jamesontheroad
OBS Chief
Many thanks to the considerable assistance received on and off the forum by regulars here re: my previous post about getting every cent's worth out of a North America Rail Pass. The trip has unfortunately had to be scaled down, but in doing so there's a good chance of my girlfriend (if she can get a flight from England) joining me for the last part of the trip.
So, now for another humble request for your suggestions. The itinerary has been confirmed as follows - please take a moment to consider my questions as listed below...
4/21 - 68 dep. Montréal - Schenectady / 49 Schenectady -
4/22 - arr. Chicago
4/23 - 5 dep. Chicago
4/24 - arr. Denver
4/25 - 5 dep. Denver
4/26 - arr. Emeryville
4/29 - 14 dep. Emeryville
4/30 - arr. Seattle
5/2 - 510 dep. Seattle - Vancouver / 2 dep. Vancouver
5/3 - arr. Edmonton
5/6 - 2 - dep. Edmonton
5/7 - arr. Winnipeg / 693 dep. Winnipeg
5/9 - arr. Churchill / 692 dep. Churchill
5/11 - arr. Winnipeg / 2 dep. Winnipeg
5/12 - arr. Toronto
5/13 - dep. Toronto - Montréal
5/15 - 14 dep. Montréal
5/16 - arr. Halifax
5/19 - 15 dep. Halifax
So, not as much as I wanted to do, but still some trains left to ride in the future
A few questions...
1) This is a low budget trip, so personal recommendations/anecdotes for making a coach class trip of this length comfortable appreciated.
2) Can only afford to maybe make one upgrade to a berth during the trip, and think it'll be on the return leg of the Churchill run... VIA quoting C$95 for an ISIC single accomodation fare for an upper berth. A good choice?
3) I know all sleeping accomodation sold out on my legs from Chicago - Emeryville on the Zeph, but can anyone advise on the likelihood of on board staff being able to sell a berth/roomette upgrade on board for cash? And is this as common on VIA during this season as it is on Amtrak?
4) Also... any seat / car recommendations for best viewing, comfort and peaceful zzz?
5) I've heard terrible things (on this forum and others...) about the Coast Starlight's reliability (hence the layover in Seattle) and good things about the Amtrak Cascades (hence only a half day in Vancouver, BC)... comments? Churchill / Winnipeg connections look fairly secure so far.
6) Finally - has anyone actually ridden 562/563 to Churchill... am interested to know the 'feel' of this train, and think it's the one I'm looking forward to the most.
Thanks everyone,
James :blink:
So, now for another humble request for your suggestions. The itinerary has been confirmed as follows - please take a moment to consider my questions as listed below...
4/21 - 68 dep. Montréal - Schenectady / 49 Schenectady -
4/22 - arr. Chicago
4/23 - 5 dep. Chicago
4/24 - arr. Denver
4/25 - 5 dep. Denver
4/26 - arr. Emeryville
4/29 - 14 dep. Emeryville
4/30 - arr. Seattle
5/2 - 510 dep. Seattle - Vancouver / 2 dep. Vancouver
5/3 - arr. Edmonton
5/6 - 2 - dep. Edmonton
5/7 - arr. Winnipeg / 693 dep. Winnipeg
5/9 - arr. Churchill / 692 dep. Churchill
5/11 - arr. Winnipeg / 2 dep. Winnipeg
5/12 - arr. Toronto
5/13 - dep. Toronto - Montréal
5/15 - 14 dep. Montréal
5/16 - arr. Halifax
5/19 - 15 dep. Halifax
So, not as much as I wanted to do, but still some trains left to ride in the future
A few questions...
1) This is a low budget trip, so personal recommendations/anecdotes for making a coach class trip of this length comfortable appreciated.
2) Can only afford to maybe make one upgrade to a berth during the trip, and think it'll be on the return leg of the Churchill run... VIA quoting C$95 for an ISIC single accomodation fare for an upper berth. A good choice?
3) I know all sleeping accomodation sold out on my legs from Chicago - Emeryville on the Zeph, but can anyone advise on the likelihood of on board staff being able to sell a berth/roomette upgrade on board for cash? And is this as common on VIA during this season as it is on Amtrak?
4) Also... any seat / car recommendations for best viewing, comfort and peaceful zzz?
5) I've heard terrible things (on this forum and others...) about the Coast Starlight's reliability (hence the layover in Seattle) and good things about the Amtrak Cascades (hence only a half day in Vancouver, BC)... comments? Churchill / Winnipeg connections look fairly secure so far.
6) Finally - has anyone actually ridden 562/563 to Churchill... am interested to know the 'feel' of this train, and think it's the one I'm looking forward to the most.
Thanks everyone,
James :blink: