Last Train to Toronto: A Canadian Rail Odyssey

by Terry Pindell

Describing the year he traveled eighteen thousand miles of Canadian rails, the author provides a view of Canada from the vanishing railroad, exploring the culture of the Canadian people and recording the final run of the eastbound train, the "Canadian"

Genres: Canada, Travel, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Shoshana Hathaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a travel book of the very best kind, because it not only gives information and personal impressions of places and people, but with its fine writing and beautifully vivid descriptions, puts us right there. The author takes his time, and by doing so, allows us to get a more complete and deeper understanding not just of the Canadian railroad system (which used to be the finest in North America) but of the country, its citizens and its problems.

Of course, it strongly appealed to the gypsy inside me, and reactivated a girlhood dream of touring Canada, but sensibly, by train. Of course, many of the trains that would have made that possible are no longer running, sadly, but this is an absolutely glorious book for anyone who loves to visit new places, or gain depth into already visited places, or who just, as I do, loves trains.

[John Geary · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all let’s start off with the title: the writer, Terry Pindell, wrote this with the premise that in 1990, Via rail was shutting down its operations across Canada, hence the “Last Train to Toronto.” He rode the last – or supposedly last – train to make the overland journey from Vancouver to Toronto.
Except it wasn’t.
The epilogue contains an aftermath about his travels on a similar train, albeit a slightly different route from Vancouver to Toronto a year later. So the title is kind of fallacious.
Some of the stories about the history of Canadian rail as well as those of the people he meets during his travels are interesting, but the book does tend to drag on at times. I found many chapters to be quite long which I personally find annoying.
Found some errors in it as well; for example: he writes of seeing numerous condors in the air over the train while crossing British Columbia. Last I checked, you don’t find condors in BC – turkey vultures and black vultures yes, but not condors. (At least not according to the range maps produced by Cornell University). The author is American, so maybe he mistook one of these other species for a condor? But a fact like that should always be verified, if not by the author, then by the editor.
It IS kind of a unique look at Canada‘s railway system as the author is American, and previously wrote a similar book about riding the American rails. So it’s a perspective somewhat different from what someone in Canada might write.
But while some of the individual stories were interesting, I don’t know that a whole book of them - at least a book this long - was warranted. It sure does not make me want to read his book about American railroad travel.
Paul Theroux, he ain’t.
Count: 38 down, 12 to go!

[Sam Dye · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book with just the right amount of history and current Canadian culture and natural history with engaging biographies of people he met on his rail travels. His travels occurred just before PM Brian Mulroney cut back service on the VIA system leaving many poor and elderly in the lurch. It also disrupted a bond that the railroad formed to hold the country together. It also saved me from going to such places as Churchill, Manitoba to see the polar bears. His account of his encounter was sufficient. His account of the Skeena route that covered places I had been including Prince Rupert was especially enjoyable and informative.

[Steven Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most Americans tend to think of Canada as simply an extension of the United States; the only difference being their use of different colored currency. Americans also know very little about the history of Canada and how their political system works. While the primary purpose of this book is to anecdotally describe the author's rail travels through Canada prior to VIA Rail's 1990 cutbacks, it is also a condensed yet informative lesson in Canadian history and politics. As the author travels each of the passenger rail routes, he sets the stage for each geographic area by explaining its history and the impact the railway has had on local economies and character of inhabitants. Especially interesting are discussions regarding distinct English and French (Quebec) societies and relations with indigenous peoples. The dislike of Americans by Canadians and travelers from other countries is clearly evident (i.e. travel in America is unsafe and the people are obnoxious)throughout the book. The railways in Canada have had a significant impact on the development of the country (which is still in progress).

Although I have not traveled many of the Canadian passenger rail routes, I have had the pleasure of riding several described by the author: Skeena (Jasper-Prince Rupert), Cariboo Dayliner (North Vancouver-Prince George) and Malahat Dayliner (Victoria-Courtenay). All were very memorable and enjoyable experiences. (except the man from Missouri on the Skeena who was in fact obnoxious)

[Ted Haussman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book from a rail enthusiast and somewhat disenchanted American who decides to ride 20,000 miles over Canadian rails, chronicle the people he meets and detail the historical and current day politics of Canada, especially those surrounding the construction of the rails.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely account on Canadian history and its rail.

[Benn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading about, the history of Canada's railways and about the people who the author meets along the way.