I have been a reader of this forum for a number of years and finally decided to post a trip summary. Unfortunately, my first posting is on a trip that has been on my bucket list since traveling on the Northern Pacific Vista- Dome North Coast Limited in the 1960's. Of course I am refering to The Canadian.
On Sunday, November 22 my wife and I left Vancouver headed for Toronto on eastbound Via Rail Canada #2. As we arrived at Pacific Central station I could see it positioned ready to accomodate passengers with the rear drumhead lit. It appeared that the consist was shorter than expected. In the station I was greeted by a very friendly ticket agent who checked us in and advised, "you have the best cabin for two accomodation, that being room F." I found out once on board this room has more space than other comparable rooms.
Prior to boarding we spent several hours in the Silver and Blue lounge meeting fellow travelers. To our surprise, most of the people in the lounge were from the US. The Pacific Central station has been remodeled with several restaurants in the building. We had lunch at the airport because I read on a posting on another webiste that the station had limited facilities. That was not the case.
Finally the hour came to board. as we walked towards the train we could see a beautiful fresh flower display in the Park Car. This immediately got the attention of my wife who is not a train lover. After checking into our room we headed for the Park Car. This is the first time I experience rounded end observation/dome car. This car was off the NCL by the time I rode it. Upon departure from Vancouver we were given complimentary champagne and canapes.
After spending several hours in the Park Car we headed to our room where I beds were already turned down. We were immediately surprised by the quality of the pillows and bedding with a very nice comforter on each bed. We both had a comfortable night sleeping.
In the morning we opened the window shade to overcast skies and headed to the dinner for breakfast. I previously checked out the menus on-line and had already decided on banana pecan pancakes with sausage. It was an excellent start to a great day as immediately after breakfast we returned to the Park Car where we spent the greater part of the day, except for meals, watching the climb through the mountains. There eventually was plenty of snow on the ground and by the time we reached Jasper it was actually snowing and snow and ice were accumulating on the front of the dome windows. IN the afternoon I had taken in the shower immediately across from room F. Room F is great!
We arrived in Jasper 20 minutes early from the advertised and left the train to catch some fresh air, as well as visitng shops across from the station. This stop afforded the first opportunity to check out the consist of #2.
We were being lead by two F40 locomtives in their original color scheme. #6404 was on the lead and 6427 traing in elephant style. Ivan, the on-board service manager has stated 6404 was powering the train and 6427 the head-end power.
Following 6527 was baggage, coach, Skyline, Diner (Fairholme), Chateau Sleeper DH, Manor Sleeper (Fraser - our car), Manor Slepper (Franklin), Manor Sleeper (Rogers), Park Car (Yoho Park). Upon leaving Jasper it was getting dark and the city was glowing. Ivan was standing next to me in the Park and I overheard a radion communication, "Via #2, confirming 40 passengers and 11 crew departing Jasper." I knew we had a light load and Ivan confirmed it was one of the lighest loads he had experienced in his many years with Via.
Our dinner call was for 7:30pm. When arriving in the dinner we were surprised with candle lights and chairs covered for dinner. It was a beautiful setting. I had the filet and it was as good as anything I have ever had in over 40 years of business travel. After dinner back to the park car for several hours until hitting the bed.
The next mroning when we opend the shades all you could see was praire. Quite a change from the previous day. This morning I had the transcontinental which was the traditional eggs and bacon with potatoes. After that start to the day back to the Park Car, except for meals, shower and a short afternoon nap. That evening I had the prime rib and once again it was outstanding. After dinner we stayed in the Park Car until our arrival into Winnipeg which was about 30 minutes earlier than the advertised. Once agin we left the train and walked around town. Departure was not scheduled until 11:00pm. We had a crew change at Winnipeg. On board service crew for Park and the dining car switched from all male to all female. Eventually back to the romm and a great nights sleep.
The next moring the shade opening provided totally different scenery, many trees and many lakes. Headed towards the dinner for breakfast for the transcontinental and then to the Park Car. During each day there were different activities scheduled in the Park Car such as Canadian trivia. Every afternoon there was champagne and canapes. That afternoon there was a late afternoon service stop at Hornpayne where it was raining rather hard. We still got out to get some fresh air. Upon return to the train we head for the favorite spot, the Park Car for the afternoon treats. That night I had a pork roast loin that was outstanding.
Back to the Park and then to the bedroom for the fianl night on this trip. In the morning headed to the dinner for a full breakfast as they served until 9:00am with a 9:30am scheduled arrival. During breakfast I heard the communication from the engineer advising we would be about 15 minutes early into Toronto.
Just before arrival into Toronto our car attendant brought us a signed certficate for completing Canada's Classic Rail Journey aboard the Canadian. A nice touch.
Several thoughts about the trip.
First, it was beyond anything we had anticipated. My wife feel in love with the Canadian due to the service, scenery and quality of on-board service. Simply. it was first class and I was very pleased to acknowledge the outstanding service offered.
The CN roadbed is outstanding. It was as smooth as any I have ever been on. We got put into the hole many times due to the extraordinary length of the freights we met.
Lunches were outstanding with items like smoked salmon and asparagus and salads with shrimp.
Menus changed for every meal during the trip.
There was excellent time keeping except for being down about 1:15 at Sakatoon. The Canadian has plenty of padding in the new schedule so we wer early at most stops.
Stations were clean. Everything worked in the room.
IF you have not take this trip, I urge you to experience train travel in a truly first class manner, just like it was on the top trains in the 50's and 60's. I just sent an e-mail to Via Canada thanking them and the staff on #2 for a wonderful experience.
Happy New Year! May 2010 be a great year for training!
On Sunday, November 22 my wife and I left Vancouver headed for Toronto on eastbound Via Rail Canada #2. As we arrived at Pacific Central station I could see it positioned ready to accomodate passengers with the rear drumhead lit. It appeared that the consist was shorter than expected. In the station I was greeted by a very friendly ticket agent who checked us in and advised, "you have the best cabin for two accomodation, that being room F." I found out once on board this room has more space than other comparable rooms.
Prior to boarding we spent several hours in the Silver and Blue lounge meeting fellow travelers. To our surprise, most of the people in the lounge were from the US. The Pacific Central station has been remodeled with several restaurants in the building. We had lunch at the airport because I read on a posting on another webiste that the station had limited facilities. That was not the case.
Finally the hour came to board. as we walked towards the train we could see a beautiful fresh flower display in the Park Car. This immediately got the attention of my wife who is not a train lover. After checking into our room we headed for the Park Car. This is the first time I experience rounded end observation/dome car. This car was off the NCL by the time I rode it. Upon departure from Vancouver we were given complimentary champagne and canapes.
After spending several hours in the Park Car we headed to our room where I beds were already turned down. We were immediately surprised by the quality of the pillows and bedding with a very nice comforter on each bed. We both had a comfortable night sleeping.
In the morning we opened the window shade to overcast skies and headed to the dinner for breakfast. I previously checked out the menus on-line and had already decided on banana pecan pancakes with sausage. It was an excellent start to a great day as immediately after breakfast we returned to the Park Car where we spent the greater part of the day, except for meals, watching the climb through the mountains. There eventually was plenty of snow on the ground and by the time we reached Jasper it was actually snowing and snow and ice were accumulating on the front of the dome windows. IN the afternoon I had taken in the shower immediately across from room F. Room F is great!
We arrived in Jasper 20 minutes early from the advertised and left the train to catch some fresh air, as well as visitng shops across from the station. This stop afforded the first opportunity to check out the consist of #2.
We were being lead by two F40 locomtives in their original color scheme. #6404 was on the lead and 6427 traing in elephant style. Ivan, the on-board service manager has stated 6404 was powering the train and 6427 the head-end power.
Following 6527 was baggage, coach, Skyline, Diner (Fairholme), Chateau Sleeper DH, Manor Sleeper (Fraser - our car), Manor Slepper (Franklin), Manor Sleeper (Rogers), Park Car (Yoho Park). Upon leaving Jasper it was getting dark and the city was glowing. Ivan was standing next to me in the Park and I overheard a radion communication, "Via #2, confirming 40 passengers and 11 crew departing Jasper." I knew we had a light load and Ivan confirmed it was one of the lighest loads he had experienced in his many years with Via.
Our dinner call was for 7:30pm. When arriving in the dinner we were surprised with candle lights and chairs covered for dinner. It was a beautiful setting. I had the filet and it was as good as anything I have ever had in over 40 years of business travel. After dinner back to the park car for several hours until hitting the bed.
The next mroning when we opend the shades all you could see was praire. Quite a change from the previous day. This morning I had the transcontinental which was the traditional eggs and bacon with potatoes. After that start to the day back to the Park Car, except for meals, shower and a short afternoon nap. That evening I had the prime rib and once again it was outstanding. After dinner we stayed in the Park Car until our arrival into Winnipeg which was about 30 minutes earlier than the advertised. Once agin we left the train and walked around town. Departure was not scheduled until 11:00pm. We had a crew change at Winnipeg. On board service crew for Park and the dining car switched from all male to all female. Eventually back to the romm and a great nights sleep.
The next moring the shade opening provided totally different scenery, many trees and many lakes. Headed towards the dinner for breakfast for the transcontinental and then to the Park Car. During each day there were different activities scheduled in the Park Car such as Canadian trivia. Every afternoon there was champagne and canapes. That afternoon there was a late afternoon service stop at Hornpayne where it was raining rather hard. We still got out to get some fresh air. Upon return to the train we head for the favorite spot, the Park Car for the afternoon treats. That night I had a pork roast loin that was outstanding.
Back to the Park and then to the bedroom for the fianl night on this trip. In the morning headed to the dinner for a full breakfast as they served until 9:00am with a 9:30am scheduled arrival. During breakfast I heard the communication from the engineer advising we would be about 15 minutes early into Toronto.
Just before arrival into Toronto our car attendant brought us a signed certficate for completing Canada's Classic Rail Journey aboard the Canadian. A nice touch.
Several thoughts about the trip.
First, it was beyond anything we had anticipated. My wife feel in love with the Canadian due to the service, scenery and quality of on-board service. Simply. it was first class and I was very pleased to acknowledge the outstanding service offered.
The CN roadbed is outstanding. It was as smooth as any I have ever been on. We got put into the hole many times due to the extraordinary length of the freights we met.
Lunches were outstanding with items like smoked salmon and asparagus and salads with shrimp.
Menus changed for every meal during the trip.
There was excellent time keeping except for being down about 1:15 at Sakatoon. The Canadian has plenty of padding in the new schedule so we wer early at most stops.
Stations were clean. Everything worked in the room.
IF you have not take this trip, I urge you to experience train travel in a truly first class manner, just like it was on the top trains in the 50's and 60's. I just sent an e-mail to Via Canada thanking them and the staff on #2 for a wonderful experience.
Happy New Year! May 2010 be a great year for training!
