Senior VIA News Editor Tim Hayman
VIA News Co-Editor Terry Muirhead:
vianews@canadianrailwayobservations.com

On October 29th, the last three RDCs being rebuilt for VIA by CAD at the former IRSI plant in Moncton NB were released along with three additional rebuilt LRC coaches. VIA 6219, 6208 and 6251 were rebuilt in like fashion to their sisters currently serving on the Sudbury-White River route, with extensive interior and exterior overhaul, one cab removed from each unit (so passengers do not exit through the operators cab), larger accessibly washrooms, new “third-eye” HID headlights, and a fresh paint scheme. In addition to the standard suite of modifications, 6219 and 6208 have also had new remote controlled wheelchair lifts added at the operators end (note the step covers). According to early reports, VIA is planning to send these units to test in service on the “Skeena” (Jasper-Prince Rupert), and it has been suggested that they may try to operate the units with a trailer car (such as a Panorama). Chris McMahon submitted these photos of the freshly shopped units ready to depart Moncton on the tail end of the Ocean, including a glimpse into the new interior.

As negotiations to restore passenger service on the E&N rail line continue, bigger ideas are being floated. A tourist train serving the Nanaimo cruise ship terminal and an excursion train connecting Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Duncan are being discussed in preliminary talks between local governments and railway officials. At the Island Corridor Foundation, which owns the track, executive director Graham Bruce said he wants to focus on “tidying up arrangements” with Via Rail to repair the 298-kilometre line and resume passenger service between Victoria and Courtenay. Service was halted in 2011 because of poor track conditions. “There are a lot of different opportunities but nothing I can speak authoritatively to at the moment,” Bruce said. When asked if he has been in talks with Ladysmith Mayor Rob Hutchins about the excursion train — something mentioned in Ladysmith’s recently approved Sustainability Action Plan — Bruce said he didn’t want to give away too much, too soon. Hutchins said a Nanaimo-Ladysmith-Duncan train is being discussed but wouldn’t comment further. Bruce confirmed that a tourist train from the cruise-ship terminal in Nanaimo has also been talked about. Track repairs have been delayed because Via and the Island Corridor Foundation have yet to agree on what sort of service should run on the tracks, and how it will be financed. Freight service on the rail line continues at reduced speeds.

In November, VIA Rail released its 3rd Quarter financial results. The news is not encouraging for VIA, as passenger numbers, miles and revenues are down, and operating expenses have increased vs. last year. In the Corridor, passenger miles did increase slightly, although passenger numbers decreased (suggesting the average trip length increased). Not surprisingly, figures on the Ocean (whose frequency was cut in half vs. last year) were down, and likewise for the Canadian.

The full report is available here:

VIA Rail 3rd Quarter financial results

Ron Visockis submitted these two photos: in the first, we see VIA P42DC 903 leading train #51 at Belleville, ON Nov 7th.

In the second, VIA P42DC 900+ is in charge of combined trains 54-56 at Belleville, ON Nov 7th. Note that the consist of VIA 54 includes one of the most recently released rebuilt LRC club cars, displaying the modified arrangement with the first side window behind the vestibule removed.

Ron also caught a great view of that new LRC club cars as it passed through Belleville on the same train as above, a day earlier.

On November 7th, Michael Berry caught this fantastic VIA consist west of Montreal. Here we see VIA 59 operating as a J-train behind 6453, with 904 in the middle of 8 LRC cars, and lounge car Glen Fraser bringing up the rear.

He also snapped this close-up shot of Glen Fraser as it passed.

On November 14th, Michael also caught an unusual sight, with VIA 6431 missing a numberboard. Taking a page from the Red Green handbook, VIA has covered over the missing board with duct tape! Recently rebuilt LRC club car 3475 is also featured in the consist.

Winter is fast approaching, and the snow has already started falling on some parts of the VIA network. Frequent CRO contributor Walter Pfefferle captured the approach of winter fantastically in these stunning photos. In this sequence of photos taken November 24th, we see VIA 80, 71 and 72 at Beechville ON, kicking up the early snow (and taking some of it with them!).

On May 27th, 1986 Bill Volkmer photographed immaculate VIA Fp9A 6304 and matching B-unit in Vancouver, BC. (from our friend Wayne Koch with thanks).

A scan from the Brian Schuff collection, VIA 6510 is seen under the train shed at the Station in Winnipeg surrounded by steam.

© CRO October 2013