Bah Humbug…

June 3rd, 2008 Paul

So, as you probably know, if you have also been reading Sarah’s Blog, some gypsy is living off of our money in Lyon, France. Why is he talking about that, this is about the adventure, I hear you say. No reason really but to give the news that I will be waiting a couple of weeks until the money is returned before I buy the tickets for the train. In the mean time, please feel free to click on the adverts at the side so we don’t have to eat cheese on toast for the next 3 weeks…

Anyway, on to better news. I looked into the journey up to Sept-Isles. It will take about 21hours to drive there. Looks like a stop around Quebec will be in order. That is about 12 hours into the journey, making a two day journey fine. The second leg will be along roads that aren’t so good so the journey will be slower. The other option we have is a 31 hour journey up to Labrador City with a shorter train journey. Either way, the drive will be over two days and will not be too bad. I wonder if I will be allowed to play some techno music in the car…hhmmm. Sarah says that will keep him awake in order to read the map so I guess we shall have music.

The other thing I have looked into is flights over to the States. Cheapest option is Nortwest Airlines via Detroit. I would have snapped this up already but I have no idea what either NWA are like or Detroit. The biggest thing is Detroit. I have heard rumours, malicious I’m sure, that the airport is a bit of a dump and not an easy transfer to/from international flight. There will be no time to nip out and visit the Ford factory though Anyone out there got any informed opinions on Detroit or Northwest Airlines?

So, next time I shall tell you how the gun club application is progressing and about the funny looks my work mates gave me when they saw my latest choice of reading material.

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Quick Update

May 31st, 2008 Paul

I just called QNS&L to book the train tickets but the office is only open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

I did however find out that the train departs Sept-Isles at 9am Monday and Thursday and departs Schefferville 8am Tuesday and Friday.

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The Phone Call…

May 24th, 2008 Paul

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.

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The Train…

May 20th, 2008 Paul

So, here is a quick video of the train from Sept-Isles.

There are more if you go here.

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Just where are we going?

May 20th, 2008 Paul

So, tonight I called, sorry, tried to call the Iron Ore Company and Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway. I would link to them but they do not seem to have a web site. So little technology this will be easy I hear you say…..how wrong you can be!

Anyway, I called the number supplied, 1 709 944 8400 and was confronted by a Canadian voice message. My options were to press one to use the voice recognition system, press two to enter the extension of the person you want to speak to or…….you get the drift. This is perfect if you want a job or anything related to the Iron Ore Company.

I listened for a while and thought, yes naively, the train will get a mention soon. Just information of booking would be fine. Nothing but silence. I now start thinking “Great, the operator will come on and help” but no the voice recognition system comes on. Again I listen and get told to say the name of the person I wish to talk to but still cannot make the connection to trains. At the end I get told I can say “Department List” so I give this a go. First option went past in a Canadian blur and into the list of iron ore related things, like tool shop or furnace. but nothing.

I give up and ask Sarah to listen, maybe it is a language thing and the words Train or Information are different in Canada. So, Sarah listens says nothing also and gets put to someone’s voice mail!?!?! A quick conference later and we are at the conclusion I need to call the outfitter for the non-comedy number. Before I do this though I think about the Canadian blur and think, “maybe that was an abbreviation for Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway. I give it another go and sure enough the first department is QNSnL. Several attempts at saying that later, yes I even tried a very bad Canadian accent, it gives up on me and decides to put me through to the reception. Finally, a human. Sorry, no, another recording. This one sympathizes with my difficulty and tells me to try again, Click….

One more try before Sarah has to speak to the machine…. Success, I get put through to the station Happy days. “Hello blah mumble” says the voice. “Hello,” replies I, what did he say? Am I through to the furnace room I wonder. “I’m after some information about the train from Sept Isles to Schefferville.” “No problem, I will give you the number.”

So, the number to enquire about trains is 1 418 962 5530. I know what you are thinking now….418, that isn’t 709 so just where is it? French speaking Quebec is where.

Stay tuned for part 2 where I am faced with non-native English speakers…..

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