The Orford Express
Quebec’s Answer To The Orient
Express
by Habeeb Salloum
 “When you travel to the
Eastern Townships in Quebec
make sure you take the Orford Express. It’s the answer to the famous
Orient Express! It will be a fun-Gastronomic delightful trip, which will
travel through a panorama of enchanting scenic beauty.” My friend seemed in
a dream as he went on to explain the joys of that tourist train.
 A few days later as I
climbed aboard the Orford Express in Sherbrooke, Quebec,
his words were still etched in my mind. As I looked around at the long
lines of people waiting to enter, I thought that my friend was right when
describing the luring attributes of the train. Every seat must have had a
waiting customer.
 The Orford Express was
an idea that a priest and a railway buff, Donald Thompson who tried to sell
to businessmen the idea for a tourist train for years. Finely Andre
L'Esperance agreed to finance what was to become known as the ‘Orford
Express, which has become one of the finest tourist trains anywhere.
 Today the train, which
was launched in 2006, consists of a locomotive, a caboose and three
passenger cars - all recycled and refurbished from former trains at a cost
of some $4 million, creating one of the most attractive trains in the world.
It quickly rose to become one of the top attractions in
Quebec’s Eastern Township.
The coach cars have been completely redecorated. Their interiors
are rich-looking, in fact, luxurious with leather seats, polished maple
woodwork and royal blue velvet drapes trimmed with gold. 212 guests
can be comfortably accommodated, entertained and served some of the best
foods in Quebec. Travelling
on several routes along tracks used for freight, the train, from May 8th to
the end of October 2010, will make three trips a day. From Wednesday
through Sunday, linking Sherbrooke,
Magog and Eastman, it passes towns, lakes, mountains, plains, rivers and
valleys.
 As we sat down a voice
boomed over the microphone, “All aboard! Hello everyone. This is your
conductor Donald Thompson.” Father Thompson is the conductor of the Orford
Express four days a week and is the priest at the Sherbrooke Basilica the
other three days. He seemed a happy man. His ‘dream tourist train’ had
become a reality thanks to Andre L'Esperance -a good hearted millionaire who
appreciated Father Thompson’s sincerity and turned his dream into a reality.
 Smiling waiters decked
out in traditional caps and uniforms began to take our orders and soon were
serving us dinner on English china and silver cutlery. Shortly thereafter,
while passing through an idyllic countryside, we began to enjoy a first
class meal, worthy of the finest tables - this day serving either large
shrimps or stuffed loin of pork with all their trimmings as the main course.
At the same time as we ate, as Father/Conductor Thompson was advising us
what to do in case of emergencies, my seat companion described the scene
well when she remarked,“
We dine in luxury, surrounded by a serene enchanted landscape.”
The train moved along the shores of Lac des Nations, part of the Magog River
whose source is Lake Memphremmagog, flowing for30 km (19mi) and ending in
the whirl pools and waterfalls of
Sherbrooke’s downtown. As we passed Magog, a town of
some 35,000, most of the passengers had almost finished their meals and were
surveying the green covered countryside pleasantly spreading out before them
as far as the eye could see.
 “It looks so wonderful
now; I wonder what it will look like in winter?” My seat companion mused as
she gazed over a landscape waiting for an artist brush. “Remember winter
skiing! Skiers come from all over the world to enjoy the Eastern
Townships’ slopes and countryside,” I said as I shoved the last piece of my
rich chocolate dessert into my mouth.
 By the time we reached
Eastman where the train turned to begin our return journey we had passed
seven towns and five lakes. Now people had come to know each other and
comradeship was everywhere. “Is it the wine or is it the natural
friendliness of the Quebecois?” I thought to myself. On the outskirts of
Magog, at Pointe Merry, the Orford Express stopped to allow the passengers
to stroll on the beach edging the majestic
Lake
Memphremmagog and to enjoy
the colors of the sunset at the end of the day.
Back on the train, as it began to move, a moving singer’s voice filled
the air on the microphone and he moved from car to car enchanting the
passengers. He kept us entertained until the lights of
Sherbrooke
dew near. As we approached the end of our 3 1/2 hour train trip, I knew that
I would carry great memories of our gourmet fun escapade for days to come.
The unforgettable, exquisite culinary adventure; the scenic-charming view of
the countryside; the enthralling entertainment and the friendliness of the
fellow passengers, as well as the smiling crew members, all combined to make
for a wonderful train journey. Andre L'Esperance and Donald Thompson have
created a pleasure excursion train for tourists and locals alike - the pride
of the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
For Further Information, Contact:
Le train touristique l’Orford Express, Tel: 1 819 575.8081; 1 866
575.8081.
E-mail: info@orfordexpress.com or; check Website:
http://www.easterntownships.org/
Note: NEW in 2010: Christmas Trains will be in operation. Limited
seating; and reservations required.
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