The Canadian
The Canadian (French: Le Canadien) is a transcontinental passenger train operated by Via Rail with service between Union Station in Toronto, Ontario, and Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The westbound Canadian near Jasper, Alberta | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Intercity rail |
| Status | Active |
| Locale | Canada |
| Current operator(s) | Via Rail |
| Former operator(s) | Canadian Pacific |
| Ridership | 1,579 weekly (FY 2019) |
| Annual ridership | 82,135 (FY 2019) |
| Website | Via Rail - The Canadian |
| Route | |
| Termini | Toronto, Ontario Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Stops | 65 (55 on request only) |
| Distance travelled | 4,466 km (2,775 mi) |
| Average journey time | Westbound: 97 hours and 5 minutes Eastbound: 92 hours and 29 minutes |
| Service frequency | two trains per week in each direction off peak, one extra train per week between Edmonton and Vancouver on peak. |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Economy, Sleeper, Prestige |
| Disabled access | Yes |
| Seating arrangements | Coach seating |
| Sleeping arrangements | Berths, bedrooms for one, two or three |
| Catering facilities | Dining car, Skyline Cafe, take out, in-room service (Prestige Class only), bar |
| Observation facilities | Skyline car, park car, panoramic dome car (between Edmonton and Vancouver) |
| Entertainment facilities | Artists on Board Program, WiFi (coming in later 2017 in areas with cell coverage) |
| Baggage facilities | Checked baggage available at selected stations |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| Operating speed | 80 mph (130 km/h) (maximum) |
| Track owner(s) | |
| Timetable number(s) |
|
Before 1955, the Canadian was a Canadian Pacific (CP) train connecting the cities of Toronto and Chicago. Transcontinental service was provided on The Dominion.
On April 24, 1955, CP introduced its new transcontinental train between Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, the Canadian.
In 1978, Via Rail Canada acquired the service, and, on January 15, 1990, designated the Canadian as its sole transcontinental service, between Toronto and Vancouver. The new service replaced the former Super Continental CN flagship passenger service, and continues to run as of 2023 primarily over Canadian National tracks.