From the Pacific to the Atlantic - Crossing Canada by Train
2 October - 5 November 2024

Canada 2024
5 October 2024: Day 4

The "Canadian Train"

Introduction

There was a lot of rocking and rolling of the train that night. We managed to sleep in the intervals when the train was stopped, which was quite a lot, but then we would start off again with a huge jerk that woke us up with a start. Morning saw mountains and mist with patches of sunshine as we headed towards Jasper and our first stop. But first, breakfast in Restaurant Car B. A choice of "traditional" omelet or toast and coffee - or more correctly a dark brown, slightly bitter liquid that the staff referred to as "coffee" (but not as we know it).

Heading into the Rockies towards Jasper

After breakfast we grabbed a seat in the dome car to watch the sun come up over the snow-topped Rockies. There was an early mist but then patches of sun. We passed the Pyramid Falls, the train usually slowing down a bit for good photos but today we were way behind schedule. We then continued to climb towards Jasper, passing a flooded valley with beaver's lodge before more high mountains and snow.

Early morning mist

There's sno on those mountains

Inside the dome car

Looking back to the rear Park car.

Thunder River

A genuine Trading Post

A quick glimpse of the Pyramid Falls, best seen from the train

The Park car trailing along in the rear

Alpine meadow with flooded river.

Cause of the flooding - a beaver's lodge

A pile of logs making up the beaver lodge

Getting into the heart of the Rockies

"The Canadian" coming the other way

And one of many freight trains

Jasper

Jasper is a major ski resort, and the gateway to the Rockies. The train was scheduled to stop here for about 1 hour, so most people got off the train and walked around the shops. Problem was they were nearly all closed - due to the devastating wild forest fire about 2 months prior. Much of the town was in ruins. It was surprising (to us) how many people got left the train at Jasper and how few joined the train. Apparently there are many tour operators who use coaches from Jasper to take people to Banff, rejoining the next train at Edmonton.

After Jasper we continued the run (or stacatto walk) eastwards, with more stops than running time. This eventually took us out of the Rockies. Soon another day had passed and were were in Restaurant Car B for another dinner. During the night we stopped at Edmonton to take on supplies and to replace the passengers who had departed at Jasper. Those who got on at Edmonton were full of complaints at the late running of the train - nearly 6 hours at this stage.

The outskirts of Jasper and evidence of the fire damage