MAKING TRACKS
OH, TAKE ME DOWN TO THE OCEAN, the tide and the spray and the sparkle in the season of summertime.
Via Rail’s aptly named Ocean has been doing just that for 110 years. Formerly known as the Ocean Limited – the second name was dropped in 1966 but still sticks – Ocean transports passengers down the St. Lawrence and to the Atlantic, from Montreal through Moncton to Halifax. The train made its first voyage on July 3, 1904, and quickly went from summer-only to year-round service and holds the title of the oldest continuously operated named passenger train in North America.
The future of the heritage train was in doubt this past spring. A stretch of track between New Brunswick’s Miramichi and Bathurst required repair, and both CN, which owned the track, and Via backed away from the cost at first. But rescue came in May from Via to keep the fabled train on track.
Running overnight in both directions three times a week, the 1,346-kilometre route takes 22 hours. Fares vary with departure date, with prices starting at $131 in each direction for an Economy seat and $381 for Sleeper Plus cabin, with shower and meals in the elegant dining car, but you may find an Express Deal starting at $183 when available. Ocean is also the only Canadian train that allows pets to be transported in summer in the baggage cars, which are air-conditioned.
And because we’re a country whose motto is A Mari Usque Ad Mare, it should be noted that this year marks the 100th anniversary of Grand Trunk Pacific Railway’s first train from Winnipeg to the Pacific, arriving in Prince Rupert, B.C. www.viarail.ca — Judy Gerstel