It has been awhile since posting here but still reading everyone's great comments, recommendations, travelogues, etc. everyday. I just don't have a lot to say I guess. Anyhow, last month I snagged a 75% discount on VIA Rail from Vancouver to Toronto on the Canadian. I will have to say it is probably one of the best trips I have ever taken anywhere in this world and definitely looking forward to it again.
I won't get into the comparisons between Amtrak's LD trains and Via Rail's Canadian. It will just raise the dander of some. I got a cabin for 2-resulting in the upcharge for one person occupying a two person room. Still the fare was great compared to paying full fare on this train. The train left Vancouver right on time and for the most part was on time or no later than 30 minutes late(Edmonton). The earliest arrival was 20 minutes early (Winnipeg). All equipment was in great condition, no duct tape needed on this trip. The 10 meals I had were excellent, delicious, and very filling. Servings were plentiful and meals were always different each day. I really liked how the dining car was managed and how the seating times were arranged. Everyone ate together at their assigned seating time. Everyone in at the same time and then trickled out as they finished their meal. Service in the dining car was outstanding - absolutely no complaints here with the personnel. It was amazing how the staff performed to such a high level with the number of people eating all at one time. All I can say is they have it down to perfection.
The sleeping car attendant was fantastic - and the best I have encountered on any train. She was their when needed and somehow knew when exactly to make the bed up and down. Never did figure that one out. She assisted all passengers getting on and off and was always at the door promptly when arriving into a station stop. She actually kept the room and toilet clean, swept or vacuumed, and everything in order. It was more like housekeeping in a hotel. Emptied the trash each morning and night, little things like that. She was awesome and subsequently received a very nice tip when the crew changed in Winnipeg. Each sleeping car attendant is responsible for one car and a half.
The Skyline Dome car/Activity Car was very enjoyable and the attendant again was awesome. We had two champagne receptions, leaving Vancouver and leaving Jasper, two wine and cheese tastings, two micro-beer tastings, movies, games, bingo, etc. There was coffee, juice, water and snacks available day and night. Newspapers and magazines were also available to read. VIA Rail souveniers were displayed the third morning of the trip and some nice mementos were purchased by many on board, including myself. There were also a couple of discussions in the Park Car regarding the art on the train and the train itself.
As for a few tidbits of information - The train was 22 cars long, two engines, one baggage car, three coaches, three Skyline Dome Cars, two Dining Cars, one Park Car, and 10 sleepers. Never once did I see a coach passenger come into the sleeping cars/skyline dome car as they have their own dome car to utilize. The shower is mid-way in the sleeping car. Kept spotless and about as big as Amtrak's showers. All towels, washcloths, etc. are already in your room in a very nice bag to utilize as well as soap, mouthwash, ear plugs, eye shades, more washcloths and hand towels, and drinking cups. Also, the VIA Rail magazine, safety card, route guide, and timetable actually opened to the correct timetable are available in each room. The bedding and linens are very nice and quite comfortable and were changed daily.
The station stops are about early morning, right after lunch, and then evening or late evening. No stop was during meal time. The longest stop was Winnipeg which was is a total crew change and replenishing the train. This was a 3.15 minute stop. Most everyone did get off and go to the entertainment district near the station. Jasper was 1:45. Here it was unfortunately drizzly, highs in the upper 40's but was great to walk around the town. Edmonton was right over an hour and there is no where to go here. The station is outside of downtown Edmonton. The scenery was beautiful and breathtaking - from coastal Vancouver, through Jasper National Park and seeing Mt. Robson, Canada's highest peak, to the plains and the thousands of lakes in Ontario and all their fishing camps/villages.
The one idea I really liked was that their is no conductor on board and that the Service Manager of the train runs the operations. They occupy a sleeping cabin with their name and title outside the room and their door was always open. I stopped in and chatted with both - a very nice and professional woman to Winnipeg who had just over 30 years service then a man with somewhat same length of service to Toronto. As I spoke to many on board personnel, none had never been on Amtrak. These individuals are the boss of the train and the personnel, so if there are problems, they are right their to handle any situation. Everything is done by seniority, even down to sleeping assignments, but whether they be in a cabin or section, their name is posted where they are sleeping.
The entire 85 hour trip, I did not hear of one complaint, one grumble, and even arriving into Toronto did not hear of one person saying they were glad to be getting off of the Canadian. I did get my exercise by walking the entire train, coaches, just like any Amtrak coach, and the Park Car at the end was very nice to sit back in, have a drink, good conversation, and watch the world go by. The individuals I met were a mixture of nationalities, however, mostly were Canadians and Americans. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many young people (children) were on the train. Everyone was very respectful of each other and all in all a great time was had.
If you do have the time and ability - I highly recommend taking the Canadian across Canada.(just get the discount fare). I will say the biggest difference between Amtrak and this trip were the on board personnel. These two crews I had truly wanted to make your trip the best they could and did whatever it took to ensure that it happened.
Any questions, feel free to ask. I think this was more of an observation than travelogue. It would have been too lengthy.
I won't get into the comparisons between Amtrak's LD trains and Via Rail's Canadian. It will just raise the dander of some. I got a cabin for 2-resulting in the upcharge for one person occupying a two person room. Still the fare was great compared to paying full fare on this train. The train left Vancouver right on time and for the most part was on time or no later than 30 minutes late(Edmonton). The earliest arrival was 20 minutes early (Winnipeg). All equipment was in great condition, no duct tape needed on this trip. The 10 meals I had were excellent, delicious, and very filling. Servings were plentiful and meals were always different each day. I really liked how the dining car was managed and how the seating times were arranged. Everyone ate together at their assigned seating time. Everyone in at the same time and then trickled out as they finished their meal. Service in the dining car was outstanding - absolutely no complaints here with the personnel. It was amazing how the staff performed to such a high level with the number of people eating all at one time. All I can say is they have it down to perfection.
The sleeping car attendant was fantastic - and the best I have encountered on any train. She was their when needed and somehow knew when exactly to make the bed up and down. Never did figure that one out. She assisted all passengers getting on and off and was always at the door promptly when arriving into a station stop. She actually kept the room and toilet clean, swept or vacuumed, and everything in order. It was more like housekeeping in a hotel. Emptied the trash each morning and night, little things like that. She was awesome and subsequently received a very nice tip when the crew changed in Winnipeg. Each sleeping car attendant is responsible for one car and a half.
The Skyline Dome car/Activity Car was very enjoyable and the attendant again was awesome. We had two champagne receptions, leaving Vancouver and leaving Jasper, two wine and cheese tastings, two micro-beer tastings, movies, games, bingo, etc. There was coffee, juice, water and snacks available day and night. Newspapers and magazines were also available to read. VIA Rail souveniers were displayed the third morning of the trip and some nice mementos were purchased by many on board, including myself. There were also a couple of discussions in the Park Car regarding the art on the train and the train itself.
As for a few tidbits of information - The train was 22 cars long, two engines, one baggage car, three coaches, three Skyline Dome Cars, two Dining Cars, one Park Car, and 10 sleepers. Never once did I see a coach passenger come into the sleeping cars/skyline dome car as they have their own dome car to utilize. The shower is mid-way in the sleeping car. Kept spotless and about as big as Amtrak's showers. All towels, washcloths, etc. are already in your room in a very nice bag to utilize as well as soap, mouthwash, ear plugs, eye shades, more washcloths and hand towels, and drinking cups. Also, the VIA Rail magazine, safety card, route guide, and timetable actually opened to the correct timetable are available in each room. The bedding and linens are very nice and quite comfortable and were changed daily.
The station stops are about early morning, right after lunch, and then evening or late evening. No stop was during meal time. The longest stop was Winnipeg which was is a total crew change and replenishing the train. This was a 3.15 minute stop. Most everyone did get off and go to the entertainment district near the station. Jasper was 1:45. Here it was unfortunately drizzly, highs in the upper 40's but was great to walk around the town. Edmonton was right over an hour and there is no where to go here. The station is outside of downtown Edmonton. The scenery was beautiful and breathtaking - from coastal Vancouver, through Jasper National Park and seeing Mt. Robson, Canada's highest peak, to the plains and the thousands of lakes in Ontario and all their fishing camps/villages.
The one idea I really liked was that their is no conductor on board and that the Service Manager of the train runs the operations. They occupy a sleeping cabin with their name and title outside the room and their door was always open. I stopped in and chatted with both - a very nice and professional woman to Winnipeg who had just over 30 years service then a man with somewhat same length of service to Toronto. As I spoke to many on board personnel, none had never been on Amtrak. These individuals are the boss of the train and the personnel, so if there are problems, they are right their to handle any situation. Everything is done by seniority, even down to sleeping assignments, but whether they be in a cabin or section, their name is posted where they are sleeping.
The entire 85 hour trip, I did not hear of one complaint, one grumble, and even arriving into Toronto did not hear of one person saying they were glad to be getting off of the Canadian. I did get my exercise by walking the entire train, coaches, just like any Amtrak coach, and the Park Car at the end was very nice to sit back in, have a drink, good conversation, and watch the world go by. The individuals I met were a mixture of nationalities, however, mostly were Canadians and Americans. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many young people (children) were on the train. Everyone was very respectful of each other and all in all a great time was had.
If you do have the time and ability - I highly recommend taking the Canadian across Canada.(just get the discount fare). I will say the biggest difference between Amtrak and this trip were the on board personnel. These two crews I had truly wanted to make your trip the best they could and did whatever it took to ensure that it happened.
Any questions, feel free to ask. I think this was more of an observation than travelogue. It would have been too lengthy.
Instead of starting a new thread, I figured it would be appropriate to post my experiences in this one, as it deals with the same route.
