VIA Rail’s “Ocean” train runs between Montreal and Halifax, and is the longest running named train in North America. The train features coach and sleeper accommodations as well as on-board dining.
Currently the Ocean runs three times a week, departing Montreal on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays for Halifax. The westward train departs Halifax on the same days – Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
It used to run six days per week until half the runs were cut in 2013.
For More Information
- For the history of the Ocean train, please read The Ocean Limited by Douglas N.W. Smith.
- See Atlantic Canada Passenger Trains by David Othen for a historical look at passenger trains in the area
in the mid 1980’s I took a train from New Brunswick to Montreal. Before arriving in Montreal the train slipped of the rails into a snow bank and all the passengers disembarked and walked to a tavern to be picked up by a bus which took us to Montreal. We were put up at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel and then took the Amtrak to NYC Grand Central Station. I think this was in December of 1986 or so. I cannot find anything about it but I know it appeared in the newspaper at the time.