The stretch between Tête Jaune and Prince George was devoid of trains as well as chatter on the Train Standby frequency. GRRRR! In that case on to Quesnel since I knew that the Jasper to Whistler Rocky Mountaineer was stopping there over night before continuing westbound the next morning. The lady at the reception of the motel told me about the three trains that went through in the previous two hours. Yeah, jolly good this was ten at night and I’m not keen on night videos. But I heard three trains going by during the night. Went to the station good and early the next day, before they even spotted the train to the platform! Yep, get the RM to stop at a location and things are sure getting spruced up!
(http:///F-PIX/QuesnelRM01_s.jpg)
(http:///F-PIX/QuesnelRM02_s.jpg)
Got a “schedule” from the RM crew at the station to get an idea when the train was supposed to be at the different locations. Oh my, I schould/could have known that this was just an approximation. Figured I’d head to the other side of the bridge, was set up by 07:30 and waited for the train. Well apparently they left a bit early and must have cruised through there just before I got there. However since they’re lat more often than not I waited thirty minutes and then got moving. Next time listed was Williams Lake at 10:15 with a departure at 10:40. One of the interesting features with Canadian railways … there are still station buildings, a yard office or just a crew change shed, but … anybody there? Forget it! So going about the usual routine (you just never know someone could be there) I was just ready to leave and the Mountaineer pulls in, rolls through at yard speed and I was on my way … PRONTO! Exact time 10:10! Then it was chase, shoot, chase again. Since I was really keen on getting the train on the Bridge at Lillooet I decided to get a move on when the train had about 70 miles to go. The rail line follows some really wild terrain and since I have yet to drive along that route - supposedly a “proper” ranch road - I had to go the slightly longer way on the paved road. Supposed time at Lillooet 15:00! I was an hour early and got the benefit of the track gang coming off the hill and across the bridge. It was a regular parade of equipment! They were changing out ties on the hill. The Mountaineer showed upon time: 15:02 on the bridge! Once the RM was through I went to the station, chances were that one of the Northbound freights was ready to roll. YEP! When? “I don’t know, maybe within an hour”… Oh dear, that’s what endears the CN personnel. 
Meantime, here’s a very unique piece of passenger equipment running between Lillooet and Seton (18 miles)
(http:///F-PIX/CN_PassengerService01_s.jpg)
with the schedule
(http:///F-PIX/CN_PassengerService02_s.jpg)
When BCR discontinued the passenger service - run with RDCs between North Vancouver and Prince George - some of the Indian bands at Seton insisted on their right to have rail service to Lillooet. As a result they got one unique railbus combo. Good for them!
Oh yeah, of course VIA Rail is the Canadian Passenger Service provider.