Search results

Having lived in Alberta - including both in Edmonton and Calgary - for the first half of the 2010s, I could provide some of my own perspectives on a passenger rail service between Edmonton and Calgary could be (re)started. Regardless of whether one would use the existing CPR ROW or building a...

I rode the Heartland Flyer once 4 years ago OKC-FTW. It was packed...and I mean packed. That train is very popular and glad to see this special fare deal for the 10th anniversary. Any fare deals will more than likely result in the trains being 100% filled and then some. I wonder if they may have...

I have done a similar trip to what you are planning. In 2005 (the last multiple-night train adventure I took), I travelled OKC-FTW-LAX-SEA-VAC on trains 821, 421, 14 and 510. Had a Bedroom on 421 and 14 which was very nice, (but expensive, a roomette may be more within your budget if you want a...

As far as I am concerned, Business Class is only worth it on trains 510/517. That's because you go through Customs faster plus you are closer to the dining car. You may also get a $3.00 coupon (not sure if they still do that, that was as of Aug 05), plus a quieter car (unless some silly person...

Two things about that connection: 1) We'd have to stay overnight in Jasper. 2) We don't have the time to do that little detour. I wish the Cariboo Prospector was still around -_-

Comfort class fares again vary. Like I was saying above, $100 USD round-trip from Prince George-Jasper for the basic non-refundable fare during the off-season. For a weekend getaway, that is actually not too bad (you'll probably pay that amount in gas if you drive). Now, get that train to...

Additional Customs charges would be out of the question if this were to be considered. Many Canadians are quite frankly p***ed that the federal government (not exactly a rail-friendly government, as the PM hails from Calgary, AB, aka HQ for Canadian oil/gas companies) is being unreasonable with...

Perhaps if/when the Pioneer is restored, instead of just terminating in SEA, extend it to VAC with the added purpose of providing an overnight service along the Cascades corridor. It would leave PDX eastbound in the AM and arrive PDX westbound in the late PM.

$5000 is for a Triple Bedroom/Drawing room (the room itself, not per person). Berths are at least half of that price. I agree with you about the cart service. Don't know what the Corridor experience is like but I had cart service when I was on the Skeena last September. Didn't really like it...

Why does that scream "potential logistical nightmare" to me? You may have upwards to 70 people who'll have to divert to another car for de-boarding (along with baggage and such). Not very efficient if you ask me.

I'm curious as to how they will reconcile the manual-opening Superliner doors with the automatic Surfliner ones. It may be a bit of a hassle for de/boarding and staffing. And thanks for the heads up about the Surfliner Business class. Guess it really isn't worth the upgrade anymore (except for...

I couldn't find anything on the VIA site that shows its on-time performance. The only thing that comes close is in its annual report. 2007 is the latest report, which shows OTP at 77% (down from 84% in 2006). The report can be downloaded here: http://www.viarail.ca/pdf/an2007/VIARail_complet_en.pdf.

Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada are two similar, but at the same time different, animals. Both are government-run corporations (what we call in Canada a Crown Corporation), however, they differ in the way they were created. Amtrak was created through actual legislation in Congress; to consolidate...

My mother and I are going to be going down to Oceanside, CA this Christmas and New Year's, and we will be taking Amtrak down (except from Prince George-Vancouver, no more trains that run that route anymore). We'll be on the Dec. 18 CS leaving SEA. However, I have a question to ask. It's about...

Silver & Blue on the Canadian (and most sleeper/first class products) on Via Trains are quite expensive. However, it is the revenue from that that keeps the trains afloat. If you thought America was bad for funding Amtrak, look north of the border for a real political football with Via. The...

My name means the only passenger train that runs through my town of Prince George (PG)- Via Rail Canada's The Skeena.

Hi everyone, My name is Drew and I am from Prince George in the heart of British Columbia. I am a big fan and advocate for passenger rail and I always try to ride on Amtrak or Via whenever I can. I've been on many Amtrak routes (pretty much all of the post-1997 long distance routes west of...