Canadian Railroads > Something New on CN's TEST Train

There was an explosion at the boarding house, and the rumours were flying over the weekend, that CN's TEST train (Track Geometry) would be making another trip through Quebec and the Maritimes early this week.  It was here only a few weeks ago, but for some reason was making another trip.  The weighted box car and instrument car were sporting a new paint job (and no visible road numbers that I could see) on their last trip, and that was the case again this time.  However, the big difference is that Amtrak Superliner 39037 and CN (ex-Amtrak) F40 105 were also in the consist.  The speculation is that the train is testing around the clock, and the off-duty crew can sleep in the Superliner while the other crew is at work.

​The TEST train (running as 998) was to have left Moncton at 23:10 last night, and by 07:18 this morning was passing Windsor Jct., just outside of Halifax.  The 2197 on the point was a surprise, presumably added in Moncton.  When the train arrived in Rockingham, the Dash-8 was cut off and sent to the roundhouse to be turned, while 105 continued downtown to Ocean Terminals where the whole train was turned on the Halterm loop.  On the return from HOT, the train is shown just about to pass under Quinpool Rd. in Halifax.  The space to the left is where the south track used to be, until it was lifted in the early 2000s.  The north track was lowered, under the numerous concrete arch bridges spanning the cut, to accommodate double-stacks about 10 years before that.

​I had to go to work at this point, but the 2197 was put back on the turned train and led westward as train 999.  They backed down the Dartmouth Sub from Windsor Jct., and then later continued on to Truro.

​GTD

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Interesting. An F40 from the ACR, and the Amtrak car with no way to walk thru the cars, as its high level end is facing the rear.

Although technically not complete, still an interesting idea. Somebody was thinking outside of the box, so to speak.

Thanks for posting.

Wonder if this is the first time a Superliner or any bi-level passenger car has made it all the way to Halifax?

The Superliner II’s were built at the Bombardier plant at la Pocatiere, Quebec about 375 km east of Montreal along the CN main to the Maritimes....and I remember seeing them in the yard there from a passing Ocean in the early ‘90s.

You could also spot them in a passing CN freight on their way to the US while driving along AutoRoute 20.

Why couldn't they simply lease a Chateau or Manor sleeper from VIA Rail ?

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> Why couldn't they simply lease a Chateau or Manor
> sleeper from VIA Rail ?

I think the Superliner Sleeper has more beds.

PHall Wrote:
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> joemvcnj Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why couldn't they simply lease a Chateau or
> Manor
> > sleeper from VIA Rail ?
>
> I think the Superliner Sleeper has more beds.

VIA is thinking about Superliner cars for Canada Now?? Putting in order?? Why is Superliner car up in Canada??
 

This looks like a "transition sleeper".  Did anyone get the car number?  I think they are in the 59 series numbers.
They have stairs down to the lower level on the end next to the box car.

39xxx series: http://trainweb.org/web_lurker/AmtrakSuperliner/

I do not think it reflects any inspirations on VIA's part. They are in survival mode outside the Corridor, even with Trudeau junior.

railcity Wrote:
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> VIA is thinking about Superliner cars for Canada
> Now?? Putting in order?? Why is Superliner car up
> in Canada??

This has nothing to do with VIA.

CN is leasing the Superliner to provide crew accommodation on their track test train.
 

So...... WHY HAS AMTRAK SENT A PRECIOUS SUPERLINER SLEEPING CAR TO BE USED BY THE RAILROAD THAT MOST HATES AMTRAK?

ghCBNS Wrote:
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> railcity Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > VIA is thinking about Superliner cars for
> Canada
> > Now?? Putting in order?? Why is Superliner car
> up
> > in Canada??
>
> This has nothing to do with VIA.
>
> CN is leasing the Superliner to provide crew
> accommodation on their track test train.
>  

Business is business. I'd have charged them a ransom for the privilege though.
None of this minimum axle count nonsense with this train,  is there ?

To make heads explode here on the Train Orders!

stuporchief Wrote:
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> So...... WHY HAS AMTRAK SENT A PRECIOUS SUPERLINER
> SLEEPING CAR TO BE USED BY THE RAILROAD THAT MOST
> HATES AMTRAK?
>
> ghCBNS Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > railcity Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > VIA is thinking about Superliner cars for
> > Canada
> > > Now?? Putting in order?? Why is Superliner
> car
> > up
> > > in Canada??
> >
> > This has nothing to do with VIA.
> >
> > CN is leasing the Superliner to provide crew
> > accommodation on their track test train.
> >  

The Amtrak car number is 39037. It is in the first post.
 

PHall Wrote:
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> To make heads explode here on the Train Orders!

Yep!

Big LOL!!!!!!

LOL ... another brilliant plan explosed.

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To make heads explode here on the Train Orders!
>
> stuporchief Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > So...... WHY HAS AMTRAK SENT A PRECIOUS
> SUPERLINER
> > SLEEPING CAR TO BE USED BY THE RAILROAD THAT
> MOST
> > HATES AMTRAK?
> >
> > ghCBNS Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > railcity Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > VIA is thinking about Superliner cars for
> > > Canada
> > > > Now?? Putting in order?? Why is Superliner
> > car
> > > up
> > > > in Canada??
> > >
> > > This has nothing to do with VIA.
> > >
> > > CN is leasing the Superliner to provide crew
> > > accommodation on their track test train.
> > >  

Don't CN Railroad have alot of sleeping cars from they business trains fleet??

Great photos of an interesting train!  Your description brings to mind something I've wondered before: how do they turn the Ocean at Halifax, or do they not turn it and just run the power around?

Andy

AndyBrown Wrote:
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> how do they turn the Ocean at Halifax, or
> do they not turn it and just run the power
> around?
>

​There is a loop track at the Halterm container pier.  The original idea was for container trains to be loaded directly from ship to train and vice versa, but that idea did not pan out, and the track has only been used by VIA for turning the Ocean (and Atlantic) over the last 30 years or so.  From time to time it has been out of service, and then the train must be turned on a wye.  Since the wye at Windsor Jct. was disconnected back in 2011 or so, and the one at the gypsum mine is usually full of gondolas, the closest place to turn the passenger train is Truro, 64 miles from downtown Halifax.  I think that has only happened once though, in the past five years.

GTD