12-21-2014, 12:07 AM
Pops wrote:
Via Rail from Jasper to Vancouver last year was like a 4 star hotel. Comfortable berths, and amazing dinner. It was terrible to decide... the twin lamb chops finally lost out to elk tenderloin with saskatoon sauce.
We took the Via Rail Canadian from Toronto to Jasper, and then after a three-night stop, from Jasper to Vancouver, back in 2008. Via uses stainless-steel '50s equipment (including dome cars, where we spent much time), and it is indeed an elegant trip. There were a lot of delays staying out of the way of freights on CN, but we weren't in any hurry. A half-day delay leaving Toronto for equipment cleaning gave us the opportunity to take a harbor cruise, so that was actually a plus.
We continued on to Vancouver Island by ferry, and thence to Seattle, where we boarded Amtrak's Empire Builder (legacy name from the Great Northern Railroad) and enjoyed excellent service on that train, too, beginning with a wine tasting in the dining car (for sleeper passengers).
I'd like to do both trips again.
/Mr Lynn