Ride the Canadian While You Still Can!

@GGi 4877

Thanks for the link. I was wondering how much longer those 1950s-era Budd cars would last.

My wife and I rode the Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto about 15 years ago.  It was the best train trip that I have ever taken.  Sitting in the "real" dome cars and watching the signals, other trains, and of course, the scenery was real pleasure.  The dinning car had linen table cloths and outstanding meals prepared fresh onboard.  We had a bedroom.  I was surprised to learn that some cars had open sections.  Evidently budget minded passenger like those sleeping accommodations.

Amtrak doesn't come close to the Canadian for a travel experience.  I will be sorry to see it go if it does go.  NH Joe

@New Haven Joe - And The Canadian doesn't come close to the Rocky Mountaineer (from someone who's ridden both), but then again that's not really a fair comparison because both Amtrak and The Canadian are government subsidized whereas the RM is strictly a private enterprise.  🤑

@PH1975 posted:

@New Haven Joe - And The Canadian doesn't come close to the Rocky Mountaineer (from someone who's ridden both), but then again that's not really a fair comparison because both Amtrak and The Canadian are government subsidized whereas the RM is strictly a private enterprise.  🤑

If you have not ridden Prestige Class on the Canadian, which was introduced in 2014 after rebuilding some of the Chateau sleepers in 5 compartment bedrooms with private baths and showers and the complete rebuild of the Park Observation to provide a more open lounge by reducing the bedrooms to 2, you have not experienced the full level of accommodations the Canadian has to offer currently.  It is simply a level beyond anything Amtrak has ever offered.

Having ridden both as well, I can say simply that the experiences are different.  The Rocky Mountaineer is outstanding and the service top notch.  However, I will say that I honestly enjoyed the Canadian more personally.  If we had what is now called Sleeper II service which is a private compartment in a Manor Sleeper, I would not have had quite the same experience.  Those cars and accoomdations are showing their age.  Prestige is first class all the way down to the nice book on the history of the train, the leather baggage tags, the all-inclusive food and drinks, and exclusive access to the Park car until 4 pm every day.  The room in Prestige is quiet and quite large by railroad standards and featured a murphy bed with a comfortable mattress over the L shaped sofa for daytime room use.  They even have keyless card entry to the rooms for privacy and security. 

Again, the Rocky Mountaineer is a great trip, however I have a hard time comparing it to the Canadian for the class of service we purchased and spending 4 days / 3 nights on the train from Jasper to Toronto.  I learned a great deal about Canada from both trips and would encourage anyone to do both.

@GG1 4877 - Jonathan, your point is well taken.  They had just introduced the Prestige class in 2012 when my wife and I rode The Canadian, and although it looked and sounded very nice the cost of same was in the upper atmosphere for us and as such, we weren't able to take advantage of it.  However, now I'm very envious after hearing of your experience, so I think I'll go out and buy another lottery ticket.

I ride the Canadian in winter its a cheaper and you get to see parts of the world in winter that i would never get to see. Usually ride in January or Febuary. and I get a lower berth. best sleep i ever have.

I'm definitely going to get one more trip in as well. VIA has already added "buffer cars" to any trains using Budd built cars as a safety precaution.

Rob

Is VIA a better operator than Amtrak? But Amtrak is ordering new coaches and stuff to replace aging Amfleets. VIA has newer trains as well as the 1950's coaches.