The "Ocean" VIA Overnight Sleeper

Thank you very much for that advice. Could you tell me the name of the Junction Station where the line to Quebec City and the line to Halifax meet please. Regards Graeme - Melbourne Australia.

I believe the junction is at Matapédia, QC

Trainplanner wrote:Thank you very much for that advice. Could you tell me the name of the Junction Station where the line to Quebec City and the line to Halifax meet please. Regards Graeme - Melbourne Australia.

That would be West Junction.......just west of Joffre Yard on the line from Halifax and Charny on the line from Quebec City. The westbound Ocean pulls through West Junction and out onto the Chaudiere River Bridge then backs into Charny Station.

Try this link:

http://g.co/maps/ycwwj

Thanks everyone for your assistance. Graeme from Melbourne

On the topic of the Chaleur / Ocean, I was checking departure times from Riviere-du-Loup to Montreal for December 27th and a time of 2:20 am came up, from the VIA webpage, with a 7:55 am arrival in Montreal.

I had known the Ocean's arrival usually to be around 9 am and briefly wondered as to the time change......then I noticed the schedule of the Chaleur is posted for the above date.........Train # 617. From Moncton on Dec. 26th, The Ocean is showing many of the Cabins in Sleeper Class to be sold out, along with supersaver fares in economy.

Trainplanner, I'm envious. I haven't had a good long-distance train ride in over a year, with none scheduled. Enjoy your trip!

Is there always a park car on the ocean? Is it still possible to ride a classic bud consist on this route? I'm thinking of taking my gf on a Halifax montreal trip. And I want to have her ride in a dome car at the minimum. And hopefully a budd sleeper. Of course I know about the Canadian. Bit is very expensive. So I'm thinking about the ocean.

There is no “Park Car“ Dome Observation running in the off-season but there is a “Skyline Dome” at mid-train shared by coach and sleeper passengers when a Budd consist is operating. Only one of the three Renaissance consists has been replaced by a Budd for the winter. (VIA is upgrading the Renaissance consists to Barrier Free requirements (this is ADA to Americans) The Ocean returns to all Renaissance equipment in April.

For now: the best way to tell if a Budd consist is operating is to make a sample booking on VIA’s web page. If you have a range of sleeper accommodations such as Upper, Lower and Cabins for 1,2 or 3.......it will be a Budd. But if only "Cabins for 2" and "Cabins for 2 with shower" are available.......it will be Renaissance.

From mid-June to Thanksgiving (early October) a “Park Car“ Dome Observation” is attached to the end of a Renaissance consist in Sleeper Plus (Touring Class) service and in my opinion, the best time to ride the Ocean. You have the best of both worlds.......the Park Car for the view plus the modern Renaissance equipment.

I ride the Ocean often and personally will schedule my trip to avoid riding in a Budd equipped train.....I just find the Renns provide a much smoother and more comfortable ride. The Budds are getting old. They’ve had a recent upgrade of interior finishes but it’s been 20+ years since thay had a major rebuilding....... so lots of shakes and rattles!

Thanks for your assistance. I see that by careful planning, I can take her on the budd equipment. I am sure that the renaissance cars are nice, however, I want my gf to experience the magic of riding in the park car as the train rounds a curve. lol

I checked every day for the first two weeks of October. It appears that the park car operates on weekends with renaissance cars. I never saw availability for upper and lower births indicating budd equipment. So it looks like the best option would be to book in the renaissance cars and ride the dome.

How are the cabins for 2 without shower?

Thanks

steve4031 wrote:I checked every day for the first two weeks of October. It appears that the park car operates on weekends with renaissance cars. I never saw availability for upper and lower births indicating budd equipment. So it looks like the best option would be to book in the renaissance cars and ride the dome.

How are the cabins for 2 without shower?

Thanks

In October it will be only Renaissance equipment, indeed. The Budd set, if it returns next year, will only likely be brought back into service in early December. So if a Park car is operating on the Ren sets, that's your only dome option at that time.

As for the cabin for 2 without shower: The only difference between the cabin for 2 and the one with the shower is that, well...one has a shower. This is, however, not as dramatic of a difference as it sounds. The shower is just a showerhead mounted in the bathroom, such that the entire bathroom becomes the shower. Very efficient design. So your room with no shower is the same otherwise (dimensions, amenities, etc.) and still has a private bathroom, just no shower head.

I'm a frequent rider on the Ocean, and will personally choose a Budd set any day it is operating. As a coach passenger, the Budd is the easy choice...you then get a much more comfy seat (trust me, I've slept many nights in both Ren and Budd seats!), and access to the dome and nicer Skyline lounge. In the Ren, you only get the dome if you pay for Sleeper Plus. I have travelled in sleeper accommodations on both types of equipment, and still prefer the Budds. The Renaissance cars are very nice and modern, but I've always found them a little cramped (especially in the hallways!), and the beds don't come even close to comparing to the comfort of those in the Budd sleepers.

If you're going to travel in the Renaissance equipment, it's still a great trip, but I'd say the Sleeper plus upgrade to get Park car access is a must. I've done that particular combination a few times now, and always find myself spending most of the trip in the Park dome or lounge!

I think I'll book the park car. Hopefully I'll get a express deal on the Canadian. Then I can take her across the country for about 1100

VIA has added Skyline Domes to the Ocean for the winter.

Here's w/b #15 at Truro NS, Sunday Nov. 18, 2012.

6424 F40
6409 F40
7011 Baggage
7228 Coach
7222 Coach
70108 Accessible Coach
7303 Lounge/Service Car
7402 Diner
7313 Lounge/Service Car
79501 Accessible Sleeper
7519 Sleeper
7510 Sleeper
7503 Sleeper
7600 Transition Car
8500 Skyline Dome Lounge

That's very nice, I guess (I think I've seen one of those on the Montreal-Senneterre route about 13 years ago)

Question about the second pic... was that taken at the Halifax Station? Been 2 years since I've been there, but it does look like that station

NeoArashi wrote: Question about the second pic... was that taken at the Halifax Station? Been 2 years since I've been there, but it does look like that station

Truro NS.......64 miles west.