Vancouver Train to Edmonton

What fun it is travelling by train! They look out for you, too. One fellow got on in Vancouver demanding he be allowed one of the four-seat sections because he had just got out of the hospital. Those seats are always set aside for groups/families.
Our train matron answered him in her deep resounding voice that carried several cars back: 'Sir, almost everyone in this car has had an operation in the last year, most everyone has pain of some sort and are on medications. You are no different from them. You cannot sit there. You will have to sit here, as I said before'.
She was somewhat respected from then on. She was also fleuently bilingual, and funny while a bit nasty. I would guess that 45% of the folks on the train are middle-age to seniors, and about the same amount are travelling on a train pass as employees and/or the widows of employees. The train goes from east to west and back again, is called The Canadian, and from Toronto to Vanc. goes every 2nd day.
June 30th "Near Edmonton, there in an hour. Just crossed 'hundred mile high bridge'. have great day. I am terribly afraid of heights.
"Freight train in front has broken axle so is going to disconnect from us to use our engines to pull broken cars to side. we are 3 hours late now"
(Note: pic of our passenger train Jn. 30, pushing the rest of the broken freight train many miles down the track near Edson. Train was 4 hrs. late.)
"PS They gave us a free pop or juice"
"Air cond broke, now we are backing up onto siding with broken train"
"Engineers last day retired n he's 4 hours late for his party but gets to drive a passenger train pushing a freight train.
"now there is something on the track, train at standstill..."
"Bike arrived at Ron's today."

Also, she asked me to paste a few comments that readers posted on her blog:
June 15, 2008 6:07 AM adrian egbers wrote...
"Karen:
Congratulations on your retirement! However, it appears Thursday is a much bigger day with your departure for the cycling trip. It has been very inspiring so far, can't wait to hear your tales from the trails. Don't worry about bears, they try their hardest to avoid humans and would be very afraid of a person high up on a bike. But if you want to be extra careful treeplanters in B.C. use bears mace (can shoot so many meters) or bear bombs (a kind of gun that shoots a loud bang to scare away curious creatures). All of my best wishes, your bike looks great! Take care and good luck :)"
Via Passenger Train pushing a broken CNR freight train 8 miles down the track.
The picture is taken from the dome car by me near Edson, AB.
We were all ordered to sit down and not move from our chairs while they were doing this, esp. during the 'coupling' or joining of the 2 trains.
Because of this incident, and also because of a de-railment of 3 coal cars in Jasper, the train was over 4 hours late arriving at the Edmonton station.
Apparently, if The Canadian is over 4 hours late, and it was that day, then passengers get a rebate. I was told this today when I took my luggage in as I kibitzed with the fellow about the reason why it was late the day I came in.
Now I find out that I am eligible for about $140 credit rebate. It means when I get home, I can go visit Josie twice, or use it to get to Nova Scotia to catch the ferry to Newfoundland. It (the credit) is good for a year!!!
Earlier, we had passed Mt. Robson. They let us know well in advance of special sights so we can take pics.

comment from viewer - her 'bike' is a Harley.
'Awesome photo...can you see a face in the mountain? I can ...tell me what you see K.
Cool dome window view. John & I went for an 1 1/2 hr bike ride last night. Enjoyed the countryside & thought about you & your travelling adventure. Love Jo Jy 17/08'