Hello from Canada and the World

[julianface]

Hey everyone. Long time lurker on many vagabond groups. I've been lucky to be able to travel a whole lot and get really good at cheap minimalist living and travelling. Currently in Edmonton looking to train hop back to Ontario to see my family. Done the research, have the roughing it experience, got the gear, staked out the catch out spots, ready to finally make the leap and hopefully not fucking die! Maybe I'll see some of you out in the wild.

If anyone has Canada specific tips let me know! I will be riding CN cause it's way less boring scenery beside a highway like CP but I'm a bit sketched out by the CN scanners all around Winnipeg.

 

[plumfae]

best of luck, we're headed opposite ways! i'm in ontario and currently just waiting for my pal to reach toronto and headin west.

 

[julianface]

best of luck, we're headed opposite ways! i'm in ontario and currently just waiting for my pal to reach toronto and headin west.

Good shit! Maybe we'll pass each other in Winnipeg or something. You taking CN or CP?

 

[plumfae]

Good shit! Maybe we'll pass each other in Winnipeg or something. You taking CN or CP?

a bit of both. CP thru ontario but we'll probably reevaluate in winnipeg and see what's best from there

 

[julianface]

Sounds like a solid plan. I haven't read of anyone having any trouble with these inspection portals but there are two on either side of Winnipeg on the CN mainline. Apparently they are capable of rider detection, though I don't know if that module is actually used by CN or not. CN’s Rail Inspection Portals – Traingeek – Trains and Photography - https://www.traingeek.ca/wp/cn-rail-inspection-portals/

 

[Billy Cougar White]

Heyo from Halifax.

 

[Seeds21]

I have heard wraping yourself in a emergency foil blanket helps hide the heat from the FLIR when you go through those

 

[julianface]

well I made it through the portal west of Winnipeg and didn't even see it (though my head was down). Hid in the train in the yard for 4 hours so I'm guessing I wasn't spotted. I just hugged the container and had no cover or overhang lol. Didn't end up taking CN east so not sure about that one.

 

[ali]

Glad to hear you made it through and didn't get too cold! Did you get to see some nice scenery too, or was it head down most of the way?

 

[julianface]

Thanks ali I was well prepared I picked up a 2nd down jacket from value village and rain pants in Saskatoon. Got down to 2 or 3 degrees overnight one night but it was fine. Camping mat was sooooo clutch too it made the train so comfortable most of the time. Didn't have overhead cover so getting rained on in the Thunder Bay yard at night sucked so much but I had my tarp. I should write a post about the whole experience I think a lot of it could be useful to others.

It was head down and sleeping most of the time cause I was on a bit of a time crunch. I don't remember so much of it since I was so focused and determined to make it back home by the end of the week. The best scenery was definitely in Northern Ontario east of Thunder Bay

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