Go Big or Go Back to Ontario: Train Journal

3/29/2013

6:30

Well this is the last day and we are on wards toward Toronto. Last night I did not get a very great sleep but I slept for longer because I went to bed earlier. Now I am just sitting I the viewing car and enjoying the sunrise over the Sudbury area whilst listening to Darkthrone Total Death... Great choice.

So I was just thinking that I should fill you in with some essential items and tips for the train that I have learned would have been a good idea under certain circumstances. I will fill you in with what I have learned from my experience and found handy that I have.

Essential Train Items aboard “The Canadian”

Pillow and Blanket

Although these items can be purchased from the canteen for a price of ten dollars, I could see them being essential for someone who has a variable inner thermostat. Meaning you get cold easily. Personally I didn’t want to buy them cause I'm not of the consumer type, but I would have liked a pillow if I brought one with me!

Chewing Tobacco

If you are a recreational smoker and partake in cigarettes often, it might be a good idea for you to stock up on a few tins of chew to get that high amount of nicotine contained within. I personally am a very casual pipe tobacco smoker so the 8-10 hour waits between getting of the train were not as grueling as it was on some others... In Saskatchewan I pointed out mid conversation that the 5 of us had been talking about smoking in some way or form for over 2 hours.

Change of Clothes and Toiletries

Obviously, its 4 days... As well those big wet wipes that are used for make up removal are useful for washing your face and to douche your feet.

Ear Plugs

For me at least, this is the most essential item that I could have in my pack. Your body is not timed like everyone else, it will be natural to have a snorer at 8:30 in the evening or a baby crying at 3:00 in the morning. The industrial orange ones work best as they compress down and slide all the way into the ear.

Water Bottle

A refillable water bottle certainly is handy, there are places on the train you can refill it so to keep hydrated is easy.

Ibuprofen

Well I am tall, nothing in the world is built for the tall man, so naturally I suffer from sore knees and back. It is a good Idea to carry some of these guys in your pack to help with sleep if your sleeping with an armrest in the back of you neck.

Alcohol

Well this is not for everybody, but a cold beer on the observation deck while rolling through Jasper is all the better. I personally just kept the cans in my bag, and poured them into a coffee cup. Liquor is something I also wished I had, it helps me sleep, picks me up when I'm feeling a little bogged down, and is liquid charisma. But not for everyone. Barley Pops on the train are 6$ ea, and little tiny bottles of liquor are 7$.

Plan Out a Few Meals

Bring a few options for lunch or dinner or pick some stuff up at the grocery store along the way. A few easy to prepare non-perishable items(canned Tuna or Salmon works), a few buns, maybe some peanut butter and jam, and be creative. There is no place to keep your food cold so nothing that will go bad to fast without refrigeration, or bring a small cooler is you must.

There are plastic cutlery and other items like cups and plates available on the train so don’t fret. Bring some fruit like apples, oranges and kiwi's for something healthy and I personally stopped at the bakery before I left Vancouver and picked up a half dozen tasty cookies for snacks.

Cell Phone Coverage

So not all providers have great coverage in all provinces. In British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan Telus coverage is good with service for a lot of the journey. On the flip side, Rogers coverage in these three provinces was limited to only major towns(I mean major, only Kamloops, Jasper, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and very few other little places)

Once you enter into Manitoba and Ontario, Rogers is much better and Telus drops off and is crap. I am not sure about other carriers but this is my reported findings.

Note: Koodo Mobile uses Telus coverage, and Fido uses Rogers.

That is about all I can think of, so in the mean time enjoy some more photos!\

4:30

Out of the sheer excitement of finally rolling into the outskirts of the Greater Toronto Area, I was unable to bring myself to make an entry. But I arrived at Union Station at around 4:30pm where all of our train buddies took names and contact info, took some group photos, and said our goodbyes on the platform.

As I descended down into the station concourse my parents appeared, waiting for me, and we hugged for the first time in 6 months. It was great to see them again.

The overall train experience was awesome, aside form the delays and stopping for freight traffic in the prairies for what seemed like an eternity. I met great people that seem to have the same interests as me, and were great to talk to and get to know, I saw some great sights and learned truly how vast this country is.

The train itself was great although I would not have wanted it to be full for the whole journey in coach class. It is an excellent way to connect with Canada in a way I have never really done. The train is sociable, something new, and very relaxing in the way it sort of rocks back and forth, drifting you into slumber in dark nights and calming you as you roll through some of Canada’s most marquee sights.

Some photos of the final leg through Ontario,