Canada By Train - A Photographic land cruise

[Hiawatha Pete]

Last edited Sun Mar 8, 2020, 10:24 PM - Edit history (2)

Happy Sunday Afternoon, DU'ers,

For those interested in taking a scenic land cruise across Canada from the comfort of your computer or smartphone, my wife and I often travel by train and thought we might share some pics from the route of VIA Rail's transcontinental passenger train, 'The Canadian', which runs from Toronto to Vancouver.

The pics are from my website, https://northamericabyrail.info/

Hope you enjoy!

First, a pic of the train consist at Jasper National Park - Jasper, Alberta


Now from East to West: In the dome car leaving Toronto, Ontario


Through the muskeg & lake country of Northern Ontario


Rolling through prairie country, crossing the Red River floodway east of Winnipeg, Manitoba


Winnipeg Union Station, a long crew change & refuelling stop with time to detrain & walk around


Front range of the Rockies at Swan Landing, Alberta


Canadian Rockies, Henry House, Alberta


Meet between East & Westbound Canadians at Henry House, Alberta


Eagle's nest near Devona, Alberta


Meet with a CN freight at Devona, Alberta


Through the Rockies in the Dome Car


Along the Athabasca River, Passing Roche Miette


Passing a black bear rubbing against a tree


VIA Rail's Canadian roaring through the Rockies - Jasper National Park, Jasper, Alberta


Passing herd of Elk east of Jasper


The Canadian running along Moose Lake, British Columbia


Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, 12,972 feet


Passing through the Fraser River Canyon, west of North Bend, British Columbia


Pacific Central Station, Vancouver, British Columbia


Now for some of the onboard accommodations:

The 'Bullet lounge' in the tail end of the Park Car (last car on 'The Canadian')


'Mural lounge' and bar in Park Car


High level observation Dome in Park Car


Dining Car on 'The Canadian'


Prestige class bedroom on 'The Canadian', day time setup


Prestige class bedroom on 'The Canadian', night time setup

[VladmireTrumpkins]

1. Trip I would like to take

A friend of mine took this trip many years ago. He shot hundreds of photos but later discovered he had left the lense cap on his camera!

[Hiawatha Pete]

4. Yikes!

Yikes! Too bad about your friend's camera mishap. The trip comes highly recommended, once in a lifetime experience (though truth be told I've done it 4 times and never tire of it )

[Siwsan]

2. Taking the train is my favorite way to travel.

I've traveled the length and breadth of the UK via rail, a whole lot of trips to Chicago and 3 train trips from Flint to Los Angeles. This is the next adventure on my list.

[Hiawatha Pete]

6. Cool!

I've traveled extensively on Amtrak as well, our last long trip was Chicago-Seattle. Plus did a few trips in Europe (Belgium, Italy, Germany, Austria, Norway - but that was years ago).

[CrispyQ]

5. My library has lots of train journey vids and I've enjoyed every one!

Someday, maybe in real life. ~crosses fingers

[Hiawatha Pete]

7. Indeed, good luck!

Last edited Sun Mar 8, 2020, 01:52 PM - Edit history (1)

Lots of train vids in my collection too. FYI, if you intend to do this route someday, one of the least expensive options is the "Sleeper Plus Class Deal" (sleeping berth sale with meals included). March 2020 prices currently start about $650 just for reference. Here's the link https://www.viarail.ca/en/deals/toronto-vancouver

[sinkingfeeling]

8. Loved my train trip with Via. I went from Winnipeg to Churchill.

[Hiawatha Pete]

10. You know, that's the only long distance VIA trip that I have left to do!

Been on all the others.

[yonder]

9. Nice. That route looks fun.

60 years ago, we travelled round trip between Denver and Massachusetts, twice, on what I think was called the Zephyr (Golden Zephyr?).

I wasn't very old but still have a few memories of that. Chicago was grimy, the station was huge and crowded, lots of Nuns and I remember putting my hand on the holstered revolver of a huge Chicago cop. That didn't last long. At the stops, Mom had us under rein with those little harnesses parents would use back then to keep kids from wandering. Yee Haww and Giddyup.

[Hiawatha Pete]

11. That's awesome!

The CB&Q (Chicago Burlington & Quincy) had a whole fleet of named "Zephyr" trains that ran throughout the midwest & west. E.g. the Denver Zephyr & the California Zephyr to name a few.

BTW, VIA Rail's 'Canadian' is a near carbon-copy of the original CB&Q California Zephyr. VIA is the only operator in the world today that still uses, in revenue service, the same type of cars used on the Zephyr. The cars have been renovated & refurbished several times.

The rolling stock for 'The Canadian' was originally built in 1954 for the Canadian Pacific Railway by the Budd Co of Philadelphia. At the time the CP's Superintendent of motive power, Norris R "Buck" Crump, was so impressed with the CB&Q's Zephyr that he ordered a version of it for the Canadian Pacific!

[yonder]

12. ...

[a kennedy]

13. Our Public radio station is offering a tour by train......

https://www.holidayvacations.com/media-tours/railroading-in-the-canadian-rockies-wpr-radio-2/ This sounds really fun.

[Hiawatha Pete]

15. Cool! It's an amazing trip

There are a few companies offering rail tour packages, this is the first I've heard of that particular one. If you prefer one stop shopping where an agent plans out the itinerary for you, then that's the way to go.

Personally, I find if you're willing to do the footwork of planning & booking the train, connecting travel & accommodations yourself then you can save some $.

VIA Rail has "Sleeper plus class deals" , basically same idea as seat sales on an airline, where VIA will sell off unsold berths & cabins on the train for about 50% off a month or two before the scheduled departure date.
The link to the deals can be found at: https://www.viarail.ca/en/deals/all#available-deals-label
The whole route runs from Toronto-Vancouver or vice versa. The mountainous part is Edmonton or Jasper to Vancouver.

[Hiawatha Pete]

16. One piece of advice

One piece of advice: do NOT book connecting travel on the same day the train is due to arrive at it's destination. Sometimes the train can be several hours be late due to things like freight traffic or forest fires as happened with us. Doesn't make the trip less enjoyable though, just relax, eat drink & enjoy the scenery!

[Lars39]

14. Oh, that's wonderful!

Thank you so much for posting! I am limited in my travel now by elevation, so I have to live vicariously.

[Hiawatha Pete]

17. Thank you

Thank you! My pleasure.

[whistler162]

18. Did that for my 50th birthday 10 years ago.

Syracuse to Chicago to LA to Seattle to Vancouver to Toronto to Syracuse good memories. Sleeper all the way.

[Hiawatha Pete]

21. Right on!

We did the Seattle/Portland to LA & LA-Chicago routes as well & enjoyed every minute.

[panader0]

22. That's on my bucket list.

You might be interested in this movie about the Grateful Dead, Joplin,
The Band, Buddy Guy and more on that trip in 1970. Some cool stuff:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_Express

[Hiawatha Pete]

23. Thanks for the info!

I'd like to check out that film. Looks like they have it on amazon.

In 2015 we saw an interesting documentary called "Station to Station" where a train traveling across the U.S. was home to a revolving community of artists.
IMDB link:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4382618/
Youtube trailer:

[murielm99]

24. That is a wonderful movie.

I watched it a few years ago.

My dad and brother were retired railroaders. When I was a kid, we traveled from Chicago to Montana every summer to visit family. It was a beautiful trip.

[Hiawatha Pete]

28. It is!

The last long distance Amtrak route my wife and I did about 4yrs ago was Chicago-Seattle with a stopover in Whitefish, Montana where we picked up a rental car and toured Yellowstone Park. Very fond memories.

[Karadeniz]

25. LOVE trains, at least the old French wagons lits that Turkey bought. The Canadian railroad

Should use photos like yours...which are fabulous!....to promote business!❤

[Hiawatha Pete]

29. Thanks for the compliment!

You're too kind. TBH, the Toronto pic didn't come out as sharp as I'd like but in my defense night shot, moving train & all.

Best Regards,

Pete

[SunSeeker]

26. Gorgeous! Thank you for posting these, as well as the descriptive captions.

I'm adding another item on my bucket list!

[Hiawatha Pete]

30. Thank you

It's been my pleasure as these pics and my website are an ongoing labor of love. Glad to hear that it may have inspired you to consider taking this trip as well, thanks for the compliment!

[Tucker08087]

27. Thank you for sharing!

This is definitely on my bucket list!

[Hiawatha Pete]

31. No problem, my pleasure!

Thanks for checking out my pics, I love showing them off. If you get the chance, the trip comes highly recommended.

Best regards,

Pete

[Ahpook]

32. Beautiful

The 3rd pic is where I want to live. That house, right there

[Hiawatha Pete]

34. I hear you! If it comes up for sale you can have first dibbs

Thanks for checking out my pics

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. These are fantastic photos, my dear Hiawatha Pete!

You're a very skilled photographer.

Come by sometime and check out our Photography Group. Here's the link: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1036

We have monthly contests and folks can post their photos for all to see whenever they feel like it.

Some day I want to take the trip you show here in your thread. I love traveling by train and haven't done very much of it.

[Hiawatha Pete]

36. Thanks for the compliment!

And for checking out my pictures. You DUer's are too nice!

Thanks for the info & link regarding the photography group, it was very helpful & I had no idea!
I am extremely interested & bookmarked the "How to post photos to DU" thread in that group on so I can easily find it again.

If you get a chance to take that trip and happen to be in the dome car, be sure to wave as there's a fair chance my wife & I will be on the train going past you in the opposite direction

[Hiawatha Pete]

37. Thanks again to you & the other DUer's for all the compliments!

Last edited Tue Mar 10, 2020, 01:42 PM - Edit history (1)

[Callalily]

38. Thanks for sharing your pics!

The train trip across Canada has always intrigued me. May just have to add it to my list

Also, this one seems interesting too!

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/bus-train/wanderu-train-loop-around-us

[Hiawatha Pete]

39. No problem, my pleasure!

Last edited Wed Mar 11, 2020, 04:00 PM - Edit history (2)

I checked out the link you provided. That's great that Wanderu now supports Amtrak bookings as well.

For myself I actually find Amtrak's website more than sufficient, but then again I've used it often so am used to it.

My wife and I did a very similar trip to the one shown - a complete loop around most of the US.

We took Amtrak from Buffalo, NY to Chicago, IL to Portland, OR - same route shown on the link just a different starting & end point - then Portland to LA (same route as shown). After that point we took a special chartered steam train that ran from LA to Williams AZ & the Grand canyon (it was 2012 and a RR historical society in California ran this one-time chartered train with steam loco and restored vintage cars to celebrate the Arizona centennial). Then we took Amtrak from Williams AZ to Buffalo via Chicago.

If interested you can see the pics from that trip here: https://northamericabyrail.info/usa-west/the-grand-canyon-limited/

Maybe I'll have to start a complimentary "America the Beautiful - by Amtrak" thread to this one, with a selection of pics...

[Stuart G]

40. Great Pictures..Going to the Canadian Rockies is incredible. (no matter how you go)

..I've been there a couple of times. (by car) I wish I could describe as well as your pictures do.
It is well worth the money to see the Canadian Rocky Mountains. I drove through the park, (145 miles) from bottom to top. I would say it was the most incredible place I have been. Rivers, mountains, animals, forests, streams, incredible mountain lakes, clear air, etc..etc..etc..
..Yes, I have been all over. (a lot of all over)..London, Japan, U.S.A. etc.. As far as beauty is concerned, the Canadian Rocky Mts. are equal to anything. I went in late August. By then a lot of tourists are gone, and it is easier to get around. Go, you will not be disappointed..Oh, I think you need a passport to get into Canada, but I am not sure.

Hit the link for some pictures of ..Valley with 10 peaks....

https://www.google.com/search?q=Valley+of+ten+peaks&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS494US495&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=w5pRseYMK3teXM%253A%252C3HeDgTk-ejMd-M%252C%252Fm%

And Yes,..it really does look like that at..."The Valley with 10 Peaks"...I have got the same pictures as those at the link. Yes, it is incredible there

[Hiawatha Pete]

41. Thanks!

That drive I believe you are referring to is the Icefields Parkway (hwy 93) between Jasper & Lake Louise/Banff (Jasper-Banff National Parks). It's exactly 145 miles Jasper to Lake Louise.

We actually went on it the last two times we took the train out West (we did a 4 day stopover in Jasper before hopping back on the train to Vancouver). There is a National car rental right inside the train station in Jasper and an Avis across the street. We drove the whole parkway from Jasper to Banff and back and stayed at the Banff Springs Hotel while in Banff and had dinner in the Chateau Lake Louise along the way.

I could have included pictures of the drive as well but I didn't want my post to be too long so just concentrated on the train route. It is a really fantastic drive.

Hmm, maybe I should include some pics of the drive in a separate post...

PS I recognize the pics in the link you provided of the Valley of ten peaks. The lake is Morraine lake. And yes the water is really that color...

I do have a passport, but mine's for going in the opposite direction to the US - I'm Canadian.

Thanks again for the compliment!

[Stuart G]

42. Also..for everyone's information..The Canadian Government knows how to show this place.

There are an incredible number of rests spots, and views. Not only views of lakes, streams, and mountains, but other kinds of views as well. Of course trails and yes, animals. I don't remember what it costs to go into the park , but whatever, (more than 20 years ago) go. You can also rent a canoe or rowboat on some lakes.
...Also, there are a lot of places to cook eat food with tables and washrooms. Please, citizens of every place around, going to the Canadian Rockies is a once in a life time trip

...My guess (and it is only a guess, cause I haven't been to either place) is that the Canadian Rockies are as magnificent as Alaska or the Alps in Europe. And if you can't to go Europe or Alaska, perhaps you can get to the Canadian Rockies. (about 350 miles away from Glacier National Park in the U.S.A.) Glacier Park in Montana is also magnificent. I recall talking to someone at Glacier Park about how beautiful Glacier Park is.

...That couple said, "Are you going to the Canadian Rockies?" I said, "Yes" and they said, "You haven't seen anything yet."

...It isn't Glacier Park is not beautiful, it is that Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies extend 150 miles from top to bottom. 50 miles across. Go there if you can. Incredible is the only word to describe this..
..And as said before..I have been around. And yes, again, the Canadian Government really does knows how to show this place..Enjoy!

[Hiawatha Pete]

43. And thank you Stuart for that glowing review of Canada's national parks!

[Stuart G]

44. Another short story about Jasper Park, the far north part of the park..

...In 1974 I was there with a friend, and we camped out. Very early in the morning at the camp site a dog in another tent in the same site about 50 feet from our tent was up barking and making all kinds of noise, and woke me up. 5am or 5:30am. (maybe earlier) I went over to the dogs owner a few hours later, and told the owner that the dog was being a nuisance because he woke me up...

...The owner said that there was probably a bear or some other animal strolling around the camp site and that is why he was barking..and I said...good dog, keep him barking...!!!!

[Niagara]

45. Beautiful photos!

BTW, Welcome to DU. You might want to check out the photography group here.

[Hiawatha Pete]

46. Thank You!

I've been reading DU for years as a convenient source of news clippings and finally decided to join, and yes I definitely plan to follow & contribute to the photography group. Thanks for checking out my pics