Canadian Railroads > VIA 12 Encore = A second train Vancouver to Toronto

For all of us that appreciated the recent VIA 12 equipment move,
a second train left Vancouver for Toronto on Monday.

This train has two locomotives and 16 cars;
2 coaches, 2 Prestige Chateau sleepers, and 12 Manor sleepers.

There appear to be two more locomotives remaining in Vancouver,
and enough equipment for a third train, mostly dome cars.

1 & 2. VIA 12 departing Vancouver.
3. Next door, the Rocky Mountaineer station is quiet.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/20 00:22 by Marcus.

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4 & 5.  Through Burnaby, BC.

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6. Through New Westminster, BC, heading for the Fraser River Bridge.

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7. Back over the Fraser River at Mission, BC.

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8 & 9.  The restored exCPR station at Agassiz, BC.

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10 & 11. Passing an ancient CP caboose at CP station Haig ( near Hope, BC )

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Wow . Lets hope these cars get the neede work done on them while they can...
I hope they try and fix the "Budd" cars that they were using on the "Ocean" they really needed and overhaul...
Thank you for sharing !!! :):):)
 

Many thanks for the great pictures. I lived in Vancouver from 1984 to 1997 and most of these locations are quite familiar - although Sperling Control, in pictures 4 & 5, just doesn't look right to me without the classic signal bridges.

Dwayne



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/20 09:03 by Blackfoot.

Another  better than great post, Marcos.  Thanks for your great work and travel!!

Do you or anyone know why so many cars are being moved/?  I mean there is a large maintenance center at Vancouver.  So what is the reason for the moves and what are their destinations?  All to Toronto?

Again, thanks!

Another great post, Marcos.  Thanks for your great work and travel!!

Do you or anyone know why so many cars are being moved/?  I mean there is a large maintenance center at Vancouver.  So what is the reason for the moves and what are their destinations?  All to Toronto?

Again, thanks!

viatrainrider Wrote:
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> Another great post, Marcos.  Thanks for your
> great work and travel!!
>
> Do you or anyone know why so many cars are being
> moved/?  I mean there is a large maintenance
> center at Vancouver.  So what is the reason for
> the moves and what are their destinations?  All
> to Toronto?
>
> Again, thanks!

Most of the cars are making their way from Toronto to Montreal on the back of VIA #66. There are photos on various sites but it would not be permitted to post links. Several months ago Bombardier discovered structural issues with one of the 1946-built coaches which are being rebuilt. Although the maintenance centre in Vancouver is a large one, most major work is done in Montreal. 

The Budd ex-CPR cars of the Canadian are eight years newer so with  a little luck they will last longer. My assumption is they are getting a thorough inspection. If anyone has anything official from VIA please let us know.

Interesting comparison between the horrible Rocky paint schemd and the classic Budds. Lets hope the train can return as soon as possible. 

andersonb109 Wrote:
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> Interesting comparison between the horrible Rocky
> paint schemd and the classic Budds. Lets hope the
> train can return as soon as possible. 

What? You don't like the giant drillbit?

PHall Wrote:
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> What? You don't like the giant drillbit?

Interesting. I had not figured that one out.

Anyone know how many and what kind of sleepers are operating out of Winnipeg for the Hudson Bay trains? Presume they are Chateau sleepers? For those with pent up demand to ride VIA Rail overnight train with a nostalgic sleeper and dome cars - the Hudson Bay train awaits you!!! Once the borders open up!

Still seems wild that VIA Rail cancelled the Canadian, train to Prince Rupert (aka Skeena or Rupert Rocket), Ocean, etc. till November 2020. Not that it may not be needed, but just that a pandemic like this would bring VIA's passenger rail system to a halt like this. Makes it seem even more obvious that only tourists from other countries travel on this train. Canada remains very locked up over COVID-19. 

Check out the VIA Rail travel advisory, updated today.

https://www.viarail.ca/en/travel-advisory-information

No sleeping car service and only snacks and water on the Churchill train.  "Skeena" now scheduled to return July 5.

Well, it says no Sleeper Plus service which includes meals.  Presume there is still one Chateau sleeper as needed for crew on which space would be sold but no meals.  Not official info, just my thought.

Checking Reservia on a few days when the train runs, it shows only Economy service available.  Would there be any on-board staff other than the two engineers?

The booking site Reservia often shows service which is not going to operate. For the Churchill run it shows sleepers starting in June.. I am told the advisory is correct - no sleeper service until November.

For the corridor Reservia shows the minimal service until the 22nd of June and full service starting the 23rd. A person at VIA whose information I trust says that is not going to happen. There will be a gradual increase in service. As of the 3rd of June there will be a second train between Toronto and Ottawa and Toronto and Montreal, but all other corridor routes will remain at one a day "until further notice."

I note VIA has a new slogan on their home page: Staying home is how we love the way.

DrawingroomA Wrote:
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> I note VIA has a new slogan on their home page:
> Staying home is how we love the way.

Here in the Maritimes and Newfoundland we can't even go from province to province (i.e. NS to PEI) You are stopped at the border unless it's trucking or for essential travel. There is talk about a couple of provinces getting together for 'Bubble Tourism' this summer where you might be able to travel to the adjacent province.