Disembarking Via Rail’s Canadian : Arrival into Vancouver BC

Day 5 on Via Rail’s Canadian Transcontinental Train

 
Our fifth and final day on board Via Rail’s Canadian began last night when the train concluded its time in the Rocky Mountain range and stopped in the city of Kamloops. Upon departure, we began the run to the west coast and our final destination of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Each time we take this voyage, we are reminded that travelling across Canada by train offers an unforgettable experience where each stop, each landscape and each day feel like an unfolding chapter of a greater adventure.

Final day on Via Rail’s Canadian

If the trip has traversed as planned and on schedule, passengers should roll into Vancouver in the early morning on the fifth day aboard Via Rail’s Canadian. However, as the sun rose over the horizon today, we found out that we were passing through the community of Lytton and were several hours behind schedule. The result being that we would arrive in Vancouver in the early afternoon.

This is one of the realities of the transcontinental train journey on Via Rail. In the 1990s, when we first began travelling across Canada, our trips were typically 12-24 hours late. As such, over the years, Via Rail has added a 5th day to the itinerary. Despite this change, delays are frequent and often beyond their control. The fact is that there are only a limited number of transnational sets of railway tracks in Canada, and those that do exist are used by both freight trains and Via Rail’s passenger service. The catch however, is that freight trains are given priority and are typically long, meaning that....stops on the siding and delays pile up.

To be honest however—delays on the Via Rail journey come with their perks. For instance, the rushed breakfast on the final morning instead becomes a leisurely meal, giving you ample time to chat with fellow passengers about the stunning landscapes you've crossed over the past several days.

This morning we enjoyed pancakes with fresh oranges, bananas, walnuts and maple syrup.  In addition to which we both have two cups of strong coffee as the world rolled past the window beside us. 

Arrival into Vancouver British Columbia

On approach to the Pacific coast the train rolls through Vancouver’s greater metropolitan area as the regional mountains transition into rural vineyards and city skylines. The metro Vancouver region is home to more than half of the population of British Columbia. Entering into Vancouver train crosses the Fraser River and begins to slowly weave through the city as it makes it way to Pacific Central Station. En Route, you can catch a view of Vancouver’s unique location between the Pacific Coast and the Coastal Mountains—an unparalleled backdrop that sets the tone for the city’s charm.

The City of Vancouver was named after Captain George Vancouver, the first European to map the region in 1792. Though it began as a British Colony in 1859, it wasn’t until 1886, when the Canadian Pacific Railway reached the coast that Vancouver took on its current name. Today, it’s a modern city with a storied past, and it’s easy to see why it’s often called one of the most livable cities in the world. It’s not just the mountains and forests of Stanley Park that captivate visitors, but also the city’s dynamic and welcoming culture. Vancouver is one of the most diverse cities in Canada, with a rich history that includes being home one of the largest Chinatowns in North America.

Disembarking Via Rail’s Canadian

Having backed into Pacific Central Station, the announcement was made that it was time for passengers to disembark the train for the final time. Hearing this call we left the Skyline dome returning to our seats where we collected our backpacks and stepped of the Canadian.

Walking down the platform to the station is always a bit of a melancholy moment. The long journey is at its end. As we cleared the rear Park car the number of the train changed as it was being prepared for the return journey this evening. Our mighty steel train is no longer Train #1 but is now Train #2 eastbound once again for Toronto. A firm reminder that this voyage of a lifetime is also a regular service across Canada.

Officially, we arrived into Vancouver five hours late. Regardless of the delays, however the trip across the country on Via Rails transcontinental service is worth every second.

What’s Next?

 
Having travelled across Canada by rail – first on the Ocean from Halifax to Montreal, then on the Corridor from Montreal to Toronto, and finally on the Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver, we are now only a few hours and a ferry ride away from home.

After three months voyaging across the Atlantic, hiking the length of Portugal and repeatedly walking across the United Kingdom on national trails, we are looking forward to a couple of weeks of relaxation. Then after some time catching up with our friends and family, we will be returning to Vancouver to board Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth on which we will travel north through BC’s inside passage and eventually to Alaska!