The Phone Call…

May 24th, 2008 Paul Posted in Canada, Schefferville, Trains | No Comments »

OK, so where were we…..Oh yeah, after several unsuccessful attempts I got the correct phone number to enquire about the train from Sept-Isles to Schefferville.

I call the number I was given (at the end of the last post) and wait while wondering just how French speaking Quebec is. I got my answer very soon. A lady answered the phone, “Bonjour….<insert more French here>.” “Umm….do you speak English?” “Of course I do…” I could swear there was more to the sentence than she actually said. Either “I’m not stupid” or just “idiot”. It isn’t starting very well and my train of thought has left without me.

The sum total of the information I got was the cost of the tickets and how we get hold of them. Never mind how long it takes or even when it leaves. To be fair to me getting the price was a struggle and sapped my will. I started by explaining that I was after information about the train then started by asking how much a return trip would be. After the third attempt the language barrier had been reduced so we both knew the other was talking about a ticket to get me there and back. Next step was to find out if I was over 60 or not. I’m not but the other half of the expedition is. I think there was no way we were going to get an agreement over what was required this time. Fortunately she gave up this time and told me both prices. It is stunningly expensive for what seems like a long day on the train. $170.97 for the full price ticket and $85.50 for the concession. Prices are in Canadian Dollars.

Now how do we pay for and get the tickets? This was surprisingly easy. Any card is accepted. We can pick up the tickets when we get there, they will post them or we can pick them up when we fancy. I couldn’t help but laugh when she told me I could go in and pick them up. When I explained I was in the UK she laughed also. Apparently though I will not be the first European to go there though and the usual arrangement is that we pick up the tickets when we get there. The latest we should book them is two weeks before. I think we will book next week though. Don’t want all the readers of this to book up before me.

Don’t worry, I will also ask about the journey. When the train leaves, how long it takes, is there any food on it or does it stop for us to get off and get food, where can we park the car etc. Anything else we need to know?

Language difficulties aside the two people I spoke to were fairly friendly and helpful.