| Links | Site Map | Contact |
| Seniors Directory |
| Arts & Entertainment |
| Retirement Housing |
| Finance |
| Wills & Estates |
| Leisure Activities |
| Travel |
| Health & Medical |
| TRAVEL
AND LEISURE
UNIQUE HERITAGE RAIL TOURS OF BC Wildlife, mountains, rivers, canyons, lakes, and plateaus – all are yours to experience on unique heritage rail excursions operated by West Coast Rail Tours in and around British Columbia in 2005. Two tours this year are very special as they utilize the former BC Rail line from the south coast to Prince George. The last regularly scheduled passenger trains ran on this route in October of 2002. A northbound tour in May and a southbound tour in October are scheduled. For photographers, the unique restored open observation car used for this trip allows unimpeded photo opportunities of the train, the scenery and the wildlife. The BC Rail route over which the train will operate has been called the most scenic in North America. Pulled by a 50-year-old fully restored vintage diesel locomotive, the train itself is unique as well. Air-conditioned reclining seat coaches are comfortable day passenger accommodation, with the open observation car available for all passengers to enjoy. There is always room to move about aboard trains so comfort and relaxation are a given. These two tours are the longest and perhaps most interesting of the many run by the organization, a subsidiary of the West Coast Railway Association. This group owns and operates the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, British Columbia. Another tour in the schedule features a day trip to ride the Spirit of Washington Dinner train for an onboard gourmet luncheon, followed by a winery tour in the Woodinville area. A ride on the trolleys in Seattle is followed by a return to Vancouver on the modern Amtrak “Cascades” train. A shorter afternoon rail excursion uses the West Coast Express train to Mission where an interpretive session and full course dinner is enjoyed at the Xa:Ytem Longhouse Interpretive centre. Excursions of 3, 4 and 5 days include the West Coast of Vancouver Island (Pacific Rim National Park), the Port Alberni Steam Railway and a steam-powered sawmill, the Sunshine Coast, The Chilcotin Region, Bella Coola, and the Okanagan Wine country. Most of these tours are by motorcoach with railway components such as the Kettle Valley Steam Railway and the Kamloops Historic Railway added where possible. For the first time this year a special weekly excursion to ride the White Pass and Yukon Route is being offered. This 3-day tour features flights to and from Whitehorse in the Yukon, a steam hauled day long excursion from Skagway, Alaska to Bennett, BC and a chance to soak up the history and majesty of this great land “north of 60”. By special arrangement West Coast Rail tours will also be offering a limited number of seats in day coaches pulled by CPR steam locomotive “Empress” #2816 on two itineraries on the Canadian Pacific Railway. The westbound stops from Calgary are Lake Louise, Revelstoke, Kamloops and Vancouver. The eastbound itinerary is more unique with stops in Kamloops, Golden, Cranbrook, Lethbridge and Calgary (via the Crowsnest Pass). Because West Coast Rail Tours is a registered travel agent they can also book airline tickets, package holidays, cruise-tours and similar services. Knowledgeable, experienced leaders who know the routes guide all tours. No matter which tour is chosen all guests will enjoy a relaxing pace, as the daytime scenery slides by their windows and evenings are spent in comfortable hotels. All are priced reasonably because this non-profit organization uses eager volunteers for the operation and guiding of the tours. Proceeds from these tours benefit the restoration of the world famous Royal Hudson #2860 steam locomotive. After having operated on the Vancouver to Squamish Royal Hudson Steam Train Excursion for over 25 years, this historic locomotive has been taken out of service and turned over to the West Coast Railway Association. The association is now raising funds to start a major rebuild to return it to steam again in the next year or so. Detailed itineraries of the entire program
are available for the asking. The Vancouver area phone number is
604-524-1011 or if you are calling from outside the area the toll-free
number is 1-800-722-1233. The e-mail address is tours@wcra.org
or visit the website at www.wcra.org
for good information. West Coast Rail Tours has operated specialty
rail tours in Western Canada and the Northwest for over 45 years.
|
 |
TRAVEL, TOURS & CRUISES ACCOMMODATIONS IN KA’AN BED & BREAKFAST ESCAPES.CA GROUP MEDICAL SERVICES B.C. HYDRO-POWER HOUSE AT BEST WESTERN KAMLOOPS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HEALTH & SNOWBIRD MEDI-QUOTE INC. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HEALTH & VIP HOLIDAYS FOR LESS TOURISM KAMLOOPS SOUTH CARIBOO TOURISM DELTA NORTH CONSTITUENCY OFFICE - GUY GENTNER
Sales: Address: Phone: Fax: |