The
Trans-Canadian Steam Express
May 10-31, 2004
Running from 10th 31st May 2004, the train will run from Vancouver, through the stunning scenery of the snow-capped Canadian Rockies, across the Prairies to the dramatic Canadian Shield, the Great Lakes, Toronto, Niagara Falls and ending in Montreal. This once in a lifetime trip promises to be spectacular from start to finish.
The Royal Canadian Pacific consists of 11 cars for just 32 guests in a combination of double, twin and single staterooms. The train will be hauled throughout the 3,042 mile journey by Canadian Pacific's Heritage steam locomotive number 2816 Empress, recently fully restored to its original grandeur.
The train will stop every night in a quiet location, and an exciting sightseeing and cultural program is included. Exclusive Royal Canadian Pacific visits have been arranged in Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Kamloops, Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Regina, Winnipeg, Kenora, Thunder Bay, Marathon, Georgian Bay, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Smiths Falls and Montreal.
It has been 40 years since the Canadian Pacific Railway last ran a Trans-Continental passenger service train and 50 years since one was steam-hauled. Join us in May 2004 to be one of the very few to enjoy this unique and historic experience in perfect Canadian spring weather.
TRANS-CANADIAN STEAM EXPRESS
Itinerary
Monday,
May 10: Vancouver
Independent arrival in Vancouver. Limousines will meet all guests
arriving at Vancouver airport and take them to the five-star
Fairmont Waterside Hotel for the welcome dinner with our fellow
passengers. We will spend two nights at the Fairmont. Should
you wish to arrive earlier in Vancouver, extra nights can be
booked at the Fairmont.
Tuesday,
May 11: Vancouver Island
After breakfast transfer by private seaplanes from the waterfront
to Vancouver Island. Free time to explore Victoria, the island's
main city and provincial capital of British Columbia, before
having brunch at the imposing Empress Hotel overlooking the inner
harbor. After brunch we will visit the world famous Butchart
Gardens before flying back via the rugged coastline north of
Vancouver. Evening reception in the restored Canadian Pacific
Terminal (alas, no longer a working station) before dinner at
the Fairmont Hotel.
Wednesday,
May 12: Vancouver - Kamloops
On waking you may glimpse the Royal Canadian Pacific arriving
at the waterfront station to await our departure after breakfast.
The hotel staff will take your luggage directly to your Stateroom
on the train. At 8 a.m. our small group will be escorted from
the Hotel to the steps of the Royal Canadian Pacific train. Waiting
to welcome us aboard will be the fine RCP brigade set to look
after us for almost 3 weeks.
Simmering at the head of the maroon carriages of the Royal Canadian
Pacific will be the pride of Canadian Pacific's fleet: newly
restored Hudson 4-6-4 number 2816 'Empress'. With driver Bill
Stetler at the controls and its immaculate maroon, grey and gold
livery sparkling in the sunshine, 2816 will be prepared to head
the first CP trans-continental passenger train in over 30 years.
At 9 a.m., 2816 will gently ease the 11-car Royal Canadian Pacific train out of Vancouver, bound for Montreal over 3,000 miles distant. As we thread our way out of Vancouver, we will be following the shoreline of Burrard Inlet with the mountains and North Vancouver across the water. After about 20 miles we come to the lower Fraser Valley and start our long climb into the Rockies. The stunning views will continue through our first lunch on the train. Mid-afternoon we leave the Fraser Canyon and follow the Thompson River Canyon to Kamloops, our stop for the night.
Thursday,
May 13: Kamloops - Revelstoke
This morning we have arranged an excursion with the "Spirit
of Kamloops" heritage train and Canadian Northern 2-8-0
number 2141, which will take us along the South Thompson River
and on past the 5,750-ft. Mt. Tuktakamin to the small city of
Armstrong, nestled in the Spallumcheen Valley. We return to Kamloops
in time for a pre-lunch drink on the open observation platform
as the Royal Canadian Pacific restarts its journey into the Rockies.
At Craigellachie we pass the spot where the last spike was driven
to complete the Trans-Continental rail link on November 7, 1885,
and late afternoon pull into the old railway town of Revelstoke.
Friday,
May 14: Revelstoke - Banff
Leaving Revelstoke before breakfast, the grades get steeper as
we head up through the Rogers Pass (4,320 feet) in Glacier National
Park (it contains an amazing 430 glaciers) and stop at Golden
to load fuel before we start our final ascent to the summit of
the Rocky Mountains. Between Field, Lake Louise, and Banff you
will experience the incredibly beautiful scenery of the Canadian
Rockies. Leaving Field the grades are now tortuously uphill and
the wheels will be squealing as we follow the Kicking Horse River
towards two spiral tunnels on the climb to Lake Wapta, encountering
a marvel of engineering along the way: two spiral tunnels built
by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1908.
We enter the Province of Alberta and cross the Continental divide,
changing to Mountain Time, and start our gentle descent towards
Lake Louise and Banff. We will stop briefly in Lake Louise to
pick up Bruce Bembridge, Fairmont Hotel's resident naturalist.
We arrive in Banff late afternoon in time for a stroll around
this interesting town located in Canada's first National Park.
Saturday,
May 15: Banff - Calgary
Today Bruce Bembridge will lead an interpretative tour in this
area of outstanding natural beauty. After an early breakfast
we will leave for Peyto Lake, a remarkable Glacial Lake on the
Icefields Parkway and the Athabasca Glacier which comes almost
down to the road. Lunch today will be at Chateau Lake Louise,
situated at the head of Lake Louise facing the 11,250-ft. Mount
Victoria from which the noise of cracking glaciers can often
be heard as huge chunks of ice crash into the lake. We return
to the train for dinner as we continue our journey to Calgary
where we arrive at the CPR Pavilion and transfer to the Fairmont
Palliser hotel for two nights.
Sunday, May 16: Calgary
After breakfast in the Rimrock Room we will visit Spruce Meadows,
one of the world's leading equestrian centers. Lunch will be
at a private residence. Free afternoon to explore Calgary, site
of the XV Olympic Winter Games in 1988 and home of The Greatest
Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede. You may choose to
join an organized tour that includes the old Fort and Canada
Olympic Park, as well as the headquarters of Canadian Pacific
Railway, with its large screens displaying the entire North American
CPR network. Dinner this evening will be at one of Calgary's
finest restaurants reserved for our exclusive use.
Monday,
May 17: Calgary Medicine Hat
From Calgary we now enter the Prairies-over 1,200 miles before
we reach the Great Lakes. We leave from the Calgary at 9 a.m.
and stop in Medicine Hat after lunch. The town was formed in
1883 during the construction of the railway but gained importance
when natural gas, which still lights the streetlights, was discovered.
Today the town is a center for grain shipments and has many grain
elevators. We have made special arrangements to be transported
to the top of one of them in the workmen's elevator, for a magnificent
view over the Prairies.
Tuesday,
May 18: Medcine Hat - Regina
A long day on the train as we pass through such evocatively named
settlements as Swift Current and Moose Jaw. Early evening we
will pull into Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan. We will have
a short tour of the town including the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police Museum.
Wednesday, May 19:
Regina - Winnipeg
"Empress" races eastward as we continue to cross the
Canadian Prairies, moving to Central Time as we enter Manitoba.
After dinner we will arrive in Winnipeg.
Thursday,
May 20: Winnipeg
A full day off the train in Manitoba's capital city. Our morning
tour of the town will include a visit to the Canada Wheat Board
Headquarters and a trip out to Hammock Marshes, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Lunch at the impressive Fort Garry Hotel. Afternoon
visit to the Museum of Man and Nature and a cruise on the Red
River. Return to the train for dinner. For golfers we can offer
a day of world-class golf at the stunning Links at Quarry Oaks.
Train enthusiasts can visit the Prairie Dog Central Railway for
a trip behind their 1883 Glasgow built 4-4-0 steam locomotive.
Friday,
May 21: Winnipeg Dryden
A relaxing day on the train. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are
served on board as we continue our journey eastwards, passing
into Ontario and arriving in Dryden mid-afternoon. Enjoy a trip
to Kenora, Lake of the Woods, for a tour and trip aboard the
historic Grace Anne II yacht.
Saturday,
May 22: Dryden Thunder Bay
Our last day crossing the Prairies. As small lakes start to appear,
watch out for moose, bear and bald eagles. Mid-afternoon we arrive
in Thunder Bay on the shore of Lake Superior. Thunder Bay is
one of Canada's largest ports with docks and grain elevators
covering over 25 miles of shoreline.
Sunday,
May 23: Thunder Bay Marathon
Scenic travel along Lake Superior's shores to Marathon, where
we will enjoy an informative guided tour of the "Golden
Giant" gold mine.
Monday,
May 24: Marathon Chapleau
We leave the stunning scenery of Lake Superior and venture eastward
over the rugged Canadian Shield, stopping overnight in Chapleau.
Tuesday,
May 25: Chapleau Parry Sound
Turning southeast we continue our journey towards Georgian Bay
on Lake Huron. On the way we will pause in Sudbury for a private
tour of the one of the world's largest and most productive nickel
mines. The train will stop for overnight in Parry Sound.
Wednesday,
May 26: Georgian Bay, Parry Sound Toronto
This morning we will take a cruise on captivating Georgian Bay,
home to a reputed 30,000 islands. Enjoy lunch on board as we
head for Toronto, Ontario's capital city on the shores of Lake
Ontario.
Thursday,
May 27: Toronto/Niagara Falls
A thrilling boat ride on The Maid of The Mist takes you within
200 feet of the base of world-famous Niagara Falls. Lunch at
Queen's Landing at Niagara-on-the-Lake and wine tasting at Inniskillin's
Brae Burn Estate Winery. Dinner on the train.
Friday,
May 28: Toronto Smiths Falls
We leave along the shore of Lake Ontario stopping at Smiths Falls
in mid-afternoon. A private tour of the Hershey Chocolate Factory
at Smith Falls has been arranged, followed by a light dinner
on the train.
Saturday,
May 29: Smiths Falls Montreal
The last leg of our journey takes us over the provincial border
into Quebec and, just after lunch, our 3,000 mile journey ends
upon arrival in Montreal. Here we will bid farewell to the train
and transfer to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel for two nights.
Sunday,
May 30: Montreal
Today we will tour the many sights of this cosmopolitan French
city, including Old Montreal (Vieux Montréal), the Saint
Lambert Lock on the St Laurence Seaway and the Canadian Pacific
Railway archives at Windsor station, the original headquarters
of the Railway. Lunch at Parc des Iles, site of the 1967 World's
Fair. A Farewell Dinner at the Queen Elizabeth hotel will bring
to an end our extraordinary tour across the vast expanse of Canada,
but the memory will last forever.
Monday,
May 31: Montreal
Limousines will take passengers to Montreal Airport for flight
connections throughout the day.
FARES (In
US$)
State Room (Double or Twin): $26,000 per person
State Room (Single Occupancy): $29,000 per person
The Royal
Canadian Pacific
The Royal Canadian Pacific is the most luxurious train in North
America. For just 32 guests, it comprises 11 cars that were built
between 1917 and 1930 as business cars and used by the directors
of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Many distinguished patrons have
enjoyed the comfort of these luxury cars, including Winston Churchill,
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Franklin Roosevelt, Bill
Gates and George Lucas. All cars were completely refurbished,
re-entering service as the Royal Canadian Pacific.
The train
composition is as follows:
Locomotive 2816 'Empress'
Heritage diesel units
Power Car
Staff car 'Lacombe'
Staff Car 'Mount Royal'
Staff Car 'Killarney'
Royal Sleeper (3 Twin & 3 Single staterooms)
Sleeping Car 'N.R. Crump' (4 Twin & 2 Single Staterooms)
Sleeping Car-Lounge 'Strathcona' (2 Double & 1 Single Staterooms)
Sleeping Car-Lounge 'Van Horne' (2 Double Staterooms)
Sleeping Car-Lounge 'Royal Wentworth' (2 Double Staterooms)
Royal Dining Car
Lounge-Observation Car 'Mount Stephen'
2816 'Empress'
Our train is scheduled to he hauled throughout by CPR's recently
restored Hudson type 4-6-4 Class H1b number 2816, built at Montreal
Locomotive Works in 1930. For operational insurance we are also
taking an auxiliary locomotive tender and CPR's heritage diesel
set that hauled the Canadian in the 1950s. The diesels will be
coupled behind the steam locomotive but will only be used if
necessary.
THE TOUR INCLUDES
- Reserved accommodation on the Royal Canadian Pacific.
- All meals from dinner on May 10th to breakfast on May 31st.
- All transfers.
- Cultural and sightseeing program as outlined in the itinerary.
- Steam program as outlined.
- Insurance
- The services of GW Travel, RCP and CPR representatives throughout
the tour.
THE TOUR
DOES NOT INCLUDE
Charges of a personal nature at the hotels (laundry, telephone,
bar accounts etc.).
Vaccination or Medical Costs.
Air or rail tickets to Vancouver or from Montreal
BOOKINGS
Bookings should be accompanied by a US$2,500 deposit per person,
which is only refundable in the event that the tour does not
run or that there is a major change to the itinerary (a major
change would involve a change of departure date or a substantial
change to the route). Minor route changes are possible once final
negotiations are completed and, if significant, would be reflected
in an adjustment to the tour price. A further US$10,000 per person
will be required on or before 10th November 2003 and the balance
on or before 10th March 2004.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE
Although the arrangements for this tour include steam haulage
throughout our journey, GW Travel wishes to make it clear that
no guarantee is given that 100% steam haulage will be provided
where indicated. Further, no refunds will be made if for operational,
mechanical or other reasons beyond our control, steam traction
is not provided along the entire route or if any of the town
tours have to be dropped or curtailed in order to maintain our
overall schedule.
Please call us with
questions, bookings:
800-IRT-4881
www.irtsociety.com
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