Canadian Railroads > The Last Canadian (for now!)

Via has curtailed operation of the Canadian along with other trains for what was supposed to be two weeks, but now has extended cancellation until May 1. Mud and rock slides in early February, blockades and protests a few weeks later and now the most serious of the three, the Covid-019 virus.

Until its safe to do so we won't be seeing this silver streamliner plying the rails across Canada. To top it off this last train had an electrical fault in the baggage car that prevented current flowing through to the train. After spending hours trying to fix in Saskatchewan, the only solution available on the cold prairie was to switch the baggage car to the rear for the remainder of the trip to Vancouver.

1. Via #1 at Rosedale BC under the watchful eye of a frosty Mount Cheam. March 15, 2020

2. Prestige class passengers didn't get the view thay had were expecting. March 15, 2020

3. Running about 12 hours late Via #1 is making good time through Rosedale at 70 MPH. March 15, 2020


cp1400

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So that's the end of lower seasonal fares and unlimited Park Car access for the year.  I wonder who many who are canceled will re-book once operational? But since the train loses money much of the year, hopefully it won't affect future operations.

Beautiful!!

Wonderful images!!

I was due to arrive Vancouver on #1 yesterday but at the urging of my wife and VIA, I canceled early on before the train canceled.  Sad then but now glade I did so.

Note three units on the head end.  Usually only 2 in winter, right?

viatrainrider Wrote:
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> Note three units on the head end.  Usually only 2
> in winter, right?

Two from Toronto to Jasper.  The lead unit was added in Jasper.

Reports are that the problem with the baggage car was air related.  After cutting away from the train and setting the baggage car over the electrical didn't come fully back until Edmonton when the mechanical forces fixed it.

Hmm.  Suprised to see the Canadian out at all this week.

Suprised to see all snow gone except high on those peaks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/20 10:26 by P.

P Wrote:
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> Hmm.  Suprised to the Canadian out at all this
> week.
>
> Suprised to see all snow gone except high on those
> peaks.

This was the Canadian departure of March 11, arriving in Vancouver March 15, the last run for now.

There is plenty of snow further east.......

viatrainrider Wrote:
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> Note three units on the head end.  Usually only 2
> in winter, right?

This was the westbound Moonlighter's trip so had a lengthened consist.

If I am in that Park car I am really pissed.
 

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

I like Pic 1!!

P Wrote:
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>
> Suprised to see all snow gone except high on those
> peaks.

The train is at about 60 feet above sea level, and roughly 60 miles inland from the Pacific. Mt Cheam stands about 7000' high, but the warm air off the ocean keeps the snow (at the coast) relatively high for most of the winter. To me, an appropriate US comparison would be the San Francisco bay area vs Donner Pass...proximity to the ocean, versus elevation dramatically changes snow amounts as you move inland.

Posted from Android

Darren Boes
Lethbridge, AB
Southern Alberta Railfan