“WHERE’S THE CAT!!!”
I did a short trip on Via”Ocean” from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Moncton, New Brunswick. This is roughly equivalent to a DownEaster trip from end to end.
Out of Halifax, I was surprised how long the train was after all train number 15 is designated as the “Ocean” and on the next day, I think there were four sleeper, a diner, a business class, two coach and a baggage car. I returned on train number 14. Everything went smoothly got into the train station parking lot but my car died in the parking lot and I had to find a few guys to help push it and I space. By the way the parking lot was totally full and I had to park my car on an end/cap what others have done.
Needless to say, I had a slight adrenaline burst and when it came time to walk the train I got halfway to coach and jumped on a red cap equivalent. I had a bunch of five dollar Canadian bills that I exchanged.at a Innn stayed at. My driver appreciated the tip
Tipping is different from the way. It was the last times I’ve been to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Way back then 20 years ago a one dollar for person was an appropriate tech. Today it looks like most cases they’re looking for 15% or 20% and in some cases 10% or 15%. I gave up figuring out how there’s taxes work - so I won’t bother explaining that BUT you’re really got wallopsd when it comes to buying a meal or paying for a room.
Train 15 was pretty much on time I don’t even remember maybe a few minutes late. However, I did get an alert for both train 15 and 14 to expect possible delays so when I was appreciating downtown Moncton, which was a city way bigger than I expected, it’s about the size of the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. I got an alert an alert for train 14. , I got an alert an alert for a train 14. It was scheduled to arrive at around 1:30 PM and the first alert indicated a two hour delay, and there are several alerts after that, and the train finally arrived at a little past 7 o’clock. Because the train was so delayed there seem to be some confusion and less order orderliness by the via staff, and instead of sleeper class first everybody went at the same time.
“Where’s the Cat?”
Business class by the way, is a coach car and her aisle is 6 inches below. Where are the floor of the seat is. By the way, I have pictures but for some reason that I wasn’t able to post them today, maybe I’ll revise this with pictures. I think people looked a little silly sitting in the seat with their feet above the aisle way.
Once we are underway out of Monkton via staff quickly handed out hot chicken noodle soup and ham and cheese sandwiches plus bottled water.
The trip from Monkton to Halifax went smoothly, but we are nearly 6 hours late. I tried to make hotel reservations from the train for Sunday near my car and everything was ridiculously expensive so i changed plans and do not stay in Halifax and stayed in Peggy’s cove instead.
They delay was caused by terrain movements that caused slowing down on tracks and the hills east of Montreal.
One note about Moncton is that it’s a short drive to Hopewell provincial park famous for its very unusual natural tides sculptures due to 40 foot tides that create sculptures you can visit at low tide. I guess we had a photo if you can imagine an apple core that is about 45 feet tall and has a tree growing out of it. That was one of the sites you can find at Hopewell.
… but “WHERE’S THE CAT?” I happened to hear this from the coach attendant’s walkie talkie who was directly behind me. This was immediately followed by “I’ve got it” and this happened to be a voice right behind me so I was looking coach attendant responding to the request. I take it the request was from the conductor but I am sure that it was the coach attenant in my car THE responded “I’ve got it“
So my whole trip was wondering what that was about. As we got into Halifax, as late as it was, I asked our worry coach attendant and she had to answer which was the cat was supposed to get off in Monkton and didn’t so there was a lot that was sad not on the radio and according to the coach attendant, via spent a lot on getting a cab to bring the cat probably about 60 or 70 miles by cab back to Monkton. I imagine that Via like Amtrak have contractors that are ready and waiting for something like this to happen and probably are contracted to get a decent compensation.
Moncton train 15
Business class with raised floor
Surprise meal
I skipped staying in Halifax and drove straight to Peggy’s Cove for sunrise
Hopewell provincial park in New Brunswick Canada. Although I didn’t make it down the over 100 steps to the ocean floor they designed the park so you would get a good review from this vantage point. I even took a free shuttle from the parking area. I enjoy the company of the workers staff people that were visitor guides from the platform that I found very photogenic of the natural surroundings. I was told that the stairways cost $800,000 but the improved attendance is paying off and now this park is totally sustainable from government funds. Those that were there I’ve been for years, decades that’s a really wonderful job to have. I was told that the day I arrived was supposed to be a cancellation under old schedules, but now they go straight through October all because of demand. I did look into the possibility of staying an extra day and Martin and they offer excursions on a day trip. The cost of the bus excursion from Via Moncton train station is a little over $100. By the way, you’re only allowed to be on the ocean for during low tide, which is about a 2 to 3 hour. And of course varies from day to day
This final shot was of Peggy’s cove Harbor. It’s changed very much in 50 years when there was virtually no parking and now there are two main parking lots that would easily handle a few hundred cars. I have a 1973 film of Peggy’s cove at Sunset and as a professional it’s in the top 10 or top five of most beautiful things I’ve ever put on film or tape.
