Rocky Mountaineer Railtours expands fleet

Rocky Mountaineer Railtours is expanding its luxury GoldLeaf Dome Coach Service to Jasper, Alberta, adding two $2.8 million bi-level, dome coaches which will service the route for the first time. GoldLeaf Service to Jasper will be available at the start of the passenger rail operator’s 2000 season, with a total of 148 departures between mid-April and mid-October.

“The launch of our first GoldLeaf Service dome coach in 1995 celebrated the first passenger rail coach to be built for Canadian passenger rail service in almost 40 years,” says Peter Armstrong, president of the privately-owned Great Canadian Railtour Company Ltd. “This is the tenth consecutive year that we have expanded our fleet and schedule.”

Since the introduction of GoldLeaf Service in 1995, Rocky Mountaineer Railtours has commissioned the construction of eight dome coaches, with a combined capacity of 560 guests. Each includes a full-length dome with panoramic views, a state-of-the-art galley, a dining lounge with gourmet menus and an outdoor observation platform.

The company also maintains a fleet of 40 RedLeaf Service coaches which were originally built in the 1950’s and formerly used on VIA Rail’s tranontinental service. Rocky Mountaineer purchased and modernized these coaches with new electrical, heating and plumbing systems.

Rocky Mountaineer Railtours has grown to become the largest privately-owned, passenger rail operator in North America, and specializes in two-day, all daylight rail excursions between Vancouver, and Jasper, Banff and Calgary. The company offers 20 package tours for visitors enchanted by the Rockies and the west. The railtour operator has a specialized group travel department for groups of 6 to 600 and has built two multi-functional cars to host board meetings, seminars, corporate functions and special events.

For reservations, a free brochure or information regarding onboard travel contact your CARPTravel professional.