Kaye is in Tatamagouche, sleeping in a wonderful, old caboose, supping in a refurbished dining car and sipping fine local beer at the town’s top microbrewery.
Riding trains in Tatamagouche
James LeFresne purchased the Tatamagouche railway station when he was only 18, to save it from demolition. This foresight has led to a thriving family business at the Tatamagouche Train Station Inn. The avid history bug and train fanatic now has a host of cabooses and box cars which provide four-star hotel accommodation for visitors to enjoy the memories and memorabilia. Our Caboose is No 10 and it’s very spacious, with a large bedroom, separate bathroom and kitchenette, as well as a step-up where we can view what’s happening across the entire railway station.
We arrive about 3pm which means that we have lots of time to stroll down the main street to the Tatamagouche Brewing Company. Here we meet Matt who tells us that their pale ale is the best in the world. We then learn that he is the brewer – who knew? The brewery’s logo apparently represents the local two-headed bull – although again, is he kidding us? With Matt and Shelby, the server, we are in safe hands, as they guide us through the tasting paddle with five brews, starting from pale ale and getting to the heavy stuff down the other end (you can tell I am a wine drinker, not a beer connoisseur) …
All too soon it’s time to head back to the Train Station Inn and get ready for dinner. Here we enjoy a drop of the local Riesling in the lounge car, while reading old railway histories. Our meal is served in the dining car which was first built in 1928. It’s a very special experience to enjoy our dinner while channeling the memories of those who travelled Canada when it was indeed a frontier land.
Our breakfast next morning is served on the platform in the sunshine. I select the French Toast with orange rind and maple syrup.
Oh Canada – you’ve done it again!
How did we get to Tatamagouche?
Although we completed a relatively short and easy drive from Pictou, west and then north to Tatamagouche, most visitors to Nova Scotia will drive due north from Halifax Airport, for a couple of hours, on a very well-maintained highway.
As you would expect the Tatamagouche Train Station Inn is highly popular with children and parents alike, so you need to book early to avoid disappointment, particularly in the busy holiday periods.
