Canada may be the only country in the world with a constitution linking its formation to the building of a railway. British Columbia threatened to join the United States if it was not given its own line, so four thousand miles of iron road were driven from the Atlantic to the Pacific and trains have played a crucial part in Canada's history ever since.

VIA Rail

Canada's equivalent to Amtrak runs most of the current passenger services. Contact VIA Rail Canada, Rail Travel Bureau, Central Station, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3N3 (Tel 514 989 2626).

The refurbished Canadian train travels between Toronto and Vancouver, a journey of almost 2,765 miles taking three days and nights. The Skeena travels among British Columbia's mountains and snow-filled valleys, starting from Jasper in Alberta and following a route formerly used by fur trappers and gold prospectors.

VIA's busiest routes are between Quebec City and Windsor by way of Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. A new overnight service now operates between Montreal and Toronto, so you can replace a hotel stay with a comfortable bedroom on the train, departing at 11:30 pm. By choosing sleeping car class, you sleep as you travel and with on-board showers you arrive fresh and rested. A single Bedroom costs $195 and economy class (no bed)  $95 or less.

The Ocean train travels between Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Montreal via New Brunswick. The Chaleur operates three days a week, following the Ocean's route before continuing along the beautiful Gaspe peninsula. The Hudson Bay goes north from Winnipeg, crossing a desert of ice and snow to Churchill and polar bear country.

The Rocky Mountaineer

A leisurely two-day journey among the mountains and forests of the Canadian Rockies then on to Calgary makes this one of the world's most spectacular train trips, operated by the Great Canadian Railtour Company Ltd, # 130-1150 Station Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6A 2X7 (Tel 604 606 7200). For information contact 604 984 3315 (in Canada and USA) or 1 800 665 7245; fax 604 606 7201.

The Algoma Central

Trains operate between Sault St Marie and Hearst in Ontario, travelling on twisting route among forests, lakes, waterfalls and ravines, with terrific views of the Agawa River Canyon. For information or tickets contact the Algoma Central Railway, PO Box SB7000, 289 Bay Street, Sault St Marie 26, Ontario P6A 5P6 (Tel 705 946 7300; fax 705 541 2989).

The Ontario Northland

The Northlander is a technically-advanced passenger train running between Toronto's Union Station and the town of Cochrane via North Bay. The Polar Bear Express is a four-hour, ride down the sparsely populated Arctic watershed, accessible only by train or plane. The Little Bear is a year-round train between Cochrane and Moosoonee. For information on these and other ONR services contact the Ontario Northland Railway at Union Station, 65 Front Street W, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1E6 (Tel 416 314 3750 or 1 800 268 9281; fax 416 314 3729) or at 555 Oak Street E, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8L3 (Tel 705 472 4500). For information on schedules and fares call 1 800 461 2621.

The Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railroad

100 Retty, Sept Iles, Quebec G4R 4L5 (Tel 418 968 7805/7808; fax 418 968 7183) and Airport Road, Labrador City, NF A2V 2K5 (Tel 709 944 8205/2490; fax 709 944 8431). This line was originally built to move iron ore from Labrador City to a port at Sept Iles on the Gulf of the St Lawrence. QNS & L trains with Dome cars leave early on Tuesday and Thursday morning from Sept Iles, and on Wednesday and Friday from Labrador City. Some trains go north from Labrador City to Schefferville. For information call 418 968 7539.

White Pass and Yukon Railway

The White Pass is a unique narrow gauge railroad running from Skagway, Alaska, over the White Pass to Carcoss, Yukon, in Canada. A daily coach/train service operates between Whitehorse and Skagway, including a steep narrow-gauge route from Fraser to Skagway, hugging precipitous cliffs and crossing flimsy-looking trestle bridges. Part of the journey between White Pass and Whitehorse is by motor coach, and the whole trip takes four and a half hours. Services operate from mid-May to September. For information call 907 983 2217; fax 907 983 2734; e-mail to info@whitepass.net