Glad I could help. The website is horrible to get the times for especially if you don't know the names of all the little towns it stops at. On the website it says it doesn't run on Sunday at all, which I should have known better as I hear the train whistle every morning.

I love train journies! We did the Starlight Dinner Train a couple of times (up to Porteau Cove and back) when that was running, and I was able to take the BC Rail passenger train up to visit friends in Williams Lake when that was running. Now I want to come over and take this trip! It sounds like a great day out. Basic rail transport is shutting down all over - we have to patronize the railways before we lose this terrific way to see our province.

We took this train last month from Nanaimo to Victoria and agree that it is a really good way to travel. Worth mentioning that there is no food or drink on the train, but they will book a cab for you to meet the train at Victoria ( a first for us) and stop the train at scenic points for photos!

Re booking the train, the schedule IS on the the VIA rail site but you have to look very hard and search under Malahat rather than the main schedule page. I think it is really sad that Canada does not have more trains - what a great way to see the country.

We also took the Cascades train from Seattle to Vancouver - cheap, scenic and comfortable.

Yes, if you are very persistent you can book on the website, but the main schedule will not acknowledge that there is a train that goes to Comox or Nanaimo or any other place on the route.

Here's probably the best link to get to it.

www.viarail.ca/trains/en_trai_roch_vico.html

Your trip report brings back a fun memory for me soozeequeue.

15 Years ago when we lived in Shawnigan Lake my son’s class went up island on this train as a field trip. It was as you say very spectacular and we all enjoyed it. It was a thrill for the children to ride the train and we had a lot of fun touring Nanaimo.

I have never understood why this line is not used as a commuter line.

Apparently some folks use it as a commuter line but it probably won't work with anyone's schedule if they work further upline than say, Duncan. But it would be a reasonable way to get from, for example, Esquimalt to Langford and not have to deal with traffic.

The other reason that the E & N/Malahat Line doesn't realize it's potential is that obviously the powers that be at VIA Rail don't give a rat's *** about it. Sorry to be so blunt, but it's true. They don't really promote the route at all (they should have brochures on all those stands), and I think there are so many visitors to Victoria who do not have a vehicle who would love to take the train and see more of the Island. The tourist office (above Milestones) can give you schedule information but have to send you up wharf street to the station to buy tickets.

Also, the train itself isn't in great repair - when someone pointed out to the conductor that one of the seats was broken, he just laughed and said, "One of many". When we went up front with the engineer to see out the front, the window frame was held together with duct tape. Don't get me wrong, the staff was great, and none of these things made our trip any less special, but they did indicate that the powers that be aren't too interested in this little line.

My sister said she's in the process of writing to her MP about the sad state of the Malahat line. More letters to VIA and MP's can't hurt. This little line has so much potential and it's being neglected.

many years ago we took this train up to chemainus(spelling prob way out) to see the wall art and village scenes , it was perfect and gave you enough time to walk around the town before you get the train back to Victoria. bg

OK - here's how to get the schedule with all the stops (you can do it in two clicks): On the VIA Rail website, left side, click on 'schedules', then 'print your train schedule'. Then chose your route.

Or, copy and paste this link:

viarail.ca/pdf/2008/timetable/VICT-NANAI-COU…

It's a complicated 133-year old story, originally a company railway for hauling coal, bought in 1905 by the CPR, but basically, the railway is required by law to provide passenger service on this route although it has lost money since the invention of the automobile. Both CP and later VIA have pleaded in vain for the government to let them put it out of its misery but to no avail!