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Just returned from a northwest vacation trip where I took both the Amtrak Cascade train and the Canadian VIA train.
To start out, I flew from Santa Rosa, CA to Seattle. The next morning, I boarded Cascade train # 510 to Vancouver, BC.
Here is a photo of the waiting area inside King Street Station in Seattle:
I guess everyone will be happy when the King St. Stn. renovation is completed. You can see the crowded conditions of the waiting room area. Passengers are there for both southbound and northbound Cascade trains.
The Canadian VIA train #2 (Vancouver to Toronto)) leaves Vancouver 3X/week, at 8:30 PM local time. I was kind of surprised by the VIA train..I expected all new cars. Instead, the cars reminded me of some of the passenger trains I rode pre- Amtrak. However, my "cabin" was very comfortable. I like the courteous service and hospitality of the VIA. You can pretty much have your bed pulled down, at night, and raised, in the morning, at whatever time is convenient for you. Something that has been a problem, at least with me, on Amtrak.
I counted 3 dome cars on the VIA train. The dome cars seemed like more modern units:
As we passeed through the Canadian Rockies, passengers were served complimentary champagne and hors d'oeuvres while in the dome car. Very nice.
I was anxious to have a meal in the dining car:
I heard the VIA meals are very good. I wasn't disappointed. The prime rib dinner was excellent!
My destinatioon was Jasper. I have now been there four times. I was only in Jasper 24 hrs so I didn't do too much. I stayed at the "Lobstick Lodge", which wasn't anything to "write home about". July 1st is "Canada Day" and they had a little parade down the main drag in Jasper, right in front of the train station. It was a fine little parade, led by Canadian Mounties in their bright red uniforms. Also, a couple of bagpipe bands. I wish I could have gotten a shot of the parade, but I left my camera in my luggage which was at the train station.
Old CN 6015, on display at the Jasper station:
The CN 6015 was put into service in 1923..a 4-8-2 and part of the "Mountain Class" for CN.
I returned the same way. In Seattle, I walked up to the Pike Place Market in order to try the clam chowder at "Pike Place Chowder". They advertise as the best clam chowder in the country. I don't know if that is true, but I will say their clam chowder was very, very good.
A brief but enjoyable trip.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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I wish that the Amtrak diners used tables and chairs rather than booths.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Mr. Presley, movable furniture in Lounges was "out" quite early in the game; after a derailment or two, they were "out" in Diners when the Superliners were delivered and the "Heritage" rebuild program moved ahead.
Tables for two, Richard? Amtrak Diners ain't the French Laundry.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: Mr. Presley, movable furniture in Lounges were "out" quite early in the game; after a derailment or two, they were "out" in Diners when the Superliners were delivered and the "Heritage" rebuild program moved ahead.
Tables for two, Richard? Amtrak Diners ain't the French Laundry.
'Early' in the game - as in the mid-1970's - I recall having supper aboard the Floridian in a former ACL diner..... one of those with tables for 4 on one side of the car and tables for 2 on the other. Very tasteful car. Same for the meal as well as this was still early in the game.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Nice to see some good photos on the forum. Wish I could figure out how to do that.
I don't quite understand why the Canadians think it makes good economic sense (which really means lose less money) on 2 or 3 days/week service while, fortunately, Amtrak tried that and found it only made the situation worse (as evidenced by the bottom of the barrel money loser, Sunset).
Yes it is a shame the moveable chairs went away - it was so much easier to get the window seat then as the steward would just pull the first chair out of the way so you just step in to the window chair. But the world has changed. I had a restaurant owner in town tell me when he designed his new restaurant he used all booth seating because they're so much more popular.
I guess if you want a table for two on Amtrak, it'll have to be the PPC or one with a light passenger load, like the Crescent ATL-NOL.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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From the Properties tab, it appears Richard has an account with Photobucket; therefore I guess it is safe to conclude that this platform supports photos uploaded from there. Possibly other photo sharing sites, such as Flickr, can also be supported.
But this site apparently does not support photos uploaded from your My Pictures file.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Good pix, Yukon! I'm glad you enjoyed the Canadian. Speaking of movable chairs, the one thing about VIA I don't like are the "movable chairs" they use in their bedrooms. My wife and I rode the Canadian a few years ago, and the chairs in the bedroom are very uncomfortable to sit in during the day. Besides that, you can't stretch out in them to take a quick catnap during the day, like you can on AMTRAK, without the attendant folding the chair up and putting the bunk down for you. At night, of course, the chairs fold down behind the bunks. I much prefer AMTRAK sleepers, where at least you can sit on the couch during the day, or take a nap -- much more comfortable, and for two of us, on most AMTRAK sleepers, there is also a second chair you can set up across from the bunk/couch so you can sit and face your traveling companion, or, in my case, look out the window in the "right" direction (if the car you are in is oriented "backwards")and be able to take better videos.
By the way, on AMTRAK, you can put your bunks down yourself any time you want to -- you don't have to have the attendant do it for you, if you know how to do it.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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I didn't mind the chairs in the cabin..but, yes, Amtrak chairs in their bedrooms are more comfortable. I hate the roomette seats..very uncomfortable.
After downloading pictures from your camera (I download to "My Pictures" ) you can "upload" onto Photobucket at the album site. After you get the image, hold the cursor over the photo to get a drop-down box. Then click on the characters to the right of "IMG CODE". After clicking, it will say "copied". Then "paste" when you get to the message field in the Rail Forum. You can see a photo preview in "Preview Post". Note: you have to keep the photo active in Photobucket or else it will be deleted from the Forum post.
Yes, I think it would be great if VIA would have daily trains between Vancouver and Toronto.
Mr. Norman: If Amtrak would charge, for meals, what the French Laundry charges, they probably could have tables for anywhere from 2-12 people and expand to a half-dozen dining cars.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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