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And a very nice trip indeed, thanks in part to all your advice. Our trip began with the Amtrak Maple Leaf to Toronto, traveling business class, which was very comfortable on this long trip. The scenery is quite nice on the left side all the way to about Utica and then not bad the rest of the way in New York State, although passing the abandoned, crumbling old train station after Buffalo DePew is very sad indeed. From Buffalo DePew on the line was new to me, since I've taken only the Lakeshore Ltd that far west. I liked seeing a bit of downtown Buffalo and was surprised about the location of Buffalo Exchange Street--some have sad it's in a bad area, but the area didn't look bad to me--does anyone know more about this? I liked seeing the Peace Bridge and glimpses of the Niagara River, laughed my head off at the "station" in Niagara Falls NY, and enjoyed the spectacular if brief crossing into Canada--could even see the spray of the falls if not the falls themselves. The station in Niagara Falls ON supported the widely held opinion that Canadian Niagara Falls is much more attractive than the American, and I noticed a Hampton Inn right near it, for future reference--has anyone stayed here? After that, though, the trip through Ontario was rather hideous, mainly yards of ship's containers, except for an attractive area around Burlington Bay, which we saw before it got dark.
We chatted with several passengers in the small business class, mostly Canadians going home and some British and Australian tourists going to Niagara Falls, all very pleasant folk, a few of them train fans. We brought our own food of course--don't much like the selection in Amtrak's lounge cars on short-distance trains--but we were happy to accept the complimentary coffee (one thing Amtrak has is good coffee!) and bottled water. The train crew to Niagara Falls was excellent, especially the lounge car attendant, and while the new VIA conductor was not around much, we did see the new lounge car attendant--quite good too, although the food he brought on wasn't any more interesting than Amtrak's!
Not to worry, however; we reached Toronto on time and had no trouble getting out of Union Station, over to our hotel just a block away, and then out to dinner. Our hotel was the Strathcona, recommended here--a fine recommendation, thank you all so much! The price was reasonable given the location, which was excellent, and the room was OK, a little small, but that's to be expected.
We really enjoyed Toronto. We had lots of delicious central Asian food, saw the terracotta Chinese warriors at the ROM, and walked our tootsies off to see the city, though we also rode the streetcars sometimes, especially fun when they went underground at Union Station.
After a few days, we took an early VIA Rail trip to Montreal--and I must say that, though the train seems newer, we were much less comfortable on it than on the Amtrak trains we took. As you folks indicated here, the trip was only moderately scenic, some nice farmland after a long stretch of industrial area. The train delinked its Ottawa section (around Brookville I think) and then continued on to Gare Centrale, late by about 15 minutes. There we caught a taxi to our Montreal hotel, not too far away. We spend two nights in Montreal, using the Metro, eating in the Plateau, visiting Ile St Helene (which I hadn't been on since Expo 67) for a fine view of the city from the Biodome?sphere? I get mixed up), going to Jean Talon market for marple syrup pies to bring home . . . it was also very nice.
On the morning of departure we caught a cab back to Gare Centrale (we'd though of walking, but it would be impossible with the pies), bought lunch etc. at Gare Centrale, and boarded the Adirondack for trip back. We timed it for a day with the Dome Car, and it was spectacular. Though slow, the time passed very pleasantly in the DC, a lovely day to view the gorgeous scenery. A Trails and Rails fellow boarded at Port Heny (I think he rode up on the northbound Adirondack) and I was glad he did not use the microphone but instead came around and chatted and took questions. We got home right on time.
So, a wonderful trip all around.
Thanks again for all your help!!!
notelvis Member # 3071
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Great report and thanks.
I had toyed with the idea of a fall Adirondack ride in the dome...... especially since I renewed my passport (which had expired in 2007) in July..... but generally just didn't have the time for an extended rail getaway this time of year.
Also I looked at flying one way but didn't find a fare low enough to entice me off the ground.
I am planning a couple of daytrips within North Carolina though. Tomorrow I will spend the day riding Amtrak Piedmonts (as well as a stretch on the Carolinian) between Raleigh and Charlotte and am later riding the dome on the Salisbury-Asheville excursion train which the North Carolina Transportation Museum is running October 31.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Maybe next year for you on the Adirondack, David . . . and maybe next year for ME on the Salisbury-Asheville excursion, which I'd very much like to do!
20th Century Member # 2196
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I enjoyed your report. Your dome ride sounds like fun.I did the Adirondack dome ride in the 1970's. It was the summer season. But an autumn ride is even better!
RR4me Member # 6052
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Your trip sounds like an excellent, enjoyable get away. I enjoyed the report, thanks.
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