July 31, 2011. Tatamagouche, N.S. The Train Station.

Tonight we will eat in the Dining Car, just as we did years ago when going by train across Canada.  We are sleeping in the station master's quarters, which is on the second floor of the train station at Tatamagouche.    The accommodation is lovely but quirky.  The furniture is all circa 1920 as are the bedrooms and bathrooms which means all beds are double beds and the three bathrooms are tiny.  And we have a TV room with a vintage 1980 set with one comfortable chair in the room.  But as we have four beds and four people, we think we will fit just fine.

All the train cars are full, so the The Train Station Inn must be doing well.  Once again, it is fascinating what people end up doing with their lives.  When a young man of 18,  Jimmy bought the train station when it had been neglected for several years.  Passenger service ceased in 1960.  Bit by bit he restored the station then bit by bit purchased train cars and installed them on the tracks.  He now has eight cars, complete with all the creature comforts, plus the three bedrooms of the station master's home, where we are living.  Fortunately, his wife, parents and children all love the place.   His sister always stated that she would wait for the sale when the station would go up for auction but now she wants to purchase shares in the company.  "No dice", says Jimmy.

This town is small but vibrant, right on The Northumberland Strait.   Folks were swimming at all the beaches so it must be warm enough for the locals.  But not for me.   Again, the weather is perfect and we are enjoying this charming out of the way town in Nova Scotia.