Rocky Mountaineer
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX

(Unless noted otherwise text/photos by Doug Lawson (BC Rail, retired)

Rocky Mountaineer SD40M-2 #8600, making its first trip as a leader, rolls through Coal Creek Canyon, CO on 18 September 2024. (Photo by: Colorado Zephyr)

New: 1 September 2023 / revised; 19 September 2024

Rocky Mountaineer operates a world class train wtih good equipment, excellent on-board staff, great foods, and of course beverages. Additionally, the Mountaineer operates through some of the most spectacular scenery in North America, and perhaps the world. Typically, the train slows at some of the most scenic areas so guests can have a panoramic view of the breath-taking sights and impressive bridges that were crossed. Also when wildlife are spotted along the way, the train slows and hopefully passengers get to see bear, deer, moose and mountain sheep. Occasionally two-legged wildlife will pop-up and provide a "full moon."

It is worth noting that the Moutanineer, which was founded in 1990, is all about customer service. On one trip,, we were asked by RMR's on-board supervisor to stop the train at Lac La Hache because the galley had run out of a specific tea a passenger preferred. The OBS called someone in the area prior to our arrival, and a "rescue" box of tea was waiting at the small depot in Lac La Hache.

As for my role, I had the seniority to work the summer seasons 2006 to 2008 as an engineer on the Rocky Mountaineer "Fraser Discovery" over the "former" BC Rail between Prince George and Whistler BC, (640 km / 400 miles) and return. There were two crews, conductor & locomotive engineer, assigned to the "luxury liner," working alternate trips. The roundtrip journeys were four days, departing Prince George to Quesnel, stay the night, and next day was long Quesnel to Whistler to spend the night. During the night layovers, the train was cleaned, serviced and re-stocked. The return trip was Whistler to Quesnel and then next day to Prince George. A CN crew would board and take the train east to Jasper Alberta. Every third trip we would lay over in Whistler, two nights instead of one and then run back north to Quesnel and then onto Prince George. The trip between Quesnel and Whistler were lots of rail miles and 12 to 14 hours on duty. The jaunts between Quesnel and Prince George was short mileage wise and short time on duty. After completing the round trip, A five-day break was enjoyed.

For the record, my view from the right-hand seat was the best on the train. I never tired of the scenery and was paid to enjoy it trip after trip.


Photo Gallery

Great Canada Railtour Co.
Two GCRC B37-7s used at service start-up and continued until mid-1992. The GEs were ex-ATSF #7488 and 7498. Ken Perry photo at Pitt Meadows, BC on 18 August 1992
GCRC Lease Units
During the off-season GCRC would lease the GE-built B36-7s to other railroads, such as in this shot of GCRC 7488 leading a Conrail "funeral" train in February 1994. (Mike Stellplug photo)
RMR GP40-2LW
GMDD-built 8013 is one of five GP40-2LWs used to power the Rocky Mountaineer; photo was taken at Williams Lake, BC on 22 August 2006
RMR GP40-3
The 8018's special garb promoted RMR's six-hour roundtrip excursion between Whistler and Vancouver. (Photo at Williams Lake, BC on 22 August 2006)
RMR's New Look
In 2010, RMR introduced a new custom navy blue and gold leaf attire to help further brand the luxury tourist service. (Jim Kleeman photo)
RMR GP40-3
The newest round power on the RMR were GP40-3s purchased second-hand from National Railroad Equipment. The 8019 was photographed at Kamloops on 12 October 2018. (Joe Ferguson photo)
Mile 168.5 on BC Rail Lillooet subdivision
Southbound at the Fraser River bridge
Deep Creek bridge at Mile 330
Southbound at Mile 309
Domes Bring-up The Markers
Dome Interior
Lounge Car
Dining Car
New Red Rock Service
Leased UP power draws RMR's newest U.S. luxury excursion train enroute to Moab, Utah in August 2021 (Marcus Wilmsmeyer)
Welcome Aboard
Doug Lawson (in coveralls) and a few members of the large train staff

All-Time Motive Power
Revised: 12 April 2024 Photo by: Jim Kleeman
Model (& Bldr) RMRX No. Built Bldr S/N Orig. Owner & Road # Notes
GP15-1 (EMD) 583 12/76 767037-9 MP 1583 UPY/UP 583
593 7/77 767038-4 MP 1593 Ex-UPY/UP 593
B36-7 (GE) 7488 11/1980 43134 ATSF 7488 Acquired from GE
7498 11/1980 43135 ATSF 7498 Acquired from GE
GP40-2LW (EMD) 8011 5/1975 A3230 Alstom 9595 CN 9595
8012 3/1975 A3197 Alstom 9562 CN 9562
8013 9/1975 A3256 Alstom 9621 CN 9621
8014 3/1976 A3428 Alstom 9633 CN 9633
8015 3/1976 A3430 Alstom 9635 CN 9635
#8011-8015 and 8600 were upgraded by Alstom before going to RMRX.
GP40-3 (EMD) 8016 8/68 34293 PC 3114 Ex-NRE 675 < UP 675 < MKT 240 < Conrail 3116
8017 8/68) 34291 PC 3112 Ex-NRE 9956 < UP 9956/675 < MKT 239 < Conrail 3114
8018 9/68 34310 PC 3133 Ex-NRE 9960 < UP 9960/678 < MKT 243 < Conrail 3133
8019 9/68) 34329 PC 3152 Ex-NRE 9963 < UP 9963/681 < MKT 246 < Conrail 3152
8020 4/69 34862 B&O 3739 Ex-HMBX 4024 < CORP 4024 < BN 3024 < GATX 3739
8021 -- -- -- --
SD40M-2 (EMD) RMRX 8600 -- -- -- Equipped with Positive Train Control
Leased Power
GP40-3 (EMD) HATX 800 10/71 38527 B&O 4047 CSX 6622 < CS 4047
HATX 801 11/71 38536 B&O 4056 CSX 6631 < CS 4056
HATX 803 2/67 32963 SAL 650 Ex-CSX 6720 < SBD 6720 < SCL 1565
HATX 804 1/70 35104 SCL 1591 CSX 6746 < SBD 6746 < SCL 1591
HATX 805 5/70 35899 SCL 1598 Ex-CSX 6753 < SBD 6753
GP40-3 (EMD) HZRX 800 10/71 38527 B&O 4047 CSX 6622 < CS 4047
SD18M (EMD) HZRX 187 -- -- == ==
SD70M (EMD) UP 5105 9/02 20006271-130 UP 5105 Carries RMRX logo and lettering
UP 5107 9/02 20006271-132 UP 5107 Carries RMRX logo and lettering
Notes: Helm rebuilt GP40 units into GP40-3s prior to leasing them to RMRX.

Abbreviations:

  • B&O - Baltimore & Ohio
  • CN - Canadian National
  • CS - Chessie System
  • CSX - CSXT Transportation
  • HATX - Helm Leasing
  • MKT - Missouri Kansas Texas
  • NREX - National Railway Equipment
  • PC - Penn Central
  • SAL - Seaboard Air Line
  • SCL - Seaboard Coast Line
  • SBD - Seaboard System
  • UP - Union Pacific
Sources: Additional info from Ed Weisensel and John Whittingham.
  • Canadian Trackside Guide by By-Town Railway Society
  • Diesel Era Magazine
  • Trains Magazine
  • Railfan & Railroad Magazine
  • X2200 South Newsletter

Back to Tourist Line Index

Back to The Diesel Shop