
November 15, 1981 saw 15 VIA Rail routes cancelled, including the Halifax-Montreal Atlantic Limited, the Regina-Prince Albert RDC's Nos 680/683, and the Toronto-Vancouver Super Continental (above). From November 1981 to June 1984, VIA instituted a daily, pint-sized passenger train, VIA No 109 Winnipeg-Saskatoon, and VIA No 110 Saskatoon-Winnipeg. Scheduled to arrive in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba at noon, No 109's consist on June 11, 1982 was 6519 - 604 - 3215:

The diminutive, two-car (baggage car and cafe-coach) consist was the former CN Saskatoon-Regina RDC run over the Craik Subdivision, extended to Portage over CP trackage, thence CN into Winnipeg. On June 14, the train had as many locomotives as cars, 6520 - 6521 - 600 - 3226:
June 16 6514 - 600 - 3226
June 18 6520 - 600 - 3226
June 21 6509 - 605 - 3222
June 22 6518 - 600 - 3226 - 9481
June 23 6514 - 605 - 3233 - 3222
June 24 6513 - 600 - 3226


VIA even marketed a Brandon Getaway to mark the Wheat City's centennial. "Travel relaxed and in comfort on VIA Rail's train service - arriving and leaving Brandon at convenient times. Shop and sightsee in this interesting city." The cover of the folder showed grain covered hoppers and stock cars in CP's yard: