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Guest_MontanaJim_*
Guest
I was thinking of taking the canadian. however it appears much of the trip through the mtns will be in the dark. Why is that? why cant the route the train through the mtns in the daylight?
I thought that, too, but after doing some reading in Wikipedia, I think we're both thinking about the Rocky Mountaineer, a privately-run tourist train that only runs during the daytime and is designed specifically to take advantage of the scenery.I thought this train only went during the day, that is why it takes 4 days. I always had a terrible time finding info on the via website though.
There's also the Skeena, which traverses the Rockies and the Coast Ranges with an overnight stop in Prince George (and no accomodations available on the train, so you have to book a hotel in Prince George!).In the aftermath of the deep budget cuts made to VIA Rail on January 15, 1990, the Super Continental service was abolished and the Canadian was moved from the CPR route to the Super Continental's CN route. This maintained transcontinental service and allowed VIA to operate its government-mandated service to small communities along the line. The CN route is widely acknowledged to be less scenic, particularly in the sections through the Rocky Mountains and north of Lake Superior. Service was also reduced to 3 days per week. Today, VIA Rail continues to operate the Canadian using the CN route with rebuilt ex-CPR Budd passenger equipment.
Yes - The Rock Mountaineer is a great train ride. My wife and I took it several years ago. If you are interested in pictures, they are here:I thought that, too, but after doing some reading in Wikipedia, I think we're both thinking about the Rocky Mountaineer, a privately-run tourist train that only runs during the daytime and is designed specifically to take advantage of the scenery.I thought this train only went during the day, that is why it takes 4 days. I always had a terrible time finding info on the via website though.
The Canadian, on the other hand, is like Amtrak--mostly a functional train (though they do have some premium offerings on board for first-class passengers), although like the EB and CZ, it traverses some beautiful scenery. However, from Wikipedia (emphasis mine):
There's also the Skeena, which traverses the Rockies and the Coast Ranges with an overnight stop in Prince George (and no accommodations available on the train, so you have to book a hotel in Prince George!).In the aftermath of the deep budget cuts made to VIA Rail on January 15, 1990, the Super Continental service was abolished and the Canadian was moved from the CPR route to the Super Continental's CN route. This maintained transcontinental service and allowed VIA to operate its government-mandated service to small communities along the line. The CN route is widely acknowledged to be less scenic, particularly in the sections through the Rocky Mountains and north of Lake Superior. Service was also reduced to 3 days per week. Today, VIA Rail continues to operate the Canadian using the CN route with rebuilt ex-CPR Budd passenger equipment.
I would disagree with that statement entirely. Just taking a look at the fares of the Canadian relative to Amtrak confirms that this is anything but a functional train; the proportion of "Silver & Blue" first class sleeper passengers to coach passengers is immense, and first class on VIA's long distance trains is a world away from Amtrak.The Canadian, on the other hand, is like Amtrak--mostly a functional train (though they do have some premium offerings on board for first-class passengers), although like the EB and CZ, it traverses some beautiful scenery.
They DO ensure daylight viewing of the Rockies. Also nighttime viewing of the Rockies. They're big mountains. There's plenty to go around."Year-round, the Canadian® departs three times per week from Vancouverand Toronto, and is scheduled to ensure daylight viewing of the Rockies."
I guess that is only in the summer then
Jackal, the Canadian is too danged expensive to be mere transportation. The price of an upper berth is more than a high-bucket bedroom on the Empire Builder.The Canadian, on the other hand, is like Amtrak--mostly a functional train (though they do have some premium offerings on board for first-class passengers), although like the EB and CZ, it traverses some beautiful scenery. However, from Wikipedia (emphasis mine)n the train, so you have to book a hotel in Prince George!).
It may be an expensive functional train that doubles as a tourist train/land cruise, but the reason for its existence is like the reason for many Amtrak routes' existence: government-mandated service to small communities along the route.I would disagree with that statement entirely. Just taking a look at the fares of the Canadian relative to Amtrak confirms that this is anything but a functional train; the proportion of "Silver & Blue" first class sleeper passengers to coach passengers is immense, and first class on VIA's long distance trains is a world away from Amtrak.The Canadian, on the other hand, is like Amtrak--mostly a functional train (though they do have some premium offerings on board for first-class passengers), although like the EB and CZ, it traverses some beautiful scenery.
Its only too expensive if you cant afford it.......Jackal, the Canadian is too danged expensive to be mere transportation. The price of an upper berth is more than a high-bucket bedroom on the Empire Builder.The Canadian, on the other hand, is like Amtrak--mostly a functional train (though they do have some premium offerings on board for first-class passengers), although like the EB and CZ, it traverses some beautiful scenery. However, from Wikipedia (emphasis mine)n the train, so you have to book a hotel in Prince George!).
So what?I disagree. I can travel from Toronto to Schenectady on the Adirondack, Schenectady to Chicago on the LSL in a Roomette, Chicago to Seattle on the Empire Builder, and Seattle to Vancouver on the Cascades in BC, AND TAKE A HOTEL ROOM FOR THE OVERNIGHT IN SEATTLE than it would cost me to buy a upper berth accommodation on the Canadian.
Reasonable transportation is priced reasonably, based upon its cost combined with a small profit for its provider. Greyhound is reasonably priced. Amtrak is reasonably priced. VIARail is highway robbery. I can't afford to take Amtrak as much as I'd like, but I don't question that their prices are reasonable.
Low bucket fares are good value with meals included, true. High bucket fares are a rip off.Considering their sleeper travel includes meals, I'd say their low-bucket fares are very reasonable.
The idea of flying from New York to London is so abhorant to me, I'm not even going to go further into this!
You must be someone real special that they route the Adirondack from Toronto to Schenectady! For everyone else, the Adirondack runs from Montreal to Schenectady!I disagree. I can travel from Toronto to Schenectady on the Adirondack, Schenectady to Chicago on the LSL in a Roomette, Chicago to Seattle on the Empire Builder, and Seattle to Vancouver on the Cascades in BC, AND TAKE A HOTEL ROOM FOR THE OVERNIGHT IN SEATTLE than it would cost me to buy a upper berth accommodation on the Canadian.
Reasonable transportation is priced reasonably, based upon its cost combined with a small profit for its provider. Greyhound is reasonably priced. Amtrak is reasonably priced. VIARail is highway robbery. I can't afford to take Amtrak as much as I'd like, but I don't question that their prices are reasonable.
Not quite, remember that Via's site is quoting prices in CAD, not USD.Jackal, the Canadian is too danged expensive to be mere transportation. The price of an upper berth is more than a high-bucket bedroom on the Empire Builder.
Yes, fares in the winter time are spectacularly lower on the Canadian. Try fares in the summer. Good thing is that Canadian does not have yield management based multiple fare buckets, so what they quote is the one single fare. It just changes with season.Not quite, remember that Via's site is quoting prices in CAD, not USD.
Looking ahead to Jan 14 (randomly selected day way in the future):
Canadian Upper Berth: 875.70 CAD (686.98 USD)
Empire Builder Bedroom: 626 USD (railfare+accommodations) - if you use high bucket (assuming that tomorrow's EB is selling bedrooms at high bucket), that jumps the price up to $856.
So for 60 dollars more (comparing low bucket to low bucket), you get nearly twice the trip (86h vs 46h) in terms of time (and therefore twice the meals), and nearly 600 miles longer (2200 vs 2800).
I will not disagree that the pricing in the sleeper is pretty good for a tourist train . For day to day service it is steep.If you take all that into account, it's pretty clear (in my mind at least) that the prices up North aren't as out of line as they seem to be.
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