(Scroll down for images)
Routes shown:
The Canadian (Toronto, ON – Edmonton, AB) -1st leg of trip
The Skeena (Jasper, AB – Prince Rupert, BC) -2nd leg of trip
Plus return trip on The Canadian (Vancouver, BC – Toronto, ON)
The Canadian (Toronto, ON – Edmonton, AB):
‘The Canadian’ is VIA Rail’s Western transcontinental train. For a description & pictures of the Canadian please see the page on The Canadian.
As an added bonus VIA allows stopovers, enabling one to detrain for a few days at Edmonton to explore Alberta before heading to Jasper to catch VIA’s ‘Skeena’ train to Prince Rupert, BC, where opportunity for a further stopover enables travelers to explore the city and Vancouver Island.
Also, a further bonus for music fans is that VIA has a travelling musician program that features various different artists who perform at specific times in one of the train’s dome cars. On this particular trip the artists were Piper and Carson from www.pipersings.com.
Passengers leaving the train at Edmonton may take a taxi to stay overnight at the Super 8 Hotel in Leduc/Edmonton Airport. For passengers then wishing to explore Alberta, there is a shuttle from the hotel to Edmonton International Airport where Avis Car Rental provides rental car connections.
From Edmonton it is then approximately a 4-1/2 hr drive to Medicine Hat, AB, where rail fans can visit a pair of restored Canadian Pacific FP7A diesel locomotives on display in Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park on River Rd S.E. in Medicine Hat.
From Medicine hat it is approximately a 4-1/2 hr drive to Banff where persons can stay at the renowned Banff Springs Hotel with it’s beautiful mountain vistas before heading to Jasper.
From Banff it is then approximately a 3-1/2 hr drive along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper through Banff & Jasper National Parks (which features mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, spectacular waterfalls and abundant wildlife including bears, elk, deer and bighorn sheep). Travelers can then turn in their rental car at Avis Car Rental in Jasper before boarding VIA Rail’s ‘Skeena’ for Prince Rupert
The Skeena (Jasper, AB – Prince Rupert, BC):
The ‘Skeena’ is VIA Rail’s train that operates over the original Grand Trunk Pacific mainline on a 2-day journey from Jasper, AB to Prince Rupert, BC, via Prince George, BC, where an overnight stop-over is made (passengers can overnight in the Travelodge Prince George Hotel which is accessible from the Prince George VIA station by taxi Note that hotels & taxis are not included in the VIA Rail fare). The train began operation by VIA Rail in 1979
and is often referred to by it’s unofficial moniker – the ‘Rupert Rocket’.
The equipment on the ‘Skeena‘ includes ex-Canadian Pacific stainless steel coaches with large picture windows and comfortable & extremely spacious reclining seats with leg rests; and an ex-CP stainless steel ‘Park’ series dome-lounge-observation cars. The lounges of the Park cars were adorned with large murals, some by members of Canada’s renowned Group of Seven artists, depicting the National & Provincial parks the cars were named after. The car also features a tail end “bullet lounge” with comfortable armchairs and a fantastic scenic dome section on the upper level of the car.
In addition to the accommodations described above, VIA Rail has added a new ‘Touring’ Class of luxury service on some departures twice a week during the summer. Normally this service is hosted aboard ex-BC rail Panorama cars (with extra-large windows) which are added to the train, however service requirements sometimes force VIA to substitute these scarce cars with one of the stainless steel coaches mentioned above (which are just as comfortable). Regardless of which type of car is used, Touring class passengers are provided with delicious at-seat meals and beverages included in the fare, and have exclusive access to the Park Car on those days which Touring class is offered on the train.
Current VIA Rail motive power on the ‘Skeena’ consists of 3,000 horsepower 6400-series F40PH-2 diesel locomotives built by General Motors Diesel in London, ON.
The route of the ‘Skeena’ passes some of the most captivating scenery in the world. Departing from the scenic mountain-locked resort town of Jasper, AB, the train runs along the shores of the stunningly beautiful Moose Lake, then over the continental divide through the famed Yellowhead pass with views of Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 ft, and on to Mcbride, BC with it’s elegant old Grand Trunk Pacific Station, & following the upper Fraser river before arriving at the overnight stop at Prince George, BC. The next day finds the train passing along the Nechako River and beautiful Burns Lake, then on to Smithers, BC with its majestic views of Hudson Bay Mountain and Kathlyn Glacier before continuing on its way through the Coast Mountains & along the Skeena River to the Pacific Coast at Prince Rupert, BC.
If you enjoy stunningly captivating scenery, great food, superb seating accommodations & impeccable service, then you’ll enjoy a ride on VIA Rail’s train to the Northwest BC Coast – the ‘Skeena’.
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- Toronto Union Station
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- Departing Toronto Union Station on VIAs Westbound Canadian
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- On board VIA-Rails train 1 the Vancouver bound Canadian near Downsview ON
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- VIAs Westbound Canadian meets a CN freight at Langstaff GO station
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- Passing Osprey in nest near Washago, ON
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- By train along Lake Simcoe near Washago, ON
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- Washago, ON, VIA Rail station
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- On board the Canadian crossing the Sequin River, Parry Sound, ON
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- Parry Sound, ON, VIA Rail Station
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- Sleeping Berth Section on VIAs’s Canadian Daytime setup
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- Sleeping Berth Section on VIAs Canadian Night time setup
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- Bedroom on VIAs Canadian Daytime setup
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- Bedroom on VIAs Canadian Night time setup
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- Dining Car on VIAs Canadian
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- Coffee Shop in Skyline Dome car on VIAs Canadian
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- Lounge in Skyline Dome car on VIAs Canadian
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- Scenic Dome section in Skyline car on VIAs Canadian
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- Sudbury, ON, VIA Rail Station
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- CN Class U1F steam locomotive on display at Capreol, ON
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- Class F40 diesel locomotives on the point of the westbound Canadian, refueling at Capreol, ON
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- Northern Ontario lake near Hornepayne, ON
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- The Canadian crossing a trestle at Sioux Lookout, ON
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- Entering a tunnel near Canyon Lake, ON
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- The Canadian roars through a Cut near Canyon Lake, ON
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- Red River floodway east of Winnipeg, MB
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- Winnipeg Union Station
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- Human Rights Museum, Winnipeg, MB
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- Folk artists Piper and Carson performed at Winnipeg station and on board one of the trains dome cars
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- Grain elevator at Watrous, SK
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- Saskatoon VIA Rail Station
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- On board the Canadian departing Saskatoon
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- Meet with CN freights at Saskatoon, SK
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- Potash mine in the distance, near Unity, SK
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- Dinner on the Canadian
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- Wainwright, AB,-VIA Rail Station
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- The Canadian crossing the Battle River trestle
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- Battle River Valley, AB
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- Detraining at Edmonton VIA Rail Station
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- Canadian Pacific FP7 class diesels on display in Medicine Hat, AB
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- Canadian Pacific FP7 class diesels on display in Medicine Hat, AB
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- Canadian Pacific FP7 class diesels on display in Medicine Hat along with my Lionel O-gauge Canadian Pacific F3
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- The Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, AB
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- Room at the Banff Springs Hotel
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- View from the Banff Springs hotel
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- By rental car along the Icefields Parkway
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- Bighorn Sheep on Icefields Parkway
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- By rental car along the Icefields Parkway heading towards Jasper, AB
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- CN 4-8-2 type steam locomotive on display at Jasper VIA Station
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- Jasper VIA Rail Station
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- Jasper VIA Rail Station
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- Class F40 diesels on the point of the westbound Skeena, Jasper, AB, bound for Prince Rupert, BC
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- Jasper, AB as seen from the train
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- On board the westbound Skeena meeting a CN freight, Jasper, AB
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- On board the westbound Skeena, travelling through the Yellowhead Pass
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- Travelling through the Yellowhead Pass
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- Entering a tunnel at Wynd, AB
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- Moose Lake, BC
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- The westbound Skeena travelling along Moose Lake
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- Travelling through the Yellowhead Pass
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- Crossing the Fraser River
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- Waterfall near Redpass Junction, BC
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- Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, 12,972-ft
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- Coach seating on VIA Rails Skeena
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- Mural Lounge in Park car on VIA Rails Skeena
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- Scenic dome section in Park car on VIA Rails Skeena
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- Bullet Lounge in Park car on VIA Rails Skeena
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- Tour bus connecting with train at Harvey, BC
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- Travelling through the Rocky Mountains, Dunster, BC
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- Travelling through the Rocky Mountains, Dunster, BC
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- Travelling through the Rocky Mountains, Dunster, BC
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- Rocky Mountains, Dunster, BC
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- Travelling through the Rocky Mountains, Dunster, BC
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- Robson Valley, Mcbride, BC
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- CN caboose on display at Mcbride, BC
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- VIA Rail station, Mcbride, BC
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- View from rear of train West of Mcbride, BC
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- On board the Skeena in the Rockies west of McBride, BC
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- By train along the Fraser River
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- Onboard the Skeena in the Rockies west of McBride, BC
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- Rockies west of McBride, BC
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- 250 meter tunnel west of McBride, BC
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- On board the Skeena in the Rockies & along the Fraser, west of McBride, BC
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- Mount Rider, 8245 ft
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- Rockies west of McBride, BC
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- Meet with a CN freight near Loos, BC
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- View from rear of train crossing Hansard Bridge over the Fraser River
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- Mountains near Giscome, BC
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- On board the Skeena entering railway yard at Prince George, BC
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- The Skeena, after arrival at Prince George, BC, for an overnight stop
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- Room at Travelodge, Prince George, BC
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- BC Rail GF6C electric locomotive on display at Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum
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- Former CP CLC C-liner B-unit on display at Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum
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- CN GE diesel on display at Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum
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- Waiting room, Prince George, BC, VIA Rail station
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- Prince George, BC, VIA Rail station
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- VIA Rails Skeena at Prince George, BC
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- Breakfast in Touring Class on the Skeena
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- Crossing the Nechako River
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- Fraser Lake, BC
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- On board the Skeena running along Fraser Lake
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- On board the Skeena running along Fraser Lake
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- On board the Skeena running along Fraser Lake
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- On board the Skeena entering the town of Endako BC
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- Lunch in Touring Class on the Skeena
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- Abandoned farm house west of Endako, BC
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- Sawmill west of Endako, BC
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- Along the Endako River
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- On board the Skeena along the Endako River
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- Mountains west of Endako, BC
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- On board the Skeena along Burns Lake
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- Onboard the Skeena along Burns Lake
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- Burns Lake
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- On board the Skeena along Burns Lake
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- On board the Skeena along Burns Lake
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- On board the Skeena along Burns Lake
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- On board the Skeena entering the town of Burns Lake, BC
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- Class F40 diesel on the point of the Westbound Skeena at Burns Lake, BC
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- Burns Lake, BC, station stop
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- Park series Dome Observation car on the tail end of the Westbound Skeena at Burns Lake, BC
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- On board the Skeena passing sawmill west of Burns Lake, BC
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- On board the Skeena along Decker Lake
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- On board the Skeena along Decker Lake
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- Onboard the westbound Skeena east of Houston, BC
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- Town of Houston, BC
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- Meet with a CN ballast train near Telkwa, BC
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- CN Point Ste Charles caboose on rear of ballast train
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- On board the westbound Skeena near Telkwa, BC
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- On board the westbound Skeena near Telkwa, BC
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- Dinner in Touring class on the Skeena
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- Boaters waving to the train near Smithers, BC
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- Smithers, BC, VIA Rail Station
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- On board the westbound Skeena at Smithers, BC, VIA Rail Station
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- Onboard the Skeena departing Smithers, BC
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- Coast Mountains west of Smithers, BC
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- On board the Skeena departing Smithers, BC
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- On board the Skeena departing Smithers, BC
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- Hudson Bay Mountain
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- Kathlyn Glacier
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- Crossing a trestle in Bulkley Canyon at dusk
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- Seven Sisters mountain range in the distance
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- Entering a tunnel in Bulkley Canyon at dusk
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- Coast mountains at dusk
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- Terrace, BC, VIA Rail station
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- On board the Skeena entering the rail yard at Prince Rupert, BC
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- On board the Skeena passing Fairview ocean terminal at Prince Rupert, BC
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- The Skeena, after arrival at Prince Rupert, BC
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- Prince Rupert, BC, VIA Station & Ferry Terminal
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- Waiting room, Prince Rupert, BC, VIA Station & Ferry Terminal
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- View from Highliner Plaza Hotel, Prince Rupert, BC
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- Boarding the BC Ferry Northern Expedition headed from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy, Vancouver Island
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- Outside cabin on the Northern Expedition
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- Cruising BCs inside passage
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- View from Glen Lyon Inn, Port Hardy, BC
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- Englewood Railway maintenance-of-way equipment and logging flatcars at Woss, BC
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- Canadian Forest Products 2-8-2 type steam locomotive on display at Woss, BC
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- By rental car through northern Vancouver Island
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- By rental car through northern Vancouver Island on way to Tofino, BC
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- Pacific Terminus, Trans Canada highway, Tofino, BC
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- Totem Pole, Tofino, BC
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- Room at Pacific Sands Hotel, Tofino, BC
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- View from Pacific Sands Hotel, Tofino, BC
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- Pacific Sands Hotel, Tofino, BC
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- Beach Pacific Sands Hotel, Tofino, BC
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- On the ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver, passing other ferry returning to Nanaimo
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- Downtown Vancouver
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- Pacific Central Station, Vancouver, BC
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- Park Series dome observation car on the tail end of the Eastbound Canadian at Pacific Central Station
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- On board the eastbound Canadian, crossing the Fraser River at Mission, BC
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- On board the eastbound Canadian, passing through the Fraser Valley
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- Meet with a CP freight in the Fraser Valley
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- Coast Mountains in the Fraser Valley
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- On board the eastbound Canadian, approaching Agassiz, BC
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- Former CP station at Agassiz, BC
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- Coast Mountains in the Fraser Valley
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- Onboard the eastbound Canadian, passing through the Fraser River Canyon near Yale, BC
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- Entering a tunnel near Yale, BC
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- Fraser River Canyon near Yale, BC
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- Hell’s Gate Canyon, narrowest & fastest flowing part of the Fraser River
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- On board the eastbound Canadian, passing through the Fraser River Canyon near North Bend, BC
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- Eastbound Canadian crossing the Fraser River & passing under the CN line at Cisco, BC
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- On board the eastbound Canadian at dusk in the Fraser River Canyon
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- On board the eastbound Canadian thundering through Yellowhead Pass, BC
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- Class F40 diesel locomotives on the point of the eastbound Canadian
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- Dome car window wash, Jasper, AB
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- Re boarding the Canadian at Jasper, AB
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- Passing herd of Elk east of Jasper, AB
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- VIA Rails eastbound Canadian roaring through the Rockies near Henry House, AB
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- Meet between east westbound Canadians at Henry House AB
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- Passing Black Bear rubbing against a tree east of Henry House, AB
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- Roche Miette
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- Rockies near Devona, AB
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- Through the Rockies in the Dome Car
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- Meet with a CN freight at Devona, AB
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- Athabasca River
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- Passing baby Eagle in nest near Devona, AB
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- Onboard the Canadian, rolling along the Athabasca River near Park Gate, AB
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- Leaving the Rockies behind at Swan Landing, AB
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- Park car on the end of the eastbound Canadian at Capreol ON
