The train got
into Winnipeg just after 12:00. We were told that it would leave by 1:00. That
did give me enough time to run to the Forks and pick up a couple of sandwiches
and then a breakfast wrap. I got back just in time - and then of course we all
had to wait twenty minutes while the sleeping car folks boarded and then all of
those with children or who declared themselves infirm in some fashion. Usually
there is a very clear boarding pattern. Those who were already on the train get
on first, and then the new passengers get on. Not this time - all economy
passengers boarded at the same time. Not
all of those new passengers knew that seats with tickets above them were
already in use. Consequently it was a bit of a mess as people boarded.
The Via Rail attendant
has informed us that the train has been over-sold…… how can they do that?
Consequently every seat from Jasper onwards will be filled. I don’t have clue
what they will do with the extra people. It does mean that for my last night I
will not sleep as well. But that is a night and a day away.
I have noticed
that one the train from Toronto to Winnipeg there was only one attendant for
our two cars. On the Winnipeg to Vancouver part of the run there are two. I am not too sure
what they do when we can’t see them….perhaps they also have to do stuff in the dining
car or the sleeping cars.
Train tried to
leave Winnipeg almost on time but one of the switches was frozen and then we
had to wait for an east bound freight train…… so we left the city just after
3:00. In spite of trying to save some time we are still over four hours late.
I normally do not obsess too much about the lateness of the
train. After all part of the pleasure of train travel is that one has no
control over such things as speed, delays or arrival time - but as I am arriving
in Vancouver on New Year’s Eve - I do not want to be stuck in Vancouver that
night. I would guess that most hostels will be filled. I therefore need to make
an early ferry to the island. Ideally I will get to Nanaimo before 5:00 and
catch the last Greyhound. If not I will be stuck there over night. Hopefully
one of the three Nanaimo hostels will be open and have some room. Otherwise I
am not too sure what to do. It is, I
must confess, causing some anxiety.
It might be my
imagination but it feels as if the train is bouncier than usual. Although right
now we are moving faster than we have for the past day or so. Perhaps the
engineer thinks he can get to Edmonton on time. Would be nice.
Friday morning
- the train is almost at capacity already. There seemed to be a number of folks
who got on at various points during the night. Of course every time people got
on there is a bit of noise. Because some of the folks already on the train were
about to have a seat mate - they had to be woken up which caused even more of a
disruption. I think there are only three seats empty in my car. I have one of
those seats. As always it appears as if people do not think I am a desirable
seat-mate. Bless my beard which right now looks wilder than usual.
There is not a
lot of chatter on the train. Perhaps all of those so inclined are in the dome
car which is quite crowded. I was quite glad when they turned down the lights
just after 8:00. I read for awhile, then I listen to another novel for a bit
and then fell asleep. We were all woken up sometime around 10:00 when an alarm
went off. It took the attendant sometime to figure out to shut it off. It was a
small it of excitement in day without any.
Whenever I
looked out the window it seemed to be either snowing or at least the snow was
blowing fairly hard. There is not a lot
of snow on the ground but it does look cold and winter like every where we have
travelled.
Lots of
coughing but the kids are quiet, none of the adults are obnoxious and as slow
as it is we are still moving west.
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