Will VIA Ocean run next summer?

[jpwoodruff]

Last summer (June, page 22) the magazine carried an article "Tides
turn on the 'Ocean'". 

It was a pessimistic outlook "... 2012 made the train less relevant to
public mobility."  There was no conclusion then; the VIA spoker saying
"If the section is abandoned, we will ... other alternatives"

There is a web page now (in mid Feb '15) on viarail.ca that seems to
offer tickets for 1 July.  Sometimes I doubt the sincerity of some web
pages so I wonder if this trip is real.

I'm planning a summer vacation to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and
I'd really like to take the train to Halifax.  Can someone tell me how
things stand?

John

[ROBERT WILLISON]

 I hope it is in service for you, its a great ride. I rode it back when it was an all Budd consist. Had a bedroom  in the park car.

[ghCBNS]

The Tide has turned again and the Oceans future seems more secure now than it has the past few years  

Last summer the $10 million required to upgrade the portion of the Newcastle subdivision that had been subject to abandonment WAS invested and the Ocean’s route was saved. Just yesterday its schedule has speeded-up and an hour was cut each way between Montreal and Halifax.

During the Christmas Holidays this year.....VIA ran additional trains using an all Budd Stainless Steel consist complete with Park Dome Observation plus a Skyline Dome. There will probably be some additional trains run this coming summer on the busiest days. The Park Dome Observation is also used on the Ocean's usual Renaissance consist.

And VIA is now offering “Sleeper Plus Class” year ’round on the Ocean. Previously it had been during the summer and fall only.

http://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/atlantic-canada/montreal-halifax-ocean

[ghCBNS]

You say you plan on going to Newfoundland also? I was there last summer and explored along the old narrow-gauge railway ran 550 miles across the island. There’s still lots to see from equipment displays to museums and trailways with impressive bridges. Cut & paste this link to my trip report with photos:

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=155&t=157881

[ROBERT WILLISON]

Does via still run the Budd cars during the summer?

[ghCBNS]

No.....except for the Budd “Park Car” Dome Observation that is always on the end of the Renaissance cars. But, VIA did run the extra trains at Christmas using an all Budd consist and there is a possibility there will also be additional trains this summer on the busiest days

 

[ROBERT WILLISON]

Thanks

[jpwoodruff]

Here is the original poster - much encouraged.

It appears that if I buy a discounted Sleeper Plus we will get to ride
in a dome car all day and get something to eat as well.  Sounds pretty
good.  Any suggestions about how and when to make a reservation for
late July?  Any mistake to avoid?

Thanks for the Newfoundland views.  I am pleased to be making our
third visit from the US west.  We will be taking a small rented RV
from Halifax with plans for the western region of NF.

[ghCBNS]

Yes in “Sleeper Plus Class” you have access to the Dome Car and all meals are included.

Regular Sleeper class gets access to the Dome but not during the summer and fall and they pay extra for meals..

The Ocean can be busy during the summer and there were sold-out trains last year. Don’t leave booking your trip too late. VIA has just appointed a General Manager for Eastern Canada and people are now quite optimistic about the Ocean’s future.  

To visit the west coast of Newfoundland you would board the ferry at North Sydney and the crossing is around 6-7 hours to Port-aux-Basques (pronounced Port Oh Bask). Definitely visit Gros Morne National Park and if you have time…..the 1000 year old Viking Settlement near St. Anthony..