Don’t you just hate it when you’re not as smart as you think? Or that you were smart but too late in the game. Or you just plain weren’t smart at all. I’m talking about the overnight train from Montreal to Halifax in “renaissance” cars with old world charm, three course meals, and wine and cheese tastings in the afternoon. The one with the observation car available only to the sleeper class passengers where you can enjoy panoramic vistas of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The train with the friendly staff who will regale you with local folklore. Yes, that undiscovered gem I was so smart to have stumbled upon.
You can probably guess the moral of this story. Googling “unique vacations” is going to get you to the same URL as three billion people also searching for a unique vacation.
In our case, we were joined by a group of about sixty party hardy retirees from Minneapolis. Relax and enjoy the countryside? Hell no. The scene on board reminded me of the geriatric version of the movie Some Like it Hot.
Compounding the raucousness of the trip, the aisles in the sleeper cars (all eighteen of them) were so narrow that if you were heading toward the dining car (at the front of train) you would have to wait at the end of a car for the aisles to be clear or hop into a stranger’s cabin when confronted by someone going the opposite direction. But what am I saying?
There are no strangers on a party train. At times one group would confront another halfway down an aisle and flip coins as to who should back up and let the others pass. It was like being part of an eighteen hour conga line and guess which car we were in? Yup, the eighteenth car.
Would I do it again? Yes. Nova Scotia via train is spectacular although it’s not easy to get good pictures so you’ll have to take my word for it! 
Is it wrong that I’m laughing about your party train? Well, even if it is, your adventure sounds like fun. I especially like your reference to Some Like It Hot, such a great way to explain what you got yourself into.
I was hoping you’d find it amusing! There were literally parties going on in every car. Those folks from Minnesota really love to party!
The geriatric version of Some Like It Hot!!
That would make a great novel and/or movie.
See ya —
Neil
Thanks Neil. They never have attempted to do a remake of that movie, have they?
My wife and I took the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff a few years back. It was a great experience!
My husband’s that train too and enjoyed it!
Well, the pictures you did get are lovely. A train journey does sound a lovely way to see the sights and I can see the appeal…to all the others who joined you.
The same happens here on Crete – The romantic secluded beaches photographed in winter when the sea and sky are still blue and by the time summer comes the beach is full of tourists! x
It’s almost impossible to find memorable places to visit that aren’t overrun by tourists. I’m hoping to make it over to Crete at some point but hopefully not when the beaches are full of tourists!
Fingers crossed you will choose a time when I am there – I’d love to show you ‘my’ village. x
Oh I don’t think I could take it without a sedative. Beautiful photos though, truly 🙂
Thanks. The train refused to stop every time we passed an idyllic scene or a moose.
PITY.
Oh rats… It sounded like it was going to be such a grand thing… But you seem to have made the best of it. You cracked me up with the Some Like it Hot reference. Hugs.
I’m glad I did it – it was a fun group of people and the scenery was not disappointing. But it only runs three times a week and they were definitely overbooked. So it wasn’t the trip promised but it was a trip!
I enjoyed and chuckled concerning this trip summary, Jan! I think you were remarkable to even think about the pictures to take and share. The photos are great and fun! I am so glad you discovered this one. I have wanted to take a train across this country. So, overall you would still recommend this trip! Smiles, Robin
Oh yes, the cabins were clean and the food wasn’t that bad. There were just too many people in a very cramped space!
I am hoping to add a significant rail trip to my list of things to do in retirement. This could be a contender – oh wait, that’s a different movie.
T’was a different flick. I enjoyed the adventure but my husband won’t go again! He got too bumped up and bruised from being tossed around the aisles!
I’m so happy to hear that these kinds of trains still exist!!!
Your post brought back memories of university when I travelled the 18 hours between school and home by sleeper train. Some of THE BEST parties I’ve ever been part of were on that overnight train at Christmas time 😁
Party on!! Thanks for the trip down memory lane 🙂
I can imagine! That would be fun.
I’m laughing, too. Sorry. But, it makes for great storytelling. 😁
Thank you!