March 3, 2004 For Immediate Release

Some of Canada's top poets will join with poetry enthusiasts during a unique train trip from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Prince George, BC.

The Poetry Train will ride the rails from March 14-17, providing an opportunity for people to see a beautiful part of Canada aboard a Via Rail train while learning from some of the country's most talented poets: Kate Braid, bill bissett, Deborah Stiles, Chandra Mayor, Jon Paul Fiorentino, and Jay MillAr. Instructional workshops on board will be joined by public readings at Winnipeg, Dunster, and McBride. The group will continue onto Prince George to participate in the annual Just West of Unruly creative writing festival at the University of Northern British Columbia. A gala reading will be held at the Railway and Forestry Museum in Prince George on Wednesday, March 17 at 7:30 pm.

"Combining poetry with a train trip makes perfect sense. Both have a rhythm and both are part of Canadian culture and identity," says Dr Budde, one of the Poetry Train organizers. "This will all take place during a regularly scheduled Via trip. Anyone interested can purchase a ticket from Via Rail and join us at any of the locations along the way."

At the front of the train will be John Howarth, a locomotive engineer for the past 34 years. John is a poetry and literature fan and has worked with Dr Budde to make the Poetry Train a reality.

Key dates and times:

Winnipeg, Mar 14: Public reading at McNally-Robinson Portage Place at 2pm. Train departs at 4:55pm.

Dunster, Mar 16: Public reading at The Store at 2pm

McBride, Mar 17: Public reading at the train station at noon.