Friends of the Rail Forum

Dave Rodgers wrote:Julie and I have long wanted to visit Canada but only recently did an opportunity present itself and what a tour - probably our best-ever holiday.

After sightseeing in Vancouver we took the train through the Rockies to Toronto. Here we explored the city and stayed with friends before moving on to nearby Niagara Falls. After staying overnight we walked across the international bridge into the USA where the lack of queues and brief formalities were a welcome change. After further sightseeing on the USA side of Niagar Falls we joined Amtrak's 'Maple Leaf' heading from Toronto to New York down the Mohawk and Hudson valleys as far as Poughkeepsie (8 hours). Another night at this pleasant town on the Hudson River saw us join a Metro-North suburban train direct to Grand Central Terminal in New York where we had a full days sightseeing before returning home from JFK Airport on Friday evening 11th May.

The entire holiday was spectacular but perhaps the highlight was the journey on 'The Canadian' from Vancouver. Although built in 1954/5 this 20 car train has recently been refurbished and is immaculate inside and out and maintained to a very high standard and was complete with 2 dining cars and 4 hi-level dome cars. Obviously external cleanliness is a primary concern and the windows were cleaned twice during the journey! Individual 2-berth sleeping compartments are slightly larger than the SAR 4-berth compartments but also have an en-suite toilet and are finished to a higher specification. Bedding, towels and toiletaries are provided and changed daily.

Service from efficient friendly staff was excellent. We took advantage of an amazing discounted low-season fare of just $514 (£320) + tax per person - this is for 3.5 days and 4 nights travel. This is for a journey of 4466km (2791 miles) and includes 3 full meals per day and champagne receptions and canapes on two evenings! Apparently the train (which runs three times per week in each direction) only runs with 9/10 cars in winter but has been strengthened ready for the summer peak so there is considerable excess capacity at this time of year hence the discounted fares. There is quite a turnover of passengers en-route with many travelling just from Vancouver to Jasper (which required three sittings for meals in each of the 2 dining cars), less passengers thence to Winnipeg ( 2 sittings for meals) and a new influx of passengers thence to Toronto again requiring 3 sittings. At a peak there were perhaps 240 passengers on board the train but there was never a crowd and we never had a problem finding a seat in one of the superb dome cars or the rear observation car. All are staffed with an attendant and tea, coffee, fruit juices, biscuits, muffins and fresh fruit are available free of charge 18 hours per day!

Both Julie and I found the train the most relaxing and enjoyable form of transport allowing unhurried sightseeing across this beautiful and unspoilt country. The train stops several times each day and for extended periods at larger towns when there is time to get out and explore.

How long the service will survive is open to question but for the present at least it is one of the world's great train journeys and one we aim to repeat as soon as possible.

Here are a few pictures from the train trip.