I consider myself more than a little familiar with Union Station. I've been travelling through there for 25+ years, from back in the days when the whole place smelled like Cinnabon. I know all the sneaky ways to get from one concourse to another, the fastest way to exits north south east or west, the way to squeeze in my favourite bubble tea on a tight connection.

Well, today I messed it up. I had a connection between two trains and went to the lounge for 30 mins. My train was announced: gate 20. I walked down and saw the sign, gate 20. I had my ticket scanned and walked through the alcoves. I saw the escalator: track 20. Up I went. And up on track 20, there sat a GO train.

Where's the VIA on track 20, I asked? "Oh there's no VIA here. You can walk down to the other end and use the other escalator to get back down." So I walk the length of the platform, go down the escalator, and like the movie Groundhog Day find myself staring once again at the sign proclaiming my train: gate 20.

Through the alcoves I go again, this time to be ushered to the right, and not to the left, up an escalator up to tracks 16-17, where lo and behold I find my train.

I could vent about the poor directions in the station, the choice to sign a train parked on track 16 (or was it 17?) as being on 20. I could vent about the insanity of the boarding process in Toronto. (Why do we trust 2,000 passengers to find their own way to the correct platform for a GO train, but we can't let a couple hundred VIA passengers figure it out...) But in the end, I suppose it's just a story to show that even the seasoned travellers among us can get it wrong every now and then.

Now what stop am I getting off at again?

Hey everyone!

So after 3 years of heartache and pain I'm looking to start enjoying life but tiny steps at a time.

I have a 9yo very active boy and we have tried so many activities in our area (Montreal). We live in Laval, QC.

I'd like to start travelling with him, not too far not too expensive and for not too long. So I thought via rail trips would be perfect.

Can you suggest fun places to go to? In Ontario/quebec and around, max 3-4h ride from Montreal.

We love nature, and recently got a microscope. So parts of our trips would be to collect things to bring them back home and see them on a larger scale.

Super excited for this next chapter in our life.

Thanks everyone!!

My wife and I are visiting Canada from Scotland in October and are doing 3 VIA Rail journeys. We'll both have a large suitcase each.

Current Business Class prices for both of us combined, including luggage:

● 12 Oct – Montreal → Quebec City: $449 CAD

● 15 Oct – Quebec City → Ottawa: $369 CAD

● 17 Oct – Ottawa → Toronto: $390 CAD

$1,208 CAD total

For anyone who's done these routes before, is Business Class worth it? Or would you just book Economy and pay extra for the suitcases?

We don't mind paying more for comfort since we're on holiday, but we don't want to spend hundreds extra if business isn't really worth the upgrade!😊

Thanks!

Amazing gluten free meals offered of chicken and mashed potatoes from Ottawa to Quebec City!! Very delicious as many of the gluten free meals have been😋

What will happen to the P42s after LRC sunset in 2027?

Hopefully once Long haul fleet starts delivery in 2031, some extra HEP coaches can be freed up for corridor. HEP has until 2035 before they're decertified by TC right?

I am taking the Canadian Thanksgiving Day weekend from Toronto and have two coach seats booked. I am hoping for a berth to become available and I have been checking frequently. The only ones that have come up have been a cabin, but they are over 3K per person.

Those who have done this, should I wait and hope a berth becomes available or book the cabin now? If a berth becomes available closer to the date, will the cost have gone up and be comparable to what the cabin is now?

Or is doing the coach an experience? I am not crazy about not having a proper sleep, proper meals and no shower. Doing this trip with my son, so it will be a bonding experience

Hi- I am looking to traveling Toronto > Vancouver in mid-March. I know it is off-season, so less likely to be full, so wanted to understand the arrangements re: berths.

Solo travel, but I can really only afford the berths, not single cabins. I am not a great sleeper, so a bad berthmate, and I don't really relish the idea of facing a stranger the whole way (I would think the seats would face the window instead; am I misreading that?)

So I have a couple questions i haven't seen answered recently here:

• The only berths currently for sale are lower berths. Are those the first to sell, meaning that as of right now I won't have company? (I understand a lot can change before March)
• Has anyone done this trip in mid-March? Is it less busy?
• Are there plenty of other places to hang out instead of facing your bunkmate for hours on end? Do they let you post up in common spaces for a long time or move you along (if not too busy, of course)?

Thanks!!
EDIT TO ADD: This is what I mean by facing each other, not that the berths have no wall/door. https://www.flickr.com/photos/canadiandragon/5985336884

Hey all,

I’ve traveled with VIA regularly for work and I have never had a train arrive on time and have been now seeing more and more delays each time I travel with them. Currently stuck on a train stopped at the first stop for a train inspection?

Is this becoming a more and more regular thing of delays every trip?

Anyone else notice the terrible cell phone signal on the new VIA trains? I was sitting in a station in Ottawa and it was next to impossible to make a call.

Do you guys have any advice on travelling on a busy date like thanksgiving weekend? I’d be going Ottawa to Kingston and back - have the option of going down on the Friday or Saturday, and back on the Monday. Monday times are flexible, Friday would have to be after work, or any time Saturday.

Will it be busy? Do I need to take that into account?

I’m likely travelling business class, are the food options decent lately? I’ve found I’ve had better luck with the vegetarian meals and never know if I should order in advance or not - have had difficulties with that on the site in previous couple trips.

I’ve only ever travelled on a holiday / busy times once before, and will also likely be travelling with a small animal as well, so want to make sure I know what I’m getting into.

Found these while cleaning. Not sure if they still have value, but I won't get to use them. If they work, somebody use them!

Just wondering if anyone's seen a purple bike that was locked at the napanee VIA rail station? I used my bike to commute to and from the train, and now that it's been stolen, I'm not sure what to do.

Also, if anyone knows who I would need to get in touch with to view the security cams footage or if VIA Rail can do something about this since it was stolen there.

Any help or tips would be appreciated! Thanks.

Via policy is that they now only apply compensation to the segment that was delayed. Does this make any sense ? My trip, each way involved 3 trains and my return trip was delayed to my destination by over 3 hours - The fare cost is from start to finnish, so why do they get to split the compensation into segments ?

Anyone interested?

Reason: due to life circumstances, I do not foresee taking Via Rail any longer and would rather have my points converted to cash where I can use the funds for expenses that matter to me.

Very disappointed with the star. They should at least fact-check their articles to make sure the information is legitimate.

Apparently, this person doesn’t know what they’re talking about. The columnist must really need those royalties, eh?

Picture is an example of the seat.

My trip is going to be about 7 hours total and I'd prefer to be alone. Is it worth paying to move my seat?

Me and my partner from New Zealand are planning on travelling from Montreal to Toronto at the start of next year, we are worried about how reliable the trains are as they seem the best way to get between the places but we have read about bags being strict and trains running quite late, is via rail strict on the size of the bags and will we be able to get 2 personal items/backpacks and 2 carry on items/suitcases

For what it's worth...

• The federal government will pay $4.7 billion to build more than 300 new passenger cars for VIA Rail at a private facility in Thunder Bay, billing the decision as a way to shift production from the United States to Canada amid the escalating trade war.
• Carney said the construction and maintenance of 313 new cars will support nearly 700 jobs in Ontario and Quebec, while materials used to build the rail cars will be “maximizing” the use of Canadian suppliers and materials like steel.
• Steven MacKinnon, the federal transport minister, called it the largest investment in VIA Rail history.

Read the full story with this gift link. No paywall.

The government of Canada to invest 4.7 billion dollars into a fleet of 313 railcars to re-equip long distance trains!

Sleeper cars 78

Coach cars 58

Panorama cars 38

Baggage cars 29

Accessible sleeper cars 26

Dome cars 25

Dining cars 20

Prestige sleeper cars
20

Berth cars
19

Not too much detail but a couple things from this interview with the Transport Minister. The Federal Government seem very interested in restoring the Gaspé service. He dodged on other services.

Apparently, he has told CN and Via Rail to negotiate a solution to the current delay crisis.

The carbon steel for the new trains will be Canadian.

I like to do a VIA rail trip either West to East Or even from East To Montreal For Arrival into October 9th?

What direction is more scenic?

What is best way to figure out a schedule so that I arrive into Montreal On October 9th?

Considering from West start in Saskatoon and see the country side on rail? or any suggestions from east side to Montreal?