Rocky Mountains Steam Express
Saturday 27th September to Saturday 11th October 2008
Our tour commences in Calgary for our two week steam hauled rail cruise of over 1,500 miles through the very heart of the Rockies enjoying breathtaking views of Canada’s most spectacular scenery. We stay in Vancouver for two days giving plenty of time to explore this magnificent city. The star of the show will be our steam locomotive, Hudson 4-6-4 No 2816 named Empress, which hauls our train throughout its journey. It was built in 1930 and taken out of service almost fifty years ago but Canadian Pacific brought it back into service in 2001.
As befits such a powerful and magnificent locomotive, 2816 has its own train, a set of comfortable day coaches with large picture windows to give a great view of the surrounding countryside, and a café bar serving refreshments. For those who want an even more spectacular experience we offer a superb full-length vista dome car and rear end Sky-top lounge that allow an unparalleled view of the mountain scenery, river canyons and wide prairies that we travel through.
As befits such a powerful and magnificent locomotive, 2816 has its own train, a set of comfortable day coaches with large picture windows to give a great view of the surrounding countryside, and a café bar serving refreshments. For those who want an even more spectacular experience we offer a superb full-length vista dome car and rear end Sky-top lounge that allow an unparalleled view of the mountain scenery, river canyons and wide prairies that we travel through.
Saturday 27th September
Fly to Calgary
We take a morning scheduled flight from Heathrow to Calgary. On arrival, we check into the Fairmont Palliser Hotel. This evening we have a welcome dinner. (D)
Sunday 28th September
To Lake Louise
Our steam train departs from the old Canadian Pacific Railway Pavilion in Calgary for Banff where there is a stop for us to explore and have lunch. The train continues to Lake Louise but there is an option to go in a road coach to photograph the train climbing through the spectacular scenery at Morant’s Curve with the Rockies as a backdrop. We spend two nights in this fabulous area, at a first class hotel in the Banff National Park. (B D)
Monday 29th September
The IceFields Parkway
Today we take the Icefields Parkway, considered one of the most scenic highways in the world, offering ever-changing views of waterfalls, emerald lakes, alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks. At the boundary of the Banff and Jasper National Parks lies the Columbia Icefield. It has eight major glaciers including the Dome and Stutfield Glaciers, and we should be able to stand on the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. On the way back to our hotel we will visit the stunning Chateau Lake Louise, situated at the head of Lake Louise, facing the 11,250ft Mount Victoria. (B)
Tuesday 30th September
Through the Rockies
On leaving Lake Louise our locomotive starts the steepest part of its climb through the Rockies.
On reaching the Continental Divide, we pass from Alberta into British Columbia and then descend past Lake Wapata, through two spiral tunnels down to the Kicking Horse Pass. We continue over the Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park before arriving in Revelstoke where we stay overnight and have dinner at the Regent Hotel. We visit the Revelstoke Railway Museum where we can learn about the building of the railway, the workers involved, the final days of construction and the present day operation. Revelstoke is rich in history, with over two dozen Victorian era heritage buildings restored to their original splendour. (B L D)
Wednesday 1st October
By the Lakes to Kamloops
We rejoin our private train and continue our journey through the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains, passing Craigellachie where the last spike was driven to complete the Trans-Continental rail link on November 7th, 1885.
On arrival at Kamloops we join the Spirit of Kamloops heritage train for a short journey.
We will have steam locomotive 2141, a 2-8-0 of the old Canadian Northern Railway. We have dinner and stay overnight at the Executive Inn.
(B L D)
Thursday 2nd October
To Vancouver
We have an all day run to Vancouver, some 250 miles through the outstanding beauty of this region, quiet meadows and thundering waterfalls, towering peaks and misty canyons.
After departure from Kamloops our train takes us through the Thompson River Canyons and beside the awesome Lower Fraser River before reaching the outer suburbs of Vancouver. Finally we run beside the Burrard Inlet to arrive at Vancouver’s Granville Street Station. This is beneath the original Canadian Pacific Terminal, which is still standing amongst modern buildings that have been developed in this waterfront area. We check into the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel for three nights with dinner tonight. (B L D)
Friday 3rd October
Vancouver
Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver nestles in and around the slopes of impressive mountains and we have two days to explore. After breakfast today, there is a guided tour. We visit the natural beauty of the thousand acres of Stanley Park with its woodlands of cedar and fir. Walking around its Lost Lagoon we see swans, ducks and Canada geese. The tour includes the chance to see the world’s only steam clock, the famous Gastown Steam Clock, built in 1977 based on an original 1875 design. We visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge, stretched 230 feet high above the river below, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s classical Chinese garden, the only full-sized one outside China. (B)
Saturday 4th October
Vancouver
This is a free day. The Royal Hudson steam locomotive 2860 should be running from North Vancouver to Squamish or for others, perhaps soaking up the atmosphere by taking a walk along the Stanley Park Seawall, visiting the Vancouver art gallery or just enjoying the ambience by relaxing at a street café for a snack. For those that have not been previously a trip to Vancouver Island is recommended. (B D)
Sunday 5th October
Departure from Vancouver
Our steam train should be waiting for us at Vancouver’s Granville Street Station.
(For operational reasons the departure may be from Coquitlam, Canadian Pacific’s main yard, about twenty miles away in Vancouver’s suburbs.) We will retrace our route to Kamloops. Throughout the day our steam locomotive will haul us past the changing scenery of lush greenery, rugged mountains, barren lands and shady maple and alder trees. On arrival we will have a private charter of the Spirit of Kamloops train in the early evening. We have dinner and stay overnight in the Executive Inn. (B L D)
Monday 6th October
Into the Rockies
We depart for Revelstoke continuing on to the important junction of Golden, which is nestled in the stunning Columbia Valley and at the confluence of the Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers. It is surrounded by three different mountain ranges and five National Parks.
We have dinner and stay overnight in Golden, at the Prestige Rocky Mountainside Resort. (B L D)
Tuesday 7th October
Through the high Rockies
From Golden the train diverges from the Canadian Pacific Railway main line and takes the former Kootenay Railway, south along the Columbia River Valley towards the US border. We stay overnight in Cranbrook at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort. We have dinner and period entertainment in the reconstructed Alexandra Hall, the fabulous original dining room from the hotel of the Canadian Pacific Railway in Winnipeg. (B L D)
Wednesday 8th October
The Crowsnest Pass
In the morning we have a private visit to the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel that houses complete trains from previous eras, before taking the spectacular line through the Crowsnest Pass at over 4,000 feet, where we cross the continental divide. There is an optional visit (at additional cost) to the excellent Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. This buffalo jump was used for 5,500 years by aboriginal peoples of the plains to kill buffalo, by driving them off the ten metre high cliff. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, it celebrates native American culture and customs. We have dinner and spend the night in the new Lethbridge Holiday Inn. (B L D)
Thursday 9th October
Back to Calgary
This morning we have the opportunity to photograph our train on the spectacular 1 mile long and 314 feet high Lethbridge Trestle.
The largest in North America, this amazing steel structure was completed in 1909 to replace the original wooden bridge. We then continue our journey through the prairies to Calgary, arriving mid afternoon into the Pavilion station.
The Pavilion is attached to the five-star Fairmont Palliser Hotel, where we will again stay overnight and have our farewell dinner. (B L D)
Friday 10th October
Calgary
After breakfast there will be time before our flight to explore this city further. Although very modern, Calgary still retains much of its traditional culture of saloons and western bars. A drink in one of these bars is a great way to soak up the atmosphere. There are many other attractions including the Calgary Tower with its glass observation deck, which provides terrific views of the city skyline, Devonian Gardens, one of the largest urban indoor gardens in the world, and Calgary’s Heritage Park, which recreates nineteenth century life. Our flight departs in the early evening for return to London. (B)
Saturday 11th October
Arriving London
Our flight arrives London Heathrow mid morning.
Fly to Calgary
We take a morning scheduled flight from Heathrow to Calgary. On arrival, we check into the Fairmont Palliser Hotel. This evening we have a welcome dinner. (D)
Sunday 28th September
To Lake Louise
Our steam train departs from the old Canadian Pacific Railway Pavilion in Calgary for Banff where there is a stop for us to explore and have lunch. The train continues to Lake Louise but there is an option to go in a road coach to photograph the train climbing through the spectacular scenery at Morant’s Curve with the Rockies as a backdrop. We spend two nights in this fabulous area, at a first class hotel in the Banff National Park. (B D)
Monday 29th September
The IceFields Parkway
Today we take the Icefields Parkway, considered one of the most scenic highways in the world, offering ever-changing views of waterfalls, emerald lakes, alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks. At the boundary of the Banff and Jasper National Parks lies the Columbia Icefield. It has eight major glaciers including the Dome and Stutfield Glaciers, and we should be able to stand on the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. On the way back to our hotel we will visit the stunning Chateau Lake Louise, situated at the head of Lake Louise, facing the 11,250ft Mount Victoria. (B)
Tuesday 30th September
Through the Rockies
On leaving Lake Louise our locomotive starts the steepest part of its climb through the Rockies.
On reaching the Continental Divide, we pass from Alberta into British Columbia and then descend past Lake Wapata, through two spiral tunnels down to the Kicking Horse Pass. We continue over the Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park before arriving in Revelstoke where we stay overnight and have dinner at the Regent Hotel. We visit the Revelstoke Railway Museum where we can learn about the building of the railway, the workers involved, the final days of construction and the present day operation. Revelstoke is rich in history, with over two dozen Victorian era heritage buildings restored to their original splendour. (B L D)
Wednesday 1st October
By the Lakes to Kamloops
We rejoin our private train and continue our journey through the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains, passing Craigellachie where the last spike was driven to complete the Trans-Continental rail link on November 7th, 1885.
On arrival at Kamloops we join the Spirit of Kamloops heritage train for a short journey.
We will have steam locomotive 2141, a 2-8-0 of the old Canadian Northern Railway. We have dinner and stay overnight at the Executive Inn.
(B L D)
Thursday 2nd October
To Vancouver
We have an all day run to Vancouver, some 250 miles through the outstanding beauty of this region, quiet meadows and thundering waterfalls, towering peaks and misty canyons.
After departure from Kamloops our train takes us through the Thompson River Canyons and beside the awesome Lower Fraser River before reaching the outer suburbs of Vancouver. Finally we run beside the Burrard Inlet to arrive at Vancouver’s Granville Street Station. This is beneath the original Canadian Pacific Terminal, which is still standing amongst modern buildings that have been developed in this waterfront area. We check into the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel for three nights with dinner tonight. (B L D)
Friday 3rd October
Vancouver
Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver nestles in and around the slopes of impressive mountains and we have two days to explore. After breakfast today, there is a guided tour. We visit the natural beauty of the thousand acres of Stanley Park with its woodlands of cedar and fir. Walking around its Lost Lagoon we see swans, ducks and Canada geese. The tour includes the chance to see the world’s only steam clock, the famous Gastown Steam Clock, built in 1977 based on an original 1875 design. We visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge, stretched 230 feet high above the river below, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s classical Chinese garden, the only full-sized one outside China. (B)
Saturday 4th October
Vancouver
This is a free day. The Royal Hudson steam locomotive 2860 should be running from North Vancouver to Squamish or for others, perhaps soaking up the atmosphere by taking a walk along the Stanley Park Seawall, visiting the Vancouver art gallery or just enjoying the ambience by relaxing at a street café for a snack. For those that have not been previously a trip to Vancouver Island is recommended. (B D)
Sunday 5th October
Departure from Vancouver
Our steam train should be waiting for us at Vancouver’s Granville Street Station.
(For operational reasons the departure may be from Coquitlam, Canadian Pacific’s main yard, about twenty miles away in Vancouver’s suburbs.) We will retrace our route to Kamloops. Throughout the day our steam locomotive will haul us past the changing scenery of lush greenery, rugged mountains, barren lands and shady maple and alder trees. On arrival we will have a private charter of the Spirit of Kamloops train in the early evening. We have dinner and stay overnight in the Executive Inn. (B L D)
Monday 6th October
Into the Rockies
We depart for Revelstoke continuing on to the important junction of Golden, which is nestled in the stunning Columbia Valley and at the confluence of the Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers. It is surrounded by three different mountain ranges and five National Parks.
We have dinner and stay overnight in Golden, at the Prestige Rocky Mountainside Resort. (B L D)
Tuesday 7th October
Through the high Rockies
From Golden the train diverges from the Canadian Pacific Railway main line and takes the former Kootenay Railway, south along the Columbia River Valley towards the US border. We stay overnight in Cranbrook at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort. We have dinner and period entertainment in the reconstructed Alexandra Hall, the fabulous original dining room from the hotel of the Canadian Pacific Railway in Winnipeg. (B L D)
Wednesday 8th October
The Crowsnest Pass
In the morning we have a private visit to the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel that houses complete trains from previous eras, before taking the spectacular line through the Crowsnest Pass at over 4,000 feet, where we cross the continental divide. There is an optional visit (at additional cost) to the excellent Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. This buffalo jump was used for 5,500 years by aboriginal peoples of the plains to kill buffalo, by driving them off the ten metre high cliff. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, it celebrates native American culture and customs. We have dinner and spend the night in the new Lethbridge Holiday Inn. (B L D)
Thursday 9th October
Back to Calgary
This morning we have the opportunity to photograph our train on the spectacular 1 mile long and 314 feet high Lethbridge Trestle.
The largest in North America, this amazing steel structure was completed in 1909 to replace the original wooden bridge. We then continue our journey through the prairies to Calgary, arriving mid afternoon into the Pavilion station.
The Pavilion is attached to the five-star Fairmont Palliser Hotel, where we will again stay overnight and have our farewell dinner. (B L D)
Friday 10th October
Calgary
After breakfast there will be time before our flight to explore this city further. Although very modern, Calgary still retains much of its traditional culture of saloons and western bars. A drink in one of these bars is a great way to soak up the atmosphere. There are many other attractions including the Calgary Tower with its glass observation deck, which provides terrific views of the city skyline, Devonian Gardens, one of the largest urban indoor gardens in the world, and Calgary’s Heritage Park, which recreates nineteenth century life. Our flight departs in the early evening for return to London. (B)
Saturday 11th October
Arriving London
Our flight arrives London Heathrow mid morning.
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Price
| Price per person (Coach) | £4295 |
| Price per person (Dome) | £4995 |
| Single supplement | £795 |
Price includes:
- Scheduled direct flights London Heathrow to Calgary and return
- 13 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast in quality hotels
- 8 lunches and 10 dinners*
- All rail travel described in the itinerary
- All transfers during the tour
- The services of a tour manager
*Lunches on the train will be hot for Dome class and packed for Coach class
Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner
Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner