“A bear!” someone calls out, and everyone starts furiously snapping photos. It's autumn, so cameras are already at the ready to capture fabulous views of forests and fields, ablaze with the fiery reds, purples, oranges and golden tones of autumn. Scenes like this repeat themselves on VIA Rail Canada routes across Canada throughout leaf-peeping season.

Peak times vary by region and year, but fall colors usually begin coming into their autumn splendor around mid-September and crinkle away by the end of October. Many of the longer routes, the Canadian and the Ocean, offer sumptuous salon-style lounge and Sleeper Cars that provide the added thrill and nostalgia of a voyage by rail that seems right out of a bygone era.  Ideal for leaf-peeping, the VIA Panorama or Skyline Dome Car afford incredible 360-degree views or overhead windows to appreciate the night's starry sky.

“There's probably no more gracious or romantic way to enjoy leaf-peeping in Canada than on a VIA Rail journey,” said Ryan Robutka, VIA Rail's Senior Manager of Sales & Marketing, Americas. “Our Economy class service is quite comfortable, with large picture windows, spacious seats, and plenty of room to move about. But for a more pampered experience, Sleeper Plus Class service features big-windowed dining cars serving elegant multi-course meals and living-room style lounges. While enjoying the panoramic views from the dome cars, a VIA Rail representative shares local lore.”

Here are three great itineraries for those who want to catch some of Canada's most stunning fall scenery:

The Canadian. Operating throughout the year, VIA Rail's four-day journey between Toronto and Vancouver showcases the nation's diverse landscapes. Whether departing from Vancouver or Toronto, the train is scheduled to provide maximum daylight hours for the awesome, ever-changing Rocky Mountain scenery between Edmonton and Kamloops as well as plenty of time in the glorious eastern woodlands and prairies.

Leaving Toronto, vast stretches of woodlands punctuated by lovely lakes provide plenty of photo ops for foliage fans. Crossing into the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, golden grasslands, wheat fields, ranches and autumn-cloaked forests fill the next day's travel.

Approaching the Rocky Mountains, excitement builds. Amid these towering peaks, fall takes on a golden hue as evergreen trees hold their rich color against the deepening yellows of aspen and birch trees and tall grasses. Before reaching Vancouver, many travelers stop for a few nights to the National Parks of the Rocky Mountains to Icefields  enjoy hiking, wildlife spotting and other mountain sports.

One of the most popular Rocky Mountain stops is Jasper, where it's also possible to connect with the scenic Jasper-Prince Rupert route. From Toronto, it's an easy connection to Montreal and the stunning Ocean route. Economy and Sleeper Plus service with berths, cabins for one to four guests and suites are available year round on The Canadian.

The Ocean. Aptly named, this overnight journey between Montreal and the Maritime Provinces, which operates three times a week, is timed to present the most stunning water views during daylight. Travelers depart Montreal just before dinner, in time to watch the sun setting over the swaths of farms and forests along the St. Lawrence River. The next morning greets travelers with the sight of pretty Chaleur Bay and the autumn-painted rolling hills of New Brunswick. The train reaches Moncton in time for lunch, continuing through small towns and pristine forests of maple, birch, oak and ash reflecting their fall finery in a series of lovely lakes before reaching Halifax in the mid afternoon.

From Halifax, many travelers rent cars or join tours to see Peggy's Cove and the Cabot Trail, a scenic seaside region beloved for its quaint towns with great seafood restaurants and artisans, whale watching (through October), hiking and kayaking. The Halifax to Montreal journey departs Halifax in the afternoon, arriving in Montreal in the next morning. Economy and Sleeper (dining car meals available, but not included in the price) service is available year-round; Sleeper-Plus service (including meals) is available from mid-June through mid-October.

Jasper-Prince Rupert. Formerly known as The Skeena for the scenic Skeena River Valley it traverses, the two-day Jasper-Prince Rupert route travels in daylight only and passengers overnight at hotels in Prince George.

Autumn is a key wildlife viewing time in this region. From Jasper, action-central for mountain sports, the train travels at a leisurely pace through Jasper National Park, home to grizzly and black bears, mountain caribou, bighorn sheep, moose and wolves as well as pikas and bald eagles. The route offers stupendous views of the craggy Rockies, including Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies.

The trip between Prince George and Prince Rupert winds through deep canyons, passing the 2,560 meter Kathlyn Glacier, jagged saw tooth peaks and misty waterfalls. The small harbor town of Prince Rupert is a great place to learn about the First Nations people and a jumping off point for ferry trips to Vancouver, Alaska and other destinations.

The train has two classes. Economy class, available year-round, offers spacious seats with large picture windows. Touring class is available from mid-June to the end of September.  In 2014, beginning June 15, the Panorama car will once again be available on the route.  In addition, hot meals will be available and included in the Touring class ticket.

To learn more about these and other picturesque fall rail getaways, call 888-VIA-RAIL (888-842-7245) or visit www.viarail.com

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's (www.viarail.ca) mandate is to provide safe, efficient and reliable passenger transportation, with service in the country's two official languages. VIA operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500-kilometre network. Recipient of the RAC's Safety Award in 2012 for the 11th time in 12 years, and of the 2012 Agent's Choice Award voted on by Canadian travel agents and presented by Baxter Travel Media, VIA safely transports over four million passengers annually. Since 2007, the Government of Canada has provided VIA Rail with nearly $1 billion in capital investment funding. Follow the evolution of current projects at viarail.ca/transformingvia. Follow us... Evolution Blog viaevolution.ca. On Twitter @VIA_rail. On Facebook.

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