VIA Rail’s BEST Adventure Route - The Skeena 

Hello! I'm Tomeaki KYOOKA from Japan. I had watched this You-Tube 2 years ago. And this interested me. I took this train, on the 23rd of July '23, one way from Prince Rupert to Prince George only in British Columbia. Thank you to report and to upload your journey on the train. My journey was the half way of yours, and after that I took another train journey from Montréal-Drumondville-Québec Cité-Montréal in Le Québec too on the 9th of July '23. Both were my good experiences and memories. I like to travel on the trains. I wish if I could take the Canadian of VIA RAIL again, next time from Vancouver to Edmonton, Toronto, and to Montréal and the Ocean from Montréal to Halifax on one day in the future. You travel a lot. Bon Voyage à toi🚆🛩

I love how the train makes special stops for random people living in the bush. Awsome.

The fact that this train is a grocery getter for some people is really cool. Thanks for sharing this unique story.

The VIA rail refurbishment of the 1950’s coaches (in the late 1990’s) was a huge investment in Canadian heritage & MidCentury modern design - i toured the passenger cars when on tour and stationed at Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station - i was studying at UBC’s School of Architecture - they were an important lesson in timeless interiors - considered superlative by many aficionados of this epoch of masterful design.

I watched a YT video a couple of weeks ago about the train from Anchorage, Alaska, to Fairbanks. The theme was much the same -- tourism train, sure, but also a lifeline to residents along the track. I'm glad you captured that part of the story, Mike. It adds depth.

I love that you mentioned friendly Canadians. I lived in Ottawa for 4 years and never met one who wasn't. Best wishes from England.

I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now... and I would like to say I’m very happy to see how much your channel has grown! Keep up the amazing work. Your videos are always very fun to watch.I also find very nice that you interact so frequently with all the comments. It means a lot and shows how much u appreciate your viewers and will definitely keep us coming back to watch your videos.From a fellow British Columbian

I remember at age 5 taking the train with mom to Vancouver, riding in the dome car and being in the bar car at the rear. The trip was from Fort William now {Thunder Bay} to the coast 1961.

Boots as a stop for a train for a passenger is the best thing ever 😂😂😂😂😂

Like that train stops for one single person out nowhere. Thats just amazing.

Canada is a beautiful country! I enjoyed being with you on the train. The people are wonderful, the countryside is clean and majestic, and you make this journey a fun adventure. Thank you!

Wow. Those 2 men living in the middle of nowhere. Shows the train is a lifeline. And shows what a huge country you boys live in.

Just when I was beginning to wonder if we were going to get a bathroom tour...there it was. Mike, you never disappoint! What a neat story about the two gentlemen that lived out from town near the tracks. Must be lonely for them but to also be away from all the hectic-ness of the world must be freeing as well. Thanks for keeping us educated and entertained. Love them always!

Hi Mike! Loved your video! I have not really done much train travel but would love to do a trip from Vancouver to Montreal! Maybe one day! Years ago as a teen we would get the train from Brunette St in New Westminster and it would take us down to White Rock for the day! Never told my parents I skipped school a couple of times to do this......until I came home with a very bad sun burn....then they knew! Lol. I also once took amtrak from Seattle to Portland and loved every moment of it! Can't wait till next week to see the rest of your journey! Your enthusiasm and thirst for life is so wonderful to watch! Thanks so much for sharing this all with us!

I cant stop my self to watch this video again again and again i must call it is HEAVEN ON EARTH.....

I have been a train enthusiast since I was a little boy so anytime you are featuring rail trips I am a happy camper. VIA RAIL transcontinental service in a sleeping compartment has been on my bucket list for years. Hopefully, when things return to normal I will be able to schedule a trip. Have you ever considering taking a small group on a tour in Canada? I think you would be an awesome guide but that may not be your idea of fun!🤣. Thanks for a totally entertaining video today. Looking forward to the next segment of this trip. Take care. ❤🙏🌎

As always another great video Mike. We live in a beautiful and thanks to you the rest of the world can see it too

I have been to Prince Rupert, Canada in 2007 during my trip to Alaska in 2007. Nice little town

Just discovered you. Returned to Vancouver after 3 decades away. Great content.

Canada is such a beautiful country. Years ago I worked for a Canadian inbound tour operator based here in Glasgow, Scotland, and to this day it was still the most rewarding job I have had. It was so much fun selling the Canadian Rockies, and so easy as well, as their beauty did all of the selling. Thanks for a superb video. I must really to that journey one day.

It is so BRILLIANT that he has a tag line! Well done!

"I've never been here" is the best reason to travel. We once threw a dart at a map of Canada and 14 hours later we were in a farmers field 90 minutes east of Edmonton. One of my favourite road trips ever.

Worth the wait.... What an AMAZING video part 1 of your trip with Riley... The scenery is absolutely breath taking.... I love Mt Robson❤️.. If I could work on that train as a conductor or service manager, I couldn’t think of a better office to have! YOUR FUN LOVING attitude came shining through getting the truck driver to blow his horn and then the “ BEAR PUN “ I’m still Laughing 🤣😂🤣 Then it was PARTY TIME! 🎉🎉🎉 The was sooooo cool 😎 How much fun hanging out with you must be! Like me your a BIG kid at heart! I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, you knocked it out of the park and didn’t disappoint one bit! Thank You Mike for sharing your wonderful and AMAZING videos... Part 2 should be a nail biter, can’t wait to see it! I don’t know where YOUR going next but I KNOW, I want to go along with YOU!! - Bob

Great introduction to the voyage. Now we HAVE to watch next week's edition. I'm glad someone mentioned the contrast/comparison to Amtrak. Neither the USA nor Canada has train service to brag about when we look at France or Japan or China or even Great Britain.

Really awesome!! I love train travel and this video was terrific. What beautiful country and you obviously had great fun and enjoyed it. When I was a student in Montreal in traveled across Canada by train and it was the trip of a lifetime. And, believe or not, I have been to Prince George. I spent the night there on my drive between Vancouver and Whitehorse back in the mmid 90s. I really enjoyed this video and, as always, you made it such fun. Keep up the great work.

Mike, I continue to be blown away by your videos. I can't wait for the pandemic to end so I can finally check out VIA Rail. For now, I get to live vicariously through your adventures.

This kind of trip in Canada has always been on my bucket list, but disability and age has always prevented me from doing it, so now I'm vicariously having my dream trip through yyou guys, Thannk you so much chaps.

That was awesome.!takes patience to ride a train ,with all the ups and downs. Looking forward to next week!

My wife and I went to South Africa a couple of years ago, flying out wasn't too bad but the return was painful. We drove 2 hours to Port Elizabeth for a 10am flight. Flew 2 hours to Durban waited an hour, flew 9 hours to Dubai, WAITED 3 hours for connection to London Heathrow which took another 6 hours and the 2 hour drive home, best part of 24 hours travelling...you had a WHOLE carriage to yourselves, we had an airline seat each!!! Yeah I'd do 2 days on your train...twice!!! Great filming again.

Awesome , go on , you have to visit Egypt , and you will enjoy with beaches , warm sun , and monuments .

Ahh Mike you just never disappoint. Great Video as always. Nice that you spoke with the "2" passengers that boarded. Look forward to the next one.

That’s a bit of a trip down memory lane for me. I grew up in Rupert. You get used to the rain, and truly, once you get on the water it’s usually nothing but calm seas and blue skies. I haven’t been up since 2017, but I long to take my daughter when she’s old enough to enjoy the fishing. Cheers for showcasing this little slice of beautiful BC

Just discovered your channel. You are by far my new favourite RU-vidr. Thanks for sharing your trips. I take Via between Toronto (Georgetown) and Ottawa, but have yet to do a longer trip. This is now on my bucket list!!!! Love learning more about trains. Wishing Canada had better public rail infrastructure, too... PS your Churchill video with your dad is super wholesome. Thanks again!

Dude your train is from 1990's still looks new and in my country a new train from 2019 looks old. 🙂

I enjoy watching all types of train shows. The way you show that some people depend on the train in order to buy life essentials reminds me of a train show I love. Railroad Alaska ( Travel ch) featured how the railroad was the only way some people survive and others such as construction companies depend on the train hauling multi million dollar hauls in order to complete critical projects. Great job and I look forward to all your videos!

Good start, Mike! It was very similar to my experience on the return leg to Prince George after my stay in Jasper. I remember you telling me all about the troubles you had getting to Prince Rupert so I can't wait until next week to see how you present it. I must say your videos do bring a smile to my day. Cheers!

I have been watching all of your videos lately! I love your content, and my two year old son now has a new found love for trains because of you.. thanks for such great content!

I'm a sucker for these train videos! Can't wait to see the next installment.

Greetings Mike. Wow!!! What a great adventure, again reminding me of my fraternity days in college. Wonderful photography, amazing scenery, very witty dialogue. Not sure why you don't have your own travel show on Canadian TV. And, Via Rail still does better than Amtrak...haha. Can't wait to see the fiasco that occurs next week...and the Churchill journey. Stay well sir...

Glad you picked the most scenic and remote VIA Rail Journey "The Skeena". I did part of it in the opposite direction the last few miles from Yellowhead Pass to Jasper on the "Super Continental" back in 1989 and revisited Jasper with my Cranbrook friend in 1995. On that later visit we travelled by road south to Kamloops (the bit I missed in '89 as it was done overnight on the train). I haven't yet been to Prince Rupert, but was fortunate to go from North Vancouver to Prince George on BC Rail's "Caribou Dayliner" which had 1950's Budd Rail Diesel Cars. North of Squamish, that train served remote settlements just like the two guys who got on your train at McBride. Looking forward to Part 2 of this tale next week, although a little sad part of your second day appears to have been flushed down the loo by the air brake episode. Kinda surprised this appears to have been more dramatic than it should have been but I can't really comment until you reveal the full story next week. Looking forward also to good news from our Victorian Premier later this morning about lifting of most COVID restrictions here (9 days of zero new cases and no deaths). Will update you later. Cheers from Michael in sunny Melbourne downunder.

Another great adventure with Downie Live! This will get interesting.......

That was spectacular. I always wanted to see Canada. Thanks Michael.

Watching your train videos is the closest thing to actual travelling myself. They are really lively, very enjoyable and happy videos. It is my window to the outside world since I have been confined in my house from last September due to the pandemic. Keep up the good work! Many thanks for all the footage you upload!

Born in Prince Rupert. Now in Vancouver. Love this channel sharing everywhere

I love Jasper. I have seen some of the Canadian Rockies. Starting in summer 1969 . The 3rd trip to Alberta allowed me some Scenic traveling in the winter. Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories and beautiful views. Safe travels and God bless you.

Wow that's crazy that people need the train to go and from home. Kenny seems like a friendly chill dude. When he said "I've been here since the earth's cooled man" I cracked up laughing. Looking forward to what went wrong for you guys ( that feels weird to say). Can't wait for next week!

Absolutely stunning scenery! Kudos to the Grand Architect 👍🏻

The video was awesome can't wait till next weeks. Have fun and stay safe.

I absolutely loved your talk about perspective it was my favorite part of the whole video

That was an amazing adventure Michael!!! It is so cool that you have the opportunity to take adventure of these types of trips and meet such interesting people. Being the only two passengers on the train for a while must have been both fun and a bit creepy at the same time. I look forward to part two!!!

I have always loved the trains. But your videos also inspired me much. I started to live in Glasgow and will explore this country with trains:)

Nice to see that ViaRail has the same rail priority as Amtrak. You will sit on the siding for hours and wait for a freight train to pass. You travel by rail for the experience not for the speed.

As I pack my bags, I'll pack my heart and my soul, too...for they are a part of me...and I'll carry them on my journey...for it is in the journey...not just the destination...that we truly find ourselves...so, I'll embrace this feeling...this wanderlust...and let guide me on my next adventure...💖

Thank you for sharing the trip and great scenery! Amazing that the train is the only link to a town for those two men. I do enjoy your postings!

Wow! Trains are amazing; I still love them. Traveling by train means seeing nature, people, cities and churches, rivers - in essence it is a journey through life.#popularairtravel

Very cool. I could have tuned in for the whole 8 hours.

Yes indeed, my daughter and I enjoyed visiting the JASPER VIA RAIL STATION JUNE, 2004 but we missed.the Via Rail Skeena Train ... instead rented a car and drove to BANFF...oh well, we still managed to enjoy our adjusted trip/journey that started in Berkeley, CA to Quebec City to Vancour all the way on VIA RAIL...GO, GO CANADA! 😍

I really enjoyed your talk about perspective. I really needed to hear that. Thank you.

I loved seeing the mountains, hills, grass trees And there was also tons of fright trains too 😁🚆

What a beautiful country

Very cool that you uploaded this video today as it’s Canadian Pacific’s 135 birthday

Mike, Another great video. All that beautiful scenery and good people you run into is like having a good massage that erases the cares and the worries of the world. As you showed the rainbow, I couldn't help but think of the Wizard of Oz and realize that I and 74 million Americans are rejoicing and singing - Ding, Dong, the Witch is Dead. I'm celebrating by watching and saying Thank You.

I love train travel and always enjoy your train trip videos. I've done cross country, round-trip on Amtrak 3 different times. It's 4 days on the train each way, BUT I don't do coach. I always get a sleeper car. I only go once every 5 years because it is so expensive. I've got LOTS of train stories because stuff always happens. My next trip is scheduled for April. I would love to do Via Rail sometime.

During the summer I lost my phone so when I had a new one, I was like, oh no how will I find Michael again? I couldn't remember the name of the show. You're videos are the most entertaining, Michael. Thanks for sharing the Canada's with us.

Amazing big trains, great train trips, enjoy!!!💝🎉

Kenny seems like an ok fellow. I couldn't imagine having my only transportation for essentials be a rail line requiring a semi-regular rail service to pick me up and take me into town. Guess he just stands there when the train is supposed to arrive and they stop and pick him up. That's pretty neat but also boggles the mind. Shows how dependent I am on having my own vehicle.

Had the pleasure of riding VIA from Edmonton to Vancouver a few years back. What an awesome experience that was! And I quickly learned that we were simply on Via time the whole trip because freight took priority. But the spectacular views!! Oh my...

Breathtaking views, positive outlook, big thumb’s up!

The scenery is beautiful. You capture the best views Mike 👍🏽 the longest train trip I went was from DC to Norfolk longtime ago but I’d rather have these views 😉

Great to see more railroad content. I'm always interested in stuff like this, especially with Canadian content. I live in America, so I don't really see all the Canadian trains much. Great video!

Northern BC is so stunning! I'm so glad I got the chance to visit a little part of this part of the province with an old gig of mine doing science show school tours all over this beautiful part of the world! :)

Thanks, Mike, for this great video again. The advantage on this train is that you don't need to take care for social distancing😂😂😂The nature looks really beautiful there and the bear...... Great. Looking forward to your next video to continue this ride. Take care and stay safe

I did this trip, but started in Vancouver about 5 years ago. Enjoyed the Jasper - Rupert leg a lot more than the Vancouver part. It's too bad it's become more unreliable because of the freight traffic over the last few years since it's an interesting ride. Great video!

YAY!!! I'm so happy to see you do a train video again this is freaking awesome to watch. Love watching these videos about the different trains out there.

That’s a great trip. Did it several times in the 80’s. more people. Club car.

Wow! awesome rail trip. look forward to next video.

Lol Life with Riley is what I like to call it. His reactions to normal every day things always makes me laugh. Love this video. Also love the way those good ole boys live. Their own rules..their own lives!! Thank you!

Just the best content.

Looking forward to next week Mike. I took the VIA Rail train from Rivers Manitoba back to Vancouver a number of years ago in a sleeper car. What a fantastic trip

The funny German toilet button 😂 I knew what to expect, but still I was confused to find it in a Canadian Train toilet A pity the dinner car wasn't there, I had such a good time meeting people there. Our train conductor was the best: sharing stories and collecting drawings from passengers.

I was working at the train station in McBride that day, standing by the window. Despite being a train geek, and living in McBride, I have not gone on the skeena route. McBride's station was a fun place to work at, especially in the summer when tourism picks up.

This cliffhanger is the SECOND best one this week! Now that we know how the FIRST best turned out, I'm stoked for next week's.

I just recently found you. Idk if you will even get This. Your channel is perfect for me. I absolutely love trains. I've been binge watching your channel, and yes I'm subscribed. Keep up the awesome work

Recently found your channel....my husband and I have enjoyed hopping aroind your tours and learning more about our own country. Watching this one totally made me laugh out loud when you "bear"ly caught the black bear on camera. I think I could totally travel with you...so I'm very glad I can watch all these videos and make the trip!

The Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Fairbanks has for many many years dropped off and boarded residents living in the bush. It is quite a trip to see all the folks coming and going to their homesteads!

Flew from JFK to London where I took a train to Rome Italy. What an adventure.

to me, based on what i've seen rail travel is about seeing the countryside, not so much the startpoints or the endpoints.

Awesome episode. I love trains, can't wait for the next episode.

It's a great day in the US- your video is another bit of happiness and relief

every thing you do is amazing...dont cut your hair!...just keep being you!....love your camera shots...you got this...love it!

Hey there's my dad's neighbor Kenny!! I've walked the tracks in to "bend" to visit with Kenny. Such a beautiful place!

Good movie! I enjoyed this story. Thanks for sharing.

Yay I love the Via Rail

I’m a Hugh train buff and absolutely loved this video. Can’t wait for the next one. This trip is on my bucket list.

You always have good music in your vids Mike...nice !

Ah Canada! Thanks for a great train video and scenery... train buffs like me love your videos!

BEARLY!!!!!! See what he did there! Love the video! Can't wait until the next one.

Well, Mike, I did say previously that Downie would not take a dive. I was NOT wrong. This is definitely an adventure and quite different to Paul's British perspective 🤔 and no bullet or dome car for you, well, not yet. 5 days in coach with recliner seats looks good at the start but could become a real BUMMER before the trip ends. I have my popcorn at the ready so bring on episode 2!!

Hi from Scotland, Mike. Great to see you on a train, sharing your journeys again. Looking forward to all five days of this experience. 😊👍🏻

I can’t wait to see the video next week. It is so beautiful in that part of Canada and I want to experience it for myself. Thank you Mike you’ve added more stops to my travel bucket list!