Canadian Railroads > Equipment behind the "Canadian"

We all know that a buffer car, a Manor-series sleeper, is carried behind the Park car. VIA is also carrying deadhead equipment behind the Park car. This is obviously easier than cutting it in and out of the usual position between the locomotives and the baggage car. The two most recent trains which I observed shortly after the arrival in Toronto had deadhead equipment. On Tuesday 28 Feb. #2 had a Skyline car behind the buffer car. On Friday 3 March there were three Manor sleepers behind the buffer car.  

 

You'd like to think that if the crush tests didn't reveal critical structural deficiencies, Transport Canada and VIA would end the use of buffer cars.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/23 17:10 by stuporchief.

stuporchief Wrote:
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> You'd like to think that if the crush tests didn't
> reveal critical structural deficiencies, Transport
> Canada and VIA would end the use of buffer cars.

That's what they said would happen.

There's good informative discussion of this point in older posts on this board.  Search for "buffer."  I think you'll see where things stood about two months ago.   If I recall correctly,  various testing protocols will be ongoing for some time yet.

If anyone has any information about the early tests, please share!!

Here you go:

https://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2022/11/postscript-buffer-cars-added-to-via.html

Magritte55 Wrote:
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> There's good informative discussion of this point
> in older posts on this board.  Search for
> "buffer."  I think you'll see where things stood
> about two months ago.   If I recall correctly, 
> various testing protocols will be ongoing for some
> time yet.
>
> If anyone has any information about the early
> tests, please share!!

Thank you for providing this information.   Let's hope for the best!