Canadian Railroads > Passenger Special

On Tuesday this week, the one day of the week that VIA doesn't run a train in either direction in the Maritimes, CN Z120 had a bit of a surprise tacked on the end of the train after the DPU.  5 passenger cars, which although some of them have CN noodles but appear to be leased, were bringing up the rear behind ex-CREX ES44AC 3941.  The train is seen here at Millview, along the Bedford Basin, and about a mile from Pace Yard (formerly Rockingham Yard).  Some of the cars were wearing placards saying "ZERO IS POSSIBLE".  When I saw one of these on a locomotive last week I thought maybe it was CN's negotiating position with their unions, but I'm guessing it's some PR push about carbon emissions.  Apparently there is some sort of event tomorrow in Halifax, so maybe I will find out more then.

The first car behind the DPU was Caritas (Amtrak number 800045), which is no stranger to Halifax, having made several trips on the Bras d'Or 20 or more years ago.

Next was RXCX 1989, Swift Stream, with "New York Central" still displayed in the letterboard along with the CN noodle at window level.

GTD

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Diner White Bear Lake, Amtrak number 800644, was next, with former Western Pacific California Zephyr dome Silver Palace (RXCX 800273) behind that.

Bringing up the rear was generator car RXCX 5776, making some diesel emissions of its own, as it passed me.

I noticed at least a couple riders in the cars, but nobody seemed to be enjoying the view from the dome.  Apparently there were some problems and the train was about an hour later than expected, meaning the sun was rather high and nosy by the time they got to me at noon.  The cars have been at Pace Yard since they arrived.  I suspect Sunday's event will be downtown, near the VIA station, but time will tell on that one.

GTD

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This is actually rather interesting. So anyone know why these cars are tacked to the rear of a freight train and how that got negotiated? Is CN open to this? Have they opened up a new passenger rail department that's not been advertised. Again, I find this rather interesting. VIA Rail Canada doesn't really carry private cars on its system - or at least nothing like Amtrak. It's a small fortune, and they were even banned from travel on the Canadian altogether. There had been a choice to operate them at the head-end, but definitely not the rear behind the Park Car. VIA is kind of a rolling private car train to begin with - of its long distance fleet at least. 

jp1822 Wrote:
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> This is actually rather interesting. So anyone
> know why these cars are tacked to the rear of a
> freight train and how that got negotiated? Is CN
> open to this? Have they opened up a new passenger
> rail department that's not been advertised. Again,
> I find this rather interesting. VIA Rail Canada
> doesn't really carry private cars on its system -
> or at least nothing like Amtrak. It's a small
> fortune, and they were even banned from travel on
> the Canadian altogether. There had been a choice
> to operate them at the head-end, but definitely
> not the rear behind the Park Car. VIA is kind of a
> rolling private car train to begin with - of its
> long distance fleet at least. 

Apparently this is a CN "safety" train. One of three trains which will be
converging on Winnipeg next week from the east, west and south.

I hope to photograph it tomorrow at Springhill Jct. It should be running
under its own symbol if my info is correct.

...John Reay

newtonville150 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jp1822 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is actually rather interesting. So anyone
> > know why these cars are tacked to the rear of a
> > freight train and how that got negotiated? Is
> CN
> > open to this? Have they opened up a new
> passenger
> > rail department that's not been advertised.
> Again,
> > I find this rather interesting. VIA Rail Canada
> > doesn't really carry private cars on its system
> -
> > or at least nothing like Amtrak. It's a small
> > fortune, and they were even banned from travel
> on
> > the Canadian altogether. There had been a
> choice
> > to operate them at the head-end, but definitely
> > not the rear behind the Park Car. VIA is kind of
> a
> > rolling private car train to begin with - of
> its
> > long distance fleet at least. 
>
> Apparently this is a CN "safety" train. One of
> three trains which will be
> converging on Winnipeg next week from the east,
> west and south.
>
> I hope to photograph it tomorrow at Springhill
> Jct. It should be running
> under its own symbol if my info is correct.
>
> ...John Reay

Nice! All the best in capturing additional photos!

"ZERO IS POSSIBLE". Maybe they're talking about the operating ratio.

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/09/24 08:05 by cnr6776.

Pretty sure "zero is possible" refers to reportable injuries. Fits with the "safety train" theme, sounds like there's 3 separate trains from east/west/south all due to tour their portions enroute to a Winnipeg meet up.

Posted from Android

Darren Boes
Lethbridge, AB
Southern Alberta Railfan

White Bear Lake was last known as Fox River Valley until recently (it ran with that name on the St. Louis Union Station Polar Express this past winter).  Before that it was the Warriors Rest and prior to that the Henry Hudson (its original PRR name).  It may have had addtioinal names as well.  The interior looks nothing like it did when we used it on several Frisco 1522 excusions about 25 years ago.  Back then it had its AutoTrain buffet car interior.  It left St. Louis this spring with all tables inside.  Not a diner - just a small bar at one end.