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Published: December 7th 2023
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Our two week trip began in Quebec City and ended in Vancouver, and we traveled by train through Canada with additional stops in Montreal and Toronto. For our longest journey we caught the trans-continental
Canadian, which links Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper & Vancouver twice a week year-round over four nights using original stainless-steel coaches built for the Canadian Pacific Railway's
Canadian in 1954-55.
I showed up for our train ride to Vancouver expecting four days of relaxation and hoping for lots of beautiful autumn foliage. Yet I was kept occupied by the beautiful vistas continually passing by and by my attempts to capture photos of a portion of it, as well as by multiple Canadian murder mysteries. We started off along the Great Canadian Shield, where the best fall foliage was to be found, across the prairies of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and finally traveled through the Canadian Rocky Mountains, which included a stop in the mountain town of Jasper, my favorite of the trip. If time allows a few days in Jasper will allow for some amazing hiking and wildlife viewing, particularly in the summer months. Each area had its own charm and if you have traveled across the
United States by train the geography is similar. You can take this journey in either direction but it is more dramatic from east to west as you will have more days to anticipate the mountains.
Not having much reception on the trip meant that few people were glued to their phones or computers - although cameras were frequently poised for the next great shot or video - and instead they read, painted, crocheted, played games and actually talked to one another. There was an amazing mix of passengers with incredible stories and experiences to share, and there was a sense of nearly traveling back in time to when people actually got to know each other on long journeys. A sense of camaraderie built up among the travelers, once strangers, peppered with the occasional drama, and whenever people got off the train it was like saying farewell to an acquaintance, if not, maybe, a friend. A reminder that trading human connection for time-saving efficiency may not always be the optimal choice.
There is a choice of more affordable economy class reclining seats, sleeping-car rooms with upper and lower bunks which include restaurant car meals, or in deluxe prestige class
sleepers. We traveled in the reclining seats and were not disappointed, although hot meals would have been appreciated (these were available previously but were discontinued after the pandemic as cooks were not rehired by the rail company). Bring food if possible as the menu, while decent, remains the same for all four days; economy travelers are not allowed to purchase meals in the dining car as Amtrak allows. Views are the same no matter which class you choose, however, and the staff are helpful and courteous. If you take the time to travel by train you won't be disappointed.
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