Via Rail White River
One of the more unique trips on VIA Rail is the route from Sudbury to White River in Ontario. This is one of VIA Rail's "Scenic Adventure Routes". It uniquely operates using Budd Cars, two or more self propelled cars suited for passengers and baggage.
In the fall of 2022, the trains were running twice a week over the route, with the trains departing early morning out of Sudbury, travelling most the day to White River. The train overnights in White River and then makes the return trip the following day.
I drove to Sudbury on Friday and stayed over on Friday night at a hotel near the downtown Sudbury station. I arranged with the hotel to park my car there for the weekend. The Canadian, on its way from Vancouver to Toronto passes through "Sudbury Junction" about 10km east of the downtown station and because it was delayed, I was able to catch it passing through.
On Saturday morning, five of us boarded the train although only two of us were planning on going through to White River. The rest were getting off at one of the camps accessible only by rail. My train only had two cars - the lead car for the passengers (VIA6219) and the trailing car for baggage (VIA6250).
After the 9am departure, the train rolled generally north west towards White River. The only major community we passed through was Chapleau, where the train refuels. Because only coffee and candies are available for purchase on board, I had brought a sandwich and snacks with me from Sudbury. Also, there is no cell coverage so bring a book!
The train uses the Canadian Pacific mainline so is often asked to pull onto sidings (at one point a stub-end siding) to allow eastbound freight trains to pass.
We stopped several times to allow passengers to board and disembark. At one stop, the crew unloaded an ATV and at another, a group unloaded several canoes to paddle the Spanish River.
We arrived at White River at about 5pm. There wasn't much at the station but it is only a 15 minutes walk to where most of the action is - along the trans-Canada highway. I had reserved a room at the White River Motel, although I learned later that the crew stays at the Continental Motel. There are only a couple of restaurants to pick from and I would recommend picking up lunch for the following day as well. Definitely check out the Winnie-the-Pooh statue and historical plaque.
The return trip runs basically the same. The crew warned me to arrive early at the White River station in case they had to leave early to avoid the CP freights.
