Last Train to North America (2026) s01e01 Episode Script
Toronto
[thrilling orchestral music playing]
[train honking]
[indistinct chatter]
Welcome.
This is Last Train to North America.
We are connecting three countries
for the first time,
organizing a World Cup.
In our favorite means of transportation,
the train.
We're going to talk about the stories,
the traditions,
the venues, the stadiums.
We're going to show you all.
It starts now.
This is Last Train to North America.
After having traveled
through four countries by train
for four different global events,
such as the last World Cups
and the Olympic Games,
we arrive at our fifth season,
at a very special station.
[theme music playing]
[Martin] Welcome,
this is Last Train to Russia.
And from here,
we continue with Last Train to Qatar.
This is the stadium
that will host the next World Cup Final.
[theme music concludes]
[Martin]
This is Last Train to North America.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
-[Martin] Mike, this is incredible.
-[Michael] Yeah.
Isn't this beautiful?
It's probably the best train station
I've ever been.
And I've been, trust me, in so many.
So, it took ten years to build this place.
And in modern money, today's money,
about 2.7 billion dollars.
The detailing in here
is absolutely amazing.
It's actually said there's more marble
inside this building
than in the cathedral
of Notre Dame in Paris.
-[chuckles] Really?
-Just for a train station, right?
Just to welcome people
to and from New York City.
So, just imagine coming
from anywhere in the USA,
and you emerge into this,
and this is how you are welcomed
to the greatest city in the world,
to the Big Apple.
[Martin] I love the ceiling.
What's the story?
If we were here in the 1960s,
we wouldn't see this.
It got completely blocked out
by pollution, this beautiful star map.
So, in the 1990s,
now that New York State
operates the train station,
they spent two years
to clean the ceiling of all the soot
and ash and "schmutz,"
as we say in New York.
And it's become, again,
one of the most iconic parts
of the train station.
[camera shutter clicks]
[music concludes]
After a long journey
and before starting a new one,
I had to do a stop,
have a coffee and enjoy these views.
[cheerful jazz music playing]
[Martin] The façade of Grand Central
is one of the world's biggest masterpieces
of the Beaux-Arts style.
A structure inaugurated in 1913
that, even today,
remains true to its original architecture.
-It's beautiful.
-[artist] Thank you.
-Thank you very much.
-[Martin] Why did you decide to…
to draw Grand Central?
This is what I do
when I travel around, uh…
So I think this is a great location
that represents New York City.
What do you like about this building?
Oh, I love the details.
Actually, when you draw,
you get more time
to actually appreciate every fine detail,
uh, that a picture cannot capture.
A piece of jewelry on its façade
from Tiffany, that clock,
that we see in the façade
of Grand Central,
one of the most iconic places
in Manhattan.
We start our trip now.
[suspenseful orchestral music playing]
[Martin] We have arrived
in New York City,
our gateway to this World Cup.
This is clearly not just a city,
it's a universe,
teeming with possibilities,
with stories, with characters.
The city that never sleeps.
Including its metropolitan area,
nearly 20 million people
reside in this city,
and close to seven million people
visit it every year.
The most visited destination
in the entire country.
To map out the journey that lies ahead,
we set out in search of our local guide.
Someone with true insight,
not only into this country,
but also into the local soccer scene.
[music concludes]
-[Chelsea] Martin.
-Chelsea.
Welcome to New York.
-Nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you.
-How are you?
-I'm so happy to finally meet you.
With so many people around, like here,
from all over the places,
I was a little bit afraid.
I said, "How would you find me?"
I mean, I'm a New Yorker.
I'm a true New Yorker.
I'll always find you.
I have the eyes of a hawk, I will say.
Being here, starting our journey here,
it's incredible.
They told me that
you played football, right?
I did play football, but I was born
and raised here in New York City,
and I played
for the Columbia National Team.
-Okay.
-So, I'm a product of this
being a melting pot of cultures,
because I do feel very alive
with my heritage,
but I'm also American.
[Martin] It's gonna be amazing.
First time the World Cup
is in three countries at the same time,
and we're going to unite all the stories,
the venues, the stadiums,
the history, the culture
that every single place has
with the train.
It's not going to be easy.
It's a challenge.
But with your guidance,
you know about football, about soccer,
so I'm positive.
I think we're gonna have fun.
I'm excited to explore
the American culture with you
and teach you our soccer ways here
in the United States.
-A perfect way to start.
-Let's do it. This way?
-All right, let's go this way.
-Okay.
[exciting instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Chelsea Cabarcas
will be our traveling companion,
here in the United States.
A former professional soccer player,
offering a truly unique local perspective.
We begin in Times Square,
an inevitable meeting point.
Martin, before we start our journey,
I think it was perfect to bring you here
to just talk about Times Square,
because this is a meeting point
for a lot of New Yorkers.
The amount of light that you have here,
so many screens.
It's daylight, but it's not, I mean…
[Chelsea] This has been a meeting point
for more than hundreds of years.
It started in the early 1900s,
and I'm here to show you some history.
-[Martin] Wow.
-This right here
was Times Square before all of this.
I like the old version of Times Square
with not so many billboards,
but you can get to see the buildings.
This is where we celebrate championships.
If the Giants win, if the Yankees win,
the parade starts here.
When the World Cup ends
and finally, we have the champion,
probably the celebration point
will be here.
[Chelsea] The celebration point
will definitely be here,
because a lot of even political moments
or protests happen right here.
[Martin] In 1904,
the prestigious New York Times newspaper
moved its offices to this intersection,
a move that ultimately
gave the area its name.
Times Square
is more than just a public square.
It's an economic and touristic phenomenon.
Nearly 400,000 people
walk through here every day.
So many lights,
so many people living in each
and every square that we see here.
It's incredible.
[Chelsea] This is a different perspective
of the city.
-We're known for our skyscrapers.
-[Martin chuckles softly]
[Chelsea] And this place, Edge,
is incredible to see the city.
[thrilling instrumental music playing]
[Martin] And to have
these three countries united
by soccer, by football,
it will be incredible.
Big challenge too.
-We're here to help each other.
-[Martin] We're gonna exchange.
I understand how to move around,
and you understand how to take the trains.
[laughs]
-Let's do it.
-Okay, let's go.
[Martin] Our first encounter with New York
leaves us speechless,
a city that will play a part
in our journey.
But first, we head back to the train.
[gentle classical music playing]
[Martin] On the advice of our companion,
we are traveling to Toronto.
And so, we begin our tour
of the World Cup host cities,
starting here, in the East Coast.
A journey aboard
the Maple Leaf train service,
spanning over 12 hours
and roughly 560 miles
to cross the border into Canada.
A boundary between two nations,
defined by nature itself.
[music concludes]
We've just crossed this bridge
on our train, but we have to stop here
to see this, this beautiful space.
On the other side,
we left behind the US.
Now, we are in Canada,
going to Toronto to start our journey.
But look at this.
The strength, the power
of the Niagara River.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] And so, we arrive in Canada,
an inn, a city that serves as the gateway
for both immigration
and the economy of this country.
Toronto is a cultural mosaic,
considered one
of the most diverse cities in the world,
where more than 50% of the population
was born outside of Canada.
Opened in 1927,
Toronto's Union Station
is our meeting point
with our next travel guide.
Welcome to Canada. Welcome to Toronto.
How was your trip?
Well, my trip was beautiful.
Very excited to share my culture
with you, my country with you.
Obviously, I live in America,
so I know both very well.
It's… It's a very different culture
up here in Canada.
Kaylyn, you are
the perfect combination of…
what I need for this trip.
You have played soccer at…
top level here in Canada.
It's an honor to be here with you.
We're going to take you
to what the true sport is in Canada.
I'm so proud to be Canadian,
A, because the people are amazing,
our country is beautiful,
and I feel like we have so much to offer,
and I can’t wait to get started.
[gentle instrumental music continues]
[Martin] Led by Kaylyn Kyle,
a former professional soccer player
and currently television analyst,
we set out to explore Toronto,
our gateway to Canada,
a country that is hosting
its very first World Cup.
[music concludes]
[soft instrumental music playing]
[indistinct announcement over PA]
So, this is the station.
This is the station,
so the stadium's probably
less than a five-minute walk.
-Really?
-Just underneath this little overpass,
and it's beautiful.
I'd love to arrive to the stadiums
in a train.
I know you did. This is why
I booked this specifically for you.
-It's a great feeling.
-I'm rolling out the red carpet for you
-in Toronto.
-No, and then…
It is great to have a station
so close to the stadium.
It is, because it's just
an easy means of transport.
You can go out
for some drinks with your friends.
It's a safe way
to get to and from stadiums.
And it's just a great place as well
to bring your family.
Let's go.
[soft instrumental music continues]
[Martin] Almost 20 years ago,
this city hosted the Under-20 World Cup,
an event that left its mark on Toronto,
a stadium filled
with the spirit of the World Cup.
-[Martin] Hello.
-Hello.
-[Martin] How are you?
-Kaylyn.
-Hi, Chris, good to see you.
-Hi, nice to see you.
-[Martin] Nice to meet you.
-Good to meet you, Martin.
-How are you?
-Very good, excited. Welcome to Toronto.
[Martin] Thank you very much
for receiving us here…
-[Chris] Absolutely.
-[Martin] …at the BMO Field,
a stadium that is getting ready,
right, for probably
the most important event…
in history.
Most important event at this venue,
most exciting event
that we've hosted at this venue.
Been in existence since 2007,
where we hosted
the FIFA Under-20 Men's World Cup
at that time. So, we're not…
It's not uncommon
that this stadium has hosted FIFA events,
uh, but we're excited
to welcome the world to our city
and to BMO Field or Toronto Stadium,
as it'll be known during that time.
[soft classical music playing]
[Chris] There was a former stadium
that existed right here.
What you see here is…
is the historic entrance
and the mural that exists.
We're welcoming the world
to Toronto Stadium, to BMO Field,
but there's a little piece of Canadiana
right here that'll be there forever.
[Martin] Featuring an intriguing nod
to history and the culture
of ice hockey on its main façade.
This will be the stage
for the most significant sporting event
in the city's history,
following a remarkable transformation.
[music concludes]
[Chris] It's been an amazing journey
along the way, to be honest,
like 20,000 seats,
really intimate venue when we built that.
And then 2015, as you see over here,
we added the extra seats
in the second level
and we added the additional suites.
So, it's been a big transformation.
Along the lines of what our soccer team
has been able to do
and the national team program as well.
So, no, I'm super proud
to be part of this since day one
and watch this venue grow and evolve
and soccer in this country expand
to where it's at right now.
[intriguing classical music playing]
[Martin] To meet FIFA's requirements,
this stadium has completed
multiple phases of renovation.
The Toronto Stadium
is going under construction.
Why? Because they need to increase
the capacity from 30,000 to 45,000.
Right now, there's no stands in the back.
They're going to be a big
and new one for the World Cup.
[music concludes]
[mellow instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Oh, this is a beautiful place.
[Chris] This will be the executive suite.
This will be the VVIP suite.
Heads of state, could be prime ministers,
presidents, FIFA executives,
they'll be using this space
exclusively for the games.
[Martin] Six matches are set
to be played in this stadium.
Five group-stage matches
and one round of 16 match.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
We can see in this locker room
that this stadium was built
to play soccer originally.
That's why these dimensions,
the intimacy that we feel in this place.
Despite its design and planning
being centered around soccer,
this venue also hosts
Canadian football, rugby and hockey.
[Kaylyn] I love how intimate it is.
I mean, you touched on it,
just like the steepness of the stadium
and then add two more…
-[Chris] Yeah.
-…on your opposite ends here.
It's gonna be amazing,
not only for the players,
but for the fans
to be able to sit so close
to some of these world-class players.
[Chris] This is where it all happens,
right here on the pitch.
And then be ready for June 12th, 2026,
when Canada, hopefully,
will score on this pitch
-and win that-- win that opening game…
-[both chuckle]
…Canada's opening game for the World Cup.
[Martin] An area that has been linked
to the city's sports scene
for over 140 years.
The site was once home
to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame,
as well as the Toronto Blue Jays,
the MLB team.
[Martin R.] I want us in there,
and I want us pushing through.
Low man wins.
So, I've told you guys,
basketball, you're not up here.
Tennis, you're not up here.
Soccer, you're not.
Low man wins. Atta boy, Jacob.
Yep! Let's go, let's go.
Yep!
Yep! Yep! Yep!
[shouting indistinctly]
Bobo!
Yep! All legs, not upper body. Let's go.
Yep! Yep! Yep!
Legs. Push, push, push, push.
Yep! Legs, Bo.
Why are you coming up
with that stick like that? Yep!
Yep!
[cheers]
Have a seat! Yep! Have a seat, Johnny!
Yep!
Yep!
Yep!
Yep, right through, Dom!
You can't slow down, buddy!
Yep!
[shouting indistinctly]
-So, this is Canada?
-This is Canada.
-Well, this, this is Canada.
-Yeah.
Not necessarily maybe what you see
out there, but if you want
to describe Canada to somebody,
just show them this.
Yep!
[Martin] Why hockey has so much to do
with the country's culture?
Canada is a very diverse country,
as you know, visiting here,
you may have already seen,
and it's unbelievable how people come
from different countries,
different backgrounds,
and they embrace it
as part of their culture when you come.
Hayden, step up, step up,
step up, step up!
Yep
[Martin] The trainings,
there's a lot of intensity there.
It's rough.
[Martin R.] I want the kids to play tough.
I want them to play physical because
once you get to the higher levels,
once you get to even
the more competitive levels,
you get knocked down, nobody cares.
Sit down, Aidan! Sit down, Aidan!
How do you let him beat you
like that, Frankie?
And you know, I do push the kids
to, you know, to be physical.
Push, push, push!
Bobo! Yep!
Push, push, push, push, push!
[Martin] I am impressed.
This is like… the military.
I mean, is this normal?
[Kaylyn] This is so normal.
I mean, the parents are all out here,
coaches screaming and yelling.
Like you said,
it feels like a military boot camp,
but this is why we generate
some of the best ice hockey players
in the world.
Not with the head! Yep!
We have to come here
to understand how Canadians feel
for their national sport.
This is Canada, ice hockey,
and this is where champions are made.
Yep!
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] What is it like
to have your kids training here?
[parent 1] My daughter started playing,
skating when she was two years old
and started playing hockey
when she was four.
We're-- We're considered
a pretty serious hockey family.
[parent 2] We have hockey,
and we are passionate about it.
We have four seasons here in this country,
so we get to play outside,
and that is a beautiful thing
for all our kids to participate in.
What do you like the most
about ice hockey?
Taking people out, like…
getting past them, and then scoring.
[Bo] I've made a lot of friendships
over the years.
I played with Chico for like four years.
So, I know a lot of kids
out on the ice right now.
It's a pretty fun game.
[Martin R.] Being in a team sport,
it does prepare you for life.
It teaches you commitment.
It teaches you to keep that schedule.
It teaches you to work with other people.
You know, I tell parents,
I don’t care what kids do.
And it’s not like I’m a, you know,
an authority on anything,
but I said, "Get your kids
in a team sport."
I don’t care what it is,
but they need to do it.
It prepares them more for life.
[Martin] Ice hockey
is a way of life for Canadians,
a true passion, a collective endeavor
that seeks to instill values,
a fundamental pillar
of the national identity.
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
[Martin] We head back to the train
to return to the border.
But before we leave, we simply must visit
the quintessential,
natural landmark of this region.
On Kaylyn's recommendation,
we set out to experience
something new from the air.
This is something we have to do.
We're going to use a helicopter
to fly over Niagara Falls.
This is something very special
that we're going to experience here
in Last Train to North America.
[dramatic instrumental music playing]
-Okay, engine on.
-[pilot] Clear!
-Are you ready?
-No.
-[chuckles]
-No, I am, I am.
Let's do it.
[helicopter whirring]
[Martin] And so,
we embark on a new challenge,
our first vantage point of Niagara Falls,
a true natural spectacle.
It's so beautiful.
Incredible!
We are flying over the Niagara Falls
here in Last Train to North America.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] This trio of waterfalls
situated on the border
between the US and Canada
stands out for its immense capacity
to generate hydroelectric power.
[music concludes]
[Martin] With an average flow rate
of 2,400 cubic meters per second,
these falls move
up to 3,000 tons of water every second.
For our next vantage point,
we will go underground.
[soft instrumental music playing]
This tunnel was part of
a hydroelectric power plant that was built
at the beginning of the 20th century.
Right now, it takes us
to an amazing place,
the Niagara waterfalls,
and it takes 12 minutes
to go until the end.
Considered an engineering marvel,
the historic Niagara Parks Power Station
was once Canada's first
major hydroelectric power plant.
And today, it remains one of the country's
most visited tourist destinations.
[music concludes]
[Martin] It was worth it,
12 minutes walking.
Yes.
And this is the final point.
Amazing, really.
What is this mist that we have in the air?
Well, the water is dropping
about 17 stories over the cliff.
When it hits, it pulverizes the waters.
You get this mist.
I think inside we get about
15 million visitors annually.
Mainly in the, uh… in the summer months.
But in the winter, all that mist freezes.
So, this is like a winter wonderland.
Everything is beautiful and white.
[cheerful classical music playing]
[Martin] For Canada, Niagara Falls
is not merely a natural spectacle.
It represents one of the pillars
for its national identity.
The tourism industry on the Canadian side
generates over
three billion dollars annually
and supports nearly 40,000 jobs.
[music concludes]
And now, a new point of view from the top.
You can see that the river is calm,
and then it breaks,
creating an amazing waterfall.
[uplifting classical music playing]
[Martin] And against this backdrop,
absorbing as much
of the landscape's energy as possible,
we leave Canada,
and our first stop, behind.
We will return to this country
later on our journey.
Vancouver still awaits us
as our final destination.
It was essential
to immerse ourselves in this culture.
Forging new connections through travel,
to learn and share along the way.
To discover new stories and characters.
New perspectives
on what lies ahead for this country.
This was Last Train to North America.
See you at the next station.
[music concludes]
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[music concludes]
[train honking]
[indistinct chatter]
Welcome.
This is Last Train to North America.
We are connecting three countries
for the first time,
organizing a World Cup.
In our favorite means of transportation,
the train.
We're going to talk about the stories,
the traditions,
the venues, the stadiums.
We're going to show you all.
It starts now.
This is Last Train to North America.
After having traveled
through four countries by train
for four different global events,
such as the last World Cups
and the Olympic Games,
we arrive at our fifth season,
at a very special station.
[theme music playing]
[Martin] Welcome,
this is Last Train to Russia.
And from here,
we continue with Last Train to Qatar.
This is the stadium
that will host the next World Cup Final.
[theme music concludes]
[Martin]
This is Last Train to North America.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
-[Martin] Mike, this is incredible.
-[Michael] Yeah.
Isn't this beautiful?
It's probably the best train station
I've ever been.
And I've been, trust me, in so many.
So, it took ten years to build this place.
And in modern money, today's money,
about 2.7 billion dollars.
The detailing in here
is absolutely amazing.
It's actually said there's more marble
inside this building
than in the cathedral
of Notre Dame in Paris.
-[chuckles] Really?
-Just for a train station, right?
Just to welcome people
to and from New York City.
So, just imagine coming
from anywhere in the USA,
and you emerge into this,
and this is how you are welcomed
to the greatest city in the world,
to the Big Apple.
[Martin] I love the ceiling.
What's the story?
If we were here in the 1960s,
we wouldn't see this.
It got completely blocked out
by pollution, this beautiful star map.
So, in the 1990s,
now that New York State
operates the train station,
they spent two years
to clean the ceiling of all the soot
and ash and "schmutz,"
as we say in New York.
And it's become, again,
one of the most iconic parts
of the train station.
[camera shutter clicks]
[music concludes]
After a long journey
and before starting a new one,
I had to do a stop,
have a coffee and enjoy these views.
[cheerful jazz music playing]
[Martin] The façade of Grand Central
is one of the world's biggest masterpieces
of the Beaux-Arts style.
A structure inaugurated in 1913
that, even today,
remains true to its original architecture.
-It's beautiful.
-[artist] Thank you.
-Thank you very much.
-[Martin] Why did you decide to…
to draw Grand Central?
This is what I do
when I travel around, uh…
So I think this is a great location
that represents New York City.
What do you like about this building?
Oh, I love the details.
Actually, when you draw,
you get more time
to actually appreciate every fine detail,
uh, that a picture cannot capture.
A piece of jewelry on its façade
from Tiffany, that clock,
that we see in the façade
of Grand Central,
one of the most iconic places
in Manhattan.
We start our trip now.
[suspenseful orchestral music playing]
[Martin] We have arrived
in New York City,
our gateway to this World Cup.
This is clearly not just a city,
it's a universe,
teeming with possibilities,
with stories, with characters.
The city that never sleeps.
Including its metropolitan area,
nearly 20 million people
reside in this city,
and close to seven million people
visit it every year.
The most visited destination
in the entire country.
To map out the journey that lies ahead,
we set out in search of our local guide.
Someone with true insight,
not only into this country,
but also into the local soccer scene.
[music concludes]
-[Chelsea] Martin.
-Chelsea.
Welcome to New York.
-Nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you.
-How are you?
-I'm so happy to finally meet you.
With so many people around, like here,
from all over the places,
I was a little bit afraid.
I said, "How would you find me?"
I mean, I'm a New Yorker.
I'm a true New Yorker.
I'll always find you.
I have the eyes of a hawk, I will say.
Being here, starting our journey here,
it's incredible.
They told me that
you played football, right?
I did play football, but I was born
and raised here in New York City,
and I played
for the Columbia National Team.
-Okay.
-So, I'm a product of this
being a melting pot of cultures,
because I do feel very alive
with my heritage,
but I'm also American.
[Martin] It's gonna be amazing.
First time the World Cup
is in three countries at the same time,
and we're going to unite all the stories,
the venues, the stadiums,
the history, the culture
that every single place has
with the train.
It's not going to be easy.
It's a challenge.
But with your guidance,
you know about football, about soccer,
so I'm positive.
I think we're gonna have fun.
I'm excited to explore
the American culture with you
and teach you our soccer ways here
in the United States.
-A perfect way to start.
-Let's do it. This way?
-All right, let's go this way.
-Okay.
[exciting instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Chelsea Cabarcas
will be our traveling companion,
here in the United States.
A former professional soccer player,
offering a truly unique local perspective.
We begin in Times Square,
an inevitable meeting point.
Martin, before we start our journey,
I think it was perfect to bring you here
to just talk about Times Square,
because this is a meeting point
for a lot of New Yorkers.
The amount of light that you have here,
so many screens.
It's daylight, but it's not, I mean…
[Chelsea] This has been a meeting point
for more than hundreds of years.
It started in the early 1900s,
and I'm here to show you some history.
-[Martin] Wow.
-This right here
was Times Square before all of this.
I like the old version of Times Square
with not so many billboards,
but you can get to see the buildings.
This is where we celebrate championships.
If the Giants win, if the Yankees win,
the parade starts here.
When the World Cup ends
and finally, we have the champion,
probably the celebration point
will be here.
[Chelsea] The celebration point
will definitely be here,
because a lot of even political moments
or protests happen right here.
[Martin] In 1904,
the prestigious New York Times newspaper
moved its offices to this intersection,
a move that ultimately
gave the area its name.
Times Square
is more than just a public square.
It's an economic and touristic phenomenon.
Nearly 400,000 people
walk through here every day.
So many lights,
so many people living in each
and every square that we see here.
It's incredible.
[Chelsea] This is a different perspective
of the city.
-We're known for our skyscrapers.
-[Martin chuckles softly]
[Chelsea] And this place, Edge,
is incredible to see the city.
[thrilling instrumental music playing]
[Martin] And to have
these three countries united
by soccer, by football,
it will be incredible.
Big challenge too.
-We're here to help each other.
-[Martin] We're gonna exchange.
I understand how to move around,
and you understand how to take the trains.
[laughs]
-Let's do it.
-Okay, let's go.
[Martin] Our first encounter with New York
leaves us speechless,
a city that will play a part
in our journey.
But first, we head back to the train.
[gentle classical music playing]
[Martin] On the advice of our companion,
we are traveling to Toronto.
And so, we begin our tour
of the World Cup host cities,
starting here, in the East Coast.
A journey aboard
the Maple Leaf train service,
spanning over 12 hours
and roughly 560 miles
to cross the border into Canada.
A boundary between two nations,
defined by nature itself.
[music concludes]
We've just crossed this bridge
on our train, but we have to stop here
to see this, this beautiful space.
On the other side,
we left behind the US.
Now, we are in Canada,
going to Toronto to start our journey.
But look at this.
The strength, the power
of the Niagara River.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] And so, we arrive in Canada,
an inn, a city that serves as the gateway
for both immigration
and the economy of this country.
Toronto is a cultural mosaic,
considered one
of the most diverse cities in the world,
where more than 50% of the population
was born outside of Canada.
Opened in 1927,
Toronto's Union Station
is our meeting point
with our next travel guide.
Welcome to Canada. Welcome to Toronto.
How was your trip?
Well, my trip was beautiful.
Very excited to share my culture
with you, my country with you.
Obviously, I live in America,
so I know both very well.
It's… It's a very different culture
up here in Canada.
Kaylyn, you are
the perfect combination of…
what I need for this trip.
You have played soccer at…
top level here in Canada.
It's an honor to be here with you.
We're going to take you
to what the true sport is in Canada.
I'm so proud to be Canadian,
A, because the people are amazing,
our country is beautiful,
and I feel like we have so much to offer,
and I can’t wait to get started.
[gentle instrumental music continues]
[Martin] Led by Kaylyn Kyle,
a former professional soccer player
and currently television analyst,
we set out to explore Toronto,
our gateway to Canada,
a country that is hosting
its very first World Cup.
[music concludes]
[soft instrumental music playing]
[indistinct announcement over PA]
So, this is the station.
This is the station,
so the stadium's probably
less than a five-minute walk.
-Really?
-Just underneath this little overpass,
and it's beautiful.
I'd love to arrive to the stadiums
in a train.
I know you did. This is why
I booked this specifically for you.
-It's a great feeling.
-I'm rolling out the red carpet for you
-in Toronto.
-No, and then…
It is great to have a station
so close to the stadium.
It is, because it's just
an easy means of transport.
You can go out
for some drinks with your friends.
It's a safe way
to get to and from stadiums.
And it's just a great place as well
to bring your family.
Let's go.
[soft instrumental music continues]
[Martin] Almost 20 years ago,
this city hosted the Under-20 World Cup,
an event that left its mark on Toronto,
a stadium filled
with the spirit of the World Cup.
-[Martin] Hello.
-Hello.
-[Martin] How are you?
-Kaylyn.
-Hi, Chris, good to see you.
-Hi, nice to see you.
-[Martin] Nice to meet you.
-Good to meet you, Martin.
-How are you?
-Very good, excited. Welcome to Toronto.
[Martin] Thank you very much
for receiving us here…
-[Chris] Absolutely.
-[Martin] …at the BMO Field,
a stadium that is getting ready,
right, for probably
the most important event…
in history.
Most important event at this venue,
most exciting event
that we've hosted at this venue.
Been in existence since 2007,
where we hosted
the FIFA Under-20 Men's World Cup
at that time. So, we're not…
It's not uncommon
that this stadium has hosted FIFA events,
uh, but we're excited
to welcome the world to our city
and to BMO Field or Toronto Stadium,
as it'll be known during that time.
[soft classical music playing]
[Chris] There was a former stadium
that existed right here.
What you see here is…
is the historic entrance
and the mural that exists.
We're welcoming the world
to Toronto Stadium, to BMO Field,
but there's a little piece of Canadiana
right here that'll be there forever.
[Martin] Featuring an intriguing nod
to history and the culture
of ice hockey on its main façade.
This will be the stage
for the most significant sporting event
in the city's history,
following a remarkable transformation.
[music concludes]
[Chris] It's been an amazing journey
along the way, to be honest,
like 20,000 seats,
really intimate venue when we built that.
And then 2015, as you see over here,
we added the extra seats
in the second level
and we added the additional suites.
So, it's been a big transformation.
Along the lines of what our soccer team
has been able to do
and the national team program as well.
So, no, I'm super proud
to be part of this since day one
and watch this venue grow and evolve
and soccer in this country expand
to where it's at right now.
[intriguing classical music playing]
[Martin] To meet FIFA's requirements,
this stadium has completed
multiple phases of renovation.
The Toronto Stadium
is going under construction.
Why? Because they need to increase
the capacity from 30,000 to 45,000.
Right now, there's no stands in the back.
They're going to be a big
and new one for the World Cup.
[music concludes]
[mellow instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Oh, this is a beautiful place.
[Chris] This will be the executive suite.
This will be the VVIP suite.
Heads of state, could be prime ministers,
presidents, FIFA executives,
they'll be using this space
exclusively for the games.
[Martin] Six matches are set
to be played in this stadium.
Five group-stage matches
and one round of 16 match.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
We can see in this locker room
that this stadium was built
to play soccer originally.
That's why these dimensions,
the intimacy that we feel in this place.
Despite its design and planning
being centered around soccer,
this venue also hosts
Canadian football, rugby and hockey.
[Kaylyn] I love how intimate it is.
I mean, you touched on it,
just like the steepness of the stadium
and then add two more…
-[Chris] Yeah.
-…on your opposite ends here.
It's gonna be amazing,
not only for the players,
but for the fans
to be able to sit so close
to some of these world-class players.
[Chris] This is where it all happens,
right here on the pitch.
And then be ready for June 12th, 2026,
when Canada, hopefully,
will score on this pitch
-and win that-- win that opening game…
-[both chuckle]
…Canada's opening game for the World Cup.
[Martin] An area that has been linked
to the city's sports scene
for over 140 years.
The site was once home
to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame,
as well as the Toronto Blue Jays,
the MLB team.
[Martin R.] I want us in there,
and I want us pushing through.
Low man wins.
So, I've told you guys,
basketball, you're not up here.
Tennis, you're not up here.
Soccer, you're not.
Low man wins. Atta boy, Jacob.
Yep! Let's go, let's go.
Yep!
Yep! Yep! Yep!
[shouting indistinctly]
Bobo!
Yep! All legs, not upper body. Let's go.
Yep! Yep! Yep!
Legs. Push, push, push, push.
Yep! Legs, Bo.
Why are you coming up
with that stick like that? Yep!
Yep!
[cheers]
Have a seat! Yep! Have a seat, Johnny!
Yep!
Yep!
Yep!
Yep, right through, Dom!
You can't slow down, buddy!
Yep!
[shouting indistinctly]
-So, this is Canada?
-This is Canada.
-Well, this, this is Canada.
-Yeah.
Not necessarily maybe what you see
out there, but if you want
to describe Canada to somebody,
just show them this.
Yep!
[Martin] Why hockey has so much to do
with the country's culture?
Canada is a very diverse country,
as you know, visiting here,
you may have already seen,
and it's unbelievable how people come
from different countries,
different backgrounds,
and they embrace it
as part of their culture when you come.
Hayden, step up, step up,
step up, step up!
Yep
[Martin] The trainings,
there's a lot of intensity there.
It's rough.
[Martin R.] I want the kids to play tough.
I want them to play physical because
once you get to the higher levels,
once you get to even
the more competitive levels,
you get knocked down, nobody cares.
Sit down, Aidan! Sit down, Aidan!
How do you let him beat you
like that, Frankie?
And you know, I do push the kids
to, you know, to be physical.
Push, push, push!
Bobo! Yep!
Push, push, push, push, push!
[Martin] I am impressed.
This is like… the military.
I mean, is this normal?
[Kaylyn] This is so normal.
I mean, the parents are all out here,
coaches screaming and yelling.
Like you said,
it feels like a military boot camp,
but this is why we generate
some of the best ice hockey players
in the world.
Not with the head! Yep!
We have to come here
to understand how Canadians feel
for their national sport.
This is Canada, ice hockey,
and this is where champions are made.
Yep!
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] What is it like
to have your kids training here?
[parent 1] My daughter started playing,
skating when she was two years old
and started playing hockey
when she was four.
We're-- We're considered
a pretty serious hockey family.
[parent 2] We have hockey,
and we are passionate about it.
We have four seasons here in this country,
so we get to play outside,
and that is a beautiful thing
for all our kids to participate in.
What do you like the most
about ice hockey?
Taking people out, like…
getting past them, and then scoring.
[Bo] I've made a lot of friendships
over the years.
I played with Chico for like four years.
So, I know a lot of kids
out on the ice right now.
It's a pretty fun game.
[Martin R.] Being in a team sport,
it does prepare you for life.
It teaches you commitment.
It teaches you to keep that schedule.
It teaches you to work with other people.
You know, I tell parents,
I don’t care what kids do.
And it’s not like I’m a, you know,
an authority on anything,
but I said, "Get your kids
in a team sport."
I don’t care what it is,
but they need to do it.
It prepares them more for life.
[Martin] Ice hockey
is a way of life for Canadians,
a true passion, a collective endeavor
that seeks to instill values,
a fundamental pillar
of the national identity.
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
[Martin] We head back to the train
to return to the border.
But before we leave, we simply must visit
the quintessential,
natural landmark of this region.
On Kaylyn's recommendation,
we set out to experience
something new from the air.
This is something we have to do.
We're going to use a helicopter
to fly over Niagara Falls.
This is something very special
that we're going to experience here
in Last Train to North America.
[dramatic instrumental music playing]
-Okay, engine on.
-[pilot] Clear!
-Are you ready?
-No.
-[chuckles]
-No, I am, I am.
Let's do it.
[helicopter whirring]
[Martin] And so,
we embark on a new challenge,
our first vantage point of Niagara Falls,
a true natural spectacle.
It's so beautiful.
Incredible!
We are flying over the Niagara Falls
here in Last Train to North America.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] This trio of waterfalls
situated on the border
between the US and Canada
stands out for its immense capacity
to generate hydroelectric power.
[music concludes]
[Martin] With an average flow rate
of 2,400 cubic meters per second,
these falls move
up to 3,000 tons of water every second.
For our next vantage point,
we will go underground.
[soft instrumental music playing]
This tunnel was part of
a hydroelectric power plant that was built
at the beginning of the 20th century.
Right now, it takes us
to an amazing place,
the Niagara waterfalls,
and it takes 12 minutes
to go until the end.
Considered an engineering marvel,
the historic Niagara Parks Power Station
was once Canada's first
major hydroelectric power plant.
And today, it remains one of the country's
most visited tourist destinations.
[music concludes]
[Martin] It was worth it,
12 minutes walking.
Yes.
And this is the final point.
Amazing, really.
What is this mist that we have in the air?
Well, the water is dropping
about 17 stories over the cliff.
When it hits, it pulverizes the waters.
You get this mist.
I think inside we get about
15 million visitors annually.
Mainly in the, uh… in the summer months.
But in the winter, all that mist freezes.
So, this is like a winter wonderland.
Everything is beautiful and white.
[cheerful classical music playing]
[Martin] For Canada, Niagara Falls
is not merely a natural spectacle.
It represents one of the pillars
for its national identity.
The tourism industry on the Canadian side
generates over
three billion dollars annually
and supports nearly 40,000 jobs.
[music concludes]
And now, a new point of view from the top.
You can see that the river is calm,
and then it breaks,
creating an amazing waterfall.
[uplifting classical music playing]
[Martin] And against this backdrop,
absorbing as much
of the landscape's energy as possible,
we leave Canada,
and our first stop, behind.
We will return to this country
later on our journey.
Vancouver still awaits us
as our final destination.
It was essential
to immerse ourselves in this culture.
Forging new connections through travel,
to learn and share along the way.
To discover new stories and characters.
New perspectives
on what lies ahead for this country.
This was Last Train to North America.
See you at the next station.
[music concludes]
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[music concludes]