The Dome has turned into a community centre, self-organizing, where the people come together to char and view the countryside. It is multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-denominational, and communal. French and English commingle, and people dine in the galley below.
In Northern Ontario, during a 15-hour stretch of no cell service, the entertainment consists of looking at the trees out the window, and sharing tales of where they’re from.
This community springing up out of nowhere shouldn’t surprise. In an era bemoaning the lack of third spaces, having this rolling third space readily available brings home how necessary having the room is. And while claiming the dome / diner car counts as a third place may seem like a stretch, I think the case can be made.
Here, the Dome is apart from “home” (the seats, or the berth and or cabin for the other class of the train) and the “work” (also the seats, or the business car if available), and so represents that place apart. A place to chat, or chill, or find out who your neighbours are.