Richard Roy & Matthew Farfan

What do a prison chaplain, an entrepreneur, and a train engineer have in common? Everything, if they happen to be the same person, as is the case with Donald Thompson. A Catholic priest in his early fifties, Thompson has long blonde hair, a boyish grin, and a passion for trains. He also has big dreams that are in the process of coming true.

"My father was an engineer on the old Domtar line in East Angus," Thompson says. "When I was a child, he would take me for rides. When he saw my enthusiasm, he bought me a Lionel electric train, making me the envy of all the local kids." The stage was set. Trains of every shape and model became a passion for Thompson, who is also a member of a model train club in Sherbrooke. "They're all maniacs like me," Thompson smiles. "We have doctors, policemen, lawyers, all types of people that have only one thing in common - trains. Trains are the most complete hobby; it's never ending fun. All we talk about at the meetings are trains, absolutely nothing else."

RAILWAY DREAMS
When Thompson (right) started collecting model trains over fifteen years ago, his dream was to become a real train engineer. "That dream has come true now. I took courses, and in 2001, I was certified as an engineer," Thompson says proudly. "My greatest fantasy came true when I was able to take a train out for the first time. I was actually driving it." Then Thompson met the man who owned the tracks to his dreams. "I met my man of gold and we formed a partnership. He invited me for a train ride and you can imagine how excited I was! He needed an engineer and I asked him if I could be that engineer. He accepted."

That man was Jean-Marc Giguère, "another maniac" who had bought the Quebec Central Railway. "He called me one day and told me that he had just obtained a stainless steel Budd railway diesel car from the 1950s. When we started up the Budd, I was so excited," Thompson says. "I wanted to put it on the tracks right away. Jean-Marc offered me the rights to ride his rails if I formed my own company." This Thompson did with his "Train du Haut-St-François," an excursion service that takes passengers up and down the line of the Quebec Central Railway. Passing through the heart of the Eastern Townships, the train stops at various spots along the way, depending on the type of excursion.

VINTAGE TRAIN
Thompson's vintage Budd diesel railway car (top) is the only one still in operation in Canada. It measures 25.9 metres (85 ft) in length, weighs 59,000 kilos (66 tons), and can accommodate 78 passengers, including spaces for two wheelchairs. With its sleek lines and its shining steel exterior, the train is indeed an impressive sight. Those who step aboard are transported back to the golden age of rail travel.

Various package deals are available year round on the Train du Haut-St-François. For example, the train can be rented day or night for family reunions featuring murder mystery plays performed by professional actors, with the passengers trying to figure out "who done it." Nature buffs will love the Faune Express ("Wildlife Express"), a 94 km (56 mile) eight-hour excursion that includes a return trip with historical and musical activities en route; crossing Lake Aylmer on the pleasure boat "Odyssée;" and dinner at either Domaine Aylmer or Aux Berges du Lac. The Dudswell Express departs from East Angus and travels 36 km (22 miles) to Bishop's Crossing (now a part of Dudswell). Travelers are treated to historical activities en route and at Bishop's Crossing.

SHERBROOKE EXPRESS
Other excursions include the Sherbrooke Express, a return trip that makes a stop at the historic East Angus Train Station, recently restored to its former grandeur at a cost of more than $800,000. At the station, passengers may view exhibitions depicting the history of the rail network in the region. On Sundays, visitors may ride the rails and practice their religion at the same time. "I've done services and baptisms on the train," Thompson says. "But, I've never done a wedding or a funeral on board and I'm really looking forward to officiating at one -- a wedding that is."

EASTER SPECIAL
We were invited to take the Easter ride that departed from the East Angus station. We were accompanied by Janot the Bunny Rabbit, actors in colourful costumes, parents, a trainload of kids of all ages, and two engineers, one of whom was Donald Thompson, sporting a dapper blue uniform and cap with a cross on his lapel. A "find the stolen Easter eggs" play was acted out for everyone to enjoy. The children were enthralled, and we had never seen such rapt attention -- a credit to the actors for keeping the children so engrossed in the story.



The kids laughed and sang along with the animators (above and right) all the way to Bishop's Crossing where the search continued at the Café-Boutique in the historic Rebeka Hall. Inside, more games and prizes awaited. At Bishop's Crossing, we were greeted by town officials, the fire chief driving his engine, and a crowd of friendly onlookers who all clearly felt it was terrific to have the train back in town. "People here love the train; it brings life to the town," Marie-Claude Bourque, owner of Residence Bishopton, said as she looked up at the second floor of the residence and pointed to her boarders peeping from behind the curtains. "I'm sure that the ladies in the windows upstairs are enjoying the show."

On the return trip, the kids were quieter, but even with their energy expelled, they sought each other out to discuss their adventures, while Thompson passed out giant train-shaped lollipops. As we pulled into the station, our trip over, we glanced at the two children across from us. Their broad smiles as they ate their candy and the glint in their eyes as they stepped off the train will remain with us for a very long time -- as will the smile on Donald Thompson's face as he said good-bye to each of his passengers.

For more information on tourist excursions, fares, and the language that animators will be speaking, contact: Le Train du Haut-St-François, 221 rue Saint-Jean Ouest, East Angus, Quebec, J0B 1R0. Telephone: (819) 832-2221; or email: vieillegaredupapier@globetrotter.net. Or for more information, visit the following Websites: www.vieillegaredupapier.qc.ca and www.mrchsf.com/tourisme/train .


(Photos: Matthew Farfan)