VIA Rail Canadian and the Canadians

[crescent-zephyr]

How sad, I was just there last summer - I've only been there on quick layovers when riding the Canadian and always thought "one day I'll stop and stay for a while" - it was a lovely and charming town.

 

[Rasputin]

Further report from Jasper showing some of the damage with a shot of the rail yard:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmo...ast-moving-flame-says-fire-official-1.7274825

 

[Harmon Shay]

There might be a little good news on the Jasper fire here. A report from the Canadian Press about an hour ago quotes VIA as saying it's been told that the Jasper train station and platform appear to still be intact. This seems to contradict an earlier report here on Amtrak Unlimited. Let's hope.

 

[jiml]

There seems to be some thought that VIA was smart enough to move "significant" equipment out of harm's way before the fire encroached on the yard in Jasper.

 

[Urban Sky]

There might be a little good news on the Jasper fire here. A report from the Canadian Press about an hour ago quotes VIA as saying it's been told that the Jasper train station and platform appear to still be intact. This seems to contradict an earlier report here on Amtrak Unlimited. Let's hope.

Yeah, I already adjusted my initial post to clarify that the information I had received this morning has turned out to be quite possibly wrong, but forgot to write a new post to alert people who had already taken that information as a comfirmed fact. Let’s hope that most of the buildings and places which make Jasper such a charming place and (modest) railway hub will have survived by the next time we visit…

 

[Fenu S]

VIA Rail statement:
Following the declared state of emergency due to spreading wildfires in Jasper, AB, VIA Rail has cancelled its train service without offering alternate transportation between Vancouver, BC and Edmonton, AB until August 2nd.

Following the declared state of emergency due to spreading wildfires in Jasper, AB, VIA Rail has cancelled its train service without offering alternate transportation between Jasper, AB and Prince George, BC until July 31st.

https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan/service-status

Rocky Mountaineer statement:
Given this devastating information, we are unable to continue our rail journeys to or from Jasper for the foreseeable future.

https://www.rockymountaineer.com/travel-updates

 

[traindreamer]

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.

We ride the Canadian about once a year, sometimes one way, sometimes round trip. We usually take Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver, spend the night in Vancouver, and catch the train the next day. We always get a cabin for two. Beautiful old sleeping cars. The dining car is beautiful, and the meals put Amtrak to shame. White dishes, real flatware, different menu for every meal, white linens, and excellent service. It's pricey, but for us, it is worth it. Traveling off season helps the price, and we have their Preference cards, so we store up trip points for future travel. In September, we will take the Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver. We'll take Amtrak from Washington to Buffalo, and our favorite cab driver from Niagara Falls will pick us up and take us across the border. Total trip will be 21 days.

 

[Cal]

Sorry to distract from the Jasper situation, but for those who have travelled in berths, how did you charge your devices throughout the trip?

 

[zephyr17]

Sorry to distract from the Jasper situation, but for those who have travelled in berths, how did you charge your devices throughout the trip?

This:

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

 

[crescent-zephyr]

We always get a cabin for two. Beautiful old sleeping cars. The dining car is beautiful, and the meals put Amtrak to shame.

Oh yes, I've taken the Canadian in sleeper as well - but I was responding to someone who said price was an issue. Last summer, a berth was $900 more than coach. I can sleep one night in coach for $900! haha.

 

[Willbridge]

Weather in the Canadian prairies doesn't usually get snowy till after Armistice Day. In the eight winters that I lived in Edmonton, it snowed in October that stuck once. Traffic was in chaos because motorists were not prepared for it.

After that....

 

[Cal]

This:

Missed that, and err interesting.

 

[PaTrainFan]

Weather in the Canadian prairies doesn't usually get snowy till after Armistice Day. In the eight winters that I lived in Edmonton, it snowed in October that stuck once. Traffic was in chaos because motorists were not prepared for it.

After that....
View attachment 37300

How are the Aprils? I now have a reservation on The Canadian for mid-month. I suspect that is a grab bag of winter weather.

 

[jiml]

How are the Aprils? I now have a reservation on The Canadian for mid-month. I suspect that is a grab bag of winter weather.

That time of year and the Fall color season are the best IMHO. Passenger load is a little lighter than Summer and there can be cost savings as I'm sure you know. In April you'll likely encounter snow only in Northern Ontario and the mountains of Alberta-B.C., with Spring green conditions elsewhere. Barring flooding from winter thaw or rain (see Amtrak's annual issues) you should have a great trip.

 

[Brian Battuello]

Sorry to distract from the Jasper situation, but for those who have travelled in berths, how did you charge your devices throughout the trip?

My information is a bit dated, but I have seen power cords coming from the bathroom to a berth, hopefully on the same side. Also, these days it is pretty easy to carry a medium sized battery charger that will refill a phone many times. You could even leave the charger in the bathroom for a few hours at night. Also, I once had a bedroom and a very polite berth neighbor asked if he could plug his battery unit in our room for a few hours. He didn't need to come into the room, and he asked that we just set it on his berth after a few hours. We were happy to do it.

There are zillions of batteries but PM me if you need any recommendations.

 

[Brian Battuello]

And unless things have changed, be prepared for long periods of no service. If you have any important emails or if you need to change reservations, do it while in a major town. Meanwhile, enjoy the quiet and the scenery!

 

[traindreamer]

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.

We haven't been on the Canadian in November or December; however, we've been several times in April. The train is comfortable. Fresh air stops are chilly. Expect snow. It's beautiful, just cold.

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

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.

According to the Calgary Herald, July 25, "Via Rail said Thursday that the station and platform appear to still be intact, according to the latest information the company has received."
Here's the link: https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/jasper-alberta-wildfire-updates-july-25-2024

 

[Cal]

My information is a bit dated, but I have seen power cords coming from the bathroom to a berth, hopefully on the same side. Also, these days it is pretty easy to carry a medium sized battery charger that will refill a phone many times. You could even leave the charger in the bathroom for a few hours at night. Also, I once had a bedroom and a very polite berth neighbor asked if he could plug his battery unit in our room for a few hours. He didn't need to come into the room, and he asked that we just set it on his berth after a few hours. We were happy to do it.

There are zillions of batteries but PM me if you need any recommendations.

Thanks!

 

[Marbleski]

Sorry to distract from the Jasper situation, but for those who have travelled in berths, how did you charge your devices throughout the trip? My 2022 and 2023 trips I stayed in a lower berth. I charged my stuff in the bathroom.

I stayed in a lower berth May 2022 and October 2023. I charged my stuff in the bathroom. At times I would boost up my phone in the Park Car. The seats in the bullet lounge have a outlet.

Note that the Park was not available until After 4 pm on Days 2,3 and 4.

On both trips there were only two of six berths sold so we took a bathroom each. Obviously the more people the more challenging it would be to access the bathroom outlets.

 

[user 5784]

And unless things have changed, be prepared for long periods of no service. If you have any important emails or if you need to change reservations, do it while in a major town. Meanwhile, enjoy the quiet and the scenery!

one of the things i love about the canadian is the long stretches with no cell service. it forces people to talk to each other and you dont have to listen to someone yap on their phone endlessly.

 

[Cal]

you dont have to listen to someone yap on their phone endlessly.

Instead you have to listen to someone yap behind you endlessly (or maybe even into your ear!)

Jokes aside, I do enjoy the social aspect of long-distance train travel.

 

[railiner]

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.)

We traveled April 7-11. We had unlimited access to the Park car except for the first three rows in its dome. Except for a brief look-see, we spent all of our time in the Sleeper Plus Skyline Dome, where we had full access, as well as all of the activities they conducted. We shared that dome with a very convivial group of fellow passengers
I am not a fan of looking where I have been, as opposed to where I am going, so the round end observation cars have low appeal to me, when there is a dome available. Besides, the “bullet” lounge was noticeably rougher riding, due to its end-of-train location.
On a positive note, I do like the more recent refurbishment that the Park cars received…

 

[PaTrainFan]

We traveled April 7-11. We had unlimited access to the Park car except for the first three rows in its dome. Except for a brief look-see, we spent all of our time in the Sleeper Plus Skyline Dome, where we had full access, as well as all of the activities they conducted. We shared that dome with a very convivial group of fellow passengers
I am not a fan of looking where I have been, as opposed to where I am going, so the round end observation cars have low appeal to me, when there is a dome available. Besides, the “bullet” lounge was noticeably rougher riding, due to its end-of-train location.
On a positive note, I do like the more recent refurbishment that the Park cars received…

This is roughly when I will be traveling next spring and looking forward to the access to the domes and Park car. Juxtaposed to you, I relish the opportunity to experience the Park car again, bringing back fond memories of the original California Zephyr when I was about 6, The Canadian when I was around 14 and again when about 30 years ago, as well as in general the vintage Budd cars. Okay, I am dating myself...

 

[Brian Battuello]

And not to string out the subject, but if you bring on board a medium length extension cord with three or four plugs and two or three USB on the end, run it out of the bathroom and set it by the wall you will make a lot of new friends.

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

And not to string out the subject, but if you bring on board a medium length extension cord with three or four plugs and two or three USB on the end, run it out of the bathroom and set it by the wall you will make a lot of new friends.

Share the (electrical) power!