3 great Canadian train trips

There’s a romance with train travel that persists no matter how fast we can fly or drive to the places we want to go. Here are three slow travel experiences that I’ve loved — everything from a few hours on a tourist train to four nights on a train that crosses five provinces and a luxury outing with guided commentary, cocktails and Canadian cuisine.

The Alberta Prairie Railway is a tourist train that operates out of Stettler, Alberta from May to October. [Jennifer Bain]

Look beyond the obvious commercial and commuter train routes to a handful of privately run tourist trains dotted across the country. In Stettler, the Alberta Prairie Railway offers seasonal outings aboard steam or diesel-powered trains. Themes include murder mysteries, live shows, country dinners, steak barbecues, seniors and even a “Newfoundlander special” with lobster and East Coast entertainment, but I took my kids on a family-friendly outing starring a mock robbery and gun battle by bandits on horseback outside the train. We stopped in Big Valley for a roast beef buffet lunch at the community hall and explored the dynamic village during the six-hour micro taste of train travel.

From VIA’s panorama dome car you’ll see sunsets, wildlife, landscapes and a variety of communities. [Jennifer Bain]

I’ve been lucky enough to have taken the Canadian — VIA Rail’s 4,466-kilometre flagship route between Toronto and Vancouver — twice and both trips were magical experiences. For four nights, and almost as many days, I watched Ontario forest turn to open prairie and then majestic mountains. I was lucky enough to stay in Prestige class once for work, and Sleeper Plus class with my family, both times enjoying small but private cabins and delicious regional cuisine in the dining car. Of course the highlight to this year-round train journey is the ever-changing view from the upper level of the glass-domed lounge car.

Rocky Mountaineer host Anny Dell serves up running commentary and delicious snacks and drinks. [Jennifer Bain]

The Rocky Mountaineer does such a good job marketing itself that it’s a bucket list luxury journey for many Canadians. One thing that people don’t usually realize is that the privately-owned trains only travel by daylight (on the same tracks as VIA Rail and freight trains) so you actually sleep in hotels on four routes through British Columbia, Alberta and the Pacific Northwest. Each coach gets two hosts to provide running commentary, and a kitchen team to provide meals. I enjoyed GoldLeaf Service in a bi-level dome coach, with panoramic views, snacks and drinks served upstairs and gourmet meals served in the dining room downstairs. For SilverLeaf Service, which I toured, everything happens on one level and hot meals are served to your seat. The Rocky Mountaineer runs between April and October and lets people extend the experience by adding on tours, excursions or even an Alaskan cruise.

Source: Canada.com

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