On the Road Again 2014 # 7

A common topic of conversation on the train is whether it is late or early. Those of us who had collected a schedule tried to keep track of the towns we were passing through and regularly kept our fellow passengers informed. Those travelers who used the trains on a frequent basis had some horror tales to share especially about traveling in winter when at least in one case the train was 18 hours late.

But most of the time, the majority of passengers in the economy class did not appear to care. In fact, while the train was quite frequently late arriving, it usually left the major stations on time. The most annoying part of the train being late is when one is waiting for it in the station. Once one is on, it does not matter. Unlike plane travel there are seldom connections to be made. However for those who are traveling in the sleeper or cabin cars, being late seemed to be more of a big deal. I not too sure why, perhaps they assumed that they had a right to be on time.

I spoke to two conductors about the late problem. They, I think, found it frustrating that the passenger trains were always treated as being less of a priority than the freight trains. They agreed with me that Canada needs to have a two track system, and that it will never happen until the government decides to support rail traffic as much as they support the highways system. I got the very distinct impression that the conductor in the sleeper cars was tired of people complaining.

I was very impressed with one of the VIA workers on the second part of the trip. He made sure that every single new passenger got the same introduction to riding with VIA Rail in terms of where to find things, safety tips etc. He was also very well organized.

Just before Edmonton he warned folks in the car that while a lot of people were leaving the train at the next stop, even more new passengers were going to get on. He was clear that people who had been spreading themselves out might have to go back to their original seats and that couples who had chosen to sleep in their own seats might have to sit beside each other for awhile.  As people started to get on the conductor did a great job of getting folks settled making sure that families got to sit together. When he could not arrange that, he informed them what his plan was and when they would get four seats together.

He was as efficient and organized in Jasper.  He was certainly the best I have ever seen in terms of managing space. I don't suppose that it is that hard to do except that he did with flair, grace and good manners. I was glad that he never asked me to share my space with any one.

It is a rather strange life the conductors live. I think they work six days away from home, two days off and then back on the road. It seemed to me that it would be hard to be married or have kids with that kind of schedule. For this one particular conductor, he seems to have solved part of the problem. He and his wife both work on the same train. He never said whether or not they shared the same rest periods during the trip. As a matter of fact there are numerous hours when neither conductor was present in the car. I don't have a clue where they disappear to.