s8lIEgnH_eH6jqunD87V-o46pDzr_HLGeUVHzyMiRxHO0HS6tkMnhzY7fViVjW/s640/IMG_3904.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of track at Tunney's Pasture. Beyond the rails is the pavement of the former Transitway, blocked in by a berm that allows buses to enter the new Tunney's terminal. The conventional bus route continues beyond, though more of that will be converted to LRT in the upcoming western expansion. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuCzONNRr5dvwkQ7HUqxsqJb7L3wN8YbLWMPFZsK3RvbMy8qDNaVuZsEkzrtWikdvufQMqV0QYishKY8VsqLPI9A3zPdOjpuJPWcaGwjozybR-fWRIWkoT11jMUW4f5QXVbPZAE9b-3Lu/s1600/IMG_3905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuCzONNRr5dvwkQ7HUqxsqJb7L3wN8YbLWMPFZsK3RvbMy8qDNaVuZsEkzrtWikdvufQMqV0QYishKY8VsqLPI9A3zPdOjpuJPWcaGwjozybR-fWRIWkoT11jMUW4f5QXVbPZAE9b-3Lu/s640/IMG_3905.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tunney's Pasture station. Note the tracks on plinths along the platform. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf9uOSravZuzjPsxs8HcoN27fjoNnN4LtHseJ0aFMEEJ9LGpb-yxYecG2CRbshZQflYJF2JEsuAKbwYxxFTDWJtEOEH-CqL_02SH7go2lZSsp1JVyd7NfzxwV1-3Gw0Ui9gapxSxT7P6e/s1600/IMG_3906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf9uOSravZuzjPsxs8HcoN27fjoNnN4LtHseJ0aFMEEJ9LGpb-yxYecG2CRbshZQflYJF2JEsuAKbwYxxFTDWJtEOEH-CqL_02SH7go2lZSsp1JVyd7NfzxwV1-3Gw0Ui9gapxSxT7P6e/s640/IMG_3906.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive trackwork at the east end of Tunney's. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmujPRyUkA4JNqOSVepsd5Vtrf9wTuEza4P0yWLO580oE1QstQBamQI_oT4NQJhoxWIq0eFheZyJ2wUPWnn040wUndjYGt7BTZY4vv19cTPdnmjTNFYhe17QuAtQAk-P_J5BssehIL3Hkw/s1600/IMG_3907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmujPRyUkA4JNqOSVepsd5Vtrf9wTuEza4P0yWLO580oE1QstQBamQI_oT4NQJhoxWIq0eFheZyJ2wUPWnn040wUndjYGt7BTZY4vv19cTPdnmjTNFYhe17QuAtQAk-P_J5BssehIL3Hkw/s640/IMG_3907.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those trains are electric. Watch out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iMD_s6A6zDSWPZOovcl_ekGedOZS24WEokaCpqDqKCVX6HN2xppUKyJgTdZZC3LEIyDDldYLCU_7A6rFqvzkEWINfRwqo1hVorPqs_Ze0z0nBPi_yhI_ZsCbTVAMdelZsCWD2gfbKzax/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iMD_s6A6zDSWPZOovcl_ekGedOZS24WEokaCpqDqKCVX6HN2xppUKyJgTdZZC3LEIyDDldYLCU_7A6rFqvzkEWINfRwqo1hVorPqs_Ze0z0nBPi_yhI_ZsCbTVAMdelZsCWD2gfbKzax/s640/IMG_3908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A train! One of the first completed Alstom Citadis LRT trains. There was a security guard posted by the fence to keep an eye on it while it sat here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A quick bus ride then brought us back to Bayview station,
which will be the transfer point between the Confederation (east-west electric)
and Trillium (north-south diesel) lines. Of note, the existing Trillium line
end of track is being extended to allow access to a new platform for transfers between the two lines, as well as to set up for the eventual connection to the
Prince of Wales Bridge, where the line will run across to connect with Gatineau’s
system (which is in the planning stages). </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3e2l8KhtZwLe-AuBHw8oub9Zh_KE2pctHwg_3l1ckU78oAVF-AWduD96DOD2sCJdh7IAvq_p0TsJGtJf7_g4MaRQgTKrv7jGt005CPs_yOLB1LZMWslDc777VQrzOdfhuge4RguAq4tc/s1600/IMG_3910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3e2l8KhtZwLe-AuBHw8oub9Zh_KE2pctHwg_3l1ckU78oAVF-AWduD96DOD2sCJdh7IAvq_p0TsJGtJf7_g4MaRQgTKrv7jGt005CPs_yOLB1LZMWslDc777VQrzOdfhuge4RguAq4tc/s640/IMG_3910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bayview Station - enormous! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislkuGxsDfvyAfAVUMLoLRVCTBX5omHie_Kb5tyzWkJOQov2dmHz11qSA9MbJDUBTszLMycvm1astgGbRaE2NLIW4NYstmOSoUlmY-SKbvmTs24BGyVh-wrrLHyoLCy0BfofvUxm9AZZmP/s1600/IMG_3915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislkuGxsDfvyAfAVUMLoLRVCTBX5omHie_Kb5tyzWkJOQov2dmHz11qSA9MbJDUBTszLMycvm1astgGbRaE2NLIW4NYstmOSoUlmY-SKbvmTs24BGyVh-wrrLHyoLCy0BfofvUxm9AZZmP/s640/IMG_3915.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current end of track for the Trillium Line. When the new Bayview station opens, the platform will be farther along on the left hand side. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji93Oeo2HHqYwCYeuMC8hW9NpuPk7Oa1hWWphrBih9JxlNJWEtiZGR7EiMXPpStScwUTMxLlEXwGpju3X3DseiPgUNYQOY93afRfXg3k6raYhuZCFBNK4E9ahXwyQIIvJePKVPZajDU91z/s1600/IMG_3912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji93Oeo2HHqYwCYeuMC8hW9NpuPk7Oa1hWWphrBih9JxlNJWEtiZGR7EiMXPpStScwUTMxLlEXwGpju3X3DseiPgUNYQOY93afRfXg3k6raYhuZCFBNK4E9ahXwyQIIvJePKVPZajDU91z/s640/IMG_3912.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New track going in at Bayview. This will be the platform for transfers between the Confederation Line and the Trillium Line, and ay the end you can see that ballast has been put down for the eventual future extension to the Prince of Wales bridge. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wSrmCuLaQxNkeyWSdTYT3rVAEINl6djnEW3XUHIKzAKYePUkbHeWn-E7b0j33ueZNnebdzhq6Bujkyjl9bF88jsyJJg-axknQRQI3QDj25-Q91NkhV-jQej9iApPjFiCG8jo0UoGZ3x3/s1600/IMG_3935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wSrmCuLaQxNkeyWSdTYT3rVAEINl6djnEW3XUHIKzAKYePUkbHeWn-E7b0j33ueZNnebdzhq6Bujkyjl9bF88jsyJJg-axknQRQI3QDj25-Q91NkhV-jQej9iApPjFiCG8jo0UoGZ3x3/s640/IMG_3935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ROW of the Confederation line by Bayview. Without context, you could easily mistake this for a high-speed mainline in Europe, with the catenary, well maintained ballast, and concrete ties. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">From there we rode the train one station to Carling, before
heading off for supper and a visit to the HOTrak setup. After all that, I
decided to make an extra ride of my own, from Carling to Mooney’s Bay (formerly
Confederation), and then back to Bayview to catch a bus. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3mp3x_yyyzsORHVrB4xSShgVjsLazlFfS14qNodp2OUX70lGrmUch2sawT2x0700d7czD7lvhHugeB0oPt0bSs4vNMU8hCwWRY6DwXLmqGLfeYEo7fFhm3Ebm1fuDPf26_13lMz4k6j0/s1600/IMG_3918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3mp3x_yyyzsORHVrB4xSShgVjsLazlFfS14qNodp2OUX70lGrmUch2sawT2x0700d7czD7lvhHugeB0oPt0bSs4vNMU8hCwWRY6DwXLmqGLfeYEo7fFhm3Ebm1fuDPf26_13lMz4k6j0/s640/IMG_3918.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">O-Train Alstom Coradia LINT C4 heading north at Carling. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcpCKP9JfvkN9B5H7Tgq9FwlOLYlXAoQNPO-ljeQyPvO0B9X6u8iwpZMSai6WfWPUShWGhnHvpCybvJZE3049OdDJkZCN7ZKaK8fj7wC0npF_DIh_QTy4PcPgfreLddpedl9zJuugMlov/s1600/IMG_3919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1124" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcpCKP9JfvkN9B5H7Tgq9FwlOLYlXAoQNPO-ljeQyPvO0B9X6u8iwpZMSai6WfWPUShWGhnHvpCybvJZE3049OdDJkZCN7ZKaK8fj7wC0npF_DIh_QTy4PcPgfreLddpedl9zJuugMlov/s640/IMG_3919.JPG" width="449" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear signals, so C4 will head towards Bayview, with a meet with the southbound train a the passing track. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKXPs5LS-y6prHsLQKhGO6zNs5NDihEczE2FCPWTq04gP21BTnpBbFiflj28mywK6iKCOVWF8d7MBcjPZ9L_3Y_TrIlHpTtIHO_XRW5zLw61mFjpidEvcfoJb_vtynUquwjPW0aVxsvb6/s1600/IMG_3927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKXPs5LS-y6prHsLQKhGO6zNs5NDihEczE2FCPWTq04gP21BTnpBbFiflj28mywK6iKCOVWF8d7MBcjPZ9L_3Y_TrIlHpTtIHO_XRW5zLw61mFjpidEvcfoJb_vtynUquwjPW0aVxsvb6/s640/IMG_3927.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign at Mooney's Bay, indicating that all trains must stop for the station regardless of the signal. Ahead of this point is the diamond where the Trillium line crosses the VIA Rail line. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOjvi3vta5jmXs87F8_mcBbcDNlmXgFRQhVtFwBfa7Hr-wy7gASCts1cfK6IqOea_6Hw66t2QdNw3muI9sCwzR06XRfxF5u7XlgOxgLymNqSoZjj3QoQKWzXXHxz56m_ipKv9dL8m-cAq/s1600/IMG_3928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOjvi3vta5jmXs87F8_mcBbcDNlmXgFRQhVtFwBfa7Hr-wy7gASCts1cfK6IqOea_6Hw66t2QdNw3muI9sCwzR06XRfxF5u7XlgOxgLymNqSoZjj3QoQKWzXXHxz56m_ipKv9dL8m-cAq/s640/IMG_3928.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At each O-Train Trillium line station there is a platform spot sign to let the operator know where to stop. The platforms on this line were built farther away from the track to allow for freights to pass safely at night, back when the line was shared. Platform extenders were installed at the door openings, so it's important to have the train in the right spot. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHlG8a463rOmXHc_9-poXOVBg4ZjUzl2wdMeTRgo_kyEn5JLlEyqhtB1PeU3vryMzche31biZ7wFKdUCtTaPrLgKynyILExIMsaU9X3IHTVNFKtfnZ5QZAK6mBoZvWyS5CHJoOv-jVpEz/s1600/IMG_3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="1600" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHlG8a463rOmXHc_9-poXOVBg4ZjUzl2wdMeTRgo_kyEn5JLlEyqhtB1PeU3vryMzche31biZ7wFKdUCtTaPrLgKynyILExIMsaU9X3IHTVNFKtfnZ5QZAK6mBoZvWyS5CHJoOv-jVpEz/s640/IMG_3929.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mooney's Bay, the former Confederation station. Greenboro south, Bayview north. There's only a single track here, so it's important to know which way your train is headed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDnTjXg9r_cdwE88XZiJEes_R_n_CGPPpueC89SmoPshxl-6Wabxz3b-hYR-hOQHxIa3FDWDSsoqO1JzbepmXL6IeMg5slAIXpohERUz2dS355g9bz0J83LTAPAQ9WJ6mI1zAsvMpE4PT/s1600/IMG_3930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDnTjXg9r_cdwE88XZiJEes_R_n_CGPPpueC89SmoPshxl-6Wabxz3b-hYR-hOQHxIa3FDWDSsoqO1JzbepmXL6IeMg5slAIXpohERUz2dS355g9bz0J83LTAPAQ9WJ6mI1zAsvMpE4PT/s640/IMG_3930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train I got off has taken the siding, as the oncoming train passes on the main. In this shot it is crossing the VIA line at the diamond. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i91NROAB-llHV6pP6F5X_1XanGVQsPmmmxs8W-jcxamy8OZbqIsN0YXcMbYGALFogc1eTNX0t4mrmlckIdbwCri2w16Zsyq7GAPvaJIloCEW3jeLqU2wcCVyK3STE9LDlzLzRF6oacrU/s1600/IMG_3932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1600" height="495" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i91NROAB-llHV6pP6F5X_1XanGVQsPmmmxs8W-jcxamy8OZbqIsN0YXcMbYGALFogc1eTNX0t4mrmlckIdbwCri2w16Zsyq7GAPvaJIloCEW3jeLqU2wcCVyK3STE9LDlzLzRF6oacrU/s640/IMG_3932.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C9 arrives at Mooney's Bay en route to Bayview.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEdeZ4YKFpISHvhVKwQHmjjGjnckl51-1Uwth2JEhhD6gGJd1S7g2LzhIKIsenI7h0xZE4zASQPh_Mv95CjDfSdS9EgUQjaexBgpHy4h5esITrhB-L8IgrTDGm9CAS73xAoBAMKY9JWC5/s1600/IMG_3933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEdeZ4YKFpISHvhVKwQHmjjGjnckl51-1Uwth2JEhhD6gGJd1S7g2LzhIKIsenI7h0xZE4zASQPh_Mv95CjDfSdS9EgUQjaexBgpHy4h5esITrhB-L8IgrTDGm9CAS73xAoBAMKY9JWC5/s640/IMG_3933.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside a Trillium line Alstom LINT train. Very spacious, and comfy seats. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin7TzquXk6SqHP8f15WKPghT9f4wB8cWt5HqWL0ZjaXAD-MzP33lqlaLeDlRkfEy7u-jccoM2px0XVMirGKAx5Bkq-avFhZRKM4nntHMRx9bNGGN7WbuA7896yc9tiJB2LtbqdL_uu9aO/s1600/IMG_3934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhin7TzquXk6SqHP8f15WKPghT9f4wB8cWt5HqWL0ZjaXAD-MzP33lqlaLeDlRkfEy7u-jccoM2px0XVMirGKAx5Bkq-avFhZRKM4nntHMRx9bNGGN7WbuA7896yc9tiJB2LtbqdL_uu9aO/s640/IMG_3934.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking forward at the front end of an Alstom LINT (C9). I miss the large clear doors behind the operator on the old Bomardier Talents!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The next day, after a short visit with family, I was off to
the train station to make the longer trip home. VIA currently offers two
connection options from Ottawa to catch the Ocean – VIA 26 and VIA 28. I opted
for the earlier connection (26), in part because I’m paranoid, and in part because
I never mind a few hours to hang around in Montreal. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Boarding the train at Ottawa I noted the first complete high
platform. </span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-l8FxKjFpWcJoI4Agv8fN6-dcis_R5B-mFSLGWWxp-F9yvPJ64b1aeX37mZVihANVHGQrQMLKMkqPokvNU13lOGwJGuXPYlRErUNVLyyRt_IO8d73l_VGFG461tHOee1fgCgmy8HluzX/s1600/IMG_3937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-l8FxKjFpWcJoI4Agv8fN6-dcis_R5B-mFSLGWWxp-F9yvPJ64b1aeX37mZVihANVHGQrQMLKMkqPokvNU13lOGwJGuXPYlRErUNVLyyRt_IO8d73l_VGFG461tHOee1fgCgmy8HluzX/s640/IMG_3937.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High-level platform at Ottawa. This is the first part of significant renovations to make this station a more accessible and comfortable place to board trains. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlU3EdEfqyofp6eu2BkLIZ0-bnmFalJ0oJ4pMAgoEpWof89x037Z1KZCvGa0WCrRRCbsyNEERSNPbBj4AJS8eZxhQl4Odxz96WZPnN5M3YMH6tFv7cbf4s-aifAeDQ7orQmhJJhY3uJxim/s1600/IMG_3938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlU3EdEfqyofp6eu2BkLIZ0-bnmFalJ0oJ4pMAgoEpWof89x037Z1KZCvGa0WCrRRCbsyNEERSNPbBj4AJS8eZxhQl4Odxz96WZPnN5M3YMH6tFv7cbf4s-aifAeDQ7orQmhJJhY3uJxim/s640/IMG_3938.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramp at the end of the high-level platform.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">VIA 26 was running as a mixed consist, with an LRC club car
(actually, two LRC club cars) and HEP2 coaches. I was in coach 4117, and the
ride was comfortable and smooth. I didn’t get numbers for the consist, but in
general terms it was:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">VIA 26 – May 27, 2018</span></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">P42 Locomotive</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(01) LRC Club (Business class service)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(03) LRC Club (Economy service)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(04) HEP2 Coach (4117)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(05) HEP2 Coach</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">(06) HEP2 Coach</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f_F2mzh5Z0t2T5QQuTY8_SNoXMjgONPVkOVsQOBjfpm3-c7bYXywe2As1v9wYQ0OYsay51ongvmpuvo6BVJcCtgYC1cfIdptWtk3uNIJRsGuADxSPDYX3AgRO_Q3yOb13owrghygybrR/s1600/IMG_3939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f_F2mzh5Z0t2T5QQuTY8_SNoXMjgONPVkOVsQOBjfpm3-c7bYXywe2As1v9wYQ0OYsay51ongvmpuvo6BVJcCtgYC1cfIdptWtk3uNIJRsGuADxSPDYX3AgRO_Q3yOb13owrghygybrR/s640/IMG_3939.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside HEP2 coach 4117, operating as car 04 on train 26. The Business class car is always numbered 01, then the first coach is numbered 03. The line number 02 never seems to be used, because a second Business class car, if added, is usually numbered 91. Mysteries of VIA line numbering. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">While the LRC cars have all been rearranged as 50/50
forward/backward seating (even if they still have the old seats), it doesn’t
appear that this has been done with the HEP2s. It certainly wasn’t the case on
this train, as all seats were forward facing. The HEP2s are currently
undergoing an overhaul at the MMC to, among other things, re-do the club cars
to the new Business class setup (like the LRCs), and ultimately replace seats
and make minor upgrades to keep them in good shape. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The ride in this HEP2 was better than most LRCs I’ve
recently been in. We made good time, with only brief stops at Alexandria and
Dorval, and arrived in Montreal pretty well right on time. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">At the station, I noted that in addition to the new VIA 40<sup>th</sup>
anniversary branding, there are now large electronic screens at every gate.
This replaces the old train boards, and gives them more flexibility to display
different train information without physically changing signs. The ones at
inactive platforms were running various VIA advertisements. </span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRObZPkCjpG-yDg4IaHjAgn2MLJMLdVPpuagH0gGRkugYyMs91FhoHIZ5TPJg2Agcms7RyC_IUFdSKbh7rfF1xhFFbkcNeAJKePue3zrg4rOWMs51MXvDiUCUThz-caIzYyMP2OdNa0gVP/s1600/IMG_3940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRObZPkCjpG-yDg4IaHjAgn2MLJMLdVPpuagH0gGRkugYyMs91FhoHIZ5TPJg2Agcms7RyC_IUFdSKbh7rfF1xhFFbkcNeAJKePue3zrg4rOWMs51MXvDiUCUThz-caIzYyMP2OdNa0gVP/s640/IMG_3940.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New electronic signs at every track gate in Montreal's Central Station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lIILqyHhgy9jPWJHGlMghtM4UuQBUYoYp7U7hoDf4SOlRIr2IvSFsfhWXBkiFQFD3eWF-dAuf8TLOF8Bv3VQMzMhdo0OB1nesf1N2kq43jFYtniPY-3hSqgKgCJyyn98mqsVj3lwJ1uB/s1600/IMG_3941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lIILqyHhgy9jPWJHGlMghtM4UuQBUYoYp7U7hoDf4SOlRIr2IvSFsfhWXBkiFQFD3eWF-dAuf8TLOF8Bv3VQMzMhdo0OB1nesf1N2kq43jFYtniPY-3hSqgKgCJyyn98mqsVj3lwJ1uB/s640/IMG_3941.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montreal, with plenty of VIA 40 years branding. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lCZfuyBzOZodRMBQ0yK9Tf1OzvL3UgBhDNuTRjEz8eifIhQUbkXSDDtpiaEVgqte5w4flDZl6Rm7BuIkALpyDmNbMKOKT614BhfJNqci2ynlp198dMiNz_UZTCw7BosyB1Yf00cKjZco/s1600/IMG_3942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lCZfuyBzOZodRMBQ0yK9Tf1OzvL3UgBhDNuTRjEz8eifIhQUbkXSDDtpiaEVgqte5w4flDZl6Rm7BuIkALpyDmNbMKOKT614BhfJNqci2ynlp198dMiNz_UZTCw7BosyB1Yf00cKjZco/s640/IMG_3942.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 40 years branding on the main sign in Montreal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After killing some time the call came for sleeping car
passengers on VIA 14 to check in. There was a heck of a line, so it became
quickly evident that the train would be busy. As it turned out, despite being
ahead of the real peak season, this train was already an impressive length and
sold out in the sleepers! Really sold out too – there was even someone in a
wheelchair occupying the accessible room in 79526. Here’s the consist, with sleeper
line numbers in brackets.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">VIA 14 – May 27, 2018</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">6410 F40<br />
6428 F40<br />
7009 Baggage<br />
7228 Coach<br />
7226 Coach<br />
70230 Coach (Accessible)<br />
7200 Coach<br />
7309 Service Car<br />
7400 Diner<br />
7314 Service Car<br />
79526 (30) Sleeper (Accessible)<br />
7517 (33) Sleeper<br />
7500 (34) Sleeper (*Room 6)<br />
7503 (35) Sleeper<br />
7516 (36) Sleeper<br />
7510 (37) Sleeper<br />
7506 (38) Sleeper<br />
7513 (39) Sleeper<br />
7601 Transition<br />
8202 Chateau Bienville (crew sleeper)<br />
8711 Revelstoke Park (40)<br />
<br />
This consist was already pretty close to peak lengths, but they have since
added more equipment (up to 5 coaches and 9 sleepers) to the sets as the summer
has begun. There is currently a Chateau sleeper on both Renaissance sets, being
used as a crew sleeper to free up space in the Renaissance cars. This became
common practice last year, and has been continuing fairly consistently. A few
of the roomettes and bedrooms in that car were occupied by crew, but I didn't get a
proper count.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Departure was on time from Montreal. When I got to my room I
discovered two issues – first, there were no room keys (a minor issue, easily
remedied), but more significantly, there was no water in the bathroom! Nothing
from the tap, nothing from the shower. Hmm…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After alerting the attendant I soon found out that this was a problem in
the whole car (7500, car 34). Fortunately this seemed to be due to work that
was being done on one of the showers during servicing, and the water system
just needed to be reset. The train rider (a standard feature on the Ocean now)
was able to fix the problem by Drummondville, and everything worked smoothly
for the rest of the trip. Apart from those little issues, I had nothing bad to
note about that particular sleeper. Everything worked as it should, the interior was in reasonably good shape, and the
ride in the Renaissance cars was as it should be – smooth and comfortable. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUoSNrrBoQ7SHATLlOEh-6waa58iTb-8aaFmwwR9DMHn3eSIq27mHdq7BMYzLgxEBVgpMbcwO8HcEhKvJjjn3vUg50gERnxXybW0sR9bp3gyfNdZh5ZlP2g-hKw7ckzVueNeSFw-lYlHN/s1600/IMG_3945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUoSNrrBoQ7SHATLlOEh-6waa58iTb-8aaFmwwR9DMHn3eSIq27mHdq7BMYzLgxEBVgpMbcwO8HcEhKvJjjn3vUg50gERnxXybW0sR9bp3gyfNdZh5ZlP2g-hKw7ckzVueNeSFw-lYlHN/s640/IMG_3945.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Renaissance bedroom - Room 6 in daytime configuration.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFS_5ZkghAThNXB8wsruvB5B4X_-R9ttgFw1ywMrqywxpYxTHsjTRosPf9CI2kY6j9Q-LBWq6N4T0Q5RZeAY3nnCOMDmRjgdUrNzrlKcuTOe2KTUCbWVKloAoAMTlC7SlAO3auyVX43CH/s1600/IMG_3943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFS_5ZkghAThNXB8wsruvB5B4X_-R9ttgFw1ywMrqywxpYxTHsjTRosPf9CI2kY6j9Q-LBWq6N4T0Q5RZeAY3nnCOMDmRjgdUrNzrlKcuTOe2KTUCbWVKloAoAMTlC7SlAO3auyVX43CH/s640/IMG_3943.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bathroom in a Renaissance sleeper, with shower (shower head to the right). There was no water here at first, but the problem was soon remedied.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FZXRifL9j-NiZ-p45uLLwlYLVnqiUPmvtzJgCGPy241dJ4EwAm-QHvFKLwOew4nofAtpTwaGzvgH2oyZN689cndi8YCjRKOzwRC1KbRbJqkBfunaUQMfjfH8Ft4iiyl0yjpv6qXOANbT/s1600/IMG_3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FZXRifL9j-NiZ-p45uLLwlYLVnqiUPmvtzJgCGPy241dJ4EwAm-QHvFKLwOew4nofAtpTwaGzvgH2oyZN689cndi8YCjRKOzwRC1KbRbJqkBfunaUQMfjfH8Ft4iiyl0yjpv6qXOANbT/s640/IMG_3944.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Door to the hallway, bathroom to the right.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtwSuOd3ic957wrSBKHf1_xHb3DN6WUt9iMxaZMlI9AFv-MkbgRBCFx-E62KGzlSV5yV5Lkm_m7D3C2V8Btb87iglKjVodWF1EvqryEaWkeaRr7BBOnvAhKtJs9rRtUNsN0U14mfvWwNh/s1600/IMG_3952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtwSuOd3ic957wrSBKHf1_xHb3DN6WUt9iMxaZMlI9AFv-MkbgRBCFx-E62KGzlSV5yV5Lkm_m7D3C2V8Btb87iglKjVodWF1EvqryEaWkeaRr7BBOnvAhKtJs9rRtUNsN0U14mfvWwNh/s640/IMG_3952.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Renaissance bedroom - night configuration (in the daytime). The nice thing about these rooms it that you can easily raise and lower the bunks yourself, so you can change the setup whenever you want. Pro-tip: if you're travelling alone, it's still worth putting down the top bunk. The way it swings down provides more room by the wall. Pro-tip #2: to deal with rattles in the night, use the provided napkins to wedge into problem areas (note the right side of the picture, just below the bottom bunk...)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFALctz0IPc0mPpfxy7hoDzNP0-Yr3YPCFhXXmmJHeGfuYbWIdpLB210XDjDk0Be3eajT8XTisYi-7ydCUli1AMunk8OduZLwUS7s0M5VuxMDzJKijta8TeLBsf4Tfuima6iOs4D0rix9e/s1600/IMG_3951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFALctz0IPc0mPpfxy7hoDzNP0-Yr3YPCFhXXmmJHeGfuYbWIdpLB210XDjDk0Be3eajT8XTisYi-7ydCUli1AMunk8OduZLwUS7s0M5VuxMDzJKijta8TeLBsf4Tfuima6iOs4D0rix9e/s640/IMG_3951.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Something neat - this is the original accessible sleeper room that was built in the end of the Renaissance service cars. These were seldom used, as I believe VIA had some issues with them. Ultimately they would build new accessible rooms in the front of the first sleeper on each train, and the former rooms were converted to storage areas. This used to just mean a bunch of stuff got crammed in there, but now they have actually added cabinets and what appears to be a fridge.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
</span></span><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The trip was generally really busy. I went for the second of the two dinner sittings (7 and
8:30), which was delayed ~15min as they cleared up from the first one, and the
diner was full. They were using both ends of the car, which they often don’t do
unless it’s very busy. Only one single 2-person table at the forward end was
being used for crew purposes (on a quieter train, at least one 4-seater is also
often used for paperwork). </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKmLAyYrs0zj4ppe1qX6LIB8mJ_pGWI2B_I1paxC9T8E7I5HCkgEVa-pWKFl2SL8SV5ViPvApv_yz8ksIoKSw7lFYYn4tahJQ1EIJe28WrQh2p8ZWEuJUFW7xgPGnsl3DsWzGVo1yUvkU/s1600/IMG_3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKmLAyYrs0zj4ppe1qX6LIB8mJ_pGWI2B_I1paxC9T8E7I5HCkgEVa-pWKFl2SL8SV5ViPvApv_yz8ksIoKSw7lFYYn4tahJQ1EIJe28WrQh2p8ZWEuJUFW7xgPGnsl3DsWzGVo1yUvkU/s640/IMG_3483.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner menu. Prices are for any coach passengers who are allowed in to the diner. Sleeper tickets include all meals. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iaKtxBRCW1wTDSIz51dUNmMaaURml88dP8UdTOIr6Ro4SACiv-kZQpV9tQ0X7VCNJXBL4Wh6kOkEiL8Dsv0ruTsTf5vL9fH6K83bDEx6uKSoep66Kjktcdpz95Opgt9KVf2Dz9pbRzx7/s1600/IMG_3484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iaKtxBRCW1wTDSIz51dUNmMaaURml88dP8UdTOIr6Ro4SACiv-kZQpV9tQ0X7VCNJXBL4Wh6kOkEiL8Dsv0ruTsTf5vL9fH6K83bDEx6uKSoep66Kjktcdpz95Opgt9KVf2Dz9pbRzx7/s640/IMG_3484.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner - pan-fried turbot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdlXwc9tgAE-UjZ4YJwBoFyykdPWTPRCn_1coVlp40Ik6LfIG_5RvXM6g-uMjknX12iUusAm-GyipCfnxKHxh71Kn2sAx7tLkvlRxdQBlyg8bi-XrZLwjO3fa5G_zlTo4pwV2L5k7gZQ6/s1600/IMG_3485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdlXwc9tgAE-UjZ4YJwBoFyykdPWTPRCn_1coVlp40Ik6LfIG_5RvXM6g-uMjknX12iUusAm-GyipCfnxKHxh71Kn2sAx7tLkvlRxdQBlyg8bi-XrZLwjO3fa5G_zlTo4pwV2L5k7gZQ6/s640/IMG_3485.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert - a pretty astounding chocolate cake. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Supper itself was really excellent, as were both breakfast
and lunch the next day. Once again, anyone who continues to insist that you can’t
get a good meal in a Renaissance dining car either hasn’t been on the train in years,
has been really unlucky, or is just determined that they will not enjoy
anything. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Despite long stops at St. Lambert and St. Hyacinthe, we
arrived at Ste-Foy 20 minutes early. This sort of performance kept up along the
trip, as we were consistently on time or early along the way, and would ultimately
make our final arrival in Halifax 4 minutes ahead of schedule. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8Mfwj6GE2bxihLdvfW2qz12ce5YblDeZz4X5DB0x2LqZ_LxqwmjO2ZwtZUMvfLovwCw6Q1li4Eon2Lf2swHjMxHXTo5acak_g_Yf_dalEmxm3BIgy2jRlE7YTE191331QMok5kCyUty4/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8Mfwj6GE2bxihLdvfW2qz12ce5YblDeZz4X5DB0x2LqZ_LxqwmjO2ZwtZUMvfLovwCw6Q1li4Eon2Lf2swHjMxHXTo5acak_g_Yf_dalEmxm3BIgy2jRlE7YTE191331QMok5kCyUty4/s640/IMG_3486.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train at Ste-Foy, with some rain falling. A heck of a lot warmer than when I was here in January...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I spent a while in the Park car seeing what I could in the
dark, and then decided to head off to bed. The Park was sparsely occupied
leaving Montreal and through the evening, but it was jam-packed all the next
morning, finally thinning out over lunch and picking up again towards Halifax. It
was generally busiest between meals. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The next morning we were running on time, and I headed for
breakfast around 8am. There was a ~10min wait for a table, as it was once again
very busy in the diner. Later on at lunch the service car was packed full of
people waiting for the call. Once actually seated, the service was quite speedy
at all 3 meals. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyqeXjN_DjHJhgkaNd4yQHOA7qsDKh14Hv10HErEi4Nuu14YdVnMaC0YvrEiFLDeR89N-vD7aF6_LAXWYhpaTMTwc34XyIUrJH-SgxmLXRHO3K9-5Vdd5f0KF4KtUWF6faNuQlLeWAi-2/s1600/IMG_3950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyqeXjN_DjHJhgkaNd4yQHOA7qsDKh14Hv10HErEi4Nuu14YdVnMaC0YvrEiFLDeR89N-vD7aF6_LAXWYhpaTMTwc34XyIUrJH-SgxmLXRHO3K9-5Vdd5f0KF4KtUWF6faNuQlLeWAi-2/s640/IMG_3950.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning view, along the Baie-des-Chaleurs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiRYd1HQIDmf2BbVGi7ZpXNTM4I_50MRJNzobwAc_atWlRsZe6zM7-L6_bpuU8daRw-COrH-LObezVqTqY5lonOvA7jJEZGNEqyc4_UJOvsmMgUoA9oK97RKEBRt5BkdyFwVVzq8yeWS5/s1600/IMG_3947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiRYd1HQIDmf2BbVGi7ZpXNTM4I_50MRJNzobwAc_atWlRsZe6zM7-L6_bpuU8daRw-COrH-LObezVqTqY5lonOvA7jJEZGNEqyc4_UJOvsmMgUoA9oK97RKEBRt5BkdyFwVVzq8yeWS5/s640/IMG_3947.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-0G5C6YyHTjiGfaLIG1TuVlWUXLzN3rf9-yGhUQgpKQj7uYM0LmFIefWx1WFbleD6O348iKdURDfJVZrvdVh-PXCaqrtrEmft2IauV5a79tAOA28yA0lxk9_DHZJ-ViLJaRlP27qMv3S/s1600/IMG_3948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-0G5C6YyHTjiGfaLIG1TuVlWUXLzN3rf9-yGhUQgpKQj7uYM0LmFIefWx1WFbleD6O348iKdURDfJVZrvdVh-PXCaqrtrEmft2IauV5a79tAOA28yA0lxk9_DHZJ-ViLJaRlP27qMv3S/s640/IMG_3948.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potato and leek quiche. Those sausages honestly seemed like they'd come straight out of a frying pan - you'd never guess they were catered and re-heated. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">For much of the morning I hung out in the lower level of the
Park car, and worked away at some Transport Action Atlantic work (our president
happened to be on the same train, returning from the same meeting, so we used
the time to be quite productive!). I went for the first lunch sitting, normally
reserved for Moncton/Sackville-bound passengers, so that we could continue to
discuss things as we ate. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvulln2WQLQQoCGsRUSDxozhLqOd2OE5Cdq4Nnnw9pnEYVqGHBioaskPo6wIR4jcyk6C9raDM3A1JWYH0Lkqq1GkpTKcDnkbqVc8V8HlFM2jVljQoPmNJ68vkSZUVd5iRDcQQcxldp3IQu/s1600/IMG_3955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvulln2WQLQQoCGsRUSDxozhLqOd2OE5Cdq4Nnnw9pnEYVqGHBioaskPo6wIR4jcyk6C9raDM3A1JWYH0Lkqq1GkpTKcDnkbqVc8V8HlFM2jVljQoPmNJ68vkSZUVd5iRDcQQcxldp3IQu/s640/IMG_3955.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crowded dome, approaching the first bridge over the Miramichi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmwwDZ3mMN5RoXvKhBSohkRNpBggnzMgihyee1EIc5TMehO99b-w4XdWK5sqYSUFb3r-7tOFyArzOmRCoxm_lPbmrxJl-3TB6g3J3DdM0bDG2svdaK94owYEZgO6JR2D3qX27-i0lPzVh/s1600/IMG_3959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmwwDZ3mMN5RoXvKhBSohkRNpBggnzMgihyee1EIc5TMehO99b-w4XdWK5sqYSUFb3r-7tOFyArzOmRCoxm_lPbmrxJl-3TB6g3J3DdM0bDG2svdaK94owYEZgO6JR2D3qX27-i0lPzVh/s640/IMG_3959.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction staging area for work on the Miramichi river bridges. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rxk8e0UPWIZNsZPdRbSHp4nm_eZZ0hcMr9_g6t9BkbQxvAGMQhc1tv9Y_ZmXFebJTwHGzypL6kct4R6AyFepiNsV8PaOT9xZT2qyaNuJIn3ZzsiBRBifkeU6wwZm4CmqZZag786aVSi3/s1600/IMG_3965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rxk8e0UPWIZNsZPdRbSHp4nm_eZZ0hcMr9_g6t9BkbQxvAGMQhc1tv9Y_ZmXFebJTwHGzypL6kct4R6AyFepiNsV8PaOT9xZT2qyaNuJIn3ZzsiBRBifkeU6wwZm4CmqZZag786aVSi3/s640/IMG_3965.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work crews are preparing to do major structural maintenance work on the Miramichi bridges, a critical piece of infrastructure to keep this line operating. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI6ZW0UfM4PQ-sMT_qlOPAfuojFbnJR9uJcz_EzD7Xs64oQLISboRYxsr6u1OdoSeV9G2eZloLM5C5RDjbItp1_8Eib8BNqULG-4Qrv-Iz3KgIFt_Hm2MIAeNvPD5SpInxtpDNNFpYTVU/s1600/IMG_3966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpI6ZW0UfM4PQ-sMT_qlOPAfuojFbnJR9uJcz_EzD7Xs64oQLISboRYxsr6u1OdoSeV9G2eZloLM5C5RDjbItp1_8Eib8BNqULG-4Qrv-Iz3KgIFt_Hm2MIAeNvPD5SpInxtpDNNFpYTVU/s640/IMG_3966.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5krK2mt0-nR64xDe5SBE3RPP1Gnhg0vxn1-l7L6hYFEUIAqBeuVAab5OO83dfBC_TLxVQx1wP-gZ4vHWo0L5-7T1GAF1xVfPgcdN_vfhJdGYkB3yRgi5HdeOa9QW8tH-gXf7Exfz78yj9/s1600/IMG_3967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5krK2mt0-nR64xDe5SBE3RPP1Gnhg0vxn1-l7L6hYFEUIAqBeuVAab5OO83dfBC_TLxVQx1wP-gZ4vHWo0L5-7T1GAF1xVfPgcdN_vfhJdGYkB3yRgi5HdeOa9QW8tH-gXf7Exfz78yj9/s640/IMG_3967.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch - paneer tikka masala. Downright fantastic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8YP3vwTfpBISbGGROe-B6rMmga5BdzcNKOa2TEvb05yTxWP5o1zwjBSrMPMjYy3ej2ab-xmWyQWV8Z5byVcaQbtnrYzZWp1vlCllLTR2f1-tMbP1Eik5fUAU8-bVVoldBQZ85fpYNPwL/s1600/IMG_3968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8YP3vwTfpBISbGGROe-B6rMmga5BdzcNKOa2TEvb05yTxWP5o1zwjBSrMPMjYy3ej2ab-xmWyQWV8Z5byVcaQbtnrYzZWp1vlCllLTR2f1-tMbP1Eik5fUAU8-bVVoldBQZ85fpYNPwL/s640/IMG_3968.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mille-feuille for dessert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">At Moncton we had a meet with CN 407 during our station
stop, conveniently timed so as not to delay us at all. After it cleared we
backed out of the station to the main (common practice these days to use the
CTC-controlled rather than hand-thrown switch), and continued onwards. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtDjGFRHgM0apZuwMR8BXwFyPkFNlqYPF4a3PEUACfHDtlh_DUr47qRmitYre4eO8no5NrNbeufvvSCRwC7zeiuGQfVmLH3-6HjfZLCoi4hQzQj-vQuZSg0WT4tVccP4p7rtGEJv5TkhI/s1600/IMG_3970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtDjGFRHgM0apZuwMR8BXwFyPkFNlqYPF4a3PEUACfHDtlh_DUr47qRmitYre4eO8no5NrNbeufvvSCRwC7zeiuGQfVmLH3-6HjfZLCoi4hQzQj-vQuZSg0WT4tVccP4p7rtGEJv5TkhI/s640/IMG_3970.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14, the Ocean, at Moncton NB. I can never resist a photo from this view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1DWpi_fNzbwAfdPtee-Jny-awIXtTQaQllW99qqgN9DXvv8JngnAV8GADapWSA0DVph7cubncIJtZVXvcyNNMNYKB2jO2YSX-YypHaWQ2z0i1IbWiKSzdbhDbLxutrHLiHa2ltBlpVKf/s1600/IMG_3971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1DWpi_fNzbwAfdPtee-Jny-awIXtTQaQllW99qqgN9DXvv8JngnAV8GADapWSA0DVph7cubncIJtZVXvcyNNMNYKB2jO2YSX-YypHaWQ2z0i1IbWiKSzdbhDbLxutrHLiHa2ltBlpVKf/s640/IMG_3971.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance to Budd transition...the British dimensions really show!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z8qbLhiMYa9A0AfQ3-yOHCWCcM8tzTuFwwPhcT-yG58PTV6-UOwOUsnNDL4Ifo2G5qOjgwfxIt1KkLP152L6KBcZMMC9L1ZAqgdP8V6GoRANQx9FwIW-GRTxiYMWTtSRmfgqlE_D9z0C/s1600/IMG_3972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z8qbLhiMYa9A0AfQ3-yOHCWCcM8tzTuFwwPhcT-yG58PTV6-UOwOUsnNDL4Ifo2G5qOjgwfxIt1KkLP152L6KBcZMMC9L1ZAqgdP8V6GoRANQx9FwIW-GRTxiYMWTtSRmfgqlE_D9z0C/s640/IMG_3972.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN 407 passes by, as one of the engineers from VIA 14 performs a roll-by inspection.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtctHWKTf5K1oA3Ndwdjb5KuSlYEZ2riRPPdQx1dHSV7liHZXMPd_euGerpYrzhhV-rLoZKl74jabua74Bqx_e2VbafdaBrpVcHLqt7YQSVVGCwLyQ8zrSqJaT86Pmh9hDozA89bOf8d-o/s1600/IMG_3975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtctHWKTf5K1oA3Ndwdjb5KuSlYEZ2riRPPdQx1dHSV7liHZXMPd_euGerpYrzhhV-rLoZKl74jabua74Bqx_e2VbafdaBrpVcHLqt7YQSVVGCwLyQ8zrSqJaT86Pmh9hDozA89bOf8d-o/s640/IMG_3975.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connections between Renaissance cars. There's a lot going on...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It turned out that a good chunk of the sleeper passengers
(probably 2 cars worth) were a tour group going to Sackville NB, where a
chartered Maritime Bus was waiting on the platform to pick them up. I
assume they were probably heading on to PEI, but I never found out for sure. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDPg86eNFqO3-CSEjVlcOlUFG7V2QR5mgUzlGXK1QT5q2xcS484yYV3BZOAJGy-SzG6aR5kizHKlZWyxW2eC833OeRiX6Op4SA2yfHCcoPFYHhCU9nAnGv25yDgcNYTrcdeJC0lU6NZN9/s1600/IMG_3980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDPg86eNFqO3-CSEjVlcOlUFG7V2QR5mgUzlGXK1QT5q2xcS484yYV3BZOAJGy-SzG6aR5kizHKlZWyxW2eC833OeRiX6Op4SA2yfHCcoPFYHhCU9nAnGv25yDgcNYTrcdeJC0lU6NZN9/s640/IMG_3980.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A chartered bus picks up the large tour group at Sackville NB.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The rest of the day was really lovely, so I spent some time
in the Park car dome (now that it had thinned out!), and also ended up taking a
nap through part of the afternoon (an advantage of knowing the route well…there
are some parts you know you won’t see anything too interesting!). There really
isn’t a whole lot more to report – things were comfortable and smooth, and we
made excellent time to Halifax, arriving 4 minutes early. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQb5IGXUtpjwAEJ056zEL6cUAvrvrm0QL6JQegofiK6J6JgSWNvCWhbokKPEMINLTYfBI5t_gA1q4f48MdijKyPIH-ezPNuDykNkjxqsy-BnLfTm6sV0riHGLpZMLoBp1lKQ3kk6Wcc-yP/s1600/IMG_3978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQb5IGXUtpjwAEJ056zEL6cUAvrvrm0QL6JQegofiK6J6JgSWNvCWhbokKPEMINLTYfBI5t_gA1q4f48MdijKyPIH-ezPNuDykNkjxqsy-BnLfTm6sV0riHGLpZMLoBp1lKQ3kk6Wcc-yP/s640/IMG_3978.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare moment of quiet on this trip - lunch is on and a bunch of people left after Moncton, so the Park car dome is actually almost empty! A good chance for a photo, and a short-lived one, as it filled up again pretty soon after.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIghDXRWcjMQAMYMch0OY8sZRiZ4mKO8-p8opq-aTNFItyxHnPxWGO_DUpXGx7szA0-yRX7Fl5idMcF_Q4rN-t4oPCee0AcFhC0bIlhQtx_fAlRhUHvIg3Eo5G4eYqB8wxiWeDYw476XTt/s1600/IMG_3981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIghDXRWcjMQAMYMch0OY8sZRiZ4mKO8-p8opq-aTNFItyxHnPxWGO_DUpXGx7szA0-yRX7Fl5idMcF_Q4rN-t4oPCee0AcFhC0bIlhQtx_fAlRhUHvIg3Eo5G4eYqB8wxiWeDYw476XTt/s640/IMG_3981.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curving around on the Tantramar marsh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsw_ga5MoQ_ezyRKMcJLcdBK29Rqe8HNZOuqZcg0x-bmkmSEnTF_pt6asy0dAuCtpgPe-L-GQ8QERGA41-bBWAFC2jMNci226xHX5cX1jJSCEXSW9_4yIIudNWzYPcTXtpE9DgKu49R4-/s1600/IMG_3984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsw_ga5MoQ_ezyRKMcJLcdBK29Rqe8HNZOuqZcg0x-bmkmSEnTF_pt6asy0dAuCtpgPe-L-GQ8QERGA41-bBWAFC2jMNci226xHX5cX1jJSCEXSW9_4yIIudNWzYPcTXtpE9DgKu49R4-/s640/IMG_3984.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full train - another view that's hard to beat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq42cJkec3eaE0YGTX5y_SHnBpJY17YTJftqMkt0HQDrZREECFUbZaSK5TAHThXK2IEdynfP12OFuk9UWY5PAtNh2MEf8RO2tx7Sc_vq1IT7OzDcL67qb6IcA6Al3LxwTAghNHvHFIjLRR/s1600/IMG_3989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq42cJkec3eaE0YGTX5y_SHnBpJY17YTJftqMkt0HQDrZREECFUbZaSK5TAHThXK2IEdynfP12OFuk9UWY5PAtNh2MEf8RO2tx7Sc_vq1IT7OzDcL67qb6IcA6Al3LxwTAghNHvHFIjLRR/s640/IMG_3989.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windmills before Amherst, crossing back into NS.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIakbKq2myMKrPXf4fdYet3TFtg_OHSX6M4KOZB6Caq7z85NpEL4MO4TqsQJZItURI5z6YOQtSvJbZGM4Q1uiGARyye91PWqRj-2kyGAtVu2cPbgY9GN7cuXb2ABNb9h22tVe-ju72NQ_w/s1600/IMG_3990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIakbKq2myMKrPXf4fdYet3TFtg_OHSX6M4KOZB6Caq7z85NpEL4MO4TqsQJZItURI5z6YOQtSvJbZGM4Q1uiGARyye91PWqRj-2kyGAtVu2cPbgY9GN7cuXb2ABNb9h22tVe-ju72NQ_w/s640/IMG_3990.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forward dome view. VIA could really do to wash the windows on the Ocean's domes now and then. Compared to the careful treatment on the Canadian, they're a mess. The one on the left has also clearly lost its seal, and is fogged between the panes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc7oJbWasJj-GlLzGuYUKr97-REGNRBG0LDelaOKH5IyzkiJVVoBL1Rblx5vyPPIZHl6iWyIR-Aywssk2HZ1pgGxVBfFp91g8ta0qQLaKIOE8PxqqaOIqgNsJRIsbz0xE8p7wEn5KNRkk/s1600/IMG_3992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc7oJbWasJj-GlLzGuYUKr97-REGNRBG0LDelaOKH5IyzkiJVVoBL1Rblx5vyPPIZHl6iWyIR-Aywssk2HZ1pgGxVBfFp91g8ta0qQLaKIOE8PxqqaOIqgNsJRIsbz0xE8p7wEn5KNRkk/s640/IMG_3992.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Lake NS, nearing Halifax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-xPh38RyimOlGoBnjLMMK_tZE8Gj2AirlzITh429njDuN2fM7duuNvMPC2Wgonxah27aATgjVwN4S8H6Rsp2pwbsI3tMbzvnp_eQZD2NFw1zp_kCCfzrAk09GWvrZxxQBEwpPS1k0aSy/s1600/IMG_3995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-xPh38RyimOlGoBnjLMMK_tZE8Gj2AirlzITh429njDuN2fM7duuNvMPC2Wgonxah27aATgjVwN4S8H6Rsp2pwbsI3tMbzvnp_eQZD2NFw1zp_kCCfzrAk09GWvrZxxQBEwpPS1k0aSy/s640/IMG_3995.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bedford Basin, with Dartmouth and the MacKay bridge in view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOg_vkcBQF6uLFSDFlrsST9g18Gz7ueFjoRTW287eTVWz9ZYzy9PUEFv07cw_kIHvVrL0O-bPEMoOMmvm77SulLgRVpqtDutr6Shy7qtCyk_dK5cW68W0-8n7sU0vMPI6GnBYVXGqin4lz/s1600/IMG_3996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOg_vkcBQF6uLFSDFlrsST9g18Gz7ueFjoRTW287eTVWz9ZYzy9PUEFv07cw_kIHvVrL0O-bPEMoOMmvm77SulLgRVpqtDutr6Shy7qtCyk_dK5cW68W0-8n7sU0vMPI6GnBYVXGqin4lz/s640/IMG_3996.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't see a whole lot of freight on this trip, particularly in the daylight. Here's the power for CN 121, resting at Fairview before their evening departure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJsKMKpJdMhiO3dgSDe1ySUI85KP2xu_H1cAasLUadLEzXPuYpDnflSwrkiTeKuCtCs8UNUfEDBlGW1Kh0Ee-tsXp9lB9F7xs61CJZRvfo16eeUJQ_EbsJF1OiWxqp75144z_bDNfDeVt/s1600/IMG_3997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJsKMKpJdMhiO3dgSDe1ySUI85KP2xu_H1cAasLUadLEzXPuYpDnflSwrkiTeKuCtCs8UNUfEDBlGW1Kh0Ee-tsXp9lB9F7xs61CJZRvfo16eeUJQ_EbsJF1OiWxqp75144z_bDNfDeVt/s640/IMG_3997.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance accessible sleeper 79515 and Chateau Lasalle rest by the platform in Halifax. I assume they're here for crew training, though I haven't confirmed that. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DUiIB20e6E38PM1DdbddXdaNtxSkak0jvbITIdBOT0IuK8GLpYi6AmHmM54r-t6H7GNHG3XS9t2spygd15fM-npYdV4Aor_LAN9Shh3k3zMZJhdAk5-j_K3J9qE3kceVc3SUC2BJukTa/s1600/IMG_4000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DUiIB20e6E38PM1DdbddXdaNtxSkak0jvbITIdBOT0IuK8GLpYi6AmHmM54r-t6H7GNHG3XS9t2spygd15fM-npYdV4Aor_LAN9Shh3k3zMZJhdAk5-j_K3J9qE3kceVc3SUC2BJukTa/s640/IMG_4000.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance accessible sleeper 79515 and Chateau Lasalle rest by the platform in Halifax. I assume they're here for crew training, though I haven't confirmed that. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbMjNaS5p3ZAAf2vu8qmnBkmQSRwESTcKTS4ZjLWy7WcnRJ6GLqh0PnAyucvpU0BJjCGQhzC1LGeLgWJkOdDvQL1Gyj0vLnZFlzQQ3G6NV39EVbi01LKWIEr719HDKd0PQUEqqHlGAT0P/s1600/IMG_3999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbMjNaS5p3ZAAf2vu8qmnBkmQSRwESTcKTS4ZjLWy7WcnRJ6GLqh0PnAyucvpU0BJjCGQhzC1LGeLgWJkOdDvQL1Gyj0vLnZFlzQQ3G6NV39EVbi01LKWIEr719HDKd0PQUEqqHlGAT0P/s640/IMG_3999.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14 has arrived in Halifax. The station and platforms are beginning some major renovation work, hence the signs (perhaps sidewalk isn't the appropriate term...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There we have it. Another nice trip, and enjoyable, relaxing (and uneventful) ride back on VIA 14. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After a quick bus ride I was home, and looking at only a day
before I would head off on the next part of this adventure! </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Stay tuned for Part 2, where we'll get into some truly new territory...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPDVqgQMUGV8o8xnZ4Phe1HoHW0oBMjV6mX4tpOIAtg5hsJec4nyjKQYNxV58xGIj33RQk7hdM0ojANfnUkCugrIhk-fXjYJk7aYhYlOM7wXfw7-tFpeDyVq1L0Gpxy8d8rAWeEuZwmtb/s1600/IMG_3630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPDVqgQMUGV8o8xnZ4Phe1HoHW0oBMjV6mX4tpOIAtg5hsJec4nyjKQYNxV58xGIj33RQk7hdM0ojANfnUkCugrIhk-fXjYJk7aYhYlOM7wXfw7-tFpeDyVq1L0Gpxy8d8rAWeEuZwmtb/s640/IMG_3630.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sneak peak at things to come...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-77239017624830501162018-05-08T13:21:00.000-03:002018-05-08T15:07:16.546-03:00January 2018 Trip Part 2 - A frozen Ontario and a flooded New Brunswick<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrYWxFu3TpCpj0zvZEIUjQ776-zd7hUQOjf7LMlh0Ynvp6YF57muNw8vsRkVO0J41bvlXgrf1Vt_khMnPIc40SaaWR6X_fI1Fzw4NQWuG3KwSzcSK85elJc02-Y2rsmcGZzS58EHZZYar/s1600/IMG_3521_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrYWxFu3TpCpj0zvZEIUjQ776-zd7hUQOjf7LMlh0Ynvp6YF57muNw8vsRkVO0J41bvlXgrf1Vt_khMnPIc40SaaWR6X_fI1Fzw4NQWuG3KwSzcSK85elJc02-Y2rsmcGZzS58EHZZYar/s400/IMG_3521_Cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After my dramatic trip to Ontario through the bomb cyclone,
the rest of my travels went pretty smoothly. Ottawa was, of course, still brutally cold - the first part of the week I was there was the last part of the extreme cold snap they had experienced through Christmas time and into January. In stark contrast to what I had left in Halifax, there was a hefty amount of snow everywhere, and I would see more during that week. However, things would shift towards the end of my visit, with the temperatures rising and rain arriving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Shortly after arriving in Ottawa I headed off on a side trip
to Kitchener to visit my brother. While there are loads of VIA options between
Ottawa and Toronto (more than ever, really), VIA service on the north mainline
is severely lacking. There is a Toronto-Kitchener trip in the late morning, but
none of the Ottawa trains arrive early enough to make that connection – so
instead, the only option would get me there by after 7pm, which would
effectively waste the whole Saturday. So instead I planned to take #641 from
Ottawa (which leaves at 6:40am…I keep thinking they should adjust that to 6:41
just for a laugh), and then connect on #73 to Woodstock, where my brother would
come and pick me up. Ultimately this got modified a bit, and I ended up only
going as far as Oakville on 73 and getting a ride from there. The result was
that I was in Kitchener by early afternoon instead of early evening. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The ride was smooth and fairly uneventful. For 641 I was in
Economy class in an LRC coach with the refurbished original seats, set up in
the 50/50 forward-rear arrangement (all of them have been reconfigured this way
to accommodate the few trains being run in push-pull mode). I had a forward
facing seat, and the car was quite full by Fallowfield. I was in fact surprised
to see just how many people boarded in Ottawa – this early morning train seems
to be quite popular! There was a bit of drama in the seats across the aisle, as
two passengers had tickets for the same seat. They did in fact have tickets for
the same train, the same car, and the same seat – however, it would ultimately
turn out that one person had a ticket for the wrong date! He got moved to the
end of the car but didn’t get turfed, so they must have figured something out. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjtRDMLUxDKbWqGns1f9uGuQTMuswW4YkgeA6X7qtzmloyecy9qPpCkJqFHieFmwTuLjAtWEM9QtX2P7GS4JLyeGSPWl7AWAFlaywJSPJFZFt8PKlqP8m60AVWk2UQvUrJCt2Bz1QH-RD/s1600/26197863_10156228617140955_8342478855300155927_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjtRDMLUxDKbWqGns1f9uGuQTMuswW4YkgeA6X7qtzmloyecy9qPpCkJqFHieFmwTuLjAtWEM9QtX2P7GS4JLyeGSPWl7AWAFlaywJSPJFZFt8PKlqP8m60AVWk2UQvUrJCt2Bz1QH-RD/s640/26197863_10156228617140955_8342478855300155927_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Early morning light as we speed toward Smiths Falls.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Snack service started past Fallowfield, and I decided to try out one of the new Economy options – the “breakfast box”. Along with a coffee, this was really quite decent.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyd-l_HC0-JmdyslwR0PHTrOGK_bkINGSzaJojuz5vGrBxx4J6cUGVZD_HPUcBo-LRcjkftwGJ2Mm7zQ4-ORN6LITfR7-3JUVAM0XUyu_9XXfO0HeREZI3xjyvTQxTOz-F24arBGne2iC/s1600/IMG_3259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyd-l_HC0-JmdyslwR0PHTrOGK_bkINGSzaJojuz5vGrBxx4J6cUGVZD_HPUcBo-LRcjkftwGJ2Mm7zQ4-ORN6LITfR7-3JUVAM0XUyu_9XXfO0HeREZI3xjyvTQxTOz-F24arBGne2iC/s640/IMG_3259.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">VIA's "Breakfast box" - inside was a banana muffin, cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt, and sliced apples. The packaging on some of this seemed excessive (especially the bagged apple slices), but it was all quite good. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5DOuWygYqUvB4wClqxi1mQwYwxNq0hG7qMs6KWwKC6_c3x8FoFWbcz696VSvRyp2XjW-xooG0cypnKGudjmF-56JvdtjabRu08eFyE4BP37Au1BIvLUH4nKI_30VczZ7ETi4_xk1vDNT/s1600/IMG_3262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5DOuWygYqUvB4wClqxi1mQwYwxNq0hG7qMs6KWwKC6_c3x8FoFWbcz696VSvRyp2XjW-xooG0cypnKGudjmF-56JvdtjabRu08eFyE4BP37Au1BIvLUH4nKI_30VczZ7ETi4_xk1vDNT/s640/IMG_3262.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Still gloomy skies as we round the corner into Brockville station. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We had a bit of a delay around Smiths Falls and past
Brockville, so ultimatetly we arrived ~45min late. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhP6CGa7rYf001-ivrv5FpLFkmIfDCryf1QMNT05yKJUjth7nn3IjDfkVbYjbPpXknAjPzjKLGJtr1KUVEKkmyG3xDNRKG5mGGNp-XkC6HOUw_EMJgtwEjw6rZQpZq3yva9nGCdiSp8xW/s1600/26198475_10156229123355955_8169222949099609155_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhP6CGa7rYf001-ivrv5FpLFkmIfDCryf1QMNT05yKJUjth7nn3IjDfkVbYjbPpXknAjPzjKLGJtr1KUVEKkmyG3xDNRKG5mGGNp-XkC6HOUw_EMJgtwEjw6rZQpZq3yva9nGCdiSp8xW/s640/26198475_10156229123355955_8169222949099609155_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A rarity, and soon to be no more - CP's Expressway service (CP 133) on the parallel CP line, as we zipped past.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Our train would become #73, so those of us with connections
were allowed to stay on board. In my case I had a seat assignment in another
car so I had to move; however, we all had to wait while the cleaning crew came
on and hastily collected garbage and vacuumed. I was impressed with how quickly
they did their work! </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">For the final short segment of the trip I was in a
refurbished LRC with the new seats. While I still don’t find these as
comfortable as the old ones, I was really struck again by just how much nicer
the new layout is – more spacious, better tray tables, and an all-around more
modern look. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">A couple of days later I made my way back to Ottawa, this
time by public transit all the way from door to door. My brother was off to
work on the Monday morning, so rather than get an early ride to the station I
opted to catch the bus. This also gave me a chance to try out a little bit of
Kitchener’s transit system (the second time I had, actually), and I was quite
impressed. There had been a heavier than expected snowfall overnight, so the
roads were buried under an impressive layer of snow. The cars struggling to
make their way through the deep, slippery white stuff provided plenty of
entertainment as I waited for the bus, which arrived on time despite the road
conditions. I got to the station with no issues, and discovered a fantastic
little café by the station where I could kill time until the train arrived. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3ke75tkhtfbjn0U1fbieOoU6EZIvJx-bvt9YFxanggleKs9kjfPVrYBcDc7VL-odU-jUvf0f3OiAy_eVvCLBjQG6AHluDPTHY9W_s6f1ckA_Pi-Xx3_bAg8CoiNnha4U61x5SSRIgE49/s1600/IMG_3268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3ke75tkhtfbjn0U1fbieOoU6EZIvJx-bvt9YFxanggleKs9kjfPVrYBcDc7VL-odU-jUvf0f3OiAy_eVvCLBjQG6AHluDPTHY9W_s6f1ckA_Pi-Xx3_bAg8CoiNnha4U61x5SSRIgE49/s640/IMG_3268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">First part of my ride - Grand River Transit 21708, a New Flyer XD40LF. It handled the snowy morning without any issues. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQti2Z6zYd69558YYClPDjne0pWpuJn5XdqwnqnRK5rYdS3AY6o19ddLzM1rzrQv9dHh2M99qHxlr7rIseIzxwtLVZlYG9NKmXjFDZP9HJKc9_zz2L8PCq40wHljv7vhVTee7TvZ8UDdw/s1600/26685210_10156234808450955_3961005938476086406_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQti2Z6zYd69558YYClPDjne0pWpuJn5XdqwnqnRK5rYdS3AY6o19ddLzM1rzrQv9dHh2M99qHxlr7rIseIzxwtLVZlYG9NKmXjFDZP9HJKc9_zz2L8PCq40wHljv7vhVTee7TvZ8UDdw/s640/26685210_10156234808450955_3961005938476086406_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This might just be one of my new favourite cafes - Smile Tiger Coffee in Kitchener, a great location, lovely atmosphere, and great coffee.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTlWYXwlrZCAE-Sw5-4umWxKXABPhBmayXcXplKpf8sFC_NSBAQyxBxkRrTR1DoTj74B_Gz6gtU2YqxnoRheY4PnD4v-M9MbX8sGszUyC-_Gb9Vqj8UAp2iooUYsDbHy7bw43CY8LfF4U/s1600/IMG_3465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTlWYXwlrZCAE-Sw5-4umWxKXABPhBmayXcXplKpf8sFC_NSBAQyxBxkRrTR1DoTj74B_Gz6gtU2YqxnoRheY4PnD4v-M9MbX8sGszUyC-_Gb9Vqj8UAp2iooUYsDbHy7bw43CY8LfF4U/s640/IMG_3465.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">GEXR locomotives parked by the Kitchener station. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMAM4wkeV0t_ykm7kAiZEWHTMlUihiQJ3lPhmpBtU39XF3FO1v1H-sOMd-v9_Xi6fG6egEBmx4zPmnRqbVdLVOKwTUP_hROfAgMDxRKw43BQaEfKPTcxqe0Ps_BiRzupg06kLyV2E_o3W/s1600/IMG_3469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMAM4wkeV0t_ykm7kAiZEWHTMlUihiQJ3lPhmpBtU39XF3FO1v1H-sOMd-v9_Xi6fG6egEBmx4zPmnRqbVdLVOKwTUP_hROfAgMDxRKw43BQaEfKPTcxqe0Ps_BiRzupg06kLyV2E_o3W/s640/IMG_3469.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A visitor from another line - this Quebec Gatineau locomotive is on borrowed hours with GWI-sister road Goderich and Exeter.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZw7srLndh32po7fDNGcjLOj4fyt4vdSJt8o6Bzdp3_UKJxopAT-WXBQs7kzPmfc3SFW1oLkK38LvHDelW8sXeQBgPrQRFx9VniTjcvr8FIn73DW6OZpQTeC02P0tV_eJKBgmGM6HtEJL1/s1600/IMG_3474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZw7srLndh32po7fDNGcjLOj4fyt4vdSJt8o6Bzdp3_UKJxopAT-WXBQs7kzPmfc3SFW1oLkK38LvHDelW8sXeQBgPrQRFx9VniTjcvr8FIn73DW6OZpQTeC02P0tV_eJKBgmGM6HtEJL1/s640/IMG_3474.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Emerging from the snow, our train arrives!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt6br5u8I_y_WZt2FfzNsbFZ2hRYjbc4OtWMgU-23OMUfVF446esxc7r0j4j3YPoBruEBBNj5tC1QYri45wZnifd4Gfuasex7hydj2XpMFhqGlbWLhT2mbElzOrHxH9o7cOPGgRlp39td/s1600/IMG_3476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt6br5u8I_y_WZt2FfzNsbFZ2hRYjbc4OtWMgU-23OMUfVF446esxc7r0j4j3YPoBruEBBNj5tC1QYri45wZnifd4Gfuasex7hydj2XpMFhqGlbWLhT2mbElzOrHxH9o7cOPGgRlp39td/s640/IMG_3476.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Icy LRCs.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ckjoU88TrToPpd1ruofgZ7Haa9w4v8a9NNedoNMp-ocfhC7TE6fklIGVflBsZHU94L8FNWZcD5LGSmvBonN6p7yJe3XNlyzwfhhIxhOZI2Q_WYIGAoGQo5yr4gVqoddQmzalO-JgwhED/s1600/IMG_3477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ckjoU88TrToPpd1ruofgZ7Haa9w4v8a9NNedoNMp-ocfhC7TE6fklIGVflBsZHU94L8FNWZcD5LGSmvBonN6p7yJe3XNlyzwfhhIxhOZI2Q_WYIGAoGQo5yr4gVqoddQmzalO-JgwhED/s640/IMG_3477.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Passengers wait to board. The station staff had cleared paths through the fresh snow.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dDaX2QW_5zhiXFgzsyaf0BaA9yqzGAcDwh51jZHv9uiCjxWfdzEh0UasaYN0Ragzfn1xAoa0vBPb7fPGA9jYYu2-cTlCX1iOxHLyw1l7qIr27ozZhfLJtKQVFWkPpQPOWGAt16GiUD6T/s1600/IMG_3479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dDaX2QW_5zhiXFgzsyaf0BaA9yqzGAcDwh51jZHv9uiCjxWfdzEh0UasaYN0Ragzfn1xAoa0vBPb7fPGA9jYYu2-cTlCX1iOxHLyw1l7qIr27ozZhfLJtKQVFWkPpQPOWGAt16GiUD6T/s640/IMG_3479.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the ubiquitous Canada 150-wrapped LRCs. Canada 150 had come to an end, and these cars would soon be modified to mark VIA's 40th anniversary; it just hadn't happened yet. Over this week I would be in three of those four places.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK6PjgrQDF6Jfw0kXVe4eJgN4egM8td8JH1XsyqjKKgzr01zF6N90_mIM1SSWZq4J3O4ChTqtx2O0fFS6AWxvOrE8SeH8pOrhTe2pp7suKeq8UlbWoF_VRLseBrZ6ouBoHwqMHypKhncN/s1600/IMG_3480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK6PjgrQDF6Jfw0kXVe4eJgN4egM8td8JH1XsyqjKKgzr01zF6N90_mIM1SSWZq4J3O4ChTqtx2O0fFS6AWxvOrE8SeH8pOrhTe2pp7suKeq8UlbWoF_VRLseBrZ6ouBoHwqMHypKhncN/s640/IMG_3480.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An LRC won't get you to Matapedia or Moncton, but this one might just take you to Ottawa.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">On the way back I took trains 84 and 644 (deliberately
choosing a slightly later train to allow a layover so I could meet up with
someone in Toronto). There isn’t a whole lot to say about the ride on either
one – I was in LRCs again on both segments, both times in cars with the old
seats, and sitting backwards on 644. We did end up with some delay, ultimately
arriving in Ottawa around 50min late. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzeu4JHw-0q7HtTSq7CUz3bv5RYzleBzUWQz49ATjQOSd_0IyNSbgmWHxCMAYjivTN9gk_no4HdD_HpSYWRF1cBUCHgR9JrRPgMxpkD2CPrefcLiErjlapiwuuEpKx3FIPBNiLoolWC3R/s1600/IMG_3271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzeu4JHw-0q7HtTSq7CUz3bv5RYzleBzUWQz49ATjQOSd_0IyNSbgmWHxCMAYjivTN9gk_no4HdD_HpSYWRF1cBUCHgR9JrRPgMxpkD2CPrefcLiErjlapiwuuEpKx3FIPBNiLoolWC3R/s640/IMG_3271.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ah, Union Station. The main hall is looking great, but the VIA concourse below is still a mess. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Along the way I was informed that I wouldn’t be able to get
a ride from the station in Ottawa (previous commitments that were overlooked in
the plans), so I would be hopping on a bus to make my way to Tunney’s Pasture.
The bus ride (in a New Flyer D60LF) was easy enough, but the bus got thoroughly
packed by the time we made it through downtown, and the ride seemed to last far
longer than it should. This experience really reiterated how excited I am for
the Confederation Line LRT to open later this year, as it will make that trip
faster, smoother, and far more comfortable! </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I was back in Ottawa for the week, and had the opportunity
while there to ride back and forth on the O-Train Trillium line, as well as
finally catching a ride on one of the Alexander Dennis Enviro500 double-deck
buses. What a cool way to ride around the city! The view from up top over the
driver is pretty impressive, and I found the ride comfortable and smooth. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBGyrJMxf9qIH84DsGHNdMIq9m1Rrq3H4y9vyupsfOoU64vgmEfBpqJ5WHOt54Ji83R1EVBXk8HlivRxcBvD467HMEBZwAdpufNa9mp3kzd_ERW2j2esdRKvSQLGkg8ekBMHLl8xFXotJ/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBGyrJMxf9qIH84DsGHNdMIq9m1Rrq3H4y9vyupsfOoU64vgmEfBpqJ5WHOt54Ji83R1EVBXk8HlivRxcBvD467HMEBZwAdpufNa9mp3kzd_ERW2j2esdRKvSQLGkg8ekBMHLl8xFXotJ/s640/IMG_3278.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">O-Train Trillium Line - Alstom Coradia LINT at Bayview station, the soon-to-be transfer point with the new Confederation Line. I do like these DMUs, particularly the seats, which are superior to the ones in the old Talents. Still, I miss the Talent's smoother acceleration and large clear glass door behind the operator.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSn_C8o4xVYHWAUlrL-wDNmbPYSbhv0cSixkS3V6EwOT78Qy8PmO7pKbT1CvwMFTM9RJhMmujWc2BHtGZKW306_S4oWTGk2BJ4X2GeeIWrUQ0u2D8wh1CVtHDMFzXLUSF-z72OlZLPLqb/s1600/IMG_3279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSn_C8o4xVYHWAUlrL-wDNmbPYSbhv0cSixkS3V6EwOT78Qy8PmO7pKbT1CvwMFTM9RJhMmujWc2BHtGZKW306_S4oWTGk2BJ4X2GeeIWrUQ0u2D8wh1CVtHDMFzXLUSF-z72OlZLPLqb/s640/IMG_3279.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from the upper level on an Enviro500</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEVtoe1iEm0TKJU8DgFujL1fdWaIibUNMQV_JZvEQ8PJq1jNH6h_beKZ5Yqqhrr2oYpL-Q3BInJLpfeFZm9Sh6AF8Mz7TTWpV2q3hDHbkv_NhI3ag0GnAvuP7_dAnzP8b88SM6ZMtmv-g/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEVtoe1iEm0TKJU8DgFujL1fdWaIibUNMQV_JZvEQ8PJq1jNH6h_beKZ5Yqqhrr2oYpL-Q3BInJLpfeFZm9Sh6AF8Mz7TTWpV2q3hDHbkv_NhI3ag0GnAvuP7_dAnzP8b88SM6ZMtmv-g/s640/IMG_3280.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">OC Transpo Alexander Dennis-built Enviro 500, #8049, at Greenboro. This was unfortunately the best photo I could grab before the bus headed off. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As the week passed along, I kept a close eye on the
equipment showing in Reservia for the upcoming Ocean departures. When I got off
the train the week before I had been informed that the HEP/Budd set would be
staying on the Ocean for at least the next trip, and perhaps for a while beyond
that, so I was curious to see if my return might get the equipment substitution.
This substitution seemed to be solidified a few days later, when the
Renaissance set that was meant to stay in rotation had a complete electrical
failure leaving Halifax, forcing the cancellation of a train (with passengers
bussed or re-scheduled), and a deadhead of the equipment to Montreal. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The Renaissance equipment has always had issues in the
winter, as it was never built to operate in harsh Canadian winter conditions.
This winter was a difficult one for VIA across the board, with brutally cold
temperatures causing problems all across the system – slowing down Corridor
operations, causing extensive delays on the Ocean, and even stranding the
Canadian in Saskatchewan at Christmas. The Ocean’s Renaissance equipment
struggled, with multiple hour delays, electrical failures, and non-functioning
toilets and doors. With the holiday season over and the Ocean back down to just
two sets of equipment, VIA made the call to run only one Ren set (reduced to as
short as feasible, with 3 coaches and 4 sleepers) and keep the HEP equipment on
for a while longer. This would ultimately turn into a full 3 month
substitution, as it was into April before the train would return to its usual
all-Renaissance configuration. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Anyone who knows me (or who has followed this blog) knows of
my preference for the HEP equipment, so it goes without saying that I was
pretty excited when I got the call from VIA to inform me that the equipment for
my return trip had changed (of course I already knew this before they called,
as I had been keeping an eye on things online). Just like on my cross-Canada
trip last year, since I was booked in a Renaissance bedroom (Cabin for 2), I
was moved to a Cabin for 2 in the Budd equipment as well at no extra charge (normally the Budd rooms have a steep single occupancy surcharge). I specifically
requested to be in bedroom B, which in a Chateau is forward facing and has
solid walls on both sides, as it isn’t set up to allow conversion to a suite –
in theory, this should give slightly better soundproofing. It turned out the
train would have only Chateaus this time, and a bedroom B was still available. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As the day of my return trip arrived, I was dismayed to
realize that I had come down with a proper head cold - not a fun thing to
travel with! Fortunately I had no seat-mate on my trip from Ottawa to Montreal
on VIA 26, in yet another trip in an LRC coach with the refurbished original
seats. The trip was smooth, despite my discomfort, and we made good time to
Montreal (12min late). While that Corridor trip wasn’t that much fun with a
cold, I would soon realize just how great a proper long-distance train can be,
if you really must travel while under the weather. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjuX7hynFgAXie7M1K0U_m95E9i-nDRe0ezuYSIlb0n14dfIDGnhE4NIxXqkFikk3FQe1GWwtt2vq89OCQlD8c-N3BilXF2rd6i8woroaw4PNobZSqXHbE2lzY2apJm1RdHEMzC1P5dsz/s1600/IMG_3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjuX7hynFgAXie7M1K0U_m95E9i-nDRe0ezuYSIlb0n14dfIDGnhE4NIxXqkFikk3FQe1GWwtt2vq89OCQlD8c-N3BilXF2rd6i8woroaw4PNobZSqXHbE2lzY2apJm1RdHEMzC1P5dsz/s640/IMG_3483.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">New high-level platform at Ottawa station, almost ready to enter service. This is part of a fairly extensive renovation of the platforms at Ottawa station, which will ultimately facilitate easier and more comfortable boarding. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6svRhCli6gpT_D4wqpk2sSncuGHiVZCZYxb472tdGKFkSaBYo4tGpbohyphenhyphenKQ9Q2O7DgIqpH-iYoCyxsWiPeiWUoNEt1QAzVsESD2gC499fcK_j9m4QeW6x3Jw49Fk9wbi0xYvXUpxKVc1/s1600/IMG_3484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6svRhCli6gpT_D4wqpk2sSncuGHiVZCZYxb472tdGKFkSaBYo4tGpbohyphenhyphenKQ9Q2O7DgIqpH-iYoCyxsWiPeiWUoNEt1QAzVsESD2gC499fcK_j9m4QeW6x3Jw49Fk9wbi0xYvXUpxKVc1/s640/IMG_3484.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">VIA 26 at Ottawa, accepting passengers.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAbndpIDBrdZwCaDsDvazc60NEtIojx9r5MSCWhIsNTSm-QlgtNKkc0p3buAvpOTpmEza71SV6Qjn51fBhkB9bYoclJe56TCvhdPC9tTHDrhR-qgp5vXEuwaZWxbzE4l575QFYA-Kyp2S/s1600/26758537_10156248196625955_2160137360949741_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAbndpIDBrdZwCaDsDvazc60NEtIojx9r5MSCWhIsNTSm-QlgtNKkc0p3buAvpOTpmEza71SV6Qjn51fBhkB9bYoclJe56TCvhdPC9tTHDrhR-qgp5vXEuwaZWxbzE4l575QFYA-Kyp2S/s640/26758537_10156248196625955_2160137360949741_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On board VIA 26 and ready to depart Ottawa under dreary, rainy skies. A Toronto-bound train waits on the adjacent track.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Checking in for the train in Montreal, the SM commented that
we had a shorter train today, the consist having been reduced to just 10 cars. This
was indeed the case, and the consist was as follows:</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">VIA 14 – January 12, 2018</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6424</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">64XX (neglected to get this number)</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8619 (ex-UP baggage)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8103 HEP1 Coach (ex-CP)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8139 HEP1 Coach
(ex-US)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8506 Skyline (non-refurbished)<br />Diner Kent (non-refurbished) <br /><strong>Chateau Lasalle (32) (Room B)</strong><br />Chateau Brule (33)<br />Chateau Latour (34)<br />Chateau Levis (35)</span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Tweedsmuir Park (40)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5Ja1x9hUAeX98nhluITqriKpRQWYcrtfk-WFeggNmwL1DV8oz-msWampvEXBLZHP9uhITo2G2_g9X_-T2bIP2xQULlRarQjcsNA-dby_4I6wshnDns6sLWkBZohcSuFm5Fx9Th8V3rDC/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5Ja1x9hUAeX98nhluITqriKpRQWYcrtfk-WFeggNmwL1DV8oz-msWampvEXBLZHP9uhITo2G2_g9X_-T2bIP2xQULlRarQjcsNA-dby_4I6wshnDns6sLWkBZohcSuFm5Fx9Th8V3rDC/s640/IMG_3486.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The familiar destination board in Montreal.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UwBruWCSStjU__BAMTBBW-1xr-TYfe_vN2dsWEbxpZAnIi3dVkNfxaZW_dXzk-CrnGn0F7Cu57tkFhloK13-Gr57vF44LHsVxVKC9sJhglkd2LTfl6s9_k8QPCzuRa-KocEG1Q2xx79b/s1600/26233536_10156249078385955_8571046738837691821_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UwBruWCSStjU__BAMTBBW-1xr-TYfe_vN2dsWEbxpZAnIi3dVkNfxaZW_dXzk-CrnGn0F7Cu57tkFhloK13-Gr57vF44LHsVxVKC9sJhglkd2LTfl6s9_k8QPCzuRa-KocEG1Q2xx79b/s640/26233536_10156249078385955_8571046738837691821_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">VIA 14, in all its silver splendour, awaits.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I boarded the train and got settled into my room, and made
my way for supper not long after departure. Once again, the usual Renaissance
catered meals were being served in the Budd diner. However, this was one
example where you really wouldn’t know if someone didn’t tell you. I had the
beer-braised short ribs (after the usual always-excellent fish chowder), and it
was honestly fantastic – no complaints at all! </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvLIghTK62Hpyxajpixj8GbzKRcbAzilH1tD_u-U_uwIlSWN9DgXOf4IrRGWZy6Y7l5L5YETFotk1d1ecLq2zPwAgmtItbRSwLUcN9zluDiaSZx3_IQ8rEO3OdHGD4kCQl6xu6-p3LLNs/s1600/IMG_3489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1565" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvLIghTK62Hpyxajpixj8GbzKRcbAzilH1tD_u-U_uwIlSWN9DgXOf4IrRGWZy6Y7l5L5YETFotk1d1ecLq2zPwAgmtItbRSwLUcN9zluDiaSZx3_IQ8rEO3OdHGD4kCQl6xu6-p3LLNs/s320/IMG_3489.JPG" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZLK6jFxHdxd9WzKWi-XW71NZLG63ycTivaPySif_8xbEIIHJynTqmjVndKKu08JG5g-9H8d4-Ox-eBPKFnEuhSGBNbpTf23_cZcA_yclWAlojp8-wwke69RNGaVsKFi4uWIei-hIjCP-/s1600/IMG_3490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZLK6jFxHdxd9WzKWi-XW71NZLG63ycTivaPySif_8xbEIIHJynTqmjVndKKu08JG5g-9H8d4-Ox-eBPKFnEuhSGBNbpTf23_cZcA_yclWAlojp8-wwke69RNGaVsKFi4uWIei-hIjCP-/s320/IMG_3490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
Inside the menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDh3l_JTdT2Rg9qNtKZmZJmVr61ZxzV8lKaqk14aGHsFbfmYHTbSp5J1sH5EPSEsbraxNV8xdR9OzVWDQCKnmMzZcuLXfCKlSevXvPeGniYV4GIeyCEt-1OPcyhpHxioEDoAQKVjEUsvE/s1600/IMG_3491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDh3l_JTdT2Rg9qNtKZmZJmVr61ZxzV8lKaqk14aGHsFbfmYHTbSp5J1sH5EPSEsbraxNV8xdR9OzVWDQCKnmMzZcuLXfCKlSevXvPeGniYV4GIeyCEt-1OPcyhpHxioEDoAQKVjEUsvE/s320/IMG_3491.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish chowder to start...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdErateO0NBJTivif2hULrDkzaVc_M-M-hXZniOUbMk_LK37pa-XugkhRKnWioeu283RYwv2SjsOft8h-_6h1-hRoLgTxppjg4QwTzV1fwUvrCtd6BD5Pzf93GDnbgPbeLqMaI3pFWVIqx/s1600/IMG_3493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdErateO0NBJTivif2hULrDkzaVc_M-M-hXZniOUbMk_LK37pa-XugkhRKnWioeu283RYwv2SjsOft8h-_6h1-hRoLgTxppjg4QwTzV1fwUvrCtd6BD5Pzf93GDnbgPbeLqMaI3pFWVIqx/s320/IMG_3493.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...some sort of Black Forest cake to finish...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKtmbPLcedGX8mjH7juaQ5C5VHNcUemeojGdXO4opCqWkOjCS65LwmQKsEO7b1iKofizNnydV9lYTnKQzYxi6w-i15pnvO2oWqOxfCMcRksc9LkiU-FL_sewPc0jHo4H45LxhdtPND-Ym/s1600/IMG_3492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKtmbPLcedGX8mjH7juaQ5C5VHNcUemeojGdXO4opCqWkOjCS65LwmQKsEO7b1iKofizNnydV9lYTnKQzYxi6w-i15pnvO2oWqOxfCMcRksc9LkiU-FL_sewPc0jHo4H45LxhdtPND-Ym/s640/IMG_3492.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and the main course - delightful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After supper I fetched some tea from the Park car, and went
back to relax in my room for a while. I did step out at Ste-Foy for some fresh
air (not nearly as cold as the week before!), and then headed to bed. </span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthZlaIoQqQe2SNamp70E6NsQOFo8IyIb7829GIQjG-efJhnIv8r-q1rovQ2sw-Rsx9dj_dt-o30mDszN9CRz6NWqLw8lK47cKa6q74Vgmd8dUOZvZoMFTJAsGhoINVZvmrtg0CzRopa-o/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthZlaIoQqQe2SNamp70E6NsQOFo8IyIb7829GIQjG-efJhnIv8r-q1rovQ2sw-Rsx9dj_dt-o30mDszN9CRz6NWqLw8lK47cKa6q74Vgmd8dUOZvZoMFTJAsGhoINVZvmrtg0CzRopa-o/s640/IMG_3289.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train at Ste-Foy - cool, but like a completely different season from a week earlier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I never
find it easy to sleep when I have a cold, but I was ultimately able to get
comfortable and dozed away through the night. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwo2lIln8o9FrGbtTwAOc3lbKwrg84TMyigz2EBcQtGjoGWVRLYAcJH_b76zLrNqD_CpgMCkswQ3tBIY49w0ABwcBmZV6APuRLqsqBjlUftldEkYo3B0XRj3xvi5hCBWmhCxJrhmVfi-K/s1600/IMG_3494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwo2lIln8o9FrGbtTwAOc3lbKwrg84TMyigz2EBcQtGjoGWVRLYAcJH_b76zLrNqD_CpgMCkswQ3tBIY49w0ABwcBmZV6APuRLqsqBjlUftldEkYo3B0XRj3xvi5hCBWmhCxJrhmVfi-K/s640/IMG_3494.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Night-time setup in bedroom B, Chateau Lasalle. The upper bunk is still stowed away, as I don't need it. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxJyxyUh2UpcK4HxeA0iKzbBoltO1fHPqBy2swCKvN3gJtiMHhiHAwDqwoI4NgUFJDd0Y5QtTvmFwJ0108KOhI2_A6sM0UzRshOjk2i_4Ly07S22VwW-crGzL-AnMpqNwK6hsXROpnktC/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxJyxyUh2UpcK4HxeA0iKzbBoltO1fHPqBy2swCKvN3gJtiMHhiHAwDqwoI4NgUFJDd0Y5QtTvmFwJ0108KOhI2_A6sM0UzRshOjk2i_4Ly07S22VwW-crGzL-AnMpqNwK6hsXROpnktC/s640/IMG_3502.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Comfy lower bunk in room B, with convenient reading light and little shelves and pockets to stow things. The keen eyed will note that this was taken the following day in daylight.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HgWNQFtb-WGcKjaMC0yUxKsHF1mV3QanFSn4HbO1Fau58v4_NosW1WsAuE2Fe_cd0qvv3LNFZqH0rxe4GrLZESl6QLETc8XUAZGLHGDQ3yJKTsNBCWvhhH9lHQGbCxE6wxe9q0CjAigx/s1600/IMG_3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HgWNQFtb-WGcKjaMC0yUxKsHF1mV3QanFSn4HbO1Fau58v4_NosW1WsAuE2Fe_cd0qvv3LNFZqH0rxe4GrLZESl6QLETc8XUAZGLHGDQ3yJKTsNBCWvhhH9lHQGbCxE6wxe9q0CjAigx/s640/IMG_3504.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sink and vanity in the bedroom. The door to the toilet is to the left. The blue cover below flips up over the sink when not in use.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0o9xBHonoiwEURFZnZgu-LU-pwybE9rtyMHhAvfBb9_EmF-at17ePhQyBiHdPTe_o0H-hVrTlmTyNcTMOQTMD2TTNiocGBU3SevSYCj1H9E5eZn-ksM5m4Xea-atG7ueNuqKn2IrN1l5/s1600/IMG_3505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0o9xBHonoiwEURFZnZgu-LU-pwybE9rtyMHhAvfBb9_EmF-at17ePhQyBiHdPTe_o0H-hVrTlmTyNcTMOQTMD2TTNiocGBU3SevSYCj1H9E5eZn-ksM5m4Xea-atG7ueNuqKn2IrN1l5/s640/IMG_3505.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Storage for carry-on bags and other items, up above the vanity. The toilet door is just left of the mirror, and the door to the hallway is to the left of that. There is also a small closet by the door.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The next morning I had set an
alarm, and woke up as we made our way along the Matapedia valley. Still feeling
under the weather, I continued to snooze until around the last call for
breakfast. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAQxI25KcGxBeth-KIfmwoZKxl0wcp0uBJxW1epkm6trMlqkXkZUyIYC0vuZJWI_UvbvRzWmtf3H7CbbQ7FXtChgJt9iyuWSRkDSoD1KKb-xOVAWvZT1BuxV8NI0osbqlB6HpExjFw28T/s1600/IMG_3497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAQxI25KcGxBeth-KIfmwoZKxl0wcp0uBJxW1epkm6trMlqkXkZUyIYC0vuZJWI_UvbvRzWmtf3H7CbbQ7FXtChgJt9iyuWSRkDSoD1KKb-xOVAWvZT1BuxV8NI0osbqlB6HpExjFw28T/s640/IMG_3497.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Morning view through the Matapedia valley.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpoKogHI1B4vdXNUyRxYLfrbcvwS9EbAqyxIfoqK54ZfltjVyKSrMn4T4CoaPTIkvaaGzAsRMr2W7Bl0Y53iuvWZmw916UE_LxUlslc_2IcHLkErnrMGMoO7ejzTBel6kWSKZguSbr8Yo/s1600/26756990_10156251261060955_6383978963921419536_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpoKogHI1B4vdXNUyRxYLfrbcvwS9EbAqyxIfoqK54ZfltjVyKSrMn4T4CoaPTIkvaaGzAsRMr2W7Bl0Y53iuvWZmw916UE_LxUlslc_2IcHLkErnrMGMoO7ejzTBel6kWSKZguSbr8Yo/s640/26756990_10156251261060955_6383978963921419536_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Breakfast - French toast, just like on the way up. Never a disappointment.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBX7lHf5XnLZWANYvqRIci8M9EAGveFfJ7c_u9FUC5zFZbfcvYI2Isv_hnFvxFsNFys-K50KcoNa0fM234ylnb5PvbF0x9Hky8TkYaawgsbmw5vklTHNzn77_NBS30HXrHRgI4m3-BdSF/s1600/26678036_10156251261090955_99058754472753832_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBX7lHf5XnLZWANYvqRIci8M9EAGveFfJ7c_u9FUC5zFZbfcvYI2Isv_hnFvxFsNFys-K50KcoNa0fM234ylnb5PvbF0x9Hky8TkYaawgsbmw5vklTHNzn77_NBS30HXrHRgI4m3-BdSF/s640/26678036_10156251261090955_99058754472753832_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mid-morning view from bed - crossing the Miramichi River.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Just like the way up, breakfast was a highlight of the meals
on the trip, and definitely helped get the day off to a good start. But still
feeling lousy, I ended up back in bed before long to just relax and nap on and
off. With my own private room I was able to be as anti-social as I felt, and
the next time I emerged was to take a shower and ultimately go for lunch. </span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwUSAxJGPnWzMbSjyw4oKUTnt4iCIbrxu0QPWkOKYHakp3TutVpLTbhag7DsLLcTGs-vBbhyphenhyphenRDdaeuWsZPeN3ZZX4znI2DQkLg48j1ExyqpnB7yVuzJH6gGwGhjU8ToOU_HmScJeIYteV/s1600/IMG_3513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwUSAxJGPnWzMbSjyw4oKUTnt4iCIbrxu0QPWkOKYHakp3TutVpLTbhag7DsLLcTGs-vBbhyphenhyphenRDdaeuWsZPeN3ZZX4znI2DQkLg48j1ExyqpnB7yVuzJH6gGwGhjU8ToOU_HmScJeIYteV/s640/IMG_3513.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch - chicken pesto sandwick with potato salad. Really quite good. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn797Cw0f-QbHlfiv9ZxixhfWCzoR3U-95VdRWpOszPpxy2U35MudRCFBnM03wC1VH5yhfpJDAHWIclXTxB-CCZ0n2c0ow1gJbsXMubKFRT793JKhaDCy4AptThwne5fun3uQ7Lgw-Wq_p/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn797Cw0f-QbHlfiv9ZxixhfWCzoR3U-95VdRWpOszPpxy2U35MudRCFBnM03wC1VH5yhfpJDAHWIclXTxB-CCZ0n2c0ow1gJbsXMubKFRT793JKhaDCy4AptThwne5fun3uQ7Lgw-Wq_p/s640/IMG_3515.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert - like the way up, this was excellent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Over lunch we were making our way between Miramichi and
Rogersville. In stark contrast to the week before, it was relatively warm and
raining, and the snow had all but disappeared. The obvious consequence of this
was widespread flooding (not as extensive as the most recent floods, but it did
result in evacuations and states of emergency in several areas of New
Brunswick). Some of the scenes from the train were shocking, with raging
torrents and nearly washed out roads! We even had to stop a couple of times
where there was water right up to the rails. Ultimately we made it through, but
with some delay. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPazmN6MIz6j2SGSXjRt-DXmsN2-tX3AlgHu15jq0uA12ttH7wyGQ47ZxfUlKfbkD1JVPJYc-0n_thGCtllC5xB0fi-vf1LHU6JBTNNIcLA8oSFBqmodh6uWAwHeWi8hVN3gI_Lv3wuobz/s1600/26678436_10156251514590955_3262008889188407565_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPazmN6MIz6j2SGSXjRt-DXmsN2-tX3AlgHu15jq0uA12ttH7wyGQ47ZxfUlKfbkD1JVPJYc-0n_thGCtllC5xB0fi-vf1LHU6JBTNNIcLA8oSFBqmodh6uWAwHeWi8hVN3gI_Lv3wuobz/s640/26678436_10156251514590955_3262008889188407565_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You don't have to be familiar with this location to know that the water shouldn't be there. Check out the whirlpool on the left!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lzcNusimXAX6EqcrGludeuh7IQYHVh_NWUGRNeeEVmDSWwLePQwTDRs3I6WScCDBWtsTuZdISvruvbWUYx7cMjeZRIP0zDd-Vy8yfYWcXl0zi293QMCoCEghzrDfgV2bdn-KDFsaoGoG/s1600/IMG_3508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lzcNusimXAX6EqcrGludeuh7IQYHVh_NWUGRNeeEVmDSWwLePQwTDRs3I6WScCDBWtsTuZdISvruvbWUYx7cMjeZRIP0zDd-Vy8yfYWcXl0zi293QMCoCEghzrDfgV2bdn-KDFsaoGoG/s640/IMG_3508.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Water right up along the tracks. Normally there's just a small flow in the ditch. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCFe71TejEnLnODLGI__CakEURaomA0hDskNiO79iJDpnav7KXIKyh-uZ5yU3sKf2vpfRL1HiZ-Bwp1u-YFzoG5T7TYb2oBtlyWHyEkh1phialso-vQ4XCqairQ_3Y4GACt0I_ErDPC8S/s1600/IMG_3510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCFe71TejEnLnODLGI__CakEURaomA0hDskNiO79iJDpnav7KXIKyh-uZ5yU3sKf2vpfRL1HiZ-Bwp1u-YFzoG5T7TYb2oBtlyWHyEkh1phialso-vQ4XCqairQ_3Y4GACt0I_ErDPC8S/s640/IMG_3510.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Washout waiting to happen - this is along NB Route 26 past Rogersville.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We arrived in Moncton close to an hour and a half late. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffsHsVRM5GyUM9wqPYQab4jUjeYg8wwdP09iPCMqrZ53KPPBMM1jYOy1BYrjwDCxNX5lZV_OcsHBQ-VScdwV-cSqO7tI5qVpHwF8HPihnJIJ5a3eBCqCQpxOU9i25ApaUoSpcr90rh-ya/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffsHsVRM5GyUM9wqPYQab4jUjeYg8wwdP09iPCMqrZ53KPPBMM1jYOy1BYrjwDCxNX5lZV_OcsHBQ-VScdwV-cSqO7tI5qVpHwF8HPihnJIJ5a3eBCqCQpxOU9i25ApaUoSpcr90rh-ya/s640/IMG_3518.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My sleeper, Lasalle, with attendant Joanne.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaim_p9ujLUTIwpHpRtQEAUg5V-TuwiVxQmNwikgeB_BcprZzp1gtF-DoBS09YhKGhcnWZ7WKbBE1-PVA7r8DybxYa_CTbgW_kWz-5PqYRn7GHBygPAc3oQ-ADKZgLctYBDQdlsnphfdwv/s640/IMG_3521.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reflecting on the Park car - always a hard shot to pass up. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaim_p9ujLUTIwpHpRtQEAUg5V-TuwiVxQmNwikgeB_BcprZzp1gtF-DoBS09YhKGhcnWZ7WKbBE1-PVA7r8DybxYa_CTbgW_kWz-5PqYRn7GHBygPAc3oQ-ADKZgLctYBDQdlsnphfdwv/s1600/IMG_3521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCncMKbu1JwCCvIkl3CgAWmVn6ncmdXoC7uFgNaiVUTZMCTl9HpI73631yzlqOQEkQNSRUowREW71Fz0uTlzfGpIrLkLnpKxX1qjg7VkxTbFiHEUR0bRYneIv-6lq493WeLDn1ypsuhMRc/s1600/IMG_3522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCncMKbu1JwCCvIkl3CgAWmVn6ncmdXoC7uFgNaiVUTZMCTl9HpI73631yzlqOQEkQNSRUowREW71Fz0uTlzfGpIrLkLnpKxX1qjg7VkxTbFiHEUR0bRYneIv-6lq493WeLDn1ypsuhMRc/s640/IMG_3522.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Almost all closed and secured. I guess I better get back on board!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Beyond
Moncton we got stopped at Painsec to meet CN 407. As it turned out, we also had
to wait for a meet with the local job returning to Moncton, with what looked
like a wildly overpowered train! </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHEXplR8KqKUpALHILJuIMbvGgJF1VFuX35glWRTUmRqnyS1TnoLaX21dhlSQ8fnWMns25z_ywA37B_s81dyubz7lSzK3mHH_I9Tvx7NvHo8JY52C5BC9UF3HT2ybS6iyY-qNgMJ-X9Ei/s1600/IMG_3524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHEXplR8KqKUpALHILJuIMbvGgJF1VFuX35glWRTUmRqnyS1TnoLaX21dhlSQ8fnWMns25z_ywA37B_s81dyubz7lSzK3mHH_I9Tvx7NvHo8JY52C5BC9UF3HT2ybS6iyY-qNgMJ-X9Ei/s640/IMG_3524.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">CN 407. The fifth unit is a yard unit (from either Halifax, Dartmouth or Truro) headed to Moncton for servicing. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW-VgzOd_j5m4MYdz4KJf1llhzqBCQUdQ5ig3v__I3Rfz1wO15ErXIvhlkikWRW5KvkZOLpWDuFmZzoCjMngRSDXc5PxlF-Y_16ljMoJYYvvojdjuKhbta5rb060AXr6VIhoucNK_ExhS/s1600/IMG_3526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1600" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW-VgzOd_j5m4MYdz4KJf1llhzqBCQUdQ5ig3v__I3Rfz1wO15ErXIvhlkikWRW5KvkZOLpWDuFmZzoCjMngRSDXc5PxlF-Y_16ljMoJYYvvojdjuKhbta5rb060AXr6VIhoucNK_ExhS/s640/IMG_3526.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The very short local turn. Gotta love that Casco hopper!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Due to these meets we ended up closer to 2h
behind schedule, but would ultimately make that back up again over the rest of
the trip. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The remainder of the trip was really quite uneventful. I split my
time between reading in my room and enjoying the views from the Park car. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOW0b5y-NW4Z8S6XCzqBX94BDdWvOEMg3lbt0AxR5JbHplcu7u0AkibZurqAgzFTkxbE1YrbGhDUW6nYey3SYwBMyWHfjn5ByzlPkXI0JJJr0yiT-5NzVAU1FDikpWjov51JONkRil1o5/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOW0b5y-NW4Z8S6XCzqBX94BDdWvOEMg3lbt0AxR5JbHplcu7u0AkibZurqAgzFTkxbE1YrbGhDUW6nYey3SYwBMyWHfjn5ByzlPkXI0JJJr0yiT-5NzVAU1FDikpWjov51JONkRil1o5/s640/IMG_3527.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not as bad as the way up, but rain and residual ice on top of the train made for lousy forward views - at least in the camera's eye.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGonEursWtjn4hyphenhyphen41yN5d7q3Awg_UxX3q1vnCyqe3eWnzPwFW-h3r1Xmym0By35s4Iklk-hg0J6oozI1M4FcdQC0ch6uuV0ItMPBuJIVr1hJdfUU4bchhGzeClEfJc0qzIZwSEFC3R5IGX/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGonEursWtjn4hyphenhyphen41yN5d7q3Awg_UxX3q1vnCyqe3eWnzPwFW-h3r1Xmym0By35s4Iklk-hg0J6oozI1M4FcdQC0ch6uuV0ItMPBuJIVr1hJdfUU4bchhGzeClEfJc0qzIZwSEFC3R5IGX/s640/IMG_3532.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A bit of sun across the marsh!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0obc1M94YVzgS1TSRYTJTg7QL3qsRj85yPXM0LVnvwku9DO_UR0bQDk-tCFFIMrXGSbGXPmPARTx2ihEHu9Xyci_BZ0N-bSy6e1nxpz_7Z66g_uzTqY9mcCg_bsOYvx3_xlhtGNiBaTPl/s1600/IMG_3536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0obc1M94YVzgS1TSRYTJTg7QL3qsRj85yPXM0LVnvwku9DO_UR0bQDk-tCFFIMrXGSbGXPmPARTx2ihEHu9Xyci_BZ0N-bSy6e1nxpz_7Z66g_uzTqY9mcCg_bsOYvx3_xlhtGNiBaTPl/s640/IMG_3536.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Curving around the marshes as we re-enter Nova Scotia.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKtWsXEu8QpE4dqmKFcYdLlunJ4EKPHZdgW2MxSKL3M3K2vwNMC9VR9cm6muaYUuSBozFTepK0Z7x4gGes0KGSWi8uK_YUeHrsqnfFMMU8umZ0eP78nEFoTZd4ID9IhPljdjjflkk_4qq/s1600/IMG_3517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKtWsXEu8QpE4dqmKFcYdLlunJ4EKPHZdgW2MxSKL3M3K2vwNMC9VR9cm6muaYUuSBozFTepK0Z7x4gGes0KGSWi8uK_YUeHrsqnfFMMU8umZ0eP78nEFoTZd4ID9IhPljdjjflkk_4qq/s640/IMG_3517.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A somewhat blurry photo of the daytime setup in the bedroom, with the beds stowed away and the chairs unfolded. It's a comfy setup, though the upholstery (last refurbished in the late '90s) is showing signs of age, and could certainly do with an update.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">A
little bit of sun broke through the rain, and we got a fantastic bit of sunset
as we made our way over Folly Mountain. Finally we arrived in Halifax after
dark, at 7:26pm – just over an hour and a half beyond our scheduled 5:51
arrival time. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEWsu70_7alZLcUHS7n2M1Hba0FV7TNEgJuX6mjt5YYFjWkhVN-XA_yn9tEvSXmDfFwPoqbYPSjTo39u2pW_5y_LY2yFIeuglgi-Vi7J-J6gu-3_FtIri7Y6nWzhcd4aMNV3UVFAat222/s1600/IMG_3300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEWsu70_7alZLcUHS7n2M1Hba0FV7TNEgJuX6mjt5YYFjWkhVN-XA_yn9tEvSXmDfFwPoqbYPSjTo39u2pW_5y_LY2yFIeuglgi-Vi7J-J6gu-3_FtIri7Y6nWzhcd4aMNV3UVFAat222/s640/IMG_3300.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunset towards Truro, shortly after crossing Folly Mountain.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So there you have it, the rest of the January trip. More
excellent train travel, and though the return was less “exciting” than the trip
up, it was another great reminder of why I love travelling by train, especially
on the Ocean. </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Until the next time…</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FVq45U9qsthsp0_5Lhl1D8jjZt7BE7XQxMnQ2TXl9SHs6dWjaEPPcQ-SEdXUYO7TQ0-3Um5891nmLPv0Lt69pZ9joRgoENAMvfnXq2id0IByCUCisEva4kH1sGPnEEHx76Hi0od2DuF3/s1600/IMG_3302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FVq45U9qsthsp0_5Lhl1D8jjZt7BE7XQxMnQ2TXl9SHs6dWjaEPPcQ-SEdXUYO7TQ0-3Um5891nmLPv0Lt69pZ9joRgoENAMvfnXq2id0IByCUCisEva4kH1sGPnEEHx76Hi0od2DuF3/s640/IMG_3302.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back in Halifax, and the final long walk to the station under the glow of the platform lights. </span></td></tr>
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TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-83513808437313035912018-03-15T12:02:00.002-03:002018-03-21T12:57:44.972-03:00Riding the rails through a Bomb Cyclone - January 2018 Trip Report<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Riding the Rails through a Bomb Cyclone</span></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrTwYldwFvbUkxl1OtQaCrSnrmiZFgSsPEzilXMds_DWN37y_70tz_8OlkFF8Hqhayt1tOlcUfLOfmYjo5bVUWNVoJxr3lfK0146wZLgrrY9CIPIOQJw51NvQZxjKBfQd9MqLmJ_H9559/s1600/IMG_3396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1311" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrTwYldwFvbUkxl1OtQaCrSnrmiZFgSsPEzilXMds_DWN37y_70tz_8OlkFF8Hqhayt1tOlcUfLOfmYjo5bVUWNVoJxr3lfK0146wZLgrrY9CIPIOQJw51NvQZxjKBfQd9MqLmJ_H9559/s640/IMG_3396.JPG" width="524" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We’ve all known that feeling at some point: it’s the middle
of winter, and you’ve got a trip coming up; maybe a long one, maybe just an
hour’s drive. You’re keeping an eye on the forecast, and you realize as the day
approaches that a massive weather system is going to hit <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">exactly</i> when you plan to travel…great. Now you start running
through your options. Will there be delays? Will you have to cancel (or have it
cancelled for you)? Will you miss whatever it was you were travelling for? If
you happen to be flying somewhere, there’s a good chance the airline will
cancel your flight, and who knows when they might be able to re-book you. Just
think of all the fun you’ll have trying to even find out what the new
arrangements will be. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This was likely the fear for many people who had travel
booked on January 4, 2018…but not for me. Why? Simple: I was taking the train. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">VIA has shaped a lot of their winter-time marketing in
recent years around the fact that, as a general rule, train travel is far more
reliable in harsh winter conditions than any other mode out there. No chance
you’ll slide into a ditch, or off a runway, or be unable to safely take off or
land. Freezing rain? No problem. Snow drifts? Plow right through. Blowing snow?
As long as the crew can see signals, worst case you might slow down a bit. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QDBXKxQQv3pLZwnfGj8hAKtmabTrPicEkUZ4WjF-14LRCjTydX64nFB8liQMRmsCwQe9NdXn5NVKwUnqRKZg0qIL5esSvSxPzfcLv0hSmZovgTKubZkPe2_qcdtmCCtfroP3BU2enec4/s1600/IMG_3227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1151" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QDBXKxQQv3pLZwnfGj8hAKtmabTrPicEkUZ4WjF-14LRCjTydX64nFB8liQMRmsCwQe9NdXn5NVKwUnqRKZg0qIL5esSvSxPzfcLv0hSmZovgTKubZkPe2_qcdtmCCtfroP3BU2enec4/s640/IMG_3227.JPG" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the winter-themed posters at the Halifax station. The slogan doesn't really rhyme or flow that well, but the message is there. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There’s obviously a chance you may be delayed, but odds are
pretty good that you’ll get where you’re going. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This January I was making a post-Christmas visit to family
in Ontario, after spending Christmas and New Years in Halifax. I had booked on
January 4<sup>th</sup>, as it was a date that happened to work well for my
plans and also happened to be the last of the extra trains that VIA was running
for the holidays. As in past years, these extras were run with a set of Budd
stainless steel equipment. I couldn’t pass that up, now could I? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">In the days leading up to the 4<sup>th</sup>, the forecast
became clear that a huge storm was going to hammer the US northeast and make
its way across the Gulf of Maine to have a go at the Maritimes too. Gusting
winds and precipitation were certain, though how much of that would be rain,
snow, or something else remained to be seen. The storm had been dubbed a “bomb
cyclone”, due to the way this particular Nor'easter formed - quite the name, and it turned out to be quite the storm.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You know a storm is really something when it has its own
Wikipedia page: </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2018_North_American_blizzard"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_2018_North_American_blizzard</span></a></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The storm, a classic Nor-easter:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf2NJxxvJqpU9qvXv5dR2G_a3Yh6tZtU9BKf8e2YoVggRX3TsBt1x8AyMeLcXeDqhgwoTQlDDa3NZGPkkYy4fKLFg-LhUINmso9cylhMZSwSdHXs8Wlw9HoqHOr-wtulN287yAye4h7x1/s1600/blizzard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="799" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf2NJxxvJqpU9qvXv5dR2G_a3Yh6tZtU9BKf8e2YoVggRX3TsBt1x8AyMeLcXeDqhgwoTQlDDa3NZGPkkYy4fKLFg-LhUINmso9cylhMZSwSdHXs8Wlw9HoqHOr-wtulN287yAye4h7x1/s640/blizzard.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Somewhere underneath that swirling band of white is the Maritimes, and me on board VIA 15...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">That morning the winds arrived, and the rain followed by the
time I made my way to the station. The weather station at the Halifax airport
recorded a maximum gust of 122km/h (!). It hadn’t become quite that intense
yet, but it was sure starting to pick up. In the long run Halifax would see
nothing but those winds and rain during this storm (enough to knock out power
to much of the city and do plenty of damage), but as I made my way west I would
see every type of precipitation that I think there’s a name for. Flights and
ferry crossings were already being cancelled throughout the region, and even
Maritime Bus was shutting down. VIA? Departure expected on time. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Arriving at the station, there was a good sized crowd
waiting to board in coach, but hardly anyone visible for the sleepers. Similar
to my trip in April last year, I soon discovered that there were only a handful
of us actually boarding the sleepers in Halifax. We’d pick up quite a few more
along the way, particularly in Moncton. It would remain a quiet enough train,
but not empty by any means. A musician was performing in the station – more on
her later. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I decided, for a change, to wait for a while in the sleeper
lounge in the station. I’m not sure that many people know this exists – it is
in the hallway on the way to the Westin, and unlike the Panorama lounges in
Montreal and Toronto, it’s not actively advertised to sleeper passengers. It’s
a nice little room, with complimentary coffee, tea and cold drinks, and nice
chairs and couches to relax in. It’s a bit odd though, because it really feels
separated from the hustle and bustle of the station (which I suppose is what
many folks may want!)</span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmG3tWch8Ffpyg_NsB6AAJg9B_FdpiLo26L5lTbPr-2TwBpqXuwnfvObzswL3sF2lOOk_EDMrqkr_tAH-7JgH9EbhQQlJqBcYW-CaM0FOME64hC-06VoAlTfftI4QZgVyzPc2LxWFFmKse/s1600/26172389_10156222537670955_152018504726808866_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1140" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmG3tWch8Ffpyg_NsB6AAJg9B_FdpiLo26L5lTbPr-2TwBpqXuwnfvObzswL3sF2lOOk_EDMrqkr_tAH-7JgH9EbhQQlJqBcYW-CaM0FOME64hC-06VoAlTfftI4QZgVyzPc2LxWFFmKse/s640/26172389_10156222537670955_152018504726808866_o.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to board at the Halifax station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">When the boarding call came I checked in, opted for the
first sitting for lunch, and headed out onto the platform in the blustery wind,
trying to not to get soaked on the short walk to my sleeper. The wind was
visibly rocking the cars back and forth, and you could really feel it on board
too!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCHN2rzs_HDODxlpyLbFdbDI8NOIl4uCxyd_jmiXE3kxy-Rz98bBvNCz0X0ViyB1EOKGQTe8zKeQnEl7ao_1zqf257jygiE9UpTzcmWNdtGGWdZ2jksEiokztP8nhPqyDyRLIugbW5qVS/s1600/IMG_3229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="1600" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCHN2rzs_HDODxlpyLbFdbDI8NOIl4uCxyd_jmiXE3kxy-Rz98bBvNCz0X0ViyB1EOKGQTe8zKeQnEl7ao_1zqf257jygiE9UpTzcmWNdtGGWdZ2jksEiokztP8nhPqyDyRLIugbW5qVS/s640/IMG_3229.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 15 at the Halifax station, ready for boarding. You can see it's wet (thankfully I didn't have far to go to my sleeper!), but the photo can't do justice to the howling wind.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This year’s consist was slightly different from last
Christmas, and a bit more similar to the substitution last spring. Instead of
the usual all-Chateau lineup, there was a mix of Chateau and Manor sleepers.
The diner was an unusual one – non-refurbished “Kent” – so aside from the
refurbished Manors, there were no other refurbed cars in the consist (though note that two of the Chateaus, as noted, had refurbished bedrooms).</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">VIA 15 – January 4, 2018</span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6411</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">6449</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8619 Baggage (ex-UP)</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8103 HEP1 Coach (ex-CP)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8139 HEP1 Coach (ex-US)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8118 HEP1 Coach (ex-CP)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8130 HEP1 Coach (ex-US)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">8506 Skyline
(non-refurbished)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Kent Diner
(non-refurbished)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Lasalle (32)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Brule (33)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Chateau Latour (34) *Refurbished bedrooms</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Château Levis (35) *Refurbished bedrooms</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Bell Manor (36)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Craig Manor (37)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Tweedsmuir Park (40)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The line numbering, as noted, was a bit wonky this year.
Typically the cars are numbered with the Park as 40 and the other cars numbered
from 39 at the rear, moving forward (on Ren sets, the first sleeper is numbered
30). I never got an explanation for why it was such a variation from the
typical numbering.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I had suspected there was a chance we might get Manors
again, so after I booked I went to the station and asked a ticket agent if
there were any Manors showing up in the consist. After a quick look, he
informed me that there were indeed, and I asked to be moved to Roomette 3 in
one of them (this would ultimately be Bell Manor). </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After travelling in them cross-country last year, I have
fallen in love with Manor sleepers. Sure, there are lots of things I love about
the Chateaus (a Chateau Drawing Room is impossible to beat, and the duplex
roomettes are neat), but with their relatively recent refurbishment and nicer
roomettes, the Manors are great cars to ride in. </span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv8MFVvkLQZY4P6bT0HgHe6wMOxMkWZM5CzsLdq2L0csQdcgxqUGefJflnihoPr6-iJJCAFpkhR-1FyluZ7ds-xIhHKMU3Qai8EOJKTCv0pENNCtpl1BeWsZ4z6nqjembMjiKmGaoyevQ/s1600/IMG_3230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv8MFVvkLQZY4P6bT0HgHe6wMOxMkWZM5CzsLdq2L0csQdcgxqUGefJflnihoPr6-iJJCAFpkhR-1FyluZ7ds-xIhHKMU3Qai8EOJKTCv0pENNCtpl1BeWsZ4z6nqjembMjiKmGaoyevQ/s640/IMG_3230.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Name plate in Bell Manor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As anyone who followed my cross-Canada report may recall, I
was in Roomette 3 in Brock Manor from Toronto to Vancouver. This trip felt a
bit like Deja-vu, as everything about the room felt just like it had last year
– the only real difference was the very different scenery out the window! The
room was quiet, with no rattles, and everything worked very nicely. </span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDkAk8wmSaBIYoWkBa8TOFT43UPzKQDye2EIKC-hl5_kpkgRppK4qA9cwvxORttkwREwoR59wshW6hGXlnKBBXAxWVcEkOjAKz0_GhXHjyIw-NwgSMtiOCDiLosY3TVNcqRgAjzsuXMub/s1600/IMG_3336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDkAk8wmSaBIYoWkBa8TOFT43UPzKQDye2EIKC-hl5_kpkgRppK4qA9cwvxORttkwREwoR59wshW6hGXlnKBBXAxWVcEkOjAKz0_GhXHjyIw-NwgSMtiOCDiLosY3TVNcqRgAjzsuXMub/s640/IMG_3336.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roomette 3 in Bell Manor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgle5ZcnCsl0lR7qbLywzGkmq52ng87gvhELt-t7kYJGO9fhVtUDTrliLAmFmxKi6DbmKK817N0aXi2uPAIfkMNWne55sJdAn3ELCH86GzkYkmrprL2u67cTjV8PtBMCNeVkYJuF2N6Hoyl/s1600/IMG_3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgle5ZcnCsl0lR7qbLywzGkmq52ng87gvhELt-t7kYJGO9fhVtUDTrliLAmFmxKi6DbmKK817N0aXi2uPAIfkMNWne55sJdAn3ELCH86GzkYkmrprL2u67cTjV8PtBMCNeVkYJuF2N6Hoyl/s640/IMG_3337.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roomette 3 in Bell Manor. Have a look at my Canadian on board tour post for more photos of this type of roomette.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We got away more or less on time. We started to move and
then stopped for a few minutes – it seems there was a minor HEP issue, which
was ultimately resolved in Truro with a momentary shutdown to switch HEP buses
in one of the cars. This is the sort of problem that could cripple the
Renaissance equipment, but can be easily and quickly remedied with the Budds. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I made my way to the diner as we began to snake our way
around through the rock cut on the way out of downtown Halifax. I was seated at
a table alone on the right hand side of the train, and enjoyed the views of the
choppy water along the Bedford Basin, with a few ships visible taking shelter
from the storm. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgod5wKMoNgriXE4KD3-Jyd-GbMscjoSkJc9enB-dkLaKaG04gs-jxf5rvKnIUx-4lPv5WXSPKTXt-sOMcND3YaFUJvP4Filq8ngTB6F32wXZ5RR86FvtxvhfNMbxGKLkQcmKzlYy84plkc/s1600/IMG_3341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgod5wKMoNgriXE4KD3-Jyd-GbMscjoSkJc9enB-dkLaKaG04gs-jxf5rvKnIUx-4lPv5WXSPKTXt-sOMcND3YaFUJvP4Filq8ngTB6F32wXZ5RR86FvtxvhfNMbxGKLkQcmKzlYy84plkc/s640/IMG_3341.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Oceanex vessel shelters in the Bedford Basin. The rain pelting down against the train made photos very difficult!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The meal situation on this trip was very much like it was
last spring – despite having a Budd consist with a full diner, the meals were
still the pre-prepared catered meals that are usually served on the Renaissance
equipment. The only exception would be breakfast, which was being cooked fresh.
This is a departure from previous Christmas seasons, when the Budd diner had a whole different menu with all meals cooked on board.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aq346wPD0iXVu_z8GBkJtiR9YTv7pRyLfPhyBY-9kYX35YN9FQ8q8mPUtoXj_akshyc2MCqH3SV9AV6bq2s0z99Wd7nn6OZaVMTrkaYqtUcY2QfYakdQa99BuDCp9-7u_hpv2I8ltn9B/s1600/IMG_3346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aq346wPD0iXVu_z8GBkJtiR9YTv7pRyLfPhyBY-9kYX35YN9FQ8q8mPUtoXj_akshyc2MCqH3SV9AV6bq2s0z99Wd7nn6OZaVMTrkaYqtUcY2QfYakdQa99BuDCp9-7u_hpv2I8ltn9B/s640/IMG_3346.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Diner "Kent". Note that this is one of the few diners that were not refurbished, so it still has its '90s era sunset-inspired (i.e. pink) interior colours. The teal table cloths are a new addition on the Ocean, as they showed up on the Renaissance sets last summer. I think they add a nice splash of colour and look better than the beige ones that had been used for years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8oI-bbsY4HO5B06BhlKvjRQdrkVyMHu1d4sEN8YYdZeWludntNBW3sKXykilOKa5HQBNOk4KFAUJayosArunNQOJNtXWpdalEFgbGhyZ98R0bKzNSI434IkJQ7BqdDzqoij6xkLKDXDo/s1600/IMG_3347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8oI-bbsY4HO5B06BhlKvjRQdrkVyMHu1d4sEN8YYdZeWludntNBW3sKXykilOKa5HQBNOk4KFAUJayosArunNQOJNtXWpdalEFgbGhyZ98R0bKzNSI434IkJQ7BqdDzqoij6xkLKDXDo/s640/IMG_3347.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards the rear of Kent. The original etched glass partitions, which have been in this car since it was first built for the CPR in the 1950s, look every bit as gorgeous today. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzN2ueHaqKT1nFBuC-bLrXIIL8qRfet-UBd1XtiSXiAnFeNgve4kzLmW11c3FmHTj0Kh3mmdMOOtBvW3vxR-dPNpNZDRbln8DXRwmxvsve2s-WmiQ8gprsjrKrcCIRFUIg0SDCO0Ycx2X2/s1600/IMG_3433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzN2ueHaqKT1nFBuC-bLrXIIL8qRfet-UBd1XtiSXiAnFeNgve4kzLmW11c3FmHTj0Kh3mmdMOOtBvW3vxR-dPNpNZDRbln8DXRwmxvsve2s-WmiQ8gprsjrKrcCIRFUIg0SDCO0Ycx2X2/s640/IMG_3433.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA had stripped most of the Christmas decorations by this time, but I found one little remnant of festive décor hiding in the diner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">A lot of people love to disparage the catered meals on the
Renaissance equipment. In my experience, most of those people either a) haven’t
been on the train in years, b) have strong pre-conceptions that affect their
enjoyment of the food, or c) just happen to be unlucky and get some of the
occasional duds. Overwhelmingly I have found that the meals in recent years are
actually pretty top-notch, and there are many of them that wouldn’t feel out of
place alongside those that were cooked by a chef on board. To their credit, VIA
has put a lot of effort into improving that food service, because the earlier
years of Renaissance food were, admittedly, somewhat hit or miss and at times
not that appetizing. This can still be the case out of Montreal (though more on
that in part 2…)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Despite not being cooked on board, lunch was stellar. I opted for the smoked meat on rye (which turned out to be a reuben), with potato salad, sauerkraut, and a local Propeller ESB. Followed by an exquisite caramel apple cheesecake square for dessert.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3CizSbuhDjbbgVTITNT9zfCPSyNlnUQcBsTzomTf0B6CezxMHdI-I98LEl9cBCnCduCnCZapQEmm7lKXQwwjKhYGLugkoUFtiekR1E6XzE5v5ryn9LuHAT_GcpL2-Rc0C2o7bH9sZSSC/s1600/IMG_3338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3CizSbuhDjbbgVTITNT9zfCPSyNlnUQcBsTzomTf0B6CezxMHdI-I98LEl9cBCnCduCnCZapQEmm7lKXQwwjKhYGLugkoUFtiekR1E6XzE5v5ryn9LuHAT_GcpL2-Rc0C2o7bH9sZSSC/s640/IMG_3338.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih46wgI7c3rJ_7LwytMwj8ki8thFOy4MdU6b-xAg4yz0aMnxyYwaPYAicqPIs7rttYFRDJMJdO6yiC7tnzsq4UFXcbX3Mlf14RUgyGTNp9Pi19Z6lRqRxzwrUJOdDu8GULQTg-uIUqFuSO/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih46wgI7c3rJ_7LwytMwj8ki8thFOy4MdU6b-xAg4yz0aMnxyYwaPYAicqPIs7rttYFRDJMJdO6yiC7tnzsq4UFXcbX3Mlf14RUgyGTNp9Pi19Z6lRqRxzwrUJOdDu8GULQTg-uIUqFuSO/s640/IMG_3339.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soup to start.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOwlQVHEp_HtJ96QgmMMi34rBLM3ST78cbsOInCYMEX_n5VjLeSimBcoeF713LAFHjkb1Tv6oZQIcptAQBrrZ8b9DhwRwUKAk5236mAzRj3UGjD6QJ2Acz4drJW18TgRFirGY110lmmmw/s1600/26198261_10156222810850955_6648062981636166130_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOwlQVHEp_HtJ96QgmMMi34rBLM3ST78cbsOInCYMEX_n5VjLeSimBcoeF713LAFHjkb1Tv6oZQIcptAQBrrZ8b9DhwRwUKAk5236mAzRj3UGjD6QJ2Acz4drJW18TgRFirGY110lmmmw/s640/26198261_10156222810850955_6648062981636166130_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch. As you can see out the window, we were still in the rain - the scenery outside would be all white by the time I finished the meal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-image: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvEMmTsY6MocEeug011LmjPu5FChNfj6fZoQlF_kcbfwJ1mrhZ1LVOM5CmKrZxAxiu69-V0_NJu6vJw9ejQZJhkDnSgGMM7fFCl_zmBG-iyxhLp5mMI8ArnQMBlH_W0Bqj_zYMdVSsMF9/s1600/IMG_3344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvEMmTsY6MocEeug011LmjPu5FChNfj6fZoQlF_kcbfwJ1mrhZ1LVOM5CmKrZxAxiu69-V0_NJu6vJw9ejQZJhkDnSgGMM7fFCl_zmBG-iyxhLp5mMI8ArnQMBlH_W0Bqj_zYMdVSsMF9/s640/IMG_3344.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-image: none;">
Dessert.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Fully satisfying. </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As I enjoyed my lunch, I watched the landscape outside change from rain, to freezing rain, to wet snow or sleet or something, and finally to snow.</span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z6kAudK9sQprtVsYmi73dngBYo-zzxWNy8VbrPlIEXJmo1JiTCBcEmVENCqkMqKc8ro_QKUo1uqrLrnX-te4YVMGU2pbxscqJRLfsiB-wkd-Qwk2vsO93TB3TxInbZw8G5aLSVRZ3qDs/s1600/18-01-04-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z6kAudK9sQprtVsYmi73dngBYo-zzxWNy8VbrPlIEXJmo1JiTCBcEmVENCqkMqKc8ro_QKUo1uqrLrnX-te4YVMGU2pbxscqJRLfsiB-wkd-Qwk2vsO93TB3TxInbZw8G5aLSVRZ3qDs/s640/18-01-04-16.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While I was enjoying my lunch in the diner, David Morris was trackside and captured two great photos of our train in the freezing rain at Milford. This gives you more of an idea of the sort of weather we started off with. Before long we would arrive in the snow! In this photo I'm cozy inside the diner (the 7th car in the train) enjoying my lunch. (Photo by David Morris)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BIQpbS8w2u6UvuQgxkl6s48LV7TXrgMQSGTTqSoNPRf85OjZc_SWPTZaMXa4z2XPU2laZXYw_saWdbPpIBgOz5rHPmpflEYbqkE9B5mmf395VV-BBUjpfWJ4Rqo_7DVdprFL7mt6oioB/s1600/18-01-04-24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BIQpbS8w2u6UvuQgxkl6s48LV7TXrgMQSGTTqSoNPRf85OjZc_SWPTZaMXa4z2XPU2laZXYw_saWdbPpIBgOz5rHPmpflEYbqkE9B5mmf395VV-BBUjpfWJ4Rqo_7DVdprFL7mt6oioB/s640/18-01-04-24.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the going away shot from David. You can't see me, but I'm up in the diner happily enjoying my lunch (Photo by David Morris)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We crossed a few roads around Brookfield that were covered in
ice and looked like you could skate on them – not a day to be driving!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">By Truro it was properly snowing, though it had been a
freezing rain mess earlier. As I alluded to before, a train rider that we had
on board hopped off at Truro to deal with the HEP issue, and we were back on
our way. A decent sized crowd had boarded here. Sadly, to my dismay, I saw that
one whole end of the train mural on the wall at Truro had been removed, with
the wall now covered with boring white siding. At least part of it still
remained…</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37_JdZ_2cAUqtfTuxmjucNMGeFGhx9O-R3Wpv3qWMJon0-d4WITfn6EHJ3tMsxkdvEED3e_YV01eJq2MEBuU25H5YQtqJWUJptQBdLwFJndRN7OLZzyRpjHjdT_TIbnmbylv2N7xTJUtX/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37_JdZ_2cAUqtfTuxmjucNMGeFGhx9O-R3Wpv3qWMJon0-d4WITfn6EHJ3tMsxkdvEED3e_YV01eJq2MEBuU25H5YQtqJWUJptQBdLwFJndRN7OLZzyRpjHjdT_TIbnmbylv2N7xTJUtX/s640/IMG_3354.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The increasingly snowy landscape, as we moved farther north and slowly west.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As we made our way along the Wentworth valley and over
Folly, the snow turned heavy with huge flakes coming down. It was really quite
beautiful, and left a stunningly picturesque landscape. <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The one downside? The dome windows in the Park were covered
(on EVERY side) with a buildup of ice and snow, so there was no view to be had.
Drat. Oh well – for variety, I decided to relax in the lower bullet lounge
instead, and enjoyed the view of the snow-covered landscape through the wrap
around tail end windows. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZYGkxZyecAFojkRc7R7LR_rzo-bkx9QCoDxloHhe0LLXopYYIVM5h-9KCqcqD498_UXSI10M1nJ-Yy0disYX9wLOcStG6XPtppPvhV0eonMjxWSmmQmRCGhjx0USfimVbmhZ-yoTp63f/s1600/26172601_10156222987215955_6600425601892741727_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZYGkxZyecAFojkRc7R7LR_rzo-bkx9QCoDxloHhe0LLXopYYIVM5h-9KCqcqD498_UXSI10M1nJ-Yy0disYX9wLOcStG6XPtppPvhV0eonMjxWSmmQmRCGhjx0USfimVbmhZ-yoTp63f/s640/26172601_10156222987215955_6600425601892741727_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out that dome view! I guess you can at least see...up?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY64y2HGen17Z8Chj9a21rIqyCpuHIXJGiapFXV7sjoN_lrAXmAgrus4hea6nXI9yz5SBEP0nhU-dUc6iFZVE7QHH6qB1trq8dJw7TBPtUQLV541ywOjKxidnsKeymA2GN6MLKQwdc7b3c/s1600/26173330_10156223220880955_3845218144103991079_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY64y2HGen17Z8Chj9a21rIqyCpuHIXJGiapFXV7sjoN_lrAXmAgrus4hea6nXI9yz5SBEP0nhU-dUc6iFZVE7QHH6qB1trq8dJw7TBPtUQLV541ywOjKxidnsKeymA2GN6MLKQwdc7b3c/s640/26173330_10156223220880955_3845218144103991079_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait, nope...the top windows have become obscured too. Unsurprisingly, the crowd here is small...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I7jEw9cO4Kaql2MQSAQuuiadx5ZgB3j-dU9MQS9H8F4xKsFfQZDxGDQ_U4OOZSSg-CIdm2zhMTnvRYfywKfkl0Irn6dsmem2677nFHhKvCdcyNSOvlwVv-FPEC4I75YJQUZwITms78qH/s1600/IMG_3236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I7jEw9cO4Kaql2MQSAQuuiadx5ZgB3j-dU9MQS9H8F4xKsFfQZDxGDQ_U4OOZSSg-CIdm2zhMTnvRYfywKfkl0Irn6dsmem2677nFHhKvCdcyNSOvlwVv-FPEC4I75YJQUZwITms78qH/s640/IMG_3236.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the back windows are covered! That's more rare...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QsGECtFlvv7XS4NHNU3lK2M5Gq123QSpJ6EOmTOleGhMW_IZkSXCCXGglTUWEoz25E6iWiSbtq-Fnr14z72VZGy_jJvQ_-pbmaPLcK8do3CoYBFeGK5KkMikv-KeMQxlSAZIw7ZRMqFs/s1600/26173101_10156223044800955_4660080697521040648_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QsGECtFlvv7XS4NHNU3lK2M5Gq123QSpJ6EOmTOleGhMW_IZkSXCCXGglTUWEoz25E6iWiSbtq-Fnr14z72VZGy_jJvQ_-pbmaPLcK8do3CoYBFeGK5KkMikv-KeMQxlSAZIw7ZRMqFs/s640/26173101_10156223044800955_4660080697521040648_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now there we go, still one nice view from the tail end! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I had a great chat with a few of the attendants, who
had less to do at that time due to the quiet train. They informed me that they
were on to strip that train as soon as it arrived in Montreal, and then
deadhead back to Halifax on the following departure. I commented that I had
heard rumours that the Budd equipment might be staying on to allow a
Renaissance set to be withdrawn for work – they assured me that they had been
told it was coming off, but later in the trip they would get word that they
were no longer to strip the train, as it would in fact be going back into
service immediately. More on that in Part 2…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The trip along this stretch was mostly uneventful. We made a
stop in Amherst, but bypassed Sackville. As we crossed the Tantramar marshes
and paralleled the Trans Canada, I thought again about how much I would not
want to be driving on this particular day. The highway looked a mess, and the
few vehicles out there were moving slowly. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxAWswY8k3fd1X9hKuKmsHC9LFBM3nZZC_jYQvD13tnOGfJC1qhXMyCRGPdvKYq1mSgOV7NPwCrt6RbaAkUvfAbhZFok1pnTx85tX8CrgJhgVMG5CI2tXY7CxntR39Y3n9WsLxhoAgLF5/s1600/IMG_3359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxAWswY8k3fd1X9hKuKmsHC9LFBM3nZZC_jYQvD13tnOGfJC1qhXMyCRGPdvKYq1mSgOV7NPwCrt6RbaAkUvfAbhZFok1pnTx85tX8CrgJhgVMG5CI2tXY7CxntR39Y3n9WsLxhoAgLF5/s640/IMG_3359.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the few brave (?) souls out on the trans-Canada. We were keeping up a much better pace than he was...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Along the way the dome had cleared a tiny bit, so I could
get a bit of a view, but not much. I did still spend a while up there though,
peering through the icy glass, and relaxing as the light faded and we
approached Moncton. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe3qblkA4FnhM5B3a9iaQuDBgRM_Yggj5lmuIjiadYSZswFrv1kgnR0qHns2TE_u9SowLyLA6xKEFXexeha2ghoOAZnOmgiZdoynmxBCIohkbOFjzgzvjwbP0TDnU99W-w3iPanoExrN-/s1600/IMG_3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe3qblkA4FnhM5B3a9iaQuDBgRM_Yggj5lmuIjiadYSZswFrv1kgnR0qHns2TE_u9SowLyLA6xKEFXexeha2ghoOAZnOmgiZdoynmxBCIohkbOFjzgzvjwbP0TDnU99W-w3iPanoExrN-/s640/IMG_3357.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of a view...this was about the best that we had on the last stretch to Moncton. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We arrived in Moncton on time. I stepped off for some fresh
air during the station stop, only to be blasted with ice pellets and driving
wind. A few minutes was plenty of time to appreciate that, and I headed back on
board. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0gSnW6cDXzwiBUc-5OPCvEwA1nWF9VeeMSkMh4uryH0PMiEpkxxCkRD2u0HDnT02NiI8VdnLl0COV-lZDtPdTreaWBV8UiIO4Hrmte4WzArbwEa31EJrAJ3PjAs6ABDb_qB30JEtA1Lq/s1600/26198676_10156223408650955_2860444350492084460_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0gSnW6cDXzwiBUc-5OPCvEwA1nWF9VeeMSkMh4uryH0PMiEpkxxCkRD2u0HDnT02NiI8VdnLl0COV-lZDtPdTreaWBV8UiIO4Hrmte4WzArbwEa31EJrAJ3PjAs6ABDb_qB30JEtA1Lq/s640/26198676_10156223408650955_2860444350492084460_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moncton, with ice pellets blowing around. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We left Moncton still running on time, and now with a much
larger crowd on board. When I headed for the second dinner call (around 6:30),
the diner was fairly busy. I was seated at a table with one other person, and
we were promptly joined by an older couple. As is so often the case, I had some
very interesting conversations with the three of them, and continued to be
amazed by the variety of backgrounds of people you meet in this environment,
and the fascinating stories you hear. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Dinner itself was thoroughly enjoyable. I opted for the classic fish chowder, followed by pan-fired haddock with cream sauce and steamed vegetables. Accompanied by a nice glass of white wine and followed by a sort of black forest cake, it was all lovely.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWSmT2mgzt1HYoqnXoAutvRPvVCPxo8pS6nagEhrqzryLot0o0dV9t-QeREeqPgv3BbkQ71OEqMvcgOU-a2YtDdn0dkeFht5myYd-K34GHm960raFiMDA1gWPW7supEZiWKBqnHiXl3iX/s1600/IMG_3363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWSmT2mgzt1HYoqnXoAutvRPvVCPxo8pS6nagEhrqzryLot0o0dV9t-QeREeqPgv3BbkQ71OEqMvcgOU-a2YtDdn0dkeFht5myYd-K34GHm960raFiMDA1gWPW7supEZiWKBqnHiXl3iX/s640/IMG_3363.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supper - pan-fried haddock in cream sauce with steamed vegetables. Really nice, and well cooked. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNl_jXOzDNmmMwfLrcYIZDmzYLgadfAbTvVeabCulf7eTBMj7HqKkqfuRM6EltC6q1-Bt34ZiZJeB-88XEpMSRnp2J1DUUp6UDNXXq4hMMParUmsdRTKCyF70xUwTvIbjzf3ZZYOFK1tv/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNl_jXOzDNmmMwfLrcYIZDmzYLgadfAbTvVeabCulf7eTBMj7HqKkqfuRM6EltC6q1-Bt34ZiZJeB-88XEpMSRnp2J1DUUp6UDNXXq4hMMParUmsdRTKCyF70xUwTvIbjzf3ZZYOFK1tv/s640/IMG_3364.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sort of black forest cake for dessert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">After dinner I headed back to the Park car, to discover that
I had made it just in time for a performance from the musician I had seen in
the station – Orit Shimoni: <a href="https://www.oritshimoni.com/">https://www.oritshimoni.com/</a>. She was travelling as
part of VIA’s travelling musicians program, and put on a great little show for
the handful of us there in the Park car lounge. Her story is fascinating – she
really is the definition of a travelling musician, with no fixed address and
touring full time all over the place. She had plenty of great stories, and her
performance was really lovely. We all had a great time, and it made it even
cozier and more relaxing as the winter winds raged outside. Somewhere not long
after that I realized that I recognized someone else in the Park car – it
turned out to be someone I know through Transport Action Atlantic. You never
know who you'll run into! </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxpfefolZ0abX3Fs-wTM5OcqEpnQWYg28pyDS6emJp75ItVKxevNNGDBhdaXNcN3_2V-yMCAJGDHicUbYJH3mVg7OTOxlPriHZjdrsxs5B8qBFWohItudptag3b2ANYj0YoRiPkb8DSfV/s1600/26198591_10156224007355955_5436588992372930471_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxpfefolZ0abX3Fs-wTM5OcqEpnQWYg28pyDS6emJp75ItVKxevNNGDBhdaXNcN3_2V-yMCAJGDHicUbYJH3mVg7OTOxlPriHZjdrsxs5B8qBFWohItudptag3b2ANYj0YoRiPkb8DSfV/s640/26198591_10156224007355955_5436588992372930471_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performance in the Park!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We were on time through Miramichi, and by Bathurst we were
still pretty close – but that was where the on time performance would start to
go downhill. As we rolled into the station lights at Bathurst, the blowing snow
and roaring winds made quite the sight, with enormous drifts all around the
station. The platform is long enough to accommodate the full train there, so
normally we would just make one stop. However, on this particular night they
had cleared a path directly out from the station doors and we made three stops
– one to load baggage, one to load the coaches, and one to load sleepers. We
would make some more interesting stops as we went along; at Charlo, there was
no clear platform at all, so we stopped to board one passenger at a nearby
grade crossing – which was still difficult!</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFyEbhmBbmSdD3l8BWNABEZMtS5ZWB_Elwvf1hPuliW1LnnhydZjqBxXe1gJxmRraua7-1omyDpKITgVpNpS3T9L5IK09Hrl9wx9XEz7_KLKa3m1Midi6fbv2KrfzSmtkEOPmyv70W4Tw/s1600/26172889_10156224007425955_2343193709708462099_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFyEbhmBbmSdD3l8BWNABEZMtS5ZWB_Elwvf1hPuliW1LnnhydZjqBxXe1gJxmRraua7-1omyDpKITgVpNpS3T9L5IK09Hrl9wx9XEz7_KLKa3m1Midi6fbv2KrfzSmtkEOPmyv70W4Tw/s640/26172889_10156224007425955_2343193709708462099_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing and drifting snow at Bathurst. This was just a taste of what the night through the wilds of northern New Brunswick and Quebec would be like!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It was beyond Bathurst that we really started losing time. Snow
is generally no physical impediment to the movement of trains, but there can be
a visibility issue. The engineers radioed back to let the on board crew know
that with the huge drifts across the tracks, they were having trouble with snow
build up on the windshields. Basically, when they hit really big drifts, the
snow was piling up on the nose and was impossible to clear with the wipers. We
had to stop several times for the crew to get out and clear the snow off! To
try to avoid this, they advised the on board crew that they’d be running slow.
Between that and a few more stops to clear snow, the rest of the run to
Campbellton took much longer than usual. We had left Bathurst around 20min
late, and arrived at Campbellton about an hour and a half late.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I decided not to get off during the stop in Campbellton, as
it was still snowing and blowing a fair bit. Instead, I decided to get ready
for bed, and settled into my cozy roomette. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MN7J8_4dVRcrVD4ur1D-wb6VprLCQjBMhRr80fn5kmnTvaV64bur8TJNjpAAqqnp2hxrnA8WpleC6wd1lVRZtUE-ZsLUURLx_HZd7_cVUt6dSQ7PbClUFTFtWcKcTUzKY3nJOmUpij8Y/s1600/IMG_3365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MN7J8_4dVRcrVD4ur1D-wb6VprLCQjBMhRr80fn5kmnTvaV64bur8TJNjpAAqqnp2hxrnA8WpleC6wd1lVRZtUE-ZsLUURLx_HZd7_cVUt6dSQ7PbClUFTFtWcKcTUzKY3nJOmUpij8Y/s640/IMG_3365.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out the window at Campbellton. I was on the side of the train (left) that got the brunt of the precipitation through the night, and got thoroughly iced up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I slept well, but during the sporadic times I woke up I did
notice that we had stopped a number of times. As I would learn the next
morning, not only had the engineers had to stop many more times to clear snow –
they also had to chisel ice buildup off the headlights! When I finally got up,
I rolled up the shade to look outside, and…well…I couldn’t really see much of
anything. The window was quite thoroughly iced over!</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzDEkW1zQ1yI3F4nm6MTtMOA4xHhRD2DGK-fSnTmz08vgK_3uHgCQzlyf4T_5tXBUvtsiRsNDEeonCzQUopyfDqYaxskVCvlBanXmkBvd4y4gw0r34cDxPh8MK6sX14p2JrBUGf-flq4p/s1600/IMG_3244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzDEkW1zQ1yI3F4nm6MTtMOA4xHhRD2DGK-fSnTmz08vgK_3uHgCQzlyf4T_5tXBUvtsiRsNDEeonCzQUopyfDqYaxskVCvlBanXmkBvd4y4gw0r34cDxPh8MK6sX14p2JrBUGf-flq4p/s640/IMG_3244.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As I headed up to the diner for breakfast, I realized from
looking outside that we weren’t anywhere I immediately recognized…as it turned
out, we were somewhere between La Pocatière and Montmagny. When we arrived at
Montmagny shortly after I finished breakfast we would make a crew change, and
were running a full 3.5h late.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FrZP5yx0drtfFRv0HXY6yEKWxqym8Fd4TOWzgnBhNKdy5YoKT3VoZkrU4MhxJw3LhdX7Kf_N2K9HmtWe75zL5F0eaK039-k0NKckx7yCg2pm0kqGEU-xuOaSs0KUUrFz1Pr3ufXYguqN/s1600/IMG_3370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FrZP5yx0drtfFRv0HXY6yEKWxqym8Fd4TOWzgnBhNKdy5YoKT3VoZkrU4MhxJw3LhdX7Kf_N2K9HmtWe75zL5F0eaK039-k0NKckx7yCg2pm0kqGEU-xuOaSs0KUUrFz1Pr3ufXYguqN/s640/IMG_3370.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm...I don't recognize this place...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIWhs-dxYlLhjNl-dH154R16weggPpjsOt1M33Dj488SOm5qlO1QJrQDuLv5wbQE4_sPYsP6zhYNP8XchTJUaZrb22Vsir2W_hw_iosP5Yn9lvfhoiydBxEPCwbB-RhvuMKxkZWSDqHWL/s1600/IMG_3371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIWhs-dxYlLhjNl-dH154R16weggPpjsOt1M33Dj488SOm5qlO1QJrQDuLv5wbQE4_sPYsP6zhYNP8XchTJUaZrb22Vsir2W_hw_iosP5Yn9lvfhoiydBxEPCwbB-RhvuMKxkZWSDqHWL/s640/IMG_3371.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montmagny...one of the only times I've ever seen this in daylight!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">I thoroughly enjoyed both lunch and dinner the day before,
but breakfast was definitely the highlight, as expected. There was a choice of
either eggs any style with sausage or bacon, potatoes, and toast, or French
toast with bacon or sausage; both options were cooked fresh in the kitchen. I
was really torn on which one to go with, as I had found both to be really excellent
last year. After some consternation, I opted for the eggs. </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS95YD9QrIpZB8K3n61ac5Lly7nG72qJ8RO9WmbLygGoBF9LuF4pg7HnEWsH1t5aowLHRQ5B6OAR4BO9PbxSc-6KQRDfBFeyoePbzM5Xd7aFEa0bN6FQBfznmbDBHS-MPrVrZcDnpbwFv3/s1600/IMG_3366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS95YD9QrIpZB8K3n61ac5Lly7nG72qJ8RO9WmbLygGoBF9LuF4pg7HnEWsH1t5aowLHRQ5B6OAR4BO9PbxSc-6KQRDfBFeyoePbzM5Xd7aFEa0bN6FQBfznmbDBHS-MPrVrZcDnpbwFv3/s320/IMG_3366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49jONncpPCNa7LnJojoBo6apZ5xLu0Dj7bFXtIO3XjNbLrgr6svX9buuOfULQvvgt-7TaZtWPKZHqfOkscVs9SaZ5qV2zjKnIdzhwEBgd2ogrwjKko5oYE7rhj_OQE31VVTZ8uW_U-ceI/s1600/IMG_3367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49jONncpPCNa7LnJojoBo6apZ5xLu0Dj7bFXtIO3XjNbLrgr6svX9buuOfULQvvgt-7TaZtWPKZHqfOkscVs9SaZ5qV2zjKnIdzhwEBgd2ogrwjKko5oYE7rhj_OQE31VVTZ8uW_U-ceI/s320/IMG_3367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast menu. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPPH77mOEFJOW8OYRpcuYpM4nJaibtM7oSCqiDV7UjdougllwOiETLDoFCoTuSZfMKeAkGNhdzrneMDDjgv7D8z4Eoa2mQ53Qa8BvaNRzxNhVOh_WiIxcrkuf2AHCPuxiZ7yz13p3xolO/s1600/26197866_10156225291000955_2728078472072299472_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPPH77mOEFJOW8OYRpcuYpM4nJaibtM7oSCqiDV7UjdougllwOiETLDoFCoTuSZfMKeAkGNhdzrneMDDjgv7D8z4Eoa2mQ53Qa8BvaNRzxNhVOh_WiIxcrkuf2AHCPuxiZ7yz13p3xolO/s640/26197866_10156225291000955_2728078472072299472_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast, take 1.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The diner wasn’t fully packed, but it was busy enough
throughout the morning. After breakfast, I headed back to my room to clean up
and go for a shower, then headed back to the Park car to enjoy this stretch of
the line that is rarely seen in daylight. There were several people in the
dome, and the ice and snow had now cleared enough that we had a good view (when
the snow wasn’t blowing around the train!) It was a beautiful sunny morning, and
the wintery landscape was breathtaking – especially after the complete and
utter absence of snow that we’ve had in Halifax this winter!</span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xDn8KLTcrwYHozezCt-oONpTj-23pL7vChFiCiWMCZuBaNATZp018B62NppyFpRxPBLSyqfE4ahBpCMgSRyFPu3S_aVQtLEV_cijwqqqUAjNcIaEACZUGCrTNC-UCvsBnRjjoEKJG9l3/s1600/IMG_3247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xDn8KLTcrwYHozezCt-oONpTj-23pL7vChFiCiWMCZuBaNATZp018B62NppyFpRxPBLSyqfE4ahBpCMgSRyFPu3S_aVQtLEV_cijwqqqUAjNcIaEACZUGCrTNC-UCvsBnRjjoEKJG9l3/s640/IMG_3247.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gorgeous morning view from the dome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UGhRn3N9mbtiPwv96PCZ1k5867UBp83l5OMZlNrb8_ZOdGiSC9bQnwWvqxALg7faLMQlvbSUq2IXezfkrqCgpokWmWVS124FrwO5399nTGY79HcXBmosT9A7T3-dr_TdyeznNxxlo36D/s1600/IMG_3373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UGhRn3N9mbtiPwv96PCZ1k5867UBp83l5OMZlNrb8_ZOdGiSC9bQnwWvqxALg7faLMQlvbSUq2IXezfkrqCgpokWmWVS124FrwO5399nTGY79HcXBmosT9A7T3-dr_TdyeznNxxlo36D/s640/IMG_3373.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was still some ice on the dome in the morning, but a smaller amount that allowed for some creative photos, rather than a totally obstructed view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The most impressive sight though was the train itself – the
entire left side of the train was encased in a thick layer of ice, filling the
grooves between the Budd fluting, coating the windows, and covering every space
under the cars. The locomotives way up front just looked white, with all the
ice cover on them. The right side of the train was well covered too, but the left
had clearly hit the greater brunt of the winds as we headed generally west
through the night. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ndh5sqxror2PW3eBlFkm-E_pFx7IPiinVavSzfSmQZ-85zm-sB3lFrUd7eJHnWTkVLgrtbODctlBWjPp_3JQzCi36v53ENi6IIAg5M3EafkGDzdXcVEoQfzyzTZko7GvBYMiuDQOj0Lh/s1600/IMG_3382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1600" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ndh5sqxror2PW3eBlFkm-E_pFx7IPiinVavSzfSmQZ-85zm-sB3lFrUd7eJHnWTkVLgrtbODctlBWjPp_3JQzCi36v53ENi6IIAg5M3EafkGDzdXcVEoQfzyzTZko7GvBYMiuDQOj0Lh/s640/IMG_3382.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train in the morning...thoroughly coated in ice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The approach to Joffre yard was neat to see in the
mid-morning daylight, and there was plenty going on in the yard. As we crossed
the bridge to Ste-Foy, there was an icebreaker and a ship making their way
through the slushy ice covering the surface of the St. Lawrence. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJjZ5XhIK84DHph88mvPU3MzdkW7hbwd2cSPOwbxa3895kKZDb4jcJ612teuyaAqZKGfBKpqMn-POJQ8wZ7qC3HhNs_vBodcfIZ7OALsLfR7hBFSvMkXd-dtCySXcQXKdaWW8Mdj-FAkZ/s1600/IMG_3376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJjZ5XhIK84DHph88mvPU3MzdkW7hbwd2cSPOwbxa3895kKZDb4jcJ612teuyaAqZKGfBKpqMn-POJQ8wZ7qC3HhNs_vBodcfIZ7OALsLfR7hBFSvMkXd-dtCySXcQXKdaWW8Mdj-FAkZ/s640/IMG_3376.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Joffre.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznd8gqNZwELRMNN6hrDm1PpIWUV-j2_EVwrgtOjERH8swck0mvjcebEsQLQS4UvGKtDp2DRrcYA8EcPGynPmGOIaK2nls3TeXbf85qRU1SD-feC0xKgZbCGmVNcsc9De1lJNmG24LWaNG/s1600/IMG_3377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznd8gqNZwELRMNN6hrDm1PpIWUV-j2_EVwrgtOjERH8swck0mvjcebEsQLQS4UvGKtDp2DRrcYA8EcPGynPmGOIaK2nls3TeXbf85qRU1SD-feC0xKgZbCGmVNcsc9De1lJNmG24LWaNG/s640/IMG_3377.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN/Ultramar tank train at Joffre.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfsL5XE8CC_5JrTcjeYNrPUEVyN9iUi-d6wXSfBQSrQoJ93z8nZM7PEb9Bc0seAIFbHUm_tjrT6LcXXNCsLSksrDVW861FzhWMlxnhztl3froyR5tvGvzuAZAHpNCZC2tl7UVQO07vaYQ/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfsL5XE8CC_5JrTcjeYNrPUEVyN9iUi-d6wXSfBQSrQoJ93z8nZM7PEb9Bc0seAIFbHUm_tjrT6LcXXNCsLSksrDVW861FzhWMlxnhztl3froyR5tvGvzuAZAHpNCZC2tl7UVQO07vaYQ/s640/IMG_3378.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A C40-8M pulls out between strings of cars in Joffre. Unfortunately he didn't start soon enough to get clear of that pole!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_V6W85EZGnrtexrZRpE1FayxTh3UIIub00CJI57FHf5nOn4k6WaBn8lbr7Mb5Et0erRFnue3K1-Tk1XGBizBA6KSopuXqM1qD7YQbHqc-cu1oU55dXcndW9WjSy4vpZIzirzGY__4Pif/s1600/IMG_3381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_V6W85EZGnrtexrZRpE1FayxTh3UIIub00CJI57FHf5nOn4k6WaBn8lbr7Mb5Et0erRFnue3K1-Tk1XGBizBA6KSopuXqM1qD7YQbHqc-cu1oU55dXcndW9WjSy4vpZIzirzGY__4Pif/s640/IMG_3381.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep...that is our train. I swear, the locomotives are still under there somewhere!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPl0CNUdPEGxxbAXI3niiOVrxk_lT2FMhLNIBS922W-boI3J3T43PuZTmAAyzl5bgzi0v5dEEiX59NYzjp2YxA9zEEzMS3YuZi9YQe7x7AUZUmbZCwrwVpVC0WT9TBIPWQl3Kkpmh2NUca/s1600/IMG_3385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPl0CNUdPEGxxbAXI3niiOVrxk_lT2FMhLNIBS922W-boI3J3T43PuZTmAAyzl5bgzi0v5dEEiX59NYzjp2YxA9zEEzMS3YuZi9YQe7x7AUZUmbZCwrwVpVC0WT9TBIPWQl3Kkpmh2NUca/s640/IMG_3385.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A CN ex-GECX Tier 4 demo unit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaE597j5VHsNG6Jclg5LJTJppfx4ETOY2Viq9cripE0HL3M0NeJ2__0dq_ji_bCOxFnEAO3wL4YRZqNn4kkQs9lz0Rbo2BSm1PfHfOI7gsMUaAjTUoppCSPky0cSqREVqea-RoMJmhsbt/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1600" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaE597j5VHsNG6Jclg5LJTJppfx4ETOY2Viq9cripE0HL3M0NeJ2__0dq_ji_bCOxFnEAO3wL4YRZqNn4kkQs9lz0Rbo2BSm1PfHfOI7gsMUaAjTUoppCSPky0cSqREVqea-RoMJmhsbt/s640/IMG_3388.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icy geeps at Joffre.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyjYe-glAM9BRwNAbHYAtgdYaM7fmshMfyYom9cSYvgCg_8NBw4mfhHh22YTl7k7NX5_qX9RfDNjvjgwLPs6lEX05WHzb281MCRlGqj_N5-gFIHFCGZZnAtOeN0mqPI2MISkkQ2dsIsqi/s1600/IMG_3393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyjYe-glAM9BRwNAbHYAtgdYaM7fmshMfyYom9cSYvgCg_8NBw4mfhHh22YTl7k7NX5_qX9RfDNjvjgwLPs6lEX05WHzb281MCRlGqj_N5-gFIHFCGZZnAtOeN0mqPI2MISkkQ2dsIsqi/s640/IMG_3393.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the wye at Joffre to head across the bridge to Ste-Foy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">At Ste-Foy I knew I needed to get off to grab some photos of
our frozen train, as it would be my only good chance. I headed up to the
coaches to get off at the first stop so I’d be up near the front to get the
locomotives. Stepping off I was immediately hit by the brutal cold. It looked
nice out, but it was beyond frigid…it was around -20<sup>0</sup>C, with a
windchill pushing below -30! My hands started to hurt after just a few seconds
of having them out of my gloves so I could grab a photo or two on my phone.
Fortunately, my actual camera could be operated with gloves on!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The sight up front was incredible. I’ll let the photos speak
for themselves. Just keep in mind that this was the LESS iced up side of the
train!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dVlFkMIOBJnnfMMgZj9SvuvYSsJXVMiAmfcpXiqKGzK33mgLa7fW65JdCpxh6eH96i64bigFiOqrpNqP_ALfKEwDbrWHfONs_qKKt0bu6ebZaXEZnGJP0KMbLcGGSchOnLdxy3Gdu2Jq/s1600/IMG_3395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dVlFkMIOBJnnfMMgZj9SvuvYSsJXVMiAmfcpXiqKGzK33mgLa7fW65JdCpxh6eH96i64bigFiOqrpNqP_ALfKEwDbrWHfONs_qKKt0bu6ebZaXEZnGJP0KMbLcGGSchOnLdxy3Gdu2Jq/s640/IMG_3395.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icy front end - one ditch light is busted, and there's ice and snow in every crevice. Remember that the front of this loco got cleaned several times through the night too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KJmAKYevXlmXk1LXqKx5utHJ0Br5rknDL6ezG4UUfVDHjgbmF98DOFIWzetZZSxNLBHHmTNuz20M3jMEsiE4lYfxl_ACxBl7ePwv1eF7oIQqtigNiq1ZGjPRMtV6T5m0xulljb9IhJHp/s1600/IMG_3397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KJmAKYevXlmXk1LXqKx5utHJ0Br5rknDL6ezG4UUfVDHjgbmF98DOFIWzetZZSxNLBHHmTNuz20M3jMEsiE4lYfxl_ACxBl7ePwv1eF7oIQqtigNiq1ZGjPRMtV6T5m0xulljb9IhJHp/s640/IMG_3397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The keen eye will note that there's something wrong here - the inside wiper should not be in that position. The wipers on each windshield are internally linked, so for one to end up fouling the other like this means that the linkage got broken at some point!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-x7NIBlihV8CKHXANbyZ6af5PMs5ZLtC3p9Lzq7Wxd5bvG9BmgRhDtbqKkBGFsBbfAezuYAsvu8rrHAkBK46HUYU4DcFtbv0fbJ9HCxOL3QJz2DEquFdFNgwN-1P3CsOxqWNoK2TSC7w/s1600/IMG_3399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-x7NIBlihV8CKHXANbyZ6af5PMs5ZLtC3p9Lzq7Wxd5bvG9BmgRhDtbqKkBGFsBbfAezuYAsvu8rrHAkBK46HUYU4DcFtbv0fbJ9HCxOL3QJz2DEquFdFNgwN-1P3CsOxqWNoK2TSC7w/s640/IMG_3399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even more ice at the back end and between the locos! Remember, this is the *less* iced up side of the train. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD-Q8D9S9s8dFGSCwCDyQksB3b-rzjnA_lLUSVHoRxpIXoSLWkF6sOHq91RIhdQ9-JFqJ8sAteGuCVTNSFY1Gx7Tims_I3w_uGYETv7Om5KO7EpbrGMX7Qt71dkNwztX6J69tuKhJXV4H/s1600/IMG_3400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwGCTbSuNgRybhTx94RW4QieKQM6HX8r99Bbn_RAIqFmPjXcmyXxDunjx8ANRX6S2eKzR_N-UMIUwQ4wSHxIJMSBHmVKXAOAPLEa7xpPEFKYTksOwfINkSSbpmq6SygtiBxKNAYkhf0al/s1600/IMG_3400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwGCTbSuNgRybhTx94RW4QieKQM6HX8r99Bbn_RAIqFmPjXcmyXxDunjx8ANRX6S2eKzR_N-UMIUwQ4wSHxIJMSBHmVKXAOAPLEa7xpPEFKYTksOwfINkSSbpmq6SygtiBxKNAYkhf0al/s640/IMG_3400.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second loco, nicely chilled.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEuZrvDLP5NIQb_aoMfUsvKlDgz4w68j9iUZiycIkR3B-P5oJc10il3yKY0j2uBwgtaa-pmA89uwb2wCty9zgkErhSTXVN9sQU9iwHNsxMsQeJi4on-meEJ5wXiCS7cXzIEbo2AEpMy57/s1600/26173913_10156225500705955_2316105944652189871_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEuZrvDLP5NIQb_aoMfUsvKlDgz4w68j9iUZiycIkR3B-P5oJc10il3yKY0j2uBwgtaa-pmA89uwb2wCty9zgkErhSTXVN9sQU9iwHNsxMsQeJi4on-meEJ5wXiCS7cXzIEbo2AEpMy57/s640/26173913_10156225500705955_2316105944652189871_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of the first loco.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aSL1LNikXddzToAfSI856N2DxFIFQauZELF0ORtaWT0gjWM1y5ZcwWtgUCK_80xSHyeVHGq8U5hwqg_I7iyxC7Tvl04DlNCwBPDTH9gjzytr3tWX6ywprWQr5i6UKVVa2poZdEZxaA5g/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aSL1LNikXddzToAfSI856N2DxFIFQauZELF0ORtaWT0gjWM1y5ZcwWtgUCK_80xSHyeVHGq8U5hwqg_I7iyxC7Tvl04DlNCwBPDTH9gjzytr3tWX6ywprWQr5i6UKVVa2poZdEZxaA5g/s640/IMG_3402.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and more ice...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjf_dpo7QxwgNN8yY8churUKa_UbQHHxKXx6VKmBJfyQKIY6LgEvM_eDvn75q3Z8wYPUvAb0nw88ZkKyDN33Zrru1doSjsCrE06TY-OjEP4ne8J2ZhzYu8Pwp7anjpyyJ0R_jTl-TmCNk/s1600/IMG_3403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjf_dpo7QxwgNN8yY8churUKa_UbQHHxKXx6VKmBJfyQKIY6LgEvM_eDvn75q3Z8wYPUvAb0nw88ZkKyDN33Zrru1doSjsCrE06TY-OjEP4ne8J2ZhzYu8Pwp7anjpyyJ0R_jTl-TmCNk/s640/IMG_3403.JPG" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear end ice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9N8xjJgUSXfXNxFN5lC8wI8mHCxAw51MOluLTvWGAFTVDbOKQEPhfpKLNdki6EutwU9d0NewivAZJwcgZP6KUmDxSfn_X-Kgz_hCLxrNGioGKu8Q9b6149az8cJAZZUq3ph5dHHQVn4V/s1600/IMG_3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1600" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9N8xjJgUSXfXNxFN5lC8wI8mHCxAw51MOluLTvWGAFTVDbOKQEPhfpKLNdki6EutwU9d0NewivAZJwcgZP6KUmDxSfn_X-Kgz_hCLxrNGioGKu8Q9b6149az8cJAZZUq3ph5dHHQVn4V/s640/IMG_3404.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icy, icy, icy...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_74cbi_CE4tPNehiKrxunEJAS47zU4xMMVcMZOOI4eWbo65PU2kCMCeiFI-1ov0XhXWbg6S2pVzgakRPCJgPbwXwNybJd-x0GcHJOrp9nSYrhfcg4tdb-9HnA83A_yo1eDi2BraN37N23/s1600/IMG_3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_74cbi_CE4tPNehiKrxunEJAS47zU4xMMVcMZOOI4eWbo65PU2kCMCeiFI-1ov0XhXWbg6S2pVzgakRPCJgPbwXwNybJd-x0GcHJOrp9nSYrhfcg4tdb-9HnA83A_yo1eDi2BraN37N23/s640/IMG_3406.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The few brave souls who stepped off for fresh (and frigid) air.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF6AWDzOO1KtEwmWZa8rKFfUGw9LQRx0uhm2a-x9WZaxoNnyaNCWKsnCc621DdDtfzLGximO5yB3M4p3dXg2rOTRYcpwYnIzbuLANk5vTeR2jdc0woMsCXioV5LSZLVTfaPvM0Mvb4-M3/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF6AWDzOO1KtEwmWZa8rKFfUGw9LQRx0uhm2a-x9WZaxoNnyaNCWKsnCc621DdDtfzLGximO5yB3M4p3dXg2rOTRYcpwYnIzbuLANk5vTeR2jdc0woMsCXioV5LSZLVTfaPvM0Mvb4-M3/s640/IMG_3407.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crowd cleared out quickly. I think this photo actually captures the bitter cold feeling pretty well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvscZ1GbMFr5m4FSXJDdzY28GWh9wR8BtssMWqubhYVw60uTTHsoVSbBk_OonkpVDk9z1wtrmo1CRzdhfo1BRV1_IFK6Wfk1wUXbuRIhrRKv9UWX7zlgAkJDxMuKQfQUtLQKK5GoXSTwPp/s1600/IMG_3394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvscZ1GbMFr5m4FSXJDdzY28GWh9wR8BtssMWqubhYVw60uTTHsoVSbBk_OonkpVDk9z1wtrmo1CRzdhfo1BRV1_IFK6Wfk1wUXbuRIhrRKv9UWX7zlgAkJDxMuKQfQUtLQKK5GoXSTwPp/s640/IMG_3394.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking ahead down the track at Ste-Foy. A transfer van is on the back of a cut of freight cars. VIA trains bound for Quebec City continue this way. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Despite the cold, I decided to wait on the platform with one
of the attendants as the train moved forward to make its second stop, rather
than getting back on right away. This gave me a chance to photograph the tail
end as well. </span></span><br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNhgHbplTrsEB_fDsVeZ_mGPq4xbdbb5xcCihdJp2JRRu-JzzKefptxKdCeQ25jEZyY-5ZpcDlfzgPBOdxrL8V4cpedElPUpLye-Igz_h14VZxORZzZBlZzdVBIJmx8y58ZFI7gGNFzh9/s1600/IMG_3409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1600" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNhgHbplTrsEB_fDsVeZ_mGPq4xbdbb5xcCihdJp2JRRu-JzzKefptxKdCeQ25jEZyY-5ZpcDlfzgPBOdxrL8V4cpedElPUpLye-Igz_h14VZxORZzZBlZzdVBIJmx8y58ZFI7gGNFzh9/s640/IMG_3409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tail end of our icy streamliner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgtOwsaoUPY7r5oj92zgvRhX1QmLtJDP-LnSJQtXKawZa1fzfMt5S2wYdqFxjm3dV_a8DH0lA0s3l1tQ07combjb5Y45YwDESLqIkw8UuwUKqUyrYFF_e3yDj-0BfyF4tulceiGDwQqTC/s1600/IMG_3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgtOwsaoUPY7r5oj92zgvRhX1QmLtJDP-LnSJQtXKawZa1fzfMt5S2wYdqFxjm3dV_a8DH0lA0s3l1tQ07combjb5Y45YwDESLqIkw8UuwUKqUyrYFF_e3yDj-0BfyF4tulceiGDwQqTC/s640/IMG_3410.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Park Car attendant clears the snow out of the steps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRr-g7IROqxklYlpeAdaHA2HszMlMDGb9zGCGb-URo6Kl4xa0DK1z-HW6qq1Rs7ONpDwD1erxvaL7-earIdo1acFx7QNMmFdAkOzFq-uxmjJjlq7ZQTXYeXi_L0t76ajWlSCijsx0YIFdn/s1600/IMG_3245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRr-g7IROqxklYlpeAdaHA2HszMlMDGb9zGCGb-URo6Kl4xa0DK1z-HW6qq1Rs7ONpDwD1erxvaL7-earIdo1acFx7QNMmFdAkOzFq-uxmjJjlq7ZQTXYeXi_L0t76ajWlSCijsx0YIFdn/s640/IMG_3245.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a common sight in the winter on the Budd equipment - snow builds up inside the vestibules at the end of each car, as the step traps don't have a perfect seal. It wasn't as bad on this trip as the snow was heavy and icy - light powdery stuff usually makes its way in more easily. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Finally it was just too much, and I got back on. As I warmed
up inside, I expected we’d be on our way in a few minutes. Yet we continued to
wait. Soon I found out from the crew that apparently someone had forgotten to
actually call in the new locomotive crew for us! So they were just on their
way, and it would be more than another half hour before we would be on our way.
This seems like a bizarre oversight, but I suspect it had to do with this being
the last extra departure of the Ocean for the holidays. There isn’t usually a
train on a Friday morning, so clearly someone missed the memo that there would
be this day. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy1gLH_T1G4HTYUXPq1O5K39VMFPnVvt6PhKCZU_w2owMYfKSXd5lccZj_J2CwqkbRCUg_XoY1NJ1yPEPn2V-DDNdwgRizkHkAeQTpX-MXNZ8MEQLn7Eipqpf-3Ek6ZotZCblPtaKn2ZF/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy1gLH_T1G4HTYUXPq1O5K39VMFPnVvt6PhKCZU_w2owMYfKSXd5lccZj_J2CwqkbRCUg_XoY1NJ1yPEPn2V-DDNdwgRizkHkAeQTpX-MXNZ8MEQLn7Eipqpf-3Ek6ZotZCblPtaKn2ZF/s640/IMG_3412.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the wait at Ste-Foy, this CN employee was out clearing snow from switches with a blower of some sort. Note the snow brooms mounted at each switch stand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTKLoBkkZ5sPT-B91orI9R9USDF6o8RIp3N5p9-9SnWRNEa8XJTiSkwWDw59HbEU3wVKVpn4GWxnW1GEwjkvHSTNkBTJK3CF0ucKn868qZPxHbe4DA-yPrMJMyDqZ-gXhRbJhjt3aTEUJ/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTKLoBkkZ5sPT-B91orI9R9USDF6o8RIp3N5p9-9SnWRNEa8XJTiSkwWDw59HbEU3wVKVpn4GWxnW1GEwjkvHSTNkBTJK3CF0ucKn868qZPxHbe4DA-yPrMJMyDqZ-gXhRbJhjt3aTEUJ/s640/IMG_3413.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the back of the Park dome as we back across the bridge over the St. Lawrence.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Imt9xY9gvHwZaa0k0VdPMxYbptjt1wwGaKo4Hda0rdAlIbulux-e32Ku-0L4LohwDTJzMpz9gw2ZUQyQbHKDfDtL8DSF_pIj2o6tgIiqFpAN89y6Bl6Co7DPJ5Wg98R_W8Ah-c5XBs7/s1600/IMG_3416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1600" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Imt9xY9gvHwZaa0k0VdPMxYbptjt1wwGaKo4Hda0rdAlIbulux-e32Ku-0L4LohwDTJzMpz9gw2ZUQyQbHKDfDtL8DSF_pIj2o6tgIiqFpAN89y6Bl6Co7DPJ5Wg98R_W8Ah-c5XBs7/s640/IMG_3416.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CCGS Amundsen, doing what it does best. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH3ztYkpW9m4hprPd4054wtGD222_SjbQGbuxadB5-cJccVKi6iiUFrNl-rCbc7Quob8cmmDUdWifJuqdxzlNqI5ryx881Hy376NTMxC4rierZ2ZY2e1Qle-vJka3AYMuv4OScLkVyi76/s1600/IMG_3389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH3ztYkpW9m4hprPd4054wtGD222_SjbQGbuxadB5-cJccVKi6iiUFrNl-rCbc7Quob8cmmDUdWifJuqdxzlNqI5ryx881Hy376NTMxC4rierZ2ZY2e1Qle-vJka3AYMuv4OScLkVyi76/s640/IMG_3389.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were lots of interesting sights at Joffre, but perhaps the most interesting was this series of bridge spans. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDqC0zbSd2Wtqh52HYb3raCKEChHevGQZNJn5B_bB8X6GObHLDbepWqz0AwhBXcXVa6vXyuth48rlDyAM1JSCqyQ6qCCytkmktkichQk18EOWV0VJGX52XrvrGTpCuhQyVbSHQwrflonC/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1600" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDqC0zbSd2Wtqh52HYb3raCKEChHevGQZNJn5B_bB8X6GObHLDbepWqz0AwhBXcXVa6vXyuth48rlDyAM1JSCqyQ6qCCytkmktkichQk18EOWV0VJGX52XrvrGTpCuhQyVbSHQwrflonC/s640/IMG_3390.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a few of these bridge spans were mounted on flat cars. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvQn6G8WokdAJ5dJYZTTusCiUwNdo0-r0QmkdKFeifiacjJfqiLg2pwDGSEOfieTEH-frINX6X5La5WIp_LD1rnLllO68f6Z6clKmYRkNVYMzsPjZHDkyIT4I9_HmPuEXkB7OWy3-3zkl/s1600/IMG_3422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvQn6G8WokdAJ5dJYZTTusCiUwNdo0-r0QmkdKFeifiacjJfqiLg2pwDGSEOfieTEH-frINX6X5La5WIp_LD1rnLllO68f6Z6clKmYRkNVYMzsPjZHDkyIT4I9_HmPuEXkB7OWy3-3zkl/s640/IMG_3422.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly, the cars cannot couple together with these spans in place - presumably to transport them, they would need to insert idler cars in between. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_52HapkZ1IidzVfXuuQFWljqVh7rDsAurrJxozfXkbX84ImQHn0IBhZ_G7lSF_WDpJC7O08l4NvldjsK0dGczUNAZL3uX1hcbEtPfQwC8srO5NM-xvaIHueJfr3LKpOPUQgq1V228E3zJ/s1600/IMG_3424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_52HapkZ1IidzVfXuuQFWljqVh7rDsAurrJxozfXkbX84ImQHn0IBhZ_G7lSF_WDpJC7O08l4NvldjsK0dGczUNAZL3uX1hcbEtPfQwC8srO5NM-xvaIHueJfr3LKpOPUQgq1V228E3zJ/s640/IMG_3424.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our icy train makes its way out of Joffre yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IC1PIoNMfjjkSJpS_9skQzHntR5k0szkDTAcwHtkzEF75zmxuT6x5ylsHvTsdsUntCgUv5ShKuu_e91TbviJcM1sPLatCtLIvCCT84zCyE7Wtq5o9azt5kTMTZRAybn7uVCG1m2mukkL/s1600/IMG_3426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IC1PIoNMfjjkSJpS_9skQzHntR5k0szkDTAcwHtkzEF75zmxuT6x5ylsHvTsdsUntCgUv5ShKuu_e91TbviJcM1sPLatCtLIvCCT84zCyE7Wtq5o9azt5kTMTZRAybn7uVCG1m2mukkL/s640/IMG_3426.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trackmobile shoving an impressive string of cars at the west end of Joffre.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivATcvDajeiO8CCYQ48rIyvIAUauTWP8YsWwzvFhNevmwKAQOxsQ3kzVCXqij5a56cQ7XmQ8Tu6b7AV34KtNqtLOf-eqnrgHcEZjLVZE8jIMdFFmGglBtxB6aZ7HvV3NTVPBpjaGRO3b2y/s1600/IMG_3430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivATcvDajeiO8CCYQ48rIyvIAUauTWP8YsWwzvFhNevmwKAQOxsQ3kzVCXqij5a56cQ7XmQ8Tu6b7AV34KtNqtLOf-eqnrgHcEZjLVZE8jIMdFFmGglBtxB6aZ7HvV3NTVPBpjaGRO3b2y/s640/IMG_3430.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a look at the ice build-up on top of the train. Those are deep grooves in the stainless steel fluting, and they're filled right up...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Back underway, now running over 4h late, it was nice to
finally be back up to a good running speed as we made our way towards
Drummondville. Back in the Park car dome, I got chatting with some other
passengers on board. Despite the delay, everyone seemed to recognize that it
was quite the feat that we had made it this far right through the middle of
this storm. There was a mother and son on board who were headed for Ottawa to
see a hockey game that evening. They had been booked to fly, but after Air
Canada notified them that their flight would be cancelled and likely
rescheduled to Saturday or Sunday, they decided to buy a last minute train
ticket instead. As far as I know, they made it to the game on time. They
weren’t the only ones that had flights cancelled and booked on the train
instead. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The trip through Drummondville was pretty quick. We tripped
a defect detector shortly before there (hardly surprising, given all the ice
buildup under the train!), but were on our way quickly. The run to
Ste-Hyacinthe was also smooth. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsa6corCebiIMVrxEZcqidnych7rpZTinQp2WRO380ub_Z5l-pZPDnWzDvgKwlXPbqN8vT8wpRkNw8U7hXgyJNJ5U2bqrpupVxwVUulaUQ4oRNsyNIYNeOdEBcVOwlWkI4a58cISVPMAEw/s1600/IMG_3432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsa6corCebiIMVrxEZcqidnych7rpZTinQp2WRO380ub_Z5l-pZPDnWzDvgKwlXPbqN8vT8wpRkNw8U7hXgyJNJ5U2bqrpupVxwVUulaUQ4oRNsyNIYNeOdEBcVOwlWkI4a58cISVPMAEw/s640/IMG_3432.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the engineers checks the train after we tripped a detector.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillf57abntmOq28odkFNXQFinWr_BPQpVT9Szx09hzjI1wuTLr_d8iqLMth7resezwpUJySOGwy2_oiLAat8Ru_BZ21LiQ8ARg7QjAu8_ZINqkpUnkLvS3DgVfyo0vAlaa7Br2lgOqSsK7/s1600/IMG_3435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillf57abntmOq28odkFNXQFinWr_BPQpVT9Szx09hzjI1wuTLr_d8iqLMth7resezwpUJySOGwy2_oiLAat8Ru_BZ21LiQ8ARg7QjAu8_ZINqkpUnkLvS3DgVfyo0vAlaa7Br2lgOqSsK7/s640/IMG_3435.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN crews clear switches at Montbec (by St-Hyacinthe). I have a huge amount of respect for all of the people out working in this kind of miserable weather. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sTurTuSxK4yyZ6Bn4X_UrcwOqACSJrD03SJMTv38pH-SUoY6K9gDPRZOtIYilmS-U8AmIRfdTfEDpmRTRgmXbjowcLhhoQtdXjbGKERJZLp7aZksCQ8RiVfT9vS2a0G9SFe7o4H_xhby/s1600/IMG_3438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sTurTuSxK4yyZ6Bn4X_UrcwOqACSJrD03SJMTv38pH-SUoY6K9gDPRZOtIYilmS-U8AmIRfdTfEDpmRTRgmXbjowcLhhoQtdXjbGKERJZLp7aZksCQ8RiVfT9vS2a0G9SFe7o4H_xhby/s640/IMG_3438.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The station at St-Hyacinthe, looking a lot like our train. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Somewhere in there we got the notice that due to the lengthy
delay, VIA would be serving “second breakfast” as a substitute for lunch.
Anyone interested was welcome to come back to the diner. Just before
Drummondville I headed up there, and ordered the French toast…so in the long
run, I got to enjoy the best of both! </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7f2zmpLmhp6LOITnsUTWizzQtYWHb1N0hQYwROM2IC0JlgneuXgH1Ljs-Fgn_6-a80Fc_r0ixrSEHueG588AQbF8B7szSDMcL4W1ms_-LJiuLqRLeiy66f8pAw35dRUl7ZdiWXdMS4C7/s1600/IMG_3434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7f2zmpLmhp6LOITnsUTWizzQtYWHb1N0hQYwROM2IC0JlgneuXgH1Ljs-Fgn_6-a80Fc_r0ixrSEHueG588AQbF8B7szSDMcL4W1ms_-LJiuLqRLeiy66f8pAw35dRUl7ZdiWXdMS4C7/s640/IMG_3434.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second breakfast (or I guess you could call it lunch...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As we made our way it was clear that we had all missed early
connections – in my case, to VIA 35 for Ottawa. I was informed that instead I
would be on 635, the next departure to Ottawa, and it looked like we’d make
that without issue. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Unfortunately on the last stretch the delays continued to
pile up. Just before St-Hilaire we met CN 120 and VIA 24. Then there must have
been issues with crossing signal malfunctions, because on the last stretch in
towards St-Lambert we had to stop and flag every grade crossing. There were
lots of CN crews out at these crossings, as well as all over the place clearing
switches and the like. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH21J5Hj8ALK4V20SFxxDOiNJVSel2tdkR1Amqvrto74mmNup0uoOOChL4ds5DR7llHTuhpYJ-OL0v7335gX8PQbSWcKlQsky8uQALwQXVmfwOKt0FFCYarN2c7EJ4VEK45oSYDDn31iUE/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH21J5Hj8ALK4V20SFxxDOiNJVSel2tdkR1Amqvrto74mmNup0uoOOChL4ds5DR7llHTuhpYJ-OL0v7335gX8PQbSWcKlQsky8uQALwQXVmfwOKt0FFCYarN2c7EJ4VEK45oSYDDn31iUE/s640/IMG_3439.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN 120 blows by us, ultimately bound for Halifax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyY6b59FmnOenIlq7Zu8A7TagMHR8pnNaeqLK49pf1i_d8BEwt-yf4GkiujkTXuqk83SRftt8sZEtyUjAj1W73BC19bQBuAPihFGvgNoYTRSFefxogsSRW6LeNg6Bk3pokNnBQOI9UuO5/s1600/IMG_3441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyY6b59FmnOenIlq7Zu8A7TagMHR8pnNaeqLK49pf1i_d8BEwt-yf4GkiujkTXuqk83SRftt8sZEtyUjAj1W73BC19bQBuAPihFGvgNoYTRSFefxogsSRW6LeNg6Bk3pokNnBQOI9UuO5/s640/IMG_3441.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Containers blowing up snow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfKocVL1oO2X4bhrjnsJUhpHuMU6Z0kxJnSBIV_rEmvhhn1wis9naruIy9M4YXel2ZjGQSChTVO2IY9z9Thi3tnLGpKl299gjkluNnf2swRLwYza8m97QQVgZEZpQVgKFqFTDzHYntTmg/s1600/IMG_3444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1600" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfKocVL1oO2X4bhrjnsJUhpHuMU6Z0kxJnSBIV_rEmvhhn1wis9naruIy9M4YXel2ZjGQSChTVO2IY9z9Thi3tnLGpKl299gjkluNnf2swRLwYza8m97QQVgZEZpQVgKFqFTDzHYntTmg/s640/IMG_3444.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 24, with a wrapped P42 leading.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUMIhGc63RfAfSgIQIuy4k7P62vYtys-P8AIWpkCJnEU3jwsD60T9iZSMp2hM57GCuKeV3WgrJGzPAjrK87QVvCvgJ3BrTxYPr0lfVvAvbmhoOgMrX8Lgpnqd9QJ4l-zN645rXJcBE7e5/s1600/IMG_3446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUMIhGc63RfAfSgIQIuy4k7P62vYtys-P8AIWpkCJnEU3jwsD60T9iZSMp2hM57GCuKeV3WgrJGzPAjrK87QVvCvgJ3BrTxYPr0lfVvAvbmhoOgMrX8Lgpnqd9QJ4l-zN645rXJcBE7e5/s640/IMG_3446.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much of the time our train blew up so much snow you couldn't see it ahead! Here, it is only partially surrounded by snow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_04Q4kU8WL9CTnGBpSqvJxk46Hi4l5J_zRKvMVIhndKEW2CyuAzL8aQcBj6ZXnEmTsZllf8g2nBKX_K6VDSPX7YFA1IxAp4Y9DEK193ACHd3voBElrGeIs-I8usSZ7yAg6_yrG2fsfAf/s1600/IMG_3448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_04Q4kU8WL9CTnGBpSqvJxk46Hi4l5J_zRKvMVIhndKEW2CyuAzL8aQcBj6ZXnEmTsZllf8g2nBKX_K6VDSPX7YFA1IxAp4Y9DEK193ACHd3voBElrGeIs-I8usSZ7yAg6_yrG2fsfAf/s640/IMG_3448.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN crews at a crossing, checking for malfunctions. We stopped and flagged every crossing for a good stretch. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We also got stopped for another signal, and finally made it
to St-Lambert at 2:36pm. At this point it seemed very unlikely that we’d
actually make that connection to 635, as it was scheduled to leave at 3:00pm.
As we rolled across the bridge to Montreal, we met CN 528 with NS and UP power
on the head end, and on the other side the view of the city across the frozen
and misty river was quite something. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8n7OZwcZtiB8qN2tIFxVdLoLok82qfe54tEfWcycqkw1TZz0eQBzwbYjXOGSRTHFNwSlUTP3iXKHAdW6tKN0tAOL9-91vUKKsAyXgLfl3ZsBPjzwJE-2Vd80mg_AaCnWudkIfZI6lQjd/s1600/IMG_3452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8n7OZwcZtiB8qN2tIFxVdLoLok82qfe54tEfWcycqkw1TZz0eQBzwbYjXOGSRTHFNwSlUTP3iXKHAdW6tKN0tAOL9-91vUKKsAyXgLfl3ZsBPjzwJE-2Vd80mg_AaCnWudkIfZI6lQjd/s640/IMG_3452.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More red lights...admittedly, we were already moving and past these, but it still sums up how the last part of this trip felt!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9QrzFNEKboAy9MnnfbrZ_z5aBbr1rKZE8bZ3G0-Jw2l78Trig5iW_JwacC71VvYd1l_b9rMBNAEI7b4j-MUZ5rCad3py50W5-gW8eGLb4hYnNnnVlDZr4sWTVWO5MMRbDqAKeefZ0WoQ/s1600/IMG_3453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9QrzFNEKboAy9MnnfbrZ_z5aBbr1rKZE8bZ3G0-Jw2l78Trig5iW_JwacC71VvYd1l_b9rMBNAEI7b4j-MUZ5rCad3py50W5-gW8eGLb4hYnNnnVlDZr4sWTVWO5MMRbDqAKeefZ0WoQ/s640/IMG_3453.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More CN crews out and working at Lemoyne.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUJCInwOoR49bGhKqSGlovMUcAOvHEe4YWIfDKDNZIF8lob7vRTrqOYZmPQzQEA1Ngl5PmPZcp1MH38ckW5re8Q4IOz67sLBkaUjE6nLF254WC64f_pU5GWVt7zB719sdNQJHDsytWx6k/s1600/IMG_3455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUJCInwOoR49bGhKqSGlovMUcAOvHEe4YWIfDKDNZIF8lob7vRTrqOYZmPQzQEA1Ngl5PmPZcp1MH38ckW5re8Q4IOz67sLBkaUjE6nLF254WC64f_pU5GWVt7zB719sdNQJHDsytWx6k/s640/IMG_3455.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of CN units running light, with a likely very frozen crew member on the rear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K-HKTjxn3SJuRelmjTci_RbneLTJz9leYCXclKgpTIiOW8tcH-LMd6Sg032Y7QDn2XoiKNALLRO9zhM8JK7Y9r7R8NAP6FvfeZa7FtQX1Q80CHfeABaK-7GdJlhScf3yI319pH-vvZ1T/s1600/IMG_3457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K-HKTjxn3SJuRelmjTci_RbneLTJz9leYCXclKgpTIiOW8tcH-LMd6Sg032Y7QDn2XoiKNALLRO9zhM8JK7Y9r7R8NAP6FvfeZa7FtQX1Q80CHfeABaK-7GdJlhScf3yI319pH-vvZ1T/s640/IMG_3457.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CN 528 with an NS leader meets us as we head across the Victoria bridge, just minutes from our Montreal arrival.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2sRRuF28FkWzCXGBgHOtquoACSH2YKD1D76R2DbyO48inTgYaE_92LrFfV859E3iWX9wT8orC6H89LvXhOT1LOcn6ycHTlzW0P1ocnusSW70Eu8dke-jsvdnjZjMnU6EPRkUtSMZrYd2/s1600/IMG_3458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2sRRuF28FkWzCXGBgHOtquoACSH2YKD1D76R2DbyO48inTgYaE_92LrFfV859E3iWX9wT8orC6H89LvXhOT1LOcn6ycHTlzW0P1ocnusSW70Eu8dke-jsvdnjZjMnU6EPRkUtSMZrYd2/s640/IMG_3458.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A UP unit trailing on CN 528.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-image: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVZzv9i9HHlDXf0nRkKmIs2MJDt7eYDqWdMtKSMduSMlCelsndE-vY82_q16_LVx95hI82dvtXkvVXjixIof77T1Ynn6a2LdNhCDnO_ad3W-e154K9KEW00siZjE6C_Khlsm2-0vP4Myb/s1600/26220641_10156226336105955_7389866245402688166_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVZzv9i9HHlDXf0nRkKmIs2MJDt7eYDqWdMtKSMduSMlCelsndE-vY82_q16_LVx95hI82dvtXkvVXjixIof77T1Ynn6a2LdNhCDnO_ad3W-e154K9KEW00siZjE6C_Khlsm2-0vP4Myb/s640/26220641_10156226336105955_7389866245402688166_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Montreal skyline across the frozen and misty St. Lawrence.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nufPLJreIhuv5taxt4YokRwXLzneAkWuHWkr1_77lNn9glBjLF5RNuUoQ_MPHzUSJchJZUwK43VgAObEZIiWogZGIgdGuJvjNhBp7_Um-cxquLny68T2gh9daxLV-Yf_J3z6RlCwXY3P/s1600/IMG_3459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nufPLJreIhuv5taxt4YokRwXLzneAkWuHWkr1_77lNn9glBjLF5RNuUoQ_MPHzUSJchJZUwK43VgAObEZIiWogZGIgdGuJvjNhBp7_Um-cxquLny68T2gh9daxLV-Yf_J3z6RlCwXY3P/s640/IMG_3459.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snaking our way through the tight curves leading to Montreal's Central Station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjz4sQHgB7HpTBZ2U_qCFKWVMIXAFiAsVCkah8ZL1AfuUqHQCatoPwoCcMcMwqjGqkl1YzHQCIvQLmClbF5bAmhapd8m5nMmhcApCgLX5vI8eLGboDpbkHPXNzZDOPcUZoAQcNMycq4k_/s1600/IMG_3460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjz4sQHgB7HpTBZ2U_qCFKWVMIXAFiAsVCkah8ZL1AfuUqHQCatoPwoCcMcMwqjGqkl1YzHQCIvQLmClbF5bAmhapd8m5nMmhcApCgLX5vI8eLGboDpbkHPXNzZDOPcUZoAQcNMycq4k_/s640/IMG_3460.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An AMT ALP45DP, also looking frosty, through the still iced-up window of my roomette.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">We rolled into the station in Montreal at 2:51pm – just shy
of 5 hours late. Here’s the arrival/departure status display from VIA’s system,
showing how the whole trip went. This information is pretty well accurate, and
gives a good breakdown of where exactly we lost time. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-7zrjOF_k_CGRPSpDFdf0L1JTWBbJtjndNrht4HalOEM5UT_hs2Q3-7_NdOboiMzx-AyD8x6dPAnYZEw0QoN3YtVNIl4L5CIZqovVtfQdCPTLzhy5P4FBUgLbdPTiqCE4jooUozX-BOq/s1600/VIA_15_status.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="519" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-7zrjOF_k_CGRPSpDFdf0L1JTWBbJtjndNrht4HalOEM5UT_hs2Q3-7_NdOboiMzx-AyD8x6dPAnYZEw0QoN3YtVNIl4L5CIZqovVtfQdCPTLzhy5P4FBUgLbdPTiqCE4jooUozX-BOq/s640/VIA_15_status.png" width="398" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">So getting off #15 in Montreal, 635 was due to leave in just
over 8 minutes. Would we make it? It wasn’t cross-platform, so we had to go
upstairs. Arriving in the station itself we were promptly directed down to the
next platform, and rushed on to 635. We departed at 3:04pm….! Yep, in just
barely 15 minutes they got all of us transferred, and even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">more </i>impressively, they transferred our checked baggage…because it
made it to Ottawa with us! Kudos to everyone at VIA who made that happen. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">As compensation for our delay and missed connection (and
perhaps because it helped fit us in on an otherwise busy train), VIA upgraded
us all to Business class. I was already booked in Business for that segment, so
it wasn’t really an upgrade. I also lost the seat assignment that I had
carefully picked. But in any case, I was on that train, and would make it to
Ottawa only about 2.5h later than my originally scheduled time. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The ride on 635 was pretty uneventful. I was in an LRC club, which was really rough riding, but the trip was still comfortable, the food was alright, and we made decent time into Ottawa – arriving at 5:01pm (3min late). After a rather eventful trip, I arrived safe and sound, relaxed, well fed, and comfortable. All in all another excellent train trip.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_u0tksjryG4WTQSwc2DCBMJkwkjRT2j49FyCvwmdh1SBMsfmS_MrvY6J5BcIyD3bhItASJiMRAluM3z5Ch4fYMctgTGR7mYX7-8xfwiZwAUEhX8gVsjvUdZ3rMeTFT9cvRTaY1DbA-ag/s1600/IMG_3461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_u0tksjryG4WTQSwc2DCBMJkwkjRT2j49FyCvwmdh1SBMsfmS_MrvY6J5BcIyD3bhItASJiMRAluM3z5Ch4fYMctgTGR7mYX7-8xfwiZwAUEhX8gVsjvUdZ3rMeTFT9cvRTaY1DbA-ag/s640/IMG_3461.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Business Class on 635 - the "light" meal on this afternoon train. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEo4TgXEDhdg3bytRTuc8ZEbM4wd9FlE6K2AMWHxvRt6VLqxriyUSyX58SEt2TBTK8B964LdwQ7F-0szB2xPdj24XL8djJ9pwMNWE5gPu5UyixWEgnjRH7IOwsUd8xAhf1kVKucUKTWkfL/s1600/IMG_3462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEo4TgXEDhdg3bytRTuc8ZEbM4wd9FlE6K2AMWHxvRt6VLqxriyUSyX58SEt2TBTK8B964LdwQ7F-0szB2xPdj24XL8djJ9pwMNWE5gPu5UyixWEgnjRH7IOwsUd8xAhf1kVKucUKTWkfL/s640/IMG_3462.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking between cars on 635, from LRC Club 3469. As you can see, the snow build-up happens between cars on the LRCs too! The Renaissance cars with their sealed vestibules and external steps are the only VIA cars immune to this issue. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U3tMPsi_46T7kxDTirxsAsyy7xehNHvJ231aqSi8nx1gbUL4vfjpasZ6H8Uwgkwhz_225uIzyq08lpPk3AGrCCb2b6ABQ0hRHryPIQXIjWv5WF9zbuqvncdy1TQX6bj-MWYDoSE7Skws/s1600/26173538_10156226788980955_5633074228579071793_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U3tMPsi_46T7kxDTirxsAsyy7xehNHvJ231aqSi8nx1gbUL4vfjpasZ6H8Uwgkwhz_225uIzyq08lpPk3AGrCCb2b6ABQ0hRHryPIQXIjWv5WF9zbuqvncdy1TQX6bj-MWYDoSE7Skws/s640/26173538_10156226788980955_5633074228579071793_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the station in Ottawa, still looking festive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">This trip was a really good demonstration of why the train
is such an excellent way to travel at this time of year. Every other form of
transportation was shut down in the Maritimes – planes, ferries and buses were
cancelled, and the roads were virtually impassable for cars. Yet the train ran,
and we made it to Montreal – 5h delay? Hardly a big deal when you consider what
we went through. While getting there, I had a warm cozy bed, a hot shower in
the morning, great meals, an unending supply of tea and coffee, good company,
and great views. Many people in the Maritimes didn’t have those luxuries that
day, as the storm knocked out power to thousands of people. So really, the
train was probably the best place that one could be! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Over the following week I rode four more VIA trains to make
a side-trip to Kitchener, and also had the chance to ride some buses and the
O-Train. I’ll talk a bit about those at the start of my return trip blog post,
which will follow soon. My return would, by fortuitous coincidence, end up
being on the Budd stainless steel equipment once again. My train luck these
days is really quite something! Stay tuned…<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YpSV0I7I040b1rPMRSNcUDgV1ZgvpDKjtFjHBUedS5b-ubhEtLX4Wip2Wsrn_DSYKGiQp-7A9o5PoGPUAl7iaY9IxuPJOfISnMwhhC9_eLKCfU-sPHMi471x9csFlFE3nBre4TuOe8rx/s1600/IMG_3409+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="1291" height="613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YpSV0I7I040b1rPMRSNcUDgV1ZgvpDKjtFjHBUedS5b-ubhEtLX4Wip2Wsrn_DSYKGiQp-7A9o5PoGPUAl7iaY9IxuPJOfISnMwhhC9_eLKCfU-sPHMi471x9csFlFE3nBre4TuOe8rx/s640/IMG_3409+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-61349033202868961782017-12-18T13:03:00.000-04:002017-12-18T13:03:19.020-04:00From the Archives: A bit of Christmas Chaos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0HujmBT9m2HkDrUdPJj73TX7ZqsJs3Lxw38VKmJCQBzcPC-_9k8SWyC3UFsaskCS1aIfmMJn23Iwbt6DXarQyr_yAvrq5CAUEGWxJORgVjNauNGbE1C02ixB9RrkZpVGHlKBDCiUDjqO/s1600/11736297926_6b278f5258_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0HujmBT9m2HkDrUdPJj73TX7ZqsJs3Lxw38VKmJCQBzcPC-_9k8SWyC3UFsaskCS1aIfmMJn23Iwbt6DXarQyr_yAvrq5CAUEGWxJORgVjNauNGbE1C02ixB9RrkZpVGHlKBDCiUDjqO/s640/11736297926_6b278f5258_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 15 at Matapedia on the morning of Dec. 23, 2013. Why was this westbound train here at that hour of the morning? Read on...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With
Christmas fast approaching, I find myself longing to be back on the rails again.
Train travel has been an integral part of the Christmas season for me over the
last decade; I headed to the east coast for school in the fall of 2007, and one
of the most exciting things about that was the opportunity to take the train
back and forth to Ontario over the holidays. That’s continued every year since,
and now it doesn’t really feel like Christmas if I’m not on a train at some
point. There’s something really special about train travel at the holidays –
there’s a certain festive atmosphere, and everyone is excited about seeing
friends and family. Best of all, a raging snow storm outside makes the trip
even cozier and more enjoyable, while by any other means of travel it would be
a nightmare.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll
be getting in plenty of train travel this year too, though all slightly after
Christmas for a change. For now, though, I’ve been thinking back on various
Christmas trips I’ve made over the years, and it seemed like a good time to
resurrect an old trip report from “the archives”. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
posted this report on the Canadian Passenger Rail Yahoo group back in January
of 2014. I’ve had a lot of interesting trips on the Ocean over the years, but
this particular one wins hands down for the most “eventful” trip of them all! </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Without
further ado, please enjoy this snippet from Christmas 2013:</span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">_________________________________________________________________________</span></span></div>
</span></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">#15
Dec. 22<sup>nd</sup>, 2013 Halifax-Montreal</span></span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
arrived at the station for departure on VIA 15 about an hour ahead of time, and
went ahead and checked my bag. I’m glad I was there early, as it was quite busy
in the station and the line for checked baggage quickly grew. Despite it being
busy, the train was still not nearly sold out in this direction. It seems
Christmas travel this year was heavier towards Halifax before, and towards
Montreal after the holiday [<em>Edit: This is a typical travel pattern, and I've noted it each year since</em>]. I was traveling in a sleeper, so I waited until the
check-in process began.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
was a rather long line for coach passengers, and unlike in the past where a
single line was started at Gate 1, there were actually two separate lines. One
was for coach passengers going all the way to Montreal or on to points west,
and the other was for all intermediate stops. As it turns out, VIA was using
first of two HEP1 coaches at the rear of the train entirely for coach
passengers going through from Halifax to Montreal, and keeping intermediate
pickups and drop-offs in the forward coaches. This avoided having to make
multiple platform stops at intermediate stations. The second HEP1 coach picked
up Montreal-bound passengers in Moncton.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
noticed right away that the train was split into two segments: the first HEP1
coach was still on the rear, but the second coach, the Chateau sleeper, and the
Park car were split off as a second section on the adjacent track. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3rbNFt3x_sPFO5dU9ciN5O30EQL5pN82SnJUDpTOXPqPDfztdBA-RaAgqKEE5lpQQpuYh2HJCJeuwhY2xnmYek1RC_4Ge6gOmS4Wjq555-VzaH6jbrbYxpUqtCpaIWmTXDsl3X5YUWEg/s1600/11735818313_b7bb08080c_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3rbNFt3x_sPFO5dU9ciN5O30EQL5pN82SnJUDpTOXPqPDfztdBA-RaAgqKEE5lpQQpuYh2HJCJeuwhY2xnmYek1RC_4Ge6gOmS4Wjq555-VzaH6jbrbYxpUqtCpaIWmTXDsl3X5YUWEg/s640/11735818313_b7bb08080c_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 15 before departure, in two sections. The majority of the train is on the right, and the Park, a Chateau and a HEP1 coach are separate on the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcrMPB529Gbsy97Lt9DX7x8mdRza_U-t00Rsl9rRMHAEQCMniazv0zx7D-DZUfUTYyJL1PmSRTr8ObZ6rCIGBVRYaHuBhizkHwmopQy0OND7OasSGaHurnTJK5mymnTKTK7dKaXsyuEaF/s1600/11736313036_9f25b81922_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcrMPB529Gbsy97Lt9DX7x8mdRza_U-t00Rsl9rRMHAEQCMniazv0zx7D-DZUfUTYyJL1PmSRTr8ObZ6rCIGBVRYaHuBhizkHwmopQy0OND7OasSGaHurnTJK5mymnTKTK7dKaXsyuEaF/s640/11736313036_9f25b81922_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second section, which would be added on departure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After
boarding the sleepers and the HEP1 and loading baggage, we pulled out of the
station and backed in to pick up the remaining section. Passengers in the
forward coaches were then boarded after the train was connected (I’m not sure
what the reasoning was for this). We departed Halifax in light rain at 12:50pm,
about half an hour late, and would soon make our way into freezing rain and
snow. The consist leaving Halifax was as follows:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6443</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6449</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6457</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7003</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7220</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">70108</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7208</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7309</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7402</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7314</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">79501
(19)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7518
(20)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7520
(21)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7507
(22)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7509
(36)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7512
(37)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7524
(38)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7516
(deadhead)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7602</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8124</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8137</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chateau
Richelieu (deadhead)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Assiniboine
Park</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
don’t know how busy the forward coaches were, but 8124 was quite full leaving
Halifax, and 8137 filled up at Moncton. The sleeper load was light though, with
plenty of empty rooms, one deadhead Ren and the deadhead Chateau. I should note
that though the Chateau was deadheading, I did notice several coach passengers
who had gone back and laid down in the open sections overnight. The crew didn’t
put down beds, and may well have told them to move at some point (as the car
was unattended).</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
was in Room 7 in Car 37. This was my first time in one of the non-shower Ren
bedrooms, and I can say I was quite pleased with it. The setup is a touch
different, but nothing major. Room 7 was a very smooth ride, being both forward
facing and near the middle of the car.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
made for the Park very early on, and was surprised to find it empty (apart from
the attendant) all the way to about Truro. The load remained light for much of
the trip, and I was surprised that few coach passengers seemed to have found
their way back. Coach passengers were being provided with food cart service
(much like in the Corridor), which seemed to be based out of the transition
car. They were also informed that the canteen was available in the Park. As a
result, there was no complimentary tea or coffee set out in the Park (although
it may have been available from the attendant, had I asked).</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8yKhcauImtn_D1JALJvheBlxue6EktyUCFuaBLaikKWBfjdauwiuX6o-HLyS-WjXKPnSjsArn_EhP0fnM9FBU5TT4vUxquwvBDB3PrqvJdTIjGdK8sy_GPmXsoWKjM2kviIivUSwd3db/s1600/11735546125_ccb06f8129_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8yKhcauImtn_D1JALJvheBlxue6EktyUCFuaBLaikKWBfjdauwiuX6o-HLyS-WjXKPnSjsArn_EhP0fnM9FBU5TT4vUxquwvBDB3PrqvJdTIjGdK8sy_GPmXsoWKjM2kviIivUSwd3db/s640/11735546125_ccb06f8129_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dome of Assiniboine Park, complete with tinsel along the windows (the multitude of no-smoking labels are a unique feature in this dome).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP06Sr4w_VV13o1BhMLcZoKKcFlLjGTAnNAy2BWiYmBY-4TVZ_17C2UpTzvaEOyjElFzaYv9Q5qGex36sr5Qad7i6e2nLPLb4NjLiwC-aEp2vLx0QX9jzggw4UQyFh-hvP1hwoMrh9Siy/s1600/11735546615_39bec496dd_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP06Sr4w_VV13o1BhMLcZoKKcFlLjGTAnNAy2BWiYmBY-4TVZ_17C2UpTzvaEOyjElFzaYv9Q5qGex36sr5Qad7i6e2nLPLb4NjLiwC-aEp2vLx0QX9jzggw4UQyFh-hvP1hwoMrh9Siy/s640/11735546615_39bec496dd_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas décor in the Park car lounge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpPrEfyNdJWkq6jYgsX01aZeetUlXU8lNWx9EQ8eSEDZadYDYdSKQg1zuMrKuMZf51Wca1guwY11BwLfTt6OMR-Q5wHNslTgHGwxXIM0_furZ9Sej0Z4is8fjfgOJ_aVyyFwNxhhxBrcW/s1600/11735949174_79e01d325f_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpPrEfyNdJWkq6jYgsX01aZeetUlXU8lNWx9EQ8eSEDZadYDYdSKQg1zuMrKuMZf51Wca1guwY11BwLfTt6OMR-Q5wHNslTgHGwxXIM0_furZ9Sej0Z4is8fjfgOJ_aVyyFwNxhhxBrcW/s640/11735949174_79e01d325f_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas décor in the mural lounge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUp7Rxl2CLGSt7T9WQ4CXqr2q8Of_48e0uJVEpse2MiYHDedYyR_hyqh9wMf7KviwXw34Siy3FBzGznRhsC7DCCSwr0L3po-IR8yu2ReQr4aq0JDL2tQMwbhpAhultMvROBCawgehqTPB0/s1600/11735955014_0e49d1776d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUp7Rxl2CLGSt7T9WQ4CXqr2q8Of_48e0uJVEpse2MiYHDedYyR_hyqh9wMf7KviwXw34Siy3FBzGznRhsC7DCCSwr0L3po-IR8yu2ReQr4aq0JDL2tQMwbhpAhultMvROBCawgehqTPB0/s640/11735955014_0e49d1776d_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas décor in the bullet lounge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Park car did have a sign (hand-written) on the door indicating the car would
close at 10:30pm. It was closed at 10:30EST, and indeed we were all asked to
leave and the car was blocked off with the end gate. It was open again in the
morning, although it didn’t get much use (you’ll see why shortly). The rooms in
the Park weren’t sold on either of my trips.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HPd9F6sy3PZjqVEObk3PNn5cmHC0mCQ27vjRTChS0Dpdl3_kU3hdTepBzjahgmx_seLcuNQUluw4l3hehugbA2d96u5yVvztz1cuUVTlP6EDZITMehJ_LB09tciNaYwAm5SWL_iJsnPj/s1600/11736308446_0e7764d9f4_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HPd9F6sy3PZjqVEObk3PNn5cmHC0mCQ27vjRTChS0Dpdl3_kU3hdTepBzjahgmx_seLcuNQUluw4l3hehugbA2d96u5yVvztz1cuUVTlP6EDZITMehJ_LB09tciNaYwAm5SWL_iJsnPj/s640/11736308446_0e7764d9f4_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign on the Park car - no dome for anyone after 10:30.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
did have a meet with #14, which is unusual on the new schedule and only made
possible by Christmas schedule adjustments. Both trains were running late, so
we ended up leaving Amherst and backing into the first siding we came to. We
had maybe a 20min wait before #14 emerged, solidly caked in ice, out of what
was now mostly blowing snow. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfjGoMnWNHbL2I_DLXBt4hHNv5wRsgQNBWWD19Z74_7jJ491VAC7cz_75O4d90nBAwsTuk-nnKUnEBPFJxTibtoq1M3AuqEbrsGntMW1T3AzhjUAuPnpSUa94Me7M6suuzOfmxCcFOOEC/s1600/11735805003_e8ca0a4e0f_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfjGoMnWNHbL2I_DLXBt4hHNv5wRsgQNBWWD19Z74_7jJ491VAC7cz_75O4d90nBAwsTuk-nnKUnEBPFJxTibtoq1M3AuqEbrsGntMW1T3AzhjUAuPnpSUa94Me7M6suuzOfmxCcFOOEC/s640/11735805003_e8ca0a4e0f_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet with #14 at Amherst.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LHaBWbqrt7ZnUk5__fdh040OavAZXlEQd3DQQTJ4cHJe1YTtAbs01gtFw71ixzqVTgvKmZybNTbmCdt3MPyEmEYHb9vBV_Yhykra9ezhVPMiE_j6-Mem3gU_jO4G5giMByHuQWccpWY-/s1600/11735539675_981c9dde4d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LHaBWbqrt7ZnUk5__fdh040OavAZXlEQd3DQQTJ4cHJe1YTtAbs01gtFw71ixzqVTgvKmZybNTbmCdt3MPyEmEYHb9vBV_Yhykra9ezhVPMiE_j6-Mem3gU_jO4G5giMByHuQWccpWY-/s640/11735539675_981c9dde4d_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14, with a nearly identical consist to ours, arrives at Amherst.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our journey continued well, and as the night got
on there was a good group of us chatting in the Park bullet lounge. I was
reminded again of how great the train can be for socializing and meeting lots
of interesting people! We lost some more time into the evening and were close
to an hour a half late by the time I turned in for the night, not far from
Campbellton. I can’t say I was quite prepared for what would happen during the
night…</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before
I get to that, a quick note on meals: the dining car was well patronized on
this trip, although there was enough space that general calls were made for
both lunch and dinner. Most people seemed to opt for the first lunch setting
and the middle dinner setting. The food was about as good as can be expected on
the Rens, and the staff and company were excellent. I was a little disappointed
by the lack of the Christmas dinner that had been an option in recent years,
but what was offered was still decent. Most passengers seemed happy with the
food as well, which is always good to see.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMnb3v-rqDyJR1nB_N_VqwZnjXuYrqcAteFEhO2TwScTWpQTfpKTEaRRR0TcwY0xC7HJi2K0qLXw3QpX3-ftJmcBDYqlI1p_r3ompzeEtn1IC4kKfmNubSoEyYbL84WYhpaa8WvhYrHx-/s1600/11735544565_376f0ff9bf_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMnb3v-rqDyJR1nB_N_VqwZnjXuYrqcAteFEhO2TwScTWpQTfpKTEaRRR0TcwY0xC7HJi2K0qLXw3QpX3-ftJmcBDYqlI1p_r3ompzeEtn1IC4kKfmNubSoEyYbL84WYhpaa8WvhYrHx-/s640/11735544565_376f0ff9bf_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance dining car - with some festive touches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
“Bustitution”</span></span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>
</u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now,
back to the trip: having arrived at Campbellton, we were a good bit late so I
had gone to bed. I did notice at some point that the HEP shut down and came
back on, and that we stopped and started moving again, but I fell asleep and
didn’t really notice what was going on. I was woken up a few more times in the
night by some sort of alarm going off (I realized later that these were
indicating HEP problems), but I generally brushed it off and got back to sleep.
I was sleeping surprisingly well until I was awakened by a loud knocking on my
door at around 6:20am (AST). Still trying to put my thoughts together, I was
surprised when the attendant informed me that we were STILL in Campbellton, and
that we might be put on busses and that I should be prepared just in case. When
I asked what was wrong, she pointed out that we had no power or heat, although
she didn’t elaborate on what the cause of that was. Apparently the problems had
started just after we left Campbellton, so we had backed up and spent the
duration of the night trying to fix the problem. That fact that we weren’t
moving did explain why I had slept so very well!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One
thing I learned very quickly about the Renaissance cars is this: they are NOT
well insulated. Within minutes of the heat being off, the cars become
noticeably colder. Waking up at that point, it was absolutely freezing in the
room (the HEPs, by contrast, actually did very well and stayed warm for a good
while after we lost heat in the Rens). I put my things together, but opted to
try to stay warm in bed until further notice! I would learn later that
apparently 1 or 2 busses *did* go from Campbellton, and were apparently for
people making connections beyond Montreal, but no-one ever informed or asked me
if I was interested. I heard about it from one person who was offered that
option, but turned it down because she was told that checked baggage would not
be transferred to those buses.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shortly
after 7am (AST), I was informed that we would be able to stay on the train, and
the heat was quite noticeably back on. I put myself together, and decided to
head down and see if breakfast was on just as we started moving, around 7:25am.
The diner was quite full, and breakfast was being served. Unfortunately, the
HEP proceeded to cut out shortly after we left, requiring us to stop and reset
it. We started moving again, and this happened twice more before arriving in
Matapedia. Each time we lost power, breakfast prep had to be put on hold as all
the appliances shut down! We did all get fed eventually, and we arrived in
Matapedia shortly. By that point though, it was clear that all was not well. I
heard the SM radioing as he walked through the diner, say “okay, that’s enough
of this. Just order the busses”.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After
a lengthy stop in Matapedia, we were informed that the train would not be going
forward. The reason, as I understood, was that 6457 had died and at least
partly as a result of that, we were having HEP problems. It may have been that
the other locos were overloaded or that there was an additional problem, but
the most I could find out for sure was that something kept causing breakers to
cut out, requiring the HEP to be reset. 6457 was shut down when I walked by at
Matapedia, but the other two were still running. After much trying, they
couldn’t get the problem fixed and decided we would have to find alternate
transportation.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_TlCJukK95TBfDGf2A-laB1YQ07S3SZALzXNgXC8kBZnEhGF4XlZI4rZ4fQT7QU5L0A8FkoTE8GgO-RPAPceQATqWqAid5an6ZlyZ3x_Eu9gEHLrFpKVnJSijAsJYNgJOwJIor5FLr2R/s1600/11736297926_6b278f5258_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_TlCJukK95TBfDGf2A-laB1YQ07S3SZALzXNgXC8kBZnEhGF4XlZI4rZ4fQT7QU5L0A8FkoTE8GgO-RPAPceQATqWqAid5an6ZlyZ3x_Eu9gEHLrFpKVnJSijAsJYNgJOwJIor5FLr2R/s640/11736297926_6b278f5258_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 15 at Matapedia. Now you know why it was there at this time in the morning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCueHrcd-_n1-qLFVSDyxFqvnh2RloATZI8J0F9K6tgvibiI780OV_9QSmtUb-JwC0_S-KZ5kJCdgfDPw7v6KyKrjPVNqM6wPfsFsGAaWngpt4jlPSn0xSYC4y0Ie8arXqrurNYaRo8-f/s1600/11736297346_531124ccbe_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCueHrcd-_n1-qLFVSDyxFqvnh2RloATZI8J0F9K6tgvibiI780OV_9QSmtUb-JwC0_S-KZ5kJCdgfDPw7v6KyKrjPVNqM6wPfsFsGAaWngpt4jlPSn0xSYC4y0Ie8arXqrurNYaRo8-f/s640/11736297346_531124ccbe_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 15 in a very snowy scene at Matapedia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
were given two options at this point: go back in a taxi to Campbellton and be
put up in a hotel for the day to take #15 out that night, or get on a bus to
Montreal. I opted for the bus, figuring that we could well face further delays
on the following #15, and that at least getting closer to Montreal presented a
faint chance that I could make some sort of connection on to Brockville that
night. Most of the people I had met on board opted for the Campbellton hotel
(it seems especially elderly folks and those with young kids who didn’t care
for the idea of a long bus ride!), and in the long run, they would make it to
Montreal the next day in time to make connections.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
were put onto the buses by about 10am (EST). This process was, unfortunately,
not very well organized. Although we were pointed in the right direction, with
instructions to board one bus for Montreal and west and the other for
intermediate stops, there was major confusion about checked baggage. Some staff
told us we had to pick it up, then the baggage car staff told us it was all
being transferred so no worries. Then the staff at the bus told us yes it was
being transferred but that we needed to ID it first. Then again at the baggage
car, we were told it was all being transferred. It didn’t help that some
passengers were given their bags to put on the bus, and some of us weren’t. In
the long run, all the bags were transferred.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyVEaauJtawKd1JCxyhG-uMDs71PSoCRhIWS4GjoDhtf3Haxnl201J_ohwJu6J_A-QO-ff8SAHElWSMPf4PQI7hMV-70DfXiF8pGNIem_AdjGSkiVM5mOsodevqI_HB7vFXoFzX5_aqtv/s1600/11735944124_e768a43311_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyVEaauJtawKd1JCxyhG-uMDs71PSoCRhIWS4GjoDhtf3Haxnl201J_ohwJu6J_A-QO-ff8SAHElWSMPf4PQI7hMV-70DfXiF8pGNIem_AdjGSkiVM5mOsodevqI_HB7vFXoFzX5_aqtv/s640/11735944124_e768a43311_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"VIA 15" for the rest of the trip to Montreal. Not exactly what I had been expecting...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
left Matapedia by about 11am EST, with a lot of confusion still remaining about
what would happen at the other end, and our assigned VIA attendant having few
answers to give. Food was provided on the bus, in the form of various
sandwiches and other snacks that were picked up before we left.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
bus trip itself was slow thanks to the poor road conditions, but it was a very
scenic ride. The odd thing was that we didn’t take a more direct route to
Montreal, but instead followed very closely to the train route the whole way [<em>Edit: someone subsequently noted to me that there wasn't a much more direct route to go from where we were</em>].
Despite separating us into two distinct bus-loads, both buses traveled together
the entire way and made all the necessary stops along the way (which were not
at the respective VIA stations, but rather at a more convenient stop location
for the bus, and I believe passengers were then taxied to their destinations).
Stops were at Mont-Joli, near Riviere-de-Loup, and near Quebec City/Charny. As
a result, the trip was long and we didn’t arrive in Montreal until 8:37pm,
about 11.5h late.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
arrival in Montreal was a bit of a disastrous mess. We stopped at the bus drop
area at Central station, and since there was no room to pull in, our driver
parked right in the middle of the road blocking traffic and the exit from the
parking area. There was no organization to the baggage retrieval, as everyone
was just sent to get their own bags instead of having a few people remove them
all and then have people claim them. It caused a bit of chaos, and the staff
outside were very frustrated by the whole thing. I’m sure it was made even more
difficult by the extra buses that were there to be loaded with that night’s VIA
#14 passengers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSf1ldPXqyYQ5dBfe3PmGRjwbMkYBX_B2PeFzqZP9gKakWAFOH0RXN_8L_i7SCO7W6OSgmYGSKLKx-1xnZLyggMWPjsZeJgjYUGtPTq_pwYTcacmOHvnmC_U7yg_AnXZODNCoqm2np9HC/s1600/11735943004_5f6f71e264_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSf1ldPXqyYQ5dBfe3PmGRjwbMkYBX_B2PeFzqZP9gKakWAFOH0RXN_8L_i7SCO7W6OSgmYGSKLKx-1xnZLyggMWPjsZeJgjYUGtPTq_pwYTcacmOHvnmC_U7yg_AnXZODNCoqm2np9HC/s640/11735943004_5f6f71e264_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The departures board in Montreal - "Remarks: Bus Service" - This is a message no one ever wants to see...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since
we missed any possible connections, we were given two options: 1) stay in a
hotel at VIA’s expense and take another train out the next day, or 2) be
refunded 100% for our trip, but be left on our own to find accommodations and
further transportation. It seemed like most people opted for the hotel, and
there were close to 20 of us who stayed the night. We were put up at the
Fairmount Queen Elizabeth (directly above the station), which was a very nice
place to stay for the night. Unfortunately the check in process, which involved
re-booking us onto trains for the next day, was not very quick. We ended up in
the station for close to an hour before we were sorted through to head to the
hotel, and the station agents seemed to be learning the process as they went.
Regardless, we did eventually all get checked in, had very nice rooms, and were
given free supper and breakfast at the hotel (which was very nice!).</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So
after a relaxing (albeit unplanned) stay in Montreal, I made it the rest of the
way on VIA #57 on the 24<sup>th</sup>, a sold-out but almost entirely on-time
run. Final arrival in Brockville: 24h10minutes late! [<em>Edit: As of Dec. 2017, this is still the record for my latest trip ever.</em>]</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall
thoughts on the trip:</span></span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As
usual, I was impressed with VIA’s service for much of the trip. In the case of
the bustitution, I was pleased that VIA made a real effort to get everyone on
to their final destinations, and I commend the crew on the great job they did
during what has to be an unwelcome and exhausting trip for them as well. I also
appreciate VIA doing things like providing extra meals and hotel
accommodations. However, I have to say that the communication at several points
was severely lacking, and I fear that VIA may have lost some customers over
this. I know at least one woman who swore she would never set foot on a train
again (despite my assurances that this was a rare occurrence, to which she
replied sarcastically “oh sure, I’ll bet it is”). But there were also others
who were very pleased with VIA. On my return trip (described in Part 2), I met
almost everyone I had met on this trip, making their return the same day I did.
Most of them chose the Campbellton option, and all of them were very pleased
with VIA’s handling of the situation. So generally, it seemed to me that it was
the experience around the bustitution that left most people bitter.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For
me, it was an unusual and interesting adventure, which I took at a relaxed pace
and tried to see the positives. If nothing else, I now have a handsome travel
credit for my next trip :) <em>[Note: I made good use of this credit...]</em></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>The Return</strong></em></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Business Class on VIA 54</span></span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the exciting trip west from the
week before, I was looking forward to a slightly more straightforward return
trip. This time I was connecting from Ottawa on Train 54. I had booked a
Business class ticket on a good sale, and was looking forward to what I
expected to be my first taste of VIA’s “new” Business class in a refurbished
LRC club. I was not disappointed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, a note on checked baggage: Train
54 does apparently allow for limited checked baggage for passengers connecting
to the Ocean (despite the lack of a baggage car), but this is not clearly
explained anywhere and I only found out about it thanks to a post on VIA’s Facebook
page. When I arrived at the station, I took my bag to the counter and said I
was checking it to Halifax. A tag was slapped on it, no further questions
asked, and it was on the conveyor simple as that. It made it to Halifax with
me, so clearly the system works.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The train was about an hour late from
Toronto, and we would arrive in Montreal over an hour behind schedule as well
(another travel credit…I ended up with a pretty good collection of these by the
end!). When it did arrive in the station, I was pleased to see the 3461 in its
bright new paint scheme leading the LRC consist. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtnYfdZ1QT2yiOXgpgohoJI3nM1pmYSaSV6-pQwK1u5yb_1xS4hzv33x1tvCHKqbf24fn9VU4cErEzEU5iY5OSRv5q0_nouBR3448eRCKCZxuYbHCV8grac2W1P03kvpViSlHjCC4Bs2T/s1600/11736590436_32d93f0c36_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtnYfdZ1QT2yiOXgpgohoJI3nM1pmYSaSV6-pQwK1u5yb_1xS4hzv33x1tvCHKqbf24fn9VU4cErEzEU5iY5OSRv5q0_nouBR3448eRCKCZxuYbHCV8grac2W1P03kvpViSlHjCC4Bs2T/s640/11736590436_32d93f0c36_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3461, in all its (semi-)refurbished glory. Note that only the lower half of the end of the car was actually repainted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A rebuilt F40 led 3461, a
single non-refurbished LRC coach, and three rebuilt coaches. This was the
closest thing to an all-rebuilt consist I’ve seen yet! I was seated in 12s, one
of the newly-available single seats, and I must say I was impressed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The new Business class interiors look
fantastic, for a start. For the first time, I think they really do look
properly like a “first class” version of the LRC interior. The new layout is
very spacious, and the overall look of the new upholstery is splendid. The
seats are now laid out so that there are no “window-bar” seats. The leg room is
excellent, and the spacing to the sides is much improved. The addition of a
small table next to the seat along with a fold-down tray table from the
seat-back make it a much better setup than the old LRC clubs. I was also quite
impressed to find that the armrests are moveable, which makes it possible to
get in and out of one’s seat while leaving the tray table down. The single
seats are also slightly farther out from the wall, which allows you to see out
the window ahead of you as well as the one next to you (assuming the curtains
are open). The new bathrooms are also very nice, with large mirrors, clean
colours and motion-sensor activated taps. The only thing I was surprised to
find that wasn’t at all modified were the overhead luggage bins. From the
outside they appear only to have been cleaned up, and inside they’re very
clearly the original bins with no work done to them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxzvfTSDBuzh1GKt4pPiRiGoT-AriFc9cFV6m1Q8YFX5mPKLsvnM1yOR8MHcBYJuUemeHHc4h-T5EN-XjusfiCkvsJMiZWx6f_2ncmbqeNLgquEsBlwSBtCxdu7lwCECtqGsHKF8S1-44/s1600/11736086883_f2884c23b7_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxzvfTSDBuzh1GKt4pPiRiGoT-AriFc9cFV6m1Q8YFX5mPKLsvnM1yOR8MHcBYJuUemeHHc4h-T5EN-XjusfiCkvsJMiZWx6f_2ncmbqeNLgquEsBlwSBtCxdu7lwCECtqGsHKF8S1-44/s640/11736086883_f2884c23b7_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The refurbished Business class interior. This past year VIA has now reconfigured all of these cars so the front half has backwards facing seats, putting the facing pairs in the centre of the car.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5f7ATJwDxL_ZRILBxv-8cVnrIcqJXYGTWc3pzGlXL9FJYWsHH3a01zuwlXXZjSwAnCa5jX1EwRrsocSeWNviPI2YS_msYs-jNMyQvg3h0QyTZewQORdbRA085bBnQxP3GGpzGWhNnu0G/s1600/11735828145_a4008ee2be_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5f7ATJwDxL_ZRILBxv-8cVnrIcqJXYGTWc3pzGlXL9FJYWsHH3a01zuwlXXZjSwAnCa5jX1EwRrsocSeWNviPI2YS_msYs-jNMyQvg3h0QyTZewQORdbRA085bBnQxP3GGpzGWhNnu0G/s640/11735828145_a4008ee2be_k.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The single seats. Lots of space.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZS75RLlY2RVCq1gJEHmYxv98zuzsSQZffQER1B-dSfpJWg_84fA0vQozHfs5fYf-KyBdVDoyJ58atnpwezk6f_UZRdbgh1am9FTzcpShumecn5QxV-uZ5Ps5mkDsu-aM9cuFXdxLeLiZi/s1600/11735830485_366fe70936_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZS75RLlY2RVCq1gJEHmYxv98zuzsSQZffQER1B-dSfpJWg_84fA0vQozHfs5fYf-KyBdVDoyJ58atnpwezk6f_UZRdbgh1am9FTzcpShumecn5QxV-uZ5Ps5mkDsu-aM9cuFXdxLeLiZi/s640/11735830485_366fe70936_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The double seats. Far more room than the old layout, and with the table in between, you hardly even feel like you're sitting right next to someone. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUO7f4HAyzZcn1qK_crokYoLpAGwoYa663Eqx35nJCagqU8v7e-ih5sUsOsoA4oowKlh1s5o0WkMJpvfkp0s4Gf5QCIdziVGjLYZ6gfvFlebxXDzDywkV-viZyD0TPqCQIK4wHQwdxjvT/s1600/11736088053_aa4767c07f_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUO7f4HAyzZcn1qK_crokYoLpAGwoYa663Eqx35nJCagqU8v7e-ih5sUsOsoA4oowKlh1s5o0WkMJpvfkp0s4Gf5QCIdziVGjLYZ6gfvFlebxXDzDywkV-viZyD0TPqCQIK4wHQwdxjvT/s640/11736088053_aa4767c07f_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View forward. With the single seats spaced farther from the window, you actually have a good view out the window ahead (assuming that person doesn't close the curtain). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CJF_Tetrd1e1LVgljxLPdc-kFYkeOEjZrmJ0CTWmmhkUc18cgEDzlhk9sOGEkCPYX_XJGGWobZELJbWuz6KnSS1T12_W8Dd9KOwORjkpThVMl4Q2Tz2odIMnlXansnvwnPGYPaYEAgZy/s1600/11736093763_7cbe1154b3_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CJF_Tetrd1e1LVgljxLPdc-kFYkeOEjZrmJ0CTWmmhkUc18cgEDzlhk9sOGEkCPYX_XJGGWobZELJbWuz6KnSS1T12_W8Dd9KOwORjkpThVMl4Q2Tz2odIMnlXansnvwnPGYPaYEAgZy/s640/11736093763_7cbe1154b3_k.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the car, through the refurbished galley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-IPNH-ke0ZATLj_5lTg8vT1YSFUlO9pMrMVTBFABDOz9qOXwsDYjRf7T9alUc3Vxo0qDwbeR61MjEgPSijxcBkCxkSwP0sc0Inv4DRU6AmPapreULagKAnk0FNvILwxqVPhfFTuZlGtt/s1600/11736584596_928eb1d05b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-IPNH-ke0ZATLj_5lTg8vT1YSFUlO9pMrMVTBFABDOz9qOXwsDYjRf7T9alUc3Vxo0qDwbeR61MjEgPSijxcBkCxkSwP0sc0Inv4DRU6AmPapreULagKAnk0FNvILwxqVPhfFTuZlGtt/s640/11736584596_928eb1d05b_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New tray tables - a huge improvement over what was in the armrests in the past.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlri9m_uo35mRIRR5PzblszWmaRr4cCCoW05on53Ko_M3s0O9C_hJULVRepgwpUaUO5TySvRKvpaWMpz0xSmZznxVwJl93KmDvWyYkgS_9DYakxGfJpmWmvVPYWbaV4ZqxDuUvF4ejE3P/s1600/11736085563_bf007a35fe_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlri9m_uo35mRIRR5PzblszWmaRr4cCCoW05on53Ko_M3s0O9C_hJULVRepgwpUaUO5TySvRKvpaWMpz0xSmZznxVwJl93KmDvWyYkgS_9DYakxGfJpmWmvVPYWbaV4ZqxDuUvF4ejE3P/s640/11736085563_bf007a35fe_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bathroom - much nicer sink, with motion-sensor faucet. Bright and clean.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall though, I was impressed. The
seats weren’t quite as soft as I expected (a little hard), but they were still
comfortable and I suspect this will improve as they get “broken in” [<em>Edit: This hasn't really happened yet. A recent ride in a HEP2 Club with the old seats confirmed that those were much comfier - however, this new layout is undoubtedly superior. VIA now has plans to update the HEP2s, as people have been complaining that they don't have the same layout as the LRCs. Many of the LRC coaches have also now received these new seats in a 2+2 layout</em>]. They also
recline in a slouching way like the Rens, which allows the tray table to be
unaffected by the reclining of the seat ahead of you.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have only had one prior experience
with Business class, so I don’t have much to compare the new service with.
Drink service started immediately out of Ottawa along with small snacks (which
seemed similar to the “urban mix” or whatever it was that VIA has had in the
past). Hot towel service followed, but the former towels were replaced with
packaged “lemon scented towels”. Meals were served all at once, and service
started simultaneously from the front and back of the car. This meant that in
Row 12 I still had all three options (chicken, salmon or chick-pea salad)
available to me. The middle rows, though, had few options left. I had the
chicken, which was quite good and included mashed potatoes and vegetables, a
roll, salad, and Laura Secord fudge and biscotti for dessert. The meal was
followed with packaged chocolates (dark or chocolate and raspberry), which were
quite good. I was only ever so enthralled with the VIA chocolates, so this was
certainly an acceptable substitute.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived in Montreal late and so
backed in off the Victoria Bridge [<em>Note: this train would then proceed on to Quebec City, so it needed to be ready to head straight out</em>]. The escalator at Gate 20 was not working, so
the stairs were a little chaotic!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></u></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heading East on VIA 14</span></span></u></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></u></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">[<em>Note: I do have photos from this trip somewhere, but I haven't been able to dig them up yet. I may go back in and add them at some point</em>] Upon arrival in Montreal, VIA #14 was
listed as on time. However, I had noticed that the train wasn’t in the station
yet when we arrived on 54, so I suspected we would be late. When checking in,
the SM informed me that we’d be lucky to leave before 8pm. Sure enough, the
departure time was steadily pushed back and back by 15min at a time, and it was
9pm by the time we boarded. By 9:23pm we had departed Montreal.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apparently the cause of the delay was
that some problem had developed with the accessible Renaissance sleeper (Line
19) and it had to be cut from the consist. As a replacement, an extra Chateau
was also added. I don’t believe any rooms were occupied (apart from crew), but
I don’t know for sure. I expect they may have been needed on the return trip.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our consist on departure was:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6424</span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6443</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6414</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7007</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7228</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">70217</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7227</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7303</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7401</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7313</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7502
(20)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7517
(21)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7519
(22)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7510
(23)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7525
(36)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7513
(37)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7504
(38)</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7600</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8138</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8142</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chateau
Brulé</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chateau
Bienville</span></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweedsmuir
Park</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="FR-CA" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rear HEP1 coaches were both full,
but were loaded only with passengers going to Moncton. At Moncton, they both
emptied completely. All intermediate passengers and those going through to
Halifax were put in the forward Ren coaches. Once again, food service in the
rear coaches was done by food cart, and though the Park was available for some
canteen service, few people seemed to use it for that. Unlike the previous
trip, free coffee and tea were available on a table in the Park lounge (as
usual).</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since we were late leaving Montreal, we
only had one dinner setting on departure. It was reserved exclusively for
Sleeper Plus passengers, with extra space going to Sleeper passengers as
available (they were informed at the check-in that they should consider getting
food before we left, as we were delayed anyway). The menu on the return trip
was different from the trip up, which provided a nice bit of variety. The food
again was good by Ren standards, the company was excellent, and the service was
okay (although not as attentive as on the trip up).</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After dinner I returned to my cabin,
Room 2 of car 37. The Park had closed at 10:30 (if it was even open when we
left, which I don’t know), but I decided to check anyway. The end gate had
actually been put up across the first Chateau sleeper, discouraging coach
passengers from trying to sleep in the open sections or even steal a roomette.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I slept surprisingly well once again,
and woke up to find that we had been delayed by yet another hour overnight
thanks to waiting for freights. This meant that I got to enjoy breathtaking
views of the Matapedia valley, with trees covered in snow and the river mostly
frozen, as I enjoyed my breakfast in the diner. We kept up a good pace for much
of the day, but still remained well behind schedule.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lunch service was also reduced to only
one setting at 12:30. It was exclusively sleeper passengers with reservations,
but this time basic Sleeper passengers were also invited along with Sleeper
Plus, and in fact given a complimentary meal due to the delay. They also picked
up Subway sandwiches and other snacks at Bathurst for all coach passengers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just as we were nearing Moncton (at
around MP26 on the Newcastle Sub), we got stopped again. Apparently a
snowmobile was on the tracks ahead of us and had got itself stuck on a small
bridge. The crew ended up using the train to pull the snowmobile free, and
after about 40min of delay and jostling, the snowmobile and its owner were left
in the hands of the RCMP. We then also had to wait for about another
15-20min due to issues with a switch just a few minutes out from Moncton.
Thanks to all this and our further delays, we got up to running nearly 5 and a
half hours late. It was well dark when we arrived in Moncton, so I didn’t see
much beyond there. The Park attendant turned the lights on in the dome (and
wouldn’t turn them off again), so that view was gone.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Due to the delay, VIA picked up extra
meals for everyone going on past Moncton. This time it was very basic St.
Hubert takeout (chicken with a baked potato, bun and sauce, and drinks). I
enjoyed that in my room, picked up a cup of tea from the Park, and settled into
bed to read for a while as we made our final way into Halifax. Final arrival in
Halifax was at 10:49pm, warranting yet another travel credit to add to the list
from this year’s Christmas travels. [<em>Edit: I made good use of all of these!]</em></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, it was another excellent trip.
I was very pleased with the onboard service, and had a very comfortable ride.
The extra little things VIA does during delays, like bringing on extra
complimentary snacks and meals, do really go the extra mile to help offset
people’s displeasure at being so late. As I look at it, I got extra time on the
train, still got where I was going the day I planned to (unlike the last
trip!), and got a few extra perks and a travel credit out of the whole thing.
In the end, I don’t have much to complain about.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another excellent trip with VIA, and I
already look forward to the next one!</span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">_________________________________________________________________________</span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, there you have it. The first installment <em>From the Archives</em>. I'll plan to post more of these in the future, but for now, expect to see some new material very soon. Merry Christmas, and see you in the New Year!</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLneiKA9fUYkMj3Ye4PzZQShg_Vk_MLalPvBcV3B6DqVsqSed2vLszhFpzOle2nmCPBoEuw-ANAa2O_-gEZFnLwLKHfM-CKhjT19nLqg51B7phby5hIPqlKIrZ1v1jI5XweIwlbWHDB7N/s1600/486253_10151357656525955_1183126139_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLneiKA9fUYkMj3Ye4PzZQShg_Vk_MLalPvBcV3B6DqVsqSed2vLszhFpzOle2nmCPBoEuw-ANAa2O_-gEZFnLwLKHfM-CKhjT19nLqg51B7phby5hIPqlKIrZ1v1jI5XweIwlbWHDB7N/s640/486253_10151357656525955_1183126139_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">VIA #14with classic Budd cars filling in for the usual Renaissance equipment, drops off passengers in Truro NS before making the final part of its trek to Halifax. Feb. 26, 2011</span></td></tr>
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TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-89644674700865415282017-08-04T09:00:00.000-03:002018-12-10T13:40:00.983-04:00The Canadian: On-board Tour<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Canadian: An on-board tour of the train<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZXRpzEq8PJGANG1E7gLOWLWy__wekt80YHC23Vyadhe9hwyrHJ9x4NLQGpipqQf7zIl4Bt0-sUyWXcZsZZyqaH82Mnu2sHeBfTS6WJNKdGNJB466zL-_oe8nNimqE5YCWB49uktNY6GL/s1600/IMG_2345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1600" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZXRpzEq8PJGANG1E7gLOWLWy__wekt80YHC23Vyadhe9hwyrHJ9x4NLQGpipqQf7zIl4Bt0-sUyWXcZsZZyqaH82Mnu2sHeBfTS6WJNKdGNJB466zL-_oe8nNimqE5YCWB49uktNY6GL/s400/IMG_2345.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step on up, and let's take a tour on board! Don't mind the snow...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now that my official Cross-Canada trip
has been documented, I thought I’d put together one last post to take a tour
through the train, and show you what it’s like on board VIA Rail’s <i>Canadian</i>. Part of the idea behind the
trip report blog was to give people an idea what the trip was like, and a big
part of that is actually showing off the amenities of the train itself. I
originally thought about just dropping these photos in along the way, but I decided it would make more sense to put them together as a separate piece that
could be accessed more easily, like my separate post for the <i>Canadian</i> consist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Let’s begin with an overview: VIA Rail’s
<i>Canadian</i> operates using a fleet of
Budd-built stainless steel passenger cars, most of which were originally built
for Canadian Pacific in the early 1950s. CP first launched <i>The Canadian</i>, with its brand new fleet of stainless steel
streamlined passenger cars, in 1955. It’s amazing to realize these very same
cars are still in service today, albeit on a different route (VIA’s <i>Canadian</i> follows the route of CN’s <i>Super Continental</i>, rather than the
traditional CP route). They were all rebuilt in the early 1990s and were
upgraded to be powered and heated by electricity produced in the locomotives,
called “Head End Power” or “HEP” (pronounced “hèp”, <i>not</i> “h-e-p”). At the same time they were given a new VIA
designation as the “HEP1” fleet. Prior to that they had been heated by steam produced
in the locomotives; a hold-over from the days of steam engines, early passenger
diesels had steam generators on board to produce steam that was piped along the train to radiators in the passenger cars. Electricity was produced by
axle-mounted generators recharging large batteries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There have been many small interior
modifications to the cars over the years, including new upholstery and carpets,
modifications to the layout of the Skyline dome cars, the addition of showers in
the sleeping cars, and the removal of some archaic features like the little cubbies
to leave your shoes out for shining, and more recently the ashtrays. Yet
amazingly, the overall interior design and layout is virtually identical to the
way the cars were when they were built. This provides for a fantastic
opportunity to really get a flavour for what long-distance train travel has been like for the
last 60 years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-wjO3VmmxiZqUU3DiBQfeuPCh8CVGPJSuNBp7RtUSUldh3HWoPfHuwEjrr9yi_WHq1mniDDVLgltjaM8kth_pc-wNr0FEfDimlWTijO876OZvgZ_LIH3qL0vU9N9wl7_TF9c08-yfWvx/s1600/IMG_2072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-wjO3VmmxiZqUU3DiBQfeuPCh8CVGPJSuNBp7RtUSUldh3HWoPfHuwEjrr9yi_WHq1mniDDVLgltjaM8kth_pc-wNr0FEfDimlWTijO876OZvgZ_LIH3qL0vU9N9wl7_TF9c08-yfWvx/s640/IMG_2072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These cars look pretty darn good for equipment pushing over 60 years...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Having said that, most of the cars don’t
look or feel that old. The majority of the fleet has been further refurbished
within the last 5-10 years. The Manor sleepers, Diners, and many Park cars and
Skylines have been refurbished with new upholstery, carpets, and furnishings.
Then there are the all-new Prestige class rebuilt cars, which are a whole other
story. Unfortunately the coaches, Chateau sleepers, and many Skylines remain in
their ‘90s getup, and many are starting to look rough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, to the train itself! On board <i>The Canadian</i> there are three classes of
service:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. Economy</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: This is the bare bones version of train travel. You
have a seat, and access to the Skyline dome/lounge car. That’s it. Seating is not assigned, so it's first come first served.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. Sleeper Plus</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: Formerly called <i>Silver
and Blue</i> Class and then <i>Sleeper
Touring</i>, VIA has settled on the rather puzzling <i>Sleeper Plus</i> designation. It’s puzzling, because you’d think the “Plus”
indicates that there must be a normal non-plus sleeper option. There was on
the <i>Ocean</i>, though that has been
removed, but not on <i>The Canadian</i>. In
any case, in Sleeper Plus you can be in a variety of sleeping car
accommodations where you have your own space, a bed for the night, access to a
shower and the Skyline and Park cars, and all of your meals are included in the
dining car. Those accommodations are expanded on below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. Prestige Sleeper Class</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: This is VIA’s newest addition to <i>The Canadian</i>’s service offering. Using
completely rebuilt Chateau and Park series cars, Prestige is the ultimate luxury
option on the train. You get a massive room with a full double bed, giant
window, en-suite bathroom with shower, and a dedicated concierge. You also get
all kinds of little extras, all of your meals (plus alcoholic beverages)
included, and exclusive access to the Park car during much of the trip in the
peak season. It also costs a small fortune (go ahead, look it up…prepare to be
stunned). Amazingly, this class has tapped into a particular tourist market and has become an astonishing best seller for VIA, routinely selling out far
in advance for the summer months. It also makes them a healthy profit, and has
fundamentally changed the revenue/cost equation for this train during the peak
summer season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So with those classes explained, let’s
work our way through the cars on the train. <i>The
Canadian</i> is typically marshalled with a baggage car right behind the
locomotives (off limit to passengers, and just used to carry checked baggage),
then the coaches for the Economy section, followed by a Skyline dome/lounge
car. After that the rest of the train varies. There will always be at least one
dining car, usually one or more additional Skylines, the sleeping cars, and
finally the Prestige Chateau(s) and Park car at the very end. Trains can vary
from as few as around 10 cars in the off season up to as many as 30 cars in the
peak season. Let’s make our tour starting from the front, with the Economy
coaches:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>COACHES</b></span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>: </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYITpHaZ3m1rpA6dvg6qKXZVJ0FKkrLije_4CFOF9CKvK4K-zZJyEYA6zzh1BKq6S2vNfvG1ekTy82OhBlNTQdGdRM6ZW-A16nmfrDgO_WkSVjrGkf3XuhH0zamxox3BGIO4Qq8NTveNt/s1600/IMG_2714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYITpHaZ3m1rpA6dvg6qKXZVJ0FKkrLije_4CFOF9CKvK4K-zZJyEYA6zzh1BKq6S2vNfvG1ekTy82OhBlNTQdGdRM6ZW-A16nmfrDgO_WkSVjrGkf3XuhH0zamxox3BGIO4Qq8NTveNt/s640/IMG_2714.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of a HEP1 coach from the outside. This is an ex-American model, as evidenced by the fluted letterboard, squared off door, and the window arrangement with short windows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is the Economy section. Most of
these are ex-CP Budd coaches, but VIA also has a bunch of cars from various
American origins that were rebuilt in the early 1990s to match the ex-CP cars.
You’d hardly know the difference inside unless you’re looking for it. The
windows are the only real interior giveaway, as the American layout is slightly
different and the windows aren’t as tall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The seats are large and comfortable,
with half a mile of leg room. They also have a leg rest that folds out from
under the seat, and combined with a generous recline, this makes them pretty
nice to sleep in (as seats go). I’ve slept in these coaches quite a few times
on <i>the</i> <i>Ocean</i>, and I like them – certainly better than the Renaissance
coaches that currently operate on that train. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luggage can be stowed in the overhead
rack, or in small luggage racks at the end of the car. As with any class of
service, larger bags can be checked and will be carried in the baggage car to
your final destination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEmf4kR7a1kdn3r6L6SIzTZsmyUh0Bz_eeLYF9zE9G03kLosCodaDuGwX9327xT-EyDvapYGa0yfbxHAXH2tM_89CfJjEqKRWeIpFPMeuDUmcJX1VmUQWNoxr1bzBRL_JWoHxTkOmMSi5/s1600/IMG_2601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEmf4kR7a1kdn3r6L6SIzTZsmyUh0Bz_eeLYF9zE9G03kLosCodaDuGwX9327xT-EyDvapYGa0yfbxHAXH2tM_89CfJjEqKRWeIpFPMeuDUmcJX1VmUQWNoxr1bzBRL_JWoHxTkOmMSi5/s640/IMG_2601.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Economy section on my trip. Only one coach on this train, and it was quite well used. As you can see, many people get themselves settled in and make their seat a comfortable space for the trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLxULBUFLm-JBvKWHC4aFGYzZcuc8WUgapcgRUB8TO9fz2ZVSGysf6VFxNc7et0HoR9emTXhGe66HddTIkXnFIOFwo33N_AZAxfeX-9j9sv3hwF-Y_USo5gbCf5AeAtjQFwfR55z9aetD/s1600/11736311336_12eb79bc27_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLxULBUFLm-JBvKWHC4aFGYzZcuc8WUgapcgRUB8TO9fz2ZVSGysf6VFxNc7et0HoR9emTXhGe66HddTIkXnFIOFwo33N_AZAxfeX-9j9sv3hwF-Y_USo5gbCf5AeAtjQFwfR55z9aetD/s640/11736311336_12eb79bc27_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An overview of an empty HEP1 coach. This is a photo I took a while ago inside one operating on the <i>Ocean</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There is also a large fold-down tray
table on the seat backs, and electrical outlets at every seat (I think this
should be in all of the coaches by now, but I’m not sure – I know it was being
added slowly over the years). These coaches have seating for 62 passengers, and
on <i>The Canadian</i> will largely be
occupied by people travelling shorter distances, rather than the full trip. Some
seats are configured as 4-person facing pairs, and in fact any seating pair can
be configured that way as needed, since the seats can all be turned. VIA used to provide pillows and blankets for passengers in Economy, but they dropped that several years ago and now you have to bring your own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>SKYLINE CAR:</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjDSPAR5hKTbJ2esQnvP_Hr4Y4H-8X6rekzrH2Jfnxcd4bymBQ9HDTDNFIkDzwxqL_hWQpJK31BEjToVMWm0LjBGl-tPUT7cx5hm5YB4LtvYK64sW9Lb8rsWqWPttqfb4TVTBlPoedo7Z/s1600/IMG_2759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjDSPAR5hKTbJ2esQnvP_Hr4Y4H-8X6rekzrH2Jfnxcd4bymBQ9HDTDNFIkDzwxqL_hWQpJK31BEjToVMWm0LjBGl-tPUT7cx5hm5YB4LtvYK64sW9Lb8rsWqWPttqfb4TVTBlPoedo7Z/s640/IMG_2759.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Skyline car, viewed from the outside. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is the dome lounge car for coach
passengers, and is the one car they have access to other than the coaches.
During the peak season, there will typically be at least one or more additional
Skylines farther back in the train for Sleeper passengers, so that everyone has
a dome and lounge not too far from their car. On my train there were two
Skylines – the first one, behind the coaches, was accessible to coach
passengers. The second, behind the first sleeper section and ahead of the
Diner, was for sleeper passengers only. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Skylines have a small lounge area at
the front end, and a larger café style area at the opposite end. That section
was originally set up with more coach seating when the cars were built for CP,
and VIA changed it to a café in later years. In the past, this end of the car
was sometimes used as dining space instead of a dining car on quiet off-season
trains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo_kCfnRMlAlsDibA2FNtseg_ltsLoaNvD6BVOITNaose4jeS_r8h5N5JvP-9Y9rS3jnLExWDv8mk0ZRsfsJBV521pfnFzv3jmA6ZeuwV63HWl2-4imYTab7wQ9UtP57OHNFwhmXuPO2G/s1600/IMG_2612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo_kCfnRMlAlsDibA2FNtseg_ltsLoaNvD6BVOITNaose4jeS_r8h5N5JvP-9Y9rS3jnLExWDv8mk0ZRsfsJBV521pfnFzv3jmA6ZeuwV63HWl2-4imYTab7wQ9UtP57OHNFwhmXuPO2G/s640/IMG_2612.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lounge section in a Skyline.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ01K41W9Xu4WaXntQZFBFcQB5unxK5Kae746MJ8MLdzBSeVCCUuiMCbrhRzrGNDtinxbPRe5hLXu0Bu0G94B_MxJ77pUFkpGdkG__Yc6xDRiVgLnUJ9Zwy8hYItiJ8ozcUkXj1AQQdPT/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ01K41W9Xu4WaXntQZFBFcQB5unxK5Kae746MJ8MLdzBSeVCCUuiMCbrhRzrGNDtinxbPRe5hLXu0Bu0G94B_MxJ77pUFkpGdkG__Yc6xDRiVgLnUJ9Zwy8hYItiJ8ozcUkXj1AQQdPT/s640/IMG_2602.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lounge section in a refurbished Skyline. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRsz-4wbj_FzgCVhsleFfOqcZiU5sJIIUw6XZ9kDzyu92nMOTAFP8KD8krMnkyGNHzMSkyedn-jNWLJj-o9xy5HUageSqzaylEFex4GTxbK9hcWOqLta-_DiQa9r3c1sHWqPbd95KgqAg/s1600/IMG_2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRsz-4wbj_FzgCVhsleFfOqcZiU5sJIIUw6XZ9kDzyu92nMOTAFP8KD8krMnkyGNHzMSkyedn-jNWLJj-o9xy5HUageSqzaylEFex4GTxbK9hcWOqLta-_DiQa9r3c1sHWqPbd95KgqAg/s640/IMG_2604.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Café section in a refurbished Skyline, looking forward. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKY7nlLJSxOgyQRbbL46wx0J7tIbPgiE2GVSfm2Q_6ZojTRAD53BYxkuLvpv_ZBsA9Y16gf31PdlYIupc0lZBMriVqxPtxzlo-pg_EwKA8rSiOi9hjLc45qbXmNS7drPBcF2DzoJEvyIm/s1600/IMG_2603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKY7nlLJSxOgyQRbbL46wx0J7tIbPgiE2GVSfm2Q_6ZojTRAD53BYxkuLvpv_ZBsA9Y16gf31PdlYIupc0lZBMriVqxPtxzlo-pg_EwKA8rSiOi9hjLc45qbXmNS7drPBcF2DzoJEvyIm/s640/IMG_2603.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear of the café section. On the left is a TV screen sometimes used to play movies, and on the right is a showcase of souvenirs that are available to purchase on board. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4GVJzJohXxBEl_SVT2C6rP4Pnd00rmmGST-IebI-n4VLuKhhSzVVS-rEctBmaP_OtO0oxE2uo0l9etnyJOopM_b4nqs7p4ZCCdlHFCZDe78stGTFSJm__ITu24fhkB-3OoeXvEdg2JHL/s1600/IMG_2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4GVJzJohXxBEl_SVT2C6rP4Pnd00rmmGST-IebI-n4VLuKhhSzVVS-rEctBmaP_OtO0oxE2uo0l9etnyJOopM_b4nqs7p4ZCCdlHFCZDe78stGTFSJm__ITu24fhkB-3OoeXvEdg2JHL/s640/IMG_2620.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front end of the café section in a non-refurbished car. Note the old look on the chairs, and tables with printed on checkerboards. Just ahead of this section is a small counter with hot water. This could be used as a coffee/tea takeout area as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />In the middle of the car is the raised
dome section, with stairs up at the front. These domes were originally oriented
the other way around, but were turned by VIA in later years, largely so that
the café section would be facing towards the sleepers if it was being used as a
dining space. When the seats were turned, the last row of dome seats (now the
front row) could not be turned, as this would leave those passengers stepping
off into the abyss of the stairwell. So instead, the first row was left
backwards and a 4-seat facing pair was left, with tables installed. This makes
for a nice place to play cards, but some people complain that it removes the
best seats in the dome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzELvB6Ge11dNA73VcJwp-AC8qqmtLpb3atAHLhSkSmBX7Re8Sgn4JyJPBZ0b4CGEVrcSH-vHjC7sImV4bQAXBN7bv09jTzG3eJEWWvF1yhKNLPBiGSzcfN5dw09D2UMcDvPG_vsDAcXq/s1600/IMG_2613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzELvB6Ge11dNA73VcJwp-AC8qqmtLpb3atAHLhSkSmBX7Re8Sgn4JyJPBZ0b4CGEVrcSH-vHjC7sImV4bQAXBN7bv09jTzG3eJEWWvF1yhKNLPBiGSzcfN5dw09D2UMcDvPG_vsDAcXq/s640/IMG_2613.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dome section in a non-refurbished Skyline. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPwFFyrJhGv10-6bn7sk4UzCyQFglGrt41VR3K_SxhoHuhRRt6b11LpBfz14D_hkgTRJ8znda3RWY1aEaioncKidKrzxH0QG4lMyr5azh7gHga-I1T6nihH_vLfv5cRKrKjTzaQK-Xn99/s1600/8349487601_f367f12c08_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPwFFyrJhGv10-6bn7sk4UzCyQFglGrt41VR3K_SxhoHuhRRt6b11LpBfz14D_hkgTRJ8znda3RWY1aEaioncKidKrzxH0QG4lMyr5azh7gHga-I1T6nihH_vLfv5cRKrKjTzaQK-Xn99/s640/8349487601_f367f12c08_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seats in a refurbished Skyline. Note the new upholstery, as well as the darker paint on the dome section similar to what is seen in the Park cars. Photographed on the <i>Ocean</i> back in 2012.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Underneath the dome is a small kitchen
area and a takeout counter for snack service. This is often the
only food service Economy passengers have access to, as they can only enter the
dining car when it’s a bit quieter and there is extra space. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14gujgNk2C_sFYgMane2PpU3Kn8lvZ-Z4OoU_7F3OW6To3aKuKbYtGD9sgJ8Pzr-F6ul52Sle0T0iZx2CgvKvQhdUWAAiXR8WEwzrwYT4LgiomUBwENrHy6NRROAs852Zr0CSAxYgxHQu/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14gujgNk2C_sFYgMane2PpU3Kn8lvZ-Z4OoU_7F3OW6To3aKuKbYtGD9sgJ8Pzr-F6ul52Sle0T0iZx2CgvKvQhdUWAAiXR8WEwzrwYT4LgiomUBwENrHy6NRROAs852Zr0CSAxYgxHQu/s640/IMG_2619.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking down into the hallway from the lounge - the takeout area is on the left through the first door, and the kitchen is through the second door. This setup isn't really ideal, because this hallway tends to get blocked up when people are waiting for food.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWU9oRMHSsXRf979ojWDUVHLPH1ToZdbfwkmVkwbd2Zxx44rnp6vBbcn27l7r5pLnUamvT5Osw42rXFJsTDpesHPCtupf3Gk_e_d-XpgAbP6ObPd4OHAPrz89-8ZHcv_mIvpix06wLnQn/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWU9oRMHSsXRf979ojWDUVHLPH1ToZdbfwkmVkwbd2Zxx44rnp6vBbcn27l7r5pLnUamvT5Osw42rXFJsTDpesHPCtupf3Gk_e_d-XpgAbP6ObPd4OHAPrz89-8ZHcv_mIvpix06wLnQn/s640/IMG_2326.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen in the Skyline. This can actually provide pretty decent meal service, and is sometimes used on some other trains to replace a full diner in the off season (<i>The Canadian</i> tends to still have a diner all the time, regardless).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xz0PlRmzlP_mSYkP_vP5Bc2Y2kJd3X5JkydSiTp-qpuznFn1A64T55hyphenhyphenlU6q_PHxtPal_0g33P3ELee_dDVcNe8rxVSgSWhHvTDvLftztdxMm4WwWGc1VDzg-QQO_PXiiumbvKW_gSDa/s1600/IMG_2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xz0PlRmzlP_mSYkP_vP5Bc2Y2kJd3X5JkydSiTp-qpuznFn1A64T55hyphenhyphenlU6q_PHxtPal_0g33P3ELee_dDVcNe8rxVSgSWhHvTDvLftztdxMm4WwWGc1VDzg-QQO_PXiiumbvKW_gSDa/s640/IMG_2324.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take-out menu for Economy passengers when I was on in April. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IPqA_XKmzOIkcm6BRtpbVa6WP6z0BJKEbdlQ57qQcqkm0F8hDhyFxXxbhCPXnGeNwEyiOQfgqmhFEkeCJTUdq_51PkNVoztpWKFX59a7M8_i1x3sHkgyTk_f_5QKwE9dMm47a7q_nQs9/s1600/IMG_2605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IPqA_XKmzOIkcm6BRtpbVa6WP6z0BJKEbdlQ57qQcqkm0F8hDhyFxXxbhCPXnGeNwEyiOQfgqmhFEkeCJTUdq_51PkNVoztpWKFX59a7M8_i1x3sHkgyTk_f_5QKwE9dMm47a7q_nQs9/s640/IMG_2605.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the back of the first Skyline is this sign, informing Economy (formerly called Comfort class) passengers that they are not permitted to go farther back on the train unless they are going to the dining car. Access to the dining car is only available when there is excess space, mostly in the off-season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some of the Skylines have been
refurbished recently, while many have not. The photos above show the difference
between the two. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>DINING CAR:</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QGuJRkfzArJSuDM_jbMgM8mETthTYS4cuOvZY0dHMuiH5lUjl0Mmu70JtRJiuRMVQPM8IeWt4WxrhEBuKYnd4f-cu-7pndgFRZO54pAXEG-YpDrEGXrkTomF5g95bbA4d7uoatR9ssOB/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QGuJRkfzArJSuDM_jbMgM8mETthTYS4cuOvZY0dHMuiH5lUjl0Mmu70JtRJiuRMVQPM8IeWt4WxrhEBuKYnd4f-cu-7pndgFRZO54pAXEG-YpDrEGXrkTomF5g95bbA4d7uoatR9ssOB/s640/IMG_2322.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dining room in dining car <i>Acadian,</i> looking forward.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Depending on the particular train, there
may be one dining car or there may be two (and in rare instances three), and their position in the train can
vary. Typically, they are positioned behind one of the Skyline cars. The dining
car is the restaurant on wheels, and provides full meal service throughout the
trip for Sleeper Plus and Prestige class passengers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The restaurant section of the dining car
is towards the rear, with seating for 48 passengers each sitting, in a
combination of tables with chairs and booths. At the front end of the car, a
corridor to the right hand side provides access forward to the next car, and on
the left side is the kitchen. It’s a pretty compact space, and it’s amazing to
realize that such incredible meals for so many people can be prepared in that
space! VIA employs chefs on board <i>The
Canadian</i>, and they do a spectacular job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrKEORpKr1hTz8y0-JxwWbF5JdKfPNEgfXODdR1r66HZV7TSq8u0EBR7VAsU3_G-APP8c5NdyRdRXJbmcrpL9-SCz2fDn2HBkWtP-TG5iRyhmQfm9m1RCu4848rse-JJkBxn0LqthTq4y/s1600/IMG_2621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrKEORpKr1hTz8y0-JxwWbF5JdKfPNEgfXODdR1r66HZV7TSq8u0EBR7VAsU3_G-APP8c5NdyRdRXJbmcrpL9-SCz2fDn2HBkWtP-TG5iRyhmQfm9m1RCu4848rse-JJkBxn0LqthTq4y/s640/IMG_2621.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the dining car from the front end, this is the hallway alongside the kitchen area. The door to the right is an access to the kitchen, and the door on the left is a small access door to load supplies. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0G4Rg-YDvpT-2_Rg6-Ywa2vTG6l6vZUtqHgYOLZjJ2w4SAx78Idvnv5KNj7bTWF22cud6VtXmr1eqpWYB88HWYVxdlvez_NfEty4Zq0uuwIiMMyBmF6ZnmaJviyjlgKTmBkeb-1lRO9s/s1600/16198470466_745d0cca1a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0G4Rg-YDvpT-2_Rg6-Ywa2vTG6l6vZUtqHgYOLZjJ2w4SAx78Idvnv5KNj7bTWF22cud6VtXmr1eqpWYB88HWYVxdlvez_NfEty4Zq0uuwIiMMyBmF6ZnmaJviyjlgKTmBkeb-1lRO9s/s640/16198470466_745d0cca1a_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen in dining car <i>Acadian</i>, photographed when it was running on the <i>Ocean</i> several years ago. It's amazing what meals can be produced in such a tiny space, especially for so many people!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />The dining cars have all been
refurbished in recent years, and look really stunning. The etched glass
partitions in the cars are still there from when they were built.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmIUDHeyaWhOWBrf5yxnysWmqU2zVG78QNTjCIQUvPCfkKh5M3kbhp6WM5_4FDbLWEnPaND_lwwDNUZEexMNOXGaMtoe8y5In3UVNcZInMpHBcdGDhqyRkeLadNFysj6-bIlt_JKv0vuX/s1600/IMG_2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmIUDHeyaWhOWBrf5yxnysWmqU2zVG78QNTjCIQUvPCfkKh5M3kbhp6WM5_4FDbLWEnPaND_lwwDNUZEexMNOXGaMtoe8y5In3UVNcZInMpHBcdGDhqyRkeLadNFysj6-bIlt_JKv0vuX/s640/IMG_2624.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tables in dining car <i>Acadian</i>, set for dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>SLEEPING CARS:</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZt4g31rp_k7eEshb4tbelaxewW6BUqBksGChJC5yJ6vEF1gvTt0hdRlSheyZQZe3MQEvBOFHyrf3UBZ2Tc_Rzj4735OD99gVHcZUh45SULVEFjulzZQyj3Mu8EQjjFbR8U1KQdf8NDWR/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1600" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZt4g31rp_k7eEshb4tbelaxewW6BUqBksGChJC5yJ6vEF1gvTt0hdRlSheyZQZe3MQEvBOFHyrf3UBZ2Tc_Rzj4735OD99gVHcZUh45SULVEFjulzZQyj3Mu8EQjjFbR8U1KQdf8NDWR/s640/IMG_2058.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Manor sleeper, as seen on the <i>Ocean</i> at Moncton, NB. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">VIA has two different types of stainless
steel sleeping cars: the Manor series, and the Chateau series. The two cars are
very similar, and both feature the same basic types of accommodations: open sections
or berths, roomettes, and bedrooms. Both series have three open sections, while
the Manors then have 6 bedrooms and 4 roomettes, and the Chateaus have 3
bedrooms, a 3-person drawing room, and 8 roomettes in a staggered upper-lower
level (“duplex”) layout. There are some small differences (Chateau and Manor
roomettes have slightly different layouts), but overall they are very similar.
The biggest difference these days is that the Manor cars have all been
refurbished and are really quite nice inside, while the Chateaus were last
updated in the ‘90s and are showing their age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">VIA primarily uses Manor sleepers on <i>The Canadian</i>, while the Chateaus are
used on the Winnipeg-Churchill train, as well as the <i>Chaleur</i> when it was running, and the <i>Ocean</i> at Christmas time when it makes some extra runs with
stainless steel equipment. They are also subbed in on <i>The Canadian</i> in the summer peak, as well as sometimes on the end of
the <i>Ocean</i> when it is
Renaissance-equipped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLc2ZusHPhMap-q9LWvKY7qWrZM-L7XxMlFY6nf3DbZpHV7Grz-KKwNcNfY-3y1fRBxR-oig4iuRtHp5jVAJRm70RyKm9CSi9ULf_f5sfm4hQ0PirT6TnJrY49AmlbdNRv7PupekzqAt6/s1600/IMG_2335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLc2ZusHPhMap-q9LWvKY7qWrZM-L7XxMlFY6nf3DbZpHV7Grz-KKwNcNfY-3y1fRBxR-oig4iuRtHp5jVAJRm70RyKm9CSi9ULf_f5sfm4hQ0PirT6TnJrY49AmlbdNRv7PupekzqAt6/s640/IMG_2335.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every one of VIA's named cars has a plaque like this inside describing the history behind the name of the car. This one was inside my sleeper, Brock Manor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m only going to look at Manor sleepers
here, because that’s all I actually rode on my trip. Let’s work our way through
the car:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Open Sections</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXFd4k0kyPV_G8aiNOwWYwfh1x9VucZJttPIkLCVWB-Bu92sJz8Wa4DngZuAcqyYgKF4MbP3au474P6wQsk5RKILSWw_2vo_RIgY0JzRpDF8QFxmHaf-_TMZdoGlBl-_Al4IePAlDvcjx/s1600/IMG_2606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXFd4k0kyPV_G8aiNOwWYwfh1x9VucZJttPIkLCVWB-Bu92sJz8Wa4DngZuAcqyYgKF4MbP3au474P6wQsk5RKILSWw_2vo_RIgY0JzRpDF8QFxmHaf-_TMZdoGlBl-_Al4IePAlDvcjx/s640/IMG_2606.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering a Manor sleeper from the front, you pass the washrooms and then come to the three open sections. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">These are located at the front end of the car, next
to the washrooms. VIA currently brands these as “upper berth” and “lower berth”.
This is one of the oldest styles of sleeping car accommodation out there. By
day, you have a facing pair of bench-style seats (quite comfy) – the person
with the lower berth assignment gets the forward-facing seat. By night, the
seats fold down to form a lower berth, and the upper berth drops down from the ceiling.
Heavy curtains cover the outside to provide nighttime privacy, and a ladder
provides access to the upper berth. The upper has no window, but funnily enough
actually has the largest bed of any accommodation on board these cars.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65OiwMIE5YdyToITKbBFQNQokPDGReW-JgSMhM9o5IaG9NJ21uYt-IAAo2op32zLk2yNMEElXhfJ0z0EfLbRYIWiSnhYPxR2_st14JwUNCKMmVOKrUv1h2Mfas16jG4BceQUXOoXOyJI0/s1600/IMG_2288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65OiwMIE5YdyToITKbBFQNQokPDGReW-JgSMhM9o5IaG9NJ21uYt-IAAo2op32zLk2yNMEElXhfJ0z0EfLbRYIWiSnhYPxR2_st14JwUNCKMmVOKrUv1h2Mfas16jG4BceQUXOoXOyJI0/s640/IMG_2288.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open section in daytime configuration. The seats are quite comfortable, and they're wide enough that you don't have to bump legs with the person sitting across from you. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFTwgBzW3Jc_Wop4MgSLFCGFerT3z_uYTDQwntSgHTjvVYPcDqsXkMecfYV7F2pcJ6n8ZRA4P8TQdy5DsTUhVyATxzO3eke1juBreoJUOCy-P3vxmde3mMMMHoEhT7oWhUIBWqyVHcN0N/s1600/IMG_2610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFTwgBzW3Jc_Wop4MgSLFCGFerT3z_uYTDQwntSgHTjvVYPcDqsXkMecfYV7F2pcJ6n8ZRA4P8TQdy5DsTUhVyATxzO3eke1juBreoJUOCy-P3vxmde3mMMMHoEhT7oWhUIBWqyVHcN0N/s640/IMG_2610.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berths set up in night-time configuration, on the right. Heavy curtains cover the space and provide privacy. Not shown is the ladder used to access the upper berth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />You can book just one berth
individually, in which case you will be seated across from someone you don’t
know, or you can book the pair of them for two people. These are the least
expensive accommodations (upper being cheaper than the lower), as they have the
least privacy. But they still include all the other Sleeper Plus amenities, and
are a comfy way to travel. Section 3 is a little more private, as it has the
wall from the shower area across from it, but you lack the view out the other
side. In 1 and 2, you have people across the aisle, but you can also see out both
sides of the train.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Shower</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijRZXkO6Fj-ivgs07vUhHHg_TzD0Zn0cD123wa0u4JxnTgoriI9ob5FFwY0efwAgqw5nyH0UnKFylDWJQdd3X8JAnMuRk-guGJC5IMomnkvKrkE-v-Xs6sDd95iIvMrwlG58IPyhJVLqd/s1600/IMG_2611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1566" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijRZXkO6Fj-ivgs07vUhHHg_TzD0Zn0cD123wa0u4JxnTgoriI9ob5FFwY0efwAgqw5nyH0UnKFylDWJQdd3X8JAnMuRk-guGJC5IMomnkvKrkE-v-Xs6sDd95iIvMrwlG58IPyhJVLqd/s400/IMG_2611.JPG" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you're on a train for 4 days, a shower can sure be nice! Someone has added their artistic touch to this one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are no showers in the rooms themselves, but
there is a common shower in every car. It’s pretty simple – a door leads into a
small changing area, and then there’s the shower stall itself. It can be a
challenge to shower on a moving train, but it’s something you get used to and a
nice thing to have! One downside is that the showers drain directly onto the
tracks (unlike the toilets, which go to a retention tank), which can mean that
sometimes the drains freeze up in the winter. <u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HuWLirBsk5kP4t-vGXj8UXVk3c0SPbQisFdVUDSHOb5HrGS80aP0ISISaRdUH6UBGex_sEkG7zpPCqSCeuNesqNA1Ov4yz2NwwIft1n2hpEfetTgqM6a3b1miduOk2lammkma2RUxEyS/s1600/IMG_2608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HuWLirBsk5kP4t-vGXj8UXVk3c0SPbQisFdVUDSHOb5HrGS80aP0ISISaRdUH6UBGex_sEkG7zpPCqSCeuNesqNA1Ov4yz2NwwIft1n2hpEfetTgqM6a3b1miduOk2lammkma2RUxEyS/s640/IMG_2608.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into the shower room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>Bedrooms</i></b></span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>:</i></b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlyhQBWK7u8zjK4I17tumh9tEKkFgwUFI8ZojT0MV4V9ugHxlZNuOhTD6uYFQ1_YPUUbRnMOp7Ywm-5H6N45ivQwU53rsAkqo2i_M80mkitsRET2rjbul6tkL1BnhqGgX2xgwGJDJb8Zn/s1600/IMG_2607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlyhQBWK7u8zjK4I17tumh9tEKkFgwUFI8ZojT0MV4V9ugHxlZNuOhTD6uYFQ1_YPUUbRnMOp7Ywm-5H6N45ivQwU53rsAkqo2i_M80mkitsRET2rjbul6tkL1BnhqGgX2xgwGJDJb8Zn/s640/IMG_2607.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down the hallway in the middle of the car. The bedroom doors are along the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the middle of the car there are 6 bedrooms. These
are sold as “Cabin for 2”, and are intended for two people travelling together.
You can book a bedroom alone, but you will pay a significant single occupancy
surcharge to compensate for the fact that you have taken up space that could
have been sold to two passengers rather than one. The bedrooms are all down one
side of the car. Bedrooms B, D and F are all forward facing, while bedrooms A,
C, and E are backwards facing. This doesn’t necessarily matter that much, it
just changes the orientation of the room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In its day time setup, each bedroom has
two large, comfy chairs, which can be moved and positioned however you like.
There is a toilet, a sink with vanity, luggage storage space, and a small coat
closet by the door. There’s also a vent and fan to keep the air fresh. The room
has a solid locking door, but you can’t lock it when you’re not there, as it
doesn’t have a key from the outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAWFH1XwEWYkSH9q9pPSaNTkVXnRJF-CpEMUnT-c8W_Aq3GnuacANVZrnYGakTQxUjQgy_Wk47_J1qqU8s-8mXh3BkOBamEK1YTVlNL1xDlWBp6ZGP7t40zm-HWlAv7ZkwrAQYZQ6Wsh1/s1600/17917389_10155295034970955_8870991462193581791_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAWFH1XwEWYkSH9q9pPSaNTkVXnRJF-CpEMUnT-c8W_Aq3GnuacANVZrnYGakTQxUjQgy_Wk47_J1qqU8s-8mXh3BkOBamEK1YTVlNL1xDlWBp6ZGP7t40zm-HWlAv7ZkwrAQYZQ6Wsh1/s640/17917389_10155295034970955_8870991462193581791_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day time setup in a Manor bedroom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Uy2jOWw0SVDljrydI-r3GVOmXIocHrwOlvaodtl4xCJawXOPzcZZwrz8b460AikTsv3IMCUpuJUvfxbTYHWs2nNX3lXM06hcZm9qU4xOjnSAS2VEDZUZBtKP5qMzxT4p0DmokkJvdGv6/s1600/IMG_2030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Uy2jOWw0SVDljrydI-r3GVOmXIocHrwOlvaodtl4xCJawXOPzcZZwrz8b460AikTsv3IMCUpuJUvfxbTYHWs2nNX3lXM06hcZm9qU4xOjnSAS2VEDZUZBtKP5qMzxT4p0DmokkJvdGv6/s640/IMG_2030.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The toilet. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0XYVQKcMOcSv4MHjj13KD7o0KGp7FvJ8iPL8CxreBXPSO0JGL4favtw5aXRwTDxpYBDC_eIUOpPFF3OYiioe23jEHj88xOW-QmRZpjXjQSuQTHN0NSoIqlOQVQJOYkZslXKleBe015f1/s1600/IMG_2031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0XYVQKcMOcSv4MHjj13KD7o0KGp7FvJ8iPL8CxreBXPSO0JGL4favtw5aXRwTDxpYBDC_eIUOpPFF3OYiioe23jEHj88xOW-QmRZpjXjQSuQTHN0NSoIqlOQVQJOYkZslXKleBe015f1/s640/IMG_2031.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sink and vanity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyVx-llu3jWWSl7a535A35ExDjGgB7zv1k9nrb4qRtmKDYmbFXD9t9gsCN6Ze-zXgCovYmvWlqKKf6eMILMt70E8OPQR1CxuzE5wJqhiCuZH5yyitS5ispvUz8Td6z9t339TjWruX1wdq/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyVx-llu3jWWSl7a535A35ExDjGgB7zv1k9nrb4qRtmKDYmbFXD9t9gsCN6Ze-zXgCovYmvWlqKKf6eMILMt70E8OPQR1CxuzE5wJqhiCuZH5yyitS5ispvUz8Td6z9t339TjWruX1wdq/s640/IMG_2032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luggage space.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFgODxApFMZT_2Gzjn9WSsjh8Z434eYHkCgYmmTjdSWqQExXLxaHTPnz8SwR_fTtwASpMmh4KabyAf6wUpxVt9_3XTkAf2UUI7s6oPor36Y6KO3cvvQfq-QQgZaVV0HFhxJ2297u4flD7/s1600/IMG_2034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFgODxApFMZT_2Gzjn9WSsjh8Z434eYHkCgYmmTjdSWqQExXLxaHTPnz8SwR_fTtwASpMmh4KabyAf6wUpxVt9_3XTkAf2UUI7s6oPor36Y6KO3cvvQfq-QQgZaVV0HFhxJ2297u4flD7/s640/IMG_2034.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coat closet by the door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />At night, the chairs fold away and one
bed folds down from the wall, then another pulls down from the ceiling. A small
ladder provides access to the upper bunk. The beds are set up cross-wise,
unlike the berths and roomettes that are all oriented along the length of the train. Most of the rocking motion on the train is side to side, so in many ways
the cross-wise orientation actually provides a less rocky sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8uGORY7a6tZtAg3e2hM9GktFDT3okGLDaOne5Ecwv8MdBNnudtr5Uoi7wMT9tTO1vVlGQMatt150RDPDZXzVo-OpFETNF3rAlf12GhSfleFThW7F1R5_trLG_eOB2LTifdhFY7OF2MNY/s1600/image3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8uGORY7a6tZtAg3e2hM9GktFDT3okGLDaOne5Ecwv8MdBNnudtr5Uoi7wMT9tTO1vVlGQMatt150RDPDZXzVo-OpFETNF3rAlf12GhSfleFThW7F1R5_trLG_eOB2LTifdhFY7OF2MNY/s640/image3.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night time setup with lower bunk down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaB_8IGBNHglrJQzeZHnbGR-lMUP3xn5SSA3glpipS-npuUoJkKVCp_QXE2s5-kqvFiyqHyN3IipbGdzksN2i940uWWUoiqJ9hgKewdp0uQEzmVpuVBqnhqJt8GfpHY73Zw00sKzVAsaC/s1600/IMG_2076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaB_8IGBNHglrJQzeZHnbGR-lMUP3xn5SSA3glpipS-npuUoJkKVCp_QXE2s5-kqvFiyqHyN3IipbGdzksN2i940uWWUoiqJ9hgKewdp0uQEzmVpuVBqnhqJt8GfpHY73Zw00sKzVAsaC/s640/IMG_2076.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nighttime setup with upper and lower bunks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Bedrooms A through E are all the same
size, but bedroom F is notably larger, due to the way the car is set up (note
that this is not the case for bedroom D in the Chateaus, despite appearing that
way on car diagrams). <u><o:p></o:p></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoazSRhzgZjaBc7HtdbBhX1BxFAiw3KjMGNO75mKU2hDlOcrtHKuH6nS3_rWIS9D3re0xCXo54Dlq74VRFaZGYZf8PPZ9-Ri_6ELWiahqnXauT7auWXsWHndYLSOQHIX5Js6NKz1y3ImTS/s1600/IMG_2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoazSRhzgZjaBc7HtdbBhX1BxFAiw3KjMGNO75mKU2hDlOcrtHKuH6nS3_rWIS9D3re0xCXo54Dlq74VRFaZGYZf8PPZ9-Ri_6ELWiahqnXauT7auWXsWHndYLSOQHIX5Js6NKz1y3ImTS/s640/IMG_2609.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A "do not disturb" sign outside bedroom F. VIA provides these in each room (they say "please make up the room" on the other side), and they are made to hang on the square bedroom letter label next to the door. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><i><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Roomettes</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4nVQO8_7Tqf4eUlKMWH6AzhNagGHtWjztB6uKj5ReINLyfJlY_zQKIHs7HLrodzyFVZYGBp8KWqqnrxiwvVEZER4BoZXC8SkBl1sboh7U9cRcKN2ns4cmOaiPCJbUVSv_ID1ndtjpg5q/s1600/17880394_10155300277305955_884607876279588998_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4nVQO8_7Tqf4eUlKMWH6AzhNagGHtWjztB6uKj5ReINLyfJlY_zQKIHs7HLrodzyFVZYGBp8KWqqnrxiwvVEZER4BoZXC8SkBl1sboh7U9cRcKN2ns4cmOaiPCJbUVSv_ID1ndtjpg5q/s640/17880394_10155300277305955_884607876279588998_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daytime setup in a Manor roomette.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />VIA sells these as “Cabin for 1”, and they’re
probably the ideal, cozy accommodation for a single traveller. I say cozy,
because they really are. There’s no pretense about these being super spacious,
but I really like them. They’re all the space I feel like I need, and over the
course of a 4-night trip they can get to feeling really homey. They’re more
expensive than a berth, and comparable to the per-person price for two people
travelling in a bedroom, but much cheaper than a single person taking a
bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are 4 roomettes in the Manor
sleepers, two on each side of the hall at the rear end of the car. The ride
nearer the end is often rougher and noisier, so Roomettes 3 or 4 are the ideal
ones to go for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">By day there is a decent sized, comfy
seat, with a sink and mirror, a luggage storage space up above, a coat rack,
and a vent and fan. There’s also a toilet…yes, a toilet. It has a cover/lid
that doubles as a nice footstool. It’s a little odd and I found I used it
pretty sparingly, as there is a full bathroom at the end of every car, but
there are times when it’s nice to have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVA0gLKhhrjltedpNVemHi7zqD62SCLwCWR6gKqCypYzLjAzvFo9nYmk0KlRy4nboUrweDigwGntF33FXvF4SWvO6ixnrWRTzPrKUrERRWgbbFEkkH1lRKA9rm2p2lTg1k769REiUhWhk/s1600/IMG_2627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVA0gLKhhrjltedpNVemHi7zqD62SCLwCWR6gKqCypYzLjAzvFo9nYmk0KlRy4nboUrweDigwGntF33FXvF4SWvO6ixnrWRTzPrKUrERRWgbbFEkkH1lRKA9rm2p2lTg1k769REiUhWhk/s640/IMG_2627.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roomette seat. Comfy, and close to double the width of a coach seat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhIKTUbMG5v3DoxyCEMUbNklPg-6_ti4OZo4f_B4Q2_jL_P9F8Jh1qaApdyueTdfI2YdCAGmWabKCNH0PcgQntiW_ltRJyEfCgcHydRsNBLh0oTkhJtMrjny51DVZ2dPrqb_e6AfyLfKR/s1600/IMG_2628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhIKTUbMG5v3DoxyCEMUbNklPg-6_ti4OZo4f_B4Q2_jL_P9F8Jh1qaApdyueTdfI2YdCAGmWabKCNH0PcgQntiW_ltRJyEfCgcHydRsNBLh0oTkhJtMrjny51DVZ2dPrqb_e6AfyLfKR/s640/IMG_2628.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coat hooks, storage pocket, lighting and air controls, and fan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5FqrNNfbMHhEjYhHFw01ymmDVosgwB3_43Og-WJJXTKpmQg3RxchqynmQgYzS8dUA1kO7-9L_kD7N3XDd_nGBDC2Ff3jgrAqlQg1UDs8ar6K5QPTI8XSX0q9e7I6ai5_f58ceQOBv5AQ/s1600/IMG_2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5FqrNNfbMHhEjYhHFw01ymmDVosgwB3_43Og-WJJXTKpmQg3RxchqynmQgYzS8dUA1kO7-9L_kD7N3XDd_nGBDC2Ff3jgrAqlQg1UDs8ar6K5QPTI8XSX0q9e7I6ai5_f58ceQOBv5AQ/s640/IMG_2629.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sink and other amenities. You can see the curtains to the right, as the sliding door is open. The bed is cut out through the lower section to fit around the sink, so it gives you space to stand up near the door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u8Aa5C2lr4awMq5ZLDTpOzTD02Hk1dXsVzZa9tgevq_0Cag7xQ2zTiX96eYsAlj2YWwdRxbl_1DiR8THzaeV71q4SpHltj3t3pOMqTOjluVcYuZ61mYv9vOSxIb6lUupMcUToE5FKvR9/s1600/IMG_2630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u8Aa5C2lr4awMq5ZLDTpOzTD02Hk1dXsVzZa9tgevq_0Cag7xQ2zTiX96eYsAlj2YWwdRxbl_1DiR8THzaeV71q4SpHltj3t3pOMqTOjluVcYuZ61mYv9vOSxIb6lUupMcUToE5FKvR9/s640/IMG_2630.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toilet, with padded cover that makes a nice foot stool. To the left, you can see the latches that hold the bed down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRjpSnIakEoDIRj0zwEm64qYD0XKWjvmHJ-zaY3bHoXvOJrTh3yr-dYWDTKZZqUCQILT8j58TMo8Ke9CB_fgFVQLqYXzzPL-bNmOvyYzGYbWGO0BCEcbdwxbeP3pKeViXMpyCCM1ifr0U/s1600/IMG_2631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRjpSnIakEoDIRj0zwEm64qYD0XKWjvmHJ-zaY3bHoXvOJrTh3yr-dYWDTKZZqUCQILT8j58TMo8Ke9CB_fgFVQLqYXzzPL-bNmOvyYzGYbWGO0BCEcbdwxbeP3pKeViXMpyCCM1ifr0U/s640/IMG_2631.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luggage space up above, and a shower bag (with towels) hanging on the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">By night, the bed folds down from behind
like a murphy bed, and latches down into place. One of the nice things about
the roomette is that unlike the bedrooms or berths, you can actually put the
bed down yourself. This gives you more flexibility to decide when you want it
up or down, and you don’t have to wait for the attendant. Of course the
attendants will still change the sheets every day (as they do in each type of
accommodation). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_L0AyuMVzCc_xS6ZB1lfly7TJZro0y0F413OQlGHrz22Q-DLbcievivaY3BOYgAyOT7QeiF5GatMWMAk6_PBkKGFkzrfGTxBlMdvpgvKKaBocVBAymNlxtAtY7yDhuZYK3YwLF4wjnTSy/s1600/IMG_2626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_L0AyuMVzCc_xS6ZB1lfly7TJZro0y0F413OQlGHrz22Q-DLbcievivaY3BOYgAyOT7QeiF5GatMWMAk6_PBkKGFkzrfGTxBlMdvpgvKKaBocVBAymNlxtAtY7yDhuZYK3YwLF4wjnTSy/s640/IMG_2626.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To pull down the bed, you turn the handle...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5ikp4LqT5lADcWFsLqADGtcfPPxITGL_ppfkXzIbdV-23K6Fvkn7onvh8OwwlUeWo60Wx27B04reD-tuQiQGxcNiUstFHoTI5wNNcBGET9UdR9ul73dXRoR-8Asr2pCNF0i4ylOuXFQS/s1600/IMG_2633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5ikp4LqT5lADcWFsLqADGtcfPPxITGL_ppfkXzIbdV-23K6Fvkn7onvh8OwwlUeWo60Wx27B04reD-tuQiQGxcNiUstFHoTI5wNNcBGET9UdR9ul73dXRoR-8Asr2pCNF0i4ylOuXFQS/s640/IMG_2633.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and fold it down from the wall. This opens up a bit more space at the head end, as well as another little storage pocket.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh357m2Z_0xv4E6SP7FtwmfNdS6MQDQ_Mt1eWvEH5vxIYyHbClaymzxyczpKFgXtK4kbsc7NuNPSNHe51BtyGjqVAxdKKK3iSM2TX7gkCIrgZxLrCHX8YBdl6Wi-1r9DNJtGSd0cHqGY1zC/s1600/IMG_2634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh357m2Z_0xv4E6SP7FtwmfNdS6MQDQ_Mt1eWvEH5vxIYyHbClaymzxyczpKFgXtK4kbsc7NuNPSNHe51BtyGjqVAxdKKK3iSM2TX7gkCIrgZxLrCHX8YBdl6Wi-1r9DNJtGSd0cHqGY1zC/s640/IMG_2634.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice, cozy bed all made up for the night. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY_E1rtN3UL9voUM6BzUHWqEGwAdBPFpRkOUVIXpd7zhP9BbNOhAZrZ6-TNlvVyOKoapPcC_vrp8secWW5WRQCYHX3yWVN0FFfDTpkJtCpPXrn5agIUN6L_V6yeKEMKCBLKOt-G82rf90/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY_E1rtN3UL9voUM6BzUHWqEGwAdBPFpRkOUVIXpd7zhP9BbNOhAZrZ6-TNlvVyOKoapPcC_vrp8secWW5WRQCYHX3yWVN0FFfDTpkJtCpPXrn5agIUN6L_V6yeKEMKCBLKOt-G82rf90/s640/IMG_2635.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see, there's some space by the sink to stand up while still in the room, thanks to the bed cutaway. This is a key difference from the Chateau sleeper roomettes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The roomettes have a sliding door and
also curtains, so you have two options to block yourself off from the
hall. One of the nice things about the Manor roomettes is that there is a
cutaway in the bed to clear the sink, and this actually provides just enough
space to stand up next to the bed with the roomette door closed (it’s tight,
but possible – unlike the Chateaus, where you really can’t do that). This makes
it possible to pop the bed up in the night to access the toilet, should you
need to do that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There is of course a large window with
shade, so you can enjoy the night time view from your bed, or close the shade
and keep it dark. There are also multiple lighting options to go from fully
bright to subtle and moody. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I love the roomettes, and would happily
travel in one any time. The Chateau roomettes are nice too, and I particularly like the upper level duplex ones, but the Manor roomettes feel more spacious and have a slightly nicer overall setup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>PRESTIGE CHATEAU:</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg472u3viOoEFIlhKcoaye21BEA_kVucABuV93kJNttsf5W1tTPVzqYIsT7t0LGchObmbo6iJ3AOb4ECTj0eWy5r17nZGTh-M4jJVabkgxNNk0GEKjJLOyvBb3BiIKlbav478pi8tKY5zrP/s1600/IMG_2568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg472u3viOoEFIlhKcoaye21BEA_kVucABuV93kJNttsf5W1tTPVzqYIsT7t0LGchObmbo6iJ3AOb4ECTj0eWy5r17nZGTh-M4jJVabkgxNNk0GEKjJLOyvBb3BiIKlbav478pi8tKY5zrP/s640/IMG_2568.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chateau Maissoneuve from the outside at Melville SK. Note the six massive windows that replaced the series of smaller windows on the original cars. You can still see in the letterboard where the upper windows for the duplex roomettes were located. The other side just has a series of smaller windows along the hallway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Ah, Prestige Class: VIA’s latest attempt
to appeal to the high-end tourist market, and an attempt that has paid off
extremely well. The Prestige Chateaus are former Chateau sleepers that have
been rebuilt beyond recognition. They ripped out the berths, bedrooms, and
roomettes, and just put in 6 giant bedrooms, plus a small roomette for the
dedicated attendant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I must say, while I could never justify
spending the kind of money they want for Prestige, there is no denying that
these refurbished cars are <i>gorgeous</i>
inside. Unfortunately I didn’t take a photo inside one of the rooms, though I
did get a look. There are photos available on VIA’s website, and I recommend
you go check them out. I've included one of their publicity shots below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I did get some photos in the hallways,
and even that is something beautiful. The soft padding on the walls and the
gentle lighting make these feel luxurious even just walking through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rWlWhkuop9qvYt7YJb1gjVkSWfbqfiA-yTo3nmDmCDnQQEWVBiPCUgF5u4Dgx_6O5dIGgxmhTJyYXFyLWpNxQN9JfeRqZSTrH3QxMqztTEDmXQbNTEcy5BG0G9Z9BnKhADvz7iaJr6LR/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rWlWhkuop9qvYt7YJb1gjVkSWfbqfiA-yTo3nmDmCDnQQEWVBiPCUgF5u4Dgx_6O5dIGgxmhTJyYXFyLWpNxQN9JfeRqZSTrH3QxMqztTEDmXQbNTEcy5BG0G9Z9BnKhADvz7iaJr6LR/s640/IMG_2638.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the Prestige Chateau. The mini-roomette for the attendant/concierge is through the curtain on the left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaeC-34PvKWEjXHw-88aqg2WnkybBOQIGaCwp_GXxl2D46c2UDxZlsKP4AjkAZvO_0R8KQvbopB65k8uxSq53P1MpXqvzoS5gA9iC5IWm7sCMEU_YftFRlrXm-44Eub_f-wInBOklo7zN/s1600/IMG_2640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaeC-34PvKWEjXHw-88aqg2WnkybBOQIGaCwp_GXxl2D46c2UDxZlsKP4AjkAZvO_0R8KQvbopB65k8uxSq53P1MpXqvzoS5gA9iC5IWm7sCMEU_YftFRlrXm-44Eub_f-wInBOklo7zN/s640/IMG_2640.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hallway - like everything inside this car, it's beautifully done. The wall panels between the windows and doors are padded, which makes it easy on the body as you inevitably get tossed into the walls by the rocking and swaying of the train.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAviwT3oBnnQNPiXrM_SuO5tgH5plTMrCPnykRhtiugUqo_9j2cNonEEz-luPVNPkF8UI58T306UNi3oO1H1DvkcUvX9s23c6h9IBTB9nrzRS_q2Ly9KfI8189fBqJn_ooxUQCS-4xD9q/s1600/IMG_2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAviwT3oBnnQNPiXrM_SuO5tgH5plTMrCPnykRhtiugUqo_9j2cNonEEz-luPVNPkF8UI58T306UNi3oO1H1DvkcUvX9s23c6h9IBTB9nrzRS_q2Ly9KfI8189fBqJn_ooxUQCS-4xD9q/s640/IMG_2641.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doorways. In an act of kindness towards passers-through, the doors are recessed so it's harder to get caught on the handles as the train bounces and sways. Note that Prestige passengers have a key card to unlock the doors from the outside.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIDIFlszobaMQKo0z4bMfrB6Au7Z-yeM8iXz_VdcSlNK1nBAbTcKWESrBHqR22vu3tPs-PZi4GtxIuewuDUEbMZm84x7fUxF7_4uH0NztOtW2RrzgUnPjuuSoEYP-xVNpuRRFvnlo_f_b/s1600/Prestige-Suite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIDIFlszobaMQKo0z4bMfrB6Au7Z-yeM8iXz_VdcSlNK1nBAbTcKWESrBHqR22vu3tPs-PZi4GtxIuewuDUEbMZm84x7fUxF7_4uH0NztOtW2RrzgUnPjuuSoEYP-xVNpuRRFvnlo_f_b/s640/Prestige-Suite.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night-time setup in a Prestige room. How's that for a bed?! The day time setup features an L-shaped couch. The door is to the right, and the bathroom, shower, TV, and fridge, are all directly behind the photographer. Publicity photo from VIA Rail Canada.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>PARK CAR</b></span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrU8rYq5N4_9d1_7No2MsSC98qdC96-ovbkIywsAXL9m2sEcd6WbgMOjWCf6P3UJELPm3JMCSup2j2ckXBtUhQy-Z0-VDQIpNQysRuz2ZBMN3O8GtWv-x1OuyXXaeGHW9eqFn9YjYw6_I/s1600/IMG_2571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrU8rYq5N4_9d1_7No2MsSC98qdC96-ovbkIywsAXL9m2sEcd6WbgMOjWCf6P3UJELPm3JMCSup2j2ckXBtUhQy-Z0-VDQIpNQysRuz2ZBMN3O8GtWv-x1OuyXXaeGHW9eqFn9YjYw6_I/s640/IMG_2571.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prestige Park car at Melville, SK. As with the Prestige Chateau, note the massive windows near the front end. These are only present on one side of the car. Other external changes include the charcoal grey letterboard, the new drumhead sign, and the removal of the marker lights.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Since <i>The
Canadian</i> was launched in 1955, the Park series cars have been the
undisputed show piece of the train. Always bringing up the tail end, the Park
cars originally featured a washroom, 3 bedrooms, a triple bedroom/drawing room,
a lounge and bar under the dome section (dubbed the “mural lounge”), a tail-end
lounge (the “bullet lounge”), and a dome section up top. Most of the Park cars
are still in this configuration, and the ones operating on the <i>Ocean</i> and occasionally on the
Winnipeg-Churchill and Jasper-Prince Rupert trains still are. However, the 4
that typically run on <i>The Canadian</i>
were rebuilt along with the Prestige Chateaus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">They now feature one normal Prestige
room and a fully accessible room, as well as a washroom, a completely
revamped bar under the dome, a redesigned bullet lounge at the tail end, and
the same dome section up above. They also have had their vestibules modified to
incorporate a wheelchair lift, and now have a powered sliding door at the end
rather than the traditional push/pull swinging door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBCeEdWZEpErY3e0GMstjMXWZFS51bZ4F6a59aZNgcJtKTUiuJLCFcdsweIUyQabdB4HYbs8AlE6hde1w8XB90ayhkK-_kDVQL2qJCe9jkOfy0WDcdDy7Wc35rLg-a7laofPAsBXzNoCM/s1600/IMG_2341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBCeEdWZEpErY3e0GMstjMXWZFS51bZ4F6a59aZNgcJtKTUiuJLCFcdsweIUyQabdB4HYbs8AlE6hde1w8XB90ayhkK-_kDVQL2qJCe9jkOfy0WDcdDy7Wc35rLg-a7laofPAsBXzNoCM/s640/IMG_2341.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheelchair lift fitted in the vestibule. For general use at low-level platforms, the end vestibule on the adjacent Chateau is used.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn0XdtqU2W2nZH3uZW96x-8XMEdeigNwsXp225nD3SCjFIbgJQmyvU-0yBvfQra0zm-wWbGmO0HQ3dfuW7SwOnZc-t3ZflxgmPIsiNV-YQG5Vlbf5Yu3y6QweU62xTN1I6CRV1fFuU5MI/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn0XdtqU2W2nZH3uZW96x-8XMEdeigNwsXp225nD3SCjFIbgJQmyvU-0yBvfQra0zm-wWbGmO0HQ3dfuW7SwOnZc-t3ZflxgmPIsiNV-YQG5Vlbf5Yu3y6QweU62xTN1I6CRV1fFuU5MI/s640/IMG_2232.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New sliding door at the end of Glacier Park. No matter how many times I saw this, I never quite got used to it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhJUu_sOSQmCZtXNKmW-uDPnv7nS5UEZlcexMNFuwwnyR2L5dNDRBoOJ0JYNxlrP8MqwZRkPoqp4vLL7YkvJEtDTNMnuqCz0K4NQMpAcr_fFD05CsYCGCn5xAai047d6_fyWXaf8IpUgh/s1600/IMG_2645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhJUu_sOSQmCZtXNKmW-uDPnv7nS5UEZlcexMNFuwwnyR2L5dNDRBoOJ0JYNxlrP8MqwZRkPoqp4vLL7YkvJEtDTNMnuqCz0K4NQMpAcr_fFD05CsYCGCn5xAai047d6_fyWXaf8IpUgh/s640/IMG_2645.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you walk through the end door, a sliding door provides direct access for wheelchairs to the accessible room. The public bathroom is on the left.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyh8eXs935ZanRMlWiVWW8ilBV2aO9KHSynLNc0O3qVqNtBUeNi0oAt8HviIXdEyDtw_OBWL-sBgslebEVrOxeKJlLqHop6fePVWwIO-UtaQBUqfENBR5Up6gAD2NM0NqIFaLdmseeQmn/s1600/IMG_2282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyh8eXs935ZanRMlWiVWW8ilBV2aO9KHSynLNc0O3qVqNtBUeNi0oAt8HviIXdEyDtw_OBWL-sBgslebEVrOxeKJlLqHop6fePVWwIO-UtaQBUqfENBR5Up6gAD2NM0NqIFaLdmseeQmn/s640/IMG_2282.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New bathroom in the Prestige Park. They've removed the little window, which is kind of a shame.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi3nhIO2tG46i-j57AnGQasmEJ4Zx0LKQY3n54UWmyvAkGLxvJq-7NFK5r7xRJYi6tVU8Mrt6M6q150fBvEzRw2I7s4V8iU_KF87V2dgEh90cDNW_CZ7_9gf7MPb_Rn2zBTeiA4RupFOv/s1600/IMG_2283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi3nhIO2tG46i-j57AnGQasmEJ4Zx0LKQY3n54UWmyvAkGLxvJq-7NFK5r7xRJYi6tVU8Mrt6M6q150fBvEzRw2I7s4V8iU_KF87V2dgEh90cDNW_CZ7_9gf7MPb_Rn2zBTeiA4RupFOv/s640/IMG_2283.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy sink in the refurbished bathroom of the Prestige Park. Definitely easier to use than the old ones.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkM43agcD44prTsynI5mQptfu7O3kPxucXPdncEZ7WRTgia7JcP-iYwuIUEUqzv28AhAyEH-LcqsM1E1XFeSW76Z-tnK7j2SRiLiTsJREjvFufSrGlizQeSYfDSCzFS567r0dg3EgI_KO/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkM43agcD44prTsynI5mQptfu7O3kPxucXPdncEZ7WRTgia7JcP-iYwuIUEUqzv28AhAyEH-LcqsM1E1XFeSW76Z-tnK7j2SRiLiTsJREjvFufSrGlizQeSYfDSCzFS567r0dg3EgI_KO/s640/IMG_2646.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the hallway in the Prestige Park. The first door is another access to the accessible room, and the next door is for the one standard Prestige room in this car.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E2ovcfncUekyyeOq5aDEqrmBFQOaDF39AVbaJ-OG-AEl6n60oVuLZ96RgAoQdPid5lJ4lE7ghIofHENInYyQ63gzJ4SV3XWVTyOTdB1BgCHvsfC64V8aH_caUdR0XXeSzpvwPN9H8-Yj/s1600/IMG_2650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E2ovcfncUekyyeOq5aDEqrmBFQOaDF39AVbaJ-OG-AEl6n60oVuLZ96RgAoQdPid5lJ4lE7ghIofHENInYyQ63gzJ4SV3XWVTyOTdB1BgCHvsfC64V8aH_caUdR0XXeSzpvwPN9H8-Yj/s640/IMG_2650.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new bar under the dome in the Prestige Park. Note the warm white LED strip lighting around the rail. There was quite a lot of this through this car, and it really added to the atmosphere.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_FXdXLLJXlI45ZZRHPtWMjB-A0aBMBTdftB_f2O7bOuPV_1DBZiL618wkJ2NSZhkD4S13IYDCna6ApG3Bq6P8qR8FCAXXMHf2E1dA9tOwbuzopG1kR4j076YEg7HmtB-hLTg18hVWyxt/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_FXdXLLJXlI45ZZRHPtWMjB-A0aBMBTdftB_f2O7bOuPV_1DBZiL618wkJ2NSZhkD4S13IYDCna6ApG3Bq6P8qR8FCAXXMHf2E1dA9tOwbuzopG1kR4j076YEg7HmtB-hLTg18hVWyxt/s640/IMG_2647.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking the other way in the new bar area. The high mounted bench and barstools provide a view out of the high windows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcxUHL_DeBUD2hXb-iaqVCaoo4hj5YEp1dAFGWS0SZu5vOA13Ha-Svrngk9_EdwGK1ggOVYbbU9Y2ChdnH3wvWEiCNNbdKgwIDRFOQf5PF_KrlAHD04iztp2NCmI5y2Dok1Ob40Y7L7WI/s1600/IMG_2651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcxUHL_DeBUD2hXb-iaqVCaoo4hj5YEp1dAFGWS0SZu5vOA13Ha-Svrngk9_EdwGK1ggOVYbbU9Y2ChdnH3wvWEiCNNbdKgwIDRFOQf5PF_KrlAHD04iztp2NCmI5y2Dok1Ob40Y7L7WI/s640/IMG_2651.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drink cooler. The drawings on the left were part of a drawing contest for the kids on board my trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0d_bghM3rwXCAZGYH55ExVHbbgGI_wVOxL_twq38oBxKHtNE7UhsdqCqDuYYUpDh4yn7stuRKkuxYXsE-FdVfLYzvwpSXFXGr1FOmWLpnYHc_VacuvjefoyIiG8mF7ORPd04rrro3MfIL/s1600/IMG_2652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0d_bghM3rwXCAZGYH55ExVHbbgGI_wVOxL_twq38oBxKHtNE7UhsdqCqDuYYUpDh4yn7stuRKkuxYXsE-FdVfLYzvwpSXFXGr1FOmWLpnYHc_VacuvjefoyIiG8mF7ORPd04rrro3MfIL/s640/IMG_2652.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of the driving of the last spike on the CPR. I'm not sure if the different Parks each have different images, or all the same.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleIfXJxJ62_Jb7uB9Q1LRAXos_89EhfLTKI-UfOwPqtmXWwD0Vn8NW8CcSnRCytVFtPM71d1GCc7f8W4wHV_6Ge9yQzaFpL08MY8aqKbdDUvHofOTpVvHpVZvMmInvF347zIqqS1rN7Jf/s1600/IMG_2805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleIfXJxJ62_Jb7uB9Q1LRAXos_89EhfLTKI-UfOwPqtmXWwD0Vn8NW8CcSnRCytVFtPM71d1GCc7f8W4wHV_6Ge9yQzaFpL08MY8aqKbdDUvHofOTpVvHpVZvMmInvF347zIqqS1rN7Jf/s640/IMG_2805.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bullet lounge in the Prestige Park. Just gorgeous. The main lighting is the warm white LED strips around the floor, as well as some other moody lighting. There are individual reading lights (controlled by a button next to the power outlets) for each seat. The couch style spaces are wide enough that it feels very comfortable to sit next to someone else, even when you're a larger person.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmz-7bCAeDtPw9PdRanGkfL58A-2pUZv6SIdfCM6cVz4BznJGZFG1XMiNYmAzO1srmid3eUC_bg33K9nLY0V3NJP9Y78zx0e7X8WJCMubnSV_fIcpLIPspoAW4JH3sRFOSGMfcHH_WrX8/s1600/IMG_2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmz-7bCAeDtPw9PdRanGkfL58A-2pUZv6SIdfCM6cVz4BznJGZFG1XMiNYmAzO1srmid3eUC_bg33K9nLY0V3NJP9Y78zx0e7X8WJCMubnSV_fIcpLIPspoAW4JH3sRFOSGMfcHH_WrX8/s640/IMG_2806.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee and tea, next to the stairs up to the dome. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNljvxaQCf-RDeiWg87plcKTv6zSxoqSVm7xJORBPv0AbKqfMLd_r2-gMSD_i9WJaXr9GjB_tBsT_jvaMFg_4a24KVE1awY6JFFSWjb7JHKuyrucxBKAt_2emR0cN06dngesDnj0EYGa-f/s1600/IMG_2264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNljvxaQCf-RDeiWg87plcKTv6zSxoqSVm7xJORBPv0AbKqfMLd_r2-gMSD_i9WJaXr9GjB_tBsT_jvaMFg_4a24KVE1awY6JFFSWjb7JHKuyrucxBKAt_2emR0cN06dngesDnj0EYGa-f/s640/IMG_2264.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up into the dome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t37J5U-JXejNq81O6xqf181hkKl_XlFJByJfsNE4lZ-Whs_j4PELNuo41WMwH351ELqRbahX9ClKriDFTK6nMn4-5aQtp2YEeaMRqeezdzW0Q70J3bY6gAoETZmbyac1fKTB12vby3HC/s1600/IMG_2265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t37J5U-JXejNq81O6xqf181hkKl_XlFJByJfsNE4lZ-Whs_j4PELNuo41WMwH351ELqRbahX9ClKriDFTK6nMn4-5aQtp2YEeaMRqeezdzW0Q70J3bY6gAoETZmbyac1fKTB12vby3HC/s640/IMG_2265.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seats in the dome. The first rows are marked as reserved for Prestige passengers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLJubDgYVmEOx6WZDKojOpXYl_iLvsxyxQ3vH9sW4mF-1ppHZn9j-iPKx-fhTc0AUtG63rPh4LpMrWsAZG3oCldhhYFX44u0vynkAxqDI7SFoRjR5AvAuq2yStATuL10k3xFc-wKy-Eor/s1600/IMG_2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLJubDgYVmEOx6WZDKojOpXYl_iLvsxyxQ3vH9sW4mF-1ppHZn9j-iPKx-fhTc0AUtG63rPh4LpMrWsAZG3oCldhhYFX44u0vynkAxqDI7SFoRjR5AvAuq2yStATuL10k3xFc-wKy-Eor/s640/IMG_2035.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dome in a refurbished original-layout Park car, on the <i>Ocean</i>. The Prestige domes look virtually identical, apart from the removal of the small hooks along the walls that were used to hand paper garbage bags. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some people were outraged by the major
changes made to these cars, and I was originally not so thrilled about it either - but I have to say after travelling in one, I am
absolutely blown away by how nice they are. Like the Chateaus, the overall
interior atmosphere and look is really refined and just gorgeous. I love the
new bar setup – it makes that space feel more open, and one of the main
highlights is new seating that is actually up at the height of the small
windows in that under-dome section. The bullet lounge now has couch-style
seating, which I found comfortable and more spacious than I expected. There are
now actually cup-holders and areas to set things down, and the lighting is a
huge improvement – more subtle mood lighting, plus individual reading lights
if you need to see better. It just makes for a far more relaxing and enjoyable
atmosphere in the evening. The dome itself is unchanged, but admittedly there’s
not much that could be done to improve that! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The only downside is that the cars are
reserved for Prestige only during sections of the trip (not yet the case when I
travelled), which is a shame. However, the actual new layout and interior work
they’ve done is amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Other:</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <b><u>PANORAMA CAR:</u></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wWzKJyNgSmOLiGRtWJths-Df0UWV8wQ-7Cc2EVuus6XQ2xuiLauLV9purnzi4FBHrUguTSsRonFWkhPSVrYe2FlYnp88Po9GlzJFYNsN7DIGure9ypaQeoGB78AF9n2SJEsyUJjcJDx8/s1600/IMG_2872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wWzKJyNgSmOLiGRtWJths-Df0UWV8wQ-7Cc2EVuus6XQ2xuiLauLV9purnzi4FBHrUguTSsRonFWkhPSVrYe2FlYnp88Po9GlzJFYNsN7DIGure9ypaQeoGB78AF9n2SJEsyUJjcJDx8/s640/IMG_2872.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the glass-roofed Panorama cars parked at Vancouver's Pacific Central station.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I didn’t have one of these on my
train because they don’t start running them until June, and even then they only
run them between Edmonton and Vancouver. However, I was fortunate enough to
tour a pair of them in Vancouver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9LXAnPV6nKvkXrdrT95JXdYZCttzfjjUS4suDpGRdS8i3d-VFdDbIaBvRNgXZkQaB5HSJ4Bx7Y6aX-mft-hXbUXcqeFhJ1ncZnqePl1_9LKwMTEwwmnpqZjexIwg63dhhZiM69z6C3dU/s1600/IMG_2600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9LXAnPV6nKvkXrdrT95JXdYZCttzfjjUS4suDpGRdS8i3d-VFdDbIaBvRNgXZkQaB5HSJ4Bx7Y6aX-mft-hXbUXcqeFhJ1ncZnqePl1_9LKwMTEwwmnpqZjexIwg63dhhZiM69z6C3dU/s640/IMG_2600.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside a glass-roofed Panorama car in Vancouver. These run on the Canadian between Vancouver and Edmonton in the summer.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />These cars have full wrap-around windows, and are treated like the other
observation cars in that they are public lounge type space rather than actual
passenger seating. They are only accessible to Sleeper Plus and Prestige
passengers. These three cars were built by Colorado Railcar using old VIA
baggage cars as a base, and were originally intended for a Florida excursion
train. They then ended up with BC Rail before coming to VIA Rail in the early
2000s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you travel on <i>The Canadian</i> between June and October, you'll have one of these on the western-most part of your trip.</span></div>
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------------------------------------------------------------------------</div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So there you have it: for those of you
who’ve never travelled on VIA’s long-distance trains, now you have an idea of
what to expect. The train is a really special way to travel, and VIA’s classic
stainless steel equipment provides an excellent experience that hearkens back
to an older age of travel, while also sprucing things up for the modern day.
There’s really no
better way to travel across this amazing country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">That also officially brings to a close my blogging about my Cross-Canada trip! With no more train trips planned for at least a little while, it might be a bit before I get back to posting more on here. However, I do have lots of old trip reports from travels on the <i>Ocean </i>and in the Corridor, so I may dig up some of the more interesting ones and re-post them on here when I have the chance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Until then...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrkFHMXsRIS9Ki5vzkA_wbsVaOvU1Q-QdgYRemwBcL1J6gt7H36XJZ81eeYV2pkru1rOJMh_vW14r_0TUR9nT2_zNV0vuR0ebwTx0StZyMedAty-iESHs1HwRH8pwC5DNgcHXgJQpfhHK/s1600/IMG_2808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrkFHMXsRIS9Ki5vzkA_wbsVaOvU1Q-QdgYRemwBcL1J6gt7H36XJZ81eeYV2pkru1rOJMh_vW14r_0TUR9nT2_zNV0vuR0ebwTx0StZyMedAty-iESHs1HwRH8pwC5DNgcHXgJQpfhHK/s640/IMG_2808.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun rises through the mists behind VIA #1, as viewed from the back window of <i>Glacier Park</i>.</td></tr>
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TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-38585728433374300552017-08-03T08:25:00.000-03:002017-08-03T08:25:43.803-03:00Cross-Canada Trip 2017 - DAY 9<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">DAY 9: The Last Day - or - All good
things come to an end: the return to Halifax<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">April 22, 2017. VIA Train #14. Good
morning! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Here we are: the final day of the
adventure. My alarm went off at 8, but I snoozed until 8:30 and then went to
shower. There was no wait for the shower, and no hot water issues in Macdonald
Manor this time. It was a dull morning, but it seemed like there may be some
promise of sun somewhere along the line. There was lots of snow on the ground
in New Brunswick, and we were running about 10 minutes behind schedule. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">After putting myself together, I headed
down to have breakfast in the diner. Well, that definitely made up for supper!
Just like on the trip up the previous week, breakfast was the one item actually
being cooked on board. I went for the French toast (eggs any style or continental were also available), and it was exceptional.
Steve was cooking on this trip, and while I always miss Gary when he’s not on,
Steve definitely knows his way around the kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIGgWwX0OHOLYoBC2SgdeTOMLZy8NQCImzDWY0wULso1ay0cWeVaHSp1pDnhXLN503Wkkdbmle15hy1DEI_GiXks1oy_WOd_Cxc0RwQ3Lr0brgVulNDB36o2oYrP239HudAA-CtyMGWr3/s1600/IMG_2955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIGgWwX0OHOLYoBC2SgdeTOMLZy8NQCImzDWY0wULso1ay0cWeVaHSp1pDnhXLN503Wkkdbmle15hy1DEI_GiXks1oy_WOd_Cxc0RwQ3Lr0brgVulNDB36o2oYrP239HudAA-CtyMGWr3/s640/IMG_2955.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast on #14 - French toast with bacon and potatoes.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On time at Bathurst, with lots of snow
on the ground. I took a walk up through the train to record the consist, and
observed that the third coach was quite full, the second was maybe a third
filled, and the first was deadheading and blocked off with the end gate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I headed back to the Park for a bit as
we slowly rocked along through the forests of New Brunswick. There was a pretty
full crowd in the dome, and a few in the bullet lounge. Maybe it was the return
to familiarity, but I wasn’t quite feeling the allure of the dome on this
morning. I felt more like relaxing and reading in the lounge, so that’s exactly
what I did. That stretch between Bathurst and Miramichi can be pretty boring,
especially with the current slow orders…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We reached Miramichi just past 11, close
to 20 minutes early. There was a slight delay there because one passenger
getting off couldn’t find his bag. We were back on the go at 11:24am. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Some roomettes on this trip were
occupied by crew, but there were no occupied sections (despite the pillows that
I had noted), and otherwise only bedrooms were occupied. As was the case on the
trip up, this train had been sold as Renaissance and only switched to HEP at
the last minute, which explains why most people just got bumped to bedrooms and
nobody really had the opportunity to book the cheaper berths or roomettes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The first call for lunch came at
11:57am. As usual, I would be going for the second sitting at around 1:30, just
after Moncton. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We were still running about 10 minutes
early at Moncton, and arrived at 1:17pm. Ted Bartlett, the current president of
Transport Action Atlantic, had come to meet me on the platform for a quick
chat. He was kind enough to snap a picture of me as well, as seen below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlrsfk__brpxbI4e39hDAcO2qCAnruWUJEZSUWUQQvIBBxCBQ1Cph3QkMQkpjT7VdLWvgHanMOwoyklR6xwpjTQR49pnfY6-lCBe_DGk3Q61p98LLxCfQe62yaRlM0aAyUQVuvCw0-M63/s1600/IMG_2956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlrsfk__brpxbI4e39hDAcO2qCAnruWUJEZSUWUQQvIBBxCBQ1Cph3QkMQkpjT7VdLWvgHanMOwoyklR6xwpjTQR49pnfY6-lCBe_DGk3Q61p98LLxCfQe62yaRlM0aAyUQVuvCw0-M63/s640/IMG_2956.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next to Macdonald Manor, my trusty ride for both directions on the <i>Ocean</i>, in Moncton NB. Thanks to Ted Bartlett for the photo! </td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPTS4j2mJf3bs4IRHRgXDFm5zvfV3lIKF_l8AX9JmoT1l9IMGZMajzxBzeYr15X_xW1LV48l2xZQ1xj-7u_Ray7hLs60k3hAO-FslU-oHrgUdTtpeIQ44dMqXQg9APD0M3SBtCW9OMWMj/s1600/IMG_2959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPTS4j2mJf3bs4IRHRgXDFm5zvfV3lIKF_l8AX9JmoT1l9IMGZMajzxBzeYr15X_xW1LV48l2xZQ1xj-7u_Ray7hLs60k3hAO-FslU-oHrgUdTtpeIQ44dMqXQg9APD0M3SBtCW9OMWMj/s640/IMG_2959.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shot I can't resist: when there's been plenty of snow melt in the spring, there always seems to be this nice big puddle at just the right place by the platform to get these reflecting shots. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite having arrived early, there was
a push to get away from the station as soon as possible. CN 407
(Dartmouth-Moncton) was on its way, and if we left right away we could make it
to a siding to meet them. Otherwise we would have to wait in the station track until
they arrived, which could be a while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We backed out of the station at 1:34pm.
This is normal for Moncton these days – the west switch is CTC controlled,
while the east switch is a manual one. By using the CTC switch they don’t have
to get a separate authorization to use the switch, and they don’t need to leave
someone on the ground to close the switch after they pass. So back out through that switch onto the mainline, and proceed forward. The westbound train
still comes in at the east switch because it can be thrown in advance, and
closed while the train is waiting in the station anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In a testament to the volume I’ve
written, my second pen died! So it was on to a third – conveniently a different
colour from either of the first two (keeping the journal colourful).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I wandered up to the diner at 1:40pm,
and discovered the call had been made during the stop in Moncton. As I settled
in with the menu, we met 407 at Evans – 4 locomotives and a good sized train.
The meet was exceptionally well executed. We never actually stopped, just
slowly rolled through the siding as 407, which had been waiting for us, cleared
out of the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Lunch was good enough. The tomato
vegetable soup to start was okay, but nothing special. My first choice (the ham
and brie) was unavailable, so I went for the salmon croquettes. The croquettes
themselves were pretty good, but the rice was bland and the vegetables suffered
from being reheated. Dessert, a “rocky road” brownie, was the one excellent
part of the meal. I was seated alone once again, as I had been at breakfast that morning and supper the night before. I was at Table 7 for all three meals, for what it matters. The
diner was roughly half full or less for each meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4scZtdM4YUGLrgN165faRp-NwHK9rIQATx6qNPJ4u6qYiJKJrsB12I6CePE9DpdiPnAWHTZLAb2lzI1EQC8ph70lqRiHjZoGIrKTm8T3G6-Eaie2YtsQSO7ht5JuKB5ZylnZyH_4ST9F3/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4scZtdM4YUGLrgN165faRp-NwHK9rIQATx6qNPJ4u6qYiJKJrsB12I6CePE9DpdiPnAWHTZLAb2lzI1EQC8ph70lqRiHjZoGIrKTm8T3G6-Eaie2YtsQSO7ht5JuKB5ZylnZyH_4ST9F3/s640/IMG_2960.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch menu on #14.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpou8c4vHHzAPuzM6QpUcZJL5m3rIfx5IV7ETXrCWPBBkJmEbq3medbYLtCF9mfQBnEepQyXWheixTPxrMMtWWafH4QSC-8c1YsXnpcj6TFS-QRgRlbRa5gE1Be_YLQSpnj-QrrOlMrPz/s1600/IMG_2961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpou8c4vHHzAPuzM6QpUcZJL5m3rIfx5IV7ETXrCWPBBkJmEbq3medbYLtCF9mfQBnEepQyXWheixTPxrMMtWWafH4QSC-8c1YsXnpcj6TFS-QRgRlbRa5gE1Be_YLQSpnj-QrrOlMrPz/s640/IMG_2961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon croquettes. Decent, but accompanied by bland rice and uninspiring vegetables.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCSao162zi113Sud8M-XdJ2Zwzh3RacK2UYMP21UkzvNQEsA7E4LPZMI23Jb6gq7-xIGYjKGNDlx2mczek1DwmlM4pknfCUIXbAXcvpHHbjd3835RNZkPe0MwzuwIOiNg6MSr1Gvc51iK/s1600/IMG_2962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCSao162zi113Sud8M-XdJ2Zwzh3RacK2UYMP21UkzvNQEsA7E4LPZMI23Jb6gq7-xIGYjKGNDlx2mczek1DwmlM4pknfCUIXbAXcvpHHbjd3835RNZkPe0MwzuwIOiNg6MSr1Gvc51iK/s640/IMG_2962.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's that tea I keep raving about...had to get in a bit more before leaving the train!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDADTfSp7YWXFIhDdki8uyaRGjZRwAQU9NI9erwMuPVLwGHJwIW63pWbBPoj9kgsKojdnyW0A-_7QXGOExd4e_KpceJzlwA7wWF84eRDKObMBm-ngDd0gMPGDnnN9Pt88yCcvClRI_gsQ/s1600/IMG_2963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDADTfSp7YWXFIhDdki8uyaRGjZRwAQU9NI9erwMuPVLwGHJwIW63pWbBPoj9kgsKojdnyW0A-_7QXGOExd4e_KpceJzlwA7wWF84eRDKObMBm-ngDd0gMPGDnnN9Pt88yCcvClRI_gsQ/s640/IMG_2963.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert on #14. The best part of lunch by a mile.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There was no stop at Sackville, and then
we rolled across the border back into Nova Scotia and made a brief stop at
Amherst. Nice to be back in the province!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I decided to just sit in my room and
read until Truro. I wasn’t really feeling like being social on this leg of the
trip, and this demonstrated something I commented on before – the train can
really be as social as you want it to be. Today, I was feeling a bit more
reserved and low key, so I kept mostly to myself, and just relaxed and read. Perhaps
after all the excitement of the cross-Canada trip, I was just happy to keep it
low-key on this more familiar train. It’s always a shame not to meet any
interesting new people, but it’s also good sometimes to have a bit of time to
yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Also playing into that low key feeling was some news that I received during the last bit of the trip – two of
my uncles, both on my mom’s side, passed away over the course of the last week.
Both had been ill, but I don’t think anyone was expecting to lose either of
them just yet, and certainly not so close together. That's never easy news to hear, and it was impossible not to
think about and feel heartbroken for my mom and my aunts, as well as the rest
of the family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We departed Truro at 4:16pm, 6 minutes
early. I suppose they must have accounted for everyone that had a ticket! We
continued to make great time on the final run to Halifax. We stopped briefly
next to Grand Lake by the Oakfield Bridge, and I’m not clear why. The stop was
only for about a minute, and then we were back on the go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGYcDNVxSvG-09slODGVMzpRbnXe93-1FvKl3o3CzeCInekpwGrd64aWbGI-WVTer7Vi8wOOj9GXXiVqy6dEG3OrSRkUuPKRG8fzzcrl3NeWN_F-c4KoJjn9TDTOugW0zSgqGg6wIesDB/s1600/IMG_2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGYcDNVxSvG-09slODGVMzpRbnXe93-1FvKl3o3CzeCInekpwGrd64aWbGI-WVTer7Vi8wOOj9GXXiVqy6dEG3OrSRkUuPKRG8fzzcrl3NeWN_F-c4KoJjn9TDTOugW0zSgqGg6wIesDB/s640/IMG_2965.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snaking around one of the many lakes as we get nearer to Halifax.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Whatever bits of sun had come out were
short lived, and the day had returned to overcast gloom with a
bit of rain. At least it wasn’t snowing! The Park car crowd had thinned out, and I took
to the dome for the last part of the trip. I love that stretch in from Truro to
Halifax, especially as we near the city and start to see the assortment of lakes
and the slowly emerging civilization, followed by the snaking run along the
shores of the Bedford Basin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We passed through Windsor Jct. at
5:10pm, Bedford at 5:16pm, and Fairview Jct. at 5:24pm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFJ3ucw9XcQCuWtDZo2JqnbhVlmtPzoblxC06RdM5ZZYv4T8e7yJlD1gV4x_Ofa47Uu2eNvHiZvgIdS033fkdmoEWIxw_L4l7Ire7SJE5kR7HuU5c0lPlZKwwlsrn1stj6Z_NJ-6ZTdCF/s1600/IMG_2968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFJ3ucw9XcQCuWtDZo2JqnbhVlmtPzoblxC06RdM5ZZYv4T8e7yJlD1gV4x_Ofa47Uu2eNvHiZvgIdS033fkdmoEWIxw_L4l7Ire7SJE5kR7HuU5c0lPlZKwwlsrn1stj6Z_NJ-6ZTdCF/s640/IMG_2968.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, we're back in Halifax alright...HMCS Fredericton in the Bedford Basin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ab5U5c-PFpvmCEQJgP5jb_PHrW4zfusAOuYKBFoRZ6p40bjqQoFNnELXaOT5FYlZM2AXpl5kc7enAqa4EZvnV2LLhyphenhyphenkTi4zdql0HryUlCelZ4t8fCLvb9g0-q25HVgUCwUNT6HPOsggo/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ab5U5c-PFpvmCEQJgP5jb_PHrW4zfusAOuYKBFoRZ6p40bjqQoFNnELXaOT5FYlZM2AXpl5kc7enAqa4EZvnV2LLhyphenhyphenkTi4zdql0HryUlCelZ4t8fCLvb9g0-q25HVgUCwUNT6HPOsggo/s640/IMG_2970.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Halifax Harbour Bridges - the MacKay in the foreground, and the Macdonald behind it - as well as the trio of striped stacks at Tuft's Cove make this an unmistakable location. Less prominent in the photo (and harder to see on such a gloomy day) is the Bedford Institute of Oceanography just to the left of the MacKay bridge. On a normal workday I'm looking out from that side of the basin... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0mHtijhjIykpBEo3ApC90QHtiNy1qnopEQSjUU4jIgZPLWwjWSj7sr6VgOQS7-ZTG6Eg9mDCq7RB2Jf1umdMDv5l0v-zI2Rn1tJBBa2QuS903mOFuchwCQkahY-yiBPsPv3-q-quRZEY/s1600/IMG_2972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0mHtijhjIykpBEo3ApC90QHtiNy1qnopEQSjUU4jIgZPLWwjWSj7sr6VgOQS7-ZTG6Eg9mDCq7RB2Jf1umdMDv5l0v-zI2Rn1tJBBa2QuS903mOFuchwCQkahY-yiBPsPv3-q-quRZEY/s640/IMG_2972.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unusual switcher: CN 5439, an ex-Oakway SD60, does switching duties at Rockingham. While a pair of GP40-2Ls or similar is more common, these SD60s have popped up here more regularly of late. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fBvM1Kj_WMikYDItgtVkmgJrWsamG9RVkleonWn4sjsmU3ny8sYGzkIAK5_vDJcX85vTlgce_HNd694XJ15323alf437DrCsudvnUJB26ZRklFJhiLOuNByJu_i4YLB30vKCuGnZvuxG/s1600/IMG_2973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fBvM1Kj_WMikYDItgtVkmgJrWsamG9RVkleonWn4sjsmU3ny8sYGzkIAK5_vDJcX85vTlgce_HNd694XJ15323alf437DrCsudvnUJB26ZRklFJhiLOuNByJu_i4YLB30vKCuGnZvuxG/s640/IMG_2973.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One final forward shot from the Park car dome, as our train curves around the yard in Rockingham, about 20 minutes from arrival in Halifax station.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />Finally, we covered the last few miles
through the familiar rock cut, as the 10 minute call came for Halifax and the
station soon appeared. We arrived at 5:41pm, a full 10 minutes early – pretty darn
good for the eastbound train, which tends to struggle more with its on time
performance than its westbound counterpart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I packed my things, bid farewell to the
crew, and made the long walk down the platform to the station. Then it was off
to catch a bus, and back home once again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltEWIlpOPhy3e3406C8Nd7hJe3umn1PhxG-ie58aDg9vLFYdXk4etbwlMxYVMbxge19FU12knaJ1nmQR5KOxWNcoeUYSNNvvHJiKsbwnoCruxIN9lzxC0Q9_Uxe1LcYTqWVAIE78haHty/s1600/IMG_2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltEWIlpOPhy3e3406C8Nd7hJe3umn1PhxG-ie58aDg9vLFYdXk4etbwlMxYVMbxge19FU12knaJ1nmQR5KOxWNcoeUYSNNvvHJiKsbwnoCruxIN9lzxC0Q9_Uxe1LcYTqWVAIE78haHty/s640/IMG_2977.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down the platform as the journey comes to an end. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioS1Bav7jAcLNpKXO4YGDxO8L7eCL16Dnoxqq2h4dW0knB7o19mfqdhC1RAR0ex_2D_P6Y06-DxsAz9FzvRkUVORmbsbGPemgo56NG_9WB6avrW8Y8kq7PW24lQImR-Hnh984-SwkQkZcq/s1600/IMG_2978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioS1Bav7jAcLNpKXO4YGDxO8L7eCL16Dnoxqq2h4dW0knB7o19mfqdhC1RAR0ex_2D_P6Y06-DxsAz9FzvRkUVORmbsbGPemgo56NG_9WB6avrW8Y8kq7PW24lQImR-Hnh984-SwkQkZcq/s640/IMG_2978.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ex-CP baggage car that replaced the previous ex-UP car that had been in this consist.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D_96ugMu8DLvijacYq7hfrbAPCkvMQRyysecu6CfwSEmJxrh98_wl_B3SelX8LsVW0h1LRbwwaAfxwVOOCt1tnPg4y9pIKZ_P9rZWGb3RoOTUytJoWgCbY0c_XaahBsFnR81nBlmCUK5/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1600" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D_96ugMu8DLvijacYq7hfrbAPCkvMQRyysecu6CfwSEmJxrh98_wl_B3SelX8LsVW0h1LRbwwaAfxwVOOCt1tnPg4y9pIKZ_P9rZWGb3RoOTUytJoWgCbY0c_XaahBsFnR81nBlmCUK5/s640/IMG_2979.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 14, being refuelled as the baggage is unloaded and passengers disembark. A short while later it would back out and turn around on the Halterm container terminal loop, before backing in to prepare for the next day's departure as #15.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />I’ll finish this Cross-Country report
off with the final excerpt from my journal:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
crazy how fast that all went, and every minute of it was such an incredible
experience. Happy Birthday Canada! There’s a way to celebrate 150 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 12.0pt;">J</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m
still in some disbelief that I’ve actually done it – coast to coast on VIA
Rail. I can speak from experience about </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Canadian<i>, at last! <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There
are still more trains to ride, and you know I’ll definitely want to get on </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Canadian<i>
again, but wow…I have lived my #1 railway dream. How crazy is that? <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
journey ends, save for a familiar city bus ride home with Halifax Transit. For
now, I’ll sign off. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Farewell,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tim”
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_xzVydvxycaccbWSMi8B4ife8Kz_Ktr0ujxjp7Yt0bUFTKUiZ4-OvGNZRAI459JdjZULuXjZVQsTcbLhedL7hRDymtFDKfEPC6_BiCCE9Stdm8c3-KMG8_SU5TZpbQU7MQlAkVZb2C7Z/s1600/18058088_10155323846325955_5880696314525780657_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_xzVydvxycaccbWSMi8B4ife8Kz_Ktr0ujxjp7Yt0bUFTKUiZ4-OvGNZRAI459JdjZULuXjZVQsTcbLhedL7hRDymtFDKfEPC6_BiCCE9Stdm8c3-KMG8_SU5TZpbQU7MQlAkVZb2C7Z/s640/18058088_10155323846325955_5880696314525780657_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train that completed the journey, and brought me full circle back to where I began - VIA 14, Halifax NS.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">--------------<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">So the Cross-Canada trip report has
pretty well come to an end, but there’s still one more piece left to go. I’ll
be doing a train tour post to give people a look at exactly what it’s like on
board <i>The Canadian</i>. Keep an eye out
for that soon!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-29580483870807098882017-08-02T15:58:00.000-03:002017-09-13T08:47:11.384-03:00Cross-Canada Trip 2017 - DAY 8<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">DAY 8: Back through the Corridor and on to <i>The Ocean</i><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">April 21, 2017 – time to get back on a
train, and make the rest of the trip home! The day began with breakfast at the
Cavern, the bar/restaurant in the basement of HI Toronto. It was quite good –
eggs, bacon, beans, potatoes, toast and fruit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa0NMNXdhZqRmUev-H27VircpQOfQcUOH1Iw8h2Hw89zuDZhwBjOvydzZdyTTELvKLih2zxrin8e9ZOg8DCdUhFh6Jho20g42h-vPX4dMJsUR7j4aaHYkcKc0l-0mf1UdVAbWTkwfJnGA/s1600/IMG_2912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa0NMNXdhZqRmUev-H27VircpQOfQcUOH1Iw8h2Hw89zuDZhwBjOvydzZdyTTELvKLih2zxrin8e9ZOg8DCdUhFh6Jho20g42h-vPX4dMJsUR7j4aaHYkcKc0l-0mf1UdVAbWTkwfJnGA/s640/IMG_2912.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HI-Toronto hostel, with outlandish mural.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I packed up my things, and made the
short walk back down to Union station. It was a cool and gloomy day, but no
rain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjJqLe8kNiYXmr362Pl-RwpRn9ut6qI0Fng2R7LcloGCirWiTMg9TNiby3o3y5yDMaoQXFn53BeP0a1BrZmQ9kv3RBj2vddUUjF5EFQJ5G50R_YCeCnFuqY3eMcvsw8IWjIhzv8ubogNL/s1600/IMG_2913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjJqLe8kNiYXmr362Pl-RwpRn9ut6qI0Fng2R7LcloGCirWiTMg9TNiby3o3y5yDMaoQXFn53BeP0a1BrZmQ9kv3RBj2vddUUjF5EFQJ5G50R_YCeCnFuqY3eMcvsw8IWjIhzv8ubogNL/s640/IMG_2913.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very cool bit of art on a building on Front St. before Church St.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj6uPc7b7CM6q0_Ma4vTMS14lcNqiWIz8b_Yyrb-XdfobPF7m6-ga6CfhUOqz6FfWIbAs6uOh8HAb05X709u82JV8zUhE8TanQOMiueoPEvvEVdlC6LtadB8pockNiGLm6PaoIeTlz6QB/s1600/IMG_2915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj6uPc7b7CM6q0_Ma4vTMS14lcNqiWIz8b_Yyrb-XdfobPF7m6-ga6CfhUOqz6FfWIbAs6uOh8HAb05X709u82JV8zUhE8TanQOMiueoPEvvEVdlC6LtadB8pockNiGLm6PaoIeTlz6QB/s640/IMG_2915.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you see the photo of the dog fountain in my recent "Mini Report"? Well here's the context: when I was there in April, I spotted this fountain under construction. There were several more dogs wrapped up and ready to be installed around the edges. It was neat to see it in operation a few months later!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So here I was, back in the Business
Lounge at Union Station, where the <i>Canadian</i>
adventure began 6 days earlier. Six days…where did the time go? There was the
seat I took that evening, where I first talked to Ted, all full of excitement.
Now I sat in that lounge again as someone who had ridden coast-to-coast by
train, with a full journal and a whole host of photos, memories, and stories to
share. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The boarding call came for #64 at 11am.
I headed out through the perpetually-under-construction concourse, and up to
the platform. #64 had a typical consist for that train right now – a P42 with
baggage and a mix of HEP2 and HEP1 cars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz564_MKgyeralh6vXJXzgRjj3FIUgdYsmSPQFt11OY__0nhOg9lGEqjvF46DjfIsHC4kYCEus6jKQ1OxmqUtLRyXH9vjit2-cGr3IGY3G68_ck1DBQsDsjwcSzpwQTipFiWceKtgxKZ7/s1600/IMG_2916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz564_MKgyeralh6vXJXzgRjj3FIUgdYsmSPQFt11OY__0nhOg9lGEqjvF46DjfIsHC4kYCEus6jKQ1OxmqUtLRyXH9vjit2-cGr3IGY3G68_ck1DBQsDsjwcSzpwQTipFiWceKtgxKZ7/s640/IMG_2916.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GO Train at Union station. The new glass roof makes photos so much easier.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx4_7Cn7FM8qTt0IKU1VIGBycp_IItYIX__DLbT-UZutwp12Fw7WtvXcxULkad2Ui62AdGZF_Ab5Z9G6fcBvO5aj-rz2Tkblq12AHckA0EGnz0CfIn1no6MkuSbzRYQsgJFM9PVKb0Ecq/s1600/IMG_2918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx4_7Cn7FM8qTt0IKU1VIGBycp_IItYIX__DLbT-UZutwp12Fw7WtvXcxULkad2Ui62AdGZF_Ab5Z9G6fcBvO5aj-rz2Tkblq12AHckA0EGnz0CfIn1no6MkuSbzRYQsgJFM9PVKb0Ecq/s640/IMG_2918.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIA 64 at Union Station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">VIA 64 – April 21, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">910 P42 (Canada 150 wrap)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">8618 HEP1 Baggage, ex-UP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4008
HEP2 Club (Business) (01) – Seat 13D<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">4005 HEP2 Club (in Economy service) (03)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">4118 HEP2 Coach (04)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">8112 HEP1 Coach, ex-CP (05)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">4121 HEP2 Coach (06)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">8101 HEP1 Coach, ex-CP (07)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I was seated in Seat 13D in Business
Class in 4008. It was nice to be in a HEP2 Club for a change, since I had only
been in LRCs recently. The HEP2 Clubs still have the old Club style seats,
which are much comfier than the new ones in the LRCs, even if the LRC layout is
quite a bit nicer. Business Class on the
train was much more spacious than the previous day’s flight, even in Premium
Economy. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCPUZQn28YV3J8LdXwBXEJaZwr5oqOyq4E3dcfZoCot_Q6P8ho1vWSOCfXZ4bNWWDzTZTUhecOjE3QQ9ysehJKEix6AFiKbSVNBhMWHcf9f9GDpfSLJEj-teqbU6brN7zEFdIs8ippH57/s1600/18010239_10155319609995955_3688274687218533362_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCPUZQn28YV3J8LdXwBXEJaZwr5oqOyq4E3dcfZoCot_Q6P8ho1vWSOCfXZ4bNWWDzTZTUhecOjE3QQ9ysehJKEix6AFiKbSVNBhMWHcf9f9GDpfSLJEj-teqbU6brN7zEFdIs8ippH57/s640/18010239_10155319609995955_3688274687218533362_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside HEP2 Club 4008.</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I recognized one of the attendants on
board (Alex), as he had been on one of my Christmas trips from Montreal to
Ottawa last year. He was really nice, and very thorough with his job. He seemed
to remember me, but then he suggested he had recently had another “Tim Hayman”
on board – a tall guy with sunglasses, who got on at Guildwood or maybe
Belleville. Is there another train riding Tim Hayman out there? Who knows…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The car was pretty full leaving Toronto,
but not packed. I had an empty seat next to me, and it would remain that way
for the rest of the trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We departed at 11:30am, on time to the
second. Drink service began right away. A friend of mine was out to watch our
train at both Eglington and Guildwood, though I didn’t manage to spot him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthFQKRmQWJVUjWe3pSOxJJJHReozCw2guisjhDm7KJlxA7F__S6A9n3kKC7T92QjaIiFaAAkKwV8XRrmKr0vFgZ7DsZqwZF7sd2F9aE5LdILEFqzexcoNSADKj90eqCu7jHxHjxuHHoHC/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthFQKRmQWJVUjWe3pSOxJJJHReozCw2guisjhDm7KJlxA7F__S6A9n3kKC7T92QjaIiFaAAkKwV8XRrmKr0vFgZ7DsZqwZF7sd2F9aE5LdILEFqzexcoNSADKj90eqCu7jHxHjxuHHoHC/s640/IMG_2919.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trackmobile, ballast cars, and some other maintenance stuff outside Union Station.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Guildwood at 11:48 am, plenty of people
boarding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As I was still a Premier member, I got
my priority meal choice. There were pork or pasta hot options, and a cold plate
salmon again. I went for the cold plate, as it sounded quite a bit like what I
had last time and really enjoyed. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t quite live up to
that…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hot towel service at 12:03pm. Oshawa at
12:09, more people board. Lunch service at 12:35. Cobourg at 12:45.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbhQK-HwY4vLw7O27wUTGQiWQ9FXluIyUGf1ITZH7sJxNZ5Iuim1q01752du5C4LOvp2i49z4h9X4gIbHCET07t1IUVjDR84GpIZEfQQ-4Bn2DVA9LtEtvdUSl9z4nZlpOkfx-wHmgQ9C/s1600/IMG_2616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbhQK-HwY4vLw7O27wUTGQiWQ9FXluIyUGf1ITZH7sJxNZ5Iuim1q01752du5C4LOvp2i49z4h9X4gIbHCET07t1IUVjDR84GpIZEfQQ-4Bn2DVA9LtEtvdUSl9z4nZlpOkfx-wHmgQ9C/s640/IMG_2616.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing one of the dual rail bridges over Port Hope, shortly before Cobourg. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Lunch was good, but not as good as the
way up. The salmon was shredded with a lemon pepper sort of thing going on. The
cranberry and carrot salad/slaw was quite good, but the little side salad was
really strange (Edit - it took me months, but I think I've figured out what it was - daikon!), and the cookie was okay but a bit dry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7ngiy4PKFlcrrsIKxwRGLDOcS4-VexMa6XWCBXIh1gp_WDudee-ei1wTo4vH0hk9nURIVdwNy97vEs5Q6peMspDddw8DfOvw2wACurBOUtZTK5PPeFlPkg0PpI44BubANHpJdXCEDQ1P/s1600/IMG_2921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7ngiy4PKFlcrrsIKxwRGLDOcS4-VexMa6XWCBXIh1gp_WDudee-ei1wTo4vH0hk9nURIVdwNy97vEs5Q6peMspDddw8DfOvw2wACurBOUtZTK5PPeFlPkg0PpI44BubANHpJdXCEDQ1P/s640/IMG_2921.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch on 64. If anyone can tell me what that salad on the right was, I'll be impressed. I ate the thing and never figured out what it was actually made of... (Edit: Daikon! Took me a while to figure it out, but I stumbled across that in a review of a local Korean restaurant, and by George I think that's it)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There were several others on this train
heading for Halifax, including a rather boisterous sounding quartet. They were
mostly new to the train, and it sounded like none of them had been on the <i>Ocean</i> before. It could be an interesting
trip…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Belleville at 1:23pm. A few more board.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kingston at 2:02pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T_gAESq8H_YIAKhmBhxP4ZOQTbcMSMLyuurkKjErN9ptnTZIsCCGYaLbwbtaC5pInWn8ulQOOteSmByuRIikKn1VIkvD4jfabXBWWqxENZfbsFVsOIPzeiUSfQEOfPCJEcHLOIHQlZ16/s1600/IMG_2617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T_gAESq8H_YIAKhmBhxP4ZOQTbcMSMLyuurkKjErN9ptnTZIsCCGYaLbwbtaC5pInWn8ulQOOteSmByuRIikKn1VIkvD4jfabXBWWqxENZfbsFVsOIPzeiUSfQEOfPCJEcHLOIHQlZ16/s640/IMG_2617.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After-lunch coffee. I'll bet you can't guess how I was travelling...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I spotted a couple of swans in a pond
north of the tracks during that stretch parallel to the 401 past Kingston. There
were also a few wild turkeys shortly thereafter. There, a bit more wildlife for
the trip…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We overtook a stopped VIA train (P42 and
LRCs, multiple Canada 150 wraps) just before Gananoque. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Brockville at 2:50pm. No boardings in
Business Class, and still no seat mate. The seat next to me remained occupied
solely by my copy of <i>Good Omens</i>,
which by now was about 30% read. The flight and subsequent Corridor trip lent
themselves better to reading, as I got back to familiar and less exciting
territory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We passed Invista/Brochem, and there was
no sign of the plant switcher. I’m thinking of trying to build a model of the SW900 they have there,
so I was hoping to get a glimpse for reference. No luck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Meet with the CN local westbound at
Prescott, right at the Boundary St. crossing, as it made its way back to Brockville.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was nice to see Johnstown, my old
hometown, again. There was a lot of clearing happening down near the tracks on
Sophia St., and it looks like that area may be getting more developed. I do
miss that little hamlet…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There were several tanks at the CASCO
interchange, but no switcher in sight as we passed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cornwall at 3:43pm. About 10 min late by
this time, due to a brief slow order around Prescott. The skies remained
cloudy, with sporadic breaks of sun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">45min to Dorval, 1h10min to Montreal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Coteau at 4:10pm. At Coteau, I spotted
CN 4139 waiting with a cut of cars on the lead to the Alexandria Sub.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We pass a WB AMT train, 1324 with MLVs,
at Baie D’Urfé. Somehow we were still about 10 min late approaching Dorval. There really isn’t a lot of tolerance
in the timetable on these Corridor runs. You can make up over 3 hours on #1, but lose 10 minutes on a Corridor train? You're staying 10 minutes late...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dorval at 4:36pm. I noticed that the large
“Montreal” sign on the main airport building had been re-done in Habs colours
(with their logo in the “o”) for the Canadiens playoff run. There was lots of
excitement about their playoff run, as well as the Leafs’ – unfortunately, both
would be cut short before long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We were on the move at 4:40, with next
stop Montreal. Another AMT train – MLVs with 1356 leading. It was getting a bit
sunnier here, but still lots of dark clouds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Montreal was already starting to look a
little greener than it did the week before, as we rolled into the station.
There was a VIA consist (F40 and Ren set) backing out of the station, and an
AMT train heading out to the St-Hilaire line as we approached the station. On
the way in, local railfan photographer Michael Berry caught my train from the
outside. Now there’s a shot you don’t usually manage to get while you’re riding
the train!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2806/33819742550_7f43174eab_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2806/33819742550_7f43174eab_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of my train approaching Montreal, by Michael Berry. See link to his Flickr page, below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtlwestrailfan/33819742550/in/dateposted/" target="_blank">Link to Michael's Flickr Page</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The consist for the <i>Ocean</i> was waiting in the station as we arrived at 5:04pm. As I got
off the train, I almost forgot one of my two bags – yikes! That would have been
unfortunate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTb9225YDEVIG-hERWayUWs8IGMEVY97_JiUefLGXFUksjQ7YSu7GaYo9xWgGPuKOVbwK0NhvmkSzY2_Au-0rtO9WpIt4tKE3IJzzeAwiDahwtkjqbk-Lui8rX-DgJ2EpFt29iEfnzc_o/s1600/IMG_2927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="1600" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTb9225YDEVIG-hERWayUWs8IGMEVY97_JiUefLGXFUksjQ7YSu7GaYo9xWgGPuKOVbwK0NhvmkSzY2_Au-0rtO9WpIt4tKE3IJzzeAwiDahwtkjqbk-Lui8rX-DgJ2EpFt29iEfnzc_o/s640/IMG_2927.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6427 waits with the consist for the <i>Ocean</i>, currently being prepped prior to boarding.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A friend of mine dropped by to hang out
for a while before my train, and then before long it was time to check in. I
was happy to see that Zach, one of the crew members I’ve gotten to know fairly
well, would be the service manager on #14. He gave me a warm welcome as I
checked in, and made a reservation for the late (8:30pm) dinner sitting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDF4V-zdbKTPLOVfSEgPpDvr-sFrkYtZrT69JOEM2xbZF43SF-q5qMAjQiqTuyHiJwSzYjRZUXFhyphenhyphen8kbGrzHxfoUs-Ff9UNnt55yQ8vhmVwRA_Yxxpo6NlbrJIVnALC2_XTL_kSg7kUCJ/s1600/IMG_2929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDF4V-zdbKTPLOVfSEgPpDvr-sFrkYtZrT69JOEM2xbZF43SF-q5qMAjQiqTuyHiJwSzYjRZUXFhyphenhyphen8kbGrzHxfoUs-Ff9UNnt55yQ8vhmVwRA_Yxxpo6NlbrJIVnALC2_XTL_kSg7kUCJ/s640/IMG_2929.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Additions to the VIA sign inside Montreal's Central station celebrate Canada's 150th and Montreal's 375th. I didn't even notice as I took this photo, but there's appropriately an add for <i>The Canadian</i> on the screen below. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As I headed down the stairs to board #14, the train that awaited me looked an awful lot like the one I had left in
Vancouver. <i>The Ocean</i> was once again
running with stainless steel HEP equipment, and had a very similar consist to
what I had ridden on the way up over a week ago. Despite looking a lot like the
<i>Canadian</i>, with mostly identical
equipment and a similar length consist, the <i>Ocean
</i>still felt like a fundamentally different beast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIE1cqmJaB_HECRhtyFbMWvttkXZW4NaH52gbRDDYMdu4d9HUmOkLV645FM_O65-tbncRfCfgHqZS_kTqJHeoZrZu7KdXnMgH87eBb0hGPqPmPXthvyKR-5_4j5uwM2RA4ceJhQTi__-T/s1600/18033382_10155320926945955_1401478158601907170_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIE1cqmJaB_HECRhtyFbMWvttkXZW4NaH52gbRDDYMdu4d9HUmOkLV645FM_O65-tbncRfCfgHqZS_kTqJHeoZrZu7KdXnMgH87eBb0hGPqPmPXthvyKR-5_4j5uwM2RA4ceJhQTi__-T/s640/18033382_10155320926945955_1401478158601907170_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarding the final leg of the trip - back on <i>The Ocean</i>, and back in Macdonald Manor. Thanks to Tara, another VIA attendant who happens to be an able photographer in a pinch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My attendant, Tara, was another familiar
face – I’ve been on a few trips with her before. She’s originally from
Antigonish, where I lived for four years while attending St. FX. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Amazingly, my new room assignment was in
Car 36, Room B. This would put me back in the exact same sleeper that I started
my trip on over a week ago, just in a different room! This time I would be in a
forward facing bedroom, which was nice for the variety. It felt pretty similar,
just with everything swapped around. I had neighbours in the adjacent room this
time, and really noticed how poor the soundproofing is between rooms, thanks to
the folding walls that allow the rooms to be combined into suites. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The consist for this trip was almost
unchanged from the way up, just with different locomotives and a new baggage
car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">VIA 14 – April 21, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">6427<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">6406<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">8612 Baggage (ex-CP)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">8139 Coach (Deadhead, blocked with end
gate)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">8140 Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">8138 Coach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-size: 12pt;">8505
Skyline<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-size: 12pt;">8407 Emerald
– Diner*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-size: 12pt;">8211 Chateau
Lasalle (34)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-size: 12pt;">8202 Chateau
Bienville (35)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">8334
Macdonald Manor* (36) - Room B<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">8303 Amherst Manor* (37)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">8312 Butler Manor* (38)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">8208 Chateau Dollier (39)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tremblant Park* (40)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Indicates refurbished cars. Line
numbers in brackets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lots of bedrooms were occupied, and cars
36, 37, 38 and 39 all clearly had passengers in them. 34 and 35 did have line
numbers, but it didn’t look like there was anyone in them. There were pillows
out on some of the berths as well, though it wasn’t clear if they would be
occupied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We departed at 6:59pm, one minute early,
exactly as the welcome aboard announcement ended. I snagged the front left seat
in the Park car dome as we began to roll. After 4 days of having those front
seats off limits, it felt like a treat! Unfortunately the lack of dome-window-washing
on the <i>Ocean</i> became painfully obvious
in contrast to the spotless domes on <i>The
Canadian</i>. As we snaked out of Montreal, it was strange to see a different
train ahead, after getting so used to that same one for several days! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPZX9x4MRBrS53iimK8ALnypYvpslXh5XtZlo3ejbBAoPP08G3kanQN_ktQe824gHhWbfe2oaFUQtgdlJbGPX_zTRhITHE8ewOf_5Fdk-TPytngl3YJJvSbZpnWuJcHBNzHI-EkkMcB21/s1600/IMG_2930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPZX9x4MRBrS53iimK8ALnypYvpslXh5XtZlo3ejbBAoPP08G3kanQN_ktQe824gHhWbfe2oaFUQtgdlJbGPX_zTRhITHE8ewOf_5Fdk-TPytngl3YJJvSbZpnWuJcHBNzHI-EkkMcB21/s640/IMG_2930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snaking out of Montreal towards the Victoria Bridge, under the old catenary supports. With only a single Skyline and all of the sleepers marshalled behind the diner, the <i>Ocean</i> looked markedly different from the <i>Canadian</i> that I spent 4 days behind, even with the same equipment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-bYwmiqx0ofIy3SaO3UXJJ1lpYPf-wml1BA2rMVCgEV16IySxSlYcZkL3n0ZykcjXek0rV7lNRrdqE9vdJVG7WQZNW7tRptNJvRnd61tRJYUc8Qz1lwn8Kom-A-BQesSV_-QF4rg3d6-/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-bYwmiqx0ofIy3SaO3UXJJ1lpYPf-wml1BA2rMVCgEV16IySxSlYcZkL3n0ZykcjXek0rV7lNRrdqE9vdJVG7WQZNW7tRptNJvRnd61tRJYUc8Qz1lwn8Kom-A-BQesSV_-QF4rg3d6-/s640/IMG_2934.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Montreal skyline - and Costco. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We met the Amtrak Adirondack as it came
off the Victoria Bridge. That’s the first time I had seen that, but given the
current schedule, it should be a reasonably frequent occurrence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDfBsW_3hnWq1DjP74ZHjhXzNe6twHRN9UePGrAfNWrCfeH7fNWq-9dtc8ayTuBPsOQuYVid_DY5BIMj6iuH-64VsMPZSRSJTcWWpJUvImXxY3NmdsTuQWz8v2z3Ma9A4MtQPtOfPZRH2/s1600/IMG_2937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDfBsW_3hnWq1DjP74ZHjhXzNe6twHRN9UePGrAfNWrCfeH7fNWq-9dtc8ayTuBPsOQuYVid_DY5BIMj6iuH-64VsMPZSRSJTcWWpJUvImXxY3NmdsTuQWz8v2z3Ma9A4MtQPtOfPZRH2/s640/IMG_2937.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Amtrak Adirondack approaches, as we sway through the crossovers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DUBCANBTEoDR5l3f7fwM3LwoOMyh9bHco7TH9b6ArH_7HMqiqvGxHPbzP-eiXMBat797QvTRDBHGMmPW3sT-4pAT8VkyN-1utWUJZQjcVUkxCtojySIyAKmCLHrf5hzgXekHmm182gZ7/s1600/IMG_2941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DUBCANBTEoDR5l3f7fwM3LwoOMyh9bHco7TH9b6ArH_7HMqiqvGxHPbzP-eiXMBat797QvTRDBHGMmPW3sT-4pAT8VkyN-1utWUJZQjcVUkxCtojySIyAKmCLHrf5hzgXekHmm182gZ7/s640/IMG_2941.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amtrak's Adirondack heads in to its final destination of Montreal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The dome lights were switched off as we
came across the bridge. In addition to the noticeably dirtier windows, it was striking
to see just how different these refurbished original-layout Park cars are from
the Prestige rebuilds. There were little things that I didn’t previously
notice, like the more subdued lighting in the lounge, that just make those cars
feel more refined and more relaxing. The classic Parks are great, but suddenly
the lights in the lounge felt overly bright and harsh as the evening wore on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We met a freight at St-Lambert. We made
two station stops, and were away by about 7:20pm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-u8BBVyL_qzaZimG7vB9rU2hyd4YUI89bJbYHqhy8DzWL6zOw8SCFIh7uSwCfGFoUH3w0-KihYz2Jet1Z5qUDj3dvHdppk5UztntQ42e94bPXRemZTmAwxqNa37-U8x4LE3-Cp-1DdqH7/s1600/IMG_2943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-u8BBVyL_qzaZimG7vB9rU2hyd4YUI89bJbYHqhy8DzWL6zOw8SCFIh7uSwCfGFoUH3w0-KihYz2Jet1Z5qUDj3dvHdppk5UztntQ42e94bPXRemZTmAwxqNa37-U8x4LE3-Cp-1DdqH7/s640/IMG_2943.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freight meet at St-Lambert. The dirty dome windows were really noticeable after the spotless ones on #1.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I got chatting briefly with a couple
from River John, NS, who had flown up to visit family in Ontario. They had
decided to cancel their plans to fly back and take the train instead, because
the husband had horrible ear pain on the flight up (boy, do I know that feeling…).
This was their first time on the train, and they seemed excited about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I enjoyed yet another cup of Sloane <i>Rouge Provence</i> tea as I watched the
light fade from the sky. I must have drank my weight in this stuff over the
past week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QaPn6d1beE2UFJe8XByamwPqtl6znOXV5i1hf74-xw-GhrGJbZMvPw9Arf9M6_NYeLx9ZXb4vlNfIXgOQKQtvNh8KUzgGntq33ns462tvZ2OpXeRBYjXUxFhiy2YVqDLNUVeBqeeK_bO/s1600/IMG_2944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QaPn6d1beE2UFJe8XByamwPqtl6znOXV5i1hf74-xw-GhrGJbZMvPw9Arf9M6_NYeLx9ZXb4vlNfIXgOQKQtvNh8KUzgGntq33ns462tvZ2OpXeRBYjXUxFhiy2YVqDLNUVeBqeeK_bO/s640/IMG_2944.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signal lights on the roof, as we approach Mt. St-Hilaire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNLK4LOwN_zihSrjtAV2BEyk3hx1J23eAd9dL9dl-9ciAr3qwWCGkJPVeQQVV2OfkXE9FP67rpfu45XjfMLcV1Zhr96W0HyBhCAnf3GdvrLWI6W9ChqlmfFJhRg4_4v0egCPQ-lPQXxT7/s1600/IMG_2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNLK4LOwN_zihSrjtAV2BEyk3hx1J23eAd9dL9dl-9ciAr3qwWCGkJPVeQQVV2OfkXE9FP67rpfu45XjfMLcV1Zhr96W0HyBhCAnf3GdvrLWI6W9ChqlmfFJhRg4_4v0egCPQ-lPQXxT7/s640/IMG_2947.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An empty dome. While it was quiet in the evening, it wasn't generally this empty. I took this shot strategically as some people left for supper, and before another couple arrived.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">St-Hyacinthe at 7:55, Dep. at 7:58. It
was getting dark by then, and the foreboding skies killed any hope of a sunset. We went into a siding
for a meet not long after that, and waited for a freight and then a VIA train
before we would get moving again at 8:28pm, just as the second supper call was
made. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Supper was…interesting. The dining car
crew were lovely, as always – Breagh and Ocean-Leigh were among that group, and
it was nice to see more familiar faces. I was seated at a table on my own,
which was quite the contrast from the days on <i>The Canadian</i>. Despite the equipment being exactly the same, the
atmosphere was different. It was quieter and less bustling, the table cloths
and place settings were different – just a much more low key kind of
environment in every way. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it felt strange.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The food itself was a pretty big
disappointment. The chowder and dessert (a raspberry cake) were good as always,
but the main course (a stuffed chicken breast) was exceptionally lackluster.
The asparagus was overcooked, the potato was bland and dry, and the chicken was
just sort of okay. This was largely thanks to the fact that the meals on here
were once again the Renaissance catered meals re-heated, rather than food
cooked on board (despite the presence of a real diner). Those meals can be
great, but the quality out of Montreal is often really lacking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0FI7j2uqbBHkyWjcKHLw6jDe7-Cg_2FwAd0lRuCVhrBjrS-t1u2yf-nFfSqwWFTpcIKXsUc7xxFoeBLheXnbMrKsvsn1BIv9PRgPwGXHJHY0WQOr3bBDY9kirpWoPoGrK0k229Dvxz2l/s1600/IMG_2949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0FI7j2uqbBHkyWjcKHLw6jDe7-Cg_2FwAd0lRuCVhrBjrS-t1u2yf-nFfSqwWFTpcIKXsUc7xxFoeBLheXnbMrKsvsn1BIv9PRgPwGXHJHY0WQOr3bBDY9kirpWoPoGrK0k229Dvxz2l/s640/IMG_2949.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu on #14. Standard Renaissance options, despite the full HEP diner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xeTgYDi0KI8jfnazc9pv9RRfbcI7_U5U2tXn-c3Zx8h-aC72U10CW84ZDEitCHKGZNx9r08fX7JP5t-505_3h1ckpb3SxloC7S9d7Y0eDaHyqMmci35zXeGqRA1a9CXUvR_ikJcTZI0h/s1600/IMG_2950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xeTgYDi0KI8jfnazc9pv9RRfbcI7_U5U2tXn-c3Zx8h-aC72U10CW84ZDEitCHKGZNx9r08fX7JP5t-505_3h1ckpb3SxloC7S9d7Y0eDaHyqMmci35zXeGqRA1a9CXUvR_ikJcTZI0h/s640/IMG_2950.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seafood chowder - the one highlight of this meal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8QLJd3cxacZ-9XcwuGuu7UVXUvCKn0kUhEsd9NLH7Or1LQnTCVfe19EvRrEJ2ngHg7nSVrn9RDPqUZouZEfC0sSQQcZGPUHyS-SMvdxCa_TyJ19AM0JabXfu5oJOwyndvFKDkFCUf_JF/s1600/IMG_2951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8QLJd3cxacZ-9XcwuGuu7UVXUvCKn0kUhEsd9NLH7Or1LQnTCVfe19EvRrEJ2ngHg7nSVrn9RDPqUZouZEfC0sSQQcZGPUHyS-SMvdxCa_TyJ19AM0JabXfu5oJOwyndvFKDkFCUf_JF/s640/IMG_2951.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Lackluster stuffed chicken breast, with bland, dry potato, overcooked asparagus, and vaguely palatable gravy." - Somehow, I don't think that description would have sold it, even though it's more accurate. At least the wine was good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4hmFh5_wU_521qUk9ZTayDSBqfJWIkNGUheqhWEdpr3A0rF1JndDsLdjvj5LaPcC6ZFM6D5ElpCAFcLfuQXsJ3aB9VoOX891Y0zX8P2dGpzG-qSN4nbnMJ1OR3yz0dGrK1JFyW7ZfpBQ/s1600/IMG_2952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4hmFh5_wU_521qUk9ZTayDSBqfJWIkNGUheqhWEdpr3A0rF1JndDsLdjvj5LaPcC6ZFM6D5ElpCAFcLfuQXsJ3aB9VoOX891Y0zX8P2dGpzG-qSN4nbnMJ1OR3yz0dGrK1JFyW7ZfpBQ/s640/IMG_2952.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raspberry Cake - perfectly nice, though not as good as desserts on <i>The</i> <i>Canadian.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Zach came by and asked how it was, and I
said the same as I wrote above. He ended up sitting down and we chatted for a
good 45 minutes. He started his VIA career on the <i>Canadian</i>, and worked there for several years before he moved to
Halifax to work on the <i>Ocean.</i> He knew
Karine when he worked out there, and was happy to hear she was still sticking with it. I told him quite a bit about my trip, and we chatted about all sorts of
things before he had to go prepare for the stop at Ste-Foy. I headed back to my
room briefly, before planning to hope off for some fresh air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">During supper, I had also overheard
conversation from a group of 3 at an adjacent table. They were all former VIA
on-board employees who worked in the Corridor, northern Quebec, and Winnipeg
starting in the ‘70s and ‘80s. It sounded like they had quite the careers, and
I overheard some really interesting stories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was wet and rainy at Ste-Foy, so I
stayed on board. As we got back underway, I decided it was time for bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So for the last time on this 9-day
adventure, I headed off to go to bed on board a train; my 6<sup>th</sup> night on
the move, albeit not consecutively at this point. I hoped that after two nights
on solid ground I’d be able to re-adjust to sleeping while rocking and rolling
about! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Goodnight from VIA 14! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_5JT2fNHvGXery_GYG4T9dnR-KTPY7ek7ZR-jurgOYd6GWMtun7Ke2-soP4Xd_F-M3MJnziWVVpq8wp-uSOXJmLP7UXqGUMDUdOOOk94RYMbNY3uPMP7he9-j76qlzXvuWEj23tp3mFi/s1600/IMG_2953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_5JT2fNHvGXery_GYG4T9dnR-KTPY7ek7ZR-jurgOYd6GWMtun7Ke2-soP4Xd_F-M3MJnziWVVpq8wp-uSOXJmLP7UXqGUMDUdOOOk94RYMbNY3uPMP7he9-j76qlzXvuWEj23tp3mFi/s640/IMG_2953.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bed in Room B of Macdonald Manor, all ready for my last night on the train for this trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the next part, we will move on to the
final segment of this adventure, as we finish the trek back to Halifax.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418509564641611370.post-450301297268264132017-08-02T10:57:00.003-03:002017-08-02T10:57:58.197-03:00Cross-Canada Trip 2017 - DAY 7<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">DAY 7 – Trains, planes, and
autom…ated trains<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Morning in Vancouver, April 20, 2017.
After 5 nights of sleeping on a moving train, there was something kind of
strange about sleeping on a solid, motionless bed. Thanks to the busy day
before, I slept well – but had decided to wake up much earlier than I really
needed to so I could pack in some extra things while in the city.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I really wanted to do two more things while
in Vancouver: ride the new Evergreen extension of the Skytrain, and ride the
West Coast Express (WCE). The WCE is Vancouver’s commuter rail system, and it’s
not the easiest thing to just ride for fun. The WCE is truly a commuter system,
running several trains in to downtown in the morning to bring people in from
the surrounding areas, and then it runs the same number of trains back out from
downtown at the end of the day. So
unlike something like the GO train or AMT lines, you can’t ride the line out
and back in again, unless you’re starting from one of the suburban areas and
coming in to Vancouver for the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s almost impossible to actually ride
it the entire length, unless you’re starting in Mission City and coming in for
the day, or are willing to make a several hour convoluted bus trip one way
(assuming you don’t have someone who can drive you one way). But I wasn’t
really concerned with covering the entire trip: I just wanted to ride some part
of it to get a feel for what it was like. Thanks to the recently opened Evergreen extension
of the Skytrain’s Millenium Line, it was now actually possible to go as far as
Coquitlam on the Skytrain, and then ride the WCE back in to Waterfront station,
assuming you went in the morning (the opposite could be done in the evening). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The ride to Coquitlam Central on the
Skytrain took about an hour from downtown. I started at Granville Station (~10min
walk) and rode the Expo Line to Commercial-Broadway (~7min), and then transferred
to the Millenium Line (~32min). Add in a bit of a wait between trains and the
short walk from the Coquital Skytrain station to the WCE station, and you’re
just shy of an hour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6kLqf33-Hbs4AZlAEwr8kqd3xa1KNaUHYNZGFrXY5f-jPrG4BDDSb2jGFEFIj2HnZ3RR1BzmDVVC9VQC5K9SQxO8WKv-xzN4M3N1HPzqszYDkBoGI2LB9utzKi8TfpUB9AAXVbCgQtuj/s1600/IMG_2890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6kLqf33-Hbs4AZlAEwr8kqd3xa1KNaUHYNZGFrXY5f-jPrG4BDDSb2jGFEFIj2HnZ3RR1BzmDVVC9VQC5K9SQxO8WKv-xzN4M3N1HPzqszYDkBoGI2LB9utzKi8TfpUB9AAXVbCgQtuj/s640/IMG_2890.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granville station. A somewhat blurry photo, which is much like how I was viewing the world at 6:30 that morning...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">So I headed off at around 6:30am, with
my goal being to catch the 7:40am train. I figured that if I aimed for that
one, I still had the 8:10am option as a backup in case I missed it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a gloomy and misty morning as I
made my way out. When I made the transfer to the Millenium Line train, I headed
straight for the front seat by the windshield. I hadn’t had one of these seats
yet (they are popular), and I was thinking that it should be easy, given how
few people were on board in that direction at that time of the morning. When I
boarded at Commercial-Broadway, there was one guy who got on ahead of me – and he
went straight to that seat. Ok, I thought, he can enjoy the view. Nope – he immediately
put his head down and went to sleep! Bah! But at least he only stayed on for a
few stations, and then I snagged the seat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">One of the other things I had
contemplated doing while in town was going out to photograph the Amtrak
<i>Cascades</i> when it left in the morning. Caught up in my Skytrain/WCE plans, I
almost forgot – and then I spotted it on the way out, as we paralleled the
railway line. Had we got ahead of it I would have jumped off to get a better
shot, but alas, the best I got was a lousy view through the wet windshield
(they don’t put the wipers on, unfortunately). In any case, it was still neat
to see it. This now meant that over the course of this trip I had seen
all 3 Amtrak trains that run into Canada: the <i>Adirondack</i> in Montreal, the <i>Maple
Leaf</i> in Toronto, and the <i>Cascades</i> in Vancouver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFeyFzeWJ7pWZ2AZllYi90nbUibKmKonY0K3CYQTPoS-28W_qZ2GlmO_9pFPSpI-ho4TcZ87b7goQqBIhAmCNFCTcoNZ4pWye2J-MzKaU8Wyx02HdhkdfLbiiTjf2AL2lVsgkGg_0-K57/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFeyFzeWJ7pWZ2AZllYi90nbUibKmKonY0K3CYQTPoS-28W_qZ2GlmO_9pFPSpI-ho4TcZ87b7goQqBIhAmCNFCTcoNZ4pWye2J-MzKaU8Wyx02HdhkdfLbiiTjf2AL2lVsgkGg_0-K57/s640/IMG_2891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amtrak <i>Cascades</i> through the rainy windshield. Come on now, can't I turn on the windshield wiper?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7USXDyZPKZ2B9DGTlpsdCIUDWFrVaymRe8cRbTt1JOJofjc-GQAFFmLYhLaVBq5lSrFWGbgnzkd3LmuIutP80ctdJgVhF1atdcMj_byjViZvKtIunII14KJGnUlY1Qfa1XW7My4V_2OOa/s1600/IMG_2892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7USXDyZPKZ2B9DGTlpsdCIUDWFrVaymRe8cRbTt1JOJofjc-GQAFFmLYhLaVBq5lSrFWGbgnzkd3LmuIutP80ctdJgVhF1atdcMj_byjViZvKtIunII14KJGnUlY1Qfa1XW7My4V_2OOa/s640/IMG_2892.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <i>Cascades</i> gets ahead of us, and now we prepare to diverge from following the line.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Skytrain ride was fun, and it was
neat to see a section of the brand new line. There is a really impressive
tunnel along the way, that just seems to go on for ever and ever…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hJjSgmJUPtr2cj7q9-hbZAWvNPk_wUKIy9hVG9xALA7sqb10AF8pWuIMcyAzKOdDvM4Q9ExSXj9D9A0tdQf15ZG-rcuLDYhLGA_JX4IY5V6avQGvIrz5377SntNLpGZgqnEPGHCPvjid/s1600/IMG_2893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hJjSgmJUPtr2cj7q9-hbZAWvNPk_wUKIy9hVG9xALA7sqb10AF8pWuIMcyAzKOdDvM4Q9ExSXj9D9A0tdQf15ZG-rcuLDYhLGA_JX4IY5V6avQGvIrz5377SntNLpGZgqnEPGHCPvjid/s640/IMG_2893.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind another Skytrain. The automated system does keep things a safe distance apart, and makes for a very efficient operation. </td></tr>
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</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OOfO92A5f6HF5GW7Svr6m6_YX8K-Qqiul7z0jDeA_i-PuQM9CFMxbZFshHr0AL9Jg1ePdHhUaZD_p92fGz42QugiIOK_RzJ0wn2I94qJg7Sbbu3SuKIjBSNq7VOEMOighmZJ_k2b7r_T/s1600/IMG_2894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OOfO92A5f6HF5GW7Svr6m6_YX8K-Qqiul7z0jDeA_i-PuQM9CFMxbZFshHr0AL9Jg1ePdHhUaZD_p92fGz42QugiIOK_RzJ0wn2I94qJg7Sbbu3SuKIjBSNq7VOEMOighmZJ_k2b7r_T/s640/IMG_2894.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splitting off on the Evergreen extension.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp6tNg9kWLJIIiP1afhNwlLS7RfYw3HTN-gTwkOS2KFHazLW7NDJd3ZnV4CTKdK8OzEXEdA_bwDvz2rZYh1sEbkk4MgQiizfbs3MQh7ufKYzru2EDBr-F9dQq0ez33dCz4l7mTX9447U9/s1600/IMG_2895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp6tNg9kWLJIIiP1afhNwlLS7RfYw3HTN-gTwkOS2KFHazLW7NDJd3ZnV4CTKdK8OzEXEdA_bwDvz2rZYh1sEbkk4MgQiizfbs3MQh7ufKYzru2EDBr-F9dQq0ez33dCz4l7mTX9447U9/s640/IMG_2895.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head-on! Have faith in the automated system...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0gMkOkDQEi698okG39wdbeiScrMVrX67MTZ7PlISMTNtRbSBnF2AwESfE7DwmZlG9SvswtWfCO_Ly4ytLbkJY04mGOW_cBFfEg8luTek3rGnwdJrDv_QkHBwKh2zFayfLZKtk_KRPdoU/s1600/IMG_2896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0gMkOkDQEi698okG39wdbeiScrMVrX67MTZ7PlISMTNtRbSBnF2AwESfE7DwmZlG9SvswtWfCO_Ly4ytLbkJY04mGOW_cBFfEg8luTek3rGnwdJrDv_QkHBwKh2zFayfLZKtk_KRPdoU/s640/IMG_2896.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A WCE train on its way towards downtown.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TcNJf2RTYGt9aBKMurS25vwS73Ur_xuxrxsGoUqsn1-se2_RPYP9Y1-Gn8YPHO5kHvdhBtLX-8NYCS9BWBkVJUYivZOyEqp2qH5ovIlG_3fpv4lh-Nikzs43W6q2xky7Kb1dVs8JxHBJ/s1600/IMG_2898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TcNJf2RTYGt9aBKMurS25vwS73Ur_xuxrxsGoUqsn1-se2_RPYP9Y1-Gn8YPHO5kHvdhBtLX-8NYCS9BWBkVJUYivZOyEqp2qH5ovIlG_3fpv4lh-Nikzs43W6q2xky7Kb1dVs8JxHBJ/s640/IMG_2898.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skytrains at Coquitlam.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwvg91mPdddVzihuWhcqFv9b1qlvdNyM1XnUeb5izkmn-gtrh7sjG2X6stEjp9J4AkmRaehywzN98G0OKIlHNDxIMTkNJhcd7QNNPAkps1j7Ek20G1n1uxY8YaQ1Lb6ASsPomT9CDu2um/s1600/IMG_2899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwvg91mPdddVzihuWhcqFv9b1qlvdNyM1XnUeb5izkmn-gtrh7sjG2X6stEjp9J4AkmRaehywzN98G0OKIlHNDxIMTkNJhcd7QNNPAkps1j7Ek20G1n1uxY8YaQ1Lb6ASsPomT9CDu2um/s640/IMG_2899.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My train heads off towards Lafarge Lake - Douglas, on the final stretch of the Evergreen extension.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">At Coquitlam I made the short walk over
to the WCE station, bought my ticket, and headed to the platform to wait. There
weren’t too many people when I arrived, but the crowd swelled rapidly as the
train got nearer.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEMXAPMMSTov8msSAZ7kgNH1UeKY90KPJ47iODjXkVDlasbCZAuuMnyBwshxqcT32lgk2pjktBRV_O9adW6aNxZQIFrj2XxwGtxvfjRoMZhz9WP9KOh2f9TGWdcFFFPacsQ43Rzho2S52/s1600/IMG_2900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEMXAPMMSTov8msSAZ7kgNH1UeKY90KPJ47iODjXkVDlasbCZAuuMnyBwshxqcT32lgk2pjktBRV_O9adW6aNxZQIFrj2XxwGtxvfjRoMZhz9WP9KOh2f9TGWdcFFFPacsQ43Rzho2S52/s640/IMG_2900.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Skytrain station at Coquitlam.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZAyZaUfDJwkvhOxK14Az-BFWhk8gdgS3uTcT5hM7r1r8ib17idFKz66oxAFfH2fUQB8ZufomiET1F3dCsJfEpFLtleQA7Nk8HYbdbhDM-NT48Mq5j-ohzX5ynHdYt-jmRmLR5j_8CZX8/s1600/IMG_2901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZAyZaUfDJwkvhOxK14Az-BFWhk8gdgS3uTcT5hM7r1r8ib17idFKz66oxAFfH2fUQB8ZufomiET1F3dCsJfEpFLtleQA7Nk8HYbdbhDM-NT48Mq5j-ohzX5ynHdYt-jmRmLR5j_8CZX8/s640/IMG_2901.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The WCE station at Coquitlam Central. You walk under the tracks to come up on the other side.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYDqPA-Wb6UKsk0ZIkPRYhDrZamzSpMZLeVMsAOV7q6-18xV3uwy4o_fLPprZeTxSt5eGsJjaKOGRByXDeyyZIvUTwn6E_jcUcPewZISXMqmwZJ_MvjD00r2P2l5CVn_5TKqan4XV8yea/s1600/IMG_2902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYDqPA-Wb6UKsk0ZIkPRYhDrZamzSpMZLeVMsAOV7q6-18xV3uwy4o_fLPprZeTxSt5eGsJjaKOGRByXDeyyZIvUTwn6E_jcUcPewZISXMqmwZJ_MvjD00r2P2l5CVn_5TKqan4XV8yea/s640/IMG_2902.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A CP freight was slowly rolling by on the adjacent track, and then stopped. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrDi0sscUW27jJBvGZoR8CvWPqkhyphenhyphenWIc0KjYih_k52ncTolfpxIwl9EkrDCCKfXjRWhfNE3GO6p1CRRqqSCdQ5RniB3y_MmsyefRhSJFhLqd2Mz33E35ylniVUwnXb7X6deUhGQL34Ns9/s1600/IMG_2905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrDi0sscUW27jJBvGZoR8CvWPqkhyphenhyphenWIc0KjYih_k52ncTolfpxIwl9EkrDCCKfXjRWhfNE3GO6p1CRRqqSCdQ5RniB3y_MmsyefRhSJFhLqd2Mz33E35ylniVUwnXb7X6deUhGQL34Ns9/s640/IMG_2905.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My train approaches. I really love this shot - there's a very particular mood to Vancouver in the morning, and I think this captures it really well. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFxqcT097L3kmOayeJ_0_yNKuKyB-xSzjeXwl4lGsjFRnId4U_xmDkNymiy2zhA65yu_MqoIuAp_Gi6fniqRyGVafPOXaUvCeepbrcv6T2dBb3duP368992oX_BGTiw7-bJaFsDdBMY-N/s1600/IMG_2906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFxqcT097L3kmOayeJ_0_yNKuKyB-xSzjeXwl4lGsjFRnId4U_xmDkNymiy2zhA65yu_MqoIuAp_Gi6fniqRyGVafPOXaUvCeepbrcv6T2dBb3duP368992oX_BGTiw7-bJaFsDdBMY-N/s640/IMG_2906.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crowd awaits as the train rolls into the station.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On board I made my way to the upper
level and snagged a seat by a window. The other 3 seats around me were empty,
but filled before we left the station. I had originally contemplated wandering
the train and trying to find the “cappuccino car” (which has a coffee bar on
board), but once the others settled in I decided to stay put. I wasn’t feeling
stellar at this point (too much travelling before breakfast/coffee?), and I
didn’t want to push by people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The ride in to Waterfront Station is
absolutely gorgeous. There’s a lot of industry and freight activity, which is
neat, and the views along the water are stunning. With the mists hanging over
the water, it was a lot like the previous morning along the Fraser Valley. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP5obwpqsuIyqqAFiuy-TYTb6BDHf8CmFuSeDWIMpF1ZGLGyxF8cPb9lc5SUqZMALtyRhDGHYFRERFRoUNBtjWfavZtz2Po8OZnAsgyHfbi4t95KFHNeoVx5NS0E0fI9U0mCKS2dQOVlQ/s1600/IMG_2605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP5obwpqsuIyqqAFiuy-TYTb6BDHf8CmFuSeDWIMpF1ZGLGyxF8cPb9lc5SUqZMALtyRhDGHYFRERFRoUNBtjWfavZtz2Po8OZnAsgyHfbi4t95KFHNeoVx5NS0E0fI9U0mCKS2dQOVlQ/s640/IMG_2605.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from the WCE. This would be a pretty amazing daily commute.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktGtbxzp9tB92geW-CDTdRW5UA6NXu5JZ9miekmR2WIXnk4cMkSb9zC9Np6g6GbmKfpPIBxDjd7mAwyDs2bbMDtc4rf4nYKdjNE_dOEVL-J4H8JJGTj-URoe4-B6YEHQGwAg3e4_bPTei/s1600/IMG_2908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktGtbxzp9tB92geW-CDTdRW5UA6NXu5JZ9miekmR2WIXnk4cMkSb9zC9Np6g6GbmKfpPIBxDjd7mAwyDs2bbMDtc4rf4nYKdjNE_dOEVL-J4H8JJGTj-URoe4-B6YEHQGwAg3e4_bPTei/s640/IMG_2908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More views from the WCE. Beautiful, but also a LOT of rail-served industry along the way. A fantastic commute for a railfan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Arriving at Waterfront, I was confused
to see many people staying seated and not really going anywhere. Why the hold
up? There’s no further stop, is there? Once I got off I realized what was going
on: everyone was funnelling into the escalator to head up into the station, and
it was like a traffic jam of people. Obviously many people know that this is
the case, so they don’t bother to fight the crowd, and just hang around reading
or relaxing until it clears out. If you’ve got the time before you need to be
at work, why not? Unlike many other commuter systems, the train itself doesn’t
go anywhere right away, and they just leave the doors open and clearly don’t
mind people hanging out on board for a while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hA2m7JmPbwxTMZkMg2Eo_8JrKwmnId3k9u31NG3rNKcFiVsiUyYvEFNL8ILEo2yXwTHAjnQO1lYR-jwiAj7MyHjltspBBS46ibPAMI6RkIVSqE-4kABLoPU-nOhlcNo9ApO6v5LWwnAA/s1600/IMG_2909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hA2m7JmPbwxTMZkMg2Eo_8JrKwmnId3k9u31NG3rNKcFiVsiUyYvEFNL8ILEo2yXwTHAjnQO1lYR-jwiAj7MyHjltspBBS46ibPAMI6RkIVSqE-4kABLoPU-nOhlcNo9ApO6v5LWwnAA/s640/IMG_2909.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the previous WCE arrivals, on the storage tracks waiting for the evening return trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPc8cakDi-ZRVBRX7jxru5lV9TEA1VA-eB76qWCp6Z2ctPkZP5AP-YDhG3iIF0CBH_PStg1Ip6SlAfJCDPX1CaOVb4V0gSvPu1-HWsz-gYTpljEeW3ByzY4JuVH3CLQ-6IbULJJVDfGgnO/s1600/IMG_2910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPc8cakDi-ZRVBRX7jxru5lV9TEA1VA-eB76qWCp6Z2ctPkZP5AP-YDhG3iIF0CBH_PStg1Ip6SlAfJCDPX1CaOVb4V0gSvPu1-HWsz-gYTpljEeW3ByzY4JuVH3CLQ-6IbULJJVDfGgnO/s640/IMG_2910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other end of my WCE train. A hardworking F59PHI provided the push.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Once in the station I hopped on another
Skytrain to get me most of the way back to the hostel, and then walked the last
bit. Breakfast was provided at the hostel, so I had something to eat and got my
stuff packed up in preparation to head for the airport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I can’t say enough just how much I like
Vancouver’s transit system, most notably the Skytrain. The ride to the airport
is a breeze – a 10 minute walk to get to the Canada Line, and then about half
an hour on the train to the airport. It drops you right in at the terminal, and
is a pretty smooth ride. I snagged a windshield seat, and enjoyed the cab-view
from the automated train. The sky brightened as we neared the airport, and it
became a lovely day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfx9WYK3ZG3iFFSyyT5vDx5hGrZbVYPQfNjyUtWzgyzB_TFaXQyzA5CzpLZ5H1cK3ST-t2qgteCf2iVzOXe9I1u-h_qBfFlHCM0jEuBznBgvaFo5ip7eLeFyvknuvLX-mgSF_q2nKcBiX/s1600/image1+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfx9WYK3ZG3iFFSyyT5vDx5hGrZbVYPQfNjyUtWzgyzB_TFaXQyzA5CzpLZ5H1cK3ST-t2qgteCf2iVzOXe9I1u-h_qBfFlHCM0jEuBznBgvaFo5ip7eLeFyvknuvLX-mgSF_q2nKcBiX/s640/image1+%252811%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skytrains on the Canada Line, headed for the airport.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Vancouver airport is nice – large, but
it doesn’t feel as big or chaotic as Pearson or Dorval. It’s nicely set up, but
they could perhaps use some additional departure screens. Security was slow,
but not the worst I’ve seen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">While
waiting for my flight I popped into a café to grab a sandwich and a drink, made
a phone call, and then wandered to the gate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I would be on Air Canada Flight 148.
When booking the flight, I realized that Air Canada flies a couple of
YVR-YYZ flights with the new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. I really wanted to try one
of these out, so I picked a flight that used one. Fortunately I was able to get
a ridiculously good deal on the flight itself, so I decided to pay the extra to
upgrade to a Premium Economy seat. They don’t offer that class on YVR-YYZ
flights, but you can book the seat for about an extra $100. For the rate I got
on the flight, plus the fact that I paid a whopping total of $0 for my entire
train trip, I figured that was worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I spotted a couple of 787s while I was
waiting, but didn’t spot any Air Canada planes in the new livery. I thought I
saw one, but it turned out to be a Delta plane – I guess that kind of proves
one of the main critiques of the new AC scheme (even though I do like it…). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We boarded with only a minor amount of
chaos (there was a lot of confusion about the different lines they made for
different sections of the plane), and headed away on time. I was really glad to
have gone for the Premium Economy seat. Instead of the 3+3+3 layout of the
Economy section, the Premium Economy section is set up 2+3+2, and spaced
accordingly. The seats are roomier, with more legroom and a solid division
between the seats. I was in Seat 13A, and found it quite nice. It actually felt
comparable, space-wise, to riding in Economy in an LRC coach (I say that as a
compliment!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzygQ4ZqNBQiTOyuXYWAa9c77jiy3vUdMI_BlPVnv14sy5xhYG8IiIKkfT7sDGicXt519MacyDvl1Cy5bjEP7nFD6ng76C5L0MKlzoM6gJGqUUasntiiHOedgyByYUYiEcLSNAHYE43R8/s1600/IMG_2611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzygQ4ZqNBQiTOyuXYWAa9c77jiy3vUdMI_BlPVnv14sy5xhYG8IiIKkfT7sDGicXt519MacyDvl1Cy5bjEP7nFD6ng76C5L0MKlzoM6gJGqUUasntiiHOedgyByYUYiEcLSNAHYE43R8/s640/IMG_2611.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Premium Economy seats on an AC 787. Note the "dimmable" windows - they were cool, but didn't work that well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The flight itself was smooth, and I was really
impressed with the 787. It was a quiet and smooth ride, and I found the lower cabin
altitude made for a relatively painless landing (as someone with inner ear
issues, that’s a rarity…). The interior design of the plane is quite nice, and
the new touch screens for the in-flight entertainment system are a huge
improvement – they feel more like a tablet, rather than an old-school touch
screen. The fancy tinting window shades were sort of cool, but they didn’t seem
to work very well, and I have to agree with people that think they’re kind of a
gimmick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVD1VgAxVbWwN3fK_3sQe-X9b3XiRlH3_Gz1VG3AINAcoiwb39-l41UgXLC7pv_CKyo4AY1h8GGumsafkFhCDRRbdXQiHAdYAoV1kdQIr8iOoFss7u7Hw5hVWgd832ZMVWovrosfTIXsxm/s1600/IMG_2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVD1VgAxVbWwN3fK_3sQe-X9b3XiRlH3_Gz1VG3AINAcoiwb39-l41UgXLC7pv_CKyo4AY1h8GGumsafkFhCDRRbdXQiHAdYAoV1kdQIr8iOoFss7u7Hw5hVWgd832ZMVWovrosfTIXsxm/s640/IMG_2609.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from seat 13A. It was a beautiful day and at times a stunning view, but nowhere near the same as the view from the train. You miss so much from the air...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We landed in Toronto through dense
clouds and rain, but despite warnings from the crew, there was almost no
turbulence. We only had to wait a few minutes to get to the gate, and then we
were off in rather good time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was really surreal to be back in
Toronto so quickly. After making that journey on the train over 4 days, making
the return flight in just over 4 hours felt…well, it felt almost like cheating.
I can totally see the advantages of the flight, and the ability to travel vast
distances so quickly has fundamentally changed the way we see the world, and
even our own country. But if you only ever fly over these distances, you never
really get any appreciation for the vast </span>expanses<span style="font-size: 12pt;">, the scenic and cultural
diversity, and the multitude of communities that make up this amazing country
we live in. I don’t begrudge people for flying – not having to spend a week
travelling to the west coast is great, and were it not for the flight back I
couldn’t have managed this trip – but I feel like everyone needs to do that
trip by land (either by rail or by car) at some point just to really appreciate
it. You don’t really see your country from the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Back on solid ground and suddenly into
the evening (the rapid reversal of the 3-hour time change took some getting
used to) it was time to get back on the rails, as I caught the UP Express back
down to Union station. I love that train; it’s fast, convenient, comfortable,
and since they dropped the fares, very well priced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">From Union Station I walked over to
Church St. and found the HI Toronto hostel. I was in a dorm that night, so less
private, but all I really needed was a bed to sleep in. At $35 for the night
and a 10 minute walk from Union Station, you can’t do much better than that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It was pouring rain as I wandered out
to find something quick to eat. Back at the hostel I took in a band that was
playing in the bar downstairs: a UK band called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wherefiresare/" target="_blank">Where Fires Are</a>, who were in
town for Canada Music Week. I enjoyed them quite a lot, and it was kind of neat
to see them among a crowd of maybe 10 people. As they wrapped up, I headed
upstairs to settle in for the night. I was out like a light in no time at all,
and next thing you know it was morning…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In the next installment, we'll get on the rails again as we head back through
the Corridor to Montreal, and board <i>The
Ocean</i> again for the final leg of the journey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
TimHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00432213761954945224noreply@blogger.com0