VIA Rail Canadian and the Canadians 2025

[trimetbusfan]

One has to wonder how long it will be before the rear diner is "exclusive" for Prestige passengers. This harks back to the 1980's when Toronto-originating passengers were relegated to the ex-CN blue diner while those from Montreal used the deluxe CP diner still in use today. Only once on a Canadian trip in the early 80's were we permitted in the CP diner and that was due to something not working in ours. It was like two different worlds, although the food was the same.

Maybe during peak season, but in the off-season there is only 1 diner for the entire train.

(but my guess is that won't happen, the dining cars have way more than 25 seats, and that's just for one seating time).

 

[Cal]

There has been a recent policy change on the Canadian regarding Park car access.

During the peak season, access to the Park car dome will be exclusively for Prestige class passengers at ALL times. Sleeper Plus passengers will have access to the lower level of the Park car between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. but at no time will they be allowed in the Park car dome.

Of course it’s three months before I board.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

If I was running the VIA Rail Prestige program - I would say the Park car and the rear diner should be 100% exclusive for Prestige passengers - those tickets are extremely expensive. The diner could then serve each Prestige Passenger at a private table, anytime during dining hours - meaning no reservations necessary, show up anytime during dining hours and be seated. Honestly, for the prices they are charging, that's the type of service that should be expected.

Of course as a railfan, I love getting to ride in the park car, and I'm not going to pay for Prestige, so I see that side of the coin as well.

 

[railiner]

So the Canadian is becoming almost like a Cunard cruise ship, with de facto first (Prestige), second (Sleeper Plus), and third class (coach)…

I wonder if the new restrictions on the Park dome might be to avoid any conflicts due to Sleeper Plus passengers occupying the forward dome seats placarded as reserved for Prestige passengers?

 

[zephyr17]

So the Canadian is becoming almost like a Cunard cruise ship, with de facto first (Prestige), second (Sleeper Plus), and third class (coach)…

I wonder if the new restrictions on the Park dome might be to avoid any conflicts due to Sleeper Plus passengers occupying the forward dome seats placarded as reserved for Prestige passengers?

At least in the off season, most people respected the placarded restriction.

My opinion remains they did it so that Prestige passengers could get Park dome seats anytime they wanted one.

In the off season there are not enough Prestige passengers to fill the dome.

 

[Steve4031]

How many skyline dome cars are there in the summer? I understand that sleepers are paired with a skyline car and a diner. How many sleepers are paired with each restaurant and skyline dome car?

 

[Rasputin]

I don't think the number of seats in the dome vs. the number of Prestige passengers is the real issue. I have noticed that in the Park car dome and in the Skyline dome people are reluctant to sit beside strangers. When many people go to the dome they will stay in the dome only if they can find two empty seats side-by-side. If they don't find two empty seats side-by-side, they will leave. Probably during the peak season with Sleeper Plus passengers also in the Park dome, some prestige passengers were not finding the seats that they wanted and would leave the dome and complain that it was too crowded.

 

[JWM]

Sitting beside "strangers" is a great part of rail travel. I have to add that the cost of the "Canadian" is patently ridiculous, but Via sells it out in the summer and they need every loonie they can get.

 

[Brian Battuello]

I'm very happy that I've done the Canadian twice. I'll do it again as soon as I win the lottery and can go Prestige.

 

[Brian Battuello]

And as much as I hate losing access to the Park dome and partial access to the Park car, I think this was inevitable. I've taken a lot of cruises and almost every cruise line now has a special section for people with too much money. I've even travelled in one once and it was really nice. I hope they keep the small amenities in the Skyline dome and lounge, like the free tiny snacks and wine tastings. If we buy a "mid-level" product, Sleeper Plus, we'll still get one or more domes and quite nice food in the diner. If the tail of the train can pay to keep it running, I can live with that.

 

[Anderson]

One has to wonder how long it will be before the rear diner is "exclusive" for Prestige passengers. This harks back to the 1980's when Toronto-originating passengers were relegated to the ex-CN blue diner while those from Montreal used the deluxe CP diner still in use today. Only once on a Canadian trip in the early 80's were we permitted in the CP diner and that was due to something not working in ours. It was like two different worlds, although the food was the same.

I don't foresee that (a diner can seat 144 folks across three seatings; you don't want to give that up for just 26 folks...but I could see giving them one of the seatings with a different menu.

On the overhaul I could also see them having a diner-something with more like 12-16 seats, which could comfortably cover even a third Prestige car...and to be clear, three sleepers' worth of Prestige passengers (36-40) would not be out of line with some of the fancy services overseas.

 

[MARC Rider]

Sitting beside "strangers" is a great part of rail travel. I have to add that the cost of the "Canadian" is patently ridiculous, but Via sells it out in the summer and they need every loonie they can get.

I don't think the Canadian is all that expensive. My recent shoulder season roomette fare was CDN 2200, or about USD 1600. This was actually a little less than my Amtrak return trip in a roomette on the Empire Builder and Capitol Limited. And the food was better.

 

[jiml]

On the overhaul I could also see them having a diner-something with more like 12-16 seats, which could comfortably cover even a third Prestige car...and to be clear, three sleepers' worth of Prestige passengers (36-40) would not be out of line with some of the fancy services overseas.

Surprised they haven't thought of turning the back half of the Prestige Park cars into a PPC-style dining venue.

 

[Brian Battuello]

I think JWM was referring to the Prestige price, which is somewhat north of US $5K per person, and is never discounted. I think the Sleeper Plus fares are pretty reasonable for what you get.