Grand Alaska and Panama

[martincath]

Just confirming that VIA does all the Canadian routes, with only those actually crossing a border ever having Amtrak engines or carriages (and all of those are under the Amtrak brand - at this time no Canadian passenger rail goes into the US to my knowledge). The Cascades is the name of the one cross-border Amtrak service over this side of the country; the Coast Starlight stops in Seattle.

 

I think the reason for the oddity of the Maple Leaf train to Toronto changing engines is that there are several stops inside Canada - just like with cruises and flights, US trains cannot transfer pax between 2 Canadian stations or vice versa! Montreal and Vancouver, the trains only make one stop - the terminus station where immigration happens, there's nowhere else a passenger can get on or off.

 

Cabins for One on VIA are the only format with a toilet covered by the bed at night - cabins for 2 or 3 all have a separate loo available whether beds are up or down (Cabins for 4 are just 2 cabins for 2 combined, pretty much like hotel rooms with connecting door). Unless the poster asking about this was booking 2 separate cabins rather than a two-fer with hubby no nighttime loo access issues.

 

I'd be more concerned about the tiny beds than lack of loo access - the mattress is only 5'11" long in the single and double cabins (and the triple cabins only add a whopping 1/2 an inch), too narrow to sleep across at an angle, so simply not long enough for me or anyone else 6 foot or taller. Until VIA upgrade the size of their sleeper product there's no way I'll ever travel this way despite our enjoyment of rail in general.

[Happily@Sea]

Just confirming that VIA does all the Canadian routes, with only those actually crossing a border ever having Amtrak engines or carriages (and all of those are under the Amtrak brand - at this time no Canadian passenger rail goes into the US to my knowledge). The Cascades is the name of the one cross-border Amtrak service over this side of the country; the Coast Starlight stops in Seattle.

 

I think the reason for the oddity of the Maple Leaf train to Toronto changing engines is that there are several stops inside Canada - just like with cruises and flights, US trains cannot transfer pax between 2 Canadian stations or vice versa! Montreal and Vancouver, the trains only make one stop - the terminus station where immigration happens, there's nowhere else a passenger can get on or off.

 

Cabins for One on VIA are the only format with a toilet covered by the bed at night - cabins for 2 or 3 all have a separate loo available whether beds are up or down (Cabins for 4 are just 2 cabins for 2 combined, pretty much like hotel rooms with connecting door). Unless the poster asking about this was booking 2 separate cabins rather than a two-fer with hubby no nighttime loo access issues.

 

I'd be more concerned about the tiny beds than lack of loo access - the mattress is only 5'11" long in the single and double cabins (and the triple cabins only add a whopping 1/2 an inch), too narrow to sleep across at an angle, so simply not long enough for me or anyone else 6 foot or taller. Until VIA upgrade the size of their sleeper product there's no way I'll ever travel this way despite our enjoyment of rail in general.

 

 

Thanks for the clarification, and the terminus for Coast Starlight.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Roy,

I hope you see some daylight in Vancouver on Monday too Roy! Once you depart at 9 am fingers crossed all will go well! I will send much positive energy and prayers you get to Vancouver AND MAKEUP TIME TOO!

Once onboard if you have time and want too, I always love it when you take pics! Love to see your dining car and room! Look forward to your early morning walks on The Volendam Roy at sunrise.

Take care

Denise ☺️

[rafinmd]

Day VIA3, Friday, July 13, 2018, [Canadian Shield] Board Canadian

 

Greetings from Winnipeg, somewhat earlier than my worst fears. Stops are shortened so I am unlikely to respond to questions until arrival in Vancouver.

 

My IPAD alarm went off at 5AM and my wakeup call came about 2 minutes later. I was in the room until about 6:15 after final internet activity and repacking. I got a little more “stuff” into the zip off compartment of the big bag everything fit pretty easily and headed for breakfast with 21 pounds for the formerly small bag and 11 pounds in the zipped off bag.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/viabags.jpg

 

Breakfast was hectic. The restaurant opened at 6:30, the time we were due to meet in the lobby to leave. The manager did help a bit by inviting the Canadian passengers to go to the head of the line. I got milk and scrambled eggs plus a muffin to eat later. I discovered as we left there was a Tim Hortons next to the hotel; had I known that I would have gone there for a few timbits to eat at my convenience rather than wait for the restaurant to open.

 

Our shuttle to the hotel had been a small van. For the trip back to Union Station we had 2 full sized buses, leaving room for everybody to have a seat for themselves as well as one for their carryons. The ride back to Union Station was about 30 minutes and we returned to the Business Class Lounge.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/stationward.jpg

 

As we waited for embarkation a number of crew members came around starting with the Conductor who scanned our boarding passes. The dining steward took meal reservations. There is open seating at breakfast but both lunch and dinner are by reservation. There are 2 seatings, noon and 1:30 for lunch and 6 and 7:30 for supper. Jennifer spent a little more time with people. She is the Program Manager, somewhat equivalent to the Cruise Director on a ship. She explained a bit about how things work in general and in more detail with her car. Program is run from a dome car a with sitting areas at each end and an observation dome in the middle. There is a chalk board with the day’s schedule (movies, talks, wine tastings, and sometimes live music). At one point lady came around with bagel sandwiches.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/jennifer.jpg

 

There was a bit more slippage in the schedule with boarding at 9. I am in the first sleeping car in a “cabin for one”. There’s a bench seat, lavatory, commode, and storage under the bench as well as a shelf over the forward part of the compartment. The berth folds down over the commode but there are a couple of public toilets available at night. Unlike Amtrak’s roomettes, there is no fold out shelf at the seat so my laptop is truly a laptop unless I go to the activity car.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/boarding.jpg

 

The activity car is one ahead of me; the dining car 2 cars forward. My cabin attendant, Talisa, came by and introduced herself and we were underway at 9:30.

 

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/ourdome.jpg

 

The first call for lunch came promptly at noon. As is usually true on trains it’s “community” seating where tables are filled as people come in. I was originally given a seat but moved seconds later when a family of 3 arrived and I got the 4th spot. It was a couple with a young son so I got a peek at the kids menu. I tried to stay on the light side for lunch, taking just milk and soup but that fell apart when desert came with the caramel apple crumble.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/dining.jpg

 

As I returned from the dining car Jennifer was up in the dome conducting “Rail 101". Most of it was old hat to me but there was one new twist. I’m accustomed to train crews being on for the entire journey but here there’s a crew change in Winnipeg. If I’m going to tip Talisa I must do it in Winnipeg. Jennifer also talked freight delays. Our train is something like 21 cars, 2 locomotives, baggage, coaches and economy snack/dome, dining, activity, 9 coaches, activity, dining, and a “Prestige” section with new cars and a concierge. They have exclusive use of the parlor car except in the evening after 4. Since many freight trains are over 100 cars there are not many sidings that can accommodate them, so we must go to the siding and yield. It’s pretty built into the schedule with one exception. In central Saskatchewan (around Melville) they are expanding the tracks with heavy traffic, and as usual construction zones are a problem. Jennifer called it the Canadian’s “Bermuda Triangle”. The eastbound Canadian was on time through Melville and suffered it’s entire 12-hour delay over the course of just a few miles. She said that the area is primarily a problem for eastbound trains; westbound delays are not usually as bad. As thist alk was ending we made our second stop, Parry Sound on beautiful Georgian Bay.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/georgian.jpg

 

At 4 Jennifer had a talk on the Sudbury Basin. Many millions of years ago the basin was created by a huge meteorite striking the earth. The impact brought to light a number of minerals discovered by train construction engineers and mining (especially nickel) flourished for many years. Pollution from the mines created a moon-like landscape and the place was actually used for training Apollo Astronauts. Since mining ceased trees are returning and the area no longer has that look. Around Capreol, our first service stop, there was a mammoth solar field, billed as the largest in Canada. There is also a collection of vintage rail equipment, including a couple of steam locomotives.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/steam.jpg

 

We have been staying pretty close to 11 ½ hours behind schedule but did gain 10 minutes as our stop at Capreol was shortened from 30 minutes to 20. Despite a light drizzle I was able to walk most of the length of the train and get a look at the forward section.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/train1front.jpg

 

For my first dinner I opted for the pasta along with a raspberry-lemon cake.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/dishes13.jpg

 

After dinner I walked back to the Prestige section. Thir cars (including the Park Car) have all been extensively remodeled, and even sport locking doors. The fares are extremely expensive (About $10,000 for the whole route) but it is all inclusive.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/prestigeview.jpg

 

Sunset here is almost 10PM. I went to the activity car about 9:30 to work from a table and when I returned to my cabin at 10 Talisa had prepared the bed. I had a snack and worked a sukuku in bed and by the time I turned off the lights at 10:30 we had darkness.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/cabinbed.jpg

 

My parting shot will come from home. I checked my fire department email before leaving Toronto and learned that our county fire chief is moving on. He is the first african american in the service to become Chief, and is the first to start as a firefighter and move all the way up to the top. He has accepted the corresponding position at a larger and busier department. Congratulations, Chief Eric.

 

PS: At stops where posting time is short I will post in the following order:

 

1: The blog (necessary to upload photos).

2: Maryland Cruisers Forum

3: Holland America Forum

4: Crystal Forum

 

I apologize if there are any broken photo links but I don't have time to check them.

 

Roy

[DeeniEncinitas]

Your the best Roy!!! THANKYOU for such a detailed report! And great pics!!!

My fav is the lemon cake at dinner! Winner.

We’re just finishing watching our sun set in you know where San Diego!!

I read your blog to David and showed your pics we enjoyed it!!

You have a nice compartment on board too!! The dome car reminds us of when our daughter graduated college in San Francisco and we did the Napa Train and had inner in the dome car. 😉 I know not much of a comparison but that all we have to go on! Oh David said we did ride in Alaska and sit in the dome car😉.

I like that they have assigned seating for lunch and dinner! Reminds me of the movie The Tourist when thay were eating in the dinning car!

THANKYOU with your parting words with your Fire Chief !! CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM!

Sleep well look forward to more.

Denise:)

[kazu]

The Canadian is all ViaRail.

 

One thing I heard about Canadian trains - they have roomettes with toilets, but at night the mattress sits on top of the toilet - making it inaccessible at night. [??] Weird.

 

The roomettes are sleeping cars. The mattress is on the pull out bed. In the day it is stored in the bed which goes back in the wall and the bottom bed turns into a sofa.

 

I've travelled in those roomettes several times and the mattress never goes on the toilet ;)

[kazu]

Roy, so happy that you are on your way.

 

You may pick up some time in the night (yn) as the trains do pick up steam while passengers are sleeping if/when they can.

 

We were two hours behind when we did the "Ocean" but arrived in time. I doubt you will gain 11 + hours, but you may gaing some, I hope.

 

Enjoy the scenery :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

So glad that you got a chance to check in Roy.

I am enjoying your report and pictures.

Dinner dessert looked delicious.

[Krazy Kruizers]

It is now Monday.

Hopefully you are arriving in Vancouver safely this evening without any more problems.

[rafinmd]

Just checked into my hotel in Vancouver. I've done 2 posts to the blog; will carry them over to Cruise Critic later tonight.

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

Day VIA4, Saturday, July 14, 2018, Winnipeg

 

I slept pretty well the first night and woke about 5:45 in Nakima, apparently still a little over 11 hours behind schedule. Sunrise was at 6AM. There were usually trees in the way but there were nice colors at one clear spot with the morning colors reflected in a small lake. I got only brief glimpses of the actual sun through the trees but it was a large yellow ball,

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/dawn0714.jpg

 

It’s been an on and off day for progress, sometimes making up quite a bit of time and then losing everything we’ve gained and maybe more. What has been consistent is greatly shortened service stops, not leaving much time for walking and never time to pop my head inside a store.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/traffic.jpg

 

Although we were actually in the Eastern time zone for the first several stops of the day we changed our clocks overnight, giving breakfast a bit of a late start. I opted for blueberry pancakes with ham. The activities staff opened up the souvenir inventory in the morning. Many were tempting but I opted for the very lightest, just a VIA magnet.

 

The first opportunity to get off the train and stretch our legs was about 11 AM at Sioux Lookout, a stop we should have made around midnight. I think at times I have popped my head in the Northern Store there but not today.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/sioux.jpg

 

I skipped an entree at lunch again, getting the vegetable soup followed by a delicious black cherry ice cream. Jennifer’s 2PM talk was on the area we are passing. We followed a lake for about 30 miles. It’s a very popular fishing lake and in the railroad’s heyday there was a “camper special” train that left Winnipeg every Friday and dropped people off at camp settlements along the way, returning on Sundays. It is still possible to buy a ticket on the Canadian to “mile xxx” and schedule a return on a later date. About an hour after we cross into Manitoba we make a rather abrupt transition from the Canadian Shield to the prairies. Although we were traveling through some pretty flat country we did pass through 4 short tunnels. We finally left Ontario about 3:55.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/tunnel.jpg

 

Dinner was a split shift. I was on the early seating which was moved up to 5PM and served by the first crew. I opted for the chicken and did not stay for desert. As we finished we were just crossing the Red River flood control diversion channel.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/dishes14.jpg

 

Winnipeg is normally one of my favorite stops on the Canadian and I was hoping to check out a new museum that was under construction on my last visit, but our stop was cut from almost 4 hours to barely 1 and I never left the station where the wifi was good. Union station is one of the old stations and while the boarding area is strictly business the old rotunda is quite nice. The stop ended up being 85 minutes after some delay on the platform, and we left at 7:45, 8 hours behind schedule.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/rotundawpg.jpg

 

VIA has a traveling musician program where musicians get to ride free (perhaps with a bit of pay) and perform at various times on the train. Aude Rae sings and plays guitar and was in our activity car at 8:30. It’s mostly soft rock and folk including a couple of her own songs. She decided to go to the dome as it was getting close to dusk and turned into a fairly nice end of the day.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/ray.jpg

 

The set ended as we arrived at the Portage La Prairie station, neither gaining nor losing additional time since Winnipeg I called it a night fairly soon after that.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/dusk0714.jpg

 

My parting shot–The Canadian Museum of Human Rights looked interesting but will need to wait until the next time I’m on the Canadian.

 

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

Day VIA5, Sunday, July 15, 2018, [Jasper] Edmonton

 

We had set our watches back again before going to bed Saturday. This would coincide with our location if we were on time but for the whole morning the train was on Mountain time while the timetable was on Central (actually, I think Mountain STANDARD) time. I thought we had kept up with our schedule overnight but we may have lost another hour. .

I was up about 5:30 (4:30 train time). This crew had the coffee ready by 4:45. Sunrise was just about 5 and was beautiful.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/dawn0715.jpg

 

When we got to Saskatoon, the day’s first service stop, we were 10 hours behind. The train usually stops here late at night and there’s no wifi. We arrived just about 7:20, crossing the Saskatchewan River about 10 minutes earlier.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/saskatchewan.jpg

 

It had been 35C (95F) in Winnipeg. In Saskatoon it was only 11 (52F), and a bit of a chilly wind. I walked the length of the train a couple of times before getting back on, getting a good view of the train from behind the park car. I thought I heard a call on the radio that servicing was completed but could see activity from my window for quite a while longer.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/parkcar.jpg

 

Breakfast was scrambled eggs, hash browns, and sausage, followed by a program by Steven, the new activities coordinator, on the area. Much of the Saskatchewan prairie is yellow, the new go-to crop of canola.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/steven.jpg

 

I had lunch with one of the nicest families to date, a mother with a teen daughter and younger son, headed to Edmonton. They are involved in Karate and will meet the father in Edmonton for a Karate event and touring before heading back home. The boy was gluten free; the choices looked a bit limited but the staff was on top of it with some reasonable suggestions. We passed into Alberta during lunch; both western Saskatchewan and eastern Alberta were prime cattle country. I stuck with what is becoming a standard lunch, milk, soup, and ice cream. An hour into Alberta we crossed a very scenic Battle River valley on a long, high, trestle.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/battle.jpg

 

The schedule called for a 75-minute stop in Edmonton at 6:20AM. We were obviously going to be very late but I became a bit optimistic when we crossed the North Saskatchewan River a little before 4, but the final 3 miles consumed 70 minutes.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/nsask.jpg

 

The stop there was quite frustrating. When I first rode the Canadian the train pulled into a beautiful station in the center of the city. By the turn of the century it had moved to a little building pretty much isolated from anything of interest. The stop itself was pretty frustrating. The station has wifi (sort of). In Edmonton we add cars to the center of the train and I expected at least 45 minutes in the station. I think the wifi was overwhelmed and had not gotten a connection when they called for boarding 15 minutes later, When I went out to the gate the attendant said we had a few minutes. I sat down on a bench just outside the door and got a connection. I was able to download some emails and hit the send button on my blog which I post by email. When the guy said we needed to head for the train “NOW” it said “100% sent” but not confirmed completion. When I looked after boarding the post was in the “sent ”folder, so I hope there’s a blog post for Saturday but will need to copy it over to Cruise Critic from Vancouver.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/edmonton.jpg

 

I expect because we were so late they had us board before the 2 sections of the train were hooked together so there was a wait before we started to move. We started to move at 6PM, cutting the 75 minute stop down to 50 minutes but only went a few hundred yards before waiting another half hour for a freight train.

 

Early seating dinner was called about 6:05. There’s a party of 6 traveling together. The dining car tables are all 4 tops so I was sitting with 2 of them with the other 4 across the aisle. They were taking some pictures and I asked one of them to take mine and I took one of the whole party.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/atdinner.jpg

 

My final dinner (I hope) was rack of lamb followed by carrot cake.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/dishes15.jpg

 

Edmonton to Jasper was one of the worst sections for freight delays. It got dark about 10, and I was in bed soon afterwards. I hear you can drive the route in about 3 3/4 hours. When I went to bed we were under halfway there. I think we arrived about 1AM but was sound asleep at the time.

 

Today’s parting shot is brief: Congratulations to France.

 

Roy

[erewhon]

Hello Roy,

Am very late to find this thread, what a long train journey, pleased that you have safely arrived in Vancouver.

Would appreciate if you are able to post photos of your stateroom on the Volendam.

You are looking well in the photo at the dining table.

The cherry icecream sounded delicious.

Thank you for all your reports and photos, will be following along.

[kazu]

Glad you are in Vancouver, Roy.

 

You've had quite the adventure already (with it's own ups and downs ;) ). Now your next phase can start :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Glad you have safely arrived in Vancouver.

Quite an adventure you have had getting to Vancouver.

[Happily@Sea]

So the Canadian has actual chairs instead bench seats in the diner. It makes it easier for the person by the window to get out.

 

Sounds like US train travel - wait for the freights and again - wait for the freights.

 

Glad you made it okay. and waiting to hear about the Volendam.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Roy so glad you finally made it to Vancouver.

WiFi can be so frustrating and I’m happy to have read both blogs. I enjoyed the pics especially of the sun rise you took and the picture of you,

Look forward to The Volendam and enjoy your time!

Take care Roy

Denise 😊

[rafinmd]

Thanks everyone.

 

 

Day VIA6, Monday, July 16, 2018, Arrive Vancouver

 

Once again we gained an hour overnight and once again I was up about 4:30 (new time) for sunrise but we were deeply in a canyon (Thompson River) now and there was no sun to see. Once again coffee was ready at 4:45. It would be a couple of hours until we passed a time check point but we were a little over 10 hours behind schedule, an improvement over the 12hours or so

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/thompson.jpg

 

I did a little bit of early morning walking through the sleeping cars. My cabin is tiny, too small for a real photo so I put together a little collage of partial views, the right panels are the forward end of the room and the left panels the aft end. The section with a handle in the upper left panel is the fold down bed.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/roomday.jpg

 

VIA also offers something called “sections”. They are a pair of benches facing each other where the seats fold down to form a lower berth and the upper swings down from the wall. Curtains provide privacy at night.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/section.jpg

 

During our stop in Edmonton 5 cars were inserted in the middle of the train, 4 sleeping cars and an observation car. I walked through the car early in the morning and got a look from the outside in Kamloops.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/observation.jpg

 

I walked the length of the train a time or 2 in Kamloops and when I got on Liz, my sleeping car attendant offered to take a couple of pictures.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/kamloops.jpg

 

After Kamloops station we followed Kamloops lake for a while.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/kmloopslake.jpg

 

We followed the Thompson River until it became the Fraser. Not long after the lake returned to a river there was a stretch called “Suicide rapids”.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/suicide.jpg

 

Lunch was pulled pork. A little after lunch we passed “Hells Gate”,the narrowest point on the Fraser. It looked to be quite touristy.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/hellsgate.jpg

 

About 2 hours before Vancouver we got a fantastic view of Mt. Baker in Washington. In lieu of dinner the staff also server cake in the dining car.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/baker.jpg

 

We finally pulled into Pacific Coast Station about 7, a little over 9 hours late. There was a pretty long wait for checked bags, and then I looked at the line for taxis and continued over to the Squadron station.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/pacificctrl.jpg

 

I checked into the Auberge Vancouver about 8, and headed off to Tim Hortons for Chicken Noodle Soup.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/auberge.jpg

 

While I am getting ready to board the first of 2 Holland America ships my parting shot will relate to the final leg of my trip, on the Crystal Symphony. One of Crystal’s most senior and venerable cruise directors recently retired, and he was due to return to work for my cruise. I learned a couple of weeks ago the Symphony’s other cruise director was extending his time on the ship through my cruise. I have just learned that Russ Thomas Grieve has moved from Azamara to become Crystal’s newest cruise director. He will be shadowing the current cruise director for my cruise so I will get the best of both worlds. Welcome aboard Russ.

 

Roy

[Krazy Kruizers]

The scenery you passed is so lovely.

Great report.

[*Miss G*]

Beautiful pictures Roy! What lovely scenery. Thank you. I especially appreciated the train information and pics. Would you say that The Canadian was on par with Amtrak or do you have a preference?

[DeeniEncinitas]

Roy so glad your at Auberge Vancouver hotel now👍

Nice room. I’m glad you took the pics of your berth room on the train! It might be small but for me having my own small bath room is a must! I’d hate to have to get up to use one down the hall🤨 The country side pics were pretty. Glad your settled in and I liked the pic of you outside of your train👍

Take care Roy

Denise 😊

[rafinmd]

Thank you Miss G, Krazy Kruizers, and Denise.

 

 

Day VIA7, Tuesday, July 17, 2018, Vancouver

 

I’m not reporting a lot new today so I’ll start with one more photo collage from the train. I’ve posted a few pictures from the dome itself so I’ll continue with the rest of the car. The dome is in the center, with a lounge at one end and snack bar style seating at the other. Under the dome is a little galley, and it’s actually what is used for preparing the café items in for the coach passengers. At the table end of the car there are 2 little shelves with coffee and fixings on one side and a variety of pastry, fruit, and other snack items across the aisle.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/domecar.jpg

 

A continental breakfast is offered in the Auberge 7-10AM. Far less elegant than on the train but still nice.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/aubergebkfst.jpg

 

The day I thought I would have all kinds of time I didn’t but it was a pretty busy day. I woke up about 5:30 and got some fire department business taken care of early. I left the hotel about 9 and walked to a laundry about a half mile away to refresh the clothes from the train journey. On the way I passed the historic steam clock in gas town.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/steam.jpg

 

Clothes cleaned I got on the sky train back to Pacific Coast station to check on the set up for my departure on Amtrak at the end of the Alaska experience. I must be at the station by 5:30 at the latest with all my luggage to go through US customs. Ouch!

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/skytrain.jpg

 

I walked back along Pender street to get a feel for the location of the Ramada, my hotel on disembarking on the Westerdam before heading towards San Francisco. The location is not bad but I don’t think there’s an easy way to get from anywhere to the station so early in the morning.

 

In the afternoon I did a little shopping, a little walking, and a little blog work, but before I knew it it was dinner time. Both lunch and dinner came from Tim Hortons, Chicken Noodle Soup for lunch and a ham and cheese panini for dinner.

 

My brother is joining me for the Volendam/Denali part of the trip. I had checked his flight schedule in the morning and his first flight was 2 hours late. He was successful in rebooking his itinerary and arrived actually a little bit early for his final flight. Roger pulled into the hotel about 7:30 after a successful if not really routine journey.

 

I guess as a parting shot I’ll comment a bit more about the Canadian. I believe one of my readers asked for a comparison with Amtrak. Like all things there are pluses and minuses but with one Achilles heel I’ve always found VIA a step or 2 above Amtrak. The dome cars are a real bonus, the dining car is much nicer with real china and flatware, and the service is excellent. Up until this time I would have considered it an all around better experience. The Achilles heel is of course the on time record. Canadian freight trains are getting much longer and they are getting more and more priority making experiences like mine pretty typical. Amtrak has some trains with poor on-time records as well but nothing like this. I think the trans-Canadian experience is still a great one but that flaw is massive.

 

Roy

[*Miss G*]

Thank you for the comparison Roy. I believe you have linked to a locomotive instead of the steam clock in Gastown.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for doing the comparisons of the train experiences. The dome cars look nice.

Glad your brother has arrived.

Your journey at the end of your Westerdam cruise sounds awful.

Always enjoy your pictures.

[knittinggirl]

Sounds wonderful!

 

 

We met someone on the Star Princess a few years ago that did something similar in reverse.

 

 

 

Train to FLL, Princess to San Diego, air to SFO, Star Princess to Hawaii and Alaska, then train home.

 

 

Keep a sharp eye out in San Francisco. With Prop 47, anything under $950 is fair game for theft. We got lucky, but I had my cell phone case stolen in one of the port bathrooms. I was on the cell phone, and the case on the sink. Turned my back for a second, and when I spun around to the sink, it was gone!