CANADIAN PASSENGER RAILROADS - Let's talk! BYOB ........

[Junctionfan]

The P-42s seemed better to me. When I first went on the VIA with the P-42s, I could actually feel them pulling. I don't remember ever feeling that with the F40 in the lead.

[VerMontanan]

Tom,

You've obviously ridden the Ocean a lot. Have you ever ridden the Chaleur? If not, you might have to start, as it's not scheduled to lose its Budd-built equipment. And as far as I'm concerned, it's much more scenic, though the train isn't as long nor is the trip as a whole. Though I've ridden the Chaleur several times, a couple of years ago, in a rental car, I "chased" the train from New Richmond to Gaspe. Lots of great photo opportunities, and with the slow speed of the train (40 MPH is top speed, with lots of 10 MPH bridges and a 10 MPH tunnel), it's easy to do.

[trolleyboy]

Junctionfan I've noticed that VIA rarley sends the P42's my way they tend to slip quite badley on the Dundas sub hill our normal fair is F40's.One train this year was 40 minutes late beacause of the rail being wet and they just about dumped their entire sand load on the way up the hill! I would say that a few bugs need to be worked out yet.I seem to remember that Amtrak tends to have multiple P42's on their mountain trains and sometimes an F40 as well. It may be better to purchase more F40's second hand EMD locos tend to go on forever you can't quite say the same for GE yet.Think of howmany early GP's and SD'sare still with us as oposed to early U and C sereis Ge's. just a thought.Here's a shot of a P42 actually making it into Brantford without any undo problems.

[siberianmo]

Canadian Rail Journey, Part IV and final

Wednesday, May 11th, a glorious morning in Bedford (Halifax) Nova Scotia and the time has come to bid adieu to family and friends. Arriving at the VIA Rail station in Halifax, we checked in at the Easterly Class kiosk with plenty of time to spare for our 12:40 PM (ADST) departure for Montreal. The familiar sight of Train #15 and its all Budd consist once again rekindled that feeling of anticipation as we checked our luggage into Bedroom D of the Revelstoke Park car (observation dome). “Claude,” our attendant greeted us with his typically warm and friendly manner and we settled in to our seats up in the dome – front right.

Our train was made up of 13 cars and 2 F40PH locos (#6419 & 6418). The consist: one baggage, three coaches, one Skyline dome car – one dining car – six Chateau series bedroom cars and the Revelstoke Park observation dome car.

After snapping off a few more photos, we began our journey along the winding trackage from the station to the shoreline of Halifax Harbor and Bedford Basin. Before to long, the dome filled with travelers as we left Halifax behind and headed up to Truro. The countryside is a pretty sight, replete with large farms, lakes, and lots of new construction. Makes one wonder just where are all the people moving from?

Since there are no departures from Montreal (or Halifax) on Tuesdays, there was no passing train to view as we cleared Truro on the way to Amherst, the last station stop in Nova Scotia. {Back at the Halifax there was another Budd consist sitting across the platform that would become Train #15 on Thursday. This is the same train I came in on Monday late afternoon with the Evangeline Park observation dome car.)

A thought occurred to me as we wound our way through some really great looking scenery, that this may very well be the last time my wife and I travel the “Ocean” in Budd cars, if at all. As I’ve indicated in previous “reports,” VIA Rail will be shifting all the Budd equipment to western service by January 1st thereby making the “Ocean” an all Renaissance equipment train. Having experienced Renaissance in October of 2004, I doubt that I’ll be spending any of my retirement dollars for a repeat performance.

As always seems to be the case, we arrived in Moncton, New Brunswick rather quickly, although “Claude” told us we were running about 10 minutes late. With the elegant depots of Amherst and Sackville behind us, the idea that we were heading home settled in. Another 15 minute stop at New Brunswick so we stretched our legs, took some pix, and checked out the dining car menu. Oh no! Not again – same menu as every trip thus far since leaving home! With just two entrees on the menu, the selection does become rather limited when one has been traveling the route for 4 evenings since May 5th.

“Claude” told us that the Chaleur, VIA Rail’s train to Gaspe, Quebec, may have a schedule change to permit it to make the trip in daylight. Operating on a three day per week departure in each direction, the “Chaleur” is part of the “Ocean’s” makeup at Montreal, with the separation occurring at Matapedia. That same stop is where “Chaleur” meets the Montreal bound “Ocean” as well. For the first time in many, many trips, we did not have the “Chaleur” with us, nor did I on my “solo” round trips earlier in the week. Anyway, they say the scenery along the route to Gaspe is really something. Perhaps some day, unless someone decides to put Renaissance on the line for that as well.

Rogersville – Miramichi – Bathurst (with some snow still visible) – Petit Rocher – Jacquet River – Charlo and Campbellton (last stop in New Brunswick) all were stops where it appeared more passengers boarded than departed. The Campbellton stop also was our signal to call it a day …. Which we did.

Thursday morning found me sitting in the dome at about 5 AM (EDST) as the train backed into the station at Charny, Quebec. I guess I’ll never get used to this backing in, backing out business – and yes, it is railroading – but somewhere in my “socialization” regarding railroads, trains are supposed to pull in and pull out. As I thought about this quirk of mine, it occurred to me that even my model railroad “empire” requires backing in or out amongst the 8 consists of passenger cars accommodated at my Can-Am Union Station. Oh well ….. In a perfect world, it surely would be different!

With no full breakfast to look forward to in the dining car nor a continental breakfast in the Park car (both discontinued by VIA Rail as cost cutting measures (?)) the day began a bit differently than we were accustomed to. The Park car does offer juices, coffee, tea and hot chocolate along with apples and oranges for the Easterly Class folks. Fortunately, I still had some cookies left from my “solo” trip, so we survived on those until reaching Montreal’s Central Station at 8:05 AM (10 minutes early).

Once we reached Saint-Lambert, it was time to get our things together as the journey was about to come to an end. This was a bittersweet conclusion for us in that 15 years of travel along the Montreal-Halifax-Montreal round trip route may very well have ended.

Once inside the station, we had breakfast at our favorite “sidewalk café” table. Again, each breakfast of two eggs, sausages/bacon/ham with toast and coffee/tea cost $5 (Cdn) each. Had VIA Rail offered the full breakfast, it would have cost us $9 apiece and we would have gladly paid it if for no other reason than to have the ambiance of the dining car along with the views along the way. Alas, change is all about …….

So, that concludes my “report” of our rail experiences in Canada 2005.

The intention of these “reports” has been to share my experiences with those of you who appreciate trains – and the “Ocean,” with over 100 years of operation, is a “Classic” in every definition of the word.
==================================================
When I started this thread it was with the idea of having some "fun" exchanging thoughts and experiences regarding the subject: Canadian Passenger Railroads.

Admittedly, the thread has "lived" longer than I expected and the thanx goes to those who have contributed meaningful information - free from the nonsense alluded to in our "groundrules." [see page 1]

See y'all now 'n then ....... [tup] [;)]

Tom (Siberianmo)

[Anonymous]

Here's a short Canadian rail adventure from 1959.
In early 1959 I was in the process of being laid off from GE in Erie PA and was scrambling to find a new job. I had an interview in Philadelphia on a Monday AM. I could have taken the PRR direct, but that would be boring. I rode the NYC to Buffalo then TH&B to Hamilton. Then a taxi crosstown to the CN station where I awaited the EB Maple Leaf. This turned out to be my last run behind CN steam and my last ride in a lower berth in a heavyweight Pullman. The routing was CN to Niagra Falls, LV to Bethlehem PA and RDG to Philly. On the way home I did the boring thing and rode the Penn. So being laid off wasn't ALL bad.

[adrianspeeder]

So where's the beer?

Adrianspeeder

[morseman]

SIBERIANMO
Have enjoyed your trip reports and comments on the "Canadian"
It sure brings back fond memories to my many trips.
In a couple of your postings you have made the odd disparging
remarks about the "Renaaissance" train sets. I agree with
you that they will never be able to compare with the Budd
stainless steel, heavy weights. But could you further elaborate
why you have such a dislike for the Renaissance & will you not
be taking any further trips to Halifax area to visit your family?

[siberianmo]

QUOTE: morsemanPosted: 27 May 2005, 19:30:32
SIBERIANMO
Have enjoyed your trip reports and comments on the "Canadian"
It sure brings back fond memories to my many trips.
In a couple of your postings you have made the odd disparging
remarks about the "Renaaissance" train sets. I agree with
you that they will never be able to compare with the Budd
stainless steel, heavy weights. But could you further elaborate
why you have such a dislike for the Renaissance & will you not
be taking any further trips to Halifax area to visit your family?

Appreicate the compliment! Yes, memories are what this thread is all about .....

Renaissance and my disparaging words ...... Where to begin?
Somewhere on these pages, I think I've documented my trip that I took in October of 2004 aboard the "Euro" train ..... there were some good and not so good opinions. But first - let me address your last thought ....

We do not want to ride from Montreal to Halifax pretty much restricted to sitting in our bedroom compartment. That's it in a nutshell. The train doesn't have a dome car. BUT - as reported recently, they WILL put one on ONLY during tourist season AND apparently there will be some sort of "tour director" to "enlighten" the travelers, etc. No thanx.

Now - back to my thoughts -
(1) The cars are good looking, to say the least. Nice colors and sleek .....
(2) The coach cars are great - very comfortable seats in airline type accomodations, but much better. Large windows - single seating on one side, double on the other. Snack and beverage service by cart ...
(3) Bedrooms are all doubles - some with showers, some without. Very nicely appointed, but smaller beds than in the Budd bedroom cars. Toilet and sink arrangements are within separate enclosure in the room - nice touch. Much less suitcase storage than in the Budd bedrooms. In even numbered bedrooms (if I recall correctly) the seats face backwards when beds are "up." Not my choice - but I was stuck with it.
(4) Continental breakfasts were served in room - nice touch - but apparently this has ceased (along with the cessation of it in the Budd Park Car bullet lounge too for Easterly Class).
(5) No domes - other than the "seasonal" Park Car between June 1st and late September (so I have been told). I've since been told by my "train watcher friend in Halifax/Bedford that he's already seen the Park Car at the end of the Renaissance consist .....
(6) No gathering places to meet or read or just take in the scenery. The very small and "Euro" type lounges are more designed for a quick drink - and outta there kinda thing.
(7) Very well appointed dining cars - double seating on one side, foursomes on the other. NO CHEF - food is prepared in a "super airline style." I absolutely found the meals I ordered to be substandard and unless there's a change to the way the meals are prepared - no more for me in Renaissance.

Oh, I suppose there's more .... but I really don't want to get into the rest of it. I think that if someone had NEVER traveled aboard the Budd cars (especially as much and as often as we do) they probably wouldn't have much to complain about since there wouldn't be any comparisons to make. So, that makes me biased in favor of the Budds. Ok - I admit it! [;)]

I fully understand the history of why VIA Rail purchased these cars from the bankrupt consortium in Great Britain and that the cars were supposed to be "Chunnel runners" and were NOT designed for long distance runs. I also understand that Bombardier supposedly told VIA Rail that to recreate the Budd cars in modern versions would be so cost prohibitive that each car would cost millions to make - each one! Now that's anecdotal stuff - and I'll be upfront with it. I heard it from a couple of mid-level VIA Rail guys (who proabably aren't with them anymore ........). I've also heard it from others - but you know how these things can become very circular .........

So, that's "my story." We really would rather just fly to Halifax - thereby saving quite a bit of money and also having more time to spend with family and friends. It will be very odd not taking the train from Montreal - and it will be a sad thing too. But such is life ........

See ya! [tup]

Tom (Siberianmo)[;)]

[VerMontanan]

There's an article about the Chaleur and Ocean (with many photos) in the July 2005 issue of Railfan & Railroad.

[morseman]

SIBERIANMO many thanks for your comments on the renaisance cars
I was awre of the many items you found fault with & you opened my eyes
to several others, I would agree with you on the option of flying.

With the smaller loading guage of these cars, What happend when boarding
at Montreal Central station where there is a high level platform.
Is there a gangway from the platform to the cars, or arre the platforms
made wider to accomidate the cars? And are there any other high level
planforms between Montreal & Halifax?

[siberianmo]

QUOTE: morseman Posted: 28 May 2005, 19:04:32
SIBERIANMO many thanks for your comments on the renaisance cars
I was awre of the many items you found fault with & you opened my eyes
to several others, I would agree with you on the option of flying.

With the smaller loading guage of these cars, What happend when boarding
at Montreal Central station where there is a high level platform.
Is there a gangway from the platform to the cars, or arre the platforms
made wider to accomidate the cars? And are there any other high level
planforms between Montreal & Halifax?

It's not an option we enjoy thinking about, believe me!

Regarding the boarding and platforms: No changes at all .... the platforms at Montreal's Central Station handle both consists. In fact, the "Ocean" boards at the same platform every time I've traveled it. It would be only a guess on my part whether any reconfiguration had to be made to the Renaissance cars when brought over from England. There were quite a few "things" to do before putting them on the line in Canada ....... and perhaps still others.

Insofar as high level platforms along the route are concerned - I cannot recall any.

Tom (Siberianmo)

[daveklepper]

Maybe enough influence can be brought to keep the Park cars as part of consist throughout the year, providing a gathering place and a place to enjoy scenery, at least for first class passengers. Some Canadians writing VIA about this idea might help greatly . I don't like the idea of a good rail service being downgraded, and keeping the Park cars as part of the consist would compensate to a huge extent.

[chateauricher]

Have all you Cannucks gone into hibernation yet ? [swg]

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trolleyboy

Junctionfan I've noticed that VIA rarley sends the P42's my way they tend to slip quite badley on the Dundas sub hill our normal fair is F40's.One train this year was 40 minutes late beacause of the rail being wet and they just about dumped their entire sand load on the way up the hill! I would say that a few bugs need to be worked out yet.I seem to remember that Amtrak tends to have multiple P42's on their mountain trains and sometimes an F40 as well. It may be better to purchase more F40's second hand EMD locos tend to go on forever you can't quite say the same for GE yet.Think of howmany early GP's and SD'sare still with us as oposed to early U and C sereis Ge's. just a thought.Here's a shot of a P42 actually making it into Brantford without any undo problems.

I have noticed that some trains with the two locomotives, seem to climb the hill better. One train I saw was 1 P42, 6 Budds and 2 LRCs heading up at Copetown and boy was it chugging.......

I think the most interesting train I saw that wouldn't have a problem between Bayview and Copetown would be train 72. It has 11 LRCs normally but a P42 on each end.

[trainboyH16-44]

Hey, I'm back. I shouldn't have left at all!

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher

Have all you Cannucks gone into hibernation yet ? [swg]

Not yet, and I don't think I will, snowshots are pretty good, with CP red.
I think the P42s look pretty spiffy nowadays, and even though I would hate to see them replace the F40s on the canadian, it's still good to see them on a couple trains. Too bad I haven't seen one in 2 years...
I tried to catch the WB Ocean just east of Moncton, but it was going too fast and we barely missed. it. I was looking forward to seeing it too....but we did go to jasper a while back. Caught the WB Canadian, and the Skeena as it was preparing to go to Prince Rupert. Someday I'd like to ride either of those. The only real train I've ridden in Canada is the on that goes from Montreal-Toronto. I've ridden a couple commuter runs in Montreal, though.
How's the plan to get the Canadian back on CP going?
Matthew

[BudKarr]

I just finished reading all the pages on this thread. Seems that Tom started a good thing, only to have a few characters decide to change the direction. This idea was very well put together and had a decent following. One only needs to go back to page one to get the idea of it all.

Sorry to have to tell you this, but there is no plan to get VIA Rail over on to the CPR right of way. The talk is out there and you know how that goes - enough of it and suddenly people start believing it. It feeds on itself.

If this discussion gets going again, I will provide a story or two - but along the lines that the topic creator envisioned.

For what it is worth, some of us do not require hibernation. (My funny for the day!)

BK

[trainboyH16-44]

Yarrr.............
At least it still exists........

[Anonymous]

Can someone give me a start date when VIA began to operate passenger trains?
al

[nanaimo73]

QUOTE: Originally posted by smalling_60626

Can someone give me a start date when VIA began to operate passenger trains?
al

How about a bunch of dates, Allen ?
On July 1st, 1976 the Canadian government assumed 80% of passenger operating losses at CN and CP.
On January 12, 1977 VIA Rail Canada was created as a subsidiary of CN.
On June 1, 1977 it assumed responsability for marketing rail passenger service in Canada.
On March 31, 1978 VIA acquired CN's passenger equipment and took over management of CN rail passenger service.
On April 1, 1978 VIA Rail Canada became a separate Crown Corporation.
On September 29, 1978 VIA took over CP's passenger service, acquired CP's equipment and assumed the employment of CN and CP passenger employees.

VIA's route changes are listed in the May 2003 Trains. (They missed a route change at Red Pass, BC.)

[Anonymous]

Time to 'fess up, Dale. You aren't one person; you're the entire research staff of the GLOBE AND MAIL, right?

[trainboyH16-44]

Idunno, he sems to know too much for that. How do you do that? I wish I knew as much as you, you seem to know more than the Hitch-Hicker's Guide to the Galaxy and the Encyclopedia Galactica combined. No, I'm not a nerd, but you are!
I suppose that people don't really have anything to say here anymore?
Matthew

[Anonymous]

In the early summer of 1981 I took what’s probably my favorite solo trip, to the West Coast and back via VIA. I had just finished graduate school and desperately needed to loaf a little and get the cobwebs out of my head. The dollar was strong, VIA was subsidized, and I had a small cashed-out pension to spend, all of which added up to a good deal. I was able to travel first-class for the first time since I was a child in a sleeper.

Since there was no direct rail service from Chicago to Winnipeg, I decided to get on the westbound Super Continental at Toronto. I started out with a commuter-train ride on the C&NW to Northwestern Station, transferred to Amtrak at Union Station, and headed for Detroit.

There’s something you should know about me: I’m a jinx. Every time I’m in Canada some key component of the economy is on strike. This time it was the tunnel bus to Windsor, so I taxied across the Ambassador Bridge and holed up a couple of hours in a bar prior to catching the train for Toronto. My first-class seat on the Windsor-Toronto train was certainly comfortable, and the waitstaff brought us sandwiches, but unfortunately some engineer must have skidded a wheel because it was a rapid bump-bump-bump all the way. Gave me a headache and a half!

In Toronto, I had about 45 minutes until the Super Continental left, but after just a few minutes’ wait they let us on the train. The man in line behind me learned I was an American when we chatted. I couldn’t understand the woman in front of me, who was talking to friends. The guy behind whispered that she was a “Newfie” which accounted for the brogue. Although VIA had taken over the long-distance CN and CP trains almost three years earlier, the train was still very much the Super Continental, with its diagonally striped engines and heavy steel cars with black-and-white trim. I had a snug roomette and got my headache under control.

Many Canadians say the shield is boring but I was fascinated. I woke up at dawn and confronted the “blasted” landscape of Sudbury; then we spent the better part of that day arching around the shield with its piney forests and little tiny villages where the train sometimes stopped.

Both my transcontinental trains had “real” tablecloth diners. The food was not exotic and began to repeat itself before Vancouver but it was good: hamburgers with buns grilled in butter, spaghetti, that kind of thing. The prices were reasonable. The seating was not first-come-first served but consisted of three “seatings” for dinner, like on a cruise ship. I chose the third because we could hang around afterwards and smoke.

I was really impressed by the professionalism and considerateness of the train staff. My first sleeping-car attendant was a college-age man who made sure I had all the creature comforts. He was also modest to a fault; didn’t hit me up for a tip when he left the train in Winnipeg, but I had heard ahead of time that tipping before he left was the right thing, so I did. I was also impressed with the loving care that had been given to my sleeping-car’s refurbishment. It was clean as a whistle and was a full-step more elaborate and impressive than Amtrak’s remodeling of the Heritage fleet. I saw carpet-and-quarter-round used next to the floor instead of peel-and-stick fake wood trim, for example.

As a first-class passenger I had certain privileges, like access to the bar car. But a class structure was evident. Besides us in first class, there were essentially two classes of coach, if you will: people riding in daynighter-type cars who had paid a premium over coach were treated with courtesy and respect, but the conductor had no patience at all with some of the people from plain-old-coach. Turns out some of the younger guys were pass riders, a group the trainmen hated, and they practically “frog marched” them to and fro the diner—their only chance at penetrating the first-class fortress.

The Canadian Rockies my northern-route CN line train crossed lacks the manicured park setting of the southern, or CP route. Sometimes the mountains were beautiful; at other times they resembled God’s biggest quarry—more striking than attractive. The biggest travel disappointment I found was the dome car: it was simply impossible to see out of it! Not from dirt, but apparently it had either been refurbished with Plexiglas that then got rough treatment and scarred; either that or something was very hinky about the glass.

As I’m sure many of you know, a long train trip is conducive to making new acquaintances, especially with a lounge car to chat in. There were other Americans on the train, mostly the early-retired or the occasional cat like me who loved trains and was lured north by the bargain fares. One young lady from Australia who was on the train helped me find cheap lodging in Vancouver.

Coming back from Vancouver, I was on what was obviously the old Canadian with its lightweight equipment. I booked a lower berth because I had never traveled in a “section” before. Just as comfortable as a roomette, I thought, but unfortunately the forward bulkhead creaked like crazy! I was used to it by the second night, though. I believe the rear-end observation-car-with-dome is what is called the Park series, but I’m not sure. If anything the car was more social than the one on the CN route. Service was just fine, and remnants of an earlier life of passenger railroading were apparent in the observation area, which had not yet been refurbished but was clean. I remember in particular the blonde desk-and-chair suite against the fore wall, with its ink well and cubicles suitable to hold stationery, post cards or telegrams. I imagined what it must have been like 25 years earlier, with Marilyn Monroe or maybe Prime Minister (“Deef the Chief”) Diefenbaker riding in style. Truly a nearly vanished way of life, and it went away so quickly.

Disregarding the socializing, the magnificent scenery was worth the trip all by itself. This time the dome on the observation car was in great shape, and one had to wait one’s turn to get into it for a while. The crew was tolerant of the after-dark crowd but had to throw us out of the dome at midnight: none of us had realized that there were people occupying rooms directly below us. Nonetheless, the amenities were outstanding: I played bingo after dinner in the diner and the following day had the best omelet of my life while passing Lake Shuswop(sp??). Would it surprise you to hear that the chef was French Canadian?

I learned a lot on the trip about the country and its resources. The number of freight trains going to and fro, humping raw materials and auto racks, was astonishing to me.. The COFC revolution was not yet obvious, but the CP’s role in connecting the Orient and eastern North America was. Never a dull moment: shortly after crossing the Continental Divide the train passed a full work crew who had obviously just gotten off the track to let us by. The sight of 20 sweaty topless Canadian men waving at the train had quite an effect on the female contingent, I don’t mind telling you! Banff was just as pretty as the postcards and we had a longish stop there. Now, figure this: the post office was on strike but nonetheless one lady was holding down the fort, selling stamps, and warning us that there was no telling how long it would be before our mail could leave the country. (My friends got their postcards about three weeks later.) I’m such a jinx you’d better check with me before your Canadian trip to make sure I’m not up there disrupting the economy.

A late-night Calgary arrival found me needing a room for the night so I could sightsee the next day. Information sent me to the nearest hotel, which was a grand old railroad hotel basically clipped to the train station. As with all the other service staff I encountered on the trip, the room reservations clerk was extremely solicitous at my comfort. He asked if I wouldn’t mind taking the last room, the salesmen’s room, which has full of display material of the kind a salesmen needed to show his wares. I happily took the room and the pipe-rack clothes carts didn’t bother me a bit. The room was HUGE, not only large but high-ceilinged. Slightly eccentric, perhaps, but nonetheless a bit of luxury stumbled onto by mistake.

It was east out of Regina, a division stop, that I reached the height of my trip: a cab ride. All I had had to do was ask one of the trainmen; who got in touch with the engineer and fireman for their okay. In what I was beginning to recognize was classic Canadian modesty, the engineer talked down the prairie view and the old equipment. Just the week before he had had the run over the mountains; squeezed in with the operators was an entire American flight crew including pilot! The engineer also apologized for the “poky” (his word) equipment, since the elderly EMD loco’s (F7’s??) were limited to winter speeds lest the steam line break. I got to toot the horn and see what must have been thousands of prairie dogs go scuttling away. Apologize?? I was in hog heaven.

I flew home from Winnipeg with a million memories and a fistful of Canadian dollars; now made obsolete because of the Loon coin. Sadly, as we know the Canadian transcontinental trains don’t run every day; I understand the CP route isn’t operated at all in the winter. How sad to think that the fantastic traveling experience I had is now limited to people willing to pay US$5,000-plus for the Royal Canadian. As a result of the trip I became a converted Canadaphile and have visited the country several times since, but none so memorably as my transcontinental trip.

[daveklepper]

A wonderful memory. Thanks for the sharing of it.

[morseman]

TO: SMALLING 60626

your posting brought back fond memories of my family trips
from montrea; to Vancouver on CP route. My wife and I with
our two children decided to go to the Calgary Stampede.
We had reserved a room at the Palliser Hotel where you
stayed & they were over booked & we had to stay in the
salesmen's room for three nights. This room was like
a room in a hostel with only the three beds for us,
but it was so spacious and bare, it could have held
15 beds.

[DL - UK]

OK - I've had a browse but did not find anything on fares so here goes

Does anyone know why Via website fares quotes for Montreal - Halifax (Easterly Class in this instance on The Ocean) pretty much doubled for a booking in late sept between tues 22nd aug 2006 when I looked and it was approx 250 Can $ per person (similar to price Mark quotes on the site) and then when I went to book on weds 23rd it was approx 475 can $  ?

 

Is Via ticketing 'demand responsive' with prices fluctuating constantly according to demand (it does not seem so) or could there have been a special offer that just terminated midnight 22nd? I'm an expert on UK train fare ticketing, but VIA is new to me.

 

I'm booking from the UK so this is the first time I've booked on line with VIA - last time I was in Canada the web was not so common. 

 

I booked anyway as I feared it might go up more - but it has blown a bigger hole in my finances than I'd planned for!

 

DL - UK

PS - any tips for things I should look out for en route from any of you familiar with the route?

 

[Pathfinder]

OK - I've had a browse but did not find anything on fares so here goes

Does anyone know why Via website fares quotes for Montreal - Halifax (Easterly Class in this instance on The Ocean) pretty much doubled for a booking in late sept between tues 22nd aug 2006 when I looked and it was approx 250 Can $ per person (similar to price Mark quotes on the site) and then when I went to book on weds 23rd it was approx 475 can $  ?

 

Is Via ticketing 'demand responsive' with prices fluctuating constantly according to demand (it does not seem so) or could there have been a special offer that just terminated midnight 22nd? I'm an expert on UK train fare ticketing, but VIA is new to me.

 

I'm booking from the UK so this is the first time I've booked on line with VIA - last time I was in Canada the web was not so common. 

 

I booked anyway as I feared it might go up more - but it has blown a bigger hole in my finances than I'd planned for!

 

DL - UK

PS - any tips for things I should look out for en route from any of you familiar with the route?

 

I did a little comparison on the VIA web site, for Montreal-Halifax, regular fare.  Cost is $233.60 CDN for trips leaving Aug 30, Sept 8 and Sept 22.  So no change due to being closer to the departure date as the airlines do.

Have you tried the Fare Comparison tool on the VIA booking web site to see what different classes cost?  Maybe you did not select the same one?

Please enjoy your trip.

[trainboyH16-44]

It's official, there's nothing like travelling across the Kicking Horse by train. If I may delve dangerously away from Canadian passenger railroads to Canadian passenger Trains, allow me to regale you with a short tale. I was lucky to be able to do it behind 2816 from Golden to Calgary a month ago. Incredible! And there was a suprise or two on the trip...going through the Spiral Tunnels, the vestibule filled with.....GP38-2 smoke! XD



We ended up topping off at something like 70 or 80MPH at Morley.....gotta love those slightly downhill straight bits. There are more pictures on pag 124 of the TEEN RAILFAN PLACE (Trains.com General Discussion)

[DL - UK]

Thanks Pathfinder - I'm pretty sure I researched it correctly first time round - as being the first time I've booked VIA on line I was very careful to check and double check - of course an error on my part is not impossible - I did not print out the screen prices when I first looked, just scribbled them down on a bit of paper so I have no proof apart from faith in myself, then went to book my flights from UK as did not want to book The Ocean before I had secured a flight (which was a good thing since I had to change my plans due to the annoying habits of the airline industry!) - then went back to VIA and found the price change.

I'm sure we will enjoy it - thanks for your good wishes. In these situations there is a good motto: "The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten" or some such - was it a Rolls Royce slogan perhaps? Although I've never even sat in a Rolls Royce I tend to find this slogan applies all over the place! 

DL - UK

 

 

[siberianmo]

G'day DL in the UK!

Was a bit suprised to see my old Thread reappear on the Forums - but then again, the topic should be of interest - after all, Canadian passenger railroading is by far the best in North America - in my not-so-humble opinion!

DL - I've been traveling between Montreal and Halifax with aboard VIA Rail on an annual basis since 1990 to visit with family and friends. During all of those trips, I've not witnessed any price fluctuations whether booking online or through VIAs reservation centre in Moncton by phone. However - there is something that may be playing into what you've described and perhaps it has to do with the "new" price structure that VIA has created.

Since the inception of the "Renaissance" cars (Chunnel Chuggers), VIA drastically changed the pricing for bedroom accommodations aboard the "Ocean." Without belaboring the issue, the former UK cars  now in regular use on the route to Halifax, replaced the older streamlined Budd cars. The only vestage of the past on the consist is the Budd Park Car (observation dome) for exclusive use of those paying the higher price for Easterly Class bedrooms. VIA offers three different choices for bedrooms - Comfort - Easterly and Easterly Deluxe all at differing price levels. The latter two get you into the Park Car along with other amenities.

Depending on your preferences - traveling alone will cost you a "premium" to sleep in a double bedroom. The "Renaissance" sleepers do not have singles as the older Budd cars did. Also, if you select the "Deluxe" double - it adds to the cost.

If you are still curious regarding the price differential that you found, I recommend you give VIA Rail a call at their toll free number.  1 888 842-7245 is the number advertised for the US & Canada - perhaps it will "work" for you -worth a try. If not, simply send them an e-mail. I've always found their people to be very helpful and perhaps this may at least clear up any questions you may have.

By the by - you may wish to request a bedroom with seating facing in the direction of travel. Those "Renaissance" bedrooms have every other one with backwards seating. Just a thought . . .

Enjoy your trip - it is a marvelous experience, especially sitting in the Park car's dome.


Tom (siberianmo)

[Pathfinder]

Thanks Pathfinder - I'm pretty sure I researched it correctly first time round - as being the first time I've booked VIA on line I was very careful to check and double check - of course an error on my part is not impossible - I did not print out the screen prices when I first looked, just scribbled them down on a bit of paper so I have no proof apart from faith in myself, then went to book my flights from UK as did not want to book The Ocean before I had secured a flight (which was a good thing since I had to change my plans due to the annoying habits of the airline industry!) - then went back to VIA and found the price change.

I'm sure we will enjoy it - thanks for your good wishes. In these situations there is a good motto: "The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten" or some such - was it a Rolls Royce slogan perhaps? Although I've never even sat in a Rolls Royce I tend to find this slogan applies all over the place! 

DL - UK

No problem.  I am in the process of booking a flight from the BC (on the west coast of Canada) to ST. John's Newfoundland (for work) for the end of September and in a 24 hour period, the cost went up by about 30%.  Can't confirm the booking until my client OK's the costs and the longer they wait, the more it will cost.  Not sure but maybe VIA has the same sort of fare policy on certain types of classes?  I only checked the regular fare costs, not the upper end like sleeper.

That is a trip I got to do some day as well.  Post some pictures when you are done if you can.

P.