It’s so hard to make a Vlog in a style like his, that’s so nostalgic and personal. I made a Vlog of a via rail trip in august and it’s no where near this excalibur. I love these train videos
I love the effective way that you combined video of Economy and Business Class trips to show one seamless experience, with the obvious "E" & "B" indicators to make it simple for people like me :) Mr. Downie, I appreciate your standard of excellence...
I discovered Business Class on Amtrak about 20 years ago. At that time, it was only maybe $10 more than a coach ticket. Here were some of the benefits I discovered: #1 NO children. #2 Free dinner or lunch. #3 Free wine and cheese tasting in a lower berth. #4 large leather seats throughout the car. #5 At least twice I had the entire Business Class car all to myself, and the rest of the times there might have been 5-10 people max in the whole car. #5 The BC car was often times so quiet that if you didn't know better, you'd swear you were all alone inside a sensory depravation tank. Glad to see you're doing more train videos, Mike!
I took Business Class to Montreal pre pandemic and I will never go back to economy for all the reasons you said. I don't travel that much so I don't mind paying the premium. Anywhere I can go by train, I try to always take business class even if its a short trip (under 3 hours).
As someone who works in Downtown Detroit yes our skyline may be more prominent but the smell of fermenting yeast from The Canadian Club distillery is VERY distinctive and quite enjoyable! Note, there is a railroad tunnel under The Detroit River and it is possible to continue rail travel into The U.S. and various proposals have been brought about to restart Detroit-Toronto (and beyond) service co-op between Amtrak and VIA.
@@hi55us2 That line a actually crossed at Port Huron/Sarnia but yes and it actually ran until 9/11 happened. I attended Michigan State and those trains ran right through our campus and was intrigued by seeing VIA trains running in U.S. soil.
Most populated international community in North America. We are one big community with families on both side and people commuting daily. Missed opportunity that this is not more widely known.
I started watching your videos a while ago and then my parents moved to Windsor so I had a reason to do this trip. You make train travel look like an adventure. I booked business class to and from Windsor and I did this round trip in one day. I will never go economy class. The treatment you get and the extras ( that you pay for) are well worth it. On my trip home from Windsor there were only 4 people in the business class car! Economy was full and lots of kids.. WELL WORTH THE COST.
Definitely Business class if cost doesn't prohibit you. It's a much more relaxing atmosphere and your meal and drinks are included. Been through Detroit several times and to be honest it looks better when looking across the river from Canada. Nice editing on the comparison between the two.
I last rode via rail the canadian back in 2002, the food was outstanding, glad to see they have not lost their touch. Back then the toronto union station looks about the same. thanks.
Well depends on what part of Union Station we're talking about. The Grand Concourse (where the VIA trains are) more or less stayed the same, but the GO Concourses Bay and York (the latter which didn't exist back then and I believe was a parking garage) are unrecognizable today. Actually almost all of Union is unrecognizable today. The only reason why the Grand Concourse is the same is because its so old that its officially a heritage structure, and as such they can't change it.
@@Absolute_Zero7 the grand concourse yes, I did take a go train, but dont exactly know where in the station. I stayed at a holiday inn in the downtown area. loved the ROM, and ft York
American Amtrak rider here who has done this route in both directions, both classes of service, several times. I've walked from the furthest point Windsor Transit could get me, in front of the distillery to the VIA Station and back. I liked Business Class a lot and felt it well worth the price. C'est été bonne pratique pour mon Français !
Those old economy coaches are getting upgraded currently, they won’t look like that for long! A lot of them now have the leather seats, updated furnishings and refurbished bathrooms. Great video as always Mike!
Via rail need to start looking at buying trains and carriages from Hitachi and the other large manufacturers rather than refurbishing the trains from the 1970s
@@ianinvancouverbc They already are getting new trains for the Corridor, from Siemens. The first one was delivered to VIA's Montreal Maintenance Centre last week; it passed through Ontario. Maybe Mike passed it somewhere on his travels without realizing it.
For me the biggest surprise was to see Windsor ON. its a lovely part of Canada, and I have family there. plus theres a great aviation museum at the airport that I highly reccommend. didn't know it was the southernmost rail stop In Canada though, that's pretty neat!
i took the Montréal to Toronto to London train every year for 4 years in economy(before covid), there was outlets on the window side on the old carriages(like the one you rode) and between the seats on the newer ones. Also, from what i remember, they all had curtains...
Making the trips a comparison made it all the more interesting. I was amazed at how crowded economy class was; on other train vlogs it's still rather empty. The business class car had a real Wow factor. For a trip of three hours or more I'd always choose it. I actually wished this post was longer.
As someone who uses via rail often, my decision to take pay extra for business class relies on these factors: 1. The price difference isn’t more than half the fare 2. The trip is taking place during a meal time (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) 3. I need to do work. The large tray tables beat the little ones on the old economy trains Business class is a nice upgrade when it makes sense, if not, then economy is pretty good too.
I'm also from Vancouver and have done VIA Rail's Canadian to Toronto and back a few times. Train travel is incredible, frustrating at times on such a long journey, but a unique way to experience our wonderful country and meet great people along the way. Great videos!
I grew up in Detroit and am used to the view of the Windsor skyline from the Detroit riverwalk and/or Belle Isle. Fun to see you looking across from the opposite side of the river! (Btw- I associate the Caesar's Casino more than grain towers with the view of Windsor! lol)
At 5'7-½" tall and 330 pounds (1.71 meters, 150 kg), I displace a bit more room in a seat than I think you do, Mike. Thus, I always pay to upgrade to business class. Having travelled on Via Rail several times, I have always appreciated their emphasis on better food over more accurate departure times. I just assume the train doesn't move until the chef says the food is ready. Thank you for another slice of perfection in video. I can't start my weekend without DownieLive.
It was interesting to see the contrast in quality in the video and to get your tip as a big person. I'm 6'1 and 260, going by what you said and the video, I think if I travel VIA rail I'll save up a bit more and go business class and try and get to get an individual seat.
I’ve travelled both economy and business class. I have to say, the trip from TO to Montreal is wonderful in business class! Great option when they have seat sales. Almost all the free wine you want. 😁 I’ve also taken the train across Canada in economy, which was fine, but not the way I would want to go right now. I’ve also taken the bus from Ottawa to Terrace BC… now that was interesting!!
If you are feeling really sociable, I’d go Economy. For a relaxing sightseeing sort of trip, or you need peace, Business Class all the way. Me, I’d go Business Class for the extra comfort. And being able to plug in. The seats are bigger, and I wouldn’t disturb anyone with my knitting 😄
Hey, you got to see my hometown (Detroit)! Must be an amazing view, I know the view of Windsor from our side is great! Hopefully in the near future, we'll have passenger trains running through the tunnel to create (once again) a single connection between Chicago, Detroit, and Toronto. It's something Amtrak really wants to move forward with, pending approval from the appropriate authorities.
Worth every cent. I did it in 1999 from Toronto to Montreal. I needed a breather before getting on The Ocean to come back to Nova Scotia. Hope all is well with you dude. Was good to meet you a few weeks ago in Halifax.
I thought you might like to know my five year son loves your videos. Of course I introduced him to the videos, but he’s totally transfixed by them. Thanks for creating videos that are informative and safe for him to watch on RU-vid. Keep up the awesome work!
I've loved taking business on VIA either Montreal to Toronto or Ottawa to Toronto and think that extra bit of comfort is well worth it. Plus they usually have student or CAA discounts, and cheapie Tuesdays!
I've never been on a train before but this makes me want to get on one now. Love these videos and hope to see more of the Canadian railways. Keep it up
No but I tune it could be more, lining both side with routes up into the cities and all over Belle Isle and into the Ojibway Prairie. The new bridge will have a pathway and we need another at the Ambassador Bridge, an automated ferry at Belle Isle and Hart Plaza to the Festival Plaza. Then we’d compete with any community for the greatest waterfront. It’s time we both think competitive.
Great video. As a former Vancouverite, I do enjoy the train trips between Toronto and Montreal. Both business and economy class are nice. The real gem is getting to look out the window and see the beautiful scenery (especially if its snowing outside). By the way you can get great deals on business class by booking well in advance.
I believe there used to be a train which went from Chicago to Toronto via a railroad tunnel between Port Huron, MI and Sarnia, ON, but that route was closed some years ago. I think I've read that the reason why it was closed was a combination of low ridership and the difficulty of maintaining the tunnel.
Hi. I came back last week from taking The Canadian, from Vancouver to Toronto. In economy we had an outlet at the seat, blinds for the window, and hot meals. Really good meals.
I found your channel recently for my son because he looooves trains. But now I just love watching your channel for myself. Traveling by train looks so fun! And love all of the content you put in your videos 😃
Hey look! Just finished catching up on your adventures and there you are on my local news! Wait what? Your train vlogs are being shown on TV? Sweet! Congrats!
For long journeys I think business is a must if you plan on working, I am glad I saw this video as I just booked a train from Toronto to Quebec City and I almost did economy because in Europe most of our economy tickets allow seat choice and usually offer some form of decent table to work on. The economy class on via rail, while being much more expensive then most European trains seems to offer very poor comfort and space to work.
I've done this a couple of times as a long day trip from Toronto. Whisky tasting and tour of the distillery, lunch at the casino, and long walk along the riverfront. A great way to spend the day on the rails and in Windsor!
Mike you did it again, another fantastic video. All my trips on VIA's Corridor have been in Economy & never in Business Class. Next time I'm out East (when Covid is gone) I'll for sure book Business Class. Keep those VIA Rail videos coming!!!!!
Good video. I have taken the train many times from Chatham to Toronto to see Blue Jays games. I like taking the train since it is so close to the Rogers Centre and I don't have to worry about parking/traffic.
I’ve done coach and I’ve done business class and I’ll always do business class when I use VIA Rail. Exclusive use of First class lounges where available, you are called when preboarding is ready, no need to line up, choice of hot entrees, free alcohol, actual silverware and chinaware or in coach you can buy a peanut butter sandwich. So worth the extra money.
I've been a 'train-a-holic' since 1955 when I rode in a Parlor Car behind a steam engine Montreal-Ottawa. Have traveled over 250,000 km since then mostly in Canada on 'The Canadian' but also Australia & UK. I always go 1st class.
I almost always travel in Business Class, especially during the pandemic. There is more space per passenger and usually the Business Class is half full or less, although it is getting busy lately. You paid an unusually high fare. On my last few trips between Toronto and Windsor I never paid more than $100 each way. On the last one, in September, we paid about $85. If you book in advance you can always save a lot.
So you might enjoy an old TV series if you can find it: Michael Palin's TV show Around The World In 80 Days, from the BBC. There are 2 movies of similar name from 2004 and 1956, Michael's show began broadcast in 1989. The goal: to travel around the world by car, train, and boat, in less than 80 days. It's a fantastic series, has lost a bit of resolution due to time and technology, but it is also sure to inspire new ideas for what else you might do with travel adventures on YT.
In economy you do have outlets at your seats. The economy car you are in hasn’t been renovated yet. The building you showed in Detroit is called the Renaissance Centre.
Wow. Took the trian from Buffalo to Toronto in the 70s, went to the zoo and science center and took a boat ride in the bay area. Believe it or not it was a school field trip !!!!! Dont know if it was that station, but I remember seeing the Tower up close like you showed it.
I just did the route from Windsor to Toronto in economy. The seats were grey, not maroon and had no cushioning whatsoever. My backside went numb after a few hours. I'm definitely doing business class next time.
I would choose the class based on whether the trip is for just getting to my destination or if it is for a vacation/pleasure trip. Also, if I can afford the upgraded class without breaking my budget.🤣. When I was younger, Economy Class was the logical choice. You get to where you want to go in reasonable comfort and at a reasonable rate. In my older age, with some mobility issues, Business Class is my preferred choice just because it is more comfortable and you generally get a meal and beverages included with the ticket. Great review. I really enjoyed the comparison that you showed between the two classes of service. By the way, RU-vid "unsubscribed" me from your channel 😱. They did that to a few other channels that I am subscribed to also. Apparently, this is happening to quite a few people. Just wanted to make sure that you were aware that this was happening. Take care and have a pleasant and rewarding week.
VIA business is very nice, comfortable, the food is good and all booze is complimentary, but via trains dribble along so slowly they take well over an hour longer than they should between Toronto, Ottawa Montreal and Windsor.
