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Trip Reports by our Clients:
Across Canada on VIA Rail
by Ted Shrady
Dear Sylvia and Ted,
Believe it or not the Shrady/Swanberg trip went without a hitch, considering the turmoil of last week. I was not even sure Amtrak would be running the day I left on Sept. 12. I did not reach the 800 number until 2 a.m. that morning. But the train left only 20 minutes late, and went straight through to Portland. It was about 2 hours late, but that could be normal, too. There were two extra coaches on the Empire Builder toMinneapolis, and many mail cars. Everyone got very nervous when we heard of the CZ wreck in Utah.
Anyway, we got to Seattle on the Starlight (nice train), but had changed our plans there to stay with on old army buddy. No problem with canceling the hotel. Cascade train is very nice and rode well, except on jointed rail which makes the cars rock.
Vancouver and hotel were a treat. Had dinner along the waterfront with a friend of Swanberg's. I recommend the "C" restaurant if you have big bucks.
Now for the "Canadian." Spectacular! There were 26 cars: 17 sleepers (incl. obs), four domes, three dining cars, and the observation, and only two coaches. Coach passengers eat in their dome at the front of the train. Actually, it was a longer than usual train a/c of a tour group that joined the train at Jasper. For future reference, you were correct that Bedroom F in all "Manor" sleeping cars are larger than standard bedrooms because they were originally compartments. Drawing rooms are "A" in "Chateau" and observation cars. Also, if
anyone is picky about being in a certain place in the train, the sleeper numbers go down from the observation, 238, 237, etc. We had 221
which was 16 cars from the obs. The showers work great with plenty of pressure and hot water.
Dining is really first class. There are three seatings for three meals (at least on this trip), and the evening menu changed or had variations each night out: roast pork, popcorn shrimp in pastry puff, wild boar/venison croquettes, steaks, and grilled salmon. It comes with soup, salad, bread, beverage, and dessert. Seatings are two hours apart for leisure dining, and the crew resets all the tables in between. Even the color of the table clothes are changed at night, and flower vases are replaced with candles. It was great!
The winter season starts in mid-November with a reduced consist of two domes (incl. the obs), one dining car, and maybe seven or eight sleepers, including the sleeper/obs. Border crossing from Toronto to Chicago was, I admit, a hassle. Everyone got off the train at Sarnia, Ont. with luggage, bussed to an inspection station, questioned and searched, on the bus again, and driven back to the train at Port Huron, Mich. Real tight security. One passenger was detained. The whole process took 1'50," but we were only an hour late into Chicago.
It was a great trip. I won't bore you with my missing passport.
Best, Ted Shrady
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