Jasper–Prince Rupert train

The Skeena at McBride in 2001

The Jasper–Prince Rupert train (formerly the Skeena, now known as Trains 5/6, sometimes called The Rupert Rocket ^[1]) is a Canadian passenger train service operated by Via Rail between Jasper, Alberta, Prince George and Prince Rupert in British Columbia.

Introduction

The train operates three times weekly, departing Jasper on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The return service departs Prince Rupert on the same days of the week. The journey takes two days with an overnight stop at Prince George. ^[2]

The train offers Economy Class and, twice a week in the summer, Touring Class service. Touring class offers exclusive access to the Panoramic Dome car and the Park car. When Touring Class is offered, Economy Class passengers are restricted from the dome cars; sandwiches, drinks, and other snack items are sold by the attendants at the passenger's seat. Touring Class passengers are served three meals per day in the Panoramic Dome car and staff offer commentary throughout the journey.^[3]

The train offers connections at Prince Rupert between the BC Ferries service to Port Hardy, the Alaska Marine Highway service to points in southeast Alaska, and a connection at Jasper to the Via Rail Canadian to Vancouver and Toronto.

Subsidy

According to the 2015 Via Rail Annual Report, the train has ridership of 334 passengers per week and an average government subsidy of $1.66 per passenger mile.^[4] The average passenger pays a fare of approximately $86, with operating costs of $641, for an average subsidy of $555 per entrained passenger.

A significant portion of the traffic on the train originates with Jasper-based tour operators who offer a day-time package of a ride on the train, with return transportation by bus to Jasper upon disembarkation at Dunster or McBride station. Rail tour operators such as Rocky Mountaineer also include the train as part of various "circle" itineraries.

Scenery

The departure from Jasper takes the train past Moose Lake, before traversing Mount Robson Provincial Park with a view of Mount Robson. The section between Smithers and Terrace is said to be the most picturesque part of the journey along with the approach into Prince Rupert.

Stations

0 Jasper 106 Harvey 142 Dunster 174 McBride 217 Goat River 232 Loos 262 Dome Creek 265 Bend 285 Penny 301 Longworth 314 Hutton 319 Sinclair Mills 331 McGregor 341 Upper Fraser 349 Aleza Lake 378 Willow River 409 Prince George 520 Vanderhoof 560 Fort Fraser 594 Endako 650 Burns Lake 734 Houston 780 Telkwa 795 Smithers 869 New Hazelton 912 Kitwanga 933 Cedarvale 957 Doreen 967 Pacific 988 Usk 1007 Terrace 1094 Kwinitsa 1160 Prince Rupert

Via Rail Jasper–Prince Rupert (interactive map)

References

• Via Rail: Jasper – Prince Rupert train