In this second puzzle in this short series on puzzle solving techniques, we're going to try a different type of popular puzzle in the geocaching community, the quiz. How these work is that the cache owner creates a set of questions on a topic relevant to the theme of their cache and by researching and then answering the questions correctly, you end up with a working set of coordinates for the final geocache location.
The obvious choice for our puzzle, then, is trains. This short series is part of a larger set of puzzles that when looked at on a map make up what is known as "GeoArt", a visible design. There are hundreds of these all over the world and they can range from the simple to the very complex. Many are made up of puzzles, because the original coordinates aren't (generally) where the final cache is placed. This allows the designer(s) of the GeoArt to make their design and then place their final caches within a short distance. When all the puzzles are solved and then found, you end up with a design of all smileys; always a good feeling!
As you work your way through the quiz, you will see that the numbers beside the answers aren't 1-2-3-4 but different numbers: the reason is that the number beside the correct answer is a digit in the final coordinates that you are looking for, So, as you answer keep track (pun intended) of the number beside each answer you believe to be correct. The questions are in the same order as the coordinates: you do not need to rearrange the numbers!
(Bonus hint: when you are solving puzzles, remember that the final (almost always) has to be near the original coordinates. This can save you some time! How? There is a very good chance that the starting numbers in both the latitude and longitude will stay the same. The posted coordinates for this cache are N43 50.266 W79 36.419. It can be pretty much assumed that the north will stay at 43 and the west will stay at 79. If a cache owner has included a geochecker, solve for the other numbers and try leaving those starting numbers as-is. It's not a complete guarantee but this can defintely save you some time, especially if you're doing a GeoArt with lots of puzzles to solve!)
Here's the puzzle:
Assume N43 __.___ W079 __.___
Modern Canadian Railroading
1. What year did VIA Rail Canada become a Crown Corporation?
3 -- 1972
5 -- 1978
7 -- 1976
9 -- 1974
2. What year did the CN logo change to the one currently used (as of the time of this cache's publication)?
0 -- 1960
2 -- 1965
4 -- 1962
6 -- 1967
3. What was the locomotive number of the train that made the last scheduled run of a steam locomotive on Canadian National on April 25, 1960 between The Pas and Winnipeg?
0 -- 6043
3 -- 6076
6 -- 6012
9 -- 6060
4. What year did the Great Slave Railway begin operating?
2 -- 1966
4 -- 1968
6 -- 1964
8 -- 1970
5. What year did the first passenger train to enter the Northwest Territories, the Inukshuk Express, first run?
0 -- 1975
1 -- 1980
3 -- 1978
5 -- 1982
6. Which Canadian railway company built and operated Canada's first railway electrified at 50kv AC, the "Tumbler Ridge" line?
3 -- BC Rail
5 -- CNR
7 -- CPR
9 -- Quebec Southern Railway
7. Which Ontario town purchased the former CPR Owen Sound subdivision between mile 2.4 and mile 36.7 in 2000?
0 -- Aurora
2 -- Arthur
4 -- Newmarket
6 -- Orangeville
8. From September 7 through October 5, 2002, a train ran from Vancouver to Halifax to celebrate the 50th anniversary of which Canadian organization?
2 -- CNR
4 -- CPR
6 -- VIA
8 -- CBC
9. What year did the shipping of cattle by rail in Canada end?
0 -- 1984
2 -- 1988
4 -- 1982
6 -- 1990
10. What year did GO begin running double-decker (bi-level) coaches?
3 -- 1978
5 -- 1984
7 -- 1982
9 -- 1980
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
This geocache was placed under direct supervision of park staff. Please use the provided trails and visit this geocache only during park hours.