World Class Trains
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER
There are wonderful and exciting train journeys and - there are a few that simply defy description. This is one of the latter!
Privately-owned and operated by Rocky Mountaineer Railtours, The Rocky Mountaineer takes passengers on an eye-opening 2-day 'Christmas Express' ride from Vancouver to Kamloops and then on to Banff.
The keypoint is the amazing mountain scenery. Past incredible peaks, through snow-covered valleys, across spectacular and historic bridges - such as Stoney Creek - with brief visits to remote sidings, the journey (in first-class comfort all the way) is an experience to be savoured.
For those who must settle for the video version of the trip, the result here is outstanding. Even if the long rendition of the pop standard, 'Canadian Sunset' - performed by the onboard band - as the train appraches Kamloops, does start to wear a little thin.
The images are exquisite throughout and capture the magic of the journey - onboard the train as well as outside.
Historic locations visited include Hell's Gate Canyon, Craigellaichie - where the spike was driven into the ground to signal the meeting of the rail line from the east with that from the west - and Revelstoke.
The Rocky Mountaineer is marketed on the theme ... "this is not just a train journey, but a complete experience." This DVD leaves no reason to argue with that statement.
Review by Trevor Hennigan
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