Travelers Guide to Scenic Western Rail Options

Passenger •

Journeys in Western •Rocky •

By John Burchnall Two additional options shared at the end

Western Routes Amtrak, & VIA

Train Route Days Coach Sleeper Prince Rupert Quesnel Jasper to Roomette, Skeena 2 Coach Edmonton Whistler Lake Louise Seattle or Portland Bedroom, Suite Banff Roomette, Rocky Chicago to Oakland 2 Coach Mountaineer Bedroom, Suite Winnipeg Southwest Chicago to LA 2 Coach Roomette, Cascades Amtrak Bedroom, Suite Empire Builder Roomette, Corridor Coast Limited LA to Seattle 1.5 Coach Bedroom, Suite Starlight Ethan Allen Keystone & Journey through to Jasper GoldLeaf, 2 (hotel) California the Clouds (via Kamloops) SilverLeaf Zephyr Regional First Passage Vancouver to Banff GoldLeaf, City of 2 (hotel) Arches NP Southwest SilverLeaf Chief New Orleans to the West (via Kamloops) Rainforest Vancouver to Jasper GoldLeaf, 3 (hotel) Eagle (via Whistler & Quesnel) SilverLeaf Silver Star Rocky Mt. Rocky to Gold Rush Rockies to the Red Denver, CO to Moab, UT 2 GoldLeaf, (hotel) Rocks (new 2021) (via Glenwood Springs) SilverLeaf to Vancouver 4 Coach Berth, Cabins, Amtrak Canadian (via Edmonton & Jasper) Prestige Rocky Mountaineer

VIA Coach, Skeena Jasper to Prince Rupert 1 Touring None VIA Rail Amtrak, Rocky Mountaineer & VIA Rocky Mountaineer Prince Rupert Quesnel Jasper Skeena

Edmonton Whistler Lake Louise Kamloops (2) Banff Rocky Calgary Canadian Ocean 3 (2) Mountaineer Winnipeg (3) Cascades (great value!) 2 Empire Adirondack Scenic highway/Selfhighway/Self----Drive/CoachDrive/Coach Builder Vermonter Corridor 2

Coast Downeaster Starlight Maple Leaf Ethan Allen Keystone & Pennsylvanian Capitol Corridor California Regional 2 Zephyr 1 Capitol Limited 1 Arches NP Southwest City of San Joaquins Chief New Orleans Cardinal 1 Pacific Surfliner Piedmont Carolinian

Texas Eagle Silver Star Palmetto Heartland Flyer Silver Meteor

Crescent Sunset 1 Amtrak Limited Each day on the train 2 Rocky Mountaineer denoted by circled VIA Rail Canada numbers

Basic Comparisons Route Attractions Train Scenic Highlights Empire Builder Rolling Hills, Wisconsin Dells, Mississippi River Bridge, Amtrak Rocky Mountaineer VIA Rail Rockies, Glacier National Park, Cascades California Zephyr Mississippi River Bridge, Denver, Front Range, Rockies, •WesternContent USA Canada & US Rockies Canada Sierra Nevada Mountains, Donner Pass Mississippi River Bridge, Apache/Abo Canyon, Raton Pass, Government Owned Private Enterprise Government Owned Amtrak Albuquerque, Desert Bluffs, Cajon Pass Accessible Accessible Accessible Sunset Limited Low Lands, , Desert Scenery and Bluffs Single Level Classic Journey through Kamloops, Canadian Rockies, North Thompson River, All Bi-Level Single or Dual Level the Clouds Frazier River, Jasper Cars Cars Panorama Cars (multiple domes) First Passage Kamloops, Canadian Rockies, South Thompson River, to the West Frazier River, Banff/Lake Louise

4 Train Routes + Mt. Rocky Rainforest 4 Train Routes 2 Train Routes Coastal Lakes and Rivers, Whistler, Rainforests, Quesnel, Connecting Bus Tours to Gold Rush Canadian Rockies Rockies to the Red Denver, Front Range, Colorado Rockies, many Gorges and 2 Day Runs 2-3 Day Runs 1.5 or 4 Day Runs Rocks (New 2021) Tunnels, Glenwood Spgs, Thompson River, Arches NP, Moab Canadian Canadian Shield, Lakes and Rivers, Canadian Rockies, Kicking 1X, 3X and 5X 6X and 10X 1X, 2X, 3X, 5X, 13X Horse River, North Thompson River, Frazier River Price Ranges Price Ranges Price Ranges VIA Skeena Canadian Rockies, Rolling Hills, Coastal Lakes and Rivers, Port of Prince Rupert Amtrak, Rocky Mountaineer & VIA Amtrak Out West Prince Rupert Quesnel Jasper Skeena

Edmonton Whistler Lake Louise Kamloops Banff Rocky Calgary Canadian Ocean Mountaineer Winnipeg

Cascades

Empire Adirondack Builder Vermonter Corridor

Coast Lake Shore Limited Downeaster Starlight Maple Leaf Ethan Allen Keystone & Pennsylvanian Capitol Corridor California Zephyr Regional Capitol Limited

Arches NP Southwest City of San Joaquins Chief New Orleans Cardinal Pacific Surfliner Piedmont Carolinian

Texas Eagle Silver Star Palmetto Heartland Flyer Silver Meteor

Crescent Sunset Amtrak Limited Rocky Mountaineer VIA Rail Canada

Amtrak Out West Rocky Mountaineer Rocky Mountaineer VIA Rail Canadian

VIA Rail Canadian Equipment Comparisons

Amtrak Rocky Mountaineer VIA Rail

• ContentGE P42-DC GMD GP40-2L GMD F40PH-2

Pullman Standard Stadler/Col. Rail Car Budd + Colorado / Bombardier + Can. Car & Foundry Railcar (Panorama) Superliner Coaches 1 Level Panorama Coaches Superliner Lounge 2 Level Panorama Panorama Car Superliner Diner Skyline Domes Superliner Sleeper Diners & Snack Cars Sleepers Park Dome/Observ. AMTRAK GE P42-DC (Genesis) Rocky Mt. GP40-2L Diesel-Elec.

Siemens Charger EMD F59PHI

VIA GMD F40PH-2 Diesel-Elec. Equipment Comparisons

Amtrak Rocky Mountaineer VIA Rail

• ContentGE P42-DC GMD GP40-2L GMD F40PH-2

Pullman Standard Stadler/Col. Rail Car Budd + Colorado / Bombardier + Can. Car & Foundry Railcar (Panorama) Superliner Coaches 1 Level Panorama Coaches Superliner Lounge 2 Level Panorama Panorama Car Superliner Diner Skyline Domes Superliner Sleeper Diners & Snack Cars Sleepers Park Dome/Observ. Panorama vs. Dome Cars VIA Panorama vs. Dome Cars

• Dome Cars have a glass bubble with 360 degrees of viewing, all above the train

- All VIA Domes have 24 seats (6 rows)

• Panorama Cars have vertical walls at front and rear – some with windows, but typically view-blocked by adjacent cars

- Boxier than Dome Cars

- Panoramic areas are all full car length

Panorama vs. Dome Cars

Amtrak Amtrak Superliner Coach Amtrak Superliner Coach

Superliner Sightseer Lounge Amtrak Sightseer Lounge Car

•Content Amtrak Superliner Diner Amtrak Superliner Sleeper

Upper Level

Lower Level

Rolling Stock Rocky Mountaineer Cars SilverLeaf Class (Single-Level) Guests Dine in Seats Rocky Mountaineer New: Lounge & Open Platform in adj. Car

GoldLeaf Class (Bi-Level) Guest Seats Above

Outside Platform Dining Below SilverLeaf Service

GoldLeaf Service

Rolling Stock VIA Refurbished Budd Cars

VIA Rail •Content VIA Canadian VIA Canadian • 4 dome cars / train (panorama can sub)

VIA Canadian VIA Canadian Park Car • Tail Observation Cars = Park Cars Tail Lounge • Featuring Dome, Lounge, Snack Bar 24 Seat Dome • Exclusive Use by Prestige Class

Extra Restroom

Bar and Snacks

Prestige Cabin Prestige Accessible Cabin VIA Park Western Train Amenities

Amtrak Rocky Mountaineer VIA Rail Coach or SilverLeaf (1 level) or Coach, Touring, • Content •SleeperContent Classes GoldLeaf (2 level) Sleeper+ or Prestige Roomette, Bedroom No Sleepers Cabins (for 1,2,3 or 4), and Suite Sleepers (Bus to/from Hotels) Berths, Prestige Sleeper Meals Meals Included, Sleeper Meals Included Except Evenings Included Can Buy Alcohol GoldLeaf: Included Prestige: Incld. 24/7 1 Panorama Lounge All Panorama Cars Multiple Domes No Tail Obs. Car No Tail Obs. Car Tail Obs. With Dome No Outside Viewing Covered View Porch No Outside Viewing Walk Between Cars Must Stay in Your Car Walk Between Cars

Sleeping Accommodations Amtrak Superliner Roomette

Amtrak Rocky Mountaineer VIA Rail * • ContentRoomette SilverLeaf Berth (for 2) (bus to/from hotels) (for 1)

Bedroom GoldLeaf Sleeper+ Cabins (for 2, w/ bath) (bus to/from hotels) (for 1, 2, 3 or 4) Prestige Staterooms Suite (for 2, out West only (2 Bedrooms) on the Canadian) Family Bedroom, Prestige Accessible Accessible Bedroom Stateroom

* Only the Canadian and Ocean have sleepers, not the Skeena Amtrak Superliner Bedroom Family & Accessible Bedrooms

Rocky Mountaineer Sleepers? VIA Sleeping Cars • Berth • Cabin for 1 • Cabin for 2

Buses to/from Hotels VIA Sleeping Cars VIA Berths Sleeping with Cars full •Content width heavy curtain

Cabin Cabin for for Two One Suite Sleeps four in two adjacent normal ‘Cabins for Two’

VIA Sleeping Cars VIA Prestige Cabins • Own bathroom w/ separate shower • Meals • Suites • 24/7 snacks/drinks • Huge picture window • Prestige • 24/7 exclusive use of Park observation car Cabin VIA Canadian Park Car Food and Drinks

Tail Lounge Amtrak Rocky Mountaineer VIA Rail 24 Seat Dome Coach Coach • Content SilverLeaf Buy at Dining or Buy at Dining or At Seats, Buy Alcohol Snack Cars Snack Cars Extra Sleeper Touring GoldLeaf Restroom Priority Meals in Included At Seat Diner, All Inclusive Diner, Buy Alcohol Meals w/ Wine Bar and Sleeper+ All evening meals Snacks Included Meals, Fruit, on your own in town Cookies, Buy Alcohol Prestige Cabin Prestige Gourmet Dining, Prestige Accessible Cabin 24/7 Snacks, Alcohol

Amtrak Superliner Rocky Mt. GoldLeaf Dining Rocky Mt. SilverLeaf Dining VIA Canadian Dining • 3 dining cars / train • Meals cooked on train • Real plates, glasses and flatware

VIA Prestige Class Service Amtrak, Rocky Mountaineer & VIA Prince Rupert Quesnel Jasper Skeena

Edmonton Whistler Lake Louise Kamloops Banff Rocky Calgary Canadian Ocean Mountaineer Winnipeg

• Content Cascades

Empire Adirondack Builder Vermonter Corridor

Coast Lake Shore Limited Downeaster Starlight Maple Leaf Ethan Allen Keystone & Pennsylvanian Capitol Corridor California Zephyr Regional Capitol Limited

Arches NP Southwest City of San Joaquins Chief New Orleans Cardinal Pacific Surfliner Piedmont Carolinian

Texas Eagle Silver Star Palmetto Heartland Flyer Silver Meteor

Crescent Sunset Amtrak Limited Rocky Mountaineer VIA Rail Canada Sounds Awesome, but … Price Comparisons Rocky Accommodation Amtrak VIA Rail Mountaineer How much do these cost? Coach $100 - $100 Touring (Skeena) - - $200 What’s the overall comparison? SilverLeaf - $600 - GoldLeaf - $1,000 - Any secrets or tips? Berth - - $300 Cabin/Roomette $300 - $500 Are there other options? Bedroom $500 - $500 Prestige (Canadian) - - $1,250 Approximate cost per person per day

Which is Best Out West? So, whether you ride Amtrak …

Amtrak Rocky Mountaineer VIA Rail Great Scenery Great Scenery Great Scenery • Content Miss Scenery at Night Don’t Miss Scenery Miss Scenery at Night Aging Superliners Nice Modern Cars Classic Some Rough Track Smooth Track Smooth Track Hit or Miss Attendants Great Attendants Great Attendants Some Smelly Toilets Great Restrooms Great Restrooms Often Huge Delays "Always" On Time Can Have Delays 1 Panorama Car All Panorama Cars 4 Domes, incldg Obs. Most Food Pre-cooked Gold Leaf: Gourmet Sleepers: Gourmet Rm Toilets in Shower No Sleepers Separate Showers No Outside Areas Outside Viewing Porch No Outside Areas Walk Between Cars Stay in Your Car(s) Walk Between Cars … or Rocky Mountaineer …

… or VIA Rail

Traveler Secrets Traveler Secrets

• Book many months in advance for the • 1 Prestige Sleeping Cabin in the Park best selection Observation Car (+ an Accessible Cabin)

• Cabins and seats near the middle of • north side of car for better photos each car have the smoothest ride and views since not looking into the sun

• Fly via Seattle, not Vancouver, and ride • Ride during the longest days (May-July) Cascades between (scenic, cheap, easy) • Ride Sleepers during the Full Moon • Pack Tiny Bag for Sleepers, Check Rest • Some scenery during daylight is • Consider extended stays in Vancouver, directional dependent – use schedules to Toronto, and the Canadian Rockies determine which way you wish to go Example Day vs. Night Areas Also Consider a Combo Trip !

Empire •CoastContent Builder •Content Starlight VIA Rail Canadian

California Zephyr

Rocky Mountaineer Southwest Chief

Sunset Limited Jasper Rocky Mountaineer + VIA Canadian

Another Combination Option Transcontinental Combo Trip

•Content

Coach

• Banff Rocky Mountaineer + Motor Coach Banff Rocky Mountaineer + Bus + Canadian • VIA Canadian + VIA Corridor + VIA Ocean Consider an Amtrak Circle Tour … … or a Rocky Mt’r Circle Tour Prince Rupert Quesnel Jasper Skeena

Edmonton Whistler Lake Louise Kamloops (2) Banff Rocky Calgary Canadian Ocean 3 (2) Mountaineer Winnipeg (3) Cascades Amtrak Cascades (great value!) 2 Empire Adirondack Scenic highway/Selfhighway/Self----Drive/CoachDrive/Coach Builder Vermonter Corridor 2

Coast Lake Shore Limited Downeaster Starlight Maple Leaf Ethan Allen Keystone & Pennsylvanian Capitol Corridor California Regional 2 Zephyr 1 Capitol Limited 1 Arches NP Southwest City of San Joaquins Chief New Orleans Cardinal 1 Pacific Surfliner Piedmont Carolinian

Texas Eagle Silver Star Palmetto Heartland Flyer Silver Meteor

Crescent Sunset 1 Amtrak Limited Each day on the train 2 Rocky Mountaineer denoted by circled VIA Rail Canada numbers

Other Options to Consider Private Varnish

•Private Rail Cars - Nice, but very expensive and Amtrak now limits them on their

•Alaska Railroad (AR) - Highly scenic, highly recommended - Panorama cars very nice and inexpensive - AR is a full service travel agency – nice hotels, rental cars, side excursions Alaska Railroad Alaska RR

Highway

Alaska RR 470 Miles Denali

Ships

Parting Words of Wisdom Have a Wonderful Trip! Book now before VIA’s services deteriorate or are discontinued, like Amtrak …

… or before Rocky Mountaineer is discontinued, like others have …

… or before Amtrak gets even worse

… be sure to try the Alaska Railroad!