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I didn't see a section for Canadian rail, so I'll ask here. Has anybody taken a train from like Quebec to Vancouver BC or vice versa? I want to something BIG for my 40th birthday and this one sounds great!
Posts: 37 | From: Seattle, WA, USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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I rode the "Canadien" from Toronto to Vancouver 2 years ago. I departed Toronto on May 1st & rode all the way to Vancouver. Early May is the shoulder season & fares are lower than in the summer. The weather was marvelous the whole trip. Spending 3 nights on the train, I used all of the accomodations available. The roomette is for a single traveler who wishes complete privacy, the bedroom offers the same for 2 people with an upper & lower bed. Both of these rooms have their own bathroom although the toilet in the roomette requires you raise the bed to use it at night when the bed is made up. The section is the least expensive option which would include all the 1st class amenities. The section also features the largest bed, but only has heavy curtains separating the sleeping area from the vestibule. The food was fabulous, I would say several steps up from that available on Amtrak. Snacks, fresh fruit, coffee & tea are available at all times & hot finger foods are brought through the lounge cars several times a day. The view from the dome car is awesome & quite often scenic highlights & wildlife sightings are announced by the train crew. All in all a spectacular trip in vintage varnish. The cars are 50's Heritage equipment, fully & wonderfully restored.
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[This message has been edited by reggierail (edited 06-08-2002).]
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It sounds like a great idea. Since the Canadian only runs tri-weekly, you'll have to plan your schedule around it. This train is considered VIA's premiere. If you want to do the "whole enchillada", I would suggest the Halifax-Montreal Ocean (daily except Tuesday), the overnight Montreal-Toronto Enterprise (ex. Sat), and the Toronto-Vancouver Canadian (Tue, Thu, Sat) to get an all-dome view. There are also several other trains between Montreal and Toronto each day.
Another consideration is that VIA plans to replace the equipment on the Ocean (later) and Enterprise (soon) with new cars acquired from the European Nightstar.
[This message has been edited by Ken V (edited 06-09-2002).]
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Via started many enhancements to Silver & Blue service last year. The dining car is re-set for the evening meal with blue overlays on the white tablecloths (instead of pink.) The flowers are replaced with candles (battery-operated, but they flicker.) The menu, in four languages, and wine list are presented in leatherette-bound holders. Each of the two dining cars has a Skyline dome car ahead of it. This car is called an Activity Car. In the large end (with six tables which is sometimes used as a dining section) there is a television where movies are shown, wine-tasting sessions are held, games are sometimes played. There seems to be a never-ending supply of fruit, cakes, cookies, etc. The best part of having these very popular Activity Cars is that the Park Car's lounge can now be used for quiet conversation and viewing of the scenery. With so many people using the Activity Cars we re-named the Park car the "Inactivity Car." The television in the Mural Lounge (below the dome) wasn't used, adding to the civilised ambiance of the Park car.
In the bedrooms, the blankets have been replaced by duvets. This has occurred on Via's other overnight trains, the "Enterprise," the "Chaleur" and the "Ocean." I haven't travelled on the Chruchill line, so I can't comment on that.
All was not perfect, however. Via was very naughty in not maintaining the interiors of many of the sleepers and Park cars. The dome windows in the two Park cars in which we travelled were badly scratched. The upholstery in the two dome sections was threadbare. The wallpaper in the two "Manor" sleepers we had was peeling in at least a dozen places. The carpeting throughout the train had recently been replaced and therefore was in good shape. A lot of interior work was to take place this winter (when the "Canadian" is usually short,) so I will be able to report on that soon. The "Chateau" sleepers used in the east seemed to be in very good shape on my March trip to Halifax and return.
The dining car service on the "Ocean" has been recently upgraded. The food is almost of Silver & Blue Class quality. Diner meals are not included in the sleeper fare, though, unlike on the "Canadian." Linen napkins are used at dinner. Via is promising fruit and flowers in the bedrooms. It is rather interesting that Via is upgrading this train because when the Renaissance equipment replaces the Budd-built cars there will be a massive downgrading of the meal service. I am told that Via has no plans to build kitchens in the diners, which will be made out of sleeping car shells. They are planning on Via 1-stlye (meaning aeroplane-style) meals to be served from the adjacent lounge car's galley.
[This message has been edited by David (edited 06-09-2002).]
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Thanks for the info on VIA. What's the scenery like? I'd be originating from Vancouver, will that travel through Banff/Jasper in daylight? (I hope, I hope.) What is the Canada interior like, (Alberta, ect.)? What is Quebec like, I want to spend a day or two there, good sights?
Posts: 37 | From: Seattle, WA, USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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Out of Vancouver, the Canadian departs in the late afternoon and is scheduled into Jasper around noon the next day. This means that much of the Rocky Mountains are passed in darkness. Depending on the time of year (the closer to June 21st the better) you should still get to see a good amount of the Rockies in daylight. With the cutbacks in 1990, the Canadian no longer travels the CPR route through Banff and Lake Louise. If you have the time (and the $$$$s) you could try the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper or, even better, Banff, and board the Canadian in Jasper.
After the Rockies, I would have to rank the scenery through northern Ontario second. Rocks, trees, and lakes galore! You may also see an occasional moose or beaver. The landscape across the rest Canada is quite varied, much like the midwest U.S., offering some of almost everything.
When you mention Quebec are you asking about the city or the province? I've never been to Quebec City but I've heard there's lots to do there. Montreal is the big city and also has several tourist attractions including a casino if you're so inclined.
[This message has been edited by Ken V (edited 06-09-2002).]
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I see I'm joining the conversation late -I was out of town. I hope I'm not too late. But last year I took the trip Halifax to Vancouver, which involves, as you know, 3 trains and, at least east to west, requires two hotel stays. The Ocean is a fabulous trip - not a crowded train and the same equipment as The Canadian which means the mattresses are thicker than on AMTRAK. Also, I can highly recommend the fish chowder. I took the noon train from Montreal to Toronto to see, I thought, the lake and the St. Lawrence. No luck, the tracks are inland, but I was in the 1st class car and was served a delicious lunch - great experience. Interesting fact: for the 1st half of the trip announcements are made first in French then in English, and at precisely 1/2 way to Toronto they switch and give it in English first. On the #1, as it traverses over the north of the Great Lakes, you've never seen as many birch trees as they have there plus a lot of secluded lakes.
Posts: 518 | From: Maynard, MA, USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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quote:Originally posted by TBlack: ...But last year I took the trip Halifax to Vancouver, which involves, as you know, 3 trains and, at least east to west, requires two hotel stays...
With the introduction of the Enterprise hotel stays are no longer necessary. Going either way, you can now connect between trains in Toronto after a short layover and spend a day in Montreal.
quote:Interesting fact: for the 1st half of the trip announcements are made first in French then in English, and at precisely 1/2 way to Toronto they switch and give it in English first.
I never noticed this before. Next time I'll pay more attention.
quote:Originally posted by DisbandAmtrak: Montreal! That's what I meant by city in Quebec, lol.
In Montréal there are always lots of things to do. You should really check out their subway system. The Métro is unique in North America - it uses rubber tires instead of steel wheels. Other rail related suggestions are the Canadian Railway Museum (about 30 min. south of the city) and the two all-day commuter routes (Montréal-Dorion & Montréal-Deux Montagnes). No matter what your interests, there should be plenty to do there. For lots of information go to this website: http://english.montrealplus.ca
quote:Originally posted by Ken V: The Métro is unique in North America - it uses rubber tires instead of steel wheels.
Actually, they do use flanged, steel wheels. The tires are simply for weight distribution and and noise reduction. Very interesting to look at, though. The steel wheels are hidden behind the rubber tires, so what you see is basically a tractor-trailer bogey beneath a subway car. Feels like it, too. Very jerky, especially on deceleration.
Montreal is great. An authentic slice of Europe in North America. Be sure to visit Vieux Montreal (Old Town), if you don't mind being a little confused as to which continent you're on. And don't miss Windsor Station (the real station, not the back door of the Molson Center presently used for commuter service). It's no longer a used as a railway terminal, but it's still in great shape. A Canadian Pacific masterpiece.
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Cruising Alternative. I, too, have traversed the undeveloped Western part of the country by Rocky Mountaineer, and highly reccomend it. Just this month, we also took a cruise down the St Lawrence River (originating at Montreal and Quebec, terminating at Boston, calling at several Maratime Provinces). Very scenic and educational, considerable opportunities to view on-dock intermodal operations in the various ports en route. Seeing the Ocean staged for departure at Hallifax made me promise to return by rail someday. Note that even though the Canadian Rawilway Museum near Montreal is listed as opening in May in many sources, its season does not actually begin until late June:=(, but website indicates comprehensive collection worth visiting if possible--maybe next time. Both the big cities in Quebec Province were worth visiting--considerable European culture w/o crossing the Atlantic.
Posts: 216 | From: San Carlos, CA, USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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