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Riding VIA Rail Train #1 "The Canadian" from Toronto to
Vancouver.
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Journey's End.
0330 We are getting thrown around more than usual on
Canadian National's already
rough track. At last, we come grinding to a halt. I raise my window shade and
peer into the blackness. It somehow looks familiar. Yes, we are in
Port Mann,
BC, CN's massive freight yard and shops where I used to go railfanning many
years ago.
Too dark for pictures, I lower the shade and go back to sleep. More switching
and stop-n-go movements. We negotiate a wye track and BACK into
Pacific Central
Station. At 0430, Laurentide Park, is at the bumper post. Our 2,775 mile journey
from Toronto is over. We are 3 1/2 hours EARLY (due 0800). That is some SERIOUS
pad in the schedule.
Yep, the back in, (most likely for the convenience of the Prestige Class
passengers, nixes any more diesel pictures. They REALLY don’t want you near
the locomotives. Why, they might explode at any time!
0610. I am showered, dressed, packed and ready to go. Waiting for my big
brother to wake up.
0630 We head to the diner for one final omelet, and those scrumptious Canadian
link sausages (drool, drool...). We are told we can stay aboard until 0830 when
the cleaners board and begin to scrub her down for the next voyage east.
We both tipped our Winnipeg-Vancouver car attendant (Deon) and
he helped us schlep our luggage down the aisle and to the platform below.
We disembarked at 0730 and plodded towards the depot. One final
frame with Laurentide Park and we're outside the station.
Apparently, my domicile in Idaho is not sufficient (Some bobo had pasted this on
a Postes Canada mailbox). As the sun rises above
Pacific Central Station, our story comes to a close. Bon voyage and thank you
everyone at VIA Rail for a terrific, once-in-a-lifetime, experience!
THE END
CLICK HERE to view this trip's train consist.
 
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