VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Rail excursion operator Rocky Mountaineer has rerouted passengers booked for its two itineraries that formerly terminated or originated in Jasper, Alberta, for the rest of the 2024 tour season. Meanwhile, VIA Rail Canada’s Canadian departing Toronto on Aug. 7 is tentatively slated to be the first train to pass through Jasper.
Rocky Mountaineer spokeswoman Nicole Ford tells Trains News Wire that “Rainforest to Gold Rush” excursions operating on former BC Rail tracks will continue run between North Vancouver and Quesnel, B.C., but “First Passage to the West” Kamloops-Banff trains over CPKC are substituting for the Quesnel-Jasper portion via Prince George, B.C. There is no scheduled VIA Rail Canada passenger service on either of these segments.
“Passengers will still have three days on the train; they will motor coach with commentary and a lunch stop between Quesnel and the Sun Peaks mountain resort outside of Kamloops,” she says.
“Journey Through the Clouds” Vancouver-Kamloops-Jasper patrons are also being offered the Kamloops-Banff option. Separate trains to and from Jasper and Banff often combine for the Kamloops-Vancouver, B.C. daytime run; now the long trains will operate over the entire two-day trip.
The historic Canadian National station at Jasper where both Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail Canada’s Canadian and Prince George-Prince Rupert trains call was not damaged but photos released last week by Parks Canada reveal extensive destruction of the town’s housing and commercial buildings.
“We know we won’t be able to operate to Jasper in the foreseeable future, but our focus is giving our guests the experience they are looking for,” says Ford. “When Jasper is able to welcome visitors, we will bring our trains back.”
VIA’s plans still tentative
Canadian National freight traffic is flowing through the area [see “CN operations bounce back …,” News Wire, July 30, 2024] but crew changes and servicing has not resumed at Jasper. On Saturday, VIA announced in a service disruption advisory on its website that the westbound Canadian leaving Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 7, will depart as scheduled, with the disclaimer, “However, in the event we cannot guarantee safe operation, this train might be cancelled before departure or while en route, without an offer of alternate transportation.”
The train normally undergoes fueling, inspection, and exterior washing at Jasper, so a determination must be made whether those functions can resume there or need to be transferred to another suitable location.
VIA’s advisory did say that the Jasper-Prince George-Prince Rupert remote service train formerly known as Skeena won’t return to Jasper until at least Aug. 31, but continues to serve communities between Prince George and Prince Rupert.
Rocky Mountaineer’s Ford says its two operating Canadian itineraries and “Rockies to the Red Rocks” between Denver, Glenwood Springs, Colo., and Moab, Utah, still have availability for the remainder of the 2024 season; the latest service updates can be found on the company website.
“Our current plan is to continue offering the three Canadian routes and “Rockies to the Red Rocks” for 2025, explains Ford. “We are exploring options to build on what we currently have in the U.S. southwest region,” she adds.
