Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer
Reporting mark RMRX
Locale British Columbia and Alberta, Canada
Dates of operation 1990 (1990)–Present
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Headquarters Vancouver, British Columbia
Website www.rockymountaineer.com

Rocky Mountaineer is a Canadian rail-tour company offering Western Canadian vacation packages that operates trains on four rail routes through British Columbia, Alberta, and the U.S. state of Washington.

History

The company was founded by the Armstrong Group in 1990, and is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. It ran its first train on May 27, 1990.[1] It is the busiest privately owned passenger rail service in North America, having transported over one million passengers since 1990.

Awards

Rocky Mountaineer has been awarded the "World's Leading Travel Experience by Train" at the World Travel Awards seven times[2] for its GoldLeaf service and was recognized by National Geographic Magazine as one of the "World’s Best Journeys" in 2007. The Society of American Travel Writers, the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, rated the Rocky Mountaineer as the world's top train ride in 2009.[3]

Routes

Map of routes offered by Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer operates train journeys over four principal routes:

First passage to the West

Rocky Mountaineer’s first route travels along Kicking Horse River, through the Spiral Tunnels, the location where the last spike on the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven, and various other landmarks from the early days of the National Railway. This route is famous for uniting the country and connecting British Columbia to Canada over 125 years ago. Rocky Mountaineer is the only passenger rail service that operated on this route.[4]

Journey through the clouds

This route travels through the Coastal Mountain Range and the Fraser Canyon. The train follows the route of the Fraser River, passing by the Albreda Glacier and Pyramid Falls. Regarded as top highlight of this route is Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.[5]

Rainforest to Gold Rush

Rocky Mountaineer’s three-day route travels through the coastal rainforest, the Rocky Mountain Trench, Mount Robson, and the desert-like conditions of the Fraser Canyon into the ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau. Stopping for a night in the Gold Pan City of Quesnel.[6]

Coastal Passage

Rocky Mountaineer’s newest route connects the city of Seattle, WA, with Vancouver, BC and through to the Canadian Rockies. Passengers experience an all daylight ride on board the Rocky Mountaineer travelling along the Pacific Ocean's coastline, through temperate rainforests and between the Canadian Rockies.[7]

Service levels

Upper level of Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf
Lower dining level on GoldLeaf

GoldLeaf

Operating on all routes, Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf service is a custom-designed, bi-level, glass-domed coach with full-length windows and reclining seats that can be rotated to accommodate groups of four. Guests onboard this service are attended to by three to four onboard hosts, in addition to the culinary team. Guests are offered hot gourmet meals prepared on board the train, and served to them in the lower level dining car. Beverages are also offered to guests throughout the journey, along with gourmet snacks. The two levels of the GoldLeaf coach are accessible by a spiral staircase or an ADA elevator.[8][9]

Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf

SilverLeaf

Operating on the same routes as GoldLeaf, Rocky Mountaineer’s SilverLeaf service is a custom-designed, single level glass domed coach with oversized windows and reclining seats. Guests onboard are attended to by two to three onboard hosts, and offered a hot entrée option for breakfast and lunch served at their seat and plated to their preference. Complimentary beverages are served throughout the journey, including: wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks. Gourmet snacks are also offered throughout the journey.[10][11]

RedLeaf

Previously operating on the now retired Whistler Sea to Sky climb route, Rocky Mountaineer’s RedLeaf service was a single-level coach featuring large picture windows. Guest onboard this service were attended to by a single onboard host, and served chilled meals at their seat and a complimentary wine or beer with lunch. Similar to GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf, non-alcoholic beverages and storytelling by the onboard host were also featured in RedLeaf. Rocky Mountaineer retired RedLeaf service after the 2015 season.[12]

Trip structure

To allow for the best views, Rocky Mountaineer operate exclusively during the day. On the First Passage to the West and on Journey Through the Clouds routes an overnight stop is made in Kamloops, whilst on the Rainforest to Gold Rush route, there are two overnight stops; in Whistler and Quesnel. The Rocky Mountaineer season runs from late April to mid-October with multiple departures every week going both eastbound and westbound. Coastal Passage runs southbound and northbound on select weekends throughout the season.

Connecting services

En route between Banff and Kamloops

The nearest international airports to Rocky Mountaineer are the Calgary International Airport and Vancouver International Airport.

In Vancouver, Rocky Mountaineer trains depart from the Rocky Mountaineer Station, while other rail services operate out of either Pacific Central Station (Amtrak and Via Rail) or Waterfront Station (WestCoast Express).

At the Jasper railway station passengers can transfer directly to Via Rail's Canadian and Jasper – Prince Rupert train service.

Notes

  1. ↑ Johnston 2016, p. 50
  2. ↑ "Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service". 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "Travel writers select the world's top 10 train rides". Travel Industry Today. 16 July 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  4. ↑ http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/routes_and_packages/canadian_rocky/first_passage_to_the_west
  5. ↑ http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/routes_and_packages/canadian_rocky/journey_through_the_clouds
  6. ↑ http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/routes_and_packages/canadian_rocky/rainforest_to_gold_rush
  7. ↑ http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/routes_and_packages/canadian_rocky/coastal_passage
  8. ↑ http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/service_level/canadian_rocky/goldleaf
  9. ↑ Source: Rocky Mountaineer – 25 Years of Life Changing Experiences – 2015 Canada Train travel Guide (page 19)
  10. ↑ http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/service_level/canadian_rocky/silverleaf
  11. ↑ Source: Rocky Mountaineer – 25 Years of Life Changing Experiences – 2015 Canada Train travel Guide (page 19)
  12. ↑ Source: Rocky Mountaineer – 25 Years of Life Changing Experiences – 2015 Canada Train travel Guide (page 18-19)

References

  • Johnston, Bob (February 2016). "It takes more than scenery". Trains. 76 (2).
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