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…
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.
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.
Missed that, and err interesting.
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.
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.
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."
Thanks!
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.
Instead you have to listen to someone yap behind you endlessly (or maybe even into your ear!)
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
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...
Share the (electrical) power!
