VIA Rail Canadian - Toronto to Vancouver

[railfan99]

Having been to Prince Rupert in 2016, 185, I agree that it was great value and offered excellent scenry.

'The Canadian' is however better than Australia's 'The Ghan' or 'Indian Pacific' as the two latter trains lack sitting cars, these having been withdrawn from the 'IP' in 2016. 'Rocky Mountaineer' is not on my list to do: too schmaltzy, and makes 'The Canadian' look cheap.

Amtrak can indeed be pleasant and much cheaper than 'The Canadian' but one does need to book in advance, or look for specials.

 

[AlterEgo]

I considered this, and instead went for the USA option, two nights in a small private room (roomette) with all food and soft drinks included was a quarter the price on Amtrak, from Chicago to San Francisco, via the Rockies, Colorado River, Utah and the Nevada desert. I do get the feeling the Canadian offering is like the Australian ones - one of those stupid 'luxury wine tasting and entertainment' cultural rubbish experiences, ie. nothing really to do with the train or the scenery.

That’s unfair. It’s probably somewhere between the two experiences. It’s not a land cruise and it isn’t Amtrak.

I’ve done all three - The Indian Pacific, The Canadian and Amtrak (very many times in that case!) and I’d pick the Canadian every time. However, Amtrak is much more accessible to the average British wallet even if I think the experience isn’t nearly as good as the Canadian.

You need to be in the money-to-burn Prestige Class on the Canadian to have anything near the Indian Pacific experience.

 

[parkender102]

Some great tips on here - thanks everyone! Everyone's circumstances, preferences and experiences are different I suppose but it's great to hear all your advice. I too believe the great rail journeys of the world should be open to all by way of budget / economy tickets. I know the Indian - Pacific in Australia used to offer economy seats for the entire journey but these were subsidised by State Government and once these subsidies were removed the only option for the Private Operators were to introduce Luxury Packages to ensure they could make a profit. Glad we can still make relatively cheap Long Distance Overnight Rail Journeys in Europe, Asia and USA etc and hope that this can continue into the future. Still undecided on our Canada trip to meet our daughter in Vancouver but it will certainly involve a lot of rail travel so further advice is much appreciated.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I considered this, and instead went for the USA option, two nights in a small private room (roomette) with all food and soft drinks included was a quarter the price on Amtrak, from Chicago to San Francisco, via the Rockies, Colorado River, Utah and the Nevada desert. I do get the feeling the Canadian offering is like the Australian ones - one of those stupid 'luxury wine tasting and entertainment' cultural rubbish experiences, ie. nothing really to do with the train or the scenery.

No, it's not, it is a service train. It carries a lot of tourists but not only them.

 

[ac6000cw]

A few of my Jasper photos (mostly in wet or very overcast weather unfortunately):

View across the main street through town looking south towards the CN rail yard/mainline with a double-stack train passing through, in the pouring rain (it's almost too murky to see the mountains in the background)


Looking south across the mainline and yard on a better weather day - the VIA train to Prince Rupert on the left, Rocky Mountaineer on the right:


Close up of the Rocky Mountaineer locos - they must have had a loco shortage at the time (June 2012) with a decidedly ratty looking (leased from NRE) ex-UP GP50 as the second loco!


A view across a nearby lake with some very low cloud adding a bit of moody atmosphere:


If you do happen to stay in the (quite nice - as used by Rocky Mountaineer passengers) hotel in Kamloops, BC, I mentioned in a previous post, this is an example of what you might see (and hear!) from a south facing bedroom window and the nearby footbridge over the CP mainline (my video):

 

[181]

This may not be useful to the OP, but anyone who is purist (if that's the right word) about crossing countries or continents should bear in mind that Toronto is a long way from the east coast of Canada. Depending on the level of purism, you could make a case for starting at Montreal (accessible to ocean-going ships without needing to use locks, and a common port of entry in ocean liner days), Quebec (where the river is tidal), a bit below Quebec (where it becomes predominantly saltwater), or Halifax (on the open Atlantic).

From my experience many years ago (although not as long ago as Taunton's), Montreal-Toronto and Montreal-Quebec are among the less exciting routes in Canada from the point of view of scenery, apart from (respectively) a short stretch along Lake Ontario and the Quebec Bridge, but the cities are worth a visit, and I tend to feel that in a foreign country everything is interesting, even the less spectacular bits. (I certainly wasn't bored by the Canadian Shield or the Prairies). The Halifax route is rather more varied.

Alternatively, someone purist about crossing the continent but not the country could start from New York, which is on the Atlantic (give or take the length of the harbour) and from which it's just a day's journey on a single train to Toronto (Hudson valley very scenic; I haven't done the rest of the route).

 

[ac6000cw]

By the way, if anyone is thinking about riding the Canadian in its current form, I'd not wait too long to do it - see this Trains newswire article about potential structural crashworthiness issues with the mid-1950s vintage passenger cars: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/ride-the-via-rail-canadian-while-you-can-analysis/

At the moment the Canadian has a three empty passenger cars added behind the tail-end observation lounge car as a precaution pending the results of an investigation, following the discovery of cracks in welds in the frames of some of the old stainless-steel cars in the VIA fleet.

This may not be useful to the OP, but anyone who is purist (if that's the right word) about crossing countries or continents should bear in mind that Toronto is a long way from the east coast of Canada. Depending on the level of purism, you could make a case for starting at Montreal (accessible to ocean-going ships without needing to use locks, and a common port of entry in ocean liner days), Quebec (where the river is tidal), a bit below Quebec (where it becomes predominantly saltwater), or Halifax (on the open Atlantic).

Is there an argument that crossing the 'continental divide' (which is the Rockies) could count as 'transcontinental'?

(AFAIK, west of the 'continental divide' the rivers drain into the Pacific ocean, east of it into the Atlantic)

 

[Bletchleyite]

There's an interesting point in that article which would explain the reason why they're so fussy about people not standing by the doors, as noted above:

Right now four of the venerable Budd cars are being sacrificed in Montreal. They’re being stripped to their frames and undergoing detailed inspections and metallurgical analysis. Then they’ll be put through destructive stress testing that will simulate a collision. The goal is to determine if they’ll buckle at the vestibules, as designed, or in their interiors, as feared.

If they're the crumple zones then I can entirely see why people hanging around there is deprecated.

I'm not sure I'm with the writer that it's the old coaches that make it special, though - I think it'd be just as special with Swiss style observation coaches. In places (e.g. the rooms) it's quite Spartan. The important thing is the rear-view Park Car at the back (which presently doesn't offer a rear view), I'm sure someone can build one of those. It is impressive that they're still going despite their age, but I wouldn't say they make the journey as such.

 

[parkender102]

Well in the end the logistics of trying to plan a Toronto to Vancouver trip to meet the ship in Vancouver proved too much. The big problem was if we wanted to stop off and overnight somewhere you are pretty much stuck for 2-3 days somewhere until the next 2/3 times weekly train. So instead of a straight through 4 or 5 day trip it starts stretching into a 2 week trip. Then there is the problem of the flights flying into Toronto and back home from Vancouver. So we decided to book return Flights direct to Vancouver from Heathrow. I live near Chester and Manchester Airport don't have direct flights to Vancouver and we can visit out daughter in London the day before the flights from Heathrow.

We will spend a few days in Vancouver and surrounding area before taking The Canadian overnight to Jasper and then Hotel a few nights in Jasper and will have a Hire Car. We will explore the area and visit Banff and overnight there before taking the Hire Car back to Jasper and then The Canadian overnight back to Vancouver. We have another night or 2 in Vancouver and surrounding Area before heading to the Cruise Terminal to cruise Alaska for 2 weeks and meet the daughter who is working on the Cruise Ship. Fly home from Vancouver after Disembarking from the Cruise Ship 2 weeks later.

Part of the trip we will be doing the White Pass Scenic Railway from Skagway so looking forward to that.

 

[ac6000cw]

then Hotel a few nights in Jasper and will have a Hire Car. We will explore the area and visit Banff and overnight there before taking the Hire Car back to Jasper

A good call.

The Icefields Parkway (highway 93) has some fabulous scenery (and a glacier you can visit), then there's Lake Louise where it joins the Trans-Canada Highway (highway 1). Turn right for Kicking Horse Pass, with two spiral railway tunnels on the west slope as it descends into the crew-change village of Field, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Back-track to Lake Louise and then if you want to keep closer to the railway take the (slower) Bow Valley Parkway instead of the Trans-Canada Highway to get to Banff (you can swap between the two roads at Castle Mountain, about half-way to Banff).

Note Lake Louise (the area round the lake and the huge hotel) gets very busy with tourists, to the extent that when we were there in Autumn 2017 they were running a park-and-ride operation from large car park nearby.

Part of the trip we will be doing the White Pass Scenic Railway from Skagway so looking forward to that.

I've travelled on it - 3 foot gauge, 4% gradients, open balconies at the end of the cars, great scenery and a lusty diesel or two at the front - what more could you want?

 

[parkender102]

A good call.

The Icefields Parkway (highway 93) has some fabulous scenery (and a glacier you can visit), then there's Lake Louise where it joins the Trans-Canada Highway (highway 1). Turn right for Kicking Horse Pass, with two spiral railway tunnels on the west slope as it descends into the crew-change village of Field, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Back-track to Lake Louise and then if you want to keep closer to the railway take the (slower) Bow Valley Parkway instead of the Trans-Canada Highway to get to Banff (you can swap between the two roads at Castle Mountain, about half-way to Banff).

Note Lake Louise (the area round the lake and the huge hotel) gets very busy with tourists, to the extent that when we were there in Autumn 2017 they were running a park-and-ride operation from large car park nearby.


I've travelled on it - 3 foot gauge, 4% gradients, open balconies at the end of the cars, great scenery and a lusty diesel or two at the front - what more could you want?

Good Order! Thanks for the advice - sounds like an early morning or late evening visit to Lake Louise is the way to go to avoid the hordes.

 

[FormerBritInMe]

A post a while back stated that the NY to Montreal Amtrak train (the Adirondack) was still suspended due to COVID. That train is now running again as of 3 April.
Leaves NY at 0840, return from Montreal Gare Central 1110. This is a coach only day train with cafe service.

 

[ac6000cw]

Good Order! Thanks for the advice - sounds like an early morning or late evening visit to Lake Louise is the way to go to avoid the hordes.

Yes - both times we visited it (in 2012 and 2017) we went late afternoon and managed to get in the car parks that are within walking distance of the hotel and lake. Note the 'village' of Lake Louise is next to the Trans-Canada Highway and the railway, with the lake and hotel about 2 miles west of it. Heading northwest from the village, the railway line splits into the original and (more recent) low-grade lines climbing to Kicking Horse Pass.

The well-known railway photographic location of Morant's Curve is about 3 miles southeast of the village along Bow Valley Parkway road - if you're patient enough (or lucky with the timing) then you can see this sort of thing (my video, looking southeast):

 

[parkender102]

Due to the high cost of Berths / Rooms on The Canadian we've booked Seat Only on the overnight journey Vancouver - Jasper and also on the return a week later. We've done overnight a few times in seats on Amtrak and it was fine. No seat numbers are allocated and I emailed via Rail and they said 'just sit where you want'. Of course we can always move to the viewing Dome Car for a change of scenery. So my questions are:

I assume once in your seats in the seated Car then there is no chance of someone taking them in intermediate stops if you are in the Dome Car or Cafe? Can't remember how it worked on Amtrak (may have been allocated seating). I suppose leaving your coats etc on the seats 'reserves' them.

Which is the best side to sit on Vancouver - Jasper and Jasper - Vancouver. I've not been on it before so it's possible the train changes direction at 1 or more points so it doesn't really matter.

Is there a particular place or seat number that are better than others if it's possible to choose? I know sometimes there is a window pillar in the way etc I do have some carriage layouts on Via Rail Website for The Canadian showing seating 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D right to left to 16A, 16B. Unfortunately you can't see how the seats line up with the windows.

 

[ac6000cw]

Which is the best side to sit on Vancouver - Jasper and Jasper - Vancouver. I've not been on it before so it's possible the train changes direction at 1 or more points so it doesn't really matter.

Not travelled on the Canadian, but have followed most of the route between Jasper and Vancouver by road.

I can't think of a reason why the train would need to reverse, but the CN mainline (which the Canadian travels on for most of the route) does swap sides in some canyons and valleys along the way, and due to 'directional running' using both CN and CP tracks, the eastbound and westbound trains use opposite sides of the Fraser and Thompson river canyons west of Kamloops. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Canadian_(train)#Route for more info.

You can look at the route on OpenRailwayMap - https://www.openrailwaymap.org/?sty...6330807948044&lon=-118.09388637542723&zoom=14

 

[simonw]

Good Order! Thanks for the advice - sounds like an early morning or late evening visit to Lake Louise is the way to go to avoid the hordes.

Most people don't walk much further than the hotel. If you get there early and get a space you can walk up to the tea house(s) above the lake and avoid most of the crowds.

Would also recommend Emerald Lake. Again gets very crowded but the crowds stay near the hotel and you can walk in solitude around theclake.

Also a visit to Field will let you watch the trains.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Have done the Canadian and the only reversal I recall was to enter Vancouver station where the train reverses on a triangle and is propelled into the station backwards.

 

[ac6000cw]

Also a visit to Field will let you watch the trains.

Mmm, yes, definitely (my photos):

Looking southwest:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/22CD74B] Work train at Field - 1 by ac6044cw, on Flickr[/URL]

Looking northeast towards Kicking Horse Pass (tail end of an eastbound train and the Trans-Canada Highway on the left in the distance across the river):
[url=https://flic.kr/p/22VB2vE] Field_east_departure_2 by ac6044cw, on Flickr[/URL]

Have done the Canadian and the only reversal I recall was to enter Vancouver station where the train reverses on a triangle and is propelled into the station backwards.

So like at Chicago Union Station for some Amtrak trains, reversing the whole train ready for the return journey so the order of the cars in the consist stays the same.

 

[railfan99]

peoples experience will differ, but having lived in western canada, mile after mile of corn gets tedious and if you want to see the mountains by train use the Rocky Mountaineer, is my advice.

Goodness: as rail enthusiasts surely many of us like to travel on as many lines as possible. Whether Canadian corn fields, British remains of industry or Australian wheat paddocks, I'm not bothered.

I did the trip in reverse (starting in Vancouver) in 2016 with my family.

Since I travelled, Via Rail has introduced restricted hours when non-Prestige Class passengers can access the dome (observation) car(s) IIRC. This has reduced enjoyment for many, yet when we travelled, the dome car was never full even though at the time sleeping car passengers in the lower grades (non-Prestige) could access it all day and night if they wanted to.

'The Canadian' is expensive compared to Amtrak in the USA, but it's cheaper per kilometre than 'Rocky Mountaineer'.

Staff on board were fine in the dining car as were the meals, but one staff member told me off in an aggressive tone when I spent two minutes looking through the steel bar in the vestibule that prevented one from approaching the Dutch door. I have never had this problem anywhere else worldwide, and I wasn't planning to open the top of the 'stable door' as years ago we were permitted to do in Australia on the then overnight Adelaide-Melbourne 'The Overland' express.

I did a few other lines while over there: apart from Switzerland, Canada would have to be the most expensive major nation to which I've been (of more than 50).

It hasn't happened to me but a friend gave a tip at the end of a trip to his sleeping car conductor. The latter didn't say 'thank you': his words were 'that's not enough'.

My friend (similar to me) had never had this occur anywhere else in the world, even though Via Rail staff are on more than Amtrak's typically USA (allegedly) low wages. He thought it affronting and greedy.

Jasper is extremely expensive in which to stay: we paid above C$300 seven years ago for a basic motel room with a Queen and a single in it.

It's worth travelling to Banff if you've the time. There are coach company tours.

I would be reluctant to travel on 'Rocky Mountaineer': overpriced and extremely touristy. Apparently during COVID the company declined to issue refunds and as a result copped much adverse comment on various travel review sites including TripAdvisor.

Overall my impression of Canada was it was far from cheap, with competitor USA offering better value for money and just as good scenery (say on 'California Zephyr' or 'Coast Starlight' that I've respectively done once and twice).

 

[AlterEgo]

Have done the Canadian and the only reversal I recall was to enter Vancouver station where the train reverses on a triangle and is propelled into the station backwards.

Edmonton, also. The station is in a headshunt.

 

[railfan99]

I do get the feeling the Canadian offering is like the Australian ones - one of those stupid 'luxury wine tasting and entertainment' cultural rubbish experiences, ie. nothing really to do with the train or the scenery.

'Rocky Mountaineer' would almost certainly be like 'Indian Pacific' and the less criticised 'The Ghan', while 'The Canadian' has elements of that, but because the latter still has sitting cars, it also fulfils a transport need.

One night I spent five hours at Sudbury Junction (midnight to 0500) waiting for a late 'The Canadian' to travel in the sitting car to Toronto. Quite chilly, and not even an open waiting room, and no staff. Fortunately there were a few others in the same boat.

I would also recommend the 3 times weekly scheduled train from Jasper to Prince Rupert. Takes 2 days and stops overnight in Prince George. Not expensive - the 2 day train fare was around $180 Canadian about 5 years ago. Very scenic with the Rocky Mountains all around. As good scenery as the Rocky Mountaineer but a tenth of the price. Locomotive, 3 carriages & 1 baggage car when I did it. One carriage had upstairs observation seating area. Last carriage had armchairs in a circle at the rear so you could admire the scenery or chat to the other passengers. Only about 40 or 50 travelling. All very relaxed and friendly. Great mountains plus we saw black bears and a coyote.

There’s a hotel near Prince George station where most people, including the train crew, stay overnight if doing the whole journey. Baggage car is locked at night so if you want you can leave some of your luggage in it. No need to take it to and from the hotel in Prince George. You rejoin the same train the following morning.

Yes, I've done that: excellent trip, with extremely friendly staff.

 

[ac6000cw]

apart from Switzerland, Canada would have to be the most expensive major nation to which I've been

I think I'd agree with that, having visited it three times (eastern once, western twice). But like Switzerland, we found it generally good quality (and the locals tend to think it's expensive too). But once you get out of the main tourist places and into the mountain wilderness - you don't have to go far - it's just lovely (as is the wildlife). But as you said, you can find great mountain scenery in the US if you choose carefully.

 

[parkender102]

Goodness: as rail enthusiasts surely many of us like to travel on as many lines as possible. Whether Canadian corn fields, British remains of industry or Australian wheat paddocks, I'm not bothered.

I did the trip in reverse (starting in Vancouver) in 2016 with my family.

Since I travelled, Via Rail has introduced restricted hours when non-Prestige Class passengers can access the dome (observation) car(s) IIRC. This has reduced enjoyment for many, yet when we travelled, the dome car was never full even though at the time sleeping car passengers in the lower grades (non-Prestige) could access it all day and night if they wanted to.

'The Canadian' is expensive compared to Amtrak in the USA, but it's cheaper per kilometre than 'Rocky Mountaineer'.

Staff on board were fine in the dining car as were the meals, but one staff member told me off in an aggressive tone when I spent two minutes looking through the steel bar in the vestibule that prevented one from approaching the Dutch door. I have never had this problem anywhere else worldwide, and I wasn't planning to open the top of the 'stable door' as years ago we were permitted to do in Australia on the then overnight Adelaide-Melbourne 'The Overland' express.

I did a few other lines while over there: apart from Switzerland, Canada would have to be the most expensive major nation to which I've been (of more than 50).

It hasn't happened to me but a friend gave a tip at the end of a trip to his sleeping car conductor. The latter didn't say 'thank you': his words were 'that's not enough'.

My friend (similar to me) had never had this occur anywhere else in the world, even though Via Rail staff are on more than Amtrak's typically USA (allegedly) low wages. He thought it affronting and greedy.

Jasper is extremely expensive in which to stay: we paid above C$300 seven years ago for a basic motel room with a Queen and a single in it.

It's worth travelling to Banff if you've the time. There are coach company tours.

I would be reluctant to travel on 'Rocky Mountaineer': overpriced and extremely touristy. Apparently during COVID the company declined to issue refunds and as a result copped much adverse comment on various travel review sites including TripAdvisor.

Overall my impression of Canada was it was far from cheap, with competitor USA offering better value for money and just as good scenery (say on 'California Zephyr' or 'Coast Starlight' that I've respectively done once and twice).

Cheers - good info. I agree from what we've booked so far Canada is very expensive. If it was me alone without the wife I'd be camping on the cheap! The real reason for the trip is to see my daughter who works on a cruise ship based in Vancouver. So 2 weeks will be spent cruising Alaska but as I've never been to Canada we thought we'd spend a week or so based in Vancouver, Jasper and Banff. We do have a Hire Car booked in Jasper and a night or 2 in Banff so should be able to do the Icefield Parkway and have some hike planned - Cavell Meadows, Valley of the 5 Lakes, Opal Hills etc

Mercifully once we are on the Ship everything is paid for so all food and accommodation and drinks (we have a drinks package) are taken care of. Just need to pay for the odd excursion (White Pass Scenic Railway out of Skagway is one). Not interested in spending a fortune to get in a helicopter to go and see a Glacier as I used to scare myself for free and get paid to do it when flying offshore to work on the Oil Rigs in the North Sea many years ago!

 

[Taunton]

I emailed via Rail and they said 'just sit where you want'.

I assume once in your seats in the seated Car then there is no chance of someone taking them in intermediate stops if you are in the Dome Car or Cafe? Can't remember how it worked on Amtrak (may have been allocated seating). I suppose leaving your coats etc on the seats 'reserves' them.

The standard North American way is the conductor comes along, lifts your ticket stub, and puts a "check" card in the slot alongside the seat. They write a visible destination code on it so once passed, they can clear it away again. Don't take a seat with a check on it; it also prevents the various conductor changes asking for your ticket repeatedly on long journeys.

You are probably OK leaving your coats unattended on seats in Canada, but I wouldn't try it on certain Amtrak routes. Though I did once read that someone missed reboarding their Amtrak train at Albuquerque, went to the airport, bought a cheap ticket on Southwest Airlines to Kansas City, went to the station, train rolled in, their bag was still on their seat!

Not interested in spending a fortune to get in a helicopter to go and see a Glacier

Give it some thought. We did this in Alaska, spotted bears, put down in the wilderness, etc. Not booked through a cruise, we just went to Heli-hire at the airport, it wasn't a fortune. This is the USA - don't forget to tip the pilot.

 

[Tester]

You might like to consider joining the Canadian-Passenger-Rail forum at groups.io - a wealth of useful information from knowledgeable members.

 

[parkender102]

The standard North American way is the conductor comes along, lifts your ticket stub, and puts a "check" card in the slot alongside the seat. They write a visible destination code on it so once passed, they can clear it away again. Don't take a seat with a check on it; it also prevents the various conductor changes asking for your ticket repeatedly on long journeys.

You are probably OK leaving your coats unattended on seats in Canada, but I wouldn't try it on certain Amtrak routes. Though I did once read that someone missed reboarding their Amtrak train at Albuquerque, went to the airport, bought a cheap ticket on Southwest Airlines to Kansas City, went to the station, train rolled in, their bag was still on their seat!



Give it some thought. We did this in Alaska, spotted bears, put down in the wilderness, etc. Not booked through a cruise, we just went to Heli-hire at the airport, it wasn't a fortune. This is the USA - don't forget to tip the pilot.

Well personally I'd do it but there is no way on Earth my wife is getting into a helicopter!

 

[Harry Douthwaite]

It's disappointing you won't get to do the full trip, but similarly I didn't get to either.

Last year I took a cross-country trip to Ontario from Edmonton, and did it thus.
Rider Express bus from Edmonton to Saskatoon.
VIA train #2 from Saskatoon to Winnipeg (7am to 9:30pm).
Ontario Northland bus from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay.
Kasper bus from Thunder Bay to White River.
Train #186 from White River to Sudbury (7am to 5pm).
Ontario Northland Bus to Ottawa.
Train #45 to Toronto.
WestJet flight to Saskatoon.
Train #1 from Saskatoon to Edmonton (10am to 8pm).

Some of which can be viewed here.
Cross Canada Trip July 2022: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLStcLVnxjXsstayDgKOnx0jc1DiVO_Vsz

 

[WessexEclectic]

Well personally I'd do it but there is no way on Earth my wife is getting into a helicopter!

TBF, at least the ditching course is not a requirement...

 

[nanstallon]

Seeing how Canada has become expensive, and numerous restrictions, I probably shall not repeat my trip back in 1989. As a young man of very limited means, I did it on the cheap. I found coach seating very comfortable, but spent occasional nights in youth hostels at C$10 a night in the dorm with very good company, or YMCA.

Itinerary was Toronto via Thunder Bay to Winnipeg, 'day off', then to Churchill and back to Winnipeg (old F units still), then Canadian Pacific route to Lake Louise, day off to take the classic photo at Morant's Curve, then to Vancouver. Back via Jasper to Winnipeg, then via Hornepayne to Sudbury (F units again), overnight stop, then to Montreal, overnight stop, then Quebec City and back, finally overnight train to Toronto. This was all done on a railrover type ticket for C$120 (reduced from C$180 for Youth Hostel Association members!). Unlimited access to the dining car, where dinner was C$6 as I recall. A superb travel agent in my home town sorted out all the reservations for the trip, with no extra charge, and I had no problems with late running trains. The seating was comfortable, and happy hours were spent in the observation dome without any time limits, and I met a lot of like minded people, although not as fanatical about rail travel. My trip had been prompted by learning of drastic cuts to Via Rail coming up. Having the previous year travelled over the Newfoundland Railway (Bishop Fall to Corner Brook), and then from Sydney to Truro and then through Maine (USA) to Montreal, I can lay a reasonable claim to having travelled by train from one end of Canada to the other.

My wife would not go for such basic conditions as I did then, but in 2009 we flew to Vancouver for a non rail holiday, but I was allowed a return trip over the Vancouver Island Railway (Victoria to Courtenay), which we both enjoyed. Sadly this line appears to be closed permanently, although I believe there is a local movement to restore service.

 

[ac6000cw]

Itinerary was Toronto via Thunder Bay to Winnipeg, 'day off', then to Churchill and back to Winnipeg (old F units still), then Canadian Pacific route to Lake Louise, day off to take the classic photo at Morant's Curve, then to Vancouver. Back via Jasper to Winnipeg, then via Hornepayne to Sudbury (F units again), overnight stop, then to Montreal, overnight stop, then Quebec City and back, finally overnight train to Toronto. This was all done on a railrover type ticket for C$120 (reduced from C$180 for Youth Hostel Association members!). Unlimited access to the dining car, where dinner was C$6 as I recall. A superb travel agent in my home town sorted out all the reservations for the trip, with no extra charge, and I had no problems with late running trains. The seating was comfortable, and happy hours were spent in the observation dome without any time limits, and I met a lot of like minded people, although not as fanatical about rail travel. My trip had been prompted by learning of drastic cuts to Via Rail coming up. Having the previous year travelled over the Newfoundland Railway (Bishop Fall to Corner Brook), and then from Sydney to Truro and then through Maine (USA) to Montreal, I can lay a reasonable claim to having travelled by train from one end of Canada to the other.

It's not that I'm jealous or anything... But F-units AND Canadian scenery - can I have a time machine please!