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VIA RAIL CANADA

"When you have more time than money and want to travel from coast to coast, consider taking a scenic train trip through Canada," suggests reader Richard E. Grayson. "The Canadian passenger railroad system, called Via Rail, has trains departing daily—in both directions—on runs between Montreal/Toronto and Vancouver. You can, for example, leave Montreal at 8:30 on a Monday night and arrive in Vancouver at 7:30 on Friday morning.

"Currently, a coach ticket costs $156 (U.S.) one way between Montreal and Vancouver, which I think is pretty reasonable (especially compared to Amtrak's present one-way New York-San Francisco coach fare of $293). U.S. residents would, of course, have to add the cost of getting to a Canadian railhead to the trip's price.

"Though private and semiprivate sleepers are available for between $64 and $104 extra, my budget demanded that I settle for a coach ticket ... and I found that sleeping in the slightly reclining position my seat allowed was surprisingly comfortable. What's more, a spirit of comradery soon developed among those of us who had paid the least expensive fares. We shared food, drink, and reading materials.

"Bringing your own edibles will certainly help you to save additional money, but do plan to treat yourself to a dinner or two in the dining car, as the cuisine is very good. The best part of the trip, however, is the outstanding scenery (particularly if you sit on the northern side of the train). You should also be sure to spend some time in the domed observation car, which offers an even better view than do the regular windows.

"Actually, there's only one catch to traveling Via Rail," Richard concludes. "If you plan to take a trip during the busy summer holidays or over the Christmas season, you'll have to make your reservations months in advance."

For more information on inexpensive coast-to-coast travel, write to Via Rail Canada, Dept. TMEN, P.O. Box 8117, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3N3.

BRITAIN BY TRAIN

June Crabtree, another rail-riding MOTHER-reader, recently roamed all over the British Isles on a Brit-Rail Pass, which offers unlimited travel in England, Wales, and Scotland. (An economy ticket costs, at present, $99 for seven days . . . $150 for 14 days . . . $190 for 21 days . . . and $225 for one month.)

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