Canada Guide
Getting around
By train
The railway may have created modern Canada but, following swingeing cuts in the 1990s, passenger trains are now few and far between with the national carrier, VIA Rail ( 
1-888/842-7245, 
www.viarail.ca ), effectively reduced to a rump, though at least VIA services between Montréal and Toronto have remained speedy and efficient. That said, VIA Rail does still run several prestige routes through some of Canada's finest scenery, the long, thrice weekly haul between Toronto and Vancouver, the two-day journey from Jasper to Prince Rupert, and the excursion round Québec's Gaspé peninsula being the prime examples. There's always a choice of ticket on these flagship routes. The most basic (Comfort class) entitles passengers to a reclining seat and access to a public coffee lounge and dome car, but not much else, whereas top-of-the-rage tickets include meals in the restaurant car, access to comfortable lounges, hot showers and accommodation in either a bunk-bedded sleeper, a "roomette" for one, or a bedroom for two. For more information, check with VIA Rail or consult the incredibly useful, train-buffs' website, www.seat61.com .