Canadian Railroads > No 1

I see No 1-21 that was at Valemount on time, is back in Jasper, due a dersilment, presumably on the Albreda or Clearwater subs.

Chris Rye

exrtc Wrote:
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> I see No 1-21 that was at Valemount on time, is
> back in Jasper, due a dersilment, presumably on
> the Albreda or Clearwater subs.
>
> Chris Rye

Interesting. Saw the note. But I also see that VIA #1 (21) the Canadian has departed Jasper and has also departed Valemount, Kamloops North, and as of I write this, Hope, BC. And it's only running about 2 hours late in total. 

#1 (24) is a different story - late arrival of the VIA #2 so VIA #1 didn't get out of Toronto till 7 pm yesterday, 6/24, 9 hours late. Should be interest to see how that train does in performance across Canada and if it makes up any time, etc. 

Number 1 is now 12 hours late approaching Winnipeg.  When it was announced that #1 would have a delayed departure of 19:00 it was indicated that passengers shouldn't appear at the Business Lounge until 17:00 and would receive no meals on board until breakfast the next day.  There was no mention of any food in the lounge.  This is an unfortunate recent change in VIA's policy.  A while back passengers in sleepers, including Prestige, on similarly delayed departures were given a $50 credit on their credit cards to compensate for not receiving lunch and dinner.  But the last few times there was nothing offered.

In years past I have seen trays of food brought into the lounge - and not just in the back room that is used for Prestige passengers.   At least one time a function room at the Royal York Hotel was set up with a buffet. 

The Sunday departure is more reliable than Wednesday because of the extra day between the arrival of #2 and the departure of #1. 

The Sunday departure is more reliable than Wednesday because of the extra day between the arrival of #2 and the departure of #1.

Thats good to know!

Number 1 arrived in Winnipeg today at 07:04 local time according to tsimobile.  That site says it departed at 08:34 but it is still there at 15:50.  The ETA for Portage La Prairie is over 18 hours late but obviously it will be later..

Canadian Train #1 (24) appears to be back at Winnipeg Train Station, after being WEST of Winnipeg Train Station. Based on the train trackers, I would presume the train is getting cancelled and the poor passengers on this day late train will be flown or given alternate transportation from Winnipeg. This will leave Vancouver short a train set to head back East, so I guess a #2 Canadian will be cancelled or truncated (start from Winnipeg and head east), unless they can muster up any spare cars in Vancouver. But VIA operates practically everything that can run in peak season, which is now. 

Just checked the tracker and again, and all stations stops west of Portage la Prairie are now shown as "cancelled."  If I were on this train #1 (24), I'd want a refund. Late of Toronto, no train service west of Winnipeg. I am sure it is all out of VIA's hands to control (freight train interference, potential derailment west of Winnipeg), but it's not been a pleasant experience for these passengers.......

A passenger on board #1 confirmed on a Facebook posting that the train backed to Winnipeg and has been cancelled.  He further stated passengers were scrambling to make hotel and air bookings.  This is not the first time passengers have been left to fend for themselves. This is not the way VIA used to treat their passengers.

Number 2 due to depart Vancouver on Monday the 29th has been cancelled between Vancouver and Winnipeg. At this time of year there isn't enough serviceable equipment to have a spare 20-car consist. There is much sleeper space available to book from Winnipeg on Wed. the 1st of July.  The fares have not been reduced so there may be a lot of empty cabins on that train.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/via-rail-cancellation-in-winnipeg-gives-travellers-trouble/vi-AA26H71Y?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=ENTPSP&cvid=6a41019dcdcf4789b6885d23ca3da475&ei=134

 

Yikes! It sounds like VIA Rail refunded passengers for the untraveled portion (e.g. Winnipeg to Vancouver and intermediate points) and then gave a future travel credit of some sort as well for the delay and inconvenience of the truncation of the train. Typically VIA does better - or above and beyond. VIA still did more than what Amtrak can do most of the time. 

The lady interviewed said she is spending $1,600 to get a bus from Winnipeg to Chillawack, BC - presumably the $1,600 includes more than just one person as she didn't mention "her family." Curious about the refund and credit details. That seems "fair" if it was issued in the way I described. But dumping people in Winnipeg to fend for themselves - it's rough. It's an inconvenience...... Something I wouldn't totally expect from VIA given Winnipeg is a huge metropolitan city where perhaps buses or planes could have been found/booked. 

And yes, I would expect that there was no way VIA could cobble together a makeshift train set for #2 to depart Vancouver being that VIA presses ALL the ex-CP Budd equipment into service during peak season........and always has. 

jp1822 Wrote:
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...

> And yes, I would expect that there was no way VIA
> could cobble together a makeshift train set for #2
> to depart Vancouver being that VIA presses ALL the
> ex-CP Budd equipment into service during peak
> season........and always has. 

There is some equipment in Vancouver, but in peak season only a partial train could be put together.  The three summer consists of 20 cars each require a total of three baggage cars, six economy coaches, nine Skyline cars, six dining cars, 27 Manor sleepers, six Prestige Chateau sleepers and three Park cars.  I have read that some of the equipment in Vancouver is unserviceable.  Some of the cars are being used for parts if the information I received is correct.  The two spare Prestige sleepers and one Park car are usually kept in Vancouver.  

On my last off-peak trip on the Canadian I didn't see a full spare consist in Vancouver, but I noticed enough equipment to make up a full train.