RIDING THE RAILS—CANADIAN STYLE

Author Unknown;  Submitted by G.M. 

     Train travel is continuing to enjoy an incredible resurgence in popularity as people turn to the rails as a transportation alternative. Although train travel is not nearly as popular in North America as in Europe, and can take much longer than travel by plane, nothing compares to the unique experience aboard the iron horse.

     I was introduced to train travel as a teenager when my parents, three children in tow, herded us aboard “the snow train” from Ottawa to Barrie’s Bay to enjoy a weekend of cross-country skiing. The incredible scenery, the car by car exploration, the sense of adventure and the novelty of the experience, made the train ride itself a highlight of the trip. I looked forward to a repeat adventure.

     I sustained a spinal cord injury the following spring in a parachuting misadventure. After many months of hospitalization and rehab, it was time to revisit the world of transportation from a different seat. Accessible travel, I soon learned, was not to be taken for granted. I began with a K-car outfitted with hand-controls, which I drove to Toronto to begin my university studies. My car remained parked underground for the next four years. Instead, I resumed my love affair with trains.

     Each Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas I found myself aboard VIA Rail’s Club Car (now known as the VIA class car). There was no raised boarding platform. I was elevated onto the train with the use of a mechanical lift, operated by VIA personnel. The coach was equipped with a wheelchair tie-down area, but I had the option of transferring into the seat directly across from me. Adjacent to my wheelchair seat was a wheelchair accessible bathroom equipped with a pocket door (35” wide) complete with grab bars. The bathroom was a welcome feature given that wine was served during the journey along with a gourmet three-course meal. Fine chocolate and liqueurs finished off every meal.

     VIA Rail has a free escort policy for passengers who require assistance with personal needs (eating, medical care, etc.) during their trip. They must travel with an escort capable of providing such assistance. The escort travels for free in the same class of service. Needless to say, I was incredibly popular with my university friends looking for an inexpensive way home for the holidays. Only gentlemen needed apply!

     It should be noted that passengers wishing to travel with an escort must supply a document attesting that they cannot travel alone: either a medical certificate or an identification card issued by an organization recognized by VIA.

     I didn’t realize at the time how lucky I was to be living and traveling in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor where VIA Rail offers its most comprehensive intercity passenger service. The accessible VIA 1 class car is exclusive to this route.

     It should be noted that the Canadian, the Hudson Bay and the Skeena trains utilize standard VIA Rail coach cars and while wheelchair tie-downs are available, you are seated in the regular coach section of the train. If passengers wish, they may sit in a regular seat, as they would on an aircraft. The door width to enter the car in only 25 inches compared to the 28 inches on the VIA 1 car. Washington chairs are made available when everyday chairs are too wide to fit through the door. The chair is very similar to those used on airplanes. Passengers sit in regular seat, as they would on an aircraft. The Washington chair is available should you need to access the washroom, or the dining area or other parts of the train. Services in sleeper class differ from those offered on coach class.

     At the moment, on the European Renaissance cars in service between Montréal and Halifax there is an accessible bedroom suite located near the lounge in the service car. To improve the level of accessibility throughout the train, VIA will modify this equipment over the next few years and will, among other things, relocate the accessible bedroom suite in one of the sleeper cars.

     VIA also accepts wheelchairs as checked baggage. For power wheelchairs, total weight must not exceed 68 kg (150 lbs.) and no wider than 81 cm (32 in.) and 182 cm (72 in.) high or long. Power chairs weighing up to 114 kg (250 lbs.) can be checked provided that the originating and destination stations are equipped with facilities to load and unload them. It is important to inform the VIA of your needs at least 48 hours prior to your departure.

     It’s been over 27 years since my first train ride aboard the Snow Train. Now married with a 16-year-old daughter, my travel horizons continue to expand to include rail and sail adventures. My next train trip will be with Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, a privately owned company that operates most of its routes in Southwestern Canada. The Company’s Gold Leaf Service—Vancouverto Banff—won the title of “World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train” at the 2005 World Travel Awards.

     I’m anxious to see the splendor of the Canadian Rockies from their accessible dome car. This travel experience offers the best of both worlds by arranging deluxe hotel accommodations along the way in Fairmont Hotels such as The Banff Springs, The ChateauLake Louise, The Jasper Park Lodge and The Chateau Whistler. This spectacular rail adventure also includes tours of scenic sites along the way, plus helicopter flight seeing and of course, the breathtaking scenery of Canada’s West. All Aboard!