N
NS VIA FAN
Guest
VIA recently renamed “VIA-1” to “Business Class” but for someone more familiar with Amtrak……Business Class on VIA is closer to the service you would find in Acela First Class.
Seating is 2+2 on the LRC equipment and 2+1 in the Renaissance cars (click here for 360 deg. photos)
http://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/files/medi...ness/index.html
http://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/files/medi...lass/index.html
Wi-Fi is offered and is currently complementary. On the Renaissance trains there is a lounge in the service car where you can enjoy an after dinner drink.
I was working in the Ottawa area for a couple of weeks and with some vacation time to use-up, decided to make it a long weekend and head for the Winter Carnival in Quebec City. I had a VIA upgrade coupon which gave me a Business Class ticket for about the same price as coach.
I left work at noon for a quick OC Transpo bus ride to the Ottawa Station. Ottawa has a system of “Transitways” throughout the city reserved for buses only. Stations along the transitways are more like what you would expect for a light-rail system than a bus stop……Here’s OC Transpo’s “Train” station at VIA Rail.
I was in the station about 15 minutes before boarding began for VIA #634, the 12:45 train to Montreal so I just waited in the Panorama Lounge…….coffee, soft drinks, newspapers, etc for Business Class passengers.
Today’s train was a 4 car LRC consist which included a Business Class car hauled by a GE P42. VIA offers Business Class cars on most trains operating in the Corridor from Windsor through Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal to Quebec City……some of the busier runs even operate with two cars.
Service began before we even left the station……first a basket of snacks and pretzels was passed around followed by drink orders……Next hot towels to freshen up then a hot lunch. Here’s the menu……I have the beef:
Appetizer
Szechuan duck served with Napa slaw and red chili jam.
Penne Pasta
served with grilled vegetables and goat cheese.
or
Barbecued Beef
served with Mexican rice and corn fillets.
All meals are served with a selection of bread.
Dessert
Peach Vanilla Cake
The route to Montreal includes nearly 70 miles of VIA owned track, the former CN Alexandria Subdivision. It’s been extensively re-built and good for a lot of 95>100 mph running. Near Coteau-du-Lac we entered CN’s mainline from Toronto for the remaining 40 miles into Montreal.
I was visiting in Montreal for the evening and before making my way there on the Metro, I took a quick ride out to Deux-Montagnes and back on an AMT electric MU. This line uses the 3 mile Mount Royal Tunnel to exit Central Station towards the north.
The next morning I was back at Central at 7:30. Those waiting in the Panorama lounge were taken down to the train early before the large crowd of coach passengers, probably heading for Winter Carnival, boarded.
Breakfast began with a coffee and tea service followed by an “appetizer” of sliced oranges, melons and grapefruit. Next a hot breakfast. Here’s the menu……I have the Eggs:
Spinach Feta Tomato Egg Torte
with cracked black pepper, roasted turkey sausages and
sautéed potatoes with red and green bell peppers.
The above is served with seasonal fruit appetizer.
or
Fresh Fruit Casserole
served with cereal and yogurt
All meals are served with your choice of pastry
The run up to Quebec City takes just over three hours. I particularly enjoyed the 20 mile stretch between Laurier and Charny where we’re doing a steady 95mph easily passing everything over on adjacent AutoRoute 20. Then it’s across the Quebec Bridge and along the high cliffs above the St Lawrence before winding down into the VIA’s restored Gare du Palais.
Seating is 2+2 on the LRC equipment and 2+1 in the Renaissance cars (click here for 360 deg. photos)
http://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/files/medi...ness/index.html
http://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/files/medi...lass/index.html
Wi-Fi is offered and is currently complementary. On the Renaissance trains there is a lounge in the service car where you can enjoy an after dinner drink.
I was working in the Ottawa area for a couple of weeks and with some vacation time to use-up, decided to make it a long weekend and head for the Winter Carnival in Quebec City. I had a VIA upgrade coupon which gave me a Business Class ticket for about the same price as coach.
I left work at noon for a quick OC Transpo bus ride to the Ottawa Station. Ottawa has a system of “Transitways” throughout the city reserved for buses only. Stations along the transitways are more like what you would expect for a light-rail system than a bus stop……Here’s OC Transpo’s “Train” station at VIA Rail.
I was in the station about 15 minutes before boarding began for VIA #634, the 12:45 train to Montreal so I just waited in the Panorama Lounge…….coffee, soft drinks, newspapers, etc for Business Class passengers.
Today’s train was a 4 car LRC consist which included a Business Class car hauled by a GE P42. VIA offers Business Class cars on most trains operating in the Corridor from Windsor through Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal to Quebec City……some of the busier runs even operate with two cars.
Service began before we even left the station……first a basket of snacks and pretzels was passed around followed by drink orders……Next hot towels to freshen up then a hot lunch. Here’s the menu……I have the beef:
Appetizer
Szechuan duck served with Napa slaw and red chili jam.
Penne Pasta
served with grilled vegetables and goat cheese.
or
Barbecued Beef
served with Mexican rice and corn fillets.
All meals are served with a selection of bread.
Dessert
Peach Vanilla Cake
The route to Montreal includes nearly 70 miles of VIA owned track, the former CN Alexandria Subdivision. It’s been extensively re-built and good for a lot of 95>100 mph running. Near Coteau-du-Lac we entered CN’s mainline from Toronto for the remaining 40 miles into Montreal.
I was visiting in Montreal for the evening and before making my way there on the Metro, I took a quick ride out to Deux-Montagnes and back on an AMT electric MU. This line uses the 3 mile Mount Royal Tunnel to exit Central Station towards the north.
The next morning I was back at Central at 7:30. Those waiting in the Panorama lounge were taken down to the train early before the large crowd of coach passengers, probably heading for Winter Carnival, boarded.
Breakfast began with a coffee and tea service followed by an “appetizer” of sliced oranges, melons and grapefruit. Next a hot breakfast. Here’s the menu……I have the Eggs:
Spinach Feta Tomato Egg Torte
with cracked black pepper, roasted turkey sausages and
sautéed potatoes with red and green bell peppers.
The above is served with seasonal fruit appetizer.
or
Fresh Fruit Casserole
served with cereal and yogurt
All meals are served with your choice of pastry
The run up to Quebec City takes just over three hours. I particularly enjoyed the 20 mile stretch between Laurier and Charny where we’re doing a steady 95mph easily passing everything over on adjacent AutoRoute 20. Then it’s across the Quebec Bridge and along the high cliffs above the St Lawrence before winding down into the VIA’s restored Gare du Palais.