Canadian trains..

[caravanman]

Hi Folks,

Slightly off topic, but you guys are bound to know...?

On Amtrak, the dining car food is included with the bedroom/roomette fares. On Via rail in Canada is it the same deal?

I am looking at including a Canadian train trip with my next Amtrak jaunt, and am considering booking an "upper berth" as a compromise, rather than a private single bedroom.. Any thoughts on food service or other feedback most helpfull..

Cheers,

Ed B)

 

[MrFSS]

Hi Folks,
Slightly off topic, but you guys are bound to know...?

On Amtrak, the dining car food is included with the bedroom/roomette fares. On Via rail in Canada is it the same deal?

I am looking at including a Canadian train trip with my next Amtrak jaunt, and am considering booking an "upper berth" as a compromise, rather than a private single bedroom.. Any thoughts on food service or other feedback most helpful..

Cheers,

Ed B)

Yes - included with sleeper. And, you'll find it is superior to Amtrak dinning as well.

When I was on The Canadian a number of years ago we had a bedroom which we never used except to sleep in. In fact, out car had some sections (upper and lower berths) and I found sitting in those seats much better than being in my room. None of the sections were being used so it was almost like a private car in that area. You can see very well out both sides. But, you'll spend a lot of time in the dome cars, too. The lower level of the dome cars is very nice for just sitting and watching the sights, also.

My PICTURES from that trip, if you are interested.

 

[caravanman]

Cheers for that, and the pics.

From further exploring the Via Rail site, it seems that food is not included in the train from Winnipeg to Churchill, even in sleeper, but is included on the "Canadian", between Toronto and Vancouver... hence my initial confusion about the food situation!

Cheers,

Ed B)

PS I notice that from your pics, the departure of train 1 was at 9am.. It is now in April 09 showing as departing at 10pm from Toronto!

 

[MrFSS]

Cheers for that, and the pics.
From further exploring the Via Rail site, it seems that food is not included in the train from Winnipeg to Churchill, even in sleeper, but is included on the "Canadian", between Toronto and Vancouver... hence my initial confusion about the food situation!

Cheers,

Ed B)

PS I notice that from your pics, the departure of train 1 was at 9am.. It is now in April 09 showing as departing at 10pm from Toronto!

They have changed the timing on The Canadian and I haven't looked, but they were going to make it 4 nights for the trip instead of three.

I had forgotten about the Churchill trip. There is a very nice trip report about that train ride from JamesBrownOnTheRoad when he made the trip a year or so ago. You might look for that if that is a route you're thinking about.

 

[sky12065]

Cheers for that, and the pics.
From further exploring the Via Rail site, it seems that food is not included in the train from Winnipeg to Churchill, even in sleeper, but is included on the "Canadian", between Toronto and Vancouver... hence my initial confusion about the food situation!

Cheers,

Ed B)

PS I notice that from your pics, the departure of train 1 was at 9am.. It is now in April 09 showing as departing at 10pm from Toronto!

They have changed the timing on The Canadian and I haven't looked, but they were going to make it 4 nights for the trip instead of three.

I just checked the current Canadian's schedule and it is a four nighter. I hope some day I can take that route... following an Alaska cruise!

 

[jamesontheroad]

To expand on the above, the Hudson Bay (Winnipeg / Churchill) is the only VIA train with sleeper accommodation that does not include meals in the sleeper fare. I don't remember why, but it may have something to do with the complex way in which the train is subsidised or supported as an essential service by the provincial and federal governments. That in mind, however, it is one of the best value trains on which to experience VIA sleeper service, especially in the off-peak season. I did a round trip Winnipeg / Churchill a few years ago and ate most of my meals in the restaurant car and calculated I had still spent less the equivalent per mile cost of a sleeper on the Canadian.

*j* :blink:

 

[caravanman]

Thanks for the info folks, and thanks James for the links.

I have had a look at your comprehensive railblog, and now can't quite decide whether the non scenic Churchill train leg is worth while..

I like the idea of it, but the scenery sounds pretty dreary at this time of year! Guess it is the train itself and the fact that one is not likley to go to Churchill en route to anywhere else that are the draw..

I don't think there will be much new that I can write about my trip, if it happens, you seem to have writen the definative Winnipeg to Churchill by train blog!

By the way, did you ever read your souvenier library book. (about Sir Robert Watson-Watt?)

Thanks again for all the help,

Cheers,

Ed B)

PS I wish there was some easy way to read travel blogs from start to finish, without starting at the bottom of the page, they always have the last part first!

 

[NS VIA FAN]

To expand on the above, the Hudson Bay (Winnipeg / Churchill) is the only VIA train with sleeper accommodation that does not include meals in the sleeper fare. I don't remember why, but it may have something to do with the complex way in which the train is subsidised.....

No......meals are not included in sleepers on the Ocean nor Chaleur either. It has nothing to do with the way the trains are subsidized.

(Meals are included on the Ocean but only during the summer and only if you are traveling in “Easterly Class” service which also includes access to the “Park Car”. Regular sleeper does not)

http://www.viarail.ca/classes/en_serv_clas_tour_aloc.html

http://www.viarail.ca/classes/en_serv_clas_voit_hamo.html

 

[Hanno]

Hi Folks,
Slightly off topic, but you guys are bound to know...?

On Amtrak, the dining car food is included with the bedroom/roomette fares. On Via rail in Canada is it the same deal?

I am looking at including a Canadian train trip with my next Amtrak jaunt, and am considering booking an "upper berth" as a compromise, rather than a private single bedroom.. Any thoughts on food service or other feedback most helpful..

Cheers,

Ed B)

Yes - included with sleeper. And, you'll find it is superior to Amtrak dinning as well.

When I was on The Canadian a number of years ago we had a bedroom which we never used except to sleep in. In fact, out car had some sections (upper and lower berths) and I found sitting in those seats much better than being in my room. None of the sections were being used so it was almost like a private car in that area. You can see very well out both sides. But, you'll spend a lot of time in the dome cars, too. The lower level of the dome cars is very nice for just sitting and watching the sights, also.

My PICTURES from that trip, if you are interested.

Thanks for sharing the pictures. It brought back many found memories of the trip my wife and I took from Toronto to Vancouver, with a stop in Jasper, in 2004. This is certainly one trip I would like to make again. The Canadian is a frist class affair in every way!

 

[Traingeek]

Is there a Business Class on Via Rail like there is on the NEC? I am thinking about taking a day trip to Quebec City when I am in Montreal to see Cirque de soleil. They aren't in Montreal when I am there.

 

[jamesontheroad]

No......meals are not included in sleepers on the Ocean nor Chaleur either. It has nothing to do with the way the trains are subsidized.
(Meals are included on the Ocean but only during the summer and only if you are traveling in “Easterly Class” service which also includes access to the “Park Car”. Regular sleeper does not)

http://www.viarail.ca/classes/en_serv_clas_tour_aloc.html

http://www.viarail.ca/classes/en_serv_clas_voit_hamo.html

Ooops. Thanks for the correction. I only ever rode the Ocean in coach, so I missed out on such luxuries anyway. Slap on the wrist for claiming to know more than I actually do

Thanks for the info folks, and thanks James for the links.
I have had a look at your comprehensive railblog, and now can't quite decide whether the non scenic Churchill train leg is worth while..

I like the idea of it, but the scenery sounds pretty dreary at this time of year! Guess it is the train itself and the fact that one is not likley to go to Churchill en route to anywhere else that are the draw..

I don't think there will be much new that I can write about my trip, if it happens, you seem to have writen the definative Winnipeg to Churchill by train blog!

By the way, did you ever read your souvenier library book. (about Sir Robert Watson-Watt?)

Winnipeg/Churchill is very much an acquired taste. You have to really love the idea of passing time on the train, because the journey is slow and the scenery is pretty repetitive. However I had never visited or passed through any kind of wilderness before that trip, so it was a really important experience. I took lots of books and just used it as a kind of meditative break from a pretty social trip. That said, even in the should season between winter and summer, there were some friendly folk on board and the crew were great. I particularly enjoyed it being so quiet - for much of the journey there and back I was the only person in the sleeper car and one of the few to eat in the dining car. I imagine it's very different during polar bear season.

If the idea of that remoteness appeals though, hunt down the recordings by Canadian musician Glenn Gould called 'The Solitude Trilogy', made some time in the seventies for CBC Radio. One is called 'The Idea of North' and is an hour long programme in which Gould takes the train to Churchill and talks to people on board and en route about their lives in the north.

PS I wish there was some easy way to read travel blogs from start to finish, without starting at the bottom of the page, they always have the last part first!

You're not the only one! I experimented with a pretty unreliable flash plugin that inverted the order of posts on the blog, but is was pretty buggy. Emails to Blogspot support just came back "it's a blog and that's how they work" so no luck there.

I did experiment with a print-on-demand publisher to see about publishing it as a paperback book, but I didn't have the time to edit and expand the blog into enough of an interesting read.

*j* :blink:

 

[AlanB]

Is there a Business Class on Via Rail like there is on the NEC? I am thinking about taking a day trip to Quebec City when I am in Montreal to see Cirque de soleil. They aren't in Montreal when I am there.

No business class, but many of the corridor trains have a first class, similar to Acela.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

VIA's LD trains are very nice from what I hear, but their prices are :blink:

Their Corridor trains are not as nice as Amtrak's and way too expensive. They are functional transportation for the transit-dependent (and in most cases, that includes me- I drive locally, but avoid long-distance driving) but I wouldn't ride them for the pleasure of it.

For the prices VIA charges, they really shouldn't need to have a subsidy. Honestly, Amtrak's made fun of for their inefficiency by certain neanderthals claiming to represent the people, but VIA turns it into an art form.

The Canadian is a totally different story. If you are looking for functional transportation from Vancouver to Toronto, I'd take Amtrak. (Cascades->Empire Builder->Lake Shore Limited->Maple Leaf). I think it's not only half the price, but also faster. If you want to experience the grand old days of railroading on board the kind of anachronism people claim Amtrak to be, then I do suggest riding the Canadian.

 

[jamesontheroad]

Is there a Business Class on Via Rail like there is on the NEC? I am thinking about taking a day trip to Quebec City when I am in Montreal to see Cirque de soleil. They aren't in Montreal when I am there.

No business class, but many of the corridor trains have a first class, similar to Acela.

http://www.viarail.ca/classes/en_serv_clas_via1.html

My understanding is that if you're travelling on 'Renaissance' daytime stock (the norm between Québec City and Montréal) there's no difference in the seats or cabin between Comfort and VIA1; just the expanded service. Although this is just a hazy memory from a daytrip I took up that way.

For the cheapest route to Québec City, there are plentiful buses from the bus station above Berri-UQAM station, or you could join the community ride association Allo-Stop and get a shared ride for about $20. I've done this once or twice and it's friendly and safe, although I was squeezed into the back seat of a Saturn coupé, which was not comfortable for three hours...!

*j* :blink:

 

[caravanman]

Hi GML,

The trip would just be for fun, if the Canadian didn't go between Toronto and Vancouver, I wouldn't be considering visiting either place.

The fares for late April are $875 (Canadian) for a "top berth" Toronto to Vancouver, which is the cheapest non coach fare, so not too steep I think, but certainly more than the current Empire Builder Chicago to Seattle with roomette at about $360 (USA). New York to Seattle takes the fare on Amtrak up to a hefty $717 (USA) with roomette.

It is hard to compare apples to oranges, the two countries have different transport needs, different tax and funding backgrounds.. I prefer to just enjoy traveling in whichever country I happen to be in.. Travelling with an open mind, celebrating differences, and avoiding comparisons avoids disappointments ! That's my motto!

Cheers,

Ed B)

 

[AlanB]

My understanding is that if you're travelling on 'Renaissance' daytime stock (the norm between Québec City and Montréal) there's no difference in the seats or cabin between Comfort and VIA1; just the expanded service. Although this is just a hazy memory from a daytrip I took up that way.

Well I did say similar, not the same. And while I believe that I rode in the Renaissance daytime stock, not positive, I can tell you that I wasn't impressed with VIA1 between Montreal and Toronto. The food was superior to Amtrak's first class food, and the lounge was nice especially how they escorted us to the train, but that was it.

I was crammed into 2 & 2 seating with no more pitch than normal Amtrak Regional coach service, luggage space was at a premium, and I wasn't impressed with one of the attendants.

 

[Will]

Via Rail's regular fairs on the Canadian are quite high, but due to the economy heavily discounted ones are available. If your dates are flexible you can check www.viarail.ca/deals/ for the off season you could of gone Toronto-Vancouver in an Upper Berth for ~$320 CDN. For the on season their offering 45% off all fairs here so you could go Toronto-Vancouver in an upper berth for about $720. If you compare this to Amtrak, some of the yield managed fairs for SEA-NYP, the base fair is $370 during the summer plus accommodations. It looked like Roomettes on the EB alone were pricing at $648 plus $350 on the LSL. This of course varies by date, but Via is not necessarily more expensive.

 

[NS VIA FAN]

Well I did say similar, not the same. And while I believe that I rode in the Renaissance daytime stock, not positive,.......I was crammed into 2 & 2 seating with no more pitch than normal Amtrak Regional coach service, luggage space was at a premium, and I wasn't impressed with one of the attendants.

If it was 2 & 2 seating, it wasn't Renaissance equipment. All Renaissance day-time stock, both coach class and VIA-1 class has 2 seats on one side of the aisle and a single seat on the other.

 

[AlanB]

Well I did say similar, not the same. And while I believe that I rode in the Renaissance daytime stock, not positive,.......I was crammed into 2 & 2 seating with no more pitch than normal Amtrak Regional coach service, luggage space was at a premium, and I wasn't impressed with one of the attendants.

If it was 2 & 2 seating, it wasn't Renaissance equipment. All Renaissance day-time stock, both coach class and VIA-1 class has 2 seats on one side of the aisle and a single seat on the other.

Thanks NS VIA FAN, that wasn't the equipment that I was in. Those overhead compartments look much larger than what I had in my car and IIRC, the seats in mine were green.

 

[amtrakwolverine]

the inside of the car looks weird so do those luggage containers.