As advocates for passenger rail in the U.S., we look at VIA Rail up north and ask ourselves, How the hell do they do it? With the same lack of...

To re-cap briefly, several years ago, my wife and I took the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff. It was a two-day trip, which included a night in a hotel...

Six years ago, I took VIA Rail’s wonderful trans-continental train, The Canadian, and got off in Winnipeg. Two days later—it was about the third week of October—I boarded Train 693,...

Here’s a thought … a trial balloon … a wild idea … and it sprang from a provocative question posed the other day: If VIA Rail has essentially the same...

VIA Rail Canada’s premier train, “The Canadian”, is one of the world’s great train rides. And I oughta know … I must admit that I’ve made the journey seven times...

Back in October, a charming Irish lady and I shared a table for dinner one evening in the Empire Builder’s dining car. After returning home, and knowing of my involvement...

VIA’s western trains–that is, trains operating west of Toronto–use the classic single level stainless steel cars built in the 50’s and lovingly restored and refurbished. Sleeping car passengers enjoy lounge...

I had an inquiry recently about the types of sleeping cars used by VIA Rail Canada on their the long-distance trains. There isn’t a short answer because VIA has two...

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...

It’s a simple truth: cost-cutting won’t take you to prosperity; it just buys more time.   That’s certainly true when it comes to passenger rail. Politicians in the U.S. have...