Remote Quebec services

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PaTrainFan

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Can anyone share experiences with VIA's remote services to Senneterre or Jonquiere? On the surface, it would appear either trip would be a charming journey, and certainly slow and long with an incredible number of stops along the way. But I have no idea how hospitable the end points would be, especially for an anglophone. And then what to do when you get there other than turn around the next day and return to Montreal? I am not sure how adventurous I am to venture out in chartered territory, yet I am intrigued nevertheless. Churchill is undeniably on my bucket list and I am even tempted by the White River-Sudbury RDC trip, though getting to either place would also be a challenge. But I remain fixated on Quebec.

Edit: Ugh, I just realized there is no sleeper service on the Quebec routes anymore. Pretty confident I couldn't endure that long of a trip without a bed.
 
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Without a recreational or business reason for making the trip, the train ride becomes the motivation. Senneterre is the more remote choice; Jonquiere is your basic medium-sized town complete with hotels, including some with major affiliations, and chain restaurants. The Senneterre leg used to go further and a triangle trip including the Ontario Northland railway to Toronto was possible. Neither is as remote as the White River end of that route.
 
I did the Jonquiere trip a few years ago, when VIA promoted having a Skyline dome for a brief period. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, and I don’t speak any French.
I was fortunate on that trip to meet a railfan, who had a scanner, and shared his vast knowledge of the route.

I also used Trip Advisor to find a nearby B&B…my first experience doing that as well, and it turned out great. It had seven guest rooms in a building that had formerly been a church. Wonderful breakfast the next morning.

Fascinating seeing them unload camping gear including kayaks at various flag stops. As well as the neat joint operation between Montreal and Hervey with the Senneterre train.
 
PaTrainFan said:
Can anyone share experiences with VIA's remote services to Senneterre or Jonquiere? On the surface, it would appear either trip would be a charming journey, and certainly slow and long with an incredible number of stops along the way. But I have no idea how hospitable the end points would be, especially for an anglophone. And then what to do when you get there other than turn around the next day and return to Montreal? I am not sure how adventurous I am to venture out in chartered territory, yet I am intrigued nevertheless. Churchill is undeniably on my bucket list and I am even tempted by the White River-Sudbury RDC trip, though getting to either place would also be a challenge. But I remain fixated on Quebec.

Edit: Ugh, I just realized there is no sleeper service on the Quebec routes anymore. Pretty confident I couldn't endure that long of a trip without a bed.
Click to expand...

Back in late August I travelled over both routes as part of a 7 week "full VIA Rail" trip. These two lines were some of the highlights of the trip and I would say go for them. I did White River and Churchill too BTW. I'm a "new" member of this forum and so my posts and replies are being moderated to start off with. I'm going to post a three part report, so hopefully not before long you'll see this under the VIA Rail Discussion section.

Phil
 
Phil Richards said:
Back in late August I travelled over both routes as part of a 7 week "full VIA Rail" trip. These two lines were some of the highlights of the trip and I would say go for them. I did White River and Churchill too BTW. I'm a "new" member of this forum and so my posts and replies are being moderated to start off with. I'm going to post a three part report, so hopefully not before long you'll see this under the VIA Rail Discussion section.

Phil
Click to expand...
My report is now available to see. The moderators moved it to the more appropriate section for trip reports and can be found here
 

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