Train Reflections

Looking back on the train ride across Canada and the very few posts about the day to day experience, I thought a few more thoughts were in order.  We boarded at 10 at night, found our berths, already made up.  This is what we were faced with--a bunk off the aisle.  Doug had the upper and I had the lower.  No floor space, just bed.  The curtains shut for privacy but if you stepped out, you were in the aisle and public view.  There were two berths across the aisle occupied by our new BFFs, Andy and Elsie.  They were single travelers so they were introducing themselves to each other and to us.

 After a welcome on board Champagne, we settled down for the night.  Fortunately, the ticket agent at the train station warned us to check one of our bags because there wasn't a lot of space.  We definitely thanked her on many occasions...

We were traveling light as it was, with a carry on bag each plus our 'personal' item, but consolidating even more was a very good idea.  I ended up taking a few things out so the bag would fit under the bunk.  The only place to put them was inside the bed.  I had a shelf on the lower berth, but all Doug had on the upper was a string hammock for his possessions.  Still, I had to store a couple of things on the bed with me.

The first night we slept, maybe.  We had to get used to the motion of the train.  Not bad, a gentle rocking to start, but then we picked up speed and gentle turned into rock and roll.  Hang on!  Good thing the hallways were narrow because you definitely needed the extra support.  I think I used the term ricochet.   One friend thought rubber suits might be in order.

There were other sounds to get used to (or not), like what sounded like a flock of ducks quacking.  Was I in a duck blind instead or a bunk?  The faster we went the more ducks there were.

We were a few steps from the bathrooms, but you did want to be modestly covered since, remember, at night you stepped out into the aisle.  I did the lie on your back and hitch up your pants routine, raise your rear and hopefully get the pants snapped.  You know position, right?

Meals.  Breakfast was on a first come, first served basis.  Each meal featured several choices.  Breakfast had eggs or an omelet or pancakes or muffins and yogurt.  There were 3 seatings for lunch and dinner, 5, 7, or 9 o'clock.  We managed to eat at either the first or second seating all three days.  The food was quite good and plentiful.  Canadian wines were served.  Our days were taken up with sleeping, eating, reading, looking out the window and any activity that might be put on by the staff.

While we were at breakfast, the porter put our bed away for the day.  At each change from bed to seat and back again, we had to be organized enough to put out the things we needed at night in our berths on the seat.  It would then appear inside our curtained bed. Vice versa in the morning.  I did figure it out eventually--by the last night.  Consolidation and organization was the key.

Here is the interior of my berth.  It took me two nights to discover that the light by my bed had two settings.  I was trying to read by the low light setting and finding it difficult.

Our across the aisle bunk-mate, Andy, was a great help.  He has taken the train across Canada several times so he is an old hand and gave us great advice.

Would we do it again?  Yes, but not right away.  It was an adventure, especially so since we had no expectations and no idea what we were getting ourselves into.