Railroad Forums 

Discussion of Canadian Passenger Rail Services such as AMT (Montreal), Go Transit (Toronto), VIA Rail, and other Canadian Railways and Transit

Moderator: Ken V

 #360537  by villager
 
Greetings- my wife and I are thinking of heading from the US to explore Banff National Park and the west coast of US/Canada this coming summer.

Our idea was as follows:

Fly to Calgary.
Drive to Banff.
A couple of days in the Banff to Jasper parks area.
Board Canadian train in Jasper to Vancouver.
A few days in Vancouver/Victoria area.

Continue south to Seattle/Portland using Cascades Train.
Fly home, probably from Portland.

We've never used VIA Rail before, though we are experienced Euro-train users. I don't think we can afford the Rocky Mountaineer service, but we are wondering if 17 hours on the Canadian in coach class will wear us out. Can anyone speak to the comfort of various classes on VIA Rail? What is worth an upgrade? What isn't?
 #360754  by jp1822
 
I personally would try to book a sleeper of some sort for the trip from Jasper to Vancouver (even if it is just an upper and lower berth). I'll admit I've never done an overnight coach trip, but VIA offers various sleeper classes, any of which I think would be more comfortable than coach. Also, in the summer time, typically cocah passengers don't have access to the full diner - just a "Skyline Dome Cafe" car. The "Silver & Blue" experience - for any sleeper class - entitles you to full diner and access to the Park Dome Lounge, which serves various appetizers and snacks throughout etc. And of course meal costs are included with sleeper costs - except for drinks.

 #361197  by Ken V
 
Considering that the extra fare between Jasper and Vancouver is around $500 per person, during the high season, for a double berth over comfort (coach) class, it would make one wonder whether it was worthwhile for just two meals and a bed to sleep in. Sure, there's the Park car, with the few extra goodies, but the Skyline dome is there too and it's open to all comers.

Personally, it's always been a hard decision. When I was younger and more resiliant, and with limited finances, toughing out a night in coach was the only way to go. Now, a good night's rest and a good meal usually tip the scales the other way.

 #361486  by villager
 
Another question- how's the reliability of this train? When it's late, is it 20 minutes late? 4 hours late? 10 hours late?

 #361549  by NS VIA FAN
 
villager wrote:Another question- how's the reliability of this train?..........
In December we were 3 hours late leaving Toronto but on time into Edmonton. See my trip report here.

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33598

There is a lot of padding in the schedule for servicing the 30 car trains run during the summer. On a trip a year ago, we arrived in Winnipeg 70 minutes early.

 #536911  by villager
 
Okay- we got our tickets. Finances dictated that we get coach seats. In terms of food, in whichever class a coach passenger has access to, is it any good? Or should we hit up a grocery in Jasper and pack some snacks?

 #536920  by NS VIA FAN
 
villager wrote:Okay- we got our tickets. Finances dictated that we get coach seats. In terms of food, in whichever class a coach passenger has access to, is it any good? Or should we hit up a grocery in Jasper and pack some snacks?
During the peak season, Comfort (Economy-Coach) Class eats in the Skyline Dome Cafe. Meals are excellant. Here's a sample Menu:

http://www.viarail.ca/menu_repas/CTD0803.html

Off-Peak everyone eats in the Diner:

http://www.viarail.ca/menu_repas/en_rep ... f.html#t-v

Plus some addition info on Comfort (Coach) Class on the Canadian:

http://www.viarail.ca/classes/en_serv_c ... ining_room