Train Travel History in Canada

The Beginning  First train in Canada 1836: Laprairie to Saint Jean sur Richelieu  By 1856 central Canada was connected by rail  Canadian Pacific Railway completed by November 1885  First train in Canada 1836: Laprairie to Saint Jean sur Richelieu  By 1856 central Canada was connected by rail  Canadian Pacific Railway completed by November 1885

Development Links to US - Montreal to Boston and Toronto to New York  1920s - small companies were bought by government and merged into Canadian National Railways  Canadian Pacific Railway Company remained private Links to US - Montreal to Boston and Toronto to New York  1920s - small companies were bought by government and merged into Canadian National Railways  Canadian Pacific Railway Company remained private

End of the Golden Age  Railways suffered because of the depression of the 1930s  By 1940 trains were no longer the most popular way to travel  1976 CPR and CNR merged into VIA rail  20% of routes were cut (including Halifax - Yarmouth)  Railways suffered because of the depression of the 1930s  By 1940 trains were no longer the most popular way to travel  1976 CPR and CNR merged into VIA rail  20% of routes were cut (including Halifax - Yarmouth)

Why Don’t More People Use the Train?  Cars gave people more choice of time and place  Air travel is convenient, cost is relatively low and links many cities  Cost of upkeep is higher for trains than other forms of surface travel  Cars gave people more choice of time and place  Air travel is convenient, cost is relatively low and links many cities  Cost of upkeep is higher for trains than other forms of surface travel

Some Advantages of Rail Travel  Works in high population centers  Trains connect to heart of cities - not distant airports  Lots of room to work along the way  Weather has little effect  No surcharges on ticket price  Works in high population centers  Trains connect to heart of cities - not distant airports  Lots of room to work along the way  Weather has little effect  No surcharges on ticket price

Some Features  Washroom facilities  Skylights  Dining cars with gourmet food  Sleeping cabins with swiveling armchairs - some with private toilet  Washroom facilities  Skylights  Dining cars with gourmet food  Sleeping cabins with swiveling armchairs - some with private toilet

Discounted Rates  Canrailpass - unlimited train travel for a limited period  Book in advance - save 40%  Special student, commuter, children, senior and corporate fares  Outdoor adventure passes allow passengers to stop anywhere along certain routes  Canrailpass - unlimited train travel for a limited period  Book in advance - save 40%  Special student, commuter, children, senior and corporate fares  Outdoor adventure passes allow passengers to stop anywhere along certain routes

Journal Entry  Knowing why people travel by train and why they do not, what methods could VIA Rail use to increase ridership? In light of the aging population of North America, what future do you see for train travel? Why?

Rail Travel in Europe  Unlike in North America - rail is very popular in Europe  Many routes connect all cites  Train stations are in the centre of cities  Cost of gasoline is higher making train travel more competitive  Unlike in North America - rail is very popular in Europe  Many routes connect all cites  Train stations are in the centre of cities  Cost of gasoline is higher making train travel more competitive

Europe  Short distances make train travel easier than in North America  Trains are always on time  Rail companies are often owned by governments  European countries have one rail system  Short distances make train travel easier than in North America  Trains are always on time  Rail companies are often owned by governments  European countries have one rail system

Eurailpass  Train travel seen as the way to go  Unlimited first class travel in 17 countries  Sold only to tourists  New “chunnel” link moves the train under the English Channel between England and the mainland  Train travel seen as the way to go  Unlimited first class travel in 17 countries  Sold only to tourists  New “chunnel” link moves the train under the English Channel between England and the mainland

Trains of the World  Japan - bullet train moves at 200 mph  Russia - longest rail line in the world - Siberian Express from Moscow to Mongolia  South Africa - The Blue Train from Cape Town to Pretoria  Orient Express - Paris to Istanbul as seen in the book by Agatha Christie  Japan - bullet train moves at 200 mph  Russia - longest rail line in the world - Siberian Express from Moscow to Mongolia  South Africa - The Blue Train from Cape Town to Pretoria  Orient Express - Paris to Istanbul as seen in the book by Agatha Christie

Assignment  Using the world map and atlas, find and label the routes followed by the trains of the world. Use the handout for details of their routes.  Write one or two sentences describing each train  Using the world map and atlas, find and label the routes followed by the trains of the world. Use the handout for details of their routes.  Write one or two sentences describing each train

Career Opportunities in Rail  ｷ Service attendants  ｷ Counter and phone sales agents  ｷ Electricians  ｷ Mechanics  ｷ General workers  ｷ Service attendants  ｷ Counter and phone sales agents  ｷ Electricians  ｷ Mechanics  ｷ General workers

Assignment  Choose one of the careers from the jobs in rail list. Find out:  The job description/duties  Education required  Experience needed  Place of work  Hours  Salary  Choose one of the careers from the jobs in rail list. Find out:  The job description/duties  Education required  Experience needed  Place of work  Hours  Salary