TCTrail

Before the Trans Canada Trail was established, trains and tracks covered these trails.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Maniwaki sub 2

Happy Birthday to me! My darling gave me a most extravagant but perfect birthday gift, a ride for the two of us on the Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield steam train's sunset dinner train. The ticket agent instructed us to be prepared for boarding at 17h30. I thought this strange, knowing that the train would not leave until 18h30. However, I was delighted with the prospect of exploring the yards (at 165 Deveault Street) before departure. Then I learned that the advanced hour was required for some difficult decisions concerning meal selection. More to follow. My fascination with the rail line (the former CPR Maniwaki subdivision) is evident in my other post to this site. In my earlier post, you can view moving footage of the steam train. Flash8 will be required. You can also explore my photobucket site for more primitive video clips of the steam train. Before exploring the menu, I explored the yard which consisted of at least four tracks. The three tracks which do lead to the Lachute subdivision and the rest of the world of railroads are each blocked by derail equipment. Even though the rail is in place, no other trains can enter the domain of the Wakefield steam train and this steam train cannot wander the outside rail world. Mile post 2 is near the south end of the yard. The two-mile distance is a measurement adjusted for the original location of the Laman junction. The skies looked dark and ominous but even in the light rain we enjoyed the sights of the Gatineau River and the sunset, during our return voyage.

The 2-8-0 steam engine #909 (Statens Jarnvagar, Sweden, 1907) will use this turntable at the end of the night's outing, turning around to face the proper direction for the next day's journey up the Gatineau. This electric turntable sits on the route which went to the original Laman junction. That right-of-way is now occupied by Edmonton Street and other creations of earth shaping.

Immediately south of the turntable, two flat cars from Europe (SJ 21-74-3700014-4, 1965, and SJ 21-74-3703080-2, 1973) and a snowplow rest (ex CN 55212, 1925). Hidden in the nearby trees is a Sylvester track inspection car resting, probably forever.

Before boarding the luxurious club car (built in Sweden, 1931, ex SJ 4724), I watched 909 back up for connection. For the journey up the Gatineau, our club coach would ride behind the engine's tender. For the journey home, our car would be in its rightful place at the end of the train.

It was now time to explore the coach (Club Riviera) and the menu. "This sumptuous period car is adorned in Teak woodwork, plush velvets and comfortable wingchairs." [Steam Express bulletin, 2006]

Compare the interior with the more plain Aylmer car (ex SJ 3506, 1942) in which our servers and musicians relaxed between performances.

The dinner began immediately on departure from the steam train station. A server had already brought us drinks. As the hostess explained the journey we would now experience, cheese bread with tomato and creme fraiche was brought to our table. The cheese bread was followed by a selection of rolls including pumpernickel, our choice. For appetizers, the man chose chilled scallops with potato while she chose chilled soupe d'asperges avec marscapone. Before the entrée, we both enjoyed salmon ceviche. The jazz musicians (guitar, bass and drum) entered the coach and accompanied our dinner. As he watched the mile posts pass ever so slowly, he enjoyed mahi-mahi with wild rice and secret spices. She savoured tournados de boeuf with potato and tian of vegetables. The jazz ensemble was replaced by a duet of flute and classical guitar. While stuffing my face, I noticed something track side that I had never noticed before. This was my first time to travel the route looking from the inside out. A siding had survived at the cement works which straddle the Hull-Wakefield town line. We then entered the village of Wakefield at an even slower pace. Cheeses and desserts were waiting for the return trip. The rails hug the main road through Wakefield. Drivers often park their cars across the tracks, forgetting that trains have returned to the line. At the end of the village, all passengers disembark from the steam train. There was still plenty of light for us to photograph favourite subjects and for the mosquitos to taste favourite subjects. After passengers disembarked, the 909 uncoupled from the train and ran around the cars and the water tower.

The 909 headed for the arm strong turntable and a change of direction. The flutist, the classical guitarist and our hostess helped turn the front of the train on Canada's last operating manual turntable.

After changing direction, the conductor switches the 909 on to another track. The fireman prepares the tender for a load of water and the engineer takes his grease kit to the many nooks and crannies of his engine. In the first photographs, the 909 is pointed directly at the original Wakefield CPR station now painted blue and known as the Café pot au feu.

On the journey back towards Ottawa, the sun set. Port and a plat du fromages was shared. He enjoyed a dessert of cappucino mousellette and then a tea, Earl Grey of course. She savoured a mousse des trois chocolats avec creme anglaise and a coffee. Ditch lights on the cars lit up the woods for our return voyage. Musicians again visited the car and we enjoyed more taste sensations.

THANK YOU!

(General Motors, Sweden, 1962, SJ T43 244)

posted by elyob_ragad # 4:45 PM

Comments:

Wow what an awesome gift for you. I just watched 3 PBS specials on Steam Train Trips in the USA and none came close to this trip of yours. Right On!!!!
nanathebananaxo

# posted by

Anonymous : 04 June, 2006 22:35

Great for you. We've never had the Steam Train experience, we have had the delicious cuisine(well, not that fancy) on the train. great blog to read... Dad/Bopa

# posted by

Anonymous : 04 June, 2006 23:23

Sounds like it was a glorious birthday present. How is "she" ever going to top that one? Thumbnails and big pictures look awesome. The details of your story made me want to live it! Thanks for sharing! Drummonds :)

# posted by

Anonymous : 08 June, 2006 00:28

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Saturday, June 03, 2006

Maniwaki sub 2

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