The Canadian Rockies, on the Rocky Mountaineer train
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The Train
One of the best ways to experience the majestic Canadian Rockies is on the "Rocky Mountaineer train" as it winds it's way past snow capped mountain peaks, glacial lakes, and roaring waterfalls, with glimpses of teeming wildlife on the distant rolling hills.
In 1990 the "Rocky Mountaineer" started in Vancouver, and has grown to be one of the largest privately owned passenger train companies, offering rail journeys through British Columbia, Alberta, and the Canadian Rockies. The train does not have any sleeper cars, it is the method of transportation between destinations. The days onboard, are spent viewing the spectacular scenery, from vantage points inaccessible by other vehicles; the nights are spent at charming local hotels.
There are three levels of service on the train -
1. RedLeaf service features roomy air-conditioned rail cars with picture windows, meal service and a selection of non-alcoholic beverages.
2. SilverLeaf service has a glass-domed railcar and a choice of mealtime entrees.
3. GoldLeaf service goes a step above with large windows, gourmet meals, all beverages and snacks.
The top Tours
1. This 2-day train excursion goes from Vancouver to Banff. The all daylight train journey gives passengers panoramic views, from the GolfLeaf Dome, putting them in the midst of the awesome scenery, while enjoying breakfast and lunch on board. The trip is past the rushing waters of Hells Gate in Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rockshed along the Thompson River. Overnight is in Kamloopsa small city with many recreational opportunities, art galleries and museums, and the special treat of attending a dinner theatre performance of the "Rythms of the Rail". Continuing the journey to Banff the train enters Roger's Pass with it's snowsheds, glaciers, and spiral tunnels, before going over the "Continental Divide" with views of the snowcapped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. This trip is one-way, passengers have the option of continuing on to Calgary, flying back to Vancouver, or going to another destination.
2. Experience the "wonders of the west" on this trip. Taking the same route to Kamloops, the train then follows the Fraser River - home of the largest salmon fishing run - pass the glaciers of the Albreda Icefields, and Majestic Mount Robson - the highest peak in the Canadian Rockys - before arrival and overnight in Jasper, a town located in the largest national park in the Rockies.
More train trips
3. The "Rainforest to the Gold Rush trip, starts out in Whistler - a top rated ski resort, that also is a top rated summer vacation area. Along the way passengers will experience some of the most spectacular scenery, as the train goes past beautiful lakes, coastal rainforests, the vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau, to overnight in Quesnel which dates back to the Cariboo Gold Rush of the 1850s and 1860s, giving it the nickname " the gold pan City". It is also where the Fraser and Quesnel Rivers join creating a rich fishing site, with some of the most famous salmon runs in the world; then it's through the Rocky Mountain Trench, before arriving in Jasper.
4. Circle Rail, on this trip passengers can experience two or three of the rail routes in one unforgettable trip. Highlights will include the UNESCO World Heritage site of Jasper - which is preserved under the aegis of the Canada National Park System. Much of the wildlife, such as mountain sheep, elks, mountain goats, bears and wolves can be seen when driving down a road, or exploring and hiking the terrain, along the road leading to beautiful lake Louise it is possible to visit the Columbia Icefields; Banff another UNESCO Site has a modern town with restaurants, hotels, activities and spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains; and Whistler - home of the 2010 Olympic and ParalympicWinter Game, lots of summer outdoor activities, and a Village with all the amenities of a world class resort, just two hours outside Vancouver.
In conclusion
The Rocky Mountaineer has many unique train vacation packages, ranging from 2 to 25 days, over their four distinct rail routes. A visit to www.rockymountaineer.com has more in-depth information, along with prices and special offers.
Other sites of interest http://www.seat61.com/RockyMountaineer.htm
Information on Whistler www.whistler.com/
on Jasper www.jasper.travel/ and Banff www.banff.ca/
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Regardless of your experience on the train one should be aware that on June 22nd Rocky Mountaineer locked out 108 onboard attendants with over 900 collective years of experience.
RM has boasted that they are a 200 million dollar company but refuses to give it's employees a reasonable wage increase after 3 years at the same pay rate. They have never followed the federal labour code when it comes to overtime yet the company hides behind that same labour code by using replacement workers (scabs), which is illegal in the province of British Columbia. The use of scab labour undermines the right to fair bargaining by the employees.
The company is doing their best to make the locked out employees look like the bad guys; they will say that they had no choice but to lock their employees out, however the negotiating team had asked for an extension to avoid giving strike notice, and in order for the staff to keep working while negotiating, and it was denied. Instead the company chose lock the staff out and to put into place an expensive contingency plan in an obvious effort to break the union.
They have enlisted an abundance of security to constantly film and intimidate the peaceful picketers, have spent countless dollars trying serve court injunctions against employees that are only trying to get their jobs back.
These are not greedy people, these are people who love their jobs and have years of experience on the train. These are the real attendants whose faces can be seen in the literature on the train, advertisements and commercials. They are people with families, mortgages and babies on the way. These are people that dedicate their lives to the company and work tremendously long hours to build a nest egg in order to make the money they earn stretch an entire year as they are not easily employable in the winter time.
This company should be ashamed of themselves! I have taken the train and quite enjoyed myself, but part of what made the trip so exceptional was the amazing staff on board. Knowing the difference of how the service should be and what it is now, I would never take the train again, and I would certainly never ever cross a picket line.
You can do your part by voicing your displeasure to the company or to postpone your trip until the dispute is over.
Although the Rocky Mountaineer was once an incredible journey to take, what now has to be considered when booking is whether or not you: a) want to support a company that has locked out it's onboard attendant team for 7 months now because they wanted overtime after 11 hours, b) want to cross a picket-line to start your trip, c) want to be served by replacement workers who have anywhere between no experience - 2 months experience (91% of locked-out attendants have a minimum of 6 years with the company, all the way to 22 years) and d) want to support a company with unethical business practices (the company has not been to the negotiation table since July 8/11 and instead started to advertise once again for scab replacement workers instead of talking to its locked out attendant team). If you go on this trip, please take into consideration the above points as this will not be the trip you paid for.
gogogo Hub Author 4 months ago
Regardless of your political opinions, you answered twice, so I denied one of them as they were exactly the same. I do not know whether yo are right or wrong, as I am not awarfe of what you said, but I will endeavour to find out