Rocky Mountaineer Reflections
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Reflections on The Rocky Mountaineer
I’m on the Rocky Mountaineer Train – the rail journey of a lifetime through the Canadian stretch of the Rockies – and as four days of jaw dropping views rhythmically float past me, I become obsessed with capturing the immense skies and screen-saver scenery as reflected with the glint of the sun in the side of the train.
These are, quite literally, my favourite reflections on the most epic rail journey you can imagine…
I lean out the side of the open-air vestibule of my luxury train carriage, lapping up the fresh air like a dog sticking its head out of a car window. My hair is being whipped in a way that even Willow Smith would find hard to control. I can feel the sun beating down on my skin, I can smell pine needles in the air, and it’s all I can do to decide which way to look first.
With scenery like this enveloping you, it’s hard to know where to look
Like most of the other passengers in the Gold Leaf carriage of the train, I spend much of my days alfresco on that moving deck, darting from one hand rail to the other to see, take in and capture the views.
Thousands of pictures later a theme emerges – there’s something truly special about the way these rivers and lakes, mountains and canyons, bridges and tunnels, whether with clear or ominous skies, appear when reflected back at you in the side of the blue, white and gold carriages. Like Alice in my own wonderland presented with a note reading ‘Photograph me’ I disappear down the rabbit hole clutching my iPhone.
Here are the results…
At Cisco crossing the two mighty train powers of Canada’s coast to coast rail network – Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways meet to cross the canyon.
Fellow passengers taking in the sunlight, the views and the fresh mountain air.
Travelling South West from Lake Louise to Vancouver – I love the way that you can’t quite place what it is you’re looking at in this picture until you notice the curve of the train in the distance.
At Lake Louise station, waiting to board for the return journey to Vancouver, I discover that beautiful old Canadian Pacific rolling stock, including a restaurant car, are permanent features.
Snow-capped mountains, blue skies and greenery, plus the train gently winding endlessly onwards. I finally got the shot I wanted.
You don’t need the train itself to capture some incredible reflection shots out here.
Crossing the river at Revelstoke, British Columbia, surrounded by national parkland.
Reflections on the glass whilst looking up at the sky and at uninterrupted views from the top floor dome in which you travel.
More Info
The Rocky Mountaineer runs from Vancouver through to Jasper and Calgary, stopping at Whistler, Quesnel, Kamloops, Banff, and Lake Louise. The Vancouver to Jasper and Lake Louise to Vancouver routes each take two full days, overnighting at a hotel in Kamloops.
For more information on pricing and packages visit the Rocky Mountaineer website
Rocky Mountaineer Map
SavoirThere was a guest of Rocky Mountaineer
Tags: Canada, Trains, Vancouver
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