The Canadian pulled into Jasper, Alberta at a little after 8.40 this morning. Had we arrived on time at Jasper, I would have missed the incredibly dramatic last two hours of my first glimpses of the Canadian Rockies.
Carriage cleaners used “cherry pickers” to clean the windows of the Dome Cars, somewhat filthy since Toronto, which was a pity.
My hotel, The Crimson, is a modern geometric structure affording generous panoramic views of the surrounding Rockies. Bits of snow lie in the mountains, where the sun has little or no effect. My room looks across to the railway…perfect! I am a little “heavy-eyed”, but will try to see and do as much as possible today. Again, it’s an early start tomorrow as we head ever westwards, this time on The Rocky Mountaineer.
However, I was saddened to leave my roving pad of almost 4 days, The Canadian. My “feedback” on this journey is positive; I would like to do it all again, sooner rather than later. The warnings of tedious landscape is nonsense. How can one tire of the endless lakes, forests and hills of The Canadian Shield. The Prairies from around Winnipeg were far from monotonous, as that landscape became more green and undulating.
The train itself was at least as good as I was expecting, albeit very slightly grubby from intensive use. All the on board staff “worked their socks off” to ensure each passenger had the time of his/her life. The shower worked perfectly, the beds more than adequate and mosta comfortable. and my room, equipped with everything one could need. The catering was excellent, especially dinner, which, if I drank, justified being accompanied by wine. Continental breakfast between 6.30 and 8.30 was followed by brunch, served until 2pm. One didn’t go hungry!
The train itself, is a massive silver “head-turner,” a reminder of the zenith of North American passenger trains. Long may it last! I do like VIA Rail! And I also like the Crimson Hotel where I wish I was staying for much longer. Now to explore!
David.
David's Cruise 