Ok, a couple of quick notes on the stainless steel Ocean, now that I'm back from my travels. I may need to start a new thread with a coast-to-coast trip report, as I've got lots to say about my travels on both the Ocean and Canadian. But for the moment, a few Ocean notes:
I was on #15 on April 14th and #14 on April 21st. Both were the Budd set. In each case I got a call 1 to 2 days ahead notifying me of the equipment change. I was originally booked in a Renaissance bedroom (cabin for 2 with shower) and was moved to a bedroom in one of the Manor sleepers. By the time I travelled, VIA had expanded the consist by adding another coach and 2 more Manor sleepers (see below). They also swapped in Tremblant Park instead of Tweedsmuir, which is quite nice since Tremblant is one of the refurbished (non-Prestige) Park cars. I was in MacDonald Manor both ways, in room E and then room B. Both quite comfortable, and the ride was good - no undue rattles.
For those wondering, everyone who was already booked on those trains was re-accommodated in a bedroom, with the exception of a few people who ended up with a Chateau drawing room.
On my westbound trip, there was a good size coach load (around 50 or so people) out of Halifax, but only 4 (yes, four) sleeper passengers. We did pick up more along the way. Apparently the return trip on Sunday was really busy, which was why they expanded the consist - but I was told it was fully sold in the bedrooms, with nobody but crew in other accommodations.
On my eastbound trip, the train was pretty full - there were no deadhead cars, and most of the bedrooms and drawing rooms appeared to be occupied. Crew and some other travelling VIA employees had roomettes. There were no sections or roomettes actually sold, but this isn't at all surprising, because VIA has only been entering the equipment in the reservation system a few days in advance, so unless you booked last minute that wasn't an option.
I was told by a senior manager before I left that the set would definitely be off by the end of April, but on the way back several on board staff said they'd been told it was now extended to the end of May. I guess we'll see.
One other bit to note: despite having a full Budd diner, VIA was still serving the catered Renaissance meals, reheated in the diner's ovens instead. The only exception was breakfast (options of eggs any style or french toast, both of which were superb). This is unlike the Christmas extras, where VIA has done up a special menu for the extra trips and had food cooked on board. From what I understand, VIA's contract with the caterers at either end (the Westin in Halifax, and I don't know who it is in Montreal) meant that it was more straightforward to just continue with the standard menus for most meals than to swap a new menu in and arrange supplies.
The meals were still quite good from Halifax, but supper in particular was pretty disappointing out of Montreal. That may be in part because of experiencing the Canadian in between, but I have also found the meals out of Montreal have generally been a bit less exciting recently.
Aside from that, it was a good trip. I enjoyed the Budd equipment a lot, as usual, and the only people I talked to on board who had anything to say about the equipment were quite happy about the change. On the westbound this included a father and son from New York who came up just to make a down-and-back trip on the Ocean, and had no idea it was going to be a Budd trip - the father was particularly keen on showing his son the Park car, so was particularly thrilled when he realized he'd get to show him the full classic streamliner setup.
Consist for #14 on April 21st:
(lead locos were different on April 14th trip, but 6406 stayed on)
6427
6406
8612 (*previously 8623)
8139 (added to #14 on April 12th)
8140
8138
8505 Skyline
Emerald
Chateau Lasalle
Chateau Bienville
MacDonald Manor (added to #14 on April 12th)
Amherst Manor (added to #14 on April 12th)
Butler Manor
Chateau Dollier
Tremblant Park (switched from Tweedsmuir Park)
Tim
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Can't
Beat
Canadian Railways
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