By Vintage World-Class Train to the Convention
Article, photographs, and images by Glenn Thomas
What is an article about train travel doing in a
journal about mechanical music? This is not just
any train travel, but a restored, vintage train that
is considered one of the top ten rail journeys in
the world. Many AMICA members have a fine
appreciation for the rail travel equivalent of fine
restored mechanical music. AMICA members,
considering attending the 2017 Convention in
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada have a one-time,
unprecedented opportunity to combine a
magnificent, scenic rail journey on wonderful
equipment with a great convention!
About 130 years ago, the Canadian Pacific
Railway built its transcontinental line across
Canada from Vancouver, British Colombia to
Toronto, Ontario. In 1922, the Canadian National
Railway was formed by the Federal Government
VIA Rail's magnificent “Canadian" heading to Winnipeg through
Canada's splendor.
from about 20 failed railroads. Its transcontinental
line was on a similar, but different route between
the same end points. Together, these lines provide most of the rail service across Canada. In 1977, VIA Rail Canada
was founded on the heels of the USA’s 1971 Amtrak start to handle all passenger rail service in Canada. Passenger rail
service was combined and consolidated, but VIA has continued to operate a transcontinental train between Vancouver
and Toronto since then. Unlike Amtrak’s mixed-review, long-distance rail services that have been cheapened and
plasticized, VIA has operated its “Canadian” in the same spirit and quality as it did in 1955! Thus, VIA’s “Canadian” has
become a world-wide tourist attraction and go-to destination, considered one of the top ten rail journeys in the world.
Why is this a mandatory attraction for tourists, residents, and
travelers? First is the scenery. On its four-day trip across
Canada, the train travels through the magnificent Canadian
Rockies in Alberta, gorgeous canyons between Kamloops and
Vancouver in British Colombia, and the prairies, foothills, and lake
country in Manitoba and Ontario. Much of the travel is timed to
enjoy the most scenic parts during the daylight hours. The North
American continent’s upper tier has some of the finest scenery in
the world. A rail journey is the best and only way to see it. Much
of the line travels through scenery not accessible by vehicle.
Cameras see constant use on this journey!
Next is the equipment. VIA’s entire train is the Budd-built,
stainless-steel trainsets first introduced in the mid 1950’s. This is
the same fine equipment that once graced most of the fine USA
trains until Amtrak’s 1971 assumption of all USA passenger rail
gradually and brutally exorcised this equipment in favor of the
sterile and classless cars still operated today. VIA has maintained,
restored, and upgraded this equipment continually. Passenger
train enthusiasts and anyone appreciating fine, serviceable,
vintage equipment love this experience!
The equipment highlight are the vista-domes, offering a 360degree scenic view, including the only forward-facing dome cars
anywhere in the world! Travelers and rail-buffs love riding in these
domes, facing forward enjoying the scenery, and watching the signals
and opposing trains coming at you. There is simply no better scenic
An original VIA timetable from the 1950's when the
"Canadian" was first introduced. The train continues
today in all its glory.
Inside the “Park” car, the last car on the train showing views from the upper level dome, the round-end lounge, and the bar
for drinks and snacks. The finest car on this or any train!
equipment rail experience in the world! But wait, there’s more! The last car of each train set is a round-end observation
car known as the “Park Car”, as each car is named after a certain “Park” within Canada. These cars have a front dome
up a stairway, but also a rear lounge that looks back upon the scenery and the railway. The car also has a bar for drinks
and snacks. There is simply no better rail experience in the world than a VIA “Park car.”
Meals are served in the dining car, just as they were in the 1950’s. Three meals each day are prepared on-board and
served by a chef. A choice of three or four selections for each meal is available, and the quality and portions are very
good. VIA’s “Canadian” meal service favorably contrasts sharply to Amtrak’s mostly microwavable and eatable cuisine.
VIA offers two major classes of service: coach and sleeper. Coach is inexpensive but not recommended due to the
length of the journey. However, the coach seats recline and offer good legroom. Sleeper service includes several
options, all of which include dining car meals. Each vintage sleeper car offers a roomette – cabin for one; bedroom –
cabin for two with an upper and lower bed; and a section which are two large opposing seats that convert into beds or
berths for the night. There are also a few large rooms or “drawing rooms” on each train for people needing a little more
room. Two years ago, VIA introduced a new class of sleeper service called “Prestige” that is equivalent to an airlines firstclass service. These large cabins include a king bed, TV, couch, and other amenities. All sleeper options except sections
provide a private, enclosed toilet. A shower is also available in a separate enclosure in each car. Seniors would be
comfortable and best served in a bedroom or drawing room.
Each train has a Service Manager, and each car has an attendant to be sure guests are provided with the proper service.
A dining car steward ensures that service is high quality, and special needs meals are met.
The transcontinental train takes four days and nights to complete its journey between coasts. Winnipeg represents the
half-way point where the train pauses for several hours and service crews are changed. Depending on where you live,
you can take this journey to or from any end-point or intermediate station to or from Winnipeg. Even better, take the train
to or from Winnipeg, attend the
convention, resume your
journey on the train, and fly
home. Further, add some time
to enjoy Vancouver or Toronto
or both. Each station is in the
heart of the city where you can
walk, sightsee, and enjoy both
cities. The train schedule is
“lazy”, meaning that its
schedule adds about half a day
to the 1950’s schedule.
Ride quality is comfortable, but
this is a train and has motion.
Some people have trouble
sleeping on their first night,
getting used to the motion.
Promotions for the "Canadian" from 1950's timetables. Still the same today!
Sleeper fares are not inexpensive, but then neither is a fine restored mechanical musical instrument. If you are concerned
about the cost, you shouldn’t be considering this trip. If you have the time, interest, and ability to do this, you will not be
disappointed. Our convention is at the peak of the Summer travel tourist season, so be sure to make your reservations
soon! The train runs tri-weekly during the Summer season, so your planning needs to consider the proper days.
Detailed train schedules and other information is on VIA’s helpful web site at http://www.viarail.ca/en. You can also phone
VIA from the US or Canada at 1-888 VIA-RAIL.
While in Winnipeg for the convention or waiting for the train, be sure to see Winnipeg’s railroad museum. It’s located
through a door and upstairs in the depot on two previously used, now out-of-service tracks. This, quiet, little-known
museum has wonderful rail exhibits, rolling stock, history, and rail ephemera that is a must for even the non-rail fanatic!
If you are considering this option, you might see a reference to a travel company called Rocky Mountaineer.
https://www.rockymountaineer.com. This company offers packaged sightseeing tours by day on many of these
same lines with different equipment, a high price, and an emphasis on service and gourmet cuisine. While a decent
option for tourists, its scheduling and packaging doesn’t really work well for a Winnipeg stop.
Dinner in the dining car
Riding off into the sunset in the magnificent roundend observation "Park" car
About the author. Glenn Thomas, the editor and publisher of The AMICA Bulletin, is a shameless railfan and
evangelist for passenger train travel. He confesses to being an addict for VIA Rail’s service and especially the
“Canadian” that he first rode and photographed in the 1960’s. He returns frequently to that train with the
wonderment that it is not much different than in the 1960’s. He is glad to answer questions and offer guidance to
potential riders. He can be reached at [email protected]