Quote:
Originally Posted by Aylmer
I read somewhere that the Canadian used to wait for the Montreal-Toronto night train when it was delayed.
On a related note, I wish VIA ran overnight services. Daytime train service is only really practical if the trip is under 3-4h or 400-500km.......
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It's was 20 years ago last month that VIA launched it's new 'Enterprise' to give overnight train service between Montreal and Toronto another try....10 years after the original 'Cavalier' had been discontinued. It seemed like the perfect market for an overnight train: 340 miles apart but it just didn't work.
The Enterprise was one train VIA did give a good try. It was extensively advertised but there just didn't seem to be a market for overnight train travel anymore in the corridor. With fast day trains each-way....people just wanted to be home in their own beds at night. Not in a hotel room....let alone a sleeper. It lasted about 5 years.
I received discount coupons while travelling in VIA-1 (daytime first class....now called Business Class) for a sleeper one-way and return by fast afternoon train but it just didn’t work for most. The only times the trains were full was on Fri and Sun evenings and that was mostly in the coaches. On days the Enterprise connected with the Canadian....you did have a few more in the sleepers, but not many. For awhile VIA ran a 'Park Car' on the end and the times I rode the Enterprise....I always met one or two other railfans there also enjoying the nostalgia of overnight train travel.
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