The Ocean 🇨🇦 VIA Rail, Halifax to Montreal

Рет қаралды 533,561

3 жыл бұрын

A once in a lifetime trip aboard the Ocean - the oldest named passenger train still running in North America. This train is one of the most popular tourist routes in the world, and is usually very busy, but thanks to sheer chance, I took this train in between a service suspension due to line blockades and the COVID-19 crisis hitting Canada, so the train was practically empty, with no more than 30-40 passengers in the sleepers. So, enjoy, as I had the bullet lounge and the observation deck in the Assiniboine Park Car all to myself on this 800+ mile, 22 hour journey across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec from Halifax to Montreal!
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@Paul_Lucas 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for joining me on the Ocean - it's one of the most unique train journeys I've ever done and I was blessed to have pretty much the entire train to myself! If you enjoyed this, why not watch my: Amazing CrossCountry HST train trip in England! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l6dmgNKlyseup4k.html Follow me on Twitter: @paul_winginit ¦ twitter.com/paul_winginit Follow me on Instagram: paul_winginit ¦ instagram.com/paul_winginit My website: www.winginit.me

@rogertwance 3 жыл бұрын

I was a service manager for VIA Rail from 2007 to 2013. The "Ocean" used to be coupled up with the "Chaleur" from Montreal to Matapedia. The "Chaleur" would split in the morning in Matapedia and run up the Gaspé coast and team up back at night with the "Ocean". If you have any questions about VIA let me know. The " Chaleur" was my favourite train to work. In the summertime, the combined trains added up to 24 cars. Sometimes we had to stop five times in a station to let people on. In my day, we did not cross the Quebec bridge, the stop was Charny station. I remember one night, the snow was so high, we were hitting snow banks at the crossings that would shake the train and send snow flying onto the roof. I spent many nights in the dome. The best time was coming into Amqui around June 21st on the way up to Gaspé at around 4:30 am and seeing the sunrise. rogertwancetpt@gmail.com

@ServiusTheBear 3 жыл бұрын

I really liked this. It was good to see old rolling stock still being used from way back then.

@kevincallaghan3212 3 жыл бұрын

Thats where swiss air went down in 98 paul i think,?..

@chiruraju1306 3 жыл бұрын

🌏🌎🌍⛪

@MrSinghYYZ 3 жыл бұрын

The train didn’t stop at Campbellton?

@maestromecanico597 3 жыл бұрын

"There's nothing so civilised as a dining car..." Amen and amen. Good report.

@russbear31 3 жыл бұрын

@RoadhogTime13 Amtrak will probably restore service after Covid-19. Joe Biden is a rail buff himself, so Amtrak isn't going anywhere and he'll probably reverse Trump's budget cuts.

@daveyboy_ 3 жыл бұрын

BACK in tha day there used to be a bar car .

@PaulfromChicago 2 жыл бұрын

English breakfast with Yorkshire Gold in a dining car.....

@Desmaad 3 жыл бұрын

The troubled history of the Quebec bridge is why all engineers in Canada wear a faceted iron ring: to remind them of their responsibilities.

@juliansmith4295 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting piece of information. Thank you.

@mikefletcher2774 11 ай бұрын

The iron ring for Canadian engineers en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Ring

@russellwyse1895 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. My dad was a porter for 25 year on that very train. Also my grandfather before him. This train as a warm place in my heart. Thanks

@sandyjohnson4182 3 жыл бұрын

Born and grew up in Nova Scotia; in 1967 I left for work in Toronto, boarding the train in Truro at the old original sandstone station, which for some reason was later torn down and replaced by the present drab "warehouse", which is probably the dullest train station in Canada. In 2010 my wife and I took the train to Montreal and on to Truro to be there for my Mom's 90th birthday. My wife is no longer able to travel by air or by car for a long distance, but she enjoyed the trip on the train. I travel by any and all means available, but did find the train a relaxing way to go. I've taken day trips on the GO train, and on the train from Toronto to Montreal but the Ocean is the only overnight train I've ever traveled on and only those 2 times, 1967 and 2010. I believe it was less expensive than flying in 1967, but don't know for certain because the company who hired me paid the fare. Now It's more expensive than flying or driving, but it's leisurely and you feel well taken care of.

@SimplyRailway 2 жыл бұрын

I'm finally trying the Ocean in two weeks. I am so so excited. Your video helped a lot!

@businessbuilding1 3 жыл бұрын

As a Canadian, I am so happy you did this review. I have been planning to do this trip for a number of years! Great video and review. Just one correction - Canadians call it Vee Ah Rail rather that V.I.A rail. The parents of a number of my Italian friends used this route to start their new life in Canada after arriving by boat in Halifax.

@xtension85 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for saying that. I came to say the same thing. It's just "Via Rail" not "V.I.A. Rail"

@AlanThomsonsim 3 жыл бұрын

The thing is the word via is pronounced differently so if he had said it the British way people would complain and if he said it the North American/Canadian way people would have complained I think he did the best he could

@average_joe8905 3 жыл бұрын

We also refer to it as Via Rail down here in the States.

@businessbuilding1 3 жыл бұрын

@@average_joe8905 I still remember when we used to have a North American Rail pass where we could use both Amtrak and Via within 30 days

@average_joe8905 3 жыл бұрын

@@businessbuilding1 I didn’t know they even had that, very interesting!

@pauly_orangeman 3 жыл бұрын

Done the train ride, the Canadian, from Toronto to Vancouver in July 2017. It is one heck of the ride. The Ocean train line is going to be on my next bucket list.

@Desmaad 3 жыл бұрын

Back in the '90s we used to take the train on this route to Montréal to visit family for Christmas. I still feel nostalgic for the Budd couchettes we used to travel in until rising costs forced us into coach class. Good times. Also, thanks for giving us the dates for those old cars. I always knew they were old, but never knew how old.

@crinkle2649 3 жыл бұрын

Snow is so pretty when you are inside all nice and toasty warm with a hot drink.

@jericho1961 3 жыл бұрын

Loved the video! I live in Halifax and have taken the Ocean a number of times when the entire fleet was still like the park car you enjoyed so much. My late husband worked the bar in that car for many years and I too enjoyed spending time up in the dome, especially late at night. We were super lucky to see the northern lights while travelling through northern New Brunswick once. The bulk of that fleet was moved out west and replaced by the Renaissance. It was considered a major downgrade comfort wise, especially for front coach passengers. Narrow plastic seats with thin padding just not really suited for 22 - 24 hour journeys.

@christalbot210 3 жыл бұрын

Indeed. I rode on VIA Rail between Toronto and Vancouver and all the cars were from the 50's. They were NICE! I then rode an Amtrak from Seattle to LA and then LA to New Orleans. 70's cars. Efficient, but not nearly as nice.

@wandaarnt234 3 жыл бұрын

jericho1961 sounds lovely

@ronclark9724 3 жыл бұрын

@@christalbot210 Amtrak would be wise to refurbish the Superliners better than they have. With the pandemic impacting their business, Amtrak is reducing their long distance sleeper trains to just three times a week. Only taking credit of having one train more per week than the Canadian or the Ocean in Canada... The days of daily service for long distance trains in North America appears to be over, gone with the wind...

@dougkendall6867 3 жыл бұрын

The Renaissance cars are showing both their age and that they were built for conditions in Britain and western Europe, not eastern Canada. On many cars, the exteriro body rust is evident.

@solace669 3 жыл бұрын

The "double-decker" trains that you saw are very common in NA. They are called intermodal trains and they carry shipping containers to their destinations. Sometimes they even carry them accross the country because it is cheaper than going through the Panama Canal. They are different from regular trains because the contents of the shipping containers are not handled by the train company at all. edit: I also forgot to mention that they can go for literally miles!

@Brettski_1234 3 жыл бұрын

We have them in Australia too (not my part due to tunnels though), they are a great sight

@mabamabam 3 жыл бұрын

Intermodal just means they carry containers. Because the containers themselves use different modes of transport. Containers and container trains aren't at all special. It would be more remarkable if the freight wasn't in containers. The double stack part is the special part. A lot of places can t run double stacks because they have tunnels and bridges built before double stacking was a thing or because they have electric infrastructure above the rails

@ZapFlashD 3 жыл бұрын

I only ever see double decker freight trains where I live. Between cars there are a few breaks but they're incredibly long! I think the longest one I've counted was 140 cars (nor including the locomotives).

@ronclark9724 3 жыл бұрын

The only main line without double deck container freight cars is Amtrak's northeast corridor...

@benlahrman4149 3 жыл бұрын

Double decker passenger cars work as well.

@johndornoff 3 жыл бұрын

A Brit comes to Canada to ride a train made up primarily of cars from Britain that were supposed to be used on a project from Britain that never happened. Another great video Paul I have never had the chance to ride trains in Canada yet but hope that I can if the service returns. Dome cars are just incredible and it's too bad they have become very rare. When it is that cold outside being on a warm train and not having to worry about driving is the best.

@hobog 3 жыл бұрын

British loading gauge is so small

@ronclark9724 3 жыл бұрын

While the Budd cars of the Canadian are approaching 70 years in age, the Ocean will be losing their British built Renaissance cars soon for Budd cars. These Renaissance cars have not fared well in the Canadian winters and are quickly reaching the end of their service lives while all of the Budd cars have been refurbished. Having said that these Budd cars will require replacing soon as well, although they are still in better shape than the much newer Renaissance cars. Appears after the pandemic the Canadian will not go to three trains per week during the summer months it has in the past. That rolling stock switching to the Ocean...

@paname514 3 жыл бұрын

@@ronclark9724 Via Rail never maintained the Renaissance carriages properly. They are modern high-tech coaches, not simple old tech 1950s technology. FFS the Renaissance coaches still have their original 1990s Nightstar livery, Via Rail NEVER repainted them. Eurostars built a few years earlier run every day in the extremely wet and salty, and warm - thermal shocks in winter with brutally melting ice - Channel Tunnel, and they are in better condition.

@lynncibelli3534 3 жыл бұрын

Best railroad commentary yet. Thanks.

@rogink 3 жыл бұрын

I guess they were built to run through the Channel tunnel in the early 90s. Of course the high speed line from London wasn't ready for another 10. It'll be another 10-15 years before we get HS2, and naturally that won't connect directly with HS1! So, probably good business sense to flog these carriages to Canada!

@pattimuse1 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, Paul! Since the pandemic, like many, I suffer depression but since discovering your videos, I feel hope again! I love travelling and your realistic but also inspiring comments make me hopeful!

@patjenkins3402 3 жыл бұрын

A lack of crowds, chilly rooms, and snowy scenery-ideal for me...that's why I live in Montana. Great presentation-I just subscribed, Paul.

@StevePenney34 3 жыл бұрын

I have travelled this train several times in the late 60's and 70's and at that time it was all stainless steel cars like the bullet. I remember pulling into Halifax (my home town) sitting in the very Assiniboine Park car highlighted here. Great memories.

@AdamAuxier64 3 жыл бұрын

The Ocean got the Park Car added specifically for the backup movement into St. Foy (Quebec City) across the Quebec Bridge as it has an interior air brake dump valve for the crewman. For years the Quebec City stop was Charny, across the St. Lawrence River, VIA would shuttle passengers from QC across to Charny to catch the combined Ocean/Chaleur.

@dougkendall6867 3 жыл бұрын

Even further back, the Quebec City stop was in Levis; in 1987, I had dinner in the dining car with a view of the Chateau Frontenac during the Levis stop. I am guessing in that era any passengers from Quebec City would have come over the ferry to Levis.

@crockerbd Жыл бұрын

Yes - my very first trip on Via in the late 1980s, we stopped at Levis and took the ferry over to Quebec City to transfer to the ski hills at Mt Sainte Anne. The trains were also still steam heated back then.

@HSMiyamoto 3 жыл бұрын

I'm glad to hear the Ocean is popular with foreign visitors. I'm sure it is also very valuable for local residents in their isolated and remote communities.

@22Patriotman 3 жыл бұрын

My friends call me crazy but this seems like the best option for a vacation relaxing and fun

@gabrielmyre 3 жыл бұрын

I've been taking the AMT Passenger Trains for years, about an hour ride from home to work in Montreal. But now after seeing this I have to try this train on my next vacation. That's what I call a train ride.

@thesmallerhalf1968 3 жыл бұрын

In 2002 I went by VIA from Vancouver to Winnipeg, Winnipeg to Churchill return and thence to Halifax, before returning to Montreal and Ottawa. A marvellous experience. The 1940's coaches on the Churchill leg, and the people I met were particularly memorable.

@jarb504 3 жыл бұрын

So glad I stumbled on this video. I took this train in 2003 I think it was! And as a teenager, was oblivious to the history of it. So great to experience it again.

@catemackay1911 3 жыл бұрын

A great video. I used to ride this run from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick (the stop before Moncton), in to Montreal on my way home for Christmas break. They offered student rates then for a berth, bottom or top which were 1/2 price. It was such a lovely relaxing trip home for Christmas right after exams. Then change trains for a ‘cattle car’ from Montreal to a Toronto - seated and crammed in - still wonderful. I am so glad you enjoyed it. The car at the end of the train has always been a stunning way to see Canada. My grandfather was a Canadian Pacific Railway engineer. He drove the very first engine into Atlantic Canada from Montreal in...1953. The run ended in Saint John, New Brunswick with a brass band and the Mayor waiting for him when the train arrived - so I am a train geek hereditarily. They are a magnificent part of our Canadian history. Thanks for coming to enjoy it.

@dougkendall6867 3 жыл бұрын

My son used the Ocean several times going to and from Mount Allison for 4 years. As we live in central New York state, we always needed to drive to Montreal as Amtrak and VIA Rail do not coordinate well if you want to connect from the Adirondack to the Ocean or vice versa. Still preferable to driving all the way through New England and New Brunswick! I hope it returns soon...

@Desmaad 3 жыл бұрын

Now I'm reminded of my last long-distance train trip back in 2015. How I wish I could take the train again.

@Byzantios1 3 жыл бұрын

My parents , like so many others, took that train ride to Montreal when they landed in Halifax from Europe.

@strykercm 3 жыл бұрын

I laughed at the brakeman on the ground lighting up a smoke, that's a real railroad man.

@jamesrea329 3 жыл бұрын

This might be the best “I took an excursion on a train” video I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot of them. Bravo! 👏👏👏

@andrewdeacon6785 3 жыл бұрын

We took this train from Halifax to Moncton in 1967 and I still remember walking past the curved end car before boarding, which we were not allowed to go into. Not much shown about Moncton but I did recognize the old Times and Transcript building (newspaper) as you crossed Main Street. Brought back many good memories - things like couldn't wait for the train to start moving, only to realize it already was. Or rolling through woodland and then suddenly 'floating' across a lake. Thanks!

@itorontoi 3 жыл бұрын

Consider that at that time of year Halifax is one of the few harbours on Canada's east coast that's ice free. The container ships are able to connect with the trains so running a lot of those made sense for the time of year.

@senorsoupe 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting thing about the Quebec bridge is that new Engineering graduates in Canada are presented with an Iron ring, said to be from metal from the first Quebec bridge that collapsed, as a reminder of ethical duties of engineering

@Gameflyer001 3 жыл бұрын

They do get an iron ring upon graduation, but it is in fact a popular myth that steel from the first Quebec Bridge was used to forge the initial batch.

@neilgoodman2885 3 жыл бұрын

Very nice glad to hear about it!

@paname514 3 жыл бұрын

Are engineering graduates in Canada taught that maintenance is key? For example, painting the bridge before it rusts too much and collapses? Just saying

@chrisjiang5121 3 жыл бұрын

@@paname514 As a civil engineering graduate with an iron ring, I would say we were taught that regular maintenance, among many other things such as good design and practicality considerations, is of course important!

@ThinkStory 3 жыл бұрын

Snowpiercer season 2 looking fire!

@NEXT300 3 жыл бұрын

around and around Canada we go, we can never stop, snowpierc- sorry the *ocean* , 14 cars long.

@tvaud 3 жыл бұрын

I have taken this train when visiting my parents in Maine back in the 80’s. Amtrak only went as far north as Boston, so I would take Amtrak from NYC to Montreal, change to Via. The train made a couple of whistle stops in Maine...in the middle of the night. I hated flying, so this was a great alternative. I had a sleeper, and remember how great the dining car was. Tablecloths, real cutlery and crystal which was a major upgrade from Amtrak. The food was surprisingly delicious. I enjoyed the experience.

@kaydiezee1913 3 жыл бұрын

Ive been on this train more than 10 times and had no idea of the "bullet lounge"! Fancy that!

@mayloo2137 3 жыл бұрын

For older people like myself, who can forget the story of Pierre Laporte and the FLQ crisis in the early 70s. So glad he was remembered. Edit Ah yes. That great sign when you're in Canada. Tim Horton's!

@elliesanders885 3 жыл бұрын

11:18 I believe that's what they call a "general merchandise" train. Or as the 1988 BR advert said "Girders for bridges, Plastic for fridges bricks for the site are required by tonight"

@darleneking5060 3 жыл бұрын

@Island_Line_Rail_Productions 3 жыл бұрын

nope..intermodal....general manifests are mixed freight

@PompeyJimmy 3 жыл бұрын

Good to see Jeb Brooks got a new position as the ticket agent at Halifax station! 😂

@landb3893 3 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed every second of this. A few years ago we rode the Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto in the sleeper car. Best Experience! Was so sad when the trip was over.... I must say though that the food on the Canadian was exceptional! Not a cheap trip but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks again, we will do this trip in the future.

@crinkle2649 3 жыл бұрын

I love those chairs from the 50s. They remind me of my childhood, though I'm not from the 50s, I'm from the 60s lol

@kaziu312 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, you won the lottery with this train ride. I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been to be in that viewing car with a snowy sunrise!

@MemeReviewer 3 жыл бұрын

I have been watching your videos for a while now, and I can say that they are very relaxing to watch.

@michaelrmurphy2734 3 жыл бұрын

Yep! Right there in the South End at the VIA station. The eastern end of the line in Canada. Awhile ago I had a very Canadian moment. The Ocean was head in to the station from Montreal. The engines were in high rev because they had been powered down to come slowly into the station. With the bell slow clanging and the train itself just ambling in! I never get over that!! No suprise. My uncle spent his life driving trains for the CNR. And his brother (my Dad) helped him with the exams to be hired for the Canadian National Railways. And Vincent Coleman, the great hero of the Halifax Explosion was their next door neighbour in the North End.

@davisbyer4791 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Paul! Someone has probably mentioned this already, but most of us call it "Via rail" not V-I-A. As in, I'm travelling via rail! 😉

@theglobalpeasant 3 жыл бұрын

taking the train during winter adds to the experience! Quite the historic route.

@whatever8282828 Жыл бұрын

I was delighted to see that everybody eating in the dining car gets chowder, no matter what! This train seems like a good idea!

@yourtravelswithbruce 3 жыл бұрын

One of your best videos LOVED IT.

@A.R.B.J. 3 жыл бұрын

That is a trip worth inclusion on anyone's bucket list.

@pamfulcher6037 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul from an ex Brit now living in Canada , great to see a video on the Canadian trains for a change. I live in Saskatoon and only get to see CN and CP freight trains with the odd VIA passenger train going to Vancouver from Toronto . Cheers mate 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚒🇨🇦

@skinnyshoes11halfAA 3 жыл бұрын

As a Florida native, seeing that amount of snow is mind boggling!

@KerrikkiLurgan 3 жыл бұрын

Sorry, but for a Canadian winter, that was not much snow. In January, the snow can pile up to 7 feet, mostly in the middle provinces.

@TheFauve4ever 3 жыл бұрын

My husband and I did this trip and we absolutely loved it! I’m looking forward to do it again. We took the the whole 1st class experience. Sleeper cabin all the meals included in the dining room car. It was bliss. I will definitely go back again.

@trotva 3 жыл бұрын

What a outstanding video. The content is always good Mr. Lucas, but the filming you do ! Fantastic.

@DouglasEdward84 3 жыл бұрын

I really love the train excursion videos, feel like i can soak in more of your voyage and the locales you are visiting.

@Oyvind1973 3 жыл бұрын

I took the Ocean Halifax-Montreal in January 2008 with my partner at the time - loved it. We then continued by train to Toronto and flew to Winnipeg. Love Canada, can't wait to return :-) Great trip report - as always.

@TimWilson666 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Paul. I did thiz journey (in reverse) with my girlfriend in 2016 and it was one of the most magnificent rail journeys we have ever done. It brings back such memories and I hope that we will be able to do other Via Rail journeys again in the future, once it is safe to do so.

@heathertruskinger6214 3 жыл бұрын

Wow...looks amazing Such a beautiful old train. Lovely to see such a train still running 🧡

@trackstar1322 3 жыл бұрын

nice to see your trips again..

@jamesstuart3346 3 жыл бұрын

Massive thanks for making this video in the winter -- probably our least appealing season. Still a fantastic ride!

@nataliekirhen42 3 жыл бұрын

I've taken this trip several times and I really miss it now that it's no longer running. Thank you for sharing this video with us. Brings back some nice memories.

@Welsh_Girl_UK 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent trip report as always Paul. Thank you 👍🏻

@debbiekerr3989 3 жыл бұрын

I can't wait for this pandemic to end this is one train trip I'd love to take! ! It looks like an amazing trip.

@debbiekerr3989 2 жыл бұрын

@RoadhogTime13 Thank you for sharing this important information with me. I still want to make this trip, and I'll wait until October.

@janbarber7807 3 жыл бұрын

One of the best,Paul.Keep it up!And the sublime photography!

@meroplankton266 3 жыл бұрын

I've done part of this trip a few times and this made me nostalgic, thanks for sharing.

@jwrarmstrong 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting sidebar. Following the fatal bridge collapse it became a tradition for Canadian engineers to wear an iron ring as a reminder of the gravity of their profession. The ring is said to be made the steel of the collapsed bridge. Every year, graduating Engineering students receive an Iron Ring at a private and voluntary "Ceremony of the Calling of an Engineer". The ceremony calls upon all Engineering graduates to uphold the principles of professionalism and to perform their work to the best of their ability. The first ceremony, also known as the Kipling Ritual, was held in 1925. Every year hundreds of practising and graduating engineers receive their ring at the ceremony which is closed to the public. In order to get your ring you must have graduated from an accredited Engineering program.

@thekidfromcleveland3944 3 жыл бұрын

Oh! You were on the verge of greatness. You were THIS close😂😂😂 I was hoping it was The Canadian but the Ocean is nice too.

@williamchristian8389 3 жыл бұрын

Paul I like this segment so much I have to watch it again. Keep up the Fantastic Work!!!

@randyschr 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your lovely video. Interesting note: Back in the mid 70s, and the again in the mid 80s, I had the pleasure of staying in one of the sleeper rooms in the park car. One trip was in the summer, and the other was a ski trip. Both were from Vancouver to Banff and they were the best train rides I have ever experienced. It looks like the sleeper rooms have been removed to make space for the small lounge that you showed. The car used to have a small bar, by the steps into the end part of the car. The observation deck was there, just as you showed it. Having our sleeper in that car was so cool because we had almost everything we needed in our car, except for meals. The whole trip was breathtaking both times. Thank you for bringing back those memories! Good luck on your future adventures.

@jonpatterson 3 жыл бұрын

Loved this video. I've taken the Ocean a number of times, always love the dome car. I literally laughed out loud at the Halifax and Truro station comparisons. Very accurate! Glad you enjoyed your trek down our little neck of the woods. You're welcome back anytime (post-pandemic).

@Sum_Guy 3 жыл бұрын

It's amazing how much content you had on hand

@deanthompson1156 3 жыл бұрын

Paul, viewing this in mid-December, it seems like so many years ago.No, no one with a mask on, few travel restrictions, and full food service in the dining car. I Hope VIA Rail can continue this service when we return to something that looks normal. The weather looked just as early in the month of March usually does in the northern climates. Thank you for the journey. Stay safe.

@rachelehrenberg9231 3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant, mate. My extended family arrived in Halifax from Europe in 1930 and some stayed while my parents moved to Montréal. No doubt aboard The Ocean. Thank you so much for this.

@WhoIsBillBrine 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! I've travelled this route many times since 1978 and loved every minute of it. Your video brought back some great memories to me.

@jamessmith6402 3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video you could almost feel the cold definitely one of your best 👍thanks Paul

@danielclooney6248 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent and fun video Paul. There is always something magical about eating on a train when the food looks as good as that.

@davidwinfield4948 2 жыл бұрын

These Videos 📹 for me are Like 👍 Reading 📚 a Good Book 📖 they have a Good Beginning a good Middle and a Good Ending 👍 Happy Days 🙂

@richardnei 3 жыл бұрын

An amazing rail journey through eastern Canada. Hopefully everything will get back normal operation in the future, when this have improved!

@bjornhansen79 3 жыл бұрын

what a beautiful journey 🙏❤️🙏

@videocritical 3 жыл бұрын

The choice of music at 14:20 is perfect. It suits the time of day and scenery, well done

@user-xy1lp8jx2h 3 ай бұрын

I love the Canadian passenger trains.Have traveled on VIA Rail's ocean from Halifax to Montreal in 1988. In 1985 I traveled from Montreal to Vancouver and back aboard the Canadian and the Super Continental.I love train travel in Canada.

@fuzzwork 3 жыл бұрын

The 3rd locomotive was definitely there for extra traction on wet rails. Via habitually adds an extra loco on long distance routes from Leaf-fall to spring

@maggieWeir 3 жыл бұрын

Great video very relaxing and quiet could actually hear the sound of the train thank you Paul

@michaelmacdonell4834 3 жыл бұрын

My Grandfather and one of my Great-Uncles, took that train, once each way, in 1912 ( Westbound) and 1914 (Eastbound) One of my stepfather's brothers also took that train, when he moved to Canada, raising a family in Calgary, Alberta. His son tells tales of the railroad as it was in the 60s, and how it slowly declined. I don't know ( although I can easily look it up) if Calgary has much of a railroad service, if any. He's also been asked to several old grain elevators, further south of the city, to rebuild/ replace engines that work the grain augers, as they are coming back into use, with more grain cars also entering service. This is yet another service I'll not be able to travel on, so thank you very much indeed, for showing it to us all.

@andersarre4949 3 жыл бұрын

Another great and informative video trip by Paul. Thank you!

@Leon-ic7ne 3 жыл бұрын

Nics to see new videos!

@Deanluvs2fly 3 жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoyed my hometown of Halifax!

@paulpaladino8324 3 жыл бұрын

In 2005 I took the Ocean from Montreal to Halifax and enjoyed your town greatly. Had the best fried fish ever there and rented a car to Lennenburg love Canada!

@johnmccarthy6686 3 жыл бұрын

Paul, love your videos and commentary. You have one of the most interesting channels on KZfaq, in my opinion. And this video is great. We live in Halifax, and although we’ve never taken the Ocean line, many years ago we occasionally took the “day liner” between Halifax and Saint John, New Brunswick. It was a treat, but was cancelled many years ago due to low ridership and profits. Sadly, the same thing had now happened to the Ocean. Due to the uncertainty brought about by COVID, Via Rail has suspended the service indefinitely, which means we may never see it again, unfortunately. So I’m really glad you got a chance to take this run and post another great video. Thanks and all the best!

@texleeger8973 3 жыл бұрын

Alas, being 70 and with COVID lurking for probably years to come, I will likely not ever again experience the mystique of travel (or any travel) by rail. Not VIA. Nor Amtrak. But this video is delightful and inspiring as related to history, geography, and sheer romance of rail. What is sad, however, is the emptiness of the train especially the usually joyful dining car. And with no VIA routes now running, the landscape and culture of Canada are bereft of the allure of a more relaxed, more gentile or at least it used to be mode of travel. Still we can dream. And we shall. PS Oh. My. God. The music, the sunrise, frigid cold, and snow. The 5AM venture to the observation car is emotionally overwhelming. Truly overwhelming for the autistic. Utterly beautiful. Tenderly ethereal. And tears. Thank you ever so much.

@gueerk 3 жыл бұрын

That looks amazing! It reminds me a bit of the Nordland line in Norway, with the wide snowy views and the same grey door cards, although those Norwegian trains could really do with ensuite bathrooms. I've added this trip to my bucket list for when travel is allowed again, thank you for another great trip report :)

@dragonfly8080808 3 жыл бұрын

Great episode Paul, in these sad and dark times it's good to see a n interesting journey full of history and interesting facts, thanks for sharing Paul D U.K.

@annesoper911 3 жыл бұрын

I have traveled this route as I live in Nova Scotia, in fact I went from Halifax to Vancouver in 1968 in a sleeper car on my honeymoon. The food and dining service were exceptional at this time. In the summer of 2019 shortly after my husband passed, I traveled from Toronto to Montreal first class, great trip. Thank you for showing our area, it looks much better in fall and summer. I sure hope we can resume train travel soon as I really love it, as well as cruising. Thank you.

@jakethepitador2558 3 жыл бұрын

I'm Canadian, and just so you know Paul, it's pronounced "VIA" rail, as in "I'm travelling from Halifax to Montreal via Nunavut!" Although "VIA" can be pronounced "V-Eye-Uh," we Canadians never say it like that, it's always "Vee-Uh" Rail! lol And definitely not "V. I. A."! as in "Vee. Eye. Ay." There, got that off my chest! It was driving me crazy! Lol Super awesome trip report though! 👍😁

@wilfstor3078 3 жыл бұрын

The Renaissance coaches were based off the BR Mark 4. The difference in loading gauges is probably my favorite thing about them.

@carlbusque1856 3 жыл бұрын

Great review, even learned some stuff even though I did this exact journey in reverse, 16 years ago!

@ittipolpan-ngum4477 3 жыл бұрын

The most beautiful empty train of your series, thankyou Paul! Much appreciated.

@benlahrman4149 3 жыл бұрын

Love to see these landship cruise trains. Much better and more comfortable then flying..... Much safer and makes me want to buy a train car house to live and travel in safety and comfort . Good choice of train as well. " The Ocean Express" is a wonderful choice, my old 6th grade teacher from english class never liked me bringing my train books to school but I managed to secure a nice job at a real working railway after school.

@mridul1608 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul for this amazing train trip report! Train voyage from Halifax to Montreal looked awesome! Keep it up man!

@janscattergood7294 3 жыл бұрын

Great to see a train video! Love the Geoff Marshall reference! 😂 Stay safe. x

@stntylr101 3 жыл бұрын

I rode the Ocean back in 2016. I went the whole way in coach. Still an enjoyable trip.

@steve-marsh 3 жыл бұрын

The best thing about North American trains - the view out the back! Could watch it for hours, as seen in my Amtrak video too!

@kepc9083 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this unique trip. Gorgeous wintry scenery! The Ocean is everything I’ve imagined a classic train to be. Wonderful! 🚈

@lewiscourtney5740 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Paul. Looked like a exacting train journey.

@caroljeanscott5571 3 жыл бұрын

I took the train from Halifax to London ON in 2018 and then in 2019 I took the train to Guelph ON. I love the train. It was a little busier in the summer of 2018 and the following year in the fall of 2019 when I made those trips back and forth on the trains. I have been across Canada but I want to go to make the trip by train. Once the pandemic is over that will be on my bucket list. When CN had their passenger trains, I went as far as Saskatoon.