I was born and raised in a railroad town which is now a city. The Ontario Northland Railway was established here to connect the south and the north. We are called the gateway to the north. The city was built by the railroad. Our museum is located in one of two old stations. We also have a 10,000 foot runway at our military base which was the home of an underground complex to protect North America from nuclear attack. Sadly it’s all gone now except the base. The complex was closed a few years ago when they moved it to the surface. The O.N.R. Is still here but struggles. I do miss the trains and the jets flying overhead. If and when I retire I plan to take the train across this beautiful country. Very much enjoy your videos.
Definitely the Santa Fe side. I love black white but that doesn't matter - that wallpaper would keep me awake all night. If I'm going to stay in an antique train car, I don't want it modernized like that. The Santa Fe side, by contrast, was amazing.
I've been in love with trains for as long as I can remember. I took a few tourist-type train rides as a child, but I really started getting into them a few years ago when I started traveling by Amtrak. (Coach is great for short trips, but my next long trip will be in a private upgrade!) I've sought out train museums and even a train themed rest stop in Utah. and I build a tiny house in the shape of a stylized caboose. You two are living my dream life! Keep having fun!
Loving your local exploration vlogs and so nice to see you enjoying making video with your sis. Not sure about the black and white wallpaper in that train carriage though! Ouch! Love your channel Mike. Matthew, Manchester. UK.
This series is reminding me of my drive from Chicago to Anchorage when I went from Glacier-Waterton all the way up to Jasper and beyond. That was in August 1993. Thanks for bringing back some amazing memories. Love your channel.
What a beautiful luxury. Definitely the Crystal suite. The other one is more drab. I'm not into the black and white wallpaper style, but it is so much brighter and cheerful.
If pushed I'd say the Santa Fe, just because I would feel like I was on a vintage train from the 30's. But I love the contemporary design of the Crystal room.
I love trains. I’d be happy sleeping on some straw on the wood floor of an old timey boxcar, with hobos as roommates. Your accommodations were gorgeous. I have a slight preference for the Santa Fe decor, but I appreciate the elegance of the black and white theme in your suite. Glad you and your sister are having a blast. Enjoy! 🌟
YAAASSSS!! I LOVE your train videos! This is amazing! Cranbrook is definitely on my bucket list for visiting now - the museum look great! I like both sides of the train, but I'd lean over to the Santa Fe car in preference. I can't believe you've already hit 200 comments within 24 hours! You're following is growing!
Thanks for helping to keep me sane during the Covid-19 pandemic, seeing your travels around Canada has been a great help. Hope we will soon have Covid behind us and be able to travel again.
I'd pick the crystal suite. You said you only heard 2 trains, I wonder if that would bother my precious sleep time? The view of the junk rail cars is kind of disappointing for a such a luxury accommodation. Thanks for the chance to travel vicariously with you and your friends and family. I enjoy your videos.
Several years ago I got to stay in a converted railroad car. It was in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Near where the old train station was. Unfortunately the property fell into disrepair and the Hotel closed down. As far as I know all the rail cars were scraped. The hotel did a nice job making the cars into hotel rooms but they were all done in a modern style and did not try to express the feel of an old luxury train car. I was sorry to see it fail but at the time Wilkes-Barre was a more depressed city than it is today. I would consider staying in a converted train car again if I found one in an area were I was traveling.
Another great one is the Red Caboose Motel in Strasburg Pa. plus you have the railroad right there to ride, model train museum and rail road museum of pa.
Great rooms! I would go for the Santa Fe, the crystal palace is a bit too over the top. The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake in NY has a Pullman built car like a small house for rail travel. It is totally mahogany paneling snd furniture with nickel plated hardware. That was very nice and definitely stylish in the day. I would travel in it today! Thank you for the video!
I actually rode on trains between Montreal-Toronto in the 1950s that had a Dinette car. my very 1st train ride by myself in 1955 was on a parlor car between Mtl-Ottawa with brass railing similar to the sleeping car . The train was actually hauled by one of the last steam engines in regular service. I still miss the Old Union Station in Ottawa right next to the Chateau Laurier Hotel where in 1964 I took "The Canadian" train to Vancouver.
Yes. Yes Yes. I would be so happy to stay on either side - both are beautifully done. I especially liked the bathroom in your suite. I'm enjoying these adventures and love your reactions of appreciation.
Mike, This whole Covid19 thing hasn't diminished the quality and/or interest level of your RU-vid videos at all.They are as great as they've always been. Its always great to see that you've posted yet other one for us to watch. Thanks!!!
Oh wow the Santa Fe is very authentic so for me I’d choose that one ...oh wanted to ask was there food service and if so how was it ...and roughly the cost of the rooms ...thanks for the tag along!!
Very cool! My preference is the Santa Fe railcar, but they are both great. I love it when something from the past is repurposed to be of use into the future. Particularly when it would have otherwise been abandoned to rot or dismantled for scrap!
Hi Mike, Thanks for sharing! Our style would be the Sante Fe room. I see from comments below the Chattanooga Cho Cho Hotel. We have been to Chattanooga multiple times, walked past the cars (rooms) but have not had the opportunity to stay there. Maybe next visit! Keep up the Great work!
I love the lightness of the crystal train, but not the black and white wallpaper. A solid colour, perhaps white with a hint of grey? And the Santa Fe is too dark. I felt claustrophobic just looking at it! Enjoyed your video as always.
It is neat how they've made them into rooms, but they wouldn't have taken up the whole widrh of the train. I'd be curious to see one that was done to the original layout.
Mike, wow and wow! You did a good job of picking out a place to stay that is so unique and I got to say the crystal car is better. Thank you for sharing
I would choose the Santa Fe side of the train. The one y'all stayed in was nice too but I would rather stay in the Santa Fe because it looks more like what I picture the room would have looked like a 100 years ago.
I'm a Santa Fe fan. It looks like the old private cars with all the brown wood. Most of them were much more cluttered with rugs, drapery, and lots of furniture. You know how those Victorians were.
Guess I have yet another place to add to my list of "you gotta stay/go here". Only about 2000 miles from Texas. Now it's added...so when I can get to it. Oh and which car would I pick? I'm definitely more old school...so the Santa Fe....but I'd want to spend a couple nights in each to "make sure". Haha.
I like the look of both but prefer the comfort and "shock and awe" effect of the Crystal suite! I'm loving these railroading/train vlogs, Mike! You've got a real, true blue fan in me 🙂👍
