Trains and diapers (Travel)

[spark]

PS- train nerd alert!

In 7 days, I'll be at the beginning of one of the best trips I've ever done. I'm taking The Ocean from Halifax to Montreal.  I'll be in Montreal a week from Saturday and watch a soccer game in Montreal.  I make my way to Toronto by Monday and spend a night in Ottawa.  I see a CFL game (super excited for that as well).   Two nights in Toronto, and then I take the bucket list train trip that all train nerds must take (the Canadian) to Vancouver.  I decided that I might as well take the train home.  The best part of that train is between my home and San Diego, so take the train all the way to San Diego.  It's a train from Halifax to San Diego over 12 days!

The problem is stocking enough diapers. I travel light, but I can carry about 14 diapers in my carry-ons if I limit my other clothes.  Basically- two t-shirts, one polo, one cover, two shorts, pants, underwear, socks.  I'm still need to restock, so my current choice is to see if I can have them delivered to my hotel in Toronto.  I've tried in the past to buy them at drug stores, but adult diapers are impossible to find in downtown areas.

The plan now is see if the hotel will accept a delivery before I arrive, and then see if RearZ can time the delivery for me

[oznl]

It sounds awesome.  I love the idea.  Pretty much any holiday that doesn't involve an airport (or a cruise ship) sounds good to me.  There are a couple of "great" train journeys available down here but the inevitable reality is that for most of the time, you're in the outback somewhere (flat desert) and they are *ruinously* expensive!  

I've only been to Canada once (drove there from the USA) and was kind of caught up seeing friends of my beloved.  I really didn't get the chance to do it justice.

[spark]

15 minutes ago, oznl said:

It sounds awesome.  I love the idea.  Pretty much any holiday that doesn't involve an airport (or a cruise ship) sounds good to me.  There are a couple of "great" train journeys available down here but the inevitable reality is that for most of the time, you're in the outback somewhere (flat desert) and they are *ruinously* expensive!  

I've only been to Canada once (drove there from the USA) and was kind of caught up seeing friends of my beloved.  I really didn't get the chance to do it justice.

You and I must be brothers from another mother. I don't mind flights because they are fast, but cruise ships.  I watched a video of a massive cruise ship, and I'd rather  have a root canal without novocaine.

I've only been to Vancouver (when I was 12) and Quebec.  FTR- Quebec City is the best city in North America to visit.  Worldwide- it's right up there  with Bruges, and I met a girl Bruges, so it might be biased.  This will mean that I will only have 2 provinces left (I also have 2 states left).   Unfortunately, they are hard to get to.  I wanted to start this trip in Gander, but it was a long bus ride to a ferry to another bus ride to get to the train.  It was just too hard for this trip (and doesn't include trains).

BTW- as an Aussie, I'm sure you aware of the two Australian bucket list trains.  I want to take the India Pacific from Sydney to Perth. I would start in Brisbane with the regular train, so I would knock off all 5 States in Australia. I would prefer to do that in your summer (more sun), but I don't think I could do that in my Christmas Break,

[oznl]

2 minutes ago, spark said:

BTW- as an Aussie, I'm sure you aware of the two Australian bucket list trains.  I want to take the India Pacific from Sydney to Perth. I would start in Brisbane with the regular train, so I would knock off all 5 States in Australia. I would prefer to do that in your summer (more sun), but I don't think I could do that in my Christmas Break,

Yeah, The Ghan and the Indian Pacific.  Those are the uber-expensive ones.  The train from Brisbane to Sydney is, well, uh, interesting...  I haven't taken it myself but I know others who have.  It's not a popular service.

[spark]

1 minute ago, oznl said:

Yeah, The Ghan and the Indian Pacific.  Those are the uber-expensive ones.  The train from Brisbane to Sydney is, well, uh, interesting...  I haven't taken it myself but I know others who have.  It's not a popular service.

My trip this summer is 4 digits, and starts with a curvy number.  I'm fortunate that curvy numbers don't scare numbers as much as they used to, but there was a time that skinny 3-digit numbers scared me.  FTR- both of those two are a similar price point. 

FTR-I know how this works for me.   I create a bucket list in my mind and perseverate on it, figuring out how to make it happen. I did it with Vietnam, I did it with Japan, and i'm doing it again with Canada.  I've literally been thinking of this trip for 15 years.

For me- The Ghan sounds uber cool, but I want the india Pacific (FTR- that due to the Nullarbor Plain).     That been on my bucket list for a long time.  Planning it is a lot of work.  If I go to Sydney, I should go to Brisbane.  If I get to Perth, i want to go to Singapore, and then I want to plan that with friends, and Singapore is a long way from hom, so I need figure the best way to get home.

BTW-I've already decided to bring my sippy cup with me, because it's the best vehicle for drinking wine on a train.

[ValentinesStuff]

I worked for years in hotels, we were always getting and holding packages for guests. I would call the hotel and let them know you are having a package delivered for you. Some of the packages were quite large, and often multiple boxes. In some cases we received packages for guests that had to cancel their trip and then ship the stuff to their next stop, at their expense. 

[spark]

13 minutes ago, ValentinesStuff said:

I worked for years in hotels, we were always getting and holding packages for guests. I would call the hotel and let them know you are having a package delivered for you. Some of the packages were quite large, and often multiple boxes. In some cases we received packages for guests that had to cancel their trip and then ship the stuff to their next stop, at their expense. 

than you.  I just emailed them before I posted this, but I'll call them if I don't get a response.  It's also why I plan to order from RearZ, because hopefully I can time the delivery if I call them.  Canada Day is July 1, so i don't have as a great a window as I thought.

[Cute_Kitten]

Good luck getting the diapers shipped to the hotel. It sounds tricky! Diapered vacations are the best vacations. But they also add another element to manage and add more logistics to the planning. But it's always worth it. 

[willnotwill]

21 minutes ago, Cute_Kitten said:

Good luck getting the diapers shipped to the hotel. It sounds tricky! Diapered vacations are the best vacations. But they also add another element to manage and add more logistics to the planning. But it's always worth it. 

i have stuff shipped to hotels all the time.   Just have it marked with your name, "HOLD FOR ARRIVAL", and the Hotel name/address.   Make sure you allow enough lead time for it to arrive.

[Little Sherri]

That sounds like an awesome trip, @spark. I've been to all the places you are going to go by train, but I've never done it by train - that has always been on my bucket list. I'm a bit of a train nerd - I did take the train to the East coast from Toronto, when I was a kid, but in my adult life, I've always been so busy and had only so many vacation days to burn, so trips have been about the destinations, not about the journeys. I have an uncle who is taking the Canadian this summer, but from Edmonton to Vancouver - he's skipping Manitoba & Saskatchewan, which are flat and dominated by grain fields. Although the Ontario portion, along Lake Superior, would probably be spectacular, as well. 

I've never heard of The Ocean - I'll have to look into that. When I last took a train to Nova Scotia, the journey ended in Moncton, New Brunswick - they'd suspended passenger rail services to Halifax, at the time, for lack of demand, and because freight dominates the lines emanating from the Port of Halifax. I go to the East coast pretty much every year, and I've mused about taking the train, but the journey is about 31 hours long... and I can drive it in about 19 hours. Or fly it in 3. Both for less money. 

Pro tip - Rearz' World Headquarters does allow product pickups, however they are in Woodstock, ON, which is not easily reached from Toronto, unless you plan to rent a car, or want to spend an entire day learning about our GO transit system. My advice: don't do it. It'll leave you stranded in some mall parking lot in Woodstock, which is a fate almost worse than eating at Arby's (don't do that, either), and then you'll be Ubering to Rearz, Ubering back to the mall parking lot, and then boarding a bus back to Toronto with a case of diapers in your arms. (Do eat at Swiss Chalet, though... their, uh, Swiss cuisine is legendary. I imagine that Swiss people, coming here, must be very confused by this national chain of rotisserie chicken outlets. You've been to Quebec City, so I assume you tried St. Hubert's at least once - Swiss Chalet is the anglified version of that). 

There is a company in Oakville called Healthwick, and they carry a vast array of incontinence supplies, including Rearz products, as well as NorthShore. Oakville is on the lake, West of Toronto, and their location is not that far from the Oakville GO/VIA rail station - and, they also enable customer pickups. So, you could order your supplies online for pickup, and then take an Uber or cab from the nearest GO train stop, for less than a king's ransom. And taking a GO train from Union to Oakville would give you a train nerd's tour of the Western GTA lakefront. GO trains are a more civilized method of travel than GO busses. 

Getting your products shipped to your hotel is, of course, the easiest way to do this, if they'll accommodate. One other thing to think about, while in Toronto - we do have an ABDL store, called Universal Diapers. It's in the East end of Toronto, so not exactly walking distance from the downtown core, but between Uber and/or transit, you could get there. Their primary focus is actually babies and toddlers, but they have an ABDL section, and they treat it as just another part of their business. "Here for a onesie... for what age? 45? Those are over here." 

Please do let us know how it goes. And if you're in Toronto, and thirsty, drop me a line - maybe we can meet up for a pint. 

[rusty pins]

Just get a much bigger suitcase!  I got one years ago (used it one time) that could hold my cloths along with several packages of diapers.  It's huge.

[ValentinesStuff]

1 hour ago, rusty pins said:

Just get a much bigger suitcase!  I got one years ago (used it one time) that could hold my cloths along with several packages of diapers.  It's huge.

Last time I flew anywhere, I used my old Army duffel bag. The bottom half was all diapers.

[zzyzx]

2 hours ago, ValentinesStuff said:

Last time I flew anywhere, I used my old Army duffel bag. The bottom half was all diapers.

Flying has baggage size limits.  Military probably would have no problem with a duffel bag, but others would need to check the size (and weight).  I'd expect it to be no problem for the train...

[rusty pins]

4 hours ago, zzyzx said:

Flying has baggage size limits.  Military probably would have no problem with a duffel bag, but others would need to check the size (and weight).  I'd expect it to be no problem for the train...

That's what I was thinking.  Train = larger suitcases than airplane.

 

[babyalan]

You can also order from My Dips in Quebec when your there too they have some awesome diapers

[carsfan]

On 6/18/2025 at 9:44 PM, spark said:

PS- train nerd alert!

In 7 days, I'll be at the beginning of one of the best trips I've ever done. I'm taking The Ocean from Halifax to Montreal.  I'll be in Montreal a week from Saturday and watch a soccer game in Montreal.  I make my way to Toronto by Monday and spend a night in Ottawa.  I see a CFL game (super excited for that as well).   Two nights in Toronto, and then I take the bucket list train trip that all train nerds must take (the Canadian) to Vancouver.  I decided that I might as well take the train home.  The best part of that train is between my home and San Diego, so take the train all the way to San Diego.  It's a train from Halifax to San Diego over 12 days!

The problem is stocking enough diapers. I travel light, but I can carry about 14 diapers in my carry-ons if I limit my other clothes.  Basically- two t-shirts, one polo, one cover, two shorts, pants, underwear, socks.  I'm still need to restock, so my current choice is to see if I can have them delivered to my hotel in Toronto.  I've tried in the past to buy them at drug stores, but adult diapers are impossible to find in downtown areas.

The plan now is see if the hotel will accept a delivery before I arrive, and then see if RearZ can time the delivery for me

What a cool way to see the world. I feel like America (and Europe, for that matter have inner city and country- to -country rail down in ways Canada absolutely does not anymore. Enjoy your trip!

 

Toronto has a really great brick and mortar diaper shop called Universal Diaper located  on the Danforth. I went there for the first time last year and was pretty knocked out walking into what is basically a grocery store but for all manor of adult nappies.

Enjoy  your CFL experience. Not often do you hear someone from the U.S excited for Canadian football.

Like others have said, if you get to Vancouver and feel the urge for a pint please reach out on here. 

[spark]

1 hour ago, carsfan said:

Like others have said, if you get to Vancouver and feel the urge for a pint please reach out on here. 

I get to Vancouver on July 6, and leave on July 8.  Long-distance trains are a crapshoot for arrival times.  I could get there anywhere from 8 am to later that night. 

When I was 12, my mom and I played at the pitch and putt in Stanley Park, and that's one of my primary goals for Vancouver.  I have a full day in Vancouver.  That's actually more than Toronto, because I'm going Niagra Falls on Canada Day.

On 6/19/2025 at 10:52 AM, zzyzx said:

Flying has baggage size limits.  Military probably would have no problem with a duffel bag, but others would need to check the size (and weight).  I'd expect it to be no problem for the train...

I prefer a standard carry-on when I travel, no matter how many days. I don't like to drive, especially on unfamiliar roads with unfamiliar cars, so I end up staying in the downtown areas, and use public transportation as much as possible.  Large suitcases are anchors.   Checking a bag on the two overnight trains is easy, but it's a hassle on the two corridor trains.  I also won't have access to for 4-days on the Canadian.

The other issue that I need to figure out is the transfer in Calgary.  I intended to check my bag from SFO to Halifax, but I have to clear customs in Calgary.  That means I have to be re-screened at the airport. It might be easier if I have my bag with me, and don't have to put my bag back through the checkout.

On 6/19/2025 at 6:16 AM, Little Sherri said:

That sounds like an awesome trip, @spark. I've been to all the places you are going to go by train, but I've never done it by train - that has always been on my bucket list. I'm a bit of a train nerd - I did take the train to the East coast from Toronto, when I was a kid, but in my adult life, I've always been so busy and had only so many vacation days to burn, so trips have been about the destinations, not about the journeys. I have an uncle who is taking the Canadian this summer, but from Edmonton to Vancouver - he's skipping Manitoba & Saskatchewan, which are flat and dominated by grain fields. Although the Ontario portion, along Lake Superior, would probably be spectacular, as well. 

I looking forward to Manitoba, but I like all the scenery on a train.  I'm not a huge fan of suburban sprawl, and urban industrial.  I know that's mostly what I'll get on the corridor.  I've been through Montana, which is vast rolling wheat fields.

On 6/19/2025 at 6:16 AM, Little Sherri said:

Please do let us know how it goes. And if you're in Toronto, and thirsty, drop me a line - maybe we can meet up for a pint. 

I ordered from Rearz.  I tried to order via the phone, thinking it would be better to talk with somebody, but they don't do phone support. I ordered, and then contacted them via emailed to explain the circumstances.  Unfortunately, their response was a bit terse (basically telling me to order closer to the needed date next time), but I think it will work out.  Hopefully it works out.  I'll let you know.

[Shotgun Diplomat]

Could you not also just contact the rail service providers and make mention about how you need to have access to required medical supplies. I mean, it does in a way stretch the truth a bit, but the diapers are medical supplies, and you do need to access them...so I suppose that if it is a lie, it is at least a minor one. At that point, wouldn't the rail service providers be obliged to allow you to story your supplies at no cost in the baggage train, seeing as we in Canada also maintain a reasonable standard of accessibility for the disabled/ infirm.

[spark]

6 minutes ago, Shotgun Diplomat said:

Could you not also just contact the rail service providers and make mention about how you need to have access to required medical supplies. I mean, it does in a way stretch the truth a bit, but the diapers are medical supplies, and you do need to access them...so I suppose that if it is a lie, it is at least a minor one. At that point, wouldn't the rail service providers be obliged to allow you to story your supplies at no cost in the baggage train, seeing as we in Canada also maintain a reasonable standard of accessibility for the disabled/ infirm.

I'm not sure about that.  As far as I know, the logistics of getting something out of the hold is difficult.  I've been told to pack light for the train, but you'll need a change of clothes after 4 days.  AFAIK, a bag that fits in the overhead compartment on the plane can also be stored in my cabin. I have a bag that folds up, so it won't be an extra one for my flight, but I load it up for my trip on the Canadian.  The Ocean only one night, so my backpack (fits under the seat in front of me) is big.  I wear one to the train, and put two in the backpack.  An extra shirt and sweatpants and I'm fine.

[Shotgun Diplomat]

1 minute ago, spark said:

I'm not sure about that.  As far as I know, the logistics of getting something out of the hold is difficult.

Fair enough, but it seems simple enough to give them a ring, and ask the question. Worst thing they say is "No", and you are right where you left off. 

[spark]

I've got to give RearZ a massive call out.   I was going to order to an Amazon locker, but thanks to advice from this site, I decided to order from Rearz.  I ordered on Friday and emailed them to explain my situation (P.S. - it was late Friday, but I'm not sure if they process orders on weekends).  They called me today and agreed to delay the delay until Thursday (also the hardest day for me order).  So hopefully, I will have my diapers when I get to my hotel Toronto.  

[spark]

I'll update how the trip went with regards to diapers are I get home, but there weren't any issues.  The box was waiting for me when I got to the hotel in Toronto.  Only drawback is that the box was hard to carry while I dealt with my bag.

I don't remember if the advice came from this forum, but whoever advised me about the False Creek Ferry in Vancouver- I'm giving you a really big virtual high five.   That was a great choice for the day, and made my day in Vancouver.