USA
Oh, the joys of travel! Bright cities bold against the night sky. Majestic mountains draped in fir trees and foggy mists… was that a mountain lion? Fields of fresh-cut hay and groves of oak, elm, ash and maple, all arrayed in autumn finery. An ever-changing, ever shifting panorama, up close. This is the menu offered to passengers traveling across the United States by train.

I took such a trip from Los Angeles to Orlando with my husband Tom, mother, sister, and my electric wheelchair. We traveled in the sleeper coach; my husband and I in an accessible room.

Since Amtrak’s Sunset Limited, which serves the southern U.S. and gulf coast, is out of commission because of hurricane Katrina, we were routed up to Chicago, down through D.C. and into Florida. Not exactly a shortcut.
Three separate trains—four days, each way!

In L.A.’s Union Station, a Redcap by the name of Jaime offered his services. He took our non-checked baggage to a holding area where it was safe and out of the way.

When the boarding call came, a ramp was already set up. While my mother and sister settled comfortably into their car, I rolled right on into ours.

The room took up the entire back of the car, almost three times the size of the standard rooms. Two bench-chairs awaited us on either side of a window. I plugged my cell phone into the 120-volt outlet next to my bench. Across from the sitting area, a commode was situated behind a drawn curtain, and between two grab bars. A sink and vanity were planted within reach. Cozy. Relaxing.

A leisurely dinner would soon be served. Quiet at last—it was my turn to be waited on! The menu was nicely varied. I chose a steak. Tom loved the chocolate cake—he ate his, then came down and finished mine!

I mentioned the 120-volt outlet next to the seats. That outlet is important. I used it to re-charge my chair, my phone and my computer. I was able to work and play thanks to that little amenity. While Tom was exploring the train, checking on the rest of our family or sleeping—it was his vacation too—I enjoyed four and a half days of leisure!

One lazy morning, I interviewed Richard Gocha, the attendant for our car on the first leg of our trip. Perhaps his insight will help you to determine if train travel is for you….

When is the best time of year to travel?
RG: Autumn, definitely. The weather is nearly perfect and the crowds are smaller than the rest of the year. This allows for your attendant to have more time to see to the needs of each passenger.

How far in advance would you suggest booking?
RG: As far in advance as possible. On many lines, there is only one accessible room. It will go fast.

How large of a group can you accommodate?
RG: Two people can travel in the accessible room; if there are more in your party, you’ll have to book in advance for as many sleeper rooms as you will need.

Some people don’t like to use the call buttons. They don’t want to bother you. What advice can you give them?
RG: That’s what it’s there for. We’re not mind readers. If you need something, call for it. We don’t mind. I do my best to stop by and see if my people have needs, but if you need something, push the button and let me know.

What if the accessible room is unavailable, can you still accommodate a person traveling with a chair?
RG: You can use the family room. It’s large enough but doesn’t have a rest room. There wouldn’t be enough room for a non-folding wheelchair.

Would you advise a person with a wheelchair to travel by coach?
RG: The sleepers are the better way to go if you’re traveling for any length of time, but coach, of course, is cheaper. Attendants will usually still bring down meals for passengers who are not able to get up the stairs to the dinning car. You need to tell them in advance when you make your reservations. Attendants are kept busy so be patient.

What about special needs? Some people have medicine that needs to be kept cold, for instance, or a special diet. Can you accommodate them?
RG: Foods for special diets can be provided, if we know ahead of time that you will need them. We’ll bring you ice for your medicines, just be sure to bring a cooler. When you make your reservations, tell them of any special needs and if you use a wheelchair so they can have appropriate ramps and lifts available. It’s a good idea to call again shortly before you leave, just to make sure they know what you need.

What about service animals? Is it possible, or even a good idea to bring one?
RG: Sure. A lot of people do. They’ve brought service dogs, cats, even monkeys on board. They travel in the room with you, or in coach. They can accompany their partners to the lounge and dining room, or wherever you go on the train.

What do people most often forget?
RG: Their medicine! Following a check list is a good idea.

What won’t train attendants do?
RG: If you need help with administering medication, bring a caregiver. Train personnel are neither equipped nor allowed to render such care, though we’re anxious to help all we can to make your trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

On that note, a companion who travels in your room will only need to pay the rail fee (the cost of traveling by coach, less a 15% discount), so take advantage of this generous provision and give a friend the pleasure of your company.

Keep in mind, sleeping in a narrow, bunk-style bed - which rocks and rolls a bit, sometimes a lot – can be a problem for some and something you might want to consider before you go.

No one likes to think about this, but what if there is a problem? What if everyone has to get off the train? All of the attendants I talked to assured me that train personnel give priority to travelers with a disability in the rare event of a serious problem.

A word on tipping: Do it, by all means. It’s good manners, and it makes a good impression for the next traveler with a disability.

Glitches? Well, of course, we’re all human. And then there’s weather, mechanical conveyances, unforeseen occurrences and even politics. So, if you absolutely need to be there by a certain time, don’t go by train—or go a week early.

Anyone considering any kind of travel needs to plan carefully. Make a list, as detailed as possible. Check and re-check arrangements. Bring a good book; you’ll have all the time you need to enjoy it.

Are you ready? Is train travel for you? It can be a lot of fun and a real adventure, if you do your homework. Take into account your own situation, needs and wants. If you decide to try it, perhaps we will meet on a train sometime. I’m the one traveling in the red chair with the brown poodle.

For more information on accessible stations visit www.amtrak.com or call 1-800-872-7245. Amtrak is committed to the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Canada
Riding the Rails Canadian Style
By: Shauna Petrie

Train travel is continuing to enjoy an incredible resurgence in popularity as people turn to the rails as a transportation alternative. Although train travel is not nearly as popular in North America as in Europe, and can take much longer than travel by plane, nothing compares to the unique experience aboard the iron horse.

I was introduced to train travel as a teenager when my parents, three children in tow, herded us aboard “the snow train” from Ottawa to Barrie’s Bay to enjoy a weekend of cross-country skiing. The incredible scenery, the car by car exploration, the sense of adventure and the novelty of the experience, made the train ride itself a highlight of the trip. I looked forward to a repeat adventure.

I sustained a spinal cord injury the following spring in a parachuting misadventure. After many months of hospitalization and rehab, it was time to revisit the world of transportation from a different seat. Accessible travel I soon learned was not something to be taken for granted. I began with a K-car outfitted with hand-controls which I drove to Toronto to begin my university studies. My car remained parked underground for the next four years. Instead, I resumed my love affair with trains.

Each Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas I found myself aboard Via Rail’s Club Car (now know as the VIA 1 first class coach). There was no raised boarding platform. I was elevated onto the train with the use of a mechanical lift, operated by VIA personnel. The coach was equipped with a wheelchair tie-down area but I had the option of transferring into the seat directly across from me. Adjacent to my seat was a wheelchair accessible bathroom equipped with a pocket door (35” wide) complete with grab bars. The bathroom was a welcome feature given that unlimited wine was served throughout the journey along with a gourmet five-course meal. Fine chocolate and liqueurs finished off every meal.

Via Rail has an escort policy for passengers who require assistance with personal needs (eating, medical care, etc.) during their trip. They must travel with an escort capable of providing such assistance. The escort travels for free in the same class of service. Needless to say, I was incredibly popular with my university friends looking for an inexpensive way home for the holidays. Only gentlemen needed apply!

It should be noted that passengers wishing to travel with an escort must supply a document attesting that they cannot travel alone: either a medical certificate or an identification card issued by an organization recognized by VIA.

I didn’t realize at the time how lucky I was to be living and traveling in the Quebec-Ontario Corridor where VIA Rail offers its most comprehensive intercity passenger service. The accessible VIA 1 first class coach is exclusive to this line.

It should be noted that The Canadian, The Hudson Bay and The Skeena itineraries utilize standard VIA Rail coach cars and while wheelchair tie downs are available, you are seated in the regular coach section of the train. The door width to enter the car is only 25 inches compared to the 28 inches on the VIA 1 car. Washington chairs are made available when everyday chairs are too wide to fit through the door. The chair is very similar to those used on airplanes. Passengers sit in a regular seat, as they would on an aircraft. The Washington chair is available should you need to access the washroom or the dining area of the train.

VIA Rail has refurbished their European Renaissance cars, a source of accessibility controversy when purchased in 2000, to improve their level of accessibility and in fact, provide a wheelchair accessible sleeper car and a world of new adventures for travelers with mobility impairments.

VIA also accepts wheelchairs as checked baggage. For power wheelchairs, total weight must not exceed 68 kg (150 lbs), and no wider than 81 cm (32 in.) and 182 cm (72 in.) high or long. Power chairs weighing up to 114 kg (250 lbs) can be checked provided that the originating and destination stations are equipped with facilities to load and unload them. It is important to inform VIA of your needs at least 48 hours prior to your departure.

It’s been over 27 years since my first train ride aboard the Snow Train. Now married with a 16-year-old daughter, my travel horizons continue to expand to include romance by rail and rail and sail adventures. My next train trip will be with Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, a privately-owned company that operates most of its routes in Southwestern Canada. The Company’s GoldLeaf Service – Vancouver to Banff ¬– won the title of “World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train” at the 2005 World Travel Awards.

I’m anxious to see the splendor of the Canadian Rockies from their accessible dome car. This travel experience offers the best of both worlds by arranging deluxe hotel accommodation along the way in Fairmont Hotels such as The Banff Springs, The Chateau Lake Louise, The Jasper Park Lodge and The Chateau Whistler. This spectacular rail adventure also includes tours of scenic sites along the way, plus helicopter flightseeing and of course, the breathtaking scenery of Canada’s West. All Aboard!

To learn more about how you can experience your own rail adventure or for any other travel related inquiries, contact Shauna Petrie at spetrie@cruieshipcenters.com. She can also be reached at 1-800-997-9953, ext. 321.

Contact VIA Rail at 1-888-842-7245 or visit their comprehensive website at www.viarail.ca.

Ed. Note: If having difficulty traveling because of a disability, you can file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), although it’s best to first approach the transportation company’s Customer Service Department to see if the concern can be resolved at that level. A wealth of information can be found on the CTA website: www.cta-otc.gc.ca