VIA trains frequently reach speeds of 95 to 100 mph on the Toronto-Montreal-Quebec corridor. This can be easily confirmed even if you don't have a GPS. Simply time the distance between mile posts and divide the number of seconds into 3600. Of course this high (for Canada) speed can be maintained only for limited stretches. The speed limit signs can be observed from the trains. They are yellow signs with black lettering. There are usually two or three numbers. The lower number is the limit for freight, the top number(s) are for passenger trains. Only LRC or Renaissance trains can go 100 m.p.h., the few stainless steel trains in the corridor are limited to 95.

Only the new GE "Genesis" locomotives can reach 100 m.p.h. Actually they can go much faster, but CN tracks are not up to it. The older GM "F-40" locos are limited to 95 m.p.h. - and only those that were re-geared; the standard maximum for those units is 90.

Regarding on-board catering, regrettably it somewhat inconsistent. Some VIA 1 attendants are rather cheap with the the pre-meal drinks, although almost all are pretty good with the wine. It is acceptable to ask for a double, although some crew offer it without prompting. On longer runs, the drinks trolley may be brought by a second time before the meal or after it. A lot of this has to do with the number of stops and therefore the volume of passengers getting on and off. But on the 5:00 p.m. express, the attendants have lots of time to keep passengers from dehydrating.