Canadian Railroads > Super Continental in Vancouver

Dec 80

(1-3) Getting ready for its evening departure on a dark cloudy day.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/09/19 07:12 by gcm.

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(4) The car on the right (5752) was a Dayniter - CN ex-14 roomette 4 bedroom car Techawa Falls.
Originally built for the Frisco (Grande River) by P-S in 1948.

(6) ex-CN baggage-dorm - rebuilt from 22 roomette Val Rose.
Originally built for the NYC (Pigeon Bay) by P-S in 1948.

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(7) the ex-CN diner on the left (1375) was rebuilt from a coach in 1965. CCF 1947.

Gary



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/09/19 07:14 by gcm.

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Thanks for sharing these. CN was a very cool passenger railroad.

Great pictures in this series with good variety of equipment captured. So its early 80s. I think the station and its platforms underwent a rehab post 1980 right? Just noticing that the canopies look very worn out in these pictures compared to later pictures I’ve seen. 

In general, VIA Rail Canada inherited a diverse and wide range of passenger cars from CN and CP. I believe that CN and CP gave VIA all the passenger equipment they had - or near most, perhaps holding on to some business related cars etc. The eclectic mix of cars allowed a good amount of flexibility over the passenger routes they decided to hold on to. 

Amtrax didn’t really have this same exact experience. 

VIA eventually retired the cars as they got to know the cars and then got to some standardized equipment, or groups of equipment with time. Their upcoming fleet purchase is probably their largest purchase of a standardized “new” fleet of cars that will be operated, allowing much of the existing corridor equipment to be retired - or at least it will just be LRC and new equipment. 

Excellent photo series with concise narratives.  The Super Continental with F Units was really a treasure.
Thanks for your posting.
ALLEN

Having ridden both under VIA's ownership, the Super Continental compared very unfavorably with the Canadian both in terms of the routing and equipment. No short domes. No round end observation and a very unattractive diner with 1960's false ceiling. Sleepers were tired looking as well. Now if VIA could only get the Canadian back on it's traditional routing. 

Thank you for sharing your photos!!