Canada Railway Labour Action

UPDATE: As of 13:00 on August 27, 2024.

The work stoppage at Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN), the companies that own and operate the rail lines Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail travels on, has concluded. As of August 26, all trains have resumed normal operations across the country.

Due to the backlog of rail traffic caused by the CN and CPKC labour  action, our trains may experience slow traffic and delays in the coming days.  We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 1 888 589 3777 or email us at [email protected].

Jasper Wildfire Information

UPDATE: As of 13:00 PM on August 27, 2024.

On Monday, July 22, Jasper National Park issued an Emergency Evacuation Order for the area due to the rapid spread of wildfires. Overnight on July 24th, the wildfire reached the town of Jasper, which has since experienced devastating damage and structural losses. Firefighters continue to work around the clock to combat the fires and protect the town’s critical infrastructure.

Given these catastrophic circumstances, Canada Rail Vacations is unable to continue our rail journeys to or from Jasper for the foreseeable future. Our team is moving as quickly as possible to work through the impact on our guests’ itineraries and provide solutions on a case-by-case basis. We ask our guests to please be patient as we address departures in sequential order, and while you wait to hear from us, we recommend that you contact your travel insurance provider to get a better understanding of your coverage in the event of cancellation or interruption.

Impact on Rocky Mountaineer Train Travel:

All Rocky Mountaineer trains in and out of Jasper are cancelled through September. There is presently no timeline for when services may resume to this area. Alternative arrangements are being made to reroute guests from this route to the Banff and Lake Louise area.

Rocky Mountaineer trains in and out of Banff and Lake Louise continue to operate as planned. For guests currently booked on a Jasper train route, you will have the option to reschedule to this train, space permitting. We will be reaching out to guests in sequential order to work out the best possible solution for your trip.

*For those who did not purchase travel insurance, changing your route is the recommended course of action, as the Rocky Mountaineer train will remain non-refundable.

Impact on VIA Rail Train Travel:

Service on the VIA Rail Canadian train between Toronto and Vancouver will continue to operate and pass through Jasper without stopping up until mid-September. This period could be extended if necessary.

Our guests who were scheduled to board or disembark in Jasper will be required to board or disembark in Edmonton. Alternative arrangements will be made to reconnect you with the rest of your trip.

Guests planning to travel the full length of this route between Toronto and Vancouver will travel as planned.

–

What can you do?

If your vacation is not scheduled in the immediate future, we ask that you contact your travel insurance provider as soon as possible to confirm your coverage if your vacation is impacted by the wildfires. While we are making every effort to get in touch with all affected guests, those who are currently in transit or are due to depart in the coming days are our priority. Rest assured; we will make contact with you as soon as possible.

–

The safety of our guests is paramount, and we continue to monitor the situation closely for potential impact on your travel plans. We thank you for your understanding and patience while we navigate this situation. If you have any questions, please contact us at 1 888 589 3777 or email us at [email protected].

Canadian Railway Labour Action

UPDATE: As of July 1, 2024.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National (CN), the companies that own and operate the rail lines Rocky Mountaineer and VIA Rail travels on, are facing potential strike action by unionized workers. Rocky Mountaineer employees nor VIA Rail employees are not involved; however, if there is labour action, it could impact our train operations.

At this point, it is not certain if or when the labour strike will take place, as negotiations are ongoing between the rail companies and the unions. The unions are required to provide 72-hours’ notice in advance of any work stoppage.

Our guests’ safety and comfort are our highest priorities, and our team is working on a contingency plan should the there be an impact to our rail journeys. If there is a change to your journey, our team will reach out to you directly.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this potential disruption.

Wildfire Impact in British Columbia and Alberta 

UPDATE: As of midnight, August 27, 2023.

On August 23, 2023, the Province of British Columbia rescinded the emergency order for Kamloops and several other communities impacted by wildfires. The Rocky Mountaineer has returned to regular operations on all routes as of August 27, 2023. They would like to thank all guests for their patience and understanding. 

VIA Rail Canada’s service is on schedule, and running as planned with no disruptions.

The status of the impacted train routes as of August 27, 2023 is listed below: 

Vancouver to Banff or Lake Louise two-day Rocky Mountaineer route (First Passage to the West) 

This route has returned to its regularly scheduled services as of August 26, 2023.

Vancouver to Jasper two-day Rocky Mountaineer route (Journey Through the Clouds)  

This route has returned to its regularly scheduled services as of August 21, 2023.  

*UPDATE: The overnight stay may be in Kamloops or at Sun Peaks Resort for upcoming departures. Sun Peaks is approximately a 45-minute drive from Kamloops and transportation to/from the train will be arranged with Rocky Mountaineer. Rocky Mountaineer will be making their best effort to have guests rebooked in a Kamloops hotel for convenience.

North Vancouver to Jasper three-day Rocky Mountaineer route (Rainforest to Gold Rush) 

This route has not been impacted and continues to operate as scheduled. 

Vancouver to Toronto VIA Rail Canadian Trains (Route 1 & 2) 

This route has returned to its regularly scheduled services as of August 26, 2023.

Please be aware that travel through some sections of the journey may be slower than usual due to some freight related delays. These will be limited, and diminishing quickly as services return to normal. Our team will do everything we can to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey for all who travel with us. 

Thank you for your understanding and patience while we navigate this situation. We ask that you check back here for updates before contacting us, but, if you have any questions, please contact us at 1 888 589 3777 or email us at [email protected].  

We are handling all calls on a priority basis for any guests actively travelling or travelling in the coming days. Unfortunately, this situation is out of our control, and our team members will do everything they can to provide you with as seamless of a travel experience as possible. 

Wildfire Impact in British Columbia and Alberta 

UPDATE: As of midnight, August 27, 2023.

On August 23, 2023, the Province of British Columbia rescinded the emergency order for Kamloops and several other communities impacted by wildfires. The Rocky Mountaineer has returned to regular operations on all routes as of August 27, 2023. They would like to thank all guests for their patience and understanding. 

VIA Rail Canada’s service is on schedule, and running as planned with no disruptions.

The status of the impacted train routes as of August 27, 2023 is listed below: 

UPDATE: As of midnight, August 22, 2023, the Province of British Columbia has rescinded the Emergency Order.

On August 19, 2023, the Province of British Columbia issued an Emergency Order restricting non-essential use of temporary accommodations including hotels. This order includes Kamloops which is the overnight stopping location for the Rocky Mountaineer two-day train routes travelling between Vancouver and Banff, Lake Louise, or Jasper.

The status of the impacted train routes as of August 23, 2023 is listed below: 

Vancouver to Banff or Lake Louise two-day Rocky Mountaineer route (First Passage to the West) 

This route has been suspended as Rocky Mountaineer is unable to secure overnight accommodations at a suitable halfway point due to the ongoing emergency order impacting Kamloops and other interior BC hotels.  

The following train departures are presently affected: 

  • August 23: Banff / Lake Louise to Vancouver 
  • August 24: Banff / Lake Louise to Vancouver 
  • August 25: Vancouver to Lake Louise / Banff 

Should you still be travelling on these dates, Rocky Mountaineer will be providing bus transportation between Vancouver and Banff/Lake Louise on their scheduled departure dates. This bus ride will be done in one day instead of two on August 23/24, which will take approximately 14 hours.  *By taking this option, you will remain eligible to receive a future travel credit for the amount of your Rocky Mountaineer train ticket which will allow you to travel on any Rocky Mountaineer route in 2023, 2024 or 2025.

On August 25, bus transportation will be provided from Vancouver to Revelstoke where you will spend the night before taking the train from Revelstoke to Banff/Lake Louise the following day. Full credit may not be received for this option.

Vancouver to Jasper two-day Rocky Mountaineer route (Journey Through the Clouds)  

This route has returned to its regularly scheduled services as of August 21, 2023.  

*UPDATE: The overnight stay may be in Kamloops or at Sun Peaks Resort for upcoming departures. Sun Peaks is approximately a 45-minute drive from Kamloops and transportation to/from the train will be arranged with Rocky Mountaineer. Rocky Mountaineer will be making their best effort to have guests rebooked in a Kamloops hotel for convenience.

North Vancouver to Jasper three-day Rocky Mountaineer route (Rainforest to Gold Rush) 

This route has not been impacted and continues to operate as scheduled. 

Vancouver to Toronto VIA Rail Canadian Trains (Route 1 & 2) 

The following train departures are presently affected: 

August 20: Train #1 departing Toronto for Vancouver has been rerouted. This train will end in Edmonton on the evening of August 22. 

August 21: Train #2 departing Vancouver for Toronto has been rerouted. This train will leave from Edmonton on August 22 should you wish to fly there in order to connect with the train. 

If you are scheduled to travel on a rerouted departure listed above, a member of our team will be in contact with you as soon as possible to talk about your options. Please be patient in waiting to hear from us as we will be contacting everyone in order of departure.

The status of the next upcoming train departure between Vancouver and Edmonton has not yet been decided. Please check back later for more information.

This route is non-refundable but may be eligible for future travel credit on any upcoming departures prior to September 1, 2023 for those who prefer not to travel. This credit will only be available on the rail portion of your trip and may not include other items in your tour package. Should you wish to cancel any travel plans that include this route, we recommend that you reach out to your travel insurance provider to see if you are eligible for reimbursement through them before contacting us.

Please be aware that travel through some sections of the journey may be slower than usual due to temperature-related speed limitations. Also, the visibility of the scenery and outdoor air quality may be affected at some points along the routes due to the wildfires. In areas where the air quality is affected, the health authorities recommend you reduce your exposure by staying indoors where there is air conditioning and avoid strenuous or prolonged activities outside, especially if you have underlying medical conditions. The motorcoaches to and from your hotel, and most hotel rooms and restaurants will have air conditioning. Our team will do everything we can to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey for all who travel with us. 

Thank you for your understanding and patience while we navigate this situation. We ask that you check back here for updates before contacting us, but, if you have any questions, please contact us at 1 888 589 3777 or email us at [email protected].  

We are handling all calls on a priority basis for any guests actively travelling or travelling in the coming days. Unfortunately, this situation is out of our control, and our team members will do everything they can to provide you with as seamless of a travel experience as possible. 

General Information Safety Train Travel Canada Travel BC