Halifax to Montreal on the “Ocean”.
My one and only ride on VIA Rail’s train #15, the Ocean, was eight years ago and I would love to do it again. I do have to say that he scenery along the way isn’t extra special—certainly nothing to compare with the Toronto-to-Vancouver train. It was mostly farmland, small farms with modest buildings and not very many that seemed particularly prosperous. But it was pleasant … relaxing … comfortable. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
At the time I took the Ocean, VIA was using two different kinds of equipment—a classic stainless steel consist alternating with what they call “Renaissance” equipment that was originally going to be used between the U.K. and the European continent. Today, with the reduced three-day-a-week schedule, the Renaissance equipment is being used exclusively, although VIA adds one of their bullet-shaped Park cars and a Skyline observation car to the consist.
At any rate, here are a few photos taken along the route from Halifax to Montreal.
I really do recommend this ride, a big reason being the marvelous cities at either end of the route. I loved Halifax and want to go back and spend several days there. And, of course, Montreal, the second largest French speaking city in the world, is wonderful, too. Ah, yes … so much to see, so little time. Let’s get going!
I travelled on the Ocean in 2010. My memory is that the sleeping compartment was much bigger than on Amtrak. I later travelled to Toronto and down to Niagara and back. The Canadian and Skeena are on my wishlist (I travelled on the Rocky Mountaineer in 1997) but probably not until 2017. Doubt I will ever make the Hudson Bay.
I rode the Gaspe a couple of times and The Ocean twice. I loved those trains. When I rode The Ocean with my family in 2003 we had a “double suite” – two of the double bedrooms connected together. It was very roomy. That is the trip when my boys started really enjoying train travel as well.
Did VIA ever return to daily service for The Ocean after cutting it back to three times per week?
Do I understand that there are two overnight trains in the VIA system – the Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto and the Ocean from Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia?
For a traveler who might want to go all the way from the west coast to the east coast, am I missing a long-distance train that includes the route from Toronto to Montreal?
VIA is still operating the Ocean 3X per week in each direction.
There are three overnight trains: the Canadian (Vancouver-Toronto), the Ocean (Halifax-Montreal) and the Hudson Bay (Winnipeg-Churchill). The Skeena (Jasper-Prince Rupert) is a two-day trip, but the train stops in Prince George and everyone–passengers and crew–spend the night in one of the local hotels.
You have to change trains for the Toronto-Montreal segment.