A couple months ago I was travelling aboard VIA Rail from Montreal and Ottawa, a trip that is usually less than 2 hours long, and usually quite pleasant. As a poor student making this trip on a regular basis, I spent a little more to take the train than the bus because it’s quicker, a smoother ride, better for the environment, and I generally like the idea of better train service in Central Canada, so I like to support it any way I can.
Those who have travelled with VIA Rail before will be acquainted with Destinations, the bilingual magazine in every seat on the train. The magazine is as light and flaky as we might expect, and it generally has some basic lifestyle and celebrity stories and then some travel related pieces designed, one would assume, to advancing their own business, which is of course, perfectly reasonable.
In this issue, however, I was a litte surprised to see a story called “From train station to spa!” The english version of the story went as follows:
‘Built in 1904 by the Grand Trunk Railway, the Coaticook train station, Quebec’s Eastern Townships, was closed in the 1970s because of the steady decline in passenger rail travel. After restoration by the municipality, Quebec’s largest rounded station was given historic monument status. Then, in November 2005, the heritage building took on a whole new vocation–as a spa. Menthe Fraicheur is now an exquisite place to receive fine treatments featuring mint that is grown and processed by the owner. The decor of the different rooms and the wide range of treatments are deeply relaxing and inspiring.’ – Danielle Goyette
Ironically, this story was in the trends section. What I really have to wonder is why VIA Rail is celebrating their own industry’s demise in the pages of their on-board magazine? The reality is, no one visiting this spa will travel on VIA Rail to get there in any way. The Eastern Townships are no devoid of passenger rail service, and Coaticook station is but one of the many many stations that have been re-purposed like this.
While I have come to accept that the rest of the world doesn’t value rail infrastructure and service the way I do; and while I cannot imagine everyone beingenlightened on the expected surge in its use as global energy shifts in the coming decades, I am not resigned to having rail companies celebrating their own demise. So do go enjoy Menthe Fraicheur, a mere hour and a half drive from the closest VIA Rail station in Drummondville, QC… and thank you for choosing VIA Rail Canada.
