Caption: For five summers in the early part of the century, VIA Rail had an agreement with the provincial government in Nova Scotia to operate a tour train from Halifax to Sydney and return. The partners ran a trial train in the fall of 2000, and regular service began the following summer. The Bras d'Or used equipment laying over Halifax as VIA's Ocean did not begin its trips on Tuesdays. The consist in this image is typical and includes FPH40-2 6433, baggage car 8618, coaches 8113 and 8131, Skyline dome 8506 and dome observation Banff Park.

Business was reasonably brisk eastbound as several motor coach tour operators allowed travellers to travel on the classy train. Very few passengers travelled on the westbound trip on Wednesday. The fare was set for the tourist market and was prohibitive for point-to-point travel. Port Hawkesbury was the usual 'stop and stretch' location. However, some VIA service managers stopped at the historic railway museum in Orangedale on Cape Breton Island. Travellers were treated to an informal concert by on-board and local entertainers. I particularly enjoyed one afternoon when the engineer gave an impromptu solo.

The train was a hit with railfans from far and wide as the scenery was spectacular, the speeds low, and the equipment classic. It was a magnet that slotted well with long distant chases of the Budd-equipped Ocean