“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be making an unscheduled stop here to pick up another passenger,” announces train manager Alain Vermette. “In fact, we need to back up. We just missed his stop.”
Brakes squeal and gears grind as Via Rail Line 6 — better known as ‘the Skeena’ — slows, shifts into reverse and trundles back down the track. A minute later, a burly man in a baseball cap, hunting boots and jeans emerges from the forest, rucksack slung over his shoulder, a cheroot poking out from his grizzled grey beard.
“Afternoon, Alain,” he says, waving a greeting up to the conductor, who’s leaning out of the train window. “Running a little late today, ain’tcha?” The train pulls to a stop — but since there’s no platform, Alain has to…
