Setting out this morning we were unsure what to expect, having already covered this route a couple of days ago, but in reverse direction. However not only were we going in the opposite direction, but on a different track on the other side of the river for quite some time.

The arid nature of the land around Kamloops is in direct contrast to the amount of water flowing in the Thompson Rivers, with hoodoos in stark contrast along the cliff edges.

Having joined the Jasper and Banff trains together again at Kamloops it was fun to watch our train snaking along the riverbank.

Lots of freight trains today, with 50-70 carriages they were LONG !

Our train had a few issues yesterday, so we used the washrooms on an older Goldleaf car. This entailed a walk across the 2 adjoining vestibules, usually swinging wildly, as the old ones had spring suspension whilst the new ones are on air bags. The older cars have a certain charm to them with a lounge downstairs and lots of wood panelling.

Wildlife today was limited to Bald Eagles and Big Horn Sheep, though everybody did look when somebody shouted “Cows right !”

Soon the Thompson joined the Fraser River, with much increased flow and rapids. The 2 rivers are different colours and remain so for a few miles before finally mixing.

After a particularly fine lunch, and a couple more stops for freight trains, we eventually rolled into Vancouver by 7pm.

Like our first leg it’s been a great trip, made even more so by the hosting crew and passengers. We made contact with another Tasmania couple who live a couple of kilometres away in Legana ! It’s a small world sometimes.