If you’ve ever wanted to take a luxury train journey, the Rocky Mountaineer is almost certainly on your list. From the plush carriages and iconic GoldLeaf service to the 360-degree views of the unparalleled beauty of the Canadian Rockies, the Rocky Mountaineer is a world-renowned rail journey. Here, we’ll delve into the history books to uncover how it became North America’s most luxurious train journey – and how you can experience the wonders of the Rocky Mountaineer.

Experience it: Majesty of the Rockies 

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Origins of the Rocky Mountaineer 

The Rocky Mountaineer made its maiden voyage in 1990, but its story goes back a little further than that. The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in the late 19th century connected the vast, largely unpopulated expanses of Canada and northern USA and paved the way for transcontinental passenger trains. In 1988, the Canadian government created VIA Rail and privatised all passenger rail services. 

However, the scenic routes through the Canadian Rockies were not included in VIA Rail’s portfolio. This presented an opportunity for entrepreneur Peter Armstrong, who envisioned a luxury rail service that would showcase the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and provide a unique experience for travellers from all over the world.

The inaugural Rocky Mountaineer journey took place in 1990. It was a two-day journey from Vancouver to Banff, taking in Western Canada and the Rockies. It was an immediate success, and the following year was named one of the “World’s 20 Best Rail Experiences” by The International Railway Traveler magazine.

Read more: 7 of the world’s most luxurious train journeys

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Full steam ahead

The Rocky Mountaineer continue to upgrade and expand its fleet and in 1995, introduced the luxurious GoldLeaf cars. They quickly became the most popular way to experience the Rocky Mountaineer thanks to its exclusive outdoor viewing platform and gourmet meals prepared on board.

In 1996, the Rocky Mountaineer started setting records, becoming the longest passenger train in Canadian history, with 37 cars. Just three years later, in 1999, it broke the record again with 41 cars. 

In 2002, it welcomed its 500,000th guest and six years later, its one-millionth. Since then the Rocky Mountaineer has carried over two million passengers. The Rocky Mountaineer celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015, having grown to be the largest privately owned luxury train company in the world.

Read more: Embrace the Old-World Glamour of the Luxury Train Travel

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Global recognition

The accolades kept on coming over the years. The Rocky Mountaineer has won the prestigious “World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train” eight times at the World Travel Awards. Conde Nast Traveler listed it as one of the “Top 5 trains in the world”, and BBC named it as one of the “50 Things To Do Before You Die”. National Geographic named it one of the “World’s Greatest Trips” and one of the “Top 10 North American Train Trips”. They’ve been frequently honored as one of The International Railway Traveler’s “10 Best Rail Experiences in the World”.

The Rocky Mountaineer was also Lonely Planet’s Winner of Best Sustainable Train for 2021 and won Tourism British Columbia’s “Foresight Sustainability Award” for leadership and advocacy of sustainable tourism. In an effort to reduce its environmental impact, the Rocky Mountaineer uses locomotives powered by biodiesel fuel, a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional diesel fuel.

Read more: Christmas on the tracks: 7 of the world’s most beautiful, festive train journeys

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The Rocky Mountaineer experience 

The routes

You can still take the very first Rocky Mountaineer route today. Known as the First Passage to the West, it’s the most historic route, traversing along from Vancouver to Banff and Lake Louise. 

The Rocky Mountaineer has three other routes, including Journey Through the Clouds and Rainforest to Gold Rush, which takes you from Vancouver to Jasper through the UNESCO-listed Jasper National Park. From the beautiful mountain scenery to the remarkable wildlife, these are breathtaking journeys. For something a little different, you can also take the Rockies To The Red Rocks journey from Moab to Denver, with vast canyons, red sandstone, and enchanting deserts as your backdrop. 

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The views

They say it’s about the journey, not the destination, and this expression really comes to life on the Rocky Mountaineer. As you board the carriage each morning, you’re in no rush to reach your destination, because every passenger knows you’re about to witness something extraordinary. When you travel through the Rockies, you’ll see dazzling glaciers, snowy mountains, glittering lakes, and soaring canyons. 

You’ll pass through the iconic Spiral Tunnels, chug along the Kicking Horse River, and cross the Great Continental Divide. From Roger’s Pass, Kicking Horse Canyon, Kamloops and Lake Louise, to Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was planted into the ground, this rail journey is nature and history entwined. 

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You can even spot the renowned wildlife of the Rockies in their natural habitats, such as bears, elk, moose, mountain goats, and eagles soaring overhead. The train’s onboard hosts will also call out and let you know when they spot any animals.

This is one journey where you don’t have to worry about taking in everything at high speed. The train regularly slows down to a rolling speed to ensure every guest can soak up every spectacular angle and snap some wonderful photos.

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The luxury carriages

The train’s custom-designed, bi-level, glass-domed observation cars offer passengers 360-degree views of the spectacular scenery. You’ll feel completely immersed in the majestic mountains, lush forests, and rushing rivers from the comfort of your seat.

The premium GoldLeaf Service offers passengers a luxurious travel experience, with bi-level railcars featuring dining rooms on the lower level and observation lounges on the upper level. For a more intimate experience, you can step outside on the large outdoor viewing platform, exclusive to GoldLeaf passengers. 

While inside, you’ll enjoy five-star comfort and style, with wide plush seats and impeccable service. The warm and welcoming hosts bring the train journey to life. They’re extremely knowledgeable and will share the history and stories about the region. The hosts are also happy to answer all your questions as you roll through the gorgeous landscapes. 

Read more: 5 celebrities who have experienced the timeless luxury of train travel

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The dining

The Rocky Mountaineer is truly a feast for the senses. If you can tear yourself away from the views, you’ll enjoy gourmet meals and menus created by award-winning chefs Jean Pierre Guerin and Frédéric Couton. GoldLeaf passengers dine in an exclusive lower-level room with sweeping views. 

The mouthwatering meals infuse fresh, local ingredients, such as Alberta beef short ribs, B.C. steelhead salmon fillets, Fraser Valley chicken, and Yukon Gold potatoes. Meals are complemented with local beer and wine including an Okanagan Valley Merlot. Your hosts will also serve complimentary snacks and beverages between meal times. You’ll even be pleasantly surprised throughout the trip with plates of freshly-baked cookies or glasses of wine. 

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The stops

The Rocky Mountaineer is unique in that it exclusively operates during daylight hours. This ensures passengers can fully appreciate the stunning landscapes along the route. Guests spend nights in luxury hotels at various stops along the journey and the exceptional service extends to these stops. As the train pulls into the station at the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a seamless transfer to your hotel, with your luggage brought directly to your room.

How to experience the Rocky Mountaineer

Experience the wonders of the Rocky Mountaineer on our Majesty of the Rockies luxury tour. You’ll journey from Jasper to Vancouver aboard the remarkable Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service. Soak up the unobstructed views from your glass-domed windows and outdoor viewing platform. Hear the stories of the Rockies and enjoy gourmet meals with locally-sourced ingredients and paired wines. From the mountains and wildlife to the plush carriages and gourmet dining, you’ll find out why the Rocky Mountaineer is North America’s most iconic and luxurious train journey.

John Lennon called her “the greatest rock & roll voice of them all”. Dolly Parton said she’s “one of the greatest entertainers ever”. She’s inspired Elton John and Taylor Swift, the latter calling her “the singer who mastered the sound of heartbreak.” She toured with Jerry Lee Lewis and had the Beatles open for her. Her songs were favourites of Elvis and she influenced a generation of modern country music. As Rolling Stone puts it, Brenda Lee is a a “living link to the dawn of rock & roll”. 

Here we look at the success and influence of Brenda Lee, and share how you can meet the icon herself on Founders Collection departures of our Southern Grace tour.

Read more: Exclusive travel encounters: Founder’s Collection

Brenda Lee, global superstar

Brenda Lee may not be as well known as artists like Elvis and Johnny Cash, but she was as popular as any of them in her prime. She’s sold more than 100 million records globally throughout her career. In the 1960s alone, Lee achieved 47 US Hot 100 singles – more than any artist besides Elvis, the Beatles and Ray Charles. She was the first woman to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame. She’s also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and has won four Grammy awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. 

For travel inspiration: United States destination guide

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Generation-spanning musical influence

Lee captivated the world with her melodic voice, commanding stage presence, and endless stream of hits. Biographers Mary Bufwack and Robert Oermann said Lee is a “a prodigy so gifted that melody is as natural as breath.”

Her musical influence is far-reaching. In 2013, Kanywe West sampled Lee’s legendary “uh-huh honey” on “Sweet Nothin’s” for his hit “Bound 2”. During the 2009 Grammy Awards, Taylor Swift covered “I’m Sorry”, Lee’s first number-one single. Released in 1960, it catapulted 15-year-old Lee into global acclaim. Swift also called Lee her idol in an essay for the 2017 Woman Walk the Line. Earlier that year, Alison Krauss covered two of Lee’s songs in her 2017 album Windy City. 

And it’s just not Christmas until you hear Lee’s honeyed voice ringing out on her biggest hit “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”. It’s not only one of Lee’s most popular songs, it’s one of the best-selling Christmas singles of all time. There’s a remarkable catalogue of beloved hits that came before it, from the toe-tapping “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” to the country music ballad “Nobody Wins”.  

Read more: Musical heritage from the South

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Brenda Lee’s starpower through the decades

Lee may have been the superstar of the 1960s and 70s, but she hasn’t gone anywhere. She had multiple top ten hits and a top ten album in the 1980s, and recorded the “You’ll Never Know” duet with Willy DeVille in 1992. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” continued to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #37 in December 2017 and #2 in December 2019, with over 37.1 million streams.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Lee has lived in Nashville for the last 60 years. Known as the “unofficial mayor” of Nashville, Lee is a legend here and a stalwart of the music scene. The locals have plenty of stories about running into Lee at the grocery store or the Cheesecake Factory, or spotting her in the audience at a concert. She hosts events, gives speeches, and inducts fellow members Country Music Hall of Fame. Lee even performs a few times a year.

Read more: Where to see great live music in Nashville

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How you can meet Brenda Lee

Despite her global fame as a pop star, rocker girl, and country music legend – and her black book of equally iconic friends – Lee remains true to her roots. She’s warm and welcoming, and you’ll get to hear her stories as part of an exclusive experience on our Founder’s Collection departures on our Southern Grace tour. During your time in Nashville, you’ll meet with the remarkable Brenda Lee. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand in the presence of music royalty and hear Brenda’s fascinating stories first-hand. 

On the same trip, you’ll also meet harmonica legend Charlie McCoy, a Country Music Hall of Fame musician and Grammy-winning artist, who has collaborated with famous musicians like Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Loretta Lynn. Later, you’ll enjoy a rare recording session at Studio Be with a recording artist to learn the stories behind the hits. Top off your musical adventure in the Music City with a performance at the Grand Ole Opry. 

A dream for any music lover, this is a truly exceptional trip that is sure to inspire. 

For the opportunity to meet Brenda Lee for yourself, take a look at our Southern Grace luxury guided tour. To see more exclusive encounters that we have in store on our journeys, read about our Founder’s Collection. Spend time with the people who have shaped the history of the places you go. Meet European nobility, legendary locals and celebrated icons. Curated by our founder, the late Stanley Tollman, these are his friendships from across the globe brought to you through exclusive meet and greets.

First Nations communities of Canada’s Alberta have been connected to the extraordinary landscapes of Jasper National Park since ancient times. At the heart of these communities are the Warrior Women, who play an integral part in upholding the beauty and heritage of this otherworldly place.

Travel on our Majesty of the Rockies luxury guided tour for a unique opportunity to explore the Indigenous history of Canada, and develop a deeper connection to Mother Earth with the Warrior Women.