The Pros and Cons of Traveling Across Canada by Viarail

Before a vacation I get a vision in my mind of what I want the trip to look like.  VIARail did not live up to those expectations in the slightest but after I let go of what was portrayed in their marketing and my own preconceived notions we had a trip of a lifetime.

How it Began

Packed and ready to go we went to catch the train at the Katz location just outside Hope in British Columbia.  Our friend was a little hesitant to drop us off as there was nothing but a sign to designate the VIARail Train Station. The booking agent said the only thing there was a shelter but unless he meant trees there was no such covering in sight.  Fortunately for us it was a hot and sunny day and we were fine sitting under the shade of the trees. 

Looking at my watch at 5:05pm I could hear a train coming down the line.  Our departure time was scheduled for 17:17 so we collected our backpacks bringing them closer to the track ready to climb aboard but instead a CN freight train whizzed by with not even a wave.  When our scheduled time came and went we could hear distant whistles of other trains on different tracks and we wondered if we were even at the right place.  

Finally our train, whose initial departure was from Vancouver only a 2 hour by car away, arrived an hour and a half late. We knew this wasn't a good sign but we were not perturbed as the trains tardiness didn't take the big grins off our faces as this new adventure began.  Putting our package in place we got comfortable in our chairs as the views of Fraser Canyon passed by.  

When our conductor passed I stopped her, "How do I get on WIFI?"

"There is no WIFI on the Canadian" (Vancouver to Toronto) she responded. "Only on the route from Toronto to Montreal".

Coming home I looked on their website that previously said FREE WIFI on it everywhere.  I guess so many passengers were complaining they took it down as even the Toronto to Montreal route's WIFI was insufficient.

Examining the schedule before leaving on this adventure I could see there were many stops from 10 minutes to an hour and a half.  I had been in the train station in Vancouver many times,  an hour and a half walk around the train station by Science World would get me to Gastown and back and a nice walk around Olympic Village and the waterfront.  So I imagined an hour and a half or even an hour would be nice to get a feel for a town and stretch my legs.

As you can guess, this did not happen.  The train was always late so they were always trying to make up time.  Even a stop like Jasper which was supposed to be an hour and a half ended up being 45 minutes and we were directed to get back earlier for boarding.  

Major destinations like Edmonton, Saskatoon and Kamloops where we had an extended stop, were in the middle of no where and the WIFI at the terminals were non existent or slow.  It was not possible to see anything of these destinations but the platform.  

We would pass towns like Melville Saskatchewan where the station is right in the town centre and were given 10 minutes to explore.  In an hour visit to Melville a tourist could see the whole town and make a visit to the museum that is part of the train station.  

But we would be herded back onto the train after 10 minutes then 10 minutes down the track sit for 20 minutes as we waited for a freight train to go by.

And this is the problem.... freight trains.

The freight trains have priority over the passenger trains as we all know commerce is more important than people... right?  So it is not all VIARails fault.  The possible solution lies in the hands of the traffic controller but they are mandated to put freight trains first.

If you Google CN you can see that it was sold by the Canadian people in 1995 and made into a public company.  Bill Gates is actually the largest share holder.  So the Canadian National Railway no longer belongs to Canada and its people are no longer the priority.  

I am not taking responsibility out of the hands of VIARail instead I think they need to educate their passengers better.  

We got a steel of a deal.  We travelled back and forth across Canada with 7 stops for $864, you really can't beat that!  Once I knew what to expect the return journey was a lot more enjoyable.  

I only wish I had been pre-warned while I was booking the tickets.  The VIARail agent could have said:

1. You will get to the train station but just so you know, there is no station.  There will be a sign that says VIARail and that is it.  You will be waiting on the side of the track for the train.  So keep this in mind and plan for the weather.
2. Oh and when I say waiting, I mean waiting.  We are routinely late.  I mean we are rarely on time.  Freight trains have priority so you may be waiting on the side of the road for hours.  Maybe even 10 hours but you can go on-line and check the departures and arrivals or phone us back here, if we are open we can tell you if the train is on time or not. 
3. Another thing, I know on the website it looks like we have WIFI but don't let that fool you.  There is no WIFI.  If you want to read books on your tablets download them all ahead of time as you won't be able to do that on the train.  Even at the major train stations WIFI's signals are non existent or very week.
4. As you can probably guess you will be sleeping in a chair a little bigger than an airplane chair but it will be really uncomfortable.  Don't plan on sleeping but as you know it is a great deal.
5. If you are travelling with a smoker let them know there may be up to 11 hours between stops. We rarely let passengers off for a smoke break so maybe get one of those nicotine patch things.

You know what? If the booking agent told me all this I would have still booked but I would have been prepared mentally for what was to come.  No one could say I wasn't warned ahead of time.  On the return journey I had a much better time because I knew what to expect and guess what else?  I would do it again.  I would definitely save up for a sleeper cabin but I would take this venture again and here are the reasons why.

1.  The views are phenomenal.  I still can't put into words how gorgeous Canada is with all its diversity.  I could hardly wait to wake up to see the sunrise as it highlighted a new landscape.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. You get a really feel for how huge this country is as you wake up day after day in a different province, a different view, but the same country.  Canada is immense.
   
   
   
   
3. It gave me time for me and just me.  There was no where I could go except for the observation car.  I had plenty of time to think and journal and think about what is important to me.
   
4. I could totally relax and live completely in the present moment.  
   
5. Life felt easy as we read, played cards, wrote, took pictures of the view, ate and slept.
   
6. It was a very inexpensive way to see this country.  I would encourage each of my nephews and nieces to take this trip while they are young when they still have the ability to sleep anywhere.

I went on the train to promote my own book but it was not the right avenue for this venture but it has inspired many sprouts of ideas that I look forward to pursuing   I have come out feeling refreshed and ready to jump into life wherever that takes me.  I am looking forward to ... Life!  I'ld say, weighing out all the pros and cons, it was well worth the adventure.