November 1, 2016. On the TransCanada across the Rockies!

LOCATION:  Somewhere in the Canadian Rockies. WEATHER:  Snowy and overcast.  Some sun. HIghs in 40s   Another bucket list item to check off!....The TransCanada Train    OUr train departed from Edmonton at 8:30 AM, only an hour late.  The train had originated in Toronto.  Many passengers are traveling all across Canada.  Others, like us, boarded in Winnipeg or Edmonton.    

 

The route was to be about 26 hours, going west then south to Vancouver.  We started out through snowy prairie land.

Then it got snowier and more woodsy.

We passed by huge, beautiful lakes.

 

 

We spent most of the time in one of the dome cars, with beautiful views from all directions.

 

The train is a lot more crowded in summer, with all seats filled, and with more passenger cars.  I think, however, that this is the best time of the year for this ride, as the ice and snow are so dramatic.

The passengers are a mix of all ages with people from all over.  We talked with couple from Brazil and England.  I sat next to a couple from California at lunch, while George lunched with some women from Taiwan.  the train is made up of many sleeper cars such as ours.  Other cars have private rooms.  There is also a coach for those just sitting, a dining car, and a lounge.  This was taken from the rear of the train....

 

 

And a view from the front...

 

 

We went through specactulat Jasper National Park about 2:00.  We saw caribou, elk, and wolves.

 

 

We stopped in the town of Jasper for about an hour to sightsee.

 

 

We hopped back on the train and enjoyed several more hours of mountain scenery until it got dark.   The food is great.  George had lamb chops for dinner and I had ahi tuna.