PICK A TRAIN, ANY TRAIN - All Aboard: The Complete North American Train Travel Guide - page 308

toward Malahat Summit. The train will be crossing some deep
gorges, and a VIA Rail booklet suggests that anyone who gets a
bit queasy from heights might prefer sitting on the left side of the
train. They aren't kidding, folks!
After its descent, the train passes a number of lakes followed
by some very picturesque farming country. You'll cross a number
of rivers over the next several miles—if you fish, you can get off
anywhere along here. Whatever spot you pick will be the right
one.
About halfway through the trip, the train will cross the
Nanaimo River. Higher and off to the west there's a bridge that's
a favorite spot for those who like to hook themselves to a big
rubber band and jump off. If a bungee jumper happens to be
poised on the railing as you go by, the train will stop on the
bridge to give everyone aboard a ringside seat. From many spots
along here you can look east and see Washington State across the
Strait of Georgia, or you can look west and see the island's moun-
tain range, which runs down its center. Keep your eyes peeled for
bald eagles in this area.
The last stop is Courtenay, a town of 10,000 and a jump-off
point for hikers and skiers. If you want to, on most days you can
leave Victoria fairly early in the morning, spend an hour in Cour-
tenay, then catch a return train that will get you back around
6:00 P.M. But consider at least an overnight in Courtenay, where
you can savor the prospect of the next day's return train ride over
a nice dinner.