As Calgary’s glass towers disappear into the distance, prairie gives way to rolling foothills and the Rocky Mountains take over the landscape, I stand on the back of Canadian Pacific Railway’s Mount Stephen car on the same platform where world leaders and royalty once perched.

The distinctive black-topped maroon passenger car, built in 1926 for $72,522, is outfitted with leather armchairs and plush couches, and is where, according to CP lore, Winston Churchill, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Mackenzie King talked strategy before the Quebec Conference in 1943 when the Allies plotted the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France. On the walls hang pictures of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their 1939 Canadian tour, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh during their coast-to-coast trek in 1951, as well as Churchill with King on that historic ride, each person standing in the same place I have settled in.

On this excursion, three diesel locomotives power the 12-car train, which includes a recently completed museum car that tells the 128-year-old story of CP, and its inseparable link to the development of Canada as a nation. We are bound for Field, B.C., 220 kilometres west, in Yoho National Park or, more chiefly, the Spiral Tunnels carved through the indefatigable Kicking Horse Pass. Construction of the Spiral Tunnels is credited with helping goods and people move more quickly – and safely – across the spine of the continent.

“In the railway industry, it’s known as the holy place of railroading,” says Doug Welsh, a retired 33-year veteran of CP, who is along for the ride.

When British Columbia joined Confederation in 1871, it was on the condition that prime minister John A. Macdonald agreed to tie it by rail to the rest of fledgling country. CP plugged away at the project, but faced a significant challenge on the steep western slope of the Rockies. The railway could have found an easier route by looking farther north, but it didn’t want to chance abandoning territory to tenacious American railroaders to the south.

Under pressure to complete the transcontinental railway, CP was excused from the railway rule of track that the grade not exceed 2.2 per cent. Trains were not supposed to climb or descend more than 2.2 feet for every 100 feet of track (the railway still operates exclusively in imperial measures), but CP would be allowed a 4.5-per-cent grade. What was supposed to be a temporary fix, which was completed in 1884 and became known as Big Hill, lasted 25 years.
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By Dan Walton, Globe and Mail, >>> continue reading

Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

The province of Alberta is full steam ahead in its preparations for the 2010 Games.

In addition to renting six luxury dome cars on the Rocky Mountaineer to shuttle guests between Vancouver and Whistler, the province will also have a home base in each location for its guests.

And so the clubhouse of the Whistler Golf Club will be transformed into a mini Alberta House of sorts – a business/hospitality centre where guests of Alberta can gather after a day in Whistler before getting back on the train and enjoying a five-course meal on the way to back to Vancouver.

“It’s a VIP experience,” said Russ Tynan, executive director of Alberta’s Olympic and Paralympic Secretariat, created over one year ago. “That’s what we’ve touted it to be. It’s about business development.

“This is about businesses and colleagues needing to connect with the right people and establishing long-term relationships, and how better to do that than… attending a world class celebration in a great place.”

Tynan explained that the province readily jumped on board with plans for 2010 after an official invitation from B.C. and Olympic organizers. The invitation was extended across Canada.

Alberta, however, has the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics under its belt and understands what kind of benefits can come from being a part of 2010.

“We’ve been fortunate,” said Tynan. “We were given the opportunity 20 some odd years ago to host the Olympics and we understand how the world’s attention will shift and so we know that invitation we got is pretty magical and pretty special and so we’re not going waste it.”

The province has committed $6.6 million in new funds for the program. Other funding will come from existing programs.

The world will know the province is at the Games as the train will be wrapped in messaging with the name “Alberta” as it travels through Sea to Sky country.

The top of the line Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service dome cars and lounge cars will be used for the occasion.

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By Alison Taylor, Pique Newsmagazine, >>> continue reading

Railway Map Guide:British Columbia & Canadian Rockies

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (July, 2009) – Rocky Mountaineer is proud to announce that two of its rail journeys have been selected by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) as the most exciting and scenic train experiences in the world. SATW, the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers with members in the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia, recently conducted a poll on the “Top 10″ train rides. Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer took the number one spot along with the Whistler Mountaineer, coming in at number eight.
“It is truly an honour for our Rocky Mountaineer train to be recognized and singled-out as the best in the world by SATW, a prestigious organization with members who are highly respected for providing expert travel advice,” says Randy Powell, President of Rocky Mountaineer. “Having both of our trains selected in the “Top 10″ is an amazing acknowledgement and gives us further indication that we are providing our guests with premier travel experiences.”

Both the Rocky Mountaineer and the Whistler Mountaineer trains continue to delight international writers, editors and producers alike, offering an exceptional onboard experience, sumptuous Western Canadian cuisine and stunning views that only the British Columbia coast, interior and Canadian Rockies can deliver.

The Society of American Travel Writers, comprised of more than 1,300 writers, photographers, journalists, film producers and public relations professionals, aims to promote responsible journalism and encourages the conservation and preservation of historic sites and natural wonders worldwide. Holding several travel related opinion surveys each year, this talented and respected group provides insight and expertise on destinations and attractions across the globe.

Rocky Mountaineer offers unique Canadian vacation packages and four spectacular rail routes through British Columbia and Alberta. Best known for the internationally-acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer train, a two-day, all daylight rail journey through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies, the company also offers trips onboard the Whistler Mountaineer train, a daily three-hour experience between North Vancouver and Whistler, BC. Since its inception in 1990, the company has grown to become the largest privately owned passenger rail service in North America and welcomed its one millionth guest in 2008. Rocky Mountaineer has been honoured with three World Travel Awards as “World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train” and was recently named by National Geographic as one of the “World’s Greatest Trips.”
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For more info, visit  >>> Rocky Mountaineer
For more info, visit >>> Whistler Mountaineer

A perky brunette’s quest to find the sweetheart of her dreams on an American reality television show could translate into a multimillion dollar windfall for Alberta’s struggling tourism industry.

On tonight’s episode of The Bachelorette, Vancouver interior designer Jillian Harris rides the rails aboard the Rocky Mountaineer to Lake Louise and Banff, where the iconic scenery will share prime-time exposure with a bevy of hunky contestants.

Fans can expect to see Harris nosh on fondue in Lake Louise and frolic on the region’s famed alpine slope before heading to Banff, where one of her suitors will be handed a rose and eliminated from the game in the Cascade Ballroom of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

It’s the sort of exposure money can’t buy, say local tourism officials, who hope the show will bring awareness to Alberta at a time when bookings are down during the normally busy peak summer season.

“That kind of endorsement is critical in our economy today,” said Lori Bayne, a spokeswoman for Banff-Lake Louise Tourism.

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By Tamara Gignac, Calgary Herald, >>> continue reading

Thought to be the only train in the world with a lift, the Rocky Mountaineer is best known for its two-day all-daylight journeys through the Canadian Rockies.

For the first time, beginning this month, the Rocky Mountaineer is offering five escorted rail tours of six to 11 days. Aimed at those who want to travel in a group with a tour guide, guests will have exclusive access on board to two coaches.

And while the escorted tours are all-daylight affairs to best take in the surrounding scenery, guests decamp to hotels at destinations including Banff, Lake Louise, Calgary and Whistler overnight. Travel is in the top-flight Gold Leaf carriages and includes food, welcome dinners, tour guide, excursions and the opportunity to participate in on-board programs.

The Rocky Mountaineer runs for six months on four different scenic routes from mid-April to mid-October.

Prices for the shortest tour, the Escorted Rockies Highlights, a six-day package departing April 25 until October 5, one from $C2539 ($2948), twin share.

The 11-day Escorted Rockies Circle program costs $C5249, twin share.

See rockymountaineer.com.

by Kay O’Sullivan, WAToday.com.au

Australians have climbed its way to the top for Rocky Mountaineer Vacations becoming their second largest source market, outside of America in the past 12 months, pushing the European market down a notch to third place.

Making a brief visit to Sydney this week, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations President, Randy Powell along with Vice President Sales Bob Nicholas and Director of Sales, Susan Labentsoff said the Australian market was one of key importance to the rail company, which celebrates its 20th season in April 2009.

“Australia is a number one market for brand awareness and clientele for us,” Mr Powell said.

“Rocky Mountaineer is an iconic brand around the world, and has been voted best travel by train for 3 years in a row.”

Mr Powell said that although they receive a high percentage of Australian visitors following either pre or post Alaskan cruises, the product itself is a main driver of travellers to Canada.

“When people want to come to Canada, it’s the beauty of the Rocky’s that they are attracted to,” he said.

“It is highly scenic and no better way to view it as a soft-adventure. It wraps up an entire scenic and social experience.”

New products for 2009 include the addition of new Escorted Rail Tours, with themes ranging from nature, wine, history and photography, which Mr Powell describes as “the Mercedes of products”.

The escorted tours are operated from a refurbished new dome and adjacent lounge area exclusive to the group.