Trip Report: May 3 - 18, 2001
by Ted & Sylvia Blishak
Through the Pacific Northwest and Canada
by Amtrak, BC Rail and VIA Rail Canada
Sunday, May 6, 2001. Whistler Northwind to Whistler.
Click on the photos for enlargements.
We are with a group of travel agents, tour operators, and writers, and our bus picks us up at the Sutton Place at 7:30 AM for our short ride to the North Vancouver BCRail Passenger Station. The Lion's Gate Bridge is closed again, as it was on our previous trip to Vancouver last May, so the bus takes the long way around via the Second Narrows Bridge, and we arrive at trainside just at the 8:30 AM departure time. There are no check-in formalities, we have already received our boarding passes and seat assignments at the hotel last evening. Our checked luggage remains on the bus, which will transport it to our first destination at Whistler. We take our carry on bags to the platform, where a Dixieland band is seeing us off.
The train is brand spanking new, painted in shades of orange, black coffee, and coffee with cream. One locomotive, one head end power car, one crew sleeper, two single level dome cars for Panorama Class passengers, a double unit kitchen-diner, one single level dome for Summit Class passengers, and a round end observation lounge car. The dining car and observation lounge car are for the exclusive use of the Summit passengers. There was planned to be a mid train lounge car for Panorama passengers on today's train, but it is late in being delivered, and is not expected for another week, or so.
Soft background music, new coach smell, and cool conditioned air greeted us a we boarded the Summit dome car "Chilcotin" and found our seats 7A and 7B. The WN left promptly after we boarded and settled into our seats. Orange juice with champagne was offered as we quietly glided away from the station. Several passengers remarked on the quiet, silky smoothness of the ride. Walkers on the north shore promenade waved as we passed by, this, the first scheduled run of the Whistler Northwind.
These new single dome coaches were built by the Colorado Railcar Company especially for this new train. They are similar to cars built for the Alaska Railroad. They also bear a family resemblance to the double level cars built for Rocky Mountaineer Railtours which travel in Western Canada, and for cars built for Princess Tours and Royal Caribbean Cruises for travel on the Alaska Railroad. Dome windows rise from belt line level and curve up into the ceiling. Cool air wafts from vents along the base of the windows. We each have a reclining seat with a leg rest, head rest, and pull down tray table. Being single level, there is no forward vision over the roof of the coach ahead, but the view to the sides and up is unparalleled. We guess that the single level dome is necessary on this route due to low tunnel clearances.
After mimosa and coffee service, we are all invited into the dining car for a Sunday brunch. There is juice, coffee, tea, a fruit cup, a choice of three entrees, a choice of two desserts, and an extensive still and sparkling wine list. Since there is a bar lounge car on the train, it is possible to order cocktails and mixed drinks at your table as well. Meals and snacks are included in the price of your ticket. For extras, such as cocktails or souvenirs, an on board account can be set up. Each passenger is given a plastic card which is scanned with a hand held device for each purchase. An itemized statement is printed by the train's laser printer at the end of the trip.
The meal service is all first class linen, silver, and china, which is reminiscent of deluxe passenger trains of the past such as the 20th Century Limited or Super Chief. The selections are excellent and the service superb. Not only will railfans appreciate this, but anybody who enjoys cruising will find the level of cuisine and service to be superior to the that found on most cruise ships. We fifty six passengers were pampered by a staff of at least fifteen onboard service personnel. Railfans will be interested to know that the full length dining car and permanently coupled kitchen car were one of three sets originally constructed for the Union Pacific Railroad by the St. Louis Car Company in 1953 for service on the City of Denver. The dining car has been beautifully restored in its original style of 1953, included the three layer Lalique glass rendering of a 1950's General Motors passenger diesel locomotive.
After brunch we repair to the observation lounge car where the cocktail bar is open. This car was one of three originally built by the Budd Company for Florida East Coast Railway's New York to Miami service in 1939. It too has been lovingly restored, but with the addition of a 30 inch plasma video screen for films or video presentations.
The entire train is wired for CD music which should please the most discriminating tastes. Rather than being played continuously, the background music is switched on at appropriate times for cocktail or meal service, and is played at a volume with is very unobtrusive. The on board technician told me that they are considering internet access, which will be available to passengers interested in accessing their e-mail or shopping on eBay. As the train is set up now, there are electrical outlets available only at certain seats in the dining car and lounge car. I am now sitting in the dining car writing this while enjoying the unparalleled scenery of British Columbia.
The ride from North Vancouver to Whistler is a short 86 miles, covered in an all too brief three and a half hours. Our bus picks us up at the Whistler Station and transfers us to the Westin Resort and Spa. After a walking tour of the European style village we take the Whistler Mountain gondola which rises over 4000 feet in less than thirty minutes to a lodge at the 6000 foot level. There are many skiers and snowboarders up here, and we enjoy a delicious fresh vegetable and fruit salad plate for $7.00 Canadian, less than $5.00 US, before returning to village.
Dinner is a fabulous Italian style served family style at the Quattro Restaurant. Tomorrow will take us into new territory, along Anderson and Seton Lakes, to Lillooet, then the upper Fraser River Canyon to 100 Mile House, British Columbia.
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