group was reduced to three parties left to make a financial bid. One bidder was Westours Holland America, subsidiary of Carnival cruise line. The other two were a group of Via Rail Executives and a Western Canadian Entrepreneur. After the end of The bidding process, in March 1990, the route's equipment, book of business and branding was sold to Vancouver businessman Peter R.B. Armstrong's Armstrong Hospitality Group Ltd. It ran its first train on May 27, 1990. Awards Rocky Mountaineer has been awarded the "World's Leading Travel Experience by Train" at the World Travel Awards seven times for its GoldLeaf service as well as the "World's Leading Luxury Train" award 3 times and was recognized by National Geographic Magazine as one of the "World’s Best Journeys" in 2007. The Society of American Travel Writers, the world's largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, rated the Rocky Mountaineer as the world's top train ride in 2009. Equipment Rocky Mountaineer operates over 75 railcars in its fleet- GP40-2L locomotives, ex-Canadian National Railway SD70M locomotives, leased from Union Pacific because the GP40-2L locomotives are non-compliant with positive train control 32 "RedLeaf" Canada Car and Foundry single-deck coaches, ex-Canadian National Railway. 6 "SilverLeaf" single-level dome coaches, rebuilt from RedLeaf coaches. 16 "GoldLeaf" Colorado Railcar bi-level Ultra Dome coaches, with wrap-over view windows on the top level. 10 "GoldLeaf" Stadler bi-level glass domed coaches, with restaurant and kitchen in the lower level. Previous equipment included GE B36-7 locomotives leased from BC Rail. Routes Rocky Mountaineer currently operates train journeys on four routes, with three in Canada and one in the United States. Two additional routes (one in Canada and one international) are no longer operated. First Passage to the West: This route travels between Vancouver and Banff, with an overnight stop in Kamloops and an intermediate stop in Lake Louise. It operates primarily on Canadian Pacific Railway trackage, although directional running through the Fraser Canyon means that westbound trains use Canadian National Railway tracks in that area. Journey Through the Clouds: This route travels between Vancouver and Jasper with an overnight stop in Kamloops. It operates primarily on Canadian National Railway trackage, although directional running through the Fraser Canyon means that eastbound trains use Canadian Pacific Railway tracks in that area. Rainforest to Gold Rush: This route travels between North Vancouver and Jasper, with overnight stops in Whistler and Quesnel. It operates on Canadian