Rocky/Whistler Mountaineer/Via Rail

Staff member: Christine // Trip date: Sep 2006

Canada

Rocky Mountaineer (Vancouver - Banff)

This trip started at 7am, we got to the Rocky Mountaineer station and proceeded inside. Check in was very easy, there was clearly marked lines for Red and Gold Leaf classes. We went to the desk and the lady was very helpful, our bags were taken very quickly and we were told of a boarding time and where to go and how to get a coffee before we departed. When it was time to board the train we heard a train horn in the station then they sang 'All aboard'

We proceeded down to the clearly marked carriages. We traveled in Red leaf for the first part of the journey (Vancouver - Kamloops). We were helped on and greeted in a very friendly manner by our attendant Diana. As soon as the carriage had everyone on, Diana proceeded to do an introduction about the train and general information. Breakfast was served as the train left the station, it was a cold meal, but very tasty. Once breakfast was over a drinks service was offered, this was very nice, all the while Diana was giving us commentary about the scenery we were passing.

We were given a morning tea of drinks and cookies, this was very nice, we were then served lunch about 2 hours later, this was also a really nice meal. We were given a choice of beef or salmon. We also got an offer of afternoon tea.

Having a chat to our attendant she had been in the job 7 years so she was very informed and very helpful with information.

We arrived into Kamloops, all the transfers were there and we were previously advised on the train which bus to take for our transfers. There were lots of people around to ask for assistance. Our bus dropped us at the hotel, and we only had about 10 mins before the connection onto the Evening entertainment.
We were then driven to the Kamloops entertainment centre, where it was clearly signed again where we were to go, a girl also got on the bus and gave us a quick run down.

Great Canadian Lumberjack Show

Once inside the evening entertainment we were sat at tables, and there was a buffet style dinner that we could choose from, the food was sensational! Our server came around and asked us if we would like any beverages and took our dessert order. Once dinner was finished the show started. It ended up being a really enjoyable show, there was a battle between the two lumberjacks and it was very entertaining! Once the show finished, we were ushered outside and they had all the bus numbered and a board telling you which bus to get on for your hotel.

In the morning we were met by the bus at 7.30am. We got on the bus and were transferred to the train, we traveled in Gold Leaf today. We were greeted at the bottom of the vestibule by 2 attendants, and we proceeded to our seats. Once on the train they informed us of the dining arrangements, they had to do this in 2 seatings, we actually got a choice and chose to wait. In the mean time we got some snacks and drinks.

Once we were called for breakfast, we went downstairs to the dining car. It was set out very nicely. We had a choice off the menu for 2 different things. Service was good. Once we had finished breakfast we went back to our seats and just watched the scenery. They then called the first sitting of Lunch, and we got wine and crackers as we still had 2 hours before the 2nd lunch was called. We finally got lunch around 3pm.

Once lunch was finished we went back to our seats and were served another drink and then we were given a DVD and a card to say thank you for traveling on the train. One thing we noticed on the train is that is it very cold, so I would suggest that passengers bring warm clothing. Out of the two classes I would prefer Red Leaf as the service was better by the attendants and just that little more comfortable.

VIA Rail (Jasper - Vancouver)

This was our best rail trip that we went on! Prior to boarding our matre'd came around and asked what sitting for dinner we would like. We then boarded the train and were greeted by the staff and directed to our cabin. The bedroom was very nice, it had 2 chairs which converted into beds later on and an enclosed toilet and a small sink, the shower was down the end of the hall.

We were immediately greeted by our attendant, and he gave us some basic information and also invited us to champagne and canapés. These were served in the dome cars; this was fantastic walking through the train it had 3 carriages of sleeping accommodation, the dining car and then the activity car with the viewing dome.

We then had dinner around 7pm and the food was delicious! Once we had finished dinner we were invited back to the activity car where they showed a video, also we were one carriage away from the bullet car so that was nice to sit in also.

The beds were extremely comfortable and were made just after dinner for us, in the morning we were woken by our friendly attendant to say there were bears on the side of the track! The showers were very roomy for being on a train, and were very warm!

We then had breakfast which again was fantastic and very nicely served by the fantastic staff! We then went to the activity car before we arrived into Vancouver.
I would really recommend this trip to anyone thinking about going on the train in Canada. We had a look at comfort class and they had access to everything we did except they chose to sit up overnight rather than get sleeping accommodation.

Whistler Mountaineer

This train was a really enjoyable trip and I would recommend this to anyone. We were picked up from our accommodation at exactly the time we were given, you are actually checked in at the hotel. Once at the station they had some coffee and fruit for us to snack on. There is no station as such at North Vancouver, it is all open air.

The train arrived and we boarded the train after they said "All aboard" again.
We were greeted by our friendly attendants and showed our seats. They gave us a quick safety spiel and then we had a champagne toast to the journey. We traveled in Glacier Dome class, we were then served breakfast with heaps of drinks on the trains.

This was only a 3 hour journey, it was incredibly scenic. They have a heritage car that everyone has access to which is really nice. At the end of the trip you get a commemorative pin and a card off the staff.

The trip home was the same except we got served the yummiest afternoon tea, I would encourage people just to go on that train for the food! The staff were fantastic and transfers at both ends were seamless as on the train they tell you the appropriate bus numbers.