Canadian Railroads > VIA No. 2 Early!

Breaking News. VIA No. 2 is 14 minutes early at Clearwater, BC. Does CN know about this? Something must be done to correct this horrible situation. Any bets on how late it will be once if finally reaches Toronto?

andersonb109 Wrote:
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> Breaking News. VIA No. 2 is 14 minutes early at
> Clearwater, BC. Does CN know about this?
> Something must be done to correct this horrible
> situation. Any bets on how late it will be once if
> finally reaches Toronto?

The previous #2 which departed Vancouver on time on the 9th arrived in Toronto early this morning, approximately 15 hours late. The #2 before that one departed Vancouver on time on the 6th, arrived in Kamloops an hour early, arrived in Winnipeg 6 1/2 hours late, and Toronto just under 12 hours late.

Because the westbound Canadian departs Toronto an average of a half day late (#1 of the 13th just departed today 13 1/2 hours late) it hasn't a chance of arriving in Vancouver much less than a full day late.

And one of the above trains was into Jasper the other day almost on time. But things went downhill by Melville! Was way late by WPG.

However, I so much look forward to my next Train 1 - 2 trip next month WPG - VAN - Toronto - WPG. Does anyone know if I arrive in Toronto 10 or more hours late on #2 and #1 does not leave until the next day, will VIA provide me a hotel room? I have heard of this becoming normal procedure.

In the last 6 years have made 3 round trips Vancouver to Toronto. Never really cared if we were late or not as I am retired from the BNSF in 2007 and had no big plans so OT or late never mattered to me.

DeadheadFRED

It's not a good idea to patronize bad service.

viatrainrider Wrote:
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> And one of the above trains was into Jasper the
> other day almost on time. But things went
> downhill by Melville! Was way late by WPG.
>
> However, I so much look forward to my next Train 1
> - 2 trip next month WPG - VAN - Toronto - WPG.
> Does anyone know if I arrive in Toronto 10 or more
> hours late on #2 and #1 does not leave until the
> next day, will VIA provide me a hotel room? I
> have heard of this becoming normal procedure.

That is indeed the normal procedure for passengers who do not live in or near Toronto. If it was me I would phone VIA and ask about this and further, when approaching Toronto on a very late #2, I would ask the SM to phone in to let it be known that accommodation is required. If it is really late you might get the extra night on board the train.

It would be a good idea for Canadians who use this service, or want to use it, to write their PM Trudeau and tell him to get off his duff and take action against CN. He is the PM of Canada, not just 2 Provinces (Ont, Que). His government is subsidizing this service, has a contract with CN on a schedule they insisted upon, his citizenry are unable to use it, and so are foreign tourists coming to Canada.

6 hours late is one thing.
24 - 36 hours late messes up hotel stays, cruise ship, and airline connections.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/14/18 13:57 by joemvcnj.

DrawingroomA Wrote:
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> andersonb109 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Breaking News. VIA No. 2 is 14 minutes early at
> > Clearwater, BC. Does CN know about this?
> > Something must be done to correct this horrible
> > situation. Any bets on how late it will be once
> if
> > finally reaches Toronto?
>
> The previous #2 which departed Vancouver on time
> on the 9th arrived in Toronto early this morning,
> approximately 15 hours late. The #2 before that
> one departed Vancouver on time on the 6th, arrived
> in Kamloops an hour early, arrived in Winnipeg 6
> 1/2 hours late, and Toronto just under 12 hours
> late.

No. 2 of February 2 from Vancouver was six minutes late leaving, an hour late by Mission, but only 23 minutes late at Blue River, so not too bad within B.C. After the junction with the North Line, it was down 2 hours at Jasper and then 3 hours leaving Edmonton.

As with past horror shows, the big deterioration came in the prairies: 7 1/2 hours at Wainwright, 12 1/2 by Melville and 17 hr, 19 m leaving Winnipeg. That deficit held until Hornepayne, where departure was almost 20 1/2 down, with 23 hours exceeded at Parry Sound. Arrival at Toronto was 22 hours late.

Relating that to the current No. 2 ahead of time at Clearwater, anything could still happen.

The one to watch is the Moonlighters departure from Vancouver on February 27.

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It would be a good idea for Canadians who use this
> service, or want to use it, to write their PM
> Trudeau and tell him to get off his duff and take
> action against CN. He is the PM of Canada, not
> just 2 Provinces (Ont, Que). His government is
> subsidizing this service, has a contract with CN
> on a schedule they insisted upon, his citizenry
> are unable to use it, and so are foreign tourists
> coming to Canada.
>
> 6 hours late is one thing.
> 24 - 36 hours late messes up hotel stays, cruise
> ship, and airline connections.

He is however not the President of the CNR, a PRIVATE corporation!

reindeerflame Wrote:
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> It's not a good idea to patronize bad service.

Man some people continue to flog a dead horse. To me your anti-passenger bias is getting old. Just my Opinion!

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It would be a good idea for Canadians who use this
> service, or want to use it, to write their PM
> Trudeau and tell him to get off his duff and take
> action against CN. He is the PM of Canada, not
> just 2 Provinces (Ont, Que). His government is
> subsidizing this service, has a contract with CN
> on a schedule they insisted upon, his citizenry
> are unable to use it, and so are foreign tourists
> coming to Canada.
>
> 6 hours late is one thing.
> 24 - 36 hours late messes up hotel stays, cruise
> ship, and airline connections.

He’s too busy gallivanting around the globe, most recently in my neck of the woods, hiking with the wacko mayor in Los Angeles.

reindeerflame Wrote:
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> It's not a good idea to patronize bad service.

You really are a slow learner. At the risk of saying the obvious (to any reader here except you) "schedule" is a minor part of VIA 1 and 2's "service", for most people it the ambience and fine service on board which continues to be top notch and deserves our support. For most of us schedule performance has little to do with the service we are expecting. That said, I must admit that when I ride VIA 2 in April I do hope I don't miss my flight home from Toronto the day after scheduled arrival. Once you get over 24 hours late it is a bit of a pain.

JBWX

4489 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> reindeerflame Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It's not a good idea to patronize bad service.
>
> Man some people continue to flog a dead horse. To
> me your anti-passenger bias is getting old. Just
> my Opinion!

My opinion too!!!

Will MacKenzie
Dundas, ON

jbwest Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> reindeerflame Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It's not a good idea to patronize bad service.
>
> You really are a slow learner. At the risk of
> saying the obvious (to any reader here except you)
> "schedule" is a minor part of VIA 1 and 2's
> "service", for most people it the ambience and
> fine service on board which continues to be top
> notch and deserves our support. For most of us
> schedule performance has little to do with the
> service we are expecting. That said, I must admit
> that when I ride VIA 2 in April I do hope I don't
> miss my flight home from Toronto the day after
> scheduled arrival. Once you get over 24 hours
> late it is a bit of a pain.
>
> JBWX


This seems to be the fundamental difference between VIA's 1 and 2 and Amtrak's long distance service. Amtrak seeks to provide transportation with decent service, both to major cities and to small towns with nothing else available, while VIA sells an experience. Despite its time-keeping problems, Amtrak has never had anything like the current Canadian--not even the Sunset at its worst (and I was on a 16 hour late Sunset). There's a much better argument for subsidizing Amtrak's transportation service rather than for subsidizing VIA's wonderful experience for the well-to-do. And, then, there's the issue of the people in the coaches on VIA who are taking the train for transportation--especially to the towns, hamlets, and tiny stops on the Canadian shield--and who really need to arrive sometime close to schedule; VIA appears to think that they're disposable. My trips on the Canadian some years back were both excellent service and reasonably close to schedule, at a time when schedules were tighter than they are now. It can be done if someone cares.

Not everyone on the Canadian are "well to do." Sections can be had a very reasonable prices, especially in off season. And take a walk through the coaches. Normally they are quite full of just average people traveling between intermediate points. Look at the schedule. There are many flag stops where people get on and off with ATV's, snowmobiles, dogs, etc. For them it is essential transportation and a 12 hour late arrival in say Armstrong, ON is probably not appreciated. As for the boy wonder PM, he is too busy being politically correct changing the words to the beautiful Canadian National Anthem to be gender neutral then helping with VIA's problem.

Yes. I ride this train at least once per year and I am not well to do, just average middle working class. Agreed, it has been my observation that many middle class or perhaps lower do indeed ride Trains 1 - 2. Agreed again: It must be hard for the many who wait for this train at locations such as Oba, Hornpayne, Long Lac, etc. And yes, sections are a good buy, a step above coach for better comfort and service. Patronize this train, the best in North America.

My wife and I did the complete round trip WPG - VAN - Toronto - WPG last fall. To cut costs we used sections the whole trip. Not as good as a bedroom F, but we had a fine trip with all the fine food and great on board service. And believe it or not, an on time arrival back at WPG. The CN must have found out and is getting revenge now!!

andersonb109 Wrote:
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> Not everyone on the Canadian are "well to do."
> Sections can be had a very reasonable prices,
> especially in off season. And take a walk through
> the coaches. Normally they are quite full of just
> average people traveling between intermediate
> points. Look at the schedule. There are many flag
> stops where people get on and off with ATV's,
> snowmobiles, dogs, etc. For them it is essential
> transportation and a 12 hour late arrival in say
> Armstrong, ON is probably not appreciated. As for
> the boy wonder PM, he is too busy being
> politically correct changing the words to the
> beautiful Canadian National Anthem to be gender
> neutral then helping with VIA's problem.

Just curious if a post like this was aimed at Mr. President Trump would it be allowed to stay or is there a double standard at work here?

I take umbrage at these types of comments.

Let's leave the Canadian issues to the Canadians. If they are happy with bad service or no service, that's up to them.

It's just that I cannot recommend the service to anyone as it is currently operated.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/15/18 12:07 by reindeerflame.

reindeerflame Wrote:
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> Let's leave the Canadian issues to the Canadians.
> If they are happy with bad service or no service,
> that's up to them.
>
> It's just that I cannot recommend the service to
> anyone as it is currently operated.

Every single post I've ever seen from you has been negative - so I'm curious, is there any train in North America that would meet your high standards? If I wanted to take a trip, be it VIA Rail or Amtrak, what would you recommend?

Dwayne