When my grandparents emigrated from England at the beginning of the 20th century they tooka train through northern Ontario on their way to the west. My granddad remarked that the country was nothing but "bloody rocks and christmas trees".
You ever get on this classic train. You will never forget the awesome service from the ever so friendly onboard crew. And the Service Manager is very informative.. And when you are in Sleeping Car Accomodation. All your meals in the Dinning Car are included with your ticket. I know that because I personally have also been on it
I worked on The Canadian in the summers from 1969 to 1971 when it was run by Canadian Pacific. The route around the north shore of Lake Superior was far more scenic than the present VIA route. The dinner in the diner as "nothing could be finer" was not anywhere nearly as varied as it is now. The main thing on the menu was roast turkey but you could have salmon and that was pretty well all there was except for omlettes. When I worked on the train the cars had not been refurbished and were very basic. They didn't even have showers. Now they are beautifully done and they are more luxurious and tasteful.
My trip on The Canadian began on May 28, so just 10 days after you arrived in Vancouver. I was blessed to have mostly clear blue skies nearly all the way. What a shame that your views were so obstructed by the smoke, especially on your final day. I had a wonderful 4 days and nights in Sleeper Plus Class , the food was very good and I met a lot of really wonderful people from all over the world. I would recommend this trip to anyone who knows the value of taking each moment as it comes and appreciates a slow and steady pace. I was very relaxed at the end of my trip, yet also energized! Good video, thanks for posting it. It allowed me to re-live my trip!
I had a summer job as a VIA Rail Dining Car waiter working between Toronto and Winnipeg (where the train switches crews), 1979 and 1980. It was an adventure and I love to revisit the scenery through these videos. It's just a shame that train travel in Canada is hideously expensive, making this kind of travel an option that is not viable for everyone.
Nice video, I rode the train to Toronto and back a month after your trip. It really makes one appreciate our country, the scenery just amazing, and definitely met some awesome people from all over the world.
We travelled the week before you. I am only 10 minutes in and assuming, like us, you travelled through wildfire smoke. Lovely to see Marty and the two wait staff whose names I can't remember sadly. They worked well together, it was like a ballet as they moved past each other to serve. Thanks for a great video.
I remember our service coordinator's name - Liz. And Karena. All the via rail staff were fantastic. What an experience!! Also the servers in the dining car. They were very classy and full of good humour.
Travelled from Winnipeg to Thompson on train via destination to Churchill in July 2023 life time unforgettable experience specially after enjoying train journeys in England Spain and Morocco but last was awesome
recently arrived back in the UK after taking train 2 in the other direction. super route, sat in economy so as i could meet 'real' people. as and when the train stopped for fuel managed to source food from local stores as we headed eastwards. nice video.
I traveled Vancouver to Toronto on the Canadian about 5 years, pre-pandemic! Thought it was fantastic with food and events being real highlights. Loved meeting so many interesting people. I was always seated at mealtimes with someone else as I traveled solo. Am considering doing the trip again. Its like a moving hotel room!! When I traveled, the train was full> same with your trip?? How many coached on yout train?? How did you find the berths? Satisficed? I debated but finally went for room for one. Really too bad aboutt he smoke. The Rockies are quite spectacular---when you can see them!!! Thoroughly enjoyed your vid---as I relived my own journey!!
Hi Greg, so good to hear about your experience... yes it was an awesome trip. no questions. the train was full (a big UK travel group was with us in the same section).. However all co-passengers were so friendly -In fact I made friends with many of them... On our train it was probably 20-21 coaches.. We took the upper and lower berths - quiet comfortable - but we hardly spent time there - mostly we were in the dome car or in the lounge or the dining car. Will definitely do the trip again in a different season.
Ontario north of Toronto is beautiful. From just across the Manitoba border to Calgary or Edmonton is flat. Local joke is if your dog runs away, you can still him running two days later. Most people who visit or have lived in Winnipeg AKA Winterpeg, Consider it the armpit of earth, and others have a lower opinion of it. From Calgary or Edmonton to Vancouver is again beautiful. This opinion is from a retired truck driver that did this trip over a 35 years. From what I saw from this video, if you want to see Canada, I would recommend it to anyone. I'd say drive a truck, but no meal service, no one to take down or make your bed. Washroom facilities are a truck stop, road side or bottle or pail. Shower is a truck stop or in a rain storm. So I recommend the train.
Lol. Loved reading your testimony sir! Of course a road trip or even on a truck is adventurous... Anyway to appreciate the beauty of this immense country is a thrill. Pity, so many people are stuck in GTA and never venture out to see the 'real Canada'
@@LostInTheWildCanada So many people are locked into their hum drum city lives and are afraid to explore. I delivered to New York city and talked to people that were never out of a 10 block area where they live.
Well I was on the Canadian departing Union Station August 23. We make it as far as Winnipeg then were told the train would not go through to Vancouver and end at Edmonton. We got off in Winnipeg because why go farther away from home when the real reason is to go through the Rocky Mountains starting at Jasper. Via Rail left us with no support, no transport or no accommodations. My additional expenses totaled $1138.00. Via Rail would not cover any of our extra expenses. They take no responsibility for leaving us in a city 2000 Km from home. I am disgusted by the treatment we received. As were others. Our train had at least 100 senior citizens that were left to their own devices. I will never travel Via Rail again
I took The Ocean route in July and that was a great trip as well. If you ever get the chance give it a try, Montreal to Halifax or reverse. It probably will not compare to The Canadian but it would complete the cross country completely going the other way. I enjoyed watching your trip! @@LostInTheWildCanada
3:13 That cacophony of voices makes a good case for noise canceling headphones. Maybe those with younger ears who live & work daily in those sound conditions can tune that stuff out. To me it’s the equivalent of the blasting metal music the military uses to drive out holed up bad guys in a standoff.
It depends on the season. But a one way ticket can go anywhere from $1800 cad to $3000 cad for a sleeper plus berth... Sleeper plus cabin is a little more.
I am a senior, so I got a bit of a discount. I also didn't travel during the 'high' season, which began with the very next departure from Toronto. My fare (tax included) came to $1,312. travelling in a lower Sleeper Plus Berth. Incredible!
When my grandparents emigrated from England at the beginning of the 20th century they tooka train through northern Ontario on their way to the west. My granddad remarked that the country was nothing but "bloody rocks and christmas trees".
Haha. Accurately described Northern Ontario. And lakes and rivers.
As a Canadian, I've never taken British arrogance seriously. They're too wrapped up in their own interpretation of the world.
The train ride was great, but meeting people like you and your wife took it over the top and made it an incredible experience!!
The same can be said about you folks. It was great to meet you both as well. I enjoyed the interactions with all our co-passengers immensely. 🙏
Thank you for 100 Likes!! Didnt think so many people will be viewing this journey.
Great journey, Thank you for taking us along. Safe travels.
Amazing, great journey. Definitely one day we would like journey experience this train.
Absolutely!!! I wish you are able to take the train ride soon enough. You will never regret it.
You ever get on this classic train. You will never forget the awesome service from the ever so friendly onboard crew. And the Service Manager is very informative..
And when you are in Sleeping Car Accomodation. All your meals in the Dinning Car are included with your ticket.
I know that because I personally have also been on it
I worked on The Canadian in the summers from 1969 to 1971 when it was run by Canadian Pacific. The route around the north shore of Lake Superior was far more scenic than the present VIA route. The dinner in the diner as "nothing could be finer" was not anywhere nearly as varied as it is now. The main thing on the menu was roast turkey but you could have salmon and that was pretty well all there was except for omlettes. When I worked on the train the cars had not been refurbished and were very basic. They didn't even have showers. Now they are beautifully done and they are more luxurious and tasteful.
Great to hear about the history! Thank you so much for sharing
My trip on The Canadian began on May 28, so just 10 days after you arrived in Vancouver. I was blessed to have mostly clear blue skies nearly all the way. What a shame that your views were so obstructed by the smoke, especially on your final day. I had a wonderful 4 days and nights in Sleeper Plus Class , the food was very good and I met a lot of really wonderful people from all over the world. I would recommend this trip to anyone who knows the value of taking each moment as it comes and appreciates a slow and steady pace. I was very relaxed at the end of my trip, yet also energized! Good video, thanks for posting it. It allowed me to re-live my trip!
Wonderful!! Yes this experience is a once in a lifetime one, smoke/ no smoke - we enjoyed it thoroughly... Will do it again in a different season.
I had a summer job as a VIA Rail Dining Car waiter working between Toronto and Winnipeg (where the train switches crews), 1979 and 1980. It was an adventure and I love to revisit the scenery through these videos. It's just a shame that train travel in Canada is hideously expensive, making this kind of travel an option that is not viable for everyone.
Wow!!! Food on the Canadian is indeed SPLENDID!
Nice video, I rode the train to Toronto and back a month after your trip. It really makes one appreciate our country, the scenery just amazing, and definitely met some awesome people from all over the world.
Most definitely. I would do this trip again whenever possible
Thank you for this fantastic video! So sorry that you couldn’t see the Rockies because of the smoke from the fires!
Yes, a bit of a dampener... Nevertheless it was an amazing trip
i 💘 via rail 🇨🇦 i travel toronto to Edmonton last year february 2022 & i enjoying so much to see the different beauty of 🇨🇦
Absolutely!! Canada beauty is spectacular
Great video. I'm planning on doing this trip in November 2023 and your video has me counting the days!
Fantastic! It will be a lifetime experience for you... I will certainly do this train ride again and again in different seasons...
We travelled the week before you. I am only 10 minutes in and assuming, like us, you travelled through wildfire smoke.
Lovely to see Marty and the two wait staff whose names I can't remember sadly. They worked well together, it was like a ballet as they moved past each other to serve.
Thanks for a great video.
I remember our service coordinator's name - Liz. And Karena. All the via rail staff were fantastic. What an experience!!
Also the servers in the dining car. They were very classy and full of good humour.
Travelled from Winnipeg to Thompson on train via destination to Churchill in July 2023 life time unforgettable experience specially after enjoying train journeys in England Spain and Morocco but last was awesome
Amazing!! Yes we want to go upto Churchill too someday
recently arrived back in the UK after taking train 2 in the other direction.
super route, sat in economy so as i could meet 'real' people. as and when the train stopped for fuel managed to source food from local stores as we headed eastwards.
nice video.
great to hear about your experience... Cheers!
Is CHURCHILL Manitoba a winter wonderland, than Salt Spring Island, British Columbia? The automatic answer to that is "YES"!!!!!
Amazing!!! Thank you so much for sharing . We just saw fro Brazil and will be done a small part of it (Vancouver - Jasper) Regards !!!!
Yes it's all worth it. Vancouver to Jasper is actually the best part of the journey.
wow great trip wish i can do that trip some day ....cheers
You should!
don't have the $$$$$$ ...cheers@@LostInTheWildCanada
I traveled Vancouver to Toronto on the Canadian about 5 years, pre-pandemic! Thought it was fantastic with food and events being real highlights. Loved meeting so many interesting people. I was always seated at mealtimes with someone else as I traveled solo. Am considering doing the trip again. Its like a moving hotel room!! When I traveled, the train was full> same with your trip?? How many coached on yout train?? How did you find the berths? Satisficed? I debated but finally went for room for one. Really too bad aboutt he smoke. The Rockies are quite spectacular---when you can see them!!! Thoroughly enjoyed your vid---as I relived my own journey!!
Hi Greg, so good to hear about your experience... yes it was an awesome trip. no questions. the train was full (a big UK travel group was with us in the same section).. However all co-passengers were so friendly -In fact I made friends with many of them... On our train it was probably 20-21 coaches.. We took the upper and lower berths - quiet comfortable - but we hardly spent time there - mostly we were in the dome car or in the lounge or the dining car. Will definitely do the trip again in a different season.
Great Video,was on that train
Awesome!! Would have loved to get introduced on the train, but glad that I found you here.
Excellent
Thank you!!
Ontario north of Toronto is beautiful. From just across the Manitoba border to Calgary or Edmonton is flat. Local joke is if your dog runs away, you can still him running two days later. Most people who visit or have lived in Winnipeg AKA Winterpeg, Consider it the armpit of earth, and others have a lower opinion of it. From Calgary or Edmonton to Vancouver is again beautiful. This opinion is from a retired truck driver that did this trip over a 35 years. From what I saw from this video, if you want to see Canada, I would recommend it to anyone. I'd say drive a truck, but no meal service, no one to take down or make your bed. Washroom facilities are a truck stop, road side or bottle or pail. Shower is a truck stop or in a rain storm. So I recommend the train.
Lol. Loved reading your testimony sir! Of course a road trip or even on a truck is adventurous... Anyway to appreciate the beauty of this immense country is a thrill. Pity, so many people are stuck in GTA and never venture out to see the 'real Canada'
@@LostInTheWildCanada So many people are locked into their hum drum city lives and are afraid to explore. I delivered to New York city and talked to people that were never out of a 10 block area where they live.
Thank you for the 50 Thumbs!! Please consider subscribing to this channel. Cheers!
Well I was on the Canadian departing Union Station August 23. We make it as far as Winnipeg then were told the train would not go through to Vancouver and end at Edmonton. We got off in Winnipeg because why go farther away from home when the real reason is to go through the Rocky Mountains starting at Jasper.
Via Rail left us with no support, no transport or no accommodations. My additional expenses totaled $1138.00. Via Rail would not cover any of our extra expenses.
They take no responsibility for leaving us in a city 2000 Km from home.
I am disgusted by the treatment we received. As were others. Our train had at least 100 senior citizens that were left to their own devices.
I will never travel Via Rail again
Oh that's really unfortunate! 😳😔 Did they cancel the service beyond Edmonton because of the wildfire situation?
Who slept in the upper bunk? Can't wait to do this trip.
It was me on the upper bunk. But I think I spent minimum time sleeping. Most of the time I was in the dome car. Even in the evening
I took The Ocean route in July and that was a great trip as well. If you ever get the chance give it a try, Montreal to Halifax or reverse. It probably will not compare to The Canadian but it would complete the cross country completely going the other way. I enjoyed watching your trip!
@@LostInTheWildCanada
Yes! Definitely on my to do list. Also the trip to Churchill from Winnipeg. Thanks for your wonderful comments. ❤️
How do you book a trip?
Hi @jonest1627, you can book tickets from viarail website. www.viarail.ca/en
3:13 That cacophony of voices makes a good case for noise canceling headphones. Maybe those with younger ears who live & work daily in those sound conditions can tune that stuff out. To me it’s the equivalent of the blasting metal music the military uses to drive out holed up bad guys in a standoff.
How much fare
It depends on the season. But a one way ticket can go anywhere from $1800 cad to $3000 cad for a sleeper plus berth... Sleeper plus cabin is a little more.
I am a senior, so I got a bit of a discount. I also didn't travel during the 'high' season, which began with the very next departure from Toronto. My fare (tax included) came to $1,312. travelling in a lower Sleeper Plus Berth. Incredible!