'Fun to eat in the dining car' a highlight of trip on Canadian Pacific Railway passenger trains for young travellers

Back in the days when passenger trains were the major way to travel across this vast and magnificent land, a meal in the dining car, whether it was breakfast, lunch supper, or all three, was always a highlight of the trip -- at least it was for me!

I recently came across dining car menus from 'The Dominion' in 1953, and having enjoyed my own trip down memory lane, decided to share some of the results. I don't recall my first trip from Chapleau to Toronto on a Canadian Pacific Railway train but it would have been shortly after the end of World War II in 1945 with my mother Muriel (Hunt) Morris and continued for years.

Along with the porter shining my shoes which we left out at bedtime to find sparkling clean in the morning, as we arrived in Toronto (for others Montreal), a trip to the dining car was the highlight of the trip for me.

The dining car steward would come through the train advising "First call for dinner" then second and third in due course after the train departed Chapleau for the overnight trip.

Based on the ' Dining Car Service for Young Travellers Menu" in 1953, here are the messages the CPR provided. The writer was trying to be poetic.

Ian Macdonald collection

The first message to young travellers: "It's fun to eat in the dining car as you rush along by CPR, Breakfast, lunch and supper too, Inside there's something good for you."

Breakfast: " Healthy Billy Beaver, napkin pulled in tight, Sits close to the table, eats with all his might. Juicy brick pancakes give Billy a treat, but we'll have  crisp bacon and such things to eat. The juice of an orange, milk by the glassful make you glad that so early we're up."

Lunch: "First call for lunch in the diner, the waiter announces. No news could be finer. So let's walk quickly through the train, and sit at the fresh white table again. Soup, meat, potatoes, perhaps some pie, or salad and jelly, there's lots to try."

Ian Macdonald collection

Supper: "It's lots of fun on the CPR train. That's why we eat with might and main. For supper there's always something nice. Fish or steak, tapioca or rice. And the friendly waiter is so polite as he pulls back the chair and says good night."

For breakfast on the young travellers menu cereal seemed to be the mainstay, while for lunch soup and maybe a sandwich were in order while an omelet. scrambled eggs or cold sliced chicken were main suggestions for supper. Prices ranged from a 35 cent breakfast to $1.50 for the chicken dinner for supper.

Turning to the adult dinner menus there were two -- 'Table D'Hote Dinner' and 'A La Carte'

Table D'Hote: Some items included a choice of fruit cocktail, celery with olives, cream of mushroom soup or consommé with a main course of baked Pacific coast salmon with dressing ($2.60), Roast prime rib of beef ($3.00), Sliced cold chicken and ham with potato salad ($2.70), or individual pot chicken pie ($2.70). All these meals included potatoes, vegetables, dessert and tea or coffee.

Ian Macdonald collection

A la Carte: Charcoal broiled 'red brand' small sirloin steak ($3.00), charcoal broiled fresh fish with tartar sauce ($1.25), prime ribs of beef ($1.75), and all other items were extra.

I don't recall my favourite dining car meal although it may have been chicken but I do recall vividly the outstanding service there.  I would love to hear your memories of eating there while travelling back in the day.

The CPR included the following statement on its menu: "It is with pleasure that we call attention to the desire and willingness of all our employees to give their utmost in service and special attention, and they as well as ourselves would appreciate your criticism as well as your commendations."

 They most assuredly, at least in my view, gave their utmost in service and special attention,  and I forgive them for the bad poetry!!!

Thanks to Ian Macdonald for providing photos. My email is mj.morris@live.ca