(in reality, we are actually in Prince George, BC this morning waiting on "The Skeena" to Prince Rupert, BC this morning... but we are slowly playing catch up on trip reports for the past few days now we have WiFi access again)
SO, here is the Day #5 trip report from Mike... and the photos from me.
I awoke early on Day 5, and went to the Skyline car for a short while. I returned to our room at 5:45, and waited for the shower to open up. We went for breakfast at 6:35, just after the diner opened. Both Rob and I chose the French Toast, which we both thought was excellent. Most definately not frozen and re-heated.
We arrived in Winnipeg early, at 7:30. After an unexplained delay, the crew received word to open the traps and allow us onto the platform. We walked the length of the train, half of which was outside the trainshed. From there we proceeded down he escalator and into the station. We signed up for a short tour of Winnipeg, and then wited for the bus to arrive at 8:30.
The tour was pretty good, it gave us a quick taste of the city, visiting the Manitoba Provincial Building, and the city’s beautiful flower and sculpture garden. We also saw a few of the more affluent families’ homes, and were told of their influence upon the city. Rob broke off from the tour early to visit the local Canada Post building, a local Starbucks (without Mug success), and a local package store in quest of Ice Wine, which we had tried on the Ocean, but was out of stock on the Canadian.
A side note for those interested-Ice wine was “created” in Germany in the mid 1800’s by mistakenly allowing the grapes to freeze on the vine. A vintner from Switzerland who had heard about the mistake, came to Ontario in the early 1960’s and made the same mistake. He then found a market for the wine here in Canada. It is rather expensive, as many grapes provide very little wine.
We returned to the station just after 11. I went to the Winnipeg Railroad Musuem, which uses a few tracks under the trainshed. I could only stay a short while, as boarding began at 11:30. If I ever return to Winnipeg, I will be certain to spend most of the layover at the museum. After meeting up with Rob in the First Class lounge, I found that he too had visited the museum
Depature was delayed slightly as the train had an unknown mechanical problem, which was resolved quickly. We remained in our room, Room F, until it was time for the second call for lunch. Rob went for the grilled cheese with chips, and I chose the BBQ chicken kabobs. Rob didn’t care for any of the adult menu selections. For dessert we both selected the strawberry shortcake. As expected, the entire meal was delicious, and the service was exemplary.
At Winnipeg, the entire crew is swapped, with a Vancouver-based crew. The new Steward was more outgoing than the previous one. The new waitstaff was just as friendly and efficient.
After lunch, Rob went up to the dome to listen to some music, and then participated in the beer tasting. I had no interest in the beer tasting, so I took a nap Later I joined Rob in the dome to watch the scenery chance from the forests and lakes of Manitoba to the praries of Saskatchewan. We saw three potash mines, which is used in making fertilizer.
Melville is our next stop. The communities was named for the President of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad Company, Charles Melville, who had died in the sinking of the Titanic.
After departing Melville, we heard the call for the second dinner seating. Rob had the onion soup, mac and cheese, and mashed potato. I had the Atlantic fish chowder, and the pork tenderloin with mashed potato. Rob like his mac and cheese, and I was very pleased with the pork. Our tablemates, a couple from Toronto, had the Atlantic char, and the pork. Both were very happy with their selections.
Dessert was a choice of chocolate torte or raspberry creme brulee cheesecake. We both opted for the cheesecake, as we had enjoyed the torte while on the Ocean.
We ventured into the Skyline Car and played a game of Scrabble, which I won! As we finished, the stop at Saskatoon was announced. We grabbed our coats, and hopped out to check out the station. The station is located south of Downtown, in a rather deserted industial area. As we were early, the stop lasted for more than half an hour. Rob and I boarded just behind the baggage car, and walked through to the first Skyline car. We purchased a couple of VIA souveniers, and then walked through the remainder of the train to our car.
Thanks for following along, and for reading my long winded trip report.
For those interested here is the consist, generously provided by the Toronto to Winnipeg Service Manager:
Loco 6443
Loco 6418
Coach 8144 (the deadhead, removed at Winnipeg)
Baggage 8615
102 Coach 8106
103 Coach 8103
Sky A 8512 (Skyline Dome)
DC B 8418 York (Diner)
Sky B 8510
110 Sleeper 8320 Douglas Manor
111 Sleeper 8314 Cameron Manor
112 Sleeper 8309 Brant Manor
---- Panoramic Lounge 1721 (added to consist in Winnipeg)
113 Sleeper 8315 Carleton Manor
114 Sleeper 8335 Mackenzie Manor
115 Sleeper 8340 Stuart Manor
116 Sleeper 8205 Chateau Closse
117 Sleeper 8202 Chateau Bienville
Sky C 8504
DC A 8402 Alexandria
120 Sleeper 8338 Rogers Manor (our car)
121 Sleeper 8319 Dawson Manor
122 Sleeper 8321 Draper Manor
139 8714 Strathcona Park (The Park Car)
Rumour had it that two more sleepers were to be added in Jasper, thought I can not confirm.
PHOTOS!!!
http://rtabern.shutterfly.com/23156
