Passenger Trains > Via Rail Canada sleeping car question

When booked in an open section on VIA, is there ac power available in the section (upper or lower berth)? If not, is there ac power available in the car to charge batteries? 

I am not aware of outlets in the individual sections.  I believe there is/was an outlet in the hallway near Section 2 used when the car gets cleaned, etc. 

Power outlets should be also be available in the Skyline cars for use during the day/evening as well.

Hope this helps.

A quick call to VIA may help as well.

There was no power in the sections when I rode, two years ago.  There is power down the hall in the bathroom, but I don't think you'd want to leave anything there to get charged.

I purchased a Life Charge 20000mah battery pack that I plug my camera and cell phone into when needed. Works great and I have never run short of power. Get to the hotal and recharge it for the next day and you're ready to go.

I have ridden “The Canadian” many times, and would like to ride in a lower some time. But, because I use a CPAP I have made a careful examination of the sections and found there is NO outlet in either the lower or the upper.

Posted from iPhone

No outlets in sections. Have noted people charging in bathrooms when they are nearby. And on more than one occasion noted someone running an extension cord out of bathrooms to their section. Not sure I would do this if all sections occupied.

Posted from Android

viatrainrider Wrote:
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> No outlets in sections. Have noted people charging in bathrooms when they are nearby. And on more than one occasion noted someone running an extension cord out of bathrooms to their section.
> Not sure I would do this if all sections occupied.

There's also an outlet near the floor at the end of the car, next to the door that leads to the vestibule.  Might advise bringing an extension cord.  

hopalongharry Wrote:
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> I have ridden “The Canadian” many times, and
> would like to ride in a lower some time. But,
> because I use a CPAP I have made a careful
> examination of the sections and found there is NO
> outlet in either the lower or the upper.
>
> Posted from iPhone

You need a portable CPAP that operates on their own battery.  Of course, the battery is only good for one night, then needs to be recharged, in which case, you're back to needing an outlet!!  While the bed in a lower is extremely comfortable, it sounds like you'll need a Room for 1 with its electrical outlet if you're doing a multi-night trip.

You should post this on the Canadian board

seaboardc30-7 Wrote:
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> You should post this on the Canadian board

Probably more knowledgeable passenger train riders on this board...
 

sums007 Wrote:
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> hopalongharry Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I have ridden “The Canadian” many times,
> and
> > would like to ride in a lower some time. But,
> > because I use a CPAP I have made a careful
> > examination of the sections and found there is
> NO
> > outlet in either the lower or the upper.
> >
> > Posted from iPhone
>
> You need a portable CPAP that operates on their
> own battery.  Of course, the battery is only good
> for one night, then needs to be recharged, in
> which case, you're back to needing an outlet!! 
> While the bed in a lower is extremely comfortable,
> it sounds like you'll need a Room for 1 with its
> electrical outlet if you're doing a multi-night
> trip.

Have a battery that is good for three nights...so all I need is an electrical outlet for a day or two to top off the battery. Thanks for the suggestions. 
 

Alco251 Wrote:
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> seaboardc30-7 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You should post this on the Canadian board
>
> Probably more knowledgeable passenger train riders
> on this board...
>

And Canadian passenger train riders are not??? 

Pack up your electronic gadgets and enjoy the ride and scenery.  Bring a spare camera battery for photographic endeavours

utwazoo Wrote:
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> Pack up your electronic gadgets and enjoy the ride
> and scenery.  Bring a spare camera battery for
> photographic endeavours


Unfortunately, a CPAP is a little more than a simple electronic gadget, so while it sounds simple, medical devices are kind of more important than your run of the mill iPad.....

OP mentioned a multi day battery for his CPAP-what battery are you using, I have been meaning to get one too. Use a Resmed S-8 for travel, would be interested to hear what you’re using, I would like to take some sailing trips, on sailing ships where electrical is sporadic too, and need a multi day battery as well.

I have two machines...a big ResMed at home and a travel machine, the small ResMed AirMini. I have ordered a Lofta battery for the mini. Meanwhile, I inquired of Via Rail Canada and they looked up my reservation and said (a) I am in the berth next to the bathroom and they would equip the attendant with an ac extension cord for my use and (b) there were several places where I could charge a battery during daylight. I have used the travel CPAP on wilderness trips to Alaska, in the Grand Canyon and elsewhere with a rather clunky battery system (with solar panel charger) and look forward to trying this new low-profile battery on several upcoming trips, domestic and international (and am curious to see how well it works on a sleeper seat in a 777 jet).

As an aside, I've made two sleeping car trips on the SW Chief in the past few months and have another one next month. The travel machine works fine on the ac outlets in the Superliner bedroom. One of my standard pieces of travel gear is a three-way ac plug that is vitally important to run CPAP, camera or laptop charger and scanner charger/power supply. 

I apologise to the earlier poster who asked why this wasnt on the Canadian board. I posted here in error, but I did not think it would matter. To show my great appreciation for my friends north of the border, I promise not to dress like Don Cherry on my upcoming trip.

Shortline Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> utwazoo Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Pack up your electronic gadgets and enjoy the
> ride
> > and scenery.  Bring a spare camera battery for
> > photographic endeavours
>
>
> Unfortunately, a CPAP is a little more than a
> simple electronic gadget, so while it sounds
> simple, medical devices are kind of more important
> than your run of the mill iPad.....
>
> OP mentioned a multi day battery for his CPAP-what
> battery are you using, I have been meaning to get
> one too. Use a Resmed S-8 for travel, would be
> interested to hear what you’re using, I would
> like to take some sailing trips, on sailing ships
> where electrical is sporadic too, and need a multi
> day battery as well.

I brought mine on a cruise two years ago.  A Z1.  I also bring an extension cord with me.  Comes in very handy.