1988 - VIA electric generator units 15300-15302 were being used mainly to heat LRC consists while shuttling from Toronto Union station to VIA’s shops. Converted from baggage cars in 1968-69, these cars offered the flexibility of conventional (non-Tempo) CN locomotives to pull Tempo consists.
Ahead by a Century - The Canadian’s Park cars had their third digit increased by 100 in 1979, becoming VIA 155xx from 154xx to avoid numbering conflict with ex-CN steam generator units.
Dis-Mount – In 1982, three ‘Mount’ cars are converted from 5-compartment, 4-drawing room configuration to 3-double bedroom-buffet-lounge, and the Mount prefix dropped from their names to become Albreda, Fitzwilliam and Resplendent. Occasionally used as a Park car substitute due to their configurations being similar to Park cars, these ex-Mounts were often used on the Ocean between 1985 and 1990, but never with a Park.
Down Tempo – Tempo buffeteria cars (bar-snack bar) 341 and 342 were stored at Spadina coach yard in December, 1984 pending conversion to coaches. Changes to Ontario’s Liquor Licensing Board regulations now permitted consumption of alcoholic beverages in coaches.
Chill Out – All ice air-conditioning cars are off VIA’s roster by 1983.
Cavalier Attitude – From 1984 to 1986, VIA train Nos 48/49 to Ottawa were most often assigned an E-series sleeper for overnight accommodation. Exceptions to this in May 1986 included Naiscoot River or a Bay-series car, and Chateau Radisson. In August 1986, Warpath River and Greenvale were substituted. In 1987, the trains’ sleeper was usually a Chateau car, except for Elgin and Erinview in June, Deep River in August, Elmira and Naiscoot River in October. In October 1988, it was Extew’s turn.
Tunnel Vision - The last sleeper through Ottawa was accompanied by CP business car Assiniboine on April 24, 1989 heading to the May 4 opening of the Mount Macdonald Tunnel.
Good Side - On April 14 and 21, 1989 sleeper Edenwold left Montreal ‘nameless’ with 1112 stencilled on its side, in place of the car name. The name was reapplied in Vancouver, so both sides carried both the car name and the car number!
French Miss – In September, 1992 an inconclusively-stencilled York Club emerged from the paint shop with ‘Club York’ stencilled on one side.
Skytops Sidelined– CN’s Skyview cars, built as Skytop cars, were bought from the Milwaukee Road and refurbished by CN in 1964. Used in Halifax-Montreal, Gaspe-Montreal, Jasper–Prince Rupert service, the cars were removed from service in October 1976 due to a Canadian Transport Commission order concerning safety issues related to their single-door access. These unique, glass-roofed, 8-double bedroom, 20-seat lounge cars were stored at Montreal in 1971, pending rebuilding at Transcona. The rebuilding never occurred, nor were the cars transferred to VIA. Most were sold to US buyers: Trinity and Malpeque to A. Rivard, Fundy to J.A. Arbuckle, and Baddeck to T. Sellers in 1978. Gaspe and Mahone were scrapped at Mandak in Selkirk, Manitoba in January, 1977. While never owned by VIA, imagine what these CN cars could have looked like in VIA blue & yellow!
Two Items – VIA stainless steel baggage cars 8606 and 8613 were briefly leased to Amtrak in 1999.
Tempo Time – Many ex-CN Tempo cars were stored at the TMC in 1985, later moved to Cedars, Quebec. Seen on the Sunday International, removed at Sarnia, Tempo cars were also used occasionally on the Toronto-Kingston Ontarian in March and November 1985. The last four cars in use in 1985-86 were 352, 354, 370 and 372.
Conventional Wisdom – LRC and HEP2 equipment gradually replaced most conventional consists in the Corridor. In late 1986, east of Toronto, conventional trains were Nos 43/44, 48/49, 58/59, and 651/652 (the latter’s RDC’s often replaced by an F-unit and two coaches). By late 1987, only Nos 168/169 operated conventional equipment east of Toronto. In mid-1993, while the majority of the Corridor was LRC-equipped, Toronto-Windsor Nos 73/78, 72/79 and 74 were still assigned a 6400, an SGU in season, and blue & yellow cars, until enough HEP2 cars had been made available for use.
Half Thousand – VIA’s 100-series trains were renumbered to become 600-series trains on November 1, 1993 causing changes to some time-honoured train numbers. This move was necessary to avoid numbering conflicts with intermodal/MOQ freight trains while operating on CN lines. For instance, Winnipeg-Churchill No 93 became No 693, and Toronto-North Bay 121 became No 697.
Climb Every – HEP2 cars used on the special train for the Premiers’ Conference in August received a circular red & white decal with a green mountain logo “Jasper 1996”. These cars returned east for Corridor service by November 1996.
Who Knew 2 – Two stored LRC locomotives had a last high-speed ‘hurrah’ on the night of August 6, 2003. Pulled by 6421 and trailed by baggage car 8613, the 6921 and 6907 were moved from TMC to MMC in a night-time movement. Operating at 50 mph to Oshawa, where an inspection was made, maximum speed was increased to 75 mph. A second stop and inspection at Port Hope, and the little train was off again, at a maximum speed of 90 mph!
Straight Shot - VIA's September 29, 1980 timetable included a centre supplement with something new: the first time a train to Halifax had originated and terminated in Toronto. Described as an imaginative and far-sighted attempt to both attract and handle increased Christmas ridership, VIA planned extra trains on some of its most heavily-travelled routes. Extra trains include Nos 16/17 Montreal-Matapedia-Gaspe, Nos 111/112 Toronto-Kingston-Saint John-Halifax, Nos 652-655 Toronto-Kingston-Brockville-Montreal, Nos 7/8 Winnipeg-Capreol-Toronto and Nos 9/10 Prince Rupert-Prince George-Jasper-Edmonton. In succeeding years, VIA operated extra pre-Christmas trains to the East Coast, though these subsequent trains ran only as far west as Montreal. December 1980's were the first trains to operate across the state of Maine in two sections in 25 years. The second (non-advance) sections of each train terminated in Montreal.
Really Durable Cars - November, 2013 marked the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the Rail Diesel Car in Canada. I rode VIA RDC's on three routes. I also watched their shimmering silver shapes streak by from trackside. The RDC's adaptability, flexibility and universality kept it in use from coast to coast on VIA's network until the 1990 cuts. In 1987, VIA operated the largest fleet of RDC's anywhere, employing 80 of the 398 built between 1949 and 1962.
Railiner Ramble - A contract for refurbishing VIA RDC's fleet brake systems was awarded to the Urban Transit Development Corporation (UTDC) at the Napanee Industries buildings around 1988. The cars were operated under their own power between Napanee and the Kingston Outer Station, where they were set out and lifted by CN. These movements took place in the wee hours of the morning! When only three cars were left in the contract, orange-dotted rotten ties on the site trackage allowed rails to spread under an RDC being moved on the property. This led to the RDC derailing and a subsequent investigation by CN. At great expense to UTDC, all the rotten ties were then replaced at the very end of the contract!
Prairie Schooner - 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. 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. VIA even marketed a 'Brandon Getaway' brochure 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."
Teeny-Tiny - Lettering displayed high up on CN/VIA Sceneramics was mandated by a trust agreement: "OWNED BY UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, 45 WALL STREET, NEW YORK NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE TERMS OF AN EQUIPMENT TRUST AGREEMENT."
Notable Baggages - VIA 612, 613 and 615, while awaiting their HEP conversions at Montreal's Pointe St Charles AMF facility, were equipped with pass-through cables to conduct 480 volt Head End Power for heat and light from a locomotive ahead through to the trailing LRC cars. The three cars retained steam heat and axle-driven generators and continued in their pass-through format into early 1993, though my last observation of their use was 613 on September 19, 1992.
HEP Exceptions - In the late 1980's, VIA acquired one dome-observation (built for D&RGW), four baggage cars (built for RI and CB&Q) and seven dome coaches (built for CB&Q, D&RGW, SP&S and WP), some languishing at Ottawa Union Station. Intended as part of the HEP1 rebuilding program at CN's Pointe St Charles facility, the January 1990 cuts made these cars unnecessary, and they were sold or stored.
VIA's ex-CN Dayniters - Offered as a spacious, comfortable cocoon for those willing to pay a little more, these cars had reclining seats with footrests, crazy colours and other perks. VIA pitched them as 'attractive deluxe coach type accommodation for daytime and overnight comfort...offering the comfort of individual adjustable reclining deep-cushioned seats with padded leg rests, fully carpeted floor, and a quiet trip all around with special acoustic sound-proofing. The fold-away table also serves as a handy work-space.'
Airline Strikes - Every piece of equipment was brought out of the coach yards to carry overflow passenger loads. In June 1976, CP RDC 9308 was attached to No 1, travelling from Ottawa to Thunder Bay. There, standees heading east necessitated the transfer of 9308 to No 2. In October 1977, CP attached stored RDC's to the Atlantic Limited to free up coaches for the Canadian.
Long Life - CP's E-8's were recommended for scrapping even before their transfer to VIA, due to their increasing age. They instead continued in service until 1982.
TTC Strike - RDC-5's 9300-9302 were moved to Toronto for use on the run to Havelock, ON in August, 1978.
CP’s Windsor station in Montreal (not in Windsor!) saw some notable last departures in the early VIA era: the last Canadian on October 28, 1978 was CP 1412-4478-1432-601-105-506-Fairholme-Chateau Laval-Prince Albert Park (interestingly, since the Canadian would soon operate from Toronto, CP shuttled equipment from Montreal to Sudbury, then south to Toronto, including five baggage-dorms, five 2200-series coaches and four Park cars); the last VIA train on April 28, 1984 was No 164 to Quebec City with RDC-2 6216; the last intercity train on January 12, 1986 was Amtrak No 68, the Adirondack behind Amtrak 344 with Amfleet cars 21117-21182-20218.
GMD-1 Substitute - VIA train Nos 22/25 normally operated with LRC's but these were replaced by CN GMD-1's 1900-1902 pulling five conventional cars Montreal-Ste Foy during Thanksgiving, 1982.
Take Five - Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Superior are the five Great Lakes. Lake St. Clair is just a Pretty Good Lake. (Not VIA-related, just dropped this here to see if you're paying attention!)
Glen Denizens - On November 7, 1982 (November 7 being a famous day in CPR history!) fourteen of eighteen diners, and twenty-five of forty-two Manor cars were at Westmount's Glen yard.
Fog and Rain - Freezing rain and fog hampered airline operations in December, 1982. VIA No 49 departed Ottawa comprising stainless steel sleepers Green Harbour, Greendale and coaches 5305-5399 for extra capacity.
GO GO! - Ex-Rock island GO Transit GP40 722 and APCU 905 led GO coaches on Toronto-Windsor VIA train Nos 75/80 on December 23, 1982.
Railborne Rally – On January 29, 1983 Quebec government workers rated a 14-car consist led by 6777 and three F9B's on VIA No 25.
LRC, B, B - On March 31, 1983 VIA No 79's 12 cars were led by 6900-6620-6631.
Vintage Ride - On October 15, 1983 the High Level (Alberta) Chamber of Commerce operated a passenger train on CN rails between Roma and High Level. The interesting consist was CN F7Au's 9176-9175, SGU 15401 and VIA coaches 4890, 4891 and 4892. Reportedly, 71 passengers were treated to a ride in these vintage cars!
Finders Keepers - was the title of a movie filmed on CP in early 1984 between Banff and Vancouver. VIA 6506-6511 received a red, white and blue 'AMrail' paint scheme, pulling stainless steel cars with Glacier Park bringing up the markers. One report mentions the AMrail paint damaging the VIA paint scheme, resulting in a complete repaint after shooting was completed.
Three LRC's Out - In late 1983, 6906 suffered fire damage, 6909's main generator exploded and 6915 experienced collision and fire damage.
Overflow Seating - Provided by baggage-dorm 9480 on December 28, 1983 on Montreal-Ottawa train Nos 31/34.
Training Purposes – On January 25, 1984 VIA No 14 to Halifax included deadheading LRC locomotive 6907 on the tail-end for Moncton maintenance personnel training.
Tagging Along - Ottawa-Toronto No 43 ferried 6121 to Toronto on April 15, 1984. The RDC-1 was assigned to cover Ottawa-Sudbury service at the time.
Taxi! - Canadian passengers not entrained at a pre-arranged flag stop in May, 1984 and were ferried from Chapleau to the waiting Canadian at White River by CP C-424 4228 and three CP vans (cabooses).
Leased by ONR - VIA diner Acadian was leased for Polar Bear Express service in the summer of 1984.
Electro Lytes - What is the chemical symbol for potassium? K. If you have no potassium, you're 0K. If your potassium is extraordinary, you feel Special K. (Again, not VIA-related and you're almost there, thanks for paying attention and keep reading!)
16 Cars - No 65's unusual locomotive consist on August 12, 1984 was 6915-6773-6783, with the latter two marshalled nose-to-nose. Baggage-dorm 9481 brought up the markers.
EGU - Electrical Generating Units formerly used on CN Tempo trains found new assignments in 1984. 15300 was used to heat Amtrak Superliner cars on the Panorama when not coupled to the Amtrak locomotive, and 15301/15302 provided ground power supply and Montreal and Coach yards, respectively. VIA 15301/15302 were acquired from Great Lakes Western by Rocky Mountaineer Railtours in 1996.
Tail-end SGU - Several consists of train Nos 14/15 in January 1985 included a Steam Generator Unit trailing the Park car.
Ten VIA blue & yellow baggage cars leased by Amtrak had their ‘VIA’ logos painted out. An ‘Amtrak’ decal was applied on the yellow stripes between doors, above the car number. The first baggage car readied was 9643 at New Haven, CT on February 3, 1985.
Circus Train - The Shriners fraternity chartered a special train from Niagara Falls to Ottawa on October 4, 1985. Six cars were led by CN 4365-SGU 15459.
Loop Line - Redevelopment of Toronto's railway lands and the release of the October 1985 system timetable meant a change in Toronto train turning. The loop at Spadina was no available for turning complete consists, and the wye at Mimico could only handle four cars at a time. As a result, the Canadian traced a new circular route in and out of Toronto. The nocturnal Cavalier was no longer turned, with the sleepers facing backwards one way.
LRC Out - VIA No 40's usual LRC consist was replaced by 6514 and four conventional cars on December 18, 1985. Deadheading RDC-1 6129 was on the tail-end, staying on as the consist continued from Ottawa to Montreal as No 34.
Combination Car 7210 - received VIA colours in late-1983. The 1919-built car came to Eastern Canada on CN train No 214 in late-September, 1985. The car's last regular assignment was the now-abandoned Hearst-Nakina service. The vintage car was even included in a train hauled by CN excursion steam engine 6060 between Jasper and Vancouver in May, 1986. Debuting as the solo passenger car on the triweekly Senneterre-Cochrane service, it replaced a 9300-series baggage-coach moved to the Montreal-Sudbury Canadian in late-1986.
Y2K - VIA Rail operated three special trains out of Toronto, Montreal and Halifax for those celebrating the arrival of the 21st century. The Toronto train left at 2000 (hours that is, the year was still 1999!) and patrons were served a gourmet dinner in the dining cars. Another two cars were outfitted for dancing, one with a disc jockey and the other with a live band. The train returned to Union Station at 0130 on January 1, 2000.
Behind Steam – In August, 2000 6413-6425 operated behind former Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 261 pulling 22 private rail cars over BNSF and DM&IR rails from Minneapolis and Duluth, MN.
Running extra...
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