any thoughts on which way to cross canada for the chance of seeing fab scenery in daylight!!! on the via train, toronto to vancover, or vancover to toronto, thanks, fizz

I think you need to think about the time of year as much as anything.

I took the Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver last year around the end of May and it was light enough to see a lot of the Rockies scenery west of Jasper until around 10:00 PM or so and i got up early on the last morning to see what I could of the scenery going into Vancouver.

I also enjoyed the daylight ride across the Canadian Shield out of Toronto.

If I were doing it again I would go westbound since I think the Rockies are the real highlight and worth waiting for. Of course, others may disagree.

thaks for your prompt reply , we will be travelling the third week of september next year

I agree that going westbound is better. I have gone both ways, but the anticipation is better from the east, as you can begin to see the mountains from quite a distance, 2-3 hours, before getting there.

thanks, west bound it is then

VIA Rail will have a new schedule by then - I believe it comes into effect in December 2008. (I think I saw this written on their website .... www.viarail.ca . You might want to wait and decide after you have a chance to look it over.