The
Royal Canadian Pacific is wholly owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway. CPR built Canada's first transcontinental railway in North America completing the work in 1885. The launch of the first transcontinental passenger rail service in June 28, 1886 was a "Red Letter Day" for Canada. That train, the "Trans-Canada Limited" used rail cars similar to those used on the
Royal Canadian Pacific.
On April 22, 1955, a new class of rail car was introduced on the CPR's second "Red Letter Day". "The Canadian" used stainless steel streamliner cars with a raised dome in the lounge. The CPR transferred the operation of this and other passenger rail service to VIA Rail Canada in 1978.
The third "Red Letter Day" for the Canadian Pacific Railway and the first for the
Royal Canadian Pacific was the inaugural run of the
Royal Canadian Pacific Rockies Tour on June 22, 2000.
Built between 1917 and 1931 the
Royal Canadian Pacific's unique carriages have been elegantly restored in a classic style that allows you to fully relax in ultimate comfort. Finished in Circassian walnut from Russia with Bird's Eye maple inlay and complimented by scalloped lamp fixtures, brass radiators and Turkish drapes, each car maintains the ambience of the classic era of luxury rail travel while providing our guests with the latest in conveniences.
These 80-foot-long steel-constructed cars carried the railway's executives and public dignitaries alike. Among the luminaries that have graced the
Royal Canadian Pacific's fleet are Sir Winston Churchill, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, and their Royal Highnesses King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
The
Royal Canadian Pacific generally uses six cars which are coupled in the following order from the rear of the train:
Observation Day Car: Mount Stephen with dining room. Capacity - 14 persons.
Business Car: Royal Wentworth with two twin rooms, and dining room. Capacity - 12 persons.
Business Car: Van Horne with two twin rooms.
Business Car: Strathcona with two double bed rooms and two single rooms
Sleeping Car: NR Crump with four twin rooms and two single rooms
Business Car: Killarney with four rooms for the RCP Service Team
Generator/Baggage Car
Trailing Locomotives: 1401/1900 (built in the 1950s)
Leading Locomotive: 1400 (built in 1953)
