View source for Rocky Mountaineer

{{Short description|Canadian rail-tour company}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=July 2018}}
{{advert|date=July 2018}}
}}

{{Infobox rail
|railroad_name     = Rocky Mountaineer
|logo              = Rocky Mountaineer logo.png
|logo_size         = 111px
|logo_alt          =
|image             = Rocky Mountaineer train.jpg
|image_size        = 300px
|image_caption     = 
|image_alt         =
|system_map        =
|map_caption       = 
|map_size          = 
|map_alt           =
|marks             = RMRX
|locale            = [[British Columbia]] and [[Alberta]], Canada<br />[[Colorado]] and [[Utah]], U.S.
|start_year        = {{Start date|1990}}
|end_year          = present
|predecessor_line  = 
|successor_line    = 
|gauge             = {{Railgauge|sg|allk=on}}
|length            = 
|hq_city           = [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], Canada
|website           = {{Official URL}}
}}
'''The Rocky Mountaineer''' is a Canadian [[Railtour|rail-tour]] company based in [[Vancouver]] that operates luxury scenic trains on four rail routes in [[British Columbia]], [[Alberta]], [[Colorado]], and [[Utah]].

==History==

===Via Rail Canada===
The Rocky Mountaineer concept was created by Harry Holmes, (CN Locomotive Engineer) and Pat Crowley (tourism entrepreneur) both of [[Jasper, Alberta]], together they developed a business plan which they presented to [[Via Rail]] prior to Expo 86. Designed as an all daylight sightseeing train pulled by the steam locomotive retired CNR 6060 ([[Canadian National Class U-1-f|Bullet Nose Betty]] class) in the Canadian Rockies. Originally in 1988 it began as a once-weekly [[Via Rail|Via Rail Canada]] daytime service between Vancouver and both [[Calgary]] and Jasper. The first departure was on May 22, 1988, with a special train for the travel industry and for the traveling public on June 9, 1988, called the ''Canadian Rockies by Daylight''.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Greenlaw |first1 = Christopher |title = Via Rail |date = 2007 |publisher = MBI Publishing |location = St. Paul, Minnesota |isbn = 9780760325292 |pages = 116–121 }}</ref> To maximize scenic views, this service operated only during the day, with an overnight stop in [[Kamloops]]. These were express services, with no intermediate stops.<ref>{{cite book |title = Via: Canada's passenger train network. System Timetable |date = May 1, 1988 |publisher = Via Rail Canada |location = Montreal |page = 51 }}</ref> On June 4, 1989, Via began its second season of the service, renaming the service the ''Rocky Mountaineer''.<ref>{{cite book |title = 1989 Via Rail Annual Report |date = December 31, 1989 |publisher = Via Rail Canada |location = Ottawa |page = 14 |url = https://digital.library.mcgill.ca/hrcorpreports/pdfs/6/634255.pdf |access-date = February 2, 2019 }}</ref> The final summer Rocky Mountaineer under Via branding departed Calgary and Jasper on October 12, 1989, and arrived in Vancouver on October 13.<ref>{{cite book |title = Via National Timetable |edition = Summer–Fall |date = April 30, 1989 |publisher = Via Rail Canada |location = Montreal |page = 51 }}</ref> Rocky Mountaineer was removed from schedules and marketing in May 1990.<ref>{{cite book |title = Via National Timetable |date = May 27, 1990 |publisher = Via Rail Canada |location = Montreal |pages = 24–25 }}</ref> After two financially unsuccessful seasons there was to be a change in approach. The Federal Government decided to see if the private sector could do a better job. The then [[Minister of Transport (Canada)|Minister of Transport]] and the [[Minister of Finance (Canada)|Minister of Finance]] [[Michael Wilson (Canadian politician)|Michael Wilson]] decided to sell of the route, equipment, branding and book of business in the fall of 1989. In early November 1989 advertisements were taken out in a number of newspapers soliciting interest in the Rocky Mountaineer.

===Private operation of the Rocky Mountaineer===

The federal government curtailed the subsidies to Via Rail in 1989, dramatically reducing services, especially the transcontinental service. The Rocky Mountaineer was a tourist service, and as such the government felt the funds could be better spent on other priorities. They asked then Via Rail and CN Rail CEO Ron Lawless to organize the sale of the route, equipment and book of business to the private sector. The marketing of the Rocky Mountaineer sale started November 12, 1989. The sale process was run by recently retired CN Executive Charles Armstrong. Submissions of interest demonstrating financial and operational capabilities were required by January 15, 1990. Initially there were 20 interested parties, after phase one of the bidding process, that group was reduced to three parties left to make a financial bid. One bidder was Westours Holland America, subsidiary of [[Carnival Cruise Line|Carnival cruise line]]. The other two were a group of Via Rail executives and a Western Canadian entrepreneur. 

After the end of the bidding process, in March 1990, the route's equipment, book of business, 12 coaches, two baggage cars, plus assorted equipment and some branding was sold to Vancouver businessman Peter R.B. Armstrong's Armstrong Hospitality Group Ltd. It ran its first train on May 27, 1990.<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Johnston |first = Bob |title = It takes more than scenery |magazine = [[Trains (magazine)|Trains]] |date = February 2016 |volume = 76 |issue = 2 |page = 50 }}</ref>

==Awards==
Under private ownership Rocky Mountaineer has become a Canadian Icon, hosting millions of guests from around the world, over the past three decades. these guests spend time in BC and Alberta creating a lot of economic benefits. 


Rocky Mountaineer has been awarded the "World's Leading Travel Experience by Train" at the World Travel Awards seven times for its GoldLeaf service as well as the "World's Leading Luxury Train" award 3 times<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service |url=http://www.worldtravelawards.com/profile-2942-rocky-mountaineer-goldleaf-service |access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> and was recognized by National Geographic Magazine as one of the "World's Best Journeys" in 2007. The Society of American Travel Writers, the world's largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, rated the Rocky Mountaineer as the world's top train ride in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Travel writers select the world's top 10 train rides |date = July 16, 2009 |publisher = Travel Industry Today |url = http://www.travelindustrytoday.com/web/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2021:travel-writers-select-top-ten-train-rides&Itemid=14 |access-date = February 9, 2014 }}</ref>

==Equipment==
[[File:RockyMountaineerRailCoach3998.jpg|thumb|The Rocky Mountaineer boards passengers at Banff, Alberta, showing its former livery]]
[[File:Jasper.Rocky.Mountaineer.P1033590.jpg|thumb|Two Goldleaf double-deck panorama wagons of the Rocky Mountaineer in the station at Jasper]]

Rocky Mountaineer's fleet:<ref name="2020factsheet">{{cite web |url = https://www.rockymountaineer.com/sites/default/files/2020-11/press%20kit%20fact%20sheet%202021.pdf |title = Fact Sheet |publisher = Rocky Mountaineer |date = February 25, 2020 |access-date = September 8, 2023 }}</ref>

* [[EMD GP40-2|GP40-2L locomotives]], ex-[[Canadian National Railway]]
* [[SD70M|SD70M locomotives]], leased from [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]] because the GP40-2L locomotives are non-compliant with [[positive train control]] 
* 18 "SilverLeaf" single-level dome coaches, rebuilt from RedLeaf coaches.<ref name="2014factsheet" /> [[Canada Car and Foundry]] single-deck coaches, ex-Canadian National Railway.<ref name="2014factsheet">{{cite web |url = https://www.rockymountaineer.com/en/resources/public/Media/2014/RK_RM_FactSheet_ENG_NA_OCT2013.pdf |title = Fact Sheet |publisher = Rocky Mountaineer |date = October 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160302151136/https://www.rockymountaineer.com/en/resources/public/Media/2014/RK_RM_FactSheet_ENG_NA_OCT2013.pdf |access-date = February 14, 2015 |archive-date = March 2, 2016 }}</ref>
* 16 "GoldLeaf" [[Colorado Railcar]] bi-level [[Ultra Dome]] coaches, with wrap-over view windows on the top level.<ref name="2014factsheet" />
* 10 "GoldLeaf" [[Stadler Rail|Stadler]] bi-level glass domed coaches, with restaurant and kitchen in the lower level.<ref name="Stadler">{{cite web |url = https://www.stadlerrail.com/media/pdf/wrm0816e.pdf |title = Stadler Goldleaf |work = Stadler |date = August 2016 |access-date = March 10, 2019 }}</ref>
* 12 crew cars
* Eight generator cars
* Nine locomotives
* Two lounge cars (for SilverLeaf Plus service)

Previous equipment included [[GE B36-7]] locomotives leased from Santa Fe.<ref name="General Electric Locos in the 1990s">{{cite web |url = https://www.traingeek.ca/wp/david-othen/general-electric-locos-in-the-1990s/ |title = General Electric Locos in the 1990s |publisher = Traingeek |date = September 25, 2020 |access-date = September 8, 2023 }}</ref>

==Routes==
Rocky Mountaineer currently operates train journeys on four routes, with three in Canada and one in the United States. Two additional routes (one in Canada and one international) are no longer operated.

* '''''First Passage to the West:''''' This route travels between [[Vancouver]] and [[Banff, Alberta|Banff]], with an overnight stop in [[Kamloops]] and an intermediate stop in [[Lake Louise, Alberta|Lake Louise]]. It operates primarily on [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] trackage, although [[Double-track railway#Directional running|directional running]] through the [[Fraser Canyon]] means that westbound trains use [[Canadian National Railway]] tracks in that area.<ref name="Routes">{{cite web |url = https://www.rockymountaineer.com/routes_destinations |title = Routes |publisher = Rocky Mountaineer }}</ref>
* '''''Journey Through the Clouds:''''' This route travels between Vancouver and [[Jasper, Alberta|Jasper]] with an overnight stop in Kamloops. It operates primarily on Canadian National Railway trackage, although directional running through the Fraser Canyon means that eastbound trains use Canadian Pacific Railway tracks in that area.<ref name="Routes"/>
* '''''Rainforest to Gold Rush:''''' This route travels between [[North Vancouver (city)|North Vancouver]] and Jasper, with overnight stops in [[Whistler, British Columbia|Whistler]] and [[Quesnel, British Columbia|Quesnel]]. It operates on Canadian National Railway trackage, including ex-[[BC Rail]] tracks between North Vancouver and [[Prince George, British Columbia|Prince George]].<ref name="Routes"/>
*'''''Rockies to the Red Rocks:''''' This route travels between [[Denver Union Station|Denver]] and [[Moab, Utah|Moab]] with an overnight stop in [[Glenwood Springs, Colorado|Glenwood Springs]]. It operates on [[Union Pacific Railroad]] trackage. Announced in November 2020, this route was initially set to begin service in fall 2021, but this was pushed up, and the first train ran on August 15, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |first = Will |last = McGough |title = Canadian luxury scenic train line debuts its first US route |date = August 16, 2021 |url = https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/rocky-mountaineer-train-route-united-states/index.html |access-date = August 17, 2021 |publisher = CNN |language = en }}</ref>

=== Former routes ===
* '''''Whistler Mountaineer/[[Whistler Sea to Sky Climb]]:''''' This route was a day trip operating between North Vancouver and Whistler on Canadian National Railway trackage. It was discontinued after the 2015 season and incorporated into the overlapping ''Rainforest to Gold Rush'' route.<ref name="Former">{{cite web |url = https://latteluxurynews.com/2019/06/28/rocky-mountaineer-axes-seattle-vancouver-route/ |title = Rocky Mountaineer Axes Seattle-Vancouver Route |website = Latte Luxury News |date = June 28, 2019 }}</ref>
* '''''Coastal Passage:''''' This route was a day trip operating between [[Seattle]] and Vancouver on [[BNSF Railway]] trackage, intended to provide travellers from the United States with easier access to the other Vancouver-based routes. It was discontinued after the 2019 season due to low demand.<ref name="Former"/>

==Service levels==
[[File:Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf.jpg|thumb|Upper level of Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf]]
[[File:Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf 3.jpg|thumb|Lower dining level on GoldLeaf]]

===GoldLeaf===
Operating on all routes except the ''Rockies to the Red Rocks'', Rocky Mountaineer's GoldLeaf service is a custom-designed, bi-level, glass-domed coach with full-length windows and reclining seats that can be rotated to accommodate groups of four. Guests are offered hot meals prepared on board the train, served to them in the lower level dining car.<ref name="Rocky Mountaineer">{{cite web |url = https://www.rockymountaineer.com/ |title = Rocky Mountaineer |publisher = Rocky Mountaineer }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite book |chapter = Rocky Mountaineer: 25 Years of Life Changing Experiences |year = 2015 |title = Canada Train travel Guide |page = 19 }}</ref>

GoldLeaf service is not offered on the ''Rockies to the Red Rocks'' route because the coaches exceed the [[loading gauge]]; this mainly has to do with the coaches being taller than the Amtrak [[Superliner (railcar)|Superliners]] and [[Double-stack rail transport|double-stack container trains]] that frequent the route.<ref>{{Cite web |first = Bob |last = Johnston |date = November 23, 2020 |title = Rocky Mountaineer targets ''California Zephyr'' scenery with SilverLeaf cars |work = Trains Magazine |url = http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/11/23-rocky-mountaineer-targets-california-zephyr-scenery-with-silverleaf-cars |access-date = November 24, 2020 |language = en }}</ref>
[[File:Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf.jpg|thumb|Rocky Mountaineer SilverLeaf]]

===SilverLeaf===
Operating on the same routes as GoldLeaf (and being the only service offered on the ''Rockies to the Red Rocks'' route), Rocky Mountaineer's SilverLeaf service is a custom-designed, single-level glass domed coach with oversized windows and reclining seats. Guests are offered breakfast and lunch served at their seat.<ref name="Rocky Mountaineer"/><ref name="auto"/>

===SilverLeaf Plus===
This service option is only offered on Rocky Mountaineer's ''Rockies to the Red Rocks'' route (Denver to Moab). SilverLeaf Plus includes all the benefits of their SilverLeaf Service, plus exclusive access to their newly renovated lounge car. Featuring signature cocktails, the lounge car offers additional space indoors as well as a small outdoor viewing area. This service level offers an elevated dining experience with an additional course during select meals, and premium alcoholic beverages.

<ref name="Rocky Mountaineer" />

==Trip structure==
Rocky Mountaineer trains operate exclusively during the day; no sleeper service is offered. All trips include overnight stops at which passengers disembark and stay in hotels.

As Rocky Mountaineer is primarily a rail-tour service, all journeys are end-to-end. Between their origin and destination, trains only stop for overnight layovers, and no passengers may begin or end their journeys at these stations. The one exception to these provisions is the ''First Passage to the West'' route, which has an intermediate stop at [[Lake Louise station]], where westbound passengers may board and eastbound passengers may disembark. No tickets are sold solely for the Banff–Lake Louise portion of the trip.

Trains only operate in the tourist season of April to October.

==Connecting services==
[[File:Rocky Mountaineer 2.JPG|thumb|right|En route between [[Banff, Alberta|Banff]] and [[Kamloops]]]]
Rocky Mountaineer train journeys often include bus connections between stations and hotels. Packages may also include bus connections to nearby cities (such as from Banff to [[Calgary]]).

While several cities—including Vancouver, Jasper, and Denver—are served by both Rocky Mountaineer and other passenger rail services (such as Via Rail Canada and [[Amtrak]]), no single-ticket rail connections are available.

{{-}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist|group=factsheets}}

==Further reading==
<!-- last updated: May 2023 -->
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Antonson |first1=Rick |title=Train Beyond the Mountains: Journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer |date=2023 |publisher=Greystone Books |location=Vancouver |isbn=9781771644860 |url={{GBurl|nQyizAEACAAJ}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Doughty |first1=Geoffrey H. |title=Canadian Treasures: Two Trains Across Canada |date=2002 |publisher=TLC Publishing |location=Forest, VA, USA |isbn=1883089786 |url=https://archive.org/details/canadiantreasure0000doug}}
* {{cite book |last1=Grescoe |first1=Paul |title=Trip Of A Lifetime: The Making of the Rocky Mountaineer |date=2010 |publisher=Rocky Mountaineer |location=Vancouver |isbn=9780986554308 |edition=3rd}}
* {{cite book |last1=Saddy |first1=Guy |title=The Unforgettable Journey: Stories from the Rocky Mountaineer |date=2015 |publisher=Echo Storytelling Agency |location=Vancouver |isbn=9781987900002 |url={{GBurl|IEsNrgEACAAJ}}}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Rocky Mountaineer}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://rockymountainholidays.com/ Rocky Mountain Holidays - Accredited Rocky Mountaineer Specialist]

{{Rocky Mountaineer}}
{{Canadianmetros}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Rocky Mountaineer| ]]
[[Category:Named passenger trains of Canada]]
[[Category:Passenger railways in Alberta]]
[[Category:Passenger railways in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 1990]]
[[Category:Passenger rail transportation in Colorado]]
[[Category:Passenger rail transportation in Utah]]
[[Category:Colorado railroads]]
[[Category:Utah railroads]]
[[Category:Named passenger trains of the United States]]