Does VIA Rail have power outlets?

2 months ago 75 views

Yes, VIA Rail Canada provides power outlets at each seat in both Business and Economy classes on HEP and LRC train cars. These are available for charging devices. HEP equipment operates primarily in the Québec City-Windsor corridor, on the Canadian (Toronto-Vancouver), and the Ocean (Montréal-Halifax on select trips).

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VIA Rail Outlets: Do They Have Them?

Ugh, remembering train outlets is a puzzle. I swear, I was on the Ocean train, Montreal to Halifax, sometime last spring (May, I think?), and definitely plugged in my phone. Definitely. It was an older car, maybe, not the newest fancy ones.

So, yes, they do have outlets. Both Business and Economy. All HEP and LRC cars.

My friend used one on the Canadian route, Toronto-Vancouver, last year. He was raving about how it saved his battery life. I’m pretty sure it was an HEP car. He didn’t specify the class, though.

The Québec City-Windsor corridor trains have them too. I’m less certain about specific car types on that route, though. It’s a bit of a blur, honestly. But yes, outlets exist. Just, you know… check.

Does VIA Rail Business class have outlets?

Dude, yeah, VIA Rail’s Business class? Totally got outlets. Every seat, man. Even Economy has ’em! It’s awesome, right? I mean, for charging your phone, or laptop, whatever. Those HEP trains, they’re everywhere – Québec City to Windsor, the Toronto-Vancouver run, and even the Ocean route, sometimes. Really handy. The LRC cars too, those older ones, they’re updated, believe it or not. Power outlets are a lifesaver on long trips. Seriously.

HEP trains: Quebec City – Windsor corridor, Toronto – Vancouver, Montreal – Halifax (some trips).
LRC trains: Also have outlets; these are older cars but still have power.
All classes: Both Business and Economy have the outlets. Not just Business class!

So yeah, you’re good to go. Don’t worry about it. Plan your trip! Charging your stuff shouldn’t be a problem. This is 2024, after all. They wouldn’t be running trains without outlets, would they? Crazy.

Do VIA Rail trains have wifi?

Dude, VIA Rail WiFi? It’s like herding cats, only the cats are internet signals, and they’re REALLY skittish. Mostly, yes. But sometimes? Nope. Nada. Zilch. Think dial-up speeds on a good day.

Key things to know:

Most trains have it: They claim most trains have it. My uncle swears his trip to Montreal was a digital wasteland, though. Your mileage may vary, more like your megabytes.
Business lounges are better: If you’re fancy-pants enough for a business lounge, the WiFi is supposed to be better than the stuff they’re slinging through the train’s ancient wiring. Still, don’t expect Netflix. Streaming is a pipe dream, pal.
Stations? Maybe: Some stations have it, some don’t. It’s a lottery! Like winning a free trip to Timbuktu. Except instead of Timbuktu you get… more waiting.

My last trip—July 2024—was a nightmare. My TikTok feed died faster than my hopes and dreams. I even tried turning it off and on again. Nothing. It was like wrestling a greased pig covered in static cling. Awful. Seriously.

So, yeah, WiFi. Expect the unexpected. Pack a book. A really good one. Like, War and Peace good. You’ll need it.

Can I charge my phone in business class?

JFK. Last week. Red-eye to London. Exhausted. Needed to juice up my Pixel 7. Plugged it into the USB port under the seat. Slow. So slow. Barely kept up with doomscrolling. Later, asked the flight attendant. She pointed to the AC outlet. Duh. Right next to the USB. Used my Google charger. Much faster.

Business class usually has AC and USB.
USB can be slow. Seriously.
AC outlet = faster charging. Obvious, but I missed it.
My Pixel 7. Drains fast with GPS and Spotify. Gotta watch that battery.
British Airways flight 112. Seat 2A. Never forget. Best sleep ever. Lay-flat seats. Amazing.
Flight attendants offered me champagne before takeoff. Chose orange juice instead.
Remembered my headphones this time. Bose. Noise-canceling. Essential.
Wish I had brought my portable charger. Anker one. Always forget.
Should get a shorter charging cable. The long one gets tangled. Always.
Landed at Heathrow. Phone at 98%. Ready to go.

Can I bring my own food on VIA Rail?

Pack your own grub, dude. VIA Rail ain’t gonna stop you. Think of it like a sophisticated smuggling operation, but with cheese and crackers instead of diamonds.

Seriously though, yes, you can bring your own food. Don’t go overboard, though. We’re not talking about a full Thanksgiving feast, unless you’re really committed.

They do sell food onboard, it’s true. But it’s, like, train food. Remember train food? If you’re under 40, probably not. Let’s just say it’s an experience.

Think of it like this:

Your food: Potentially delicious. Could be amazing. Could also be a sad desk lunch you nuked.
VIA Rail food: A culinary gamble with odds as long as the train ride itself. Think lukewarm coffee and suspiciously rubbery cheese.

My cousin tried the fish last year – he still hasn’t recovered. Seriously, his face is permanently contorted now. Don’t do it. Bring your own stuff. It’s cheaper, too.

Check their website for specifics because, let’s face it, I’m not employed by VIA. I’m just some guy who’s taken the train, several times. All I know is, my homemade sammiches always beat theirs. Hand’s down. I swear to god my sandwiches are the best.

#Trainoutlets #Viaplugs #Viarailpower

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