Canadian Railroads > A Renaissance Ocean, 10 Years Ago Today

I was in Truro earlier in the day on February 28, 2015, Another Rough Winter in the Maritimes, but on the way home caught the Ocean crossing the Shubenacadie River in the town of the same name.

It was about 17:15 when I shot these, about 45 minutes before sundown.  The river is tidal here, but if it's cold enough and there is enough snow, the ice just goes up and down with the tide, and doesn't break up much at the edges.

There were a few years when the Ocean did not always have a Park Observation, even on the otherwise Budd trains, but by this time it was a regular feature once again.  Of course all the domes have been gone from the train when it came back after COVID.  My wife and I met a couple from Portugal on the train two years ago.  They were rather disappointed to find out that there was no dome.  VIA's advertising at the time certainly implied there would be one.

GTD

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Great images, Geoff!

texchief1

Two superior views.
Bob

Great views and pics. I always like the VIA Renaissance cars. And I liked what VIA did to modify them for long distance service - at least the transition car, diner, baggage, etc. The Renaissance coaches and lounges for LD service were a bit more to be desired. OK, a LOT more to be desired. And it's a shame as now people are basically "stuck" sitting in their sleeper rooms for the journey, or when visiting the diner, as the Budd domes are gone (be it a Park Car or Skyline). This really made the train "special." It's a long haul with no real adequate lounge car for high paying sleeper car passengers. Would love to take another trip out to Halifax on this train, as oppose to flying, but just can't bring myself to ride without a descent lounge car in tow. Even the Panorama cars would have been a good substitute, with a transition car. Those seats could be turned. But I keep hearing that the VIA Panorama cars (all three) are not in good shape (lot of corrosion when they were sent east to get readied and put back on the Canadian one season). Too bad, as these were also REALLY nice cars. Glad VIA recognized that for their LD train consist plans!