8 amazing facts about Rocky Mountaineer that you didn't know

Titan Travel is proud to be part of Rocky Mountaineer’s legacy, having offered Rocky Mountaineer packages since they first began back in 1990. We think it’s the perfect way to explore this stunning and expansive wilderness without having to leave the comfort of your own seat. From the panoramic views across shimmering lakes, the alpine shades of ancient forests and the dramatic mountains and canyons, a journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer is unparalleled. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But even though Rocky Mountaineer rail journeys are world-famous, did you know that some of the top wildlife sightings from the train are bears, elks, bald eagles and a sasquatch - now that would be an interesting story to tell. Or that Rocky Mountaineer is made up of a collection of 58 different coaches and locomotives? We’ve put together some other fun facts that you might not know…

Discover seven wonders

Scaling some of Canada’s most awe-inspiring mountains without having an arduous hike is one of the biggest draws of travelling onboard Rocky Mountaineer. And you’ll be astounded by not one, but seven picture-perfect mountain ranges. From the gigantic Selkirk Mountains which are home to the ethereal woodland caribou, to the rolling hills alive with bright yellow fauna of the Centennial Range, you’ll sigh at the contrasting scenery of icy peaks, dazzling fjords, sweeping forests and turquoise lakes.

That’s a lot of cheese…

Each season onboard Rocky Mountaineer sees 1500kg of cheese and 450kg of smoked salmon consumed. That is the equivalent to the combined weight of one grizzly bear and four moose! Clearly, passengers like cheese and smoked salmon…

It’s broken world records

Back in 1996, Rocky Mountaineer set the record for being the longest passenger train in Canadian history when it connected 37 coaches together. Not content with one record, it outdid itself in 1999 when it extended to a whopping 41 coaches.

It travels on a historic route

The development of steam powered railways in the 19th-Century revolutionised Canada’s transportation system and contributed to building the nation. In 1867 when the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick came together to form a confederation, they lured British Columbia into joining on the promise of constructing transcontinental railway within 10 years. After many funding disputes, completion of the railway saw the first passenger train leaving Montréal in June 1886, and arriving in Port Moody, BC, on 4 July. Not only was a great engineering feat, but united the country. Rocky Mountaineer is the only passenger rail company to still travel along this historic railroad from Vancouver to Banff.

Wine time

The awesome Okanagan Valley in British Columbia has some 182 wineries and is the second largest producer of the good stuff in Canada. Which stands to reason why all the wine served onboard Rocky Mountaineer is from this wine region, supporting local producers and offering the best in regional wines.

Keeping it light

So that passengers will never miss a second of the incredible landscape and wildlife, Rocky Mountaineer only travels during daylight and stops overnight. It is the only train through Rocky Mountains to do so.

What a distance…

For the past 30 years, Rocky Mountaineer only travels from mid-April to October but it has clocked up a remarkable 8 million kilometres - which is the equivalent of travelling more than 150 times around the world!

Tree-tastic

Planting trees helps climate change by removing the CO2 from the air. Rocky Mountaineer has planted over 6,700 trees so far along their route - one for each of their employee’s yearly anniversaries!

Want to know more about travelling onboard Rocky Mountaineer? Our tours to Canada and Rocky Mountains include several days on this iconic train. And because we are celebrating its 30th anniversary, we also have some amazing special offers.