Thank you so much for writing this, for taking a nostalgic reminiscence, thinking through the why’s and the wherefore’s, and proposing how we might restore passenger rail as a fundamental to Canadian life. I look forward to the next installment with much anticipation. 🚂🇨🇦
Me too. Thanks! Loved this. YES YES YES! I rode the Dominion to work at the Banff Springs Hotel in 1963. Saw a lot of Canada. Rode the Ontario Northland throughout my childhood, and eventually, back and forth to university, in Toronto. My brother and I phone each other and moan about deteriorated passenger service and decaying rail bed. We both love rail travel. It is a triumph of the collective over the individual. It is CIVILIZED. Very good piece, grateful you wrote it.
Agree, agree,agree. I have had the wherewithal to travel by car across this country 4 times . It is travel at our pace enjoying what an amazing country we are so lucky to live in. Given your thesis, I would suggest restoring some of these train routes for passengers would perhaps bring more value to the citezenry as a whole than the Alto fast track between Toronto and Quebec.
This brought back memories. When I was 5 or 6 my mother and I travelled from Winnipeg to Calgary. I was allowed one to thing to keep me amused. It was long green rod with a red plastic twist from end to end and on it sat a black snake coiled around the whole thing. Tip it up the snake spin down to the other end. I was amazed.
In the morning we went to the dining car. My mom had only coffee (tight budget) while I had the best soft boiled egg and toast. Afterwards we climbed to the dome car and watched the prairies zip past until eventually the mountains came into view. For me it was incredibly.
Now at 67 I would love to do the mountain pass from Edmonton down to Vancouver. However the cost would be everything I get for 5 months. It’s sad as I love the clickity clack of the train.
I was thinking the same thing after I read Joanne's copy. I searched for a ticket to Gaspe only to discover the train is no longer in service. Just a quick note, my love of Canada grew with heart in 1967, and Expo was where I had a season pass and went every second day, only at 9, no helmet, no knee pads, and a couple of dimes to call home and some lunch money. extra dollars for Laronde Namaste
Those were truly the days. I was still in Winnipeg during Expo. Looking at the pictures was like looking at a different world. Being able to ride a bike for miles. Be home for supper was the only rule. I miss those days. Not just for me but for our kids and their kids. Though never the number of the swarms of boomers. 😜😄😆
"Live long and prosper" is the iconic Star Trek blessing popularized by Mr. Spock (actor Leonard Nimoy). It is almost always accompanied by the raised, split-fingered Vulcan salute, a hand gesture Nimoy adapted from the traditional Jewish Priestly Blessing.
Thank you so much for writing this, for taking a nostalgic reminiscence, thinking through the why’s and the wherefore’s, and proposing how we might restore passenger rail as a fundamental to Canadian life. I look forward to the next installment with much anticipation. 🚂🇨🇦
Part II is now live, brother readers — the ledger continues. Link below. 🕯️
https://glenroberts911399.substack.com/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-b9a?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
I will message you when part 2 and part 3 are published. Namste, sister
Me too. Thanks! Loved this. YES YES YES! I rode the Dominion to work at the Banff Springs Hotel in 1963. Saw a lot of Canada. Rode the Ontario Northland throughout my childhood, and eventually, back and forth to university, in Toronto. My brother and I phone each other and moan about deteriorated passenger service and decaying rail bed. We both love rail travel. It is a triumph of the collective over the individual. It is CIVILIZED. Very good piece, grateful you wrote it.
Will do will have part two out tomorrow I will send you the link
part 3 https://www.sophiainitiative.ai/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-bed?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
part 3 https://www.sophiainitiative.ai/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-bed?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Renewed train travel across this country would be excellent! Train travel is a great way to see and know this country.
part 3 https://www.sophiainitiative.ai/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-bed?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Part II is now live, brother readers — the ledger continues. Link below. 🕯️
https://glenroberts911399.substack.com/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-b9a?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Agree, agree,agree. I have had the wherewithal to travel by car across this country 4 times . It is travel at our pace enjoying what an amazing country we are so lucky to live in. Given your thesis, I would suggest restoring some of these train routes for passengers would perhaps bring more value to the citezenry as a whole than the Alto fast track between Toronto and Quebec.
Part II is now live, brother readers — the ledger continues. Link below. 🕯️
https://glenroberts911399.substack.com/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-b9a?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Selling off the good stuff is what our governments do, isn't it?
part 3 https://www.sophiainitiative.ai/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-bed?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Part II is now live, brother readers — the ledger continues. Link below. 🕯️
https://glenroberts911399.substack.com/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-b9a?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
This brought back memories. When I was 5 or 6 my mother and I travelled from Winnipeg to Calgary. I was allowed one to thing to keep me amused. It was long green rod with a red plastic twist from end to end and on it sat a black snake coiled around the whole thing. Tip it up the snake spin down to the other end. I was amazed.
In the morning we went to the dining car. My mom had only coffee (tight budget) while I had the best soft boiled egg and toast. Afterwards we climbed to the dome car and watched the prairies zip past until eventually the mountains came into view. For me it was incredibly.
Now at 67 I would love to do the mountain pass from Edmonton down to Vancouver. However the cost would be everything I get for 5 months. It’s sad as I love the clickity clack of the train.
part 3 https://www.sophiainitiative.ai/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-bed?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Part II is now live, brother readers — the ledger continues. Link below. 🕯️
https://glenroberts911399.substack.com/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-b9a?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
I was thinking the same thing after I read Joanne's copy. I searched for a ticket to Gaspe only to discover the train is no longer in service. Just a quick note, my love of Canada grew with heart in 1967, and Expo was where I had a season pass and went every second day, only at 9, no helmet, no knee pads, and a couple of dimes to call home and some lunch money. extra dollars for Laronde Namaste
Those were truly the days. I was still in Winnipeg during Expo. Looking at the pictures was like looking at a different world. Being able to ride a bike for miles. Be home for supper was the only rule. I miss those days. Not just for me but for our kids and their kids. Though never the number of the swarms of boomers. 😜😄😆
"Live long and prosper" is the iconic Star Trek blessing popularized by Mr. Spock (actor Leonard Nimoy). It is almost always accompanied by the raised, split-fingered Vulcan salute, a hand gesture Nimoy adapted from the traditional Jewish Priestly Blessing.
part 3 https://www.sophiainitiative.ai/p/the-country-you-sleep-through-bed?r=1pgr4n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web