The Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer heads west along the Bow River. Buy this print

The Rocky Mountaineer trains are operated by the Great Canadian Railtour Company (GCRC).

History

The original Rocky Mountaineer was operated by VIA Rail through the Rocky Mountains as a daylight train. In 1990, this train and route was privatized. The first private Rocky Mountaineer departed on May 27, 1990.

In 1995, the Gold Leaf service was inaugurated, adding a higher level of service.

Two new routes were added in 2006: the “Whistler Sea to Sky Climb” (Vancouver to Whistler) and the “Rainforest to Gold Rush” (Whistler to Jasper).

In 2012 the SilverLeaf service was introduced.

The newest route, Coastal Passage, was introduced in 2013 between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Rocky Mountaineer train arrives in Banff, Alberta.

Routes

In 2018 there are four routes offered by the Rocky Mountaineer:

  • First Passage to the West – Vancouver, BC to Banff, AB (via Kamloops and Lake Louise)
  • Journey Through the Clouds – Vancouver, BC to Jasper, AB (via Kamloops)
  • Rainforest to Gold Rush – Vancouver, BC to Jasper, AB (via Whistler and Quesnel)
  • Coastal Passage – Seattle, WA to Vancouver, BC
The Rock Mountaineer train crossing the South Thompson River bridge in Kamloops, British Columbia.
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Service Levels

There are two service levels available on Rocky Mountaineer trains: SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf. The SilverLeaf service (introduced in 2011) is on board a single level domed coach, while the GoldLeaf service is provided on a bilevel glass-roofed coach.

The original RedLeaf service was last operated in 2015. It was provided on former VIA Rail coaches and was replaced by SilverLeaf service.

See Also

Back to Passenger Trains