A Rocky Start

We did not get off to a good start at all this morning as due to poor communication, it was unclear whether an alarm had been set in order to be up and out for the taxi due at 0630.  Therefore when one member of the party awoke in the small hours she was not aware that the alarm had been set so dug out her mobile to set one!  It took ages to get back to sleep and then of course the alarm went off!  Great difficulty was had with bag packing but we managed to be downstairs in time for the taxi and then things took a turn for the worse!   The address given to the taxi driver took us to the north side of Vancouver to decidedly rough looking dock areas and the poor taxi driver did not have any idea where he was going - stopping to ask security guards at some depot before we realised that we had given him the incorrect address and he then had to do a speedy turnabout to get us to the correct place just in the nick of time - they were waiting to finish booking in passengers.  We were hustled inside a huge warehouse building absolutely full of people, with a pianist trying vainly to be heard above the hubbub. After checking in we were offered some quite disgusting coffee before being piped aboard the train, amid great ceremony.

I should add at this stage the rain was pouring down and so it continued for the first few hours as we slowly - and I mean slowly - made our way out of Vancouver.  The surroundings were pretty dire - mostly goods yards and factories.  On board we found the facilities to be very good with comfortable seats with plenty of leg room and of course the excellent windows extending all across the roof.  Catering started with fruit juice and supposed non alcoholic bubbles which were hard to find!  Each carriage was divided into first and second sitting for breakfast and lunch with this being reversed tomorrow.  Luckily we were on first sitting which commenced shortly after we started and offered croissants and fruit, followed by a choice of cooked items such as scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and caviar, pancakes and a full fry up.  Plenty of tea and coffee which was a definite improvement on the muck at check in.

Feeling much better after breakfast we could either return to our seats or hang about on the outside platform at the rear of the carriage which was covered but still wet at this stage with the wind (and speed of the train) blowing the rain straight onto those brave enough to venture outside.

The rain gradually eased in time for the journey through dramatic gorges with picturesque rivers.  Some wildlife was spotted but was almost impossible to film - apparently bald eagles and bighorn sheep.  The bar opened so we made full use of this throughout the day with an excellent choice offered such as beer, wine, spirits as well as soft drinks and hot drinks.  Lunch was a choice of soup or salad (we chose the latter which was very tasty with toasted pumpkin seeds, a pleasant change) followed by fish, beef, or chicken and then chocolate brownie with ice cream which we managed to finish between us. We chatted to other passengers over both meals.

We trundled on - never really going fast and often having to wait for incredibly long goods trains but not delayed too much and thoroughly enjoying the experience whether sitting upstairs with the grandstand view or outside in the fresh air.  On the very few straight sections the train speeded up a bit, usually to the detriment of the ride as the track seems to date from the 19th century. We arrived at Kamloops at about 5 but it took further time to slowly creak our way into town - perhaps the coaches weren't quite ready or something.  Room keys were handed out when we arrived at the station and we boarded one of over 13 coaches to take us to various hotels.  There were actually 35 carriages on the train but there will be less tomorrow as it divides with some passengers going to Jasper and others (including us) to Banff.

We were delighted to find we were far away from the station, were greeted in reception with a large warm cookie for later and that our room was large and very comfortable.  We dined on slightly chewy cheese rolls, the cookie and fruit - certainly didn't have the time to go looking for anything else and after all the food on board, we could not justify eating more!