Company History

Many have likened Canada’s development to that of its railways that helped unite the burgeoning country from coast to coast. With the driving of the “last spike” in Craigellachie in 1885, the new 4,800 km (3,000 mile) transcontinental railway effectively convinced British Columbians to join Canada, rather than our neighbours to the south. Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (RMV) also has its place in the history books of Canadian rail history for its groundbreaking efforts in turning a failing government owned passenger rail service into a profitable and internationally renowned tourist attraction.

In 1990, the federal government decided to drastically cut VIA Rail’s heavily subsidized operation and privatize its daylight tourist service. The Great Canadian Railtour Company (GCRC) – owner of Rocky Mountaineer Vacations – was awarded the right to operate the routes and purchase VIA Rail’s equipment. Under the leadership of President Peter Armstrong, a select group of former railroad executives and tourism experts created a vision for the Rocky Mountaineer, a two-day all daylight journey through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies.

In 1995, the company launched its luxury Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service, featuring two-storey custom-built glass dome coaches with stunning panoramic views on the upper level, galley, dining room and observation deck on the lower level. Today, GoldLeaf Service represents more than 50 percent of all guest bookings.

In 2005, the newly formed Armstrong Group (AG) replaced GCRC as RMV’s parent company. That same year, AG acquired Gray Line West, a successful motorcoach service with operations in Victoria, British Columbia and Banff, Alberta; in addition to doubling the number of employees, the acquisition allowed RMV to provide a seamless guest travel experience throughout Western Canada.

In 2006, RMV launched two new tourist train routes: the Whistler Mountaineer, operating a daily service between North Vancouver and Whistler, BC; and the Rocky Mountaineer Fraser Discovery Route, which winds through BC’s seldom seen interior between Whistler and Jasper, AB in the Canadian Rockies.

In 2007, Armstrong Group acquired Victoria-based Royal Blue Line Motor Tours, a fleet of vintage British double-decker buses considered the best ever made.

In less than 20 years, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations has grown from one railway enthusiast’s entrepreneurial dream into one of Canada’s leading tourism providers.

Visit www.rockymountaineer.com/media to see a snapshot of key milestones in Rocky Mountaineer Vacations’ history.

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