I heard there is a heck of a jump in price for a canoe over 17 feet. Does anybody know how much it is?

I can't quote you a rate but I've heard as much as $350.00. I should point out that the limit is 18' and not 17'. I suggest you contact a VIA Rail agent using the toll-free number since there's no information on the website. Then again, if it's just a short haul you're considering, you might risk taking a chance the baggage car isn't too crowded and a kindly baggage master will turn a blind eye to the extra 6".

quote walllee: "I heard there is a heck of a jump in price for a canoe over 17 feet. Does anybody know how much it is?"

I've never been charged for a short haul with the Q18.5, had it in baggage many times on Via rail. one trip we loaded two Q18.5, nobody said anything.

we always flag all our gear, and i'll tip the main baggage handler when we load, ya know, just to "make sure we don't forget anything when we offload" down the line, where ever.

we're happy, the baggage guys are happy, kinda the way it's supposed to be.

on a side note, be prepared to load. i've seen some real disasters, with loose junk scattered all over the place, and it's a pain in the butt for the baggage guys. tough to unload too. if a piece of your gear does not get off that train when you do, YOU WILL NEVER SEE IT AGAIN.

Wabakimimaps has used VIA probably dozens of more times than any of us have. The limit is 18 feet. There is a painted mark in the boxcar to indicate 18 feet. I have used VIA four times..two with WM.

While you might get away with 18.5 feet depending on the baggagemaster having had an exceptionally fine evening the night before, I would not count on it.

Four years ago we were quoted $352 for an 18.5 foot canoe for a fifty km trip. $15 for an 18 footer.

Maybe the tip thing works... Pack compactly with no scattered gear and be ready to catch when the train stops. The crew may not be gentle. Pack accordingly. They have a schedule to keep. I will relate its not easy to catch a 60 liter barrel loaded while you are standing on sloped ballast.

All of the above advice is valid and based on people's personal experience(s). Here are a few more hints that may help.

First, jdrocks' advice is critical. Be prepared to help load and unload your own gear as well as other people's.

Second, eliminate all loose gear--lash paddles tightly together below the thwarts/seats of your canoe(s) and do the same for PFDs (or wear them if you're disembarking by the water's edge).

Third, if there are scheduled intermediate stops (eg., Collins or Allanwater Bridge), offer to help with unloading.

Fourth, if there's more than two in your party, offer to have one person go forward to the baggage car to identify your gear and assist with the unloading. In either of these two situations, you may be politely refused but the offer will go a long way to ingratiate yourself with the train staff.

One last thought--if you're packing liquid fuel (i.e., naptha gas for your stove), be sure to keep it under wraps. Flammables and explosives are a strict no-no on Canadian passenger trains--even in the baggage car.

quote yellowcanoe: "Wabakimimaps has used VIA probably dozens of more times than any of us have. The limit is 18 feet. There is a painted mark in the boxcar to indicate 18 feet. I have used VIA four times..two with WM.

i don't see every word written on the canoe forums, but i'm not aware of any paddlers reporting problems loading Q18.5s out of Armstrong Station for a short haul down the line. Armstrong is the reference here, not loading a Q18.5 in Toronto, for instance, and disembarking in the Wabakimi vicinity.

in case i wasn't clear, i routinely tip the main baggage handler AFTER all our gear and boats are on board, not BEFORE. the tip is a courtesy, not a bribe, and is not a large amount. we've always gotten off where we planned and have never lost any gear. our interaction with the VIA rail people has always been great.

quote jdrocks: "

quote yellowcanoe: "Wabakimimaps has used VIA probably dozens of more times than any of us have. The limit is 18 feet. There is a painted mark in the boxcar to indicate 18 feet. I have used VIA four times..two with WM.

i don't see every word written on the canoe forums, but i'm not aware of any paddlers reporting problems loading Q18.5s out of Armstrong Station for a short haul down the line. Armstrong is the reference here, not loading a Q18.5 in Toronto, for instance, and disembarking in the Wabakimi vicinity.

in case i wasn't clear, i routinely tip the main baggage handler AFTER all our gear and boats are on board, not BEFORE. the tip is a courtesy, not a bribe, and is not a large amount. we've always gotten off where we planned and have never lost any gear. our interaction with the VIA rail people has always been great."

Check with wabakimimaps who has loaded more gear at Armstrong in nine years than all of us put together. The baggage guys are usually great. But they did hole a SR Wilderness 18 on one of his trips; it could have been due to running behind schedule.

To the best of what he told me he chose the 18 foot as that was the VIA limit for canoe. I am glad your experience was different.

both you and Phil are loading W18s, and i've reported no problems loading Q18.5s at Armstrong.

the topic is VIA freight charges for boats on the typical short hauls used by the majority of paddlers on Wabakimi route starting points.

please point to a paddler report that states a freight charge problem loading a 18.5 boat at Armstrong, recent or otherwise.