VIA RAIL CANADA Business Class - What's It Like?
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- Опубликовано: 14 май 2020
- In early January this year, I needed to get from Toronto to London, Ontario, and there are a few options available.
Instead of subjecting myself to another flight on a Dash 8-400, I decided to try out VIA Rail Canada's Business Class, for a whole lot less!
See what I thought of VIA Rail Canada's impressively inexpensive Business Class in this special rail trip report!
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SOURCES
Union Station History:
www.toronto.ca/services-payme...
www.toronto.ca/services-payme...
Via Rail 2018 Annual Report:
media.viarail.ca/sites/defaul...
Via Rail Locomotives:
corpo.viarail.ca/en/projects-...
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SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: / alexpraglowskiaviation
Twitter: / alexpraglowski
Facebook: / alexpaviation
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Outro song: "Take Flight" by Nyhtian: • Nyhtian - Take Flight ...
#TallPeopleOnTrains
© Alex Praglowski Aviation 2020
This video is the property of Alex Praglowski Aviation and may not be used for any purpose without prior permission. Contact me at the email in the "About" section of my channel for usage.
“Now, unlike the bread rolls on a certain Canadian airline...this one was warm” lol
What Canadian airline? Air Canada?
Dandmore haha yeah business class. They are supposed to warm them, but not very steward does.
Yep
You should do the Canadian eventually
I definitely agree. Would love to watch that!
Very expensive.
About 3,000 one way.
It's a must do. Wonderful trip.
Especially if you want to see the business class lounge full!
I often use VIA for my travels between Ottawa and Toronto and with the exception of freight delays I love it. Very relaxing
@@MuhammadAhmed-qh7ut if the US and Canada both did that it would really be good for VIa rail and Amtrak.
But because are cities are so spread out and many of us just drive or fly I guess they don't see much use in it.
The train dispatchers know who butters their bread, and it isn't VIA... Or for that matter Amtrak...
Freight delays have gotten fewer in recent years as they have built more passing tracks for VIA trains, the first time I did that run (in 2009) the delays were much worse!
Porter airlines business class is much better
@@marshallmontgomery931 plane crashes
Totally agree with your review! I took VIA myself in Business Class from Toronto to Kingston and was shocked at the quality including hot meals. Best thing about it over a plane was good LEGROOM which no longer exists on a plane although I am not as tall as you. It's just a shame we can't have this train service in the West. Excellent review! I would choose the train anytime over the plane and I'm an avgeek!
With a train you can get up and move about where you can not do that on an aircraft.
Really shocking that there's no rail connection between Edmonton and Calgary. Sadly it remains just "talk" or at best a rumour. :(
@@SilverSamurai12 Nor is there Greyhound bus service either...
Amazing job Alex! This just shows that just because there is the word “Aviation” in the channel name, it doesn’t mean that there can only be aviation. FUN FACT: One of those locomotives pulling your train weighs over 120 tonnes! (Yes, before I got into aviation, I LOVED trains and railways. And because I live in Toronto, I used to, and still do love taking the GO Train when I go to Barrie and other places around Toronto!) Oh and quick question, do you have a video of the flight back from Manchester? No Pressure! Great Video. 👍👍👍
120 tonnes, cool! Thanks for your comment :) I did film the flights back from Manchester, yes, those'll be out in a few weeks!
Alex Praglowski Aviation Ok Great! Thanks. 👍✈️
@@AlexPraglowskiAviation thankfully we still get the transcontinental through Edmonton so we get train service to Vancouver and Toronto through our city still ! when things settle down a bit, wifey and I are on the first train to Vancouver for a vacation !!
As someone who is British and has been on trains most of my life, it seems odd to me to not have a rail link between two major cities like Calgary and Edmonton, but I've been a few times and I can see why with the distances involved. Regardless if you want trains, come to the UK! There's plenty of them here
Yes Europe is smaller so train makes more sense here than across the pond. However, high speed train could make sense and be profitable as Amtrak has shown on the east coast. I think the biggest problem is the lack of political will especially with the current administration
There is a HSR corridor most of the way - it was planned iirc
Gas is relatively cheap, distances are far and most people have cars. I don't see a future for HSR outside Toronto -Montreal route.
At least there is some... The US State of Wyoming doesn't have a single mile of passenger rail service at all....
@@francoisunger6466 train travel is still a problem in the US though. Face it the US and Canada have a lot of land with are cities far a part. The only reason high speed rail works on the East cost in the US where is at the because of how much closer the cities are. Detroit to Chicago is like going from Detroit to Toronto five hour drive or four to five hour train ride.
Only benefit of the train is you end up right in the heart of the city if you don't want to drive and pay for parking.
I really enjoyed this. Since moving to Atlantic Canada in 1990 from Montreal, I haven't done much rail travel. I was fortunate to be the Marketing Manager for VIA's first class redesign in the 80's. We renamed it VIA 1.
Surprisingly, as a 30 something, I had free range to design the in-station lounges, choose the meals, the china (Norataki I think), the wine as well as the interior layout and increase the pitch between seats.Liquor was aplenty back then with a pre meal drink, individual wine bottles (small) with the meal, and a post meal drink. That would never work today.
It was kind of a heady experience for a young fellow to be responsible for this. I lowered the price and increased the costs for meals with better quality and all the liquor. Not exactly logical...
When I presented to the Executives they asked how it was going to make money, with less seats in the car (I wanted to make it less cramped), reduced fares and increased costs.
It was simple.
The previous crappy first class was losing significant money every year and was operating at 50% capacity. I showed the Executive that by increasing capacity to 75%, even with less seats we hit breakeven and everything above that was gravy.
Frankly, as a marketer I wasn't sure if it was going to work... but I had faith. Thankfully it was successful from launch with an outstanding ad campagn from our inhouse advertising team. Wow. Memories.
It was great back then, and even better today. I think it's time for a Business Class trip on VIA.
After this, the Executive asked me to drive profits for Coach class in the Corridor. I offered free at your seat meals and got rid of the takeout car to reduce transportation costs. That worked. It was great working there as a marketer.
A neat change of pace! I've done Via from Toronto to Montreal. A fast, comfortable service. I thought it was neat that so much Canadian history happened along the route. I also thought it was neat that we were going faster than most of the traffic on 401.
Love to travel by train. Have done the Canadian twice, Toronto to Vancouver, then Jasper to Toronto. I have also done the Ocean, Halifax to Montreal. Great way to travel if the journey is the thing!
I traveled on the Ocean 21 years ago. Old smelly cars. I understand they have newer equipment from England. I would love to try that.
All of these are my bucket list . May do the Canadian next week Toronto to Vancouver thinking of a cabin for 1 ... its about $1765DISCOUNTED ... with economy being about $444 ... 4 days ... any suggestions?
@@sophrosyne5900 I would make sure that the dining car and dome cars are open again as they are a big part of the experience and have been off limits due to covid. I would definitely go with a cabin.
LOL at "Certain Canadian Airline"!
As a veteran airline traveler I have learned to really appreciate travel by rail including Amtrak and Via.
whenever I go to France every year from Montreal, I take the train from Paris to Lyon. we take the TGV which is such a fast train but I love it so much. It's a 3-hour ride but it's so relaxing. Since I'm always severely jet-lagged when I take this train, its always nice.
I was on a VIA train between Montreal and Kingston on September 11th, 2001. Enjoyed your video.
I travelled the Via Business Class in the "Corridor" so many times I lost count. I haven't done it in over 10 years so it was nice to see your report and how much things have changed. By that I mean the refurbish of their train cars because that was not the way they looked when I travelled them. That was a very interesting report and it was very enjoyable to watch. Now, if you want to do a serious trip report on trains, take the Canadian (if you can afford the time), it will be an experience you will never forget.
I've taken this route multiple times to visit my Grandmother in Toronto and when I saw this video I got excited since I've never gotten to see what business class is like. When you mentioned where you were going, I got even more excited and couldn't click away. This was an amazing video, thank you!
Talking with friends, that travel more than I do, they have said VIA has come a long way baby! Glad to hear this.
Great trip report! I just recently took my bucket list trip on the Canadian from Toronto to Edmonton, it was the 3rd Canadian to leave after the rail blockades came down and the LAST Canadian due to COVID-19. It was interesting, fun, and 15 hours late to Edmonton. I have a story to tell, and saw our country's vastness from a different angle. I really enjoy train travel, your channel, and this trip report.
As a train nut, and an aircraft nut, I liked your video. Train travel can be really nice. Here in the States, our passenger trains share the rails with freight traffic, as well.
To get a real experience, take the train, where you can get a sleeper, with your own shower and bathroom. And you're not in a hurry. Trains in Canada, that are long trips, that go thru the parks, ate my type of trains.
Relaxing and fun.Food is normally good. So, now you can add trains to your reports.
I have travelled on Via 1 many times and absolutely love their service! Your video is awesome and I’ve hit the subscribe button. You’re editing made me laugh a few times great job really enjoyed this video!
Rail travel is very relaxing. And a good way to see the countryside.
Woohoo! Love seeing trains on your channel. Looks like a great trip. Looking forward to more railway journeys. 👍👌
As much as I love watching your aviation videos, I also loved watching your non-aviation related video. Great video Alex!! Take care! :) - fellow Canadian from YVR
Loved the report! I'd definitely love to see more train content when things calm down again.
Great video. Haven't been on a Corridor train since '97 and I love the new interiors. The Canadian is definitely worth the trip if you have the money. The Ocean from Montreal to Halifax is another good option with great scenery.
Enjoyed the video very much. Have traveled Via Rail a few times from the Maritimes to Toronto and have always enjoyed the trip.
Alex, I was thinking "whaa??" when I saw the title saying you were taking the train...I'm a railfan who dabbles a bit with Aviation on the side, and as a fellow Calgarian, I do agree we're shorted trains here a lot. Send me a note when you want to chat about how to get the best prices and experience for the Canadian. It's well worth the trip, and if you can handle travelling in the winter, it's an awesome experience if you can afford the time.
Also, was thinking you'd say "and there is no air sickness bag in the seat pocket"... :-)
Great video. Looking forward to more train content!
The photos and your comments make me want to try the trip soon. I have traveled almost annually from Montreal to Toronto from 2000, but not for a couple of years. The food in business class looked delicious. I have never traveled by business class before, but now i would love to. Thank you for this wonderful review.
Hi Alex! Nice to see you with another great video! Keep up the fantabulous work!👍
Nice to see at least one Canadian carrier can do decent food.
Love the change of pace. Keep up the good work
Great video Alex… Train travel is really great. On my bucket list is riding the train from Vancouver all the way across to Toronto. I hope one day I can do it. Taking in the Canadian Rockies would be the best.
Alex, thanks for this great review. Not many from the railfan side. I live in Windsor, and do enjoy taking the train and how relaxing it is. It is longer trip, but so much better then driving to Toronto or flying.... thanks again...
Trying trains... that’s something new! I would like to try VIA Rail’s “The Canadian!” Awesome and unique video! 🇨🇦
Glad you enjoyed the business class service (I still call it VIA1 as per their previous naming practice) on VIA Rail's corridor. I took business class with my family back in November from Union Stn to Montreal and it was also excellent. For their age (early 1980s), the LRC cars were refurbished not too long ago and very well maintained.
Great video Alex. Thanks a lot, very enjoyable.
Definitely want to see more! Thanks for that. You really should try the Canadian. The views are amazing, especially those evening sunsets!
It’s annoying having to drive from Calgary to Edmonton to take the train anywhere, great video !!!
A high speed link between Edmonchuck and Calgay should be established forthwith!
Andy Taylor The distance is too short. Extending the line to Vancouver and even Seattle makes slightly more economic sense imo.
Andy Taylor Good idea
@@datawasatreacherousandroid6509 That will be longer than three hours, the golden rule for high speed rail... A Calgary to Edmonton high speed rail line of 300 km per hour true high speed rail train would go the 296 km distance in around one hour. That distance takes three hours to drive. Question is does Alberta have $40 plus billion to splash on this high speed rail train? The answer is no. Currently Alberta is projected to collect $50 billion in taxes and revenue and spend $56.1 billion in 2020-2021, leaving a deficit of $6.1 billion.
@@ronclark9724 it never gets paid all at once pal. But unfortunately our government cares more about giving oil companies tax breaks, the same companies that make billions every year, instead of investing in infrastructure.
This was a huge help! I'm taking a VIA trip for the first time next week (alone and long distance to boot) and I was really nervous, but this helped me know what to expect, so I feel better. Thanks for a comprehensive review!
I grew up 100 km east of Toronto and used CNR passenger service and then VIA to go to Toronto for a Saturday. Out in the morning and back in late afternoon or later on the overnight train to Montreal. Now, living in the passenger rail wasteland that is Alberta, I still have fond memories of train travel and get my fix when I go to Europe.
Took business class last year from Toronto to Montreal. Did the morning run and the food was great! Friendly staff and a comfortable ride. Enjoyed your video!
Very nice! I remember a few trips as a young boy through Europe. Once took a trip from Winnipeg to somewhere, a long, long time ago.
I so enjoy your podcasts and this was to your usual high quality
Super cool glad to see a different view thanks for sharing!
Very cool video!!! Glad you liked the train, I've taken it a few times between Montreal but never to London, now I kind of want to try it for a weekend trip!
The view outside must be fantastic for sure if it was shoot daytime, but non the less it was a really great and informative video. I would love to explore other provinces of Canada using train. Hope to see more of this. Great job!
Great job as always Alex. I enjoyed your take on traveling by train.
Hi Alex, I am a Brit, living in London England, and I have done a passenger train to Calgary ! In 2011, the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff, used to continue to Calgary. I have also travelled on EVERY railway line in the whole of Canada (except Churchill), from Carcross in the Yukon, to Schefferville in Quebec. From Prince Rupert and Vancouver to Halifax. From Moosonee to Niagara Falls. From Sarnia and Windsor to Quebec City. Including Kitchener and Ottawa. Plus loads of heritage lines. Nice to see you use the train; and that you enjoyed the experience and cuisine. You really do see much more by train - assuming you are not travelling at night...... LOL !
What a fun report! I hope that you'll do more. It reminded me of long ago when my fiancee and I traveled from Brownville JCT Maine to Vancouver on the old CN in 1971. That railway bisected Maine instead of circling the Gaspe Penisula like the CP. Our fare to Vancouver via Montreal was $60.00 each. In Montreal we were assigned a through-coach to BC for the 3 1/2 day trip. Soon everyone in the coach was sharing food and vodka caches, and I learned which conductors would sell cold bootleg beer. We had so much fun! And the huge seats would recline almost into flat beds. That was the second CN transcontinental trip I made but the most memorable. After our return to Tacoma for university, our life was boring. From a train nut, please ride more!
Excellent - and really interesting, as always. Loved it.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 for branching out Alex! Glad you enjoyed your experience. I hope, when Covid 19 is a thing of the past, that you take the plunge and experience the Canadian and see your country at ground level. I’d recommend their “Signature Class” which is sleeper compartments, meals, dome cars etc. But bring your bank book or cozy up to Via Rail PR Department. It’s really something to experience just once in your life.
I love travelling on trains Alex thank you for this trip.Cheers1
Great trip report. Via’s old LRC seats were (are as some cars have not yet been refurbished) more comfortable. In all my trips on Via, I had always wanted to ride on the ex-CP stainless steel cars. As luck would have it on my last train trip between Ottawa and Montreal in both directions! The first car had a reddish interior (very CP-esque), while the 2nd was blue and it felt like stepping back into the 1950s or 60s.
There are less than five such RUclips videos that cover Toronto to Vancouver 's journey. Waiting for that. Thank you.
I grew up in Montreal, but I presently live an hour north of Toronto, I often find myself taking the GO Train service into the city and VIA RAIL to Montreal (If I can't snag a cheap Air Transat ticket), so to see you making a video on a mode of transport I often take is awesome! Great job Alex!
P.S. I never took for granted how well developed our train network is here compared to out west...
Awesome video! I had never heard of "the Canadian" and that sounds like it should be the subject of your next video.
Excellent, competent commentary and good video. Thank you.
Thanks. I've wanting to explore this route, but it's been a little hard to get there from the U.S. Your video was the next best thing.
Great video! Fun. Will love to see more like this.
YESSSSS VIA Rail! I go to Union station every day for Uni on the GO Train/GO Bus (Until classes got cancelled lol) so it is great to see you review something from Union station in TOronto! Yay
I took VIA from Ottawa to Oshawa on Business class and found it a pleasant experience. Was served great food and beverages all included in the price of the ticket.
That looked just great nice video Alex as always
I do "Economy" for all my trips with VIA (From London to Ottawa) to see family and have recently considered trying "Business". Thank you very much for this informative video.
Great video! Amazing to see how great the service is to London.. I take this trip in economy every couple of months, maybe I’ll do it in business soon!
DEFINITELY DO THE Via Rail Canadian Oneday. MAYBE When The COVID Virus Pandemic is Over With And It is Safe to do.
The Canadian Unfortunately is NOT Running Right Now Due to COVID 19.
Great trip report! I do love trains and planes here in CYTH Thompson, i always take a VIA Rail Winnipeg-Churchill train to my grandma hometown community of Ilford on Hudson Bay rail line to Churchill. I mainly railfanning VIA Rail Churchill and planespotting
Yet another very informative and precise video from you Alex! I really enjoyed it as I too have made the train journey from Toronto to London but with delays. It appears that the number one priority on trains in Canada is freight. As a daily commuter from Burlington to Toronto, I experienced almost daily delays from just a few minutes to over one hour all due to freight trains. You made your journey seem very luxurious and compelling and I hope your return journey was just as great (did you experience a long delay between Hamilton and Aldershot?)! Thanks for sharing Alex. Cheers, Colin. P.s. as a senior the charge to London is half price plus you get to take a companion (care giver) with you for free. Really!!!
Blessings and hello Alex. You should broaden your horizon more in the world of rail travel, You get to see more of the country side and the experience is fantastic. Granted, its best to travel when you can SEE the country side in the daylight hours. No matter the mode of transport, you did a marvelous job of bringing us a new way of travelling.. WELL DONE ALEX..
So much fun to see you embrace train travel after watching so many of your flight vids. Though I love to fly, travelling by train is much more civilized and is my favoured mode of transport. I grew up in Ottawa and am used to train service but have been living in Banff for 25 years and lament the fact that we have nothing out here.
God I wish we had VIA in Calgary, or at least connection by rail to Edmonton and Banff/Lake Louise. I would use it so much.
DITTO! 3hr drive to Edmonton is so boring...
While travelling on The Canadian a decade or so ago, while chatting with a crewman, I asked what route he would love to see added to VIA's roster. He said Calgary - Vancouver as it is magnificent and the only way it can be done is on the incredibly expensive excursion Rocky Mountaineer. People would love ride that route and it wouldn't be overly expensive.
He also said that it would probably never happen as it would leach a lot of business away from the Rocky Mountaineer and they would freak out.
:(
VIA used to goto Calgary. I can't remember where we boarded, but we got off in Calgary.
@@joncalon7508 and really crappy in winter with the cross winds across the Number 2 highway. A train service would also allow people to live outside Calgary or Edmonton and commute into the citys while revitalising small towns. You could buy a cheaper house and not have to sit in traffic on the Deerfoot or Anthony Hendy every morning.
@@Len_M. Last time Via went to Calgary was 1990. There used to be a daily service from Winnipeg to Vancouver via Regina and Medicine Hat. Then they closed it down.
Lovely to see something different!!
Nice to see you coming to my hometown. I agree that VIA is a better option than the dash 8’s. I’ve only used the economy escape fares, might have to try the business class next time.
Taking business class tomorrow Montreal-Toronto - thanks for your great review. It was the only one without a "content creator"'s face in the frame nonstop. Thank you for focusing on the product and experience, and not on you!
4:51 completely saw that one coming 😂. Great video mate
Great video! I could get used to more train videos from your channel.
This was awesome to watch.
Great video. Very informative. Just took the Economy Fare Of Train 2 from Edmonton to Toronto then Train 75 to Brantford. Train 2 was EARLY into Toronto and Train 75 was right on time! Lovely crew from Edmonton to Winnipeg-shout out to Kevin who was hilarious! 😂🎉
Loved the video; I've done the opposite, morning trip from London to Toronto in business class. Loved it. Breakfast option was mediocre, a cold fruit plate, but the view is decent, loved getting off at Union Station, and it's so relaxing. The entertainment options have upgraded since I've done that trek.
Also, highly recommend doing the Canadian, I did it 17 years ago in economy. A bucket list trip for sure!
Very nice video, Alex!~ I have been taking the VIA Rail for over 12 years now ... I get on the train in a small town here in Ontario -- the town is so small that one gets on the train in the 'boonies' as they say :) one doesn't check in at the train station there because there is no booth to do so ... in regards to your mentioning about delays, etc., there have been major delays in which I have had to wait at a minimum of 12 hours in order to get on the train; and one time I was on the train for 48 hours and my trip was to be 32 hours in total ... I just accept it as part of the train travelling ways as this is my very favourite way to travel within Canada ... thank you so much for sharing your journey on VIA Rail!~~~
Nice to see you check out VIArail. Nice change in mode of transport for your review. In like it. We use/used it often to head from a Toronto to Montreal as a family. And I can say without our a doubt that we have experienced the delays you mentioned. Overall our experience is good and when you consider travel to an airport, checkin, and the flight to Montreal we’ll take the train almost every time.
Fantastic Job Alex!
7:42 You can see a vision of an Air Canada plane 737Max.. Nice video! Enjoyed watching the trip by train. Always wanted to try it.
Looks like a nice quick and fun trip!
Hey Alex you haver some great videos of your travel on planes and trains. Keep it going my Albertan friend. Regards Peter from the Montreal area.
Great video! Alex, and I highly recommend you try Amtrak cross country as I have heard many a good journey on board that rail carrier.
ALEX! You are so grounded!!!
Interesting perspective, I rode trains all over Eastern Canada growing up, used them to commute, best way to travel.
Very nice. I've done VIA 1 several times and the Canadian a couple of time. Via should be very proud of their product. It's a very civilized way to travel.
Wonderful taste of rail travel - sent to a friend who wants to take the Canadian
Definitely should do more train reports, this was enjoyable!
Great look into the business experience, Alex. I'm aiming to do the Ottawa - Toronto route in the summer...if I can get myself there. The railway was such an integral part of building the country and the network was expansive. It's sad that it's only a fraction of what it once was.
Fun fact: airport codes YVR, YYZ etc are thanks to the railway.
Definitely enjoyed the video Alex! Would love to see more train videos! (Perhaps maybe a trans-border route?)
Great video. Would like to see a day strip though. How about a cross Canada trip! But thanks for filming the experience and giving your viewers a different travel option.
Really nice video, something different is always a good idea!
Well done Alex! You have me wanting to try a train on Quebec City-Windsor route. The LRC cars look excellent and well cared for. A suggestion, when the boarder opens up, check out Amtrak’s Cascades running between Vancouver and Seattle. It is an excellent day train to try out, then the Coast Starlight to Los Angeles, an Overnight Train. Then the European Intercity services. Well, those are my suggestions.
Very well put together! I may don’t like trains nearly as much as I like planes, but I do enjoy travelling in them! Next time you go to Europe, you should try out the TGV and the Eurostar. That would make awesome trip reports too! 😄✈️
Awesome trip report! I use VIA when travelling home from school between London and Windsor. I wish you talked about London station a little bit though! Overall great video. :)
Here here I second that motion too Alex. I very highly reccomend a trip on the Canadian when it gets going again. And if you do. I reccomend a sleeping car accomodation. As not only are your meals all included in your passage. But each sleeping car has a shared shower. And very friendly crew to serve your every need. I did it in May of 2000 and it was awesome.
This is the first video of yours I have view, and I have to say you hit it out of the park and into the roundhouse!
Very nice review!! Imagine taking the train to Vancouver. You mentioned It's a four day journey. That's a long drag.
Looks great! I'm looking forward to traveling Via from Torontoto Vancouver.