VIA Rail Canadian and the Canadians

[Rasputin]

According to a post on another list, 2(22) is being turned at Kamloops and is returning to Vancouver. I imagine that this may also disrupt No. 1 and the Prince Rupert trains.

 

[JWM]

I was seventeen when we took the "Canadian" from Vancouver to Winnipeg with a stop in Banff. I've always wanted to take it again, but the timekeeping is as ridiculous as the price.

 

[Rasputin]

Link to a CBC report on the fire situation in Jasper:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmo...k-and-town-prompts-evacuation-order-1.7272029

 

[TheMalahat]

#2 went to Kamloops, turned and went back to Vancouver. #1 to Saskatoon and turning. Not sure why Saskatoon? Are there other prairie fires?

 

[danasgoodstuff]

#2 went to Kamloops, turned and went back to Vancouver. #1 to Saskatoon and turning. Not sure why Saskatoon? Are there other prairie fires?

My brother lives just outside Saskatoon and told me visibility was 50 yards (or was it feet, meters?) the other morning on his drive to work, that much smoke might affect how things run too. Just checked his text, he said 50 feet.

 

[Urban Sky]

Wildfires in Northern Quebec last June briefly earned Montreal the questionable title of the metropolis with the worst air quality on this planet:

 

[Rasputin]

A further update on the fire near Jasper:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jasper-wildfires-evacuation-1.7273268

 

[xzperu42]

I was seventeen when we took the "Canadian" from Vancouver to Winnipeg with a stop in Banff. I've always wanted to take it again, but the timekeeping is as ridiculous as the price.

There is currently a sale:



this is an example of fares for 1 in December.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

I was seventeen when we took the "Canadian" from Vancouver to Winnipeg with a stop in Banff. I've always wanted to take it again, but the timekeeping is as ridiculous as the price.

I took the Canadian last summer in Coach from Vancouver to Edmonton - had a great time for a crazy cheap price. Coach passengers still have access to a dome and VIA lets passengers spread out among the coaches so it's easy to get 2 seats for yourself in coach. One night in coach is worth it!

The biggest negative is the lack of the dining car. The VIA rail snack bar is very limited.

 

[Cal]

There is currently a sale:

What are the details such as travel dates, coupon codes, etc?

 

[xzperu42]

What are the details such as travel dates, coupon codes, etc?

https://www.viarail.ca/en/fares-and-packages/discount-tuesday

The dates and discounts vary by route. This is an extended Tuesday sale I guess… last day is tomorrow. Canadian and Ocean discounts are valid Nov and Dec (20% cabins and 30% berth)

 

[MARC Rider]

https://www.viarail.ca/en/fares-and-packages/discount-tuesday

The dates and discounts vary by route. This is an extended Tuesday sale I guess… last day is tomorrow. Canadian and Ocean discounts are valid Nov and Dec (20% cabins and 30% berth)

It's also worth knowing that if you travel in November and December, Sleeper Plus passengers have unlimited access to the Park Car. (If you go in the summer, the Park Car is restricted to Prestige Class until after 4 PM.)

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

It's also worth knowing that if you travel in November and December, Sleeper Plus passengers have unlimited access to the Park Car. (If you go in the summer, the Park Car is restricted to Prestige Class until after 4 PM.)

I'll have to look up YouTube videos from people who have traveled on the Canadian in November and December. I expect a warm coat/hat/gloves would be essential for travel during that period, especially at "fresh air" stops.

 

[zephyr17]

I'll have to look up YouTube videos from people who have traveled on the Canadian in November and December. I expect a warm coat/hat/gloves would be essential for travel during that period, especially at "fresh air" stops.

I travel regularly in November. A heavy leather jacket, gloves, and a muffler works for me. The prairies are the coldest area. It has ranged from around 0°F to the upper 30s F there on various trips. When it was close to zero, I was pretty quick to reboard.

They don't call it "Winterpeg"for nothing.

 

[Fenu S]

Within the last hour, the fire has moved towards the outskirts of the South Jasper townsite. Extremely concerning at the minute.

I also read CN opened their line again this afternoon? I would assume they will change their minds.

 

[Cal]

When travelling in berths, how do you usually charge devices?

 

[pennyk]

I'll have to look up YouTube videos from people who have traveled on the Canadian in November and December. I expect a warm coat/hat/gloves would be essential for travel during that period, especially at "fresh air" stops.

I am a Floridian and I traveled on the Canadian in December 2011. It was 15 below in Winnipeg when I attempted to go for a walk. I lasted 5 minutes. I was wearing quite a bit of clothing. I managed a walk when it warmed up to 1 below.

 

[Cal]

I am a Floridian and I traveled on the Canadian in December 2011. It was 15 below in Winnipeg when I attempted to go for a walk. I lasted 5 minutes. I was wearing quite a bit of clothing. I managed a walk when it warmed up to 1 below.

And I barely lasted in Shelby (Montana) in October! It was like 16 degrees and I was freezing.

 

[west point]

One of my trips to Calgary it was - 40. Most important was protecting my face.

 

[zephyr17]

When travelling in berths, how do you usually charge devices?

I have seen people run extension cords into restrooms adjacent to the sections.

 

[Fenu S]

Unfortunately, the south end of Jasper is burning. Buildings along the outskirts are on fire, hopefully the train station is able to be saved. Maligne Lodge as well as the Petro Canada gas station are gone for sure. Most likely the fire is burning deeper into the town, but we can't confirm until it's safe to do so. It's going to be awhile before VIA & Rocky Mountaineer are able to come back.

 

[jiml]

I'll have to look up YouTube videos from people who have traveled on the Canadian in November and December. I expect a warm coat/hat/gloves would be essential for travel during that period, especially at "fresh air" stops.

Not your exact season but should give you some idea:

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

Not your exact season but should give you some idea:

Probably close enough. My undergrad college was on the Minnesota/North Dakota border, roughly a 4-5 hour drive due South of Winnepeg, and March could still be pretty cold up there.

 

[Urban Sky]

Unfortunately, the south end of Jasper is burning. Buildings along the outskirts are on fire, hopefully the train station is able to be saved. Maligne Lodge as well as the Petro Canada gas station are gone for sure. Most likely the fire is burning deeper into the town, but we can't confirm until it's safe to do so. It's going to be awhile before VIA & Rocky Mountaineer are able to come back.

I’ve received confirmation from a usually reliable source within VIA that the station building in Jasper has burnt down, which would undoubtedly delay the resumption of services between AB and BC.

Edit: the information I am getting now is conflicting, please take the above with a grain of salt until we have actual confirmation about its fate.

 

[MARC Rider]

I'll have to look up YouTube videos from people who have traveled on the Canadian in November and December. I expect a warm coat/hat/gloves would be essential for travel during that period, especially at "fresh air" stops.

I went the first week of November. Winter Wonderland across the Canadian Shield. Cold and icy sidewalks in Winnepeg. Chilly at Saskatoon. Light snow in Jasper, got heavier as we crossed the Rockies. I didn't have full winter gear, just a Gore-Tex outer coat, a light down jacket, a fleece, waterproof trail shoes, light gloves, and, of course, a tuque. It's actually pretty warm inside the train, the only reason you need to worry about the weather is at the fresh air stops.