ne of the best ways to experience Canada is by climbing aboard on The Canadian¸ the longest train route in North America. This transcontinental train by VIA Rail stretches from Vancouver to Toronto—a distance spanning approximately 4,466 km, taking about 4 days and 4 nights to complete. The trip across Canada allows passengers to go through nine major cities, five provinces, and experience multiple different time zones. A plane ride from Vancouver to Toronto (or vice-versa) is a much faster option, but it comes at the expense of the best views Canada as to offer. Like VIA Rail’s motto says, “Beauty has no shortcuts.”
Founded by Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1955, as a transcontinental passenger train between Montreal and Vancouver, the Canadian part of a to compete with the innovative American trains of the 1950s, like the California Zephyr, which adopted all-stainless-steel cars with domed observation cars.
Once passengers start their journey in Toronto, they will be able to experience the beauty of the Canadian Shield—the ancient core of North America and one of the world’s largest geologic continental shields. In addition, they will be able to see rocky-smooth hills that have stood the test of time, accompanied by rivers and lakes. Along this same landscape, the views of the Boreal Forest can also be appreciated—it is in fact, one of the world's last remaining intact forests. If people pay close enough attention, they might catch glimpses of deer, moose, and even bears. After going through the city of Edmonton, passengers will get great views of the Canadian Rockies. This part of the trip will allow them to see Moose Lake and the Continental Divide, which divides a continent’s river systems. In addition, the train passes by the ice sheet of the Albreda Glacier, Pyramid Falls, and summit of Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies. After having witnessed all these views, the train will finally arrive to its final destination in the city of Vancouver.
Not only would a ride on this train allow anyone to see these impressive views, but it would allow them to be able to capture them as well. The Canadian contains the famous “Dome” Car, which is considered one of the best parts about traveling across Canada. Unlike other cars in The Canadian, this car is taller than other cars and contains a 360-degree scenic dome which allows passengers to get a full panoramic view of the journey. The dome is something that Bob Johnston, correspondent for Trains Magazine, can attest to as he’s had multiple experiences riding The Canadian. Of all the seasons, he believes winter is the best time to travel because “the scenery is spectacular.” In addition to the views and places delineated above, Mr. Johnston adds that the train will also pass by places like Sioux Lookout, which have neighboring First Nation communities. In addition, he adds that people can stop by major cities like Winnipeg and Jasper along the way as well to expand their experiences of the country.
At the time of its creation, CPR was able to claim The Canadian as "the first and only all-stainless steel 'dome' steam-liner in Canada." Unfortunately a few years later, passenger train ridership began to decline in the 1960s due to increased competition from airlines and increased car usage due to the construction of the Trans-Canadian Highway.
Although The Canadian’s operating levels were reduced in the 1970s, it was never fully shut down. In 1978, the VIA Rail, a federal corporation, took over The Canadian and other CPR passenger trains and services. The Canadian Government created the VIA Rail to mirror the U.S. model of government involvement in the passenger business, allowing them to also have full control over Canada’s passenger trains. In 1990, VIA Rail dropped the Montreal section of The Canadian’s trip and instead added stops to Saskatoon and Edmonton. So famous is The Canadian that you can even find it being honored on the $10 Canadian bill, which was issued in 2013.
Regardless of anyone’s budget, there are a variety of accommodations available to meet everyone’s needs. By riding The Canadian, passengers will get to experience most of Canada’s different landscapes in a single trip, which is much more that any flight trip can offer. In addition, private cars in trains allow for a much safer travel option than planes, which is especially important and valued during these unprecedented times.
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A Journey on The Canadian
October 4, 2020
The four-day, four-night journey traverses the country's cities and wilderness.
O
ne of the best ways to experience Canada is by climbing aboard on The Canadian¸ the longest train route in North America. This transcontinental train by VIA Rail stretches from Vancouver to Toronto—a distance spanning approximately 4,466 km, taking about 4 days and 4 nights to complete. The trip across Canada allows passengers to go through nine major cities, five provinces, and experience multiple different time zones. A plane ride from Vancouver to Toronto (or vice-versa) is a much faster option, but it comes at the expense of the best views Canada as to offer. Like VIA Rail’s motto says, “Beauty has no shortcuts.”
Founded by Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1955, as a transcontinental passenger train between Montreal and Vancouver, the Canadian part of a to compete with the innovative American trains of the 1950s, like the California Zephyr, which adopted all-stainless-steel cars with domed observation cars.
Once passengers start their journey in Toronto, they will be able to experience the beauty of the Canadian Shield—the ancient core of North America and one of the world’s largest geologic continental shields. In addition, they will be able to see rocky-smooth hills that have stood the test of time, accompanied by rivers and lakes. Along this same landscape, the views of the Boreal Forest can also be appreciated—it is in fact, one of the world's last remaining intact forests. If people pay close enough attention, they might catch glimpses of deer, moose, and even bears. After going through the city of Edmonton, passengers will get great views of the Canadian Rockies. This part of the trip will allow them to see Moose Lake and the Continental Divide, which divides a continent’s river systems. In addition, the train passes by the ice sheet of the Albreda Glacier, Pyramid Falls, and summit of Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies. After having witnessed all these views, the train will finally arrive to its final destination in the city of Vancouver.
Not only would a ride on this train allow anyone to see these impressive views, but it would allow them to be able to capture them as well. The Canadian contains the famous “Dome” Car, which is considered one of the best parts about traveling across Canada. Unlike other cars in The Canadian, this car is taller than other cars and contains a 360-degree scenic dome which allows passengers to get a full panoramic view of the journey. The dome is something that Bob Johnston, correspondent for Trains Magazine, can attest to as he’s had multiple experiences riding The Canadian. Of all the seasons, he believes winter is the best time to travel because “the scenery is spectacular.” In addition to the views and places delineated above, Mr. Johnston adds that the train will also pass by places like Sioux Lookout, which have neighboring First Nation communities. In addition, he adds that people can stop by major cities like Winnipeg and Jasper along the way as well to expand their experiences of the country.
At the time of its creation, CPR was able to claim The Canadian as "the first and only all-stainless steel 'dome' steam-liner in Canada." Unfortunately a few years later, passenger train ridership began to decline in the 1960s due to increased competition from airlines and increased car usage due to the construction of the Trans-Canadian Highway.
Although The Canadian’s operating levels were reduced in the 1970s, it was never fully shut down. In 1978, the VIA Rail, a federal corporation, took over The Canadian and other CPR passenger trains and services. The Canadian Government created the VIA Rail to mirror the U.S. model of government involvement in the passenger business, allowing them to also have full control over Canada’s passenger trains. In 1990, VIA Rail dropped the Montreal section of The Canadian’s trip and instead added stops to Saskatoon and Edmonton. So famous is The Canadian that you can even find it being honored on the $10 Canadian bill, which was issued in 2013.
Regardless of anyone’s budget, there are a variety of accommodations available to meet everyone’s needs. By riding The Canadian, passengers will get to experience most of Canada’s different landscapes in a single trip, which is much more that any flight trip can offer. In addition, private cars in trains allow for a much safer travel option than planes, which is especially important and valued during these unprecedented times.
