TAKING THE TRAIN IN CANADA - All Aboard: The Complete North American Train Travel Guide - page 226

periodic reductions in both personnel and service, but still the
system remains more or less intact. Furthermore, you'll find the
equipment to be modern, the service good, and the food really
first-rate.
Things to Know About Canada's Passenger Trains
Basically, there really isn't a great deal of difference between VIA
Rail's operation and Amtrak's, so there's no reason you can't
include a trip on a Canadian train in a rail itinerary. In fact, I
encourage it. I would suggest you try putting together your own
schedule as much as possible and then turn everything over to a
knowledgeable travel agent to double-check what you've done
and to handle the actual ticketing. You can also go directly to
VIA Rail, of course.
Most of the information contained elsewhere in this topic
will apply equally to either Amtrak or VIA Rail. There are a few
things that deserve mention here, however, either because VIA
does them a bit differently or because something bears repeating.
Reservations
Book as far in advance as possible, especially if your itinerary
includes riding VIA's transcontinental train, the Canadian, during
the summer months. For a number of weeks every year, the train
to Churchill is often sold out too. The little town becomes a tour-
ist attraction toward the end of each September and into October
when polar bears, waiting for the ice to form on Hudson Bay,
come wandering into town. Whatever the train, if you choose to
make reservations yourself, you can do it by visiting www.viarail
.ca or by calling VIA Rail's toll-free number, 1-888-VIA-RAIL, or
1-888-842-7245. Schedules for all VIA trains are available online,
or you can call the toll-free number for a free copy of their system
timetable.