NS VIA Fan
Conductor
With some VIA Preference Points to burn......I headed out on a 'Business Class' trip from Quebec City to Toronto last weekend.
VIA's Business Class is more of a First Class product than what Amtrak considers Business Class......offering a hot meal along with complementary beer, wine and liquor. It's available on just about every train in the Quebec City to Windsor Corridor and very popular with some trains even running with two Business Class cars. Weekends see fewer travellers....so I've found this the best time to travel with a bit more personal service offered......along with your choice of a better selection of seats. In the refurbished cars there are single seats in a 2+1 configuration....but half the car is set up with seats either forward facing or back to travel.
Amenities offered have slipped a bit over the years: the hot cloth is now a sealed paper towel (still hot). The meal courses arrive all at once on the tray.....and those signature after dinner truffles are now individually wrapped chocolate pieces. On thing that hasn't changed is the great staff and service.
My trip began at the beautifully restored Gare du Palais in Quebec City:
Before we even departed a round of drinks was offered......and then the meal: I chose the Almond Crusted Chicken. (no that sauce is not pink!....it's just the lighting)
VIA's Business Class is more of a First Class product than what Amtrak considers Business Class......offering a hot meal along with complementary beer, wine and liquor. It's available on just about every train in the Quebec City to Windsor Corridor and very popular with some trains even running with two Business Class cars. Weekends see fewer travellers....so I've found this the best time to travel with a bit more personal service offered......along with your choice of a better selection of seats. In the refurbished cars there are single seats in a 2+1 configuration....but half the car is set up with seats either forward facing or back to travel.
Amenities offered have slipped a bit over the years: the hot cloth is now a sealed paper towel (still hot). The meal courses arrive all at once on the tray.....and those signature after dinner truffles are now individually wrapped chocolate pieces. On thing that hasn't changed is the great staff and service.
My trip began at the beautifully restored Gare du Palais in Quebec City:
Before we even departed a round of drinks was offered......and then the meal: I chose the Almond Crusted Chicken. (no that sauce is not pink!....it's just the lighting)