The Runaway Train and the Missing Blackberry

I took the train from Toronto to Ottawa the other day. I quite enjoy taking the train – the seats are roomier, you can get internet access, and there’s no complicated security process.

I had settled in for the 3 1/2 hour trip. I was comfortable and was engrossed in my work. Midway through the trip, when we were approaching Belleville, a few people were in the aisle in anticipation of getting off. Suddenly I heard the female attendant screeching “Sit down. Get in a seat. NOW!” She was shoving an old lady toward a seat. I only had time to think “why is she so insistent that everyone should sit down?” and then we suddenly lurched one way wildly and then the other way equally wildly. Luggage went flying. I managed to grab my computer as it slid one way, and then the other.

I’ve never experienced anything nearly that dramatic in a train. You expect sways, lurches, and bumps but this was wild. I think we nearly jumped the tracks. We sailed through the Belleville station at full speed and kept going until we finally stopped – way down the line. We could smell burning and could see smoke outside the window. The emergency breaks burning maybe?

Everyone in our car was okay. The lady in the seat ahead of me had a glass of wine which she ended up “wearing” and the attendant (who was the only one not sitting ) was thrown but she said she was alright.

We backed up slowly back to Belleville. An ambulance took one person from another car on the train away and then we waited a long time. Then they said we were set to carry on with the trip. After we’d gone only 5 or 10 minutes down the track, the train stopped again. We were told they had to get two new engineers (would be brought on another train) and then they would back up the train to Belleville again and put us on buses. So we waited some more. Then we heard that they were bringing us a new engine as well as the two new engineers. And finally after a few hours, we did continue our trip in the same train. I was glad we didn’t have to transfer to buses but I was a little concerned about the condition of the train we were on.

The most interesting thing about the entire adventure is that before the incident everyone was quiet, minding their own business. But after, everyone came out of their shells and connected. A group of about six of us talked for a few hours – at first comparing notes on what happened, and our individual experiences and observations. The conversation eventually drifted to include a variety of topics. New found friends!

We made it to our destination a little over two hours late. In the confusion, I left my blackberry on the train. I was so pissed off at myself about that. When I realized on the next morning (Thursday) I called VIA Rail. I got a recording and left a message. I called VIA Rail on Friday. I got a recording and left a message. On Saturday, I emailed and filled out a customer relations form on their website. By Monday morning I hadn’t heard a thing. I figured my blackberry was toast.

Monday afternoon I got a call from VIA Rail and guess what! They found my blackberry!

All’s well that ends well.The case of the Runaway Train and the Missing Blackberry is closed.