77 replies to this topic

[NS VIA Fan]

A rare opportunity to see the Canadian in in the Thompson and Fraser River Canyons in daylight!…….and I just happen to be in Abbotsford BC right now, planning to railfan between here and Kamloops today…….I’ll be watching for you!

This is directional running territory and your w/b Canadian will be on CN . The e/b Canadian runs on CP. You will see the other railway up on the rock cliff on the opposite side of the river and a steady stream of trains.

[pennyk]

A rare opportunity to see the Canadian in in the Thompson and Fraser River Canyons in daylight!…….and I just happen to be in Abbotsford BC right now, planning to railfan between here and Kamloops today…….I’ll be watching for you!

This is directional running territory and your w/b Canadian will be on CN . The e/b Canadian runs on CP. You will see the other railway up on the rock cliff on the opposite side of the river and a steady stream of trains.

Yes, Fraser canyon was magnificent! I think all pax were in the dome. One pax had traveled on the Canadian 19 times and had never seen Fraser canyon in daylight. I hope you got to see our train - if i would have known, I would have waved. I did see the the other railway on the opposite side of the river. I had a front row seat in the dome car.

Right now I am in Cascades BC from VAC to SEA, on my way home to ORL by rail. The couple sitting across the aisle from meare going to SEA to catch a plane to go to ORL. Airfare is less expensive from SEA than VAC.

[Steve4031]

Ooo I sure do envy you. When I was delayed 8 hours by a broken rail east of Edmonton, we had a cool ride through the mountains at night. It was so cold the towns were engulfed with fog. Between towns it was crystal clear.

[NS VIA Fan]

A rare opportunity to see the Canadian in in the Thompson and Fraser River Canyons in daylight!…….and I just happen to be in Abbotsford BC right now, planning to railfan between here and Kamloops today…….I'll be watching for you!

This is directional running territory and your w/b Canadian will be on CN . The e/b Canadian runs on CP. You will see the other railway up on the rock cliff on the opposite side of the river and a steady stream of trains.

Yes, Fraser canyon was magnificent! I think all pax were in the dome. One pax had traveled on the Canadian 19 times and had never seen Fraser canyon in daylight. I hope you got to see our train - if i would have known, I would have waved. I did see the the other railway on the opposite side of the river. I had a front row seat in the dome car.

Right now I am in Cascades BC from VAC to SEA, on my way home to ORL by rail. The couple sitting across the aisle from meare going to SEA to catch a plane to go to ORL. Airfare is less expensive from SEA than VAC.

Sorry I missed you ……and the Canadian. Guess it slipped by while I was high above the tracks on the Trans Canada Highway. Should have just found a good spot and waited! A rare opportunity lost!

[pennyk]

Recently easily passed through customs on the Cascades (12/7). We were running early so we waited a bit at the border, but then we had to wait on a coal train, so now we are running late.

After just getting off the VIA Canadian, I would like to make some comments and comparisons:

Food: VIA is far superior, although Amtrak has a more extensive dessert selection. VIA only had 2 choices per meal. The attendants in the dining car knew of my food allergies and i was accomodated with special orders.

Equipment: I loved the Park Car and spent most of my time socializing and/or looking out the window. My bedroom on the Canadian was much cleaner than any bedroom I have had on Amtrak. I like having a shower in my room which VIA's bedroom did not have.

Crew: hard to compare, but in general the 2 crews I had on the Canadian seemed more experienced and efficient than the typical Amtrak crew - but I hate to generalize.

Cost: usually VIA is much more expensive, but with the express deal, I paid $871 for the 4 day trip in a bedroom for two, by myself. The express deals make VIA more economical.

French: all announcements are made in English and French. I love the French language, although I cannot speak it. I did pick up a few words.
Y
Refunds: Amtrak is much better than VIA in general, except that VIA will give you a credit in the amiunt of 50%of your ticket price if your train arrives more than 4 hours late at your destination.

Hopefully, I will enjoy my Amtrak trip home as much as I enjoyed the Canadian.

More later. I have a long hard day of sitting on trains and eating.

[jimhudson]

Welcome Home Penny! Its 25 degrees here in Austin, finally had a couple of inches of Rain and our first freeze, we arent used to all this Cold and Wet!

Hope the Starlight and Zephyr rides are warm, on time and the food is good and tyhe OBS better on your way home! Dont forget and look for a Dome car or the Parlor(except the PPC on the Starlight! ), Amtrak is fresh out! At least theres only two directions on the Train, forwards and backwards! Rest up and enjoy the Loooooong ride home to Sunny Florida! Perhaps you can shed a few layers of Winter Clothing on the way home!

Edited by jimhudson, 07 December 2011 - 11:55 PM.

[ColdRain&Snow]

 We'll be passing one another tonight somewhere between Chico and Redding. We've got really clear skies and a nearly full moon this evening, so be on the lookout for Mt. Shasta gleaming above the train. It may be a beautiful sight! 

[pennyk]

 We'll be passing one another tonight somewhere between Chico and Redding. We've got really clear skies and a nearly full moon this evening, so be on the lookout for Mt. Shasta gleaming above the train. It may be a beautiful sight! 

I likely will be sleeping when we pass but I will pretend to wave. I have seen the moon and it is beautiful. I likely will not see Mt. Shasta - i am on the wrong side of the train and hopefully will be sleeping soundly.

[the_traveler]

will be sleeping soundly.

After all those Canadian beers I'm sure you'll be sleeping like a rock!

[pennyk]

will be sleeping soundly.

After all those Canadian beers I'm sure you'll be sleeping like a rock!

I am in MTZ, CA right now after sleeping very well on the CS. I did not drink any Canadian beer yesterday (Thursday, I think), but I did partake in the CS wine tasting and i finished every drop that was poured.

I am connecting to the CZ in Martinez at the suggestion of jimhudson - thanks Jim. The phone agent would not permit an EMY connection, so it was either SAC or MTZ. We arrived in SAC before 5:30 am, and I am sure glad I did not have to get off the train there. I was able to eat breakfast and relax for a few minutes. The MTZ station is nice, but the wooden benches are hard if you have a boney butt ...... but - it is much better than SAC.

[the_traveler]

The MTZ station is nice, but the wooden benches are hard if you have a boney butt ...... but - it is much better than SAC.

Yes it is, and yes it is! Put some more "junk in the trunk" - have some more deserts!

[pennyk]

I am on the CZ now - sitting in the sightseer lounge. Although I was told that there is a low pax load, the lounge is packed. The conductor announced that 100 people were going to be getting off in Reno. I believe it because I am sitting at a table and everyone around me is going to Reno. There is a group of friends/family occupying 3 tables. They are from Sonoma and some of them grow grapes and make wine. The brought many bottles of their "home grown" with them and are enjoying it in the lounge car. My guess is that against the rules, but no one has said anything. One of the men said that he asked if it was OK and he was told yes.


We are at about 1 mile elevation and the is snow outside.

[manchacrr]

Just curious, how was the phone service in Canada? I have an iPhone and plan on purchasing an international calling card when I get to Toronto.

[pennyk]

Just curious, how was the phone service in Canada? I have an iPhone and plan on purchasing an international calling card when I get to Toronto.

I normally use a tracfone, prepaid phone, which does not work at all in Canada. For emergency purposes, so i would have a phone, I purchased a $10 AT&T go phone and put $25 on it. In Canada, it worked on Rogers roaming network, and i was charged 38¢ per minute for calls and 25¢ for texts. I had service around cities - about the same as the Canadians.

BTW - right now we are in Elko, Nevada (arriving a few minutes early).

[caravanman]

Hi Penny,

Seated in my hotel in hot hot Trivandrum, South India, your cold Canadian journey has some appeal, one can be just too warm, methinks.
I took the Canadian myself earlier this year, my memory is of consuming vast amounts of champaign, and yes, I was happy to consume every drop too!
I am coming to the end of my rail tour here, maybe I will take a contrasting winter trip on the Canadian soon.

Be Lucky,

Ed

[pennyk]

I woke up early in order to see the lunar eclipse. I was able to see portions of it when we were not in a canyon. We are just east of Helper, UT and we are running pretty much on time.

After Reno, the passenger load thinned out considerably. I heard the LSA mention that there are only 27 sleeping car pax - apparently there were 30 for dinner last night and we "lost" 3.

Ed - you may be warm in India, but I am warm in Utah! I think they are over heating the train. I am in short sleeves, as are many of the sleeping car pax. I will put on some layers when i get fresh air. Dave - there is some of that northern "sand" outdoors.

[pennyk]

Before I forget, I want to comment about my SCa on the CZ. His name is Pete and i think he is the best SCA that i have EVER had.

I am in a bedroom and he has emptied my trash bag several times, cleaned my mirror, and cleaned my toilet. He comes by regularly to see if I need anything. He is efficient, friendly and attentive - but not overbearing.

[gswager]

According to our guy caves, he's overdoing!

[pennyk]

We are in Iowa now and running a little late. According to the LSA, if we are late in Iowa, we should blame Warren Buffet and "his" coal trains. So far today, I have seen 2 empty coal trains and one full coal train, which we passed. Iowa, to me, looks a lot better with snow on the ground. It is quite scenic.

I am in the SSL, and for the first time this trip, I am cold inside the train. It was so warm inside my room, that i was tempted to put on shorts - i am glad I chose to continue to wear my yoga pants (which I can roll up if I get warm).

We just stopped along side of another full coal train. Neither train is moving now. I hope we get to go first.

I remain very happy with my SCA Pete. Apparently he is keeping the community restrooms very clean. I heard a woman pax compliment him.

[jis]

Just curious, how was the phone service in Canada? I have an iPhone and plan on purchasing an international calling card when I get to Toronto.

I normally use a tracfone, prepaid phone, which does not work at all in Canada. For emergency purposes, so i would have a phone, I purchased a $10 AT&T go phone and put $25 on it. In Canada, it worked on Rogers roaming network, and i was charged 38¢ per minute for calls and 25¢ for texts. I had service around cities - about the same as the Canadians.

BTW - right now we are in Elko, Nevada (arriving a few minutes early).

I usually just add on Canada Roaming to my AT&T All US plan (including metered Data) whenever I go to Canada, just for the duration of the plan. Surprisngly, Rogers actually provides better service where there is coverage than AT&T does at my home in the middle of NJ subrbia!