Alright, I just made my return trip on The Ocean this past Friday-Saturday (Feb. 27-28), and so have a few points of comparison to add. This time around, it was the Ren cars as opposed to the Budd set (which left Halifax Saturday afternoon for Montreal). Traveling coach class again, I had a better sense of exactly how the to cars compare. I was in the single seat row, which I will say is a major plus for the Ren cars when you're traveling alone (if you can get it of course).
Basically, here are the things I prefer about the Renaissance coaches:
- smoother ride. Definitely less bouncing and rattling than the Budd cars.
- Individual window shades. I know some people complain about the fact that they cut the window in half, but face it, it's a lot better than having the person sitting in front of you close the blind blocking your window as well
- Under the seat storage. Although I suppose this just really makes up for the absolute lack of overhead storage.
- Individual seating (I already mentioned). As a frequent solo passenger, this can be a welcome break.
- between-car transitions. Very smooth and quiet.
But right about there the pluses end. Overall, I'd still pick the Budd consist. The biggest reason is the availability of the Skyline Dome/Lounge car. Yes, the Ren cars have the Park car in the summer, but it'll be quite some time before I see the day I can afford to travel Easterly class. And yes, they have the service cars, but those things have barely any room in them! All it took was 3 people sitting strategically, and I couldn't find anywhere that seemed appropriate to sit without disturbing someone. If you're interested in meeting other passengers on the train, your chances are pretty limited on the Renaissance.
I think, to be honest, that the Ren cars are much better suited to the high-speed shorter Corridor runs, at least as far as the coaches and service cars go. In that application, I think they can compare with (although still not beat) the LRC's.
Anyway, my overall trip was quite good. Although I must make another comment on the staff. On my first train (Train 60 to Montreal), there was a purely lovely attendant in our car, who was incredibly polite and friendly. Another one of the onboard crew came through at one point, and was very much the same.
However, once I got on the Ocean, things changed. Yes, there was one fellow on board who was collecting tickets who seemed quite friendly, but the main attendant in our car was, well.... She never smiled. When she was handing out pillows and blankets she more just tossed them on to me, and walked past. I said very politely "thank you" each time, but she never acknowledged it. She was also handling the counter in the service car at one point, and gave the same impression. She didn't even say anything like "can I help you?", she just stood and waited for me to ask for something. When I did, she grabbed it, handed it to me and asked for the money. While I got it out (exact change, I should mention), she was putting other things in order, and then took it and moved on to the next customer, with no word of thanks. Unfortunately, I've dealt with more people around VIA that are like her, rather than the first attendant I mentioned. Perhaps VIA needs to better stress the common courtesies in their training.
Of course this particular staff member gave me some strange looks when, at one of the smoke breaks, I got out and started crouching down with my camera to take pictures of the truly bizarre couplers and what-not between the Renaissance coaches....but to be fair, a lot of people would give me strange looks for that too!
All-in-all, the second half of my round trip was fully satisfactory, and I look forward to my next opportunity (which will likely be a 1-way at the end of May)!
Basically, here are the things I prefer about the Renaissance coaches:
- smoother ride. Definitely less bouncing and rattling than the Budd cars.
- Individual window shades. I know some people complain about the fact that they cut the window in half, but face it, it's a lot better than having the person sitting in front of you close the blind blocking your window as well
- Under the seat storage. Although I suppose this just really makes up for the absolute lack of overhead storage.
- Individual seating (I already mentioned). As a frequent solo passenger, this can be a welcome break.
- between-car transitions. Very smooth and quiet.
But right about there the pluses end. Overall, I'd still pick the Budd consist. The biggest reason is the availability of the Skyline Dome/Lounge car. Yes, the Ren cars have the Park car in the summer, but it'll be quite some time before I see the day I can afford to travel Easterly class. And yes, they have the service cars, but those things have barely any room in them! All it took was 3 people sitting strategically, and I couldn't find anywhere that seemed appropriate to sit without disturbing someone. If you're interested in meeting other passengers on the train, your chances are pretty limited on the Renaissance.
I think, to be honest, that the Ren cars are much better suited to the high-speed shorter Corridor runs, at least as far as the coaches and service cars go. In that application, I think they can compare with (although still not beat) the LRC's.
Anyway, my overall trip was quite good. Although I must make another comment on the staff. On my first train (Train 60 to Montreal), there was a purely lovely attendant in our car, who was incredibly polite and friendly. Another one of the onboard crew came through at one point, and was very much the same.
However, once I got on the Ocean, things changed. Yes, there was one fellow on board who was collecting tickets who seemed quite friendly, but the main attendant in our car was, well.... She never smiled. When she was handing out pillows and blankets she more just tossed them on to me, and walked past. I said very politely "thank you" each time, but she never acknowledged it. She was also handling the counter in the service car at one point, and gave the same impression. She didn't even say anything like "can I help you?", she just stood and waited for me to ask for something. When I did, she grabbed it, handed it to me and asked for the money. While I got it out (exact change, I should mention), she was putting other things in order, and then took it and moved on to the next customer, with no word of thanks. Unfortunately, I've dealt with more people around VIA that are like her, rather than the first attendant I mentioned. Perhaps VIA needs to better stress the common courtesies in their training.
Of course this particular staff member gave me some strange looks when, at one of the smoke breaks, I got out and started crouching down with my camera to take pictures of the truly bizarre couplers and what-not between the Renaissance coaches....but to be fair, a lot of people would give me strange looks for that too!
All-in-all, the second half of my round trip was fully satisfactory, and I look forward to my next opportunity (which will likely be a 1-way at the end of May)!
Tim
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Can't
Beat
Canadian Railways
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Can't
Beat
Canadian Railways
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