Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (RMV) offers and operates numerous sightseeing railway routes in Canada. Founded in 1990, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations offers what are widely considered the most spectacular train trips in the world.
Background
Started in 1990, RMV was founded by and currently managed by the Armstrong Hospitality Group (AHG) in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Equipment
RMT operates 60 railcars in their fleet:
- GE Rail F40PH locomotives
- GP40-2L locomotives - ex-Canadian National Railway and rebuilt by GEC - Alstom
- Bi-level Ultradome observation cars
- Single level coaches
- 35 Canadian Car and Foundry Red Leaf Cars - ex-Canadian National Railway
- 10 Colorado Railcar (Fort Lupton, Colorado) Gold Leaf Cars
Routes
Routes used are routes used by Canadian National Railway
Trip structure
Trips are day travel only so that none of the scenery is missed. On the Banff-Vancouver run an overnight stop is made in Kamloops, BC, with a group dinner and stage show offered.
Service levels
Two classes of service are offered:
- Red Leaf service offers single level coach seating with a box lunch served at the passenger's seat.
- Gold Leaf service employs two-level coaches, with wrap-over view windows on the top level. Dining car service is on the lower level with a complete dinner menu served at midday. In the afternoon, servers prepare drinks to order from a hosted bar.
Connecting service
International tour companies offer guided group tours from points east such as Toronto, with transport to Jasper, Alberta by Canada Rail ("Via") sleeper rail coach, and connecting motor coach to Banff.