In Feb 2016, when I boarded the Via Rail train for my short getaway to Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, ON, I knew that I would travel with the train again.
Part of this journey to swim at the Best Beaches of Canada also involved seeing Canada through the window of the train, not the clouds of plane travel.
As I planned my trip to Manitoba in July 2017, I considered my options for the method of travel as I had only booked 6 days of vacation. I elected to fly #WestJet to Winnipeg and would take the train back to Toronto the following Tuesday.
Plane travel is convenient and fast but definitely not the most relaxing way to travel. At least I don’t find it very relaxing. I get motion sickness, I have to take gravol beforehand, I usually have one suitcase to check in, one carry on and then of course, my purse or knapsack. The seats are too close together and as I usually ask for a window seat, I have to trouble my seat mates every time I need to use the facilities…….
Now train travel – that’s a whole different experience and I will extoll the virtues of such travel in future posts.
You still have to get to the station and check in your bags. However, the cost for the check in is already included in your fare. Bonus there already! For these long trips, over 8 hours, Via Rail has a wonderful service called “Sleeper Plus”.
This is the car that is outfitted with “upper and lower” berths or you can reserve a cabin for 1 or 2 passengers. The berth bed style is located along the main corridor – each two berth unit is covered by a curtain and the person on the top berth has use of a ladder to get up to bed. The cabins also have upper/ lower berths, but more storage and your own “washroom” complete with toilet and sink. These cabins also have windows and the beds fold up for seating during the day.
Each passenger on the Sleeper Car is assigned their own Porter who will turn down and make up your beds each day. As well, each passenger is given a complimentary “Shower” bag which includes, soap, towel, washcloth, shampoo/conditioner, lotion. The “shower” is located on either end of the corridor. The pillows are soft, clean and there is even a hammock along the wall of the bunk where you can store your phone, a book or even your reading glasses.
The cost of the fare for the Sleeper Plus car is more than the average plane fare, but with one HUGE advantage – your meals, three squares a day, are all included, plus complimentary coffee, tea, water, juice, cookies, snacks etc for the entire trip. Prepared fresh by an onboard chef and served to you in the dining car. Now I’m not talking hamburgers, french fries, salads or sandwiches, runny eggs or grilled cheese.
Each meal has a set menu and you can choose from the early sitting or later sitting. From your basic breakfast items to local fare cooked for dinner, the food was scrumptious and plenty. There were vegan options and specific dietary needs could be accommodated as well.
My trip from Winnipeg to Toronto was a 35 hour journey. Departure time at 2200 on the Tuesday nite and arrival at Union station at 09:35 on the Thursday morning. So, the meals were breakfast/lunch/dinner and final breakfast on the Thursday morning.
The other advantage of the Sleeper Car fare is the opportunity to walk up and down the corridors. You are not required to stay in your bunk or in your cabin. You can roam the cars – the activity car, the dining car, the lounging car and the upper deck car which offers you a panoramic view of the countryside as you sit two levels up on the train.
For this trip, we did experience a delay through no fault of Via Rail. Currently the passenger railway corridor is shared with the freight trains of CP Rail. There are only two rail lines and passenger trains must yield to the freight trains.
With that being said, the night of my inaugural province to province train trip, our train had started its journey in BC earlier that evening and was making its way east to Winnipeg. Sometime after 21:30, we were informed that a freight train had become disabled somewhere in Alberta ( I don’t remember the specific details). So our train went into a holding pattern and had to wait until this freight train was repaired . There we all were, sitting at the train station late at night with nothing to do but wait. Restaurants were now closed, stores were closed and most of us had already checked our baggage. Finally at approx 03:00 we were told the train would arrive by 4:30 am. I had been awake now for almost 24 hours and this was taking its toll. I was nauseated and listless and hungry. When the train pulled into the station, my porter escorted me to my bunk, turned down the linen and up I went for a nap.
I was very surprised by how well I slept and how comfortable the mattress and pillow were. There is nothing quite as soothing as being lulled to sleep by the motions of the train as it traveled along the tracks. I slept until about 8 am when I was invited to come for breakfast. We departed Winnipeg at 08:30 Wed morning. A ten hour delay.
It is worthy to note here that I was one of maybe 100-150 passengers that had the luxury to be on the Sleeper Car. There were many families (with small children and seniors) who were travelling on the regular economy car – the ones- just like on the subway….I can’t imagine how uncomfortable that trip must have been…..I’m so grateful for this opportunity.
To this end, the staff, porters, engineers, wait staff, chef, of #VIARAIL were kind, patient, caring, considerate, respectful and gracious during my entire trip. I applaud them for their exemplary customer service skills and am thankful for their efforts to keep us all entertained and informed.
We arrived at Union Station almost 12 hours later- Thursday evening at 10 pm. Despite this unforeseen delay, I was hooked and knew I would travel #VIARAIL again.
My next trip to the East Coast of Canada took place the following summer. This time my BFF joined me and we reserved a cabin for two. More to follow – Via Rail Travel – Excursion #2
Thank you for letting me share.
Joye
Single Older Woman - Living Life Passionately 