On a cloudy Saturday afternoon, the gray skies don’t match the enthusiasm of guests boarding the Rocky Mountaineer at Seattle’s King Street station. The Coastal Passage is the most recent addition to the scenic train journeys offered by Rocky Mountaineer, as this British Columbia-based, family-owned company celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2015.

Passing through the stylish train station, the loud cry of All Aboard! marks the beginning of a relaxed and scenic journey along the rails from Puget Sound to downtown Vancouver. For Gold Leaf class passengers, the two storey cars provide a comfortable domed car upstairs and a spacious dining area below.

One of our on-board hosts Bernardo officially welcomes passengers as we leave Seattle, hugging the Pacific Northwest coastline along the Puget Sound. Along with his three other co-hosts, we’re regularly informed about the areas we pass through on the train, learning about history, culture and wildlife.