The more I fly, the more I love train trips.

It’s not just the rail world’s lack of airport security, cattle-car ambience and gut-wrenching turbulence, but also its sense of pomp and circumstance, its Old World civility. Stations are often grand old edifices where smartly uniformed porters will lug your overweight luggage and station staff might even lend a hand as you step up into your car. Read the full story

French-born executive chef Frederic Couton is at the helm of a five-star dining restaurant on wheels

A meal on the Rocky Mountaineer train is truly an experience like none other.

The coach alone can rival many of the city’s finest restaurants in terms of elegance, grace, comfort and style. The bi-level glass domed coach offers stunning panoramic views from the upper level and an intimate dining room setting. Read the full story

‘Near capacity’ opening weekend for Sea to Sky train
Whistler Mountaineer chugs into town under new name

Under the banner of a new name, the Whistler Mountaineer steamed its way to a near capacity opening weekend as it launched its summer season on May 14.

That “near capacity” weekend could be a sign of good things to come this summer for the re-branded “Rocky Mountaineer Whistler Sea to Sky Climb.” Read the full story

Rocky Mountaineer, owner and operator of the world-acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer train is pleased to announce its sponsorship of Kamloops, BC Speed Skater, Tori Spence through a continued partnership with BC’s Growing Champions. With a strong commitment to sustainable development and supporting the communities through which the train operates, it was a natural choice for Rocky Mountaineer to foster the ambitions of an athlete from Kamloops, one of the overnight stops along the two-day rail journey. The sponsorship will help Tori pursue her goal to qualify for the national team and represent Canada in the 2014 and 2018 Winter Games. Read the full story

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Some are calling the Rocky Mountaineer Alberta Train to Whistler during the Olympics a ‘marketing opportunity of a lifetime.’

Sandy Best with the The Lake Louise Ski Area says the our provincial government turned down an offer to run a train like this because of the costs. “At the end of the day, all of the world’s media and decision makers for travel are getting on an Albertan train to ride to a B.C. venue. And after they have enjoyed Whistler don’t get me wrong, its a killer mountain - awesome - can’t take away what they are doing, but the first thing they see in the morning and the last thing they see at night is Alberta.”

He also has been promoting tourism every step of the way. “The president of Mexicana Airlines is onboard. I would have to cut my right leg off, sell my children, do something insane, just to get 15 minutes with him. Here he is on the train, he is enjoying the scenery, Alberta food, Alberta hospitality; I get a chance to get to know him.”

Despite this, Best says the government of Alberta was criticized for spending the money to run this $7 million luxury train. For more information, take a look here.

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Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

Alberta spent $14 million promoting itself at the Vancouver Olympics, but officials say the money was well spent and predict it will attract enough business to the province to recoup the full amount several times over.

Cindy Ady, minister of tourism, parks and recreation, said Tuesday that the money the province spent on the three-year promotional campaign will be more than recouped through new business and tourism deals for Alberta. Read the full story