Day 30 Train from Jasper to Prince George 17th May 2015
By Chris
Lucky sighting from the Skeena straight after departure – bears to the left of us and bears to the right of us.
Lakes and mountains, mountains and lakes!! Overawed by the size and presence.
Hilarious comparing the Rocky Moutaineer to the Skeena. The Skeena guard (slightly dishevelled but jaunty) walks down the carriage yelling out “last sight of the Rockies on the right”.
This can be contrasted with the immaculately presented RM crew aided by a sophisticated prepared monologue and a PA system.
The other contrast is the $700 cost of the RM over the $100 Skeena!! I must be becoming a traveller as am now thinking about cost vs reward!
The train weaves its way through the mountains past meadows and small towns.
Then stops !!!
Ten minutes away from Prince George I had phoned our B and B host to say we were about 15 minutes late. Got disconnected, when we spoke again she had spoken to the station and told us we would be much later as there was a freight train sitting there which would have right of way. It turned out there were two!!! Guard came by with railway issue biscuits for us all as compensation for delay.
Mel counted 153 cars on the first one (bit of a trainspotter) and we calculated it took 4 minutes to pass. Didnt bother counting the second!
One hour and 15 minutes later we trudged the last 10 miles into Prince George.
Met at the station by our B&B host Peter who took us to a supermarket to purchase dinner. Once home we were welcomed by Julie who runs the B & B. The facilities were wonderful with a full kitchen and we heated up our food and went to bed.
The Arbor B&B has set up a great model for their business – Prince George is most often a one night stopover on the through train so Julie and Peter arrange to pick you up, provide everything needed included a fantastic full breakfast and picnic lunch the train the next day.
