Rocky Mountaineer train manager interview

“I think, more than any other country on earth, Canada was developed by the railway. It was the promise of a railway that brought British Columbia into the fold. I’m half-American, on my father’s side, and well aware of the American interest in British Columbia. It could have been an entirely American west coast if it was not for the railway. Being born in Canada I’m cognisant of the fact that there would have been no Canada as we know it,” said Zebulon Fastabend, the train manager of the Rocky Mountaineer, about the importance of the railways in Canadian history.

New cars for the Rocky Mountaineer train

Each of the new cars feature panoramic windows with electronically controlled tinting that can be lightened or darkened to suit the lighting conditions. The cars are air-conditioned and designed to operate with the outside temperature anywhere between a chilly -25˚C and sweltering 50˚C.

Bison reintroduced to Banff National Park in Canada

“We used what we know about bison’s preference for food and forage to develop predictive a model for habitat. The Panther Valley is kind of the bull’s eye in terms of the best quality habitat we have in the park…once we release them and they step out of the gate they don’t have to go looking for their first good meals. For people there may be some discomfort getting reacquainted with these animals that have been missing for 150 years…you need a bit of a warm-up period. We felt we needed to start slowly, with just a few people at a time interacting with the bison, so it was better to start in the back country rather than next to a highway or one of the towns,” explains Carsten, who grew up in Alberta.

Whale watching in New Brunswick, Canada

I lean over the inflated side of the boat, photographing a shearwater taking a rest just out of touching distance from the boat. A cry of excitement causes me to spin around and I catch a glimpse of a humpback whale in mid-air, twisting amid spray before splashing back down into the sea. I know I’ve missed a golden photo opportunity but feel blessed for having seen such a magnificent sight.

The Canadian – Canada’s transnational train service

Rail journeys have long been loved by unhurried travellers who appreciate opportunities to view the landscapes through which they traverse. The Canadian runs for 4,466 kilometres between Toronto and Vancouver. It is a long-established passenger service and widely regarded by rail aficionados. It is reputed to be one of the world’s great train journeys. Running...