saltytheseagull
Jun 17, 12, 9:04 pm
This is my first TR and welcome any feedback. I have not seen (m)any TRs regarding rail travel.
I just got back from a short jaunt in Canada. I looked at flights from Toronto to Montreal and was somewhat priced out. A friend of mine said why don't you take the bus. I said no thanks - I really want to try the train. Granted it was a little pricey, but it being a vacation and being a like a little kid in a candy shop regarding trains I went for it.
I was lucky enough to stumble onto the sale celebrating the end of the rail strike with 50% off from Toronto to Ottawa. I had thought about stopping over in Ottawa, but didn't move quick enough to setup such a trip. The mass transit looked a little dodgy as well compared to Toronto and Montreal, so I was alright with the way it worked out. I ended up booking a mixed class ticket due to pricing. Business from Toronto to Ottawa (approximately $60 and 4 hours) and economy from Ottawa to Montreal (approximately $30 and 2 hours).
I arrived at Union Station in Toronto after spending the first half of the day perusing the hockey hall of fame. I checked in at the ticket count and was able to get both tickets, so I did not have to leave the train during my trip. I then wandered around the station for a few to look and figure out what to do with my bag.
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/7667/imag0534gv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/534/imag0534gv.jpg/)
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/9440/imag0536l.jpg
After figuring out I could hold onto my bag the whole trip I made a B line for the Panorama lounge. This lounge is for business class customers and I believe was either just renovated or opened. It was very nice and comparable to an airline lounge.
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/4764/imag0544x.jpg
It reminded me somewhat of the admirals club. The beverages were plentiful, but the snack front was lacking. They had apples at the check-in counter, but that was it.
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7940/imag0537f.jpg
On the beverage front I did not see any alcoholic ones. This might have something to do with liquor laws, but I have no idea. There was also a slew of newspapers and magazines available along with a business center, which unfortunately timed you out every 15 minutes.
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4649/imag0538t.jpg
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4424/imag0540p.jpg
As boarding time came an announcement was made and the lounge began to clear out. I headed out and queued up just like at the airport, took and escalator and arrived at the train.
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/9199/imag0548i.jpg
I was trying fumbling all my luggage and trying to take pictures when one of the stewardesses asked me which car I was on. She saw I was taking pictures and asked if it was my first time on the I train. I said yes and she said she was going to make this a special trip for me. Since the load was light we could sit anywhere and I could stay in business all the way to Montreal - Score!
I settled into a seat with a table. The seat itself was pretty comfortable in my opinion. It had a very nice recline and plenty of space to spread out.
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2903/imag0554t.jpg
Here is across the aisle:
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3425/imag0556s.jpg
I ended up getting a meal on each leg, but the catering was the same for both. A pre-dinner drink was offered and then it was time for the appetizer, prosciutto with mozzarella. Rolls were served with the app and the main.
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/8392/imag0558e.jpg
Next up was the main. The options were salmon cakes, beef, and cheese tortellini. I opted for the salmon the first leg (I forgot to take a pic) followed by the beef on the second. The beef was rather tough and couldn't compare to the fish.
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/978/imag0561t.jpg
For dessert was something similar to a seven layer bar. It was good and nearly sent me into a diabetic coma. After dinner was another drink along with chocolates.
I finished eating and was told there was a tv car. I went and checked it out, unfortunately no one knew how to use it. They told me to feel free to tinker. I did and got it working, which I think they were thrilled about because the Stanley Cup was going on that night. It was a cool concept, but I didn't watch too much.
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4971/imag0552x.jpg
We arrived in Montreal before I knew it. I really enjoyed the trip. I would recommend VIA, especially in business, if you can get it at the right price.
Montreal in general was a blast and I would definitely love to go back. Toronto wasn't bad either, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much. I'm not to sure why.
I just got back from a short jaunt in Canada. I looked at flights from Toronto to Montreal and was somewhat priced out. A friend of mine said why don't you take the bus. I said no thanks - I really want to try the train. Granted it was a little pricey, but it being a vacation and being a like a little kid in a candy shop regarding trains I went for it.
I was lucky enough to stumble onto the sale celebrating the end of the rail strike with 50% off from Toronto to Ottawa. I had thought about stopping over in Ottawa, but didn't move quick enough to setup such a trip. The mass transit looked a little dodgy as well compared to Toronto and Montreal, so I was alright with the way it worked out. I ended up booking a mixed class ticket due to pricing. Business from Toronto to Ottawa (approximately $60 and 4 hours) and economy from Ottawa to Montreal (approximately $30 and 2 hours).
I arrived at Union Station in Toronto after spending the first half of the day perusing the hockey hall of fame. I checked in at the ticket count and was able to get both tickets, so I did not have to leave the train during my trip. I then wandered around the station for a few to look and figure out what to do with my bag.
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/7667/imag0534gv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/534/imag0534gv.jpg/)
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/9440/imag0536l.jpg
After figuring out I could hold onto my bag the whole trip I made a B line for the Panorama lounge. This lounge is for business class customers and I believe was either just renovated or opened. It was very nice and comparable to an airline lounge.
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/4764/imag0544x.jpg
It reminded me somewhat of the admirals club. The beverages were plentiful, but the snack front was lacking. They had apples at the check-in counter, but that was it.
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7940/imag0537f.jpg
On the beverage front I did not see any alcoholic ones. This might have something to do with liquor laws, but I have no idea. There was also a slew of newspapers and magazines available along with a business center, which unfortunately timed you out every 15 minutes.
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4649/imag0538t.jpg
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4424/imag0540p.jpg
As boarding time came an announcement was made and the lounge began to clear out. I headed out and queued up just like at the airport, took and escalator and arrived at the train.
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/9199/imag0548i.jpg
I was trying fumbling all my luggage and trying to take pictures when one of the stewardesses asked me which car I was on. She saw I was taking pictures and asked if it was my first time on the I train. I said yes and she said she was going to make this a special trip for me. Since the load was light we could sit anywhere and I could stay in business all the way to Montreal - Score!
I settled into a seat with a table. The seat itself was pretty comfortable in my opinion. It had a very nice recline and plenty of space to spread out.
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2903/imag0554t.jpg
Here is across the aisle:
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3425/imag0556s.jpg
I ended up getting a meal on each leg, but the catering was the same for both. A pre-dinner drink was offered and then it was time for the appetizer, prosciutto with mozzarella. Rolls were served with the app and the main.
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/8392/imag0558e.jpg
Next up was the main. The options were salmon cakes, beef, and cheese tortellini. I opted for the salmon the first leg (I forgot to take a pic) followed by the beef on the second. The beef was rather tough and couldn't compare to the fish.
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/978/imag0561t.jpg
For dessert was something similar to a seven layer bar. It was good and nearly sent me into a diabetic coma. After dinner was another drink along with chocolates.
I finished eating and was told there was a tv car. I went and checked it out, unfortunately no one knew how to use it. They told me to feel free to tinker. I did and got it working, which I think they were thrilled about because the Stanley Cup was going on that night. It was a cool concept, but I didn't watch too much.
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4971/imag0552x.jpg
We arrived in Montreal before I knew it. I really enjoyed the trip. I would recommend VIA, especially in business, if you can get it at the right price.
Montreal in general was a blast and I would definitely love to go back. Toronto wasn't bad either, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much. I'm not to sure why.