VIA's Gananoque Junction Station

 

Gananoque Junction is the name of the station located on CN's Kingston Subdivision north of the town of Gananoque. Beginning in 1871, the Thousand Islands Railway (TIR) served the town of Gananoque, running southward from the GTR/CN Montreal-Toronto mainline to the town on the St Lawrence River waterfront, over a 5 mile-long spur. Likely a Keith Hansen photo from an online auction site, CN 3708 approaches the station in October, 1986 (top photo). Keith also shared several photos for this post on CN's Gananoque Spur.

This news photo from the Queen's University Archives (V25.5-39-33) George Lilley Fonds, showed a wintry east-end view of the station on February 19, 1970 (below). In January of that year, CN sent a letter to the town Council sharing its intention to remove the agent position and leave only a caretaker position in place. Centralized Traffic Control was about to be installed. The station was initially leased by two 'Gan' businessmen who opened a restaurant in the station building.

Michael Shufelt kindly shared this photo taken of a westbound VIA train at Gananoque Junction in the 1980s:

I hadn't been to 'Gan Junction' for awhile until I made it there in September, 2024. It was a gloomy morning (above and below) and my impression of the station quickly turned gloomy. A model railway club had been using the building, and some of the layout has been removed. A scanner bleeped and squawked happily, audible through the closed operator's window. Here's where the spur to the town of Gananoque originated, behind the station enabling cross-platform connections from mainline GTR/CNR trains:

Some efforts had been made at modern signage and local tourist advertising. The east end of the station sagged and the roof shingles badly needed replacing. Unfortunately, the station does not present an informative window on visiting or investing in Gananoque. In fact, a few business cards for a local taxi service and a one-sheet map of the area, visible through a trackside window are all that guide arriving passengers to town. 

You wouldn't find this in an airport...a schedule nine years out of date? Just visible to the right of the advertising poster, above.

This poster is now gone.

Some of the rails on the spot are positively antique!

Walking westward on the spur as the sun came out to provide illumination facilitation augmentation!

Looking east back towards the station (above) and west (below):

I liked it so much that I visited Gan Junction again in March, 2025. A younger couple dropped off these two older folks who ended up waiting 90 minutes for their train to arrive - VIA No 53. The wind was cold and the train was late. They're from London and needed to connect with their train home at Toronto. They remarked on the lack of facilities here - no indoor seating, current schedule, phone access or basic safety information. Fortunately, they had access to VIA status updates and train location information on their cellphone. That allowed them to at least know their train was coming, albeit late. Twice, other passengers placed their suitcases too close to the track, and one VIA engine crew loudly indicated before departure that was not a good idea for the passengers' safety - CN No 305 was approaching on the south track!

The couple related the status of various VIA stations in Southwest Ontario to me - like Ingersoll and Woodstock - as well as the condition of some of the track VIA operates on. Fortunately, they got to travel in Business Class and would soon be ensconced and warming up!

Boarding one-of-a-kind 3476 'Future' Business Class car where they could warm up - with a hot beverage:

Bonus image - screenshot from a YouTube video taken aboard VIA No 65 this month. The 'chapter' caption is for the entire chapter and did not change very often. Cornwall was miles ago!

I think I've enthusiastically and exhaustively (but not exhaustingly) explored the photographic possibilities at Gan Junction on these two visits. 

Running extra...VIA Rail Canada edition

RDC fans, this Budd's for you. Lion Liu kindly shared these photos taken on July 22 of VIA No 300 taking VIA RDC-4 6251 to CAD Industries bracketed by VIA 6405 and 6401 - like Thomas the Tank Engine's day out - this is 6251's first venture outside of the MMC since November 15, 2017. If 6251 can be put back into Sudbury-White River service, two RDC-4/RDC-2 sets can be operated, allowing one to head to maintenance at Mansour (formerly DES) in Sudbury, and with the option of the RDC-1 or a second RDC-2 added  if required. Update: Really a day out...back at MMC and coupled up to Glenfraser less than two days later!

Cue the VIARailfan rumours! Super Continental expert Elijah Warner Hall's video posted to social media includes ex-BCR Panorama car 1721 deadheading east on VIA No 2 on July 22. Many railfans are telling VIA to use 1721 as well as 1720 and 1722, the latter two at the MMC currently 'being worked on' on the Ocean to Halifax and there'a s a chance VIA is listening!

First past the post...

Lance Brown, railroadiana-dealer and reasonable-pricer extraordinaire, has a CP customer list from Smiths Falls on its way to me. I'm looking forward to finding the information for the ex-Kingston & Pembroke Kingston Subdivision. The year? 1978. It's great to have sellers intent on sharing their material, not over-pricing it!

VIA's Venture Mondays On-Time Performance, November 2024 to Present

Way back in October, 2024 when CN issued its first Crossing Supplement, imposing crossing speed reductions on VIA's Venture fleet, not only was I not sure of what was happening on the nearby CN Kingston Sub and elsewhere in the Corridor, I didn't know why it was happening. Chat text from VIA's 'message us' section of its website (top image).

By the end of October, the full extent of the reductions had become apparent and I began recording how the reductions were affecting VIA timekeeping. Rather arbitrarily choosing Monday due to the higher number of Venture-equipped trains on that day of the week, I've continued to record Ventures' On-Time Performance (OTP) each Monday since, from November, 2024 to the present...and beyond...until these measures are finally removed.

Originally published in this initial post published on October 12, 2024 (containing buffer cars in the URL because it seemed we were going back in time, and perhaps VIA was about to add additional cars to Venture sets to meet CN's rather arbitrary axle requirements), I've since decided it's about time to break out these observations, giving them their very own post. The introduction of the crossing speed reductions should stand as a moment in time, and the effects thereof that have been felt since are in this post.

Remaining in the original post are any developments or news stories directly relating to the imposition of the Crossing Supplement. Here are Venture Mondays' OTP for the last nine months plus!

* * * THE OBSERVATIONS * * *

To measure the Ventures' OTP, I employ a three-step process each Monday:

• Ascertain which trains that Monday will be Venture-equipped using the traincar dot info website. This useful site, hosted by Barry Gettman, harvests reservation information from VIA and presents it for each train giving us a very good indication which are Ventures.
• Throughout the day (and night!) gather departure and arrival times from the asm dot transit docs website. This comprehensive site is populated with VIA (and Amtrak) train arrival and departure times from each station along a given route.
• Create a weekly update including the Number of Venture trains that day, Minutes Late for each train, Average OTP for Toronto-Montreal and/or Toronto-Ottawa trains, and any Notes.

The above methodology has become slightly more specific, and I hope useful and reflective of actual OTP,  as the months tick by. For instance, removing 'doublavay' OTP from the average because those trains are not subject to the Crossing Supplements' provisions. Some have suggested using mean instead of average, and occasionally I do throw out data that unrealistically skews the average, but I've kept the math simple and I believe it's able to reflect operational changes that affect OTP going forward.

MON. NOV.4 UPDATE

(Now) Eleven-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No. (Minutes Late): 40(40), 41(76*), 42(37), 44(116*), 45(18 may not be a Venture), 47(39), 54(30), 59(58), 641(60), 643(60), 644(33). (Symbols: *departed 20-30 minutes late).

Average OTP = 63 minutes late.

MON. NOV.11 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No. (Minutes Late): 40(27), 41(46), 42(27), 44(83*), 45(56), 47(31), 54(107?), 59(62), 641(N/A), 643(39), 644(53). (Symbols: *departed 20-30 minutes late; ?departed 51 minutes late).

Average OTP = 53 minutes late. 

Elsewhere: Quebec-Montreal 40; Quebec-Montreal-Ottawa 25 (though time often made up on Montreal-Ottawa segment); Toronto-Windsor 50.

MON. NOV.18 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No. (Minutes Late): 40(45), 41(44+), 42(25+), 44(135?), 45(44), 47(39), 54(102), 59(46+), 641(32+), 643(47+), 644(47+). (Symbols: ?departed 38 minutes late due to arriving Toronto 47 minutes late as No 643; +on time Brockville-Ottawa portion of trip).

Average OTP = 55 minutes late.

MON. NOV.25 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No. (Minutes Late): 40(19*), 41(42+), 42(39), 44(113?), 45(48), 47(47+), 54(47), 59(58), 641(80+), 643(45+), 644(51). (Symbols: ?departed 38 minutes late due to arriving Toronto 45 minutes late as No 643; +on time Brockville-Ottawa portion of trip; *was 27 minutes late at Kingston).

Average OTP = 54 minutes late.

MON. DEC.2 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture Monday OTP could not be assessed statistically due to Nos 45 and 53 non-Ventures, No 643 J'd with No 43, massive delays over 4 hours near Toronto. VIA Nos 40, 59, 644 departing 20-40 minutes late; No 44 departing 117 minutes late. Continuing schedule and operational turmoil after a weekendus horribilis. Let's try Tuesday....

TUES. DEC.3 UPDATE

...Ten-Venture Tuesday difficult to assess due to Nos 41/68 not Ventures, No 47 J-trained with Legacy equipment (18), No 643 J-trained with Legacy equipment (departed 2+ hours late). That leaves seven Venture-equipped trains for analysis: No 40 (46), 42(36); 45(87); 48(109)?; 59(89)?; 641(59); 644(45). (Symbols: ? departed 25-30 minutes late).

Average OTP = 67 minutes late.

MON. DEC.9 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture (actually nine) Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(69), 41(43), 42(52), 44(67?), 45(not a Venture), 47(61?), 54(not a Venture), 59(89?), 641(31), 643(48), 644(39). 

(Symbols: ? departed 20-30 minutes late).

Average OTP = 55 minutes late.

MON. DEC.16 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture (actually eight) Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(52),  41(not a Venture), 42(78), 44(93?), 45(42), 47(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 54(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 59(59), 641(28), 643(61), 644(48). 

(Symbols: ? departed 30-40 minutes late)

Average OTP = 58 minutes late.

MON. DEC.23 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(not a Venture), 41(104X), 42(91), 44(115?), 45(59?), 47(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 54(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 59(59), 641(31), 643(40), 644(64). 

Unusually Venture-equipped trains: 52(64), 55 (130X), 63(89), 

(Symbols: ? departed 20-30 minutes late; X departed 40-60 minutes late)

Average OTP = 77 minutes late.

MON. DEC.30 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture (actually ten) Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(not a Venture), 41(28), 42(30), 44(134), 45(108), 47(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 54(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 59(39), 641(25), 643(41), 644(34). 

Unusually Venture-equipped trains: 52(46), 55 (39). 

(Symbols: ? departed 15-40 minutes late)

Average OTP = 43 minutes late. (44 delayed by police operation near Brighton - not included in average)

MON. JAN.6, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture (actually ten) Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(44), 41(47), 42(not a Venture), 44(119), 45(88), 47(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 54(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 59(57), 641(31), 643(482), 644(21). 

Unusually Venture-equipped trains: 52(6), 55(39). 

Average OTP =  43 minutes late - outliers 52, 643 not included in calculation of average. 

MON. JAN.13, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture (actually nine) Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(45), 41(39), 42(56), 44(31), 45(not a Venture), 47(39), 54(not a Venture), 59(58 ?), 641(43), 643(19*), 644(30). 

(Symbols: ? departed 37 minutes late; *Speedster)

Average OTP = 40 minutes late.

MON. JAN.20, 2025 UPDATE

Nine-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(46), 41(55), 42(34), 44(57), 47(38?), 59(40), 641(30), 643(48), 644(13*). 

(Symbols: ? departed 30 minutes late; *Speedster)

Average OTP = 40 minutes late.

MON. JAN.27, 2025 UPDATE

Nine-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(45), 41(75), 42(24), 44(65??), 47(135?), 59(54), 641(31), 643(40), 644(19*). 

(Symbols: ? departed 117 minutes late; ??departed 17 minutes late; *Speedster)

Average OTP = 54 minutes late.

MON. FEB.3, 2025 UPDATE

**NOW Fifteen! Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(61), 41(44), 42(93), 44(61), 46(47), 47(60), 55(45), 59(163?), 61(113??), 69(92), 641(32), 669(more than 60).

62/52 Venture J-train (22) at Kingston, (24Mtl/11Ott) [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions due to axle count >32]

60/50 Venture/HEP (26) at Kingston, (64Mtl/na) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: ? departed 100 minutes late; ??departed 50 minutes late)

Average Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 67 minutes late. 

Average Montreal-Toronto non-J OTP = 88 minutes late.

MON. FEB.10, 2025 UPDATE

Fifteen (only 11 this Monday) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(18*), 41(not a Venture), 42(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 44(40), 46(38), 47(31), 55(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 59(57), 61(56), 69(60), 641(24*), 669(not a Venture).

62/52 Venture J-train (26) at Kingston, (73Mtl/26Ott) [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

60/50 Venture/HEP (26) at Kingston, (83Mtl/na) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: *Speedster [40 was 30 minutes late at Kingston!])

Average Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 42 minutes late.  

Average Montreal-Toronto non-J OTP = 58 minutes late.

(These average OTP's for each leg will be listed separately. Venture J-trains should be able to operate on time Toronto-Brockville, and Venture trains Brockville to Ottawa. I expect increased Montreal-Toronto Venture-equipped non J-trains will arrive about 60 minutes late.)

TUE. FEB.18, 2025 UPDATE

Major snowstorm over the previous weekend, effects still being felt with huge delays due to 40+ cm snow in Montreal and a derailment at/near CN Taschereau Yard. Fifteen (only 14 this Tuesday) Venture Tuesday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(65?), 41(76), 42(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 44(not operating eqpt. shortage), 47(not a Venture), 55(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 59(not operating), 61(held at Dorval), 69(not operating), 641(93?), 644 (not a Venture), 645(not operating), 669(not operating).

62/52 Venture J-train (98) at Kingston, (360+ Mtl/97Ott) [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

60/50 Ventures running separately (74) at Kingston, (holding at Cornwall/65Ott) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: ? departed 30 minutes late)

Average Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 79 minutes late.

Average Montreal-Toronto non-J OTP = not calculated due to storm-related issues beyond VIA's control.

MON. FEB.24, 2025 UPDATE

Fifteen (16 this Monday) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(55?), 42(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 44(38), 46(48), 47(34?), 53(31), 55(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 59(44), 61(85), 68(145), 69(91), 641(31), 643(32), 669 (95?)

62/52 Venture J-train (1) at Kingston, (40Mtl/8Ott*) [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

60/50 Venture/HEP (25?) at Kingston, (46Mtl/43Ott) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: ? departed 15-30 minutes late; *Speedster)

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  44 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  104 minutes late.

MON. MAR. 3, 2025 UPDATE

Now! Eleven (12 this Monday) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(47), 46(32), 47(39?), 59(48), 61(96), 69(135?), 641(36), 644(61?), 669 (134)

62/52 Venture/HEP not J'd at Kingston, (50Mtl/na) [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

60/50 Venture J-train(24?) at Kingston, (49Mtl/44Ott) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: ? departed 15-40 minutes late)

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  44 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 121 minutes late.

MON. MAR. 10, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven (14 this Monday) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(17), 44(36), 46(32), 47(15), 61(42), 69(61), 641(32), 643(1*),  644(34), 669 (54).

60/50 Venture J-train(5) at Kingston, (43Mtl/20Ott)  [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train ( OT at Kingston, (12*Mtl/OT Ott) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: *Speedster)

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  24 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 52 minutes late.

MON. MAR. 17, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(40), 46(65), 47(59),  59(58), 61(47), 69(61), 669 (44).

60/50 Venture J-train(3) at Kingston, (34Mtl/18Ott)  [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (31) at Kingston, (48Mtl/38Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  56 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 51 minutes late.

MON. MAR. 24, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven (today Fourteen) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(38), 45(73), 46(57), 47(240?), 53(44), 61(75), 68(59); 69(56), 643(59); 669 (41).

60/50 Venture J-train(7) at Kingston, (25Mtl/23Ott)  [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (6) at Kingston, (10!Mtl/16Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  86 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 57 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; ?departed 81 minutes late)

MON. MAR. 31, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(72), 46(44), 47(16*), 59(46) 61(74), 69(91); 669 (28).

60/50 Venture J-train(11) at Kingston, (41Mtl/21Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (47/35) at Kingston, (37Mtl/42Ott) not J'd after Cobourg?[not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  44 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 64 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster)

MON. APR.7, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(36), 46(40), 47(26), 59(29), 61(53), 69(79); 669 (52).

60/50 Venture J-train (3) at Kingston, (Mtl31/17Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (20) at Kingston, (51Mtl/15Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 33 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 61 minutes late.

No significantly late departures!

MON. APR.14, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(36), 46(35), 47(59), 59(35), 61(63), 69(58); 669 (42).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 41 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 54 minutes late.

No significantly late departures!

MON. APR.21, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(54), 46(30), 47(5!**), 59(57), 61(71), 69(56); 669 (30).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (Mtl20/8Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (3) at Kingston, (21Mtl/3Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 44 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 52 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; **arrived 19 minutes late at Guildwood but able to make up 10+ minutes due to Guildwood-Toronto stops 30 minutes apart instead of the usual 20 minutes!)

No significantly late departures.

MON. APR.28, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(46), 46(45), 47(19*?), 59(56), 61(70), 69(69?); 669 (40).

60/50 Venture J-train (7) at Kingston, (Mtl28/13Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (10) at Kingston, (21Mtl/9Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 41 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 59 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; ?departed 20 minutes late)

MON. MAY 5, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven (today Twelve) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(52), 45(??118 was J-trained with No 53), 46(20*); 47(?16*), 59(40), 61(72); 69(46); 669 (27).

60/50 Venture J-train (8) at Kingston, (Mtl31/16Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (8) at Kingston, (26Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 49 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 48 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; ?departed 21 minutes late; ?? departed 78 minutes late)

Re: the speedsters - these vastly-reduced late arrivals into destination stations are - in the words of one VIA engineer, "Good engineers who are comfortable doing their job. You run hard and hit the whistle posts at 45, then right back to throttle 8".

MON. MAY 12, 2025 UPDATE

With the addition of two Venture sets to the Corridor rotation...

Fourteen (today sixteen!)Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(67x), 46(26), 47(15*), 53(17*), 59(57), 61(72); 68(54), 69(46), 641(42), 643(32), 644(34), 669(33).

60/50 Venture J-train (1) at Kingston, (Mtl7*/8*Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (8) at Kingston, (9*Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  36 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  50 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; x=mechanical problems near Smiths Falls)

No significantly late departures.

MON. MAY 19, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today thirteen!)Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(63), 46(31), 47(1*), 53(not a Venture, 6 HEP cars!), 59(56), 61(64); 68(56); 69(87), 643(43), 669(29).

60/50 Venture J-train (8) at Kingston, (Mtl26/21Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (3) at Kingston, (41Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  38 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 59 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster)

No significantly late departures.

MON. MAY 26, 2025 UPDATE

Change of card so changes are afoot.

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(na), 45(42), 46(33), 47(31), 53(47), 59(42), 61(42); 69(59), 643(29), 669(52).

60/50 Venture J-train (36) at Kingston, (49Mtl/23Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (12) at Kingston, (28Mtl/39Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  38 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  51 minutes late.

No significantly late departures.

MON. JUNE 2, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today thirteen) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(?115), 45(40), 46(48), 47(??60), 59(35), 61(59); 69(65), 643(69), 669(26).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (17Mtl/25Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (22Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  56 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  50 minutes late.

(Symbols: ?departed 77 minutes late; ?? departed 27 minutes late since No 33 arrived 91 minutes late)

MON. JUNE 9, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(34), 45(26), 46(27), 47(57), 59(42), 61(59), 68(59). 69(44), 643(50), 669(24).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (16Mtl/19Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (4) at Kingston, (47Mtl/20Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 39 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 47 minutes late.

No significantly late departures.

MON. JUNE 16, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(54), 45(43), 46(22), 47(?44), 59(43), 61(59), 68(62). 69(56), 643(58), 669(26).

60/50 Venture J-train (19) at Kingston, (27Mtl/45Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (15) at Kingston, (Mtl/Ott) [not counted in average either - Sets 26/2 respectively at Belleville (above) image courtesy Railstream, LLC.]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  44 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  51 minutes late.

(Symbols: ?departed 20 minutes late)

MON. JUNE 23, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today seventeen! after last night's operational challenges in SW Ontario) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(48), 44(?147), 45(71), 46(??120), 47(?84), 59(45), 61(?45), 63(87), 68(73), 69(117), 643(51), 668(82), 669(61).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (42Mtl/19Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (14) at Kingston, (119Mtl/49Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 77 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 80 minutes late.

(Symbols: ?departed 20 minutes late, ??departed 40 minutes late)

MON. JUNE 30, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(45), 45(99), 46(33), 47(45), 59(100), 61(59), 68(55), 69(115), 643(56), 669(60).

60/50 Venture J-train (10) at Kingston, (19Mtl/22Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (10Mtl/13Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  63 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  72 minutes late.

No significantly late departures. Additional delays likely due to temperatures above 35 degrees C.

MON. JULY 7, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(44), 45(43), 46(31), 47(53), 59(60), 61(70), 68(54), 69(55), 643(51), 669(26).

60/50 Venture J-train (11) at Kingston, (25Mtl/19Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (11Mtl/1Ott was 14 at Brock!) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 47 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 51 minutes late.

No significantly late departures. 

MON. JULY 14, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Sixteen) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

43(57); 44(39), 45(98), 46(34), 47(49), 59(42), 61(44), 67(?45); 68(61), 69(56), 643(32), 669(27).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (4*Mtl/10Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (20) at Kingston, (53Mtl/11Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  50 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  47 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; ?departed 28 minutes late)

MON. JULY 21, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(?185), 45(46), 46(?116), 47(148), 59(32), 61(45), 68(??86), 69(48), 643(61), 669(50).

60/50 Venture J-train (10) at Kingston, (30Mtl/16Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (4) at Kingston, (13Mtl/3 minutes early Ott, was 13 minutes late at Brockville) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 43 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 55 minutes late.

(Symbols: ?departed 30-45 minutes late, ??departed 10 minutes late)

Nos 44, 46, 47 delayed west of Belleville due to a crossing accident involving No 65 and not included in average.

MON. JULY 28, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Fifteen)Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(71), 45(88), 46(53), 47(?81), 59(41), 61(88), 67(*92); 68(76), 69(59), 643(71), 669(31).

60/50 Venture J-train (6) at Kingston, (52Mtl/24Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (36Mtl/11Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  66 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  69 minutes late.

(Symbols: ? departed 15 minutes late; *Augmented Set 12)

Only one significantly late departure. Additional delays likely due to temperatures above 35 degrees C.

MON. AUGUST 4, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Seventeen!) Venture Civic Holiday Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(45), 44(52), 45(30), 46(28), 47(?47), 59(42), 61(54), 63(*5), 68(52), 69(78), 643(48), 668(*31), 669(28).

60/50 Venture J-train (9) at Kingston, (15Mtl/16Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (1) at Kingston, (30Mtl/16Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  41 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =   53 minutes late.

(Symbols: ?departed 22 minutes late; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

Additional delays likely due to temperatures above 35 degrees C.

MON. AUGUST 11, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Sixteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(33), 44(106), 45(62), 46(72), 47(59), 59(74), 61(43), 63(68), 67(*143), 68(?87), 69(149), 643(98), 669(62).

60/50 Venture J-train (10) at Kingston, (48Mtl/45Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (6) at Kingston, (67Mtl/14Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  71 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 81 minutes late.

(Symbols: ? departed 15 minutes late; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

Additional delays likely due to temperatures above 35 degrees C.

MON. AUGUST 18, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Sixteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(49), 44(38), 45(18!), 46(38), 47(?45), 59(55), 61(48), 63(*9!), 68(48), 69(55), 643(26), 668(55).

60/50 Venture J-train (20) at Kingston, (44Mtl/43Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (9!Mtl/OT Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 38 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  51 minutes late.

(Symbols: !speedster; ? departed 18 minutes late; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

MON. AUGUST 25, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Fifteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(36), 45(27), 46(26), 47(45), 59(101), 61(41), 67(*OT), 68(53), 69(84), 643(28), 669(70).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (!13Mtl/!10Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (13) at Kingston, (33 Mtl/14 Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  43 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  62  minutes late.

(Symbols: !speedster; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

No significantly late departures.

On August 28, 2025 CN has made a change in how it has restricted the operating speeds of VIA's Venture equipment. I'll be watching Venture Mondays with relish now, to see if the co-operation that CN and VIA have mustered allow Ventures' OTP to catch up. For any outliers above the new Average OTP, I'll post context when it's available. "CONTEXT:"

MON. SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Fifteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(50), 45(!7), 46(49), 47(!1), 59(25), 61(!11), 66(*3!), 68(14), 69(26), 643(30), 669(OT).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (!8Mtl/!7Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (5) at Kingston, (38Mtl/ OT Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  27 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  12  minutes late.

(Symbols: !speedster; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

No significantly late departures. 

CONTEXT: "44 got caught behind GO trains and it couldn’t access the passing track because train 45 was occupying it so it’s more because of poor scheduling by metrolinx. Also 46 had lots of track congestion leaving Toronto they were delayed about 30 minutes by the time they were at Oshawa similar to 44. So the true delay is skewed for those two trains. (from Redditor cutemario...883)

MON. SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Fifteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(27), 45(?38), 46(22), 47(!OT), 59(20), 61(21), 67(*4), 68(20), 69(29), 643(26), 669(27).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (18Mtl/!9Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (8Mtl/OT Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  22 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  24 minutes late.

(Symbols: !speedster; ?was only 1 minute late Kingston; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

No significantly late departures. 

CONTEXT: No 45 was only one minute late at Kingston; it incurred a 25-minute delay between Port Hope and Oshawa. Meanwhile, No 47 arrived 11 minutes late at Oshawa but made up time into Toronto, arriving four minutes early (OT)!

MON. SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Fifteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(33), 45(56), 46(27), 47(16), 59(25), 61(32), 67(*1), 68(18), 69(25), 643(19), 669(13).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (!18Mtl/!6Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (3) at Kingston, (7Mtl/8Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  29 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  22 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Augmented Set, not included in average)

No significantly late departures. 

CONTEXT: Nos 47 and 67 made up 15-20 minutes between Oshawa and Toronto. Tardy No 45 was already 39 minutes late at Kingston, and including it  raises the average from 24 to 29 minutes. No 59 was 14 minutes late at Guildwood, losing 11 minutes into Toronto.

MON. SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(32), 45(33), 46(?61), 47(33), 53(40), 54(17), 59(26), 69(27), 668(?100), 669(39).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (32Mtl/26Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (21) at Kingston, (49Mtl/30Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  34 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  55  minutes late.

(Symbols: ? departed 12 minutes late)

CONTEXT: No 668 slowly built up delays, 50 minutes late at Kingston, 90 at Cornwall and 100 by Dorval! This raised the average Montreal-Toronto OTP from 33 to 55 minutes.

A Train Grows - Venturing into VIA's Success

After the annus horribilis that VIA Rail Canada has been experiencing with its CN's crossing speed reductions on its new Siemens Venture trains, the operation of one slightly-longer Corridor train screamed 'success!' this week. Doubters, cynics and pessimists can consider this post TLDR - but this post is unbridled optimism bordering on fanaticism and perhaps fantasy, and I think we need it right now! 

Let's rewind a bit...

(In this post, I'll use the terms trainset, Set and consist interchangeably. I'll also refer to the length of Venture trains by units, incorporating locomotives, cab cars and Economy and Business Class coaches, instead of by the number of the latter only.)

THREE IMPORTANT DATES FOR ONE TRAINSET

Here are a few significant dates from this third VIA Ventures in Service post:

June 3: VIA operated train No 631-03 comprising Set 12 with two cars (one Economy Class and one Business Class) taken from Set 7, Montreal-Ottawa return. This is the first known remarshalling of a Venture set, and perhaps the most sensible way to meet CN's 32-axle minimum requirement in order to operate without crossing speed reductions! Consist: 2311-2811-2911-2906 (Set 7 coach)-2706 (Set 7 Business Class)-2711-2611-2211. (Top photo taken at Caron/Mile 19.21 Kingston Sub on June 3, 2025. I'm indebted to Lion Liu for sharing all the photos in this post.) The augmented trainset looks remarkably similar to a regular six-unit trainset, but requires coach-counting using fingers on both hands.)

July 5 - The early-June augmented consist experiment apparently ended. Reports hinted that the idea was not being pursued by VIA. The augmented consist had been disassembled: 2211-2611-2711 sitting outside at east end with end door of 2711 sealed. Four photos at the MMC on July 5, 2025:

The other cars and cab car 2311 are coupled to guard unit 6445. 

Set 7 (donor) remained as a four-unit set, at right (below), next to Set 30 which arrived at the MMC on June 7. On June 3, Set 30 had operated as test train VIA No 636 between Montreal and Ottawa. Spot the blue & yellow baggage car and RDC!

The 'ajoutay' trainset reunited - July 12, 2025 at MMC:

Then this happened...

July 14 - Augmented Set 12 operated as Nos 67-79. The first use of this set since its June 3 test. The 'ajoutay' consist left the MMC on-time, but inexplicably departed Central Station 28 minutes late. Thereafter, with its CN-approved axle count and track speed, it only lost another 17 minutes all the way to Toronto, arriving only (!) 45 minutes late. VIA sources suggest that the use of the augmented consist on July 14 was a game-day decision. 

July 15 - Augmented Set 12 operated as No 72-66. Despite an on-time departure, the lateness profile resembled the standard Venture falling-behind and arriving in Montreal 73 minutes late. (I have to wonder if this action was hurriedly taken based on the result, perhaps yet undivulged, of VIA's Quebec court case.) Lance Gleich kindly shared these excellent photos from the Roncesvalles Avenue pedestrian overpass along the Gardiner Expressway, showing the 'ajoutay' set's augmented length:

Lance notes wryly that's a Siemens hi-rail pickup!

July 16 - Augmented Set 12 to operate as No 67. A last-minute equipment swap to 6411-7 LRC. Departing Montreal 18 minutes late, an hour earlier the crews' chatter included the terms "bad bearings, locked axles, hot journal" with the MMC controller by radio. Reportedly, none of the Augmented Set 12 cars' refrigerators are working properly! 

July 21 - Set 12 departed Ottawa as No 24 after being at the MMC on the evening of July 20. Note the unique and more-than-normal car line assignments (above) and see more listings (below).

THE 1ST AND 2ND AUGMENTED / 'AJOUTAY' CONSISTS IN REVENUE SERVICE

The initial consist was reportedly augmented as early as May 22, 2025, comprising Set 12 with two cars (one Economy Class and one Business Class) taken from Set 7: 2311-2811-2911-2906 (Set 7 coach)-2706 (Set 7 Business Class)-2711-2611-2211. 

The second augmented consist was made on August 11, 2025, comprising Set 24 with two cars (again one Economy* and one Business**) taken from Set 25: 2223-2623-2723-2724**-2924*-2923-2823-2323 with remnants 2224-2624-2824-2324 on adjacent track at MMC. Three photos taken at MMC August 11 and kindly shared by Lion Liu:

The joint being made late in the afternoon:

July 22 - Set 12 operated as No 79.

July 23 - Set 12 operated as No 66.

July 24 - Set 12 operated as No 67 planned as No 79 to Windsor.

July 25 - Set 12 operated as No 79, detouring via Stratford due to a CN freight derailment at Paris, after likely operating as No 72, arriving in Toronto 3+ hours late. The 'ajoutay' consist on Youtube (5:15 mark).

July 28 - Set 12 was planned for Nos 67-79.

July 29 - Set 12 operated as No 66 planned as No 72.

July 30 - Set 12 was planned for Nos 67-79

July 31 - Set 12 operated as No 72 planned as No 66.

Aug. 1 - Set 12 was planned for Nos 67-79.

Aug. 2 - Set 12 operated as Nos 61 and 68, though only Business Cars 1 and 2 are use.

Aug. 3 - Set 12 operated as No 63 and 68, though only Business Cars 1 and 2 are in use.

Aug. 4 - Set 12 operated as Nos 63 (5) and 68 (33) (On-Time Performance in brackets).

Aug. 5 - Set 12 operated as Nos 63 (10) and No 668 (15).

Aug. 9 - Set 12 operated as No 67. Departure delayed by three hours, 22 minutes today due to crew shortage. No crew could be found who could co-operate linguistically so No 67 (247) towed No 69 (64) , potentially the longest VIA Venture train yet! Lion Liu kindly shared a dramatic drone photo of the 'ajoutay' assemblage:

Aug.10 - Set 12 operated as No 66.

Aug.11 - Set 12 operated as No 67 (143) and 79. High temperatures may be affecting OTP.

Aug.12 - Set 12 operated as No 72 and 66 (58) (On-Time Performance in brackets).

Aug.13 - Set 12 operated as No 67-79(one Economy, one Business not in service).

Aug.14 - Set 12 operated as No 72-66.

Aug.15 - Set 24 (second Ajoutay set) made its maiden voyage on the Montreal-Quebec No 24, though two cars from Set 25 were not in use. Set 12 operated as No 37.

Aug.17 - Set 12 operated as No 24, all cars in service.

Aug.18 - Set 12 operated as No 63, all cars in service, No 68, all but one (Economy) cars in service.

Aug.20 - Set 12 operated as No 72-66.

Aug.21 - Set 12 operated as No 67-79.

Aug.22 - Set 12 operated as No 72-66.

Aug.23 - Set 12 was planned as No 67-79.

Aug.24 - Set 12 was planned as No 72-66. Set 24 operated as No 69.

Aug.25 - Set 12 operated as No 67 (OT) -79.

Aug.26 - Set 12 was planned as No 72 (9) -66 (33).

Aug.27 - Set 12 operated as No 67 (5) -79 (55)

Aug.28 - Set 12 operated as No 72 (31) -66 (10). 

Aug.29 - Set 24 operated as No 62 (25). Set 12 operated as No 67 (40) -79.

Aug.30 - Set 12 operated as No 72 - and No 66 (1).

Aug.31 - Set xx operated as No 67 (17).

Sep. 1 - Set xx operated as No 72 - 66.

Sep. 2 - Set xx operated as No 67.

Sep. 3 - Set 12 operated as No 72 and here - 66 (36).

Sep. 4 - Set xx operated as No 67 (4) - 79.

Sep. 5 - Set 12 operated as No 72 (5)- 66 (14).

Sep. 6 - Set xx operated as No 67 (23) - 79.

Sep. 7 - Set 24 operated as No 72 - 66 (10).

Sep. 8 - Set xx operated as No 67 (4) -79.

Sep. 9 - Set 24 operated as No 72 - 66 (18).

Sep.10 - Set 24 operated as No 67 (5) -79.

Sep.11 - Set xx operated as No 72 - 66 (8).

Sep.12 - Set 24 operated as No 67 (OT) - 79.

Sep.13 - Set 24 operated as No 72 - 66 (78). 

Sep.14 - Set xx operated as No 67 (OT).

Sep.15 - Set xx operated as No 66-72.

SEPTEMBER 15 UPDATE: It's now been two months of XL set operation, and the concept seems successful!

THE LONG-AND-SHORT OF IT - A MAKE-UP CONSIST EMERGES

On August 28, VIA tested another variation on the varied-length consist, consisting of the cornucopic casserole of leftovers from Sets 7 and 25 not used in the augmenting of Sets 12 and 24. This XS-J consist comprised 2207-2606-2806-2306-2324-2824-2624-2224, testing as VIA No 631 Montreal-Casselman, ON return. Note the unique and more-than-normal car line assignments and see more listings (below).

Sep.12 - Set 7/25 operated as No 24. The remnants of Set 25 have been wyed. The consist is now: 2207-2606-2806-2306-2224-2624-2824-2324 with a 'normal' locomotive-consist-cab car overall configuration instead of Charger locomotives on both ends as before. Likely due to Charger 2224 not loading properly for some time. The change in car line numbers, due to the eyeing, was soon reflected in VIA's reservation system:

Sep.13 - Set 7/25 operated as No 37.

Sep.14 - Set 7/25 operated as No 624 - 39.

Sep.15 - Set 7/25 operated as No 24 (Ottawa-Quebec).

Sep.16 - Set 7/25 operated as No 61 (first time through Kingston!) - and likely 44.

Sep.17 - Set 7/25 was planned for No 22 - 39.

Sep.18 - Set 7/25 operated as No 24 - and likely 29.

Here's one proposed plan for Venture set remarshalling:

 AJOUTAY, 1-7V OR XL, OH MY!

(I'm considering using term 'ajoutay' for such consists, just as I use the term 'doublavay' to represent J-trained Venture consists. Not only do both applications of Venture trainsets deserve their own Venture-specific terms, but both are marginally bilingual!) VIA is referring to this set in internal documents as "1-7 V", instead of the regular "V" denoting a Venture set. Some VIA fans use the term "XL".

A fellow rail enthusiast, usually unheard-from, just couldn't take it anymore! I'll call him Nomenclature Norman. 

And he's right, you know. From now on (August 29) the 'doublavays' will become J-trains, the 'ajoutays' will become XL/Augmented Set 12 or 24, and the 'melangay' will become XS/Set 7/25.

The third business class car (2706 for 'ajoutay' Set 12 and 2724 for 'ajoutay' Set 24) can apparently be sold in either Business (car line 91) or Economy (car line 9) Class whenever needed.

Some have expressed concerns about whether the Ventures were ever intended to operate in variable-length consists, despite many quoting the 'NGEC' PowerPoint that shows 3-, 5- and 7-car consists. Unlike hitching up steam lines and air lines on a bunch of steam-heated coaches at Spadina or Pointe St Charles  and you're good-to-go, there are lots of 'black boxes' on Ventures that have to operate throughout a train with any number of cars. Each car, for instance, has its own interior  and exterior signage that is constantly updated. There would also be sensors, status lights, HVAC, light and power and many more systems that are controlled from one point then throughout the consist.

There is only one important number right now. It's not the number of minutes late, the number of passengers sick of arriving late and fleeing VIA, it's the number of axles CN is forcing VIA to run its Venture-equipped trains with. Or else. The magic number is 32! With a standard, six-unit Venture totalling 24 axles, the additional two cars add the requisite eight axles. 

So, 24 + 8 = success!

THE VENTURES' ANNUS HORRIBILIS

Let's look at the VIAriety of terrible, negative punishment that VIA's image and internal morale has taken over the past nine months, perhaps more precisely a novem menses horribilis!

• the overnight introduction of the completely-unexpected and unprecedented CN Crossing Supplement as an over-reach, over-reaction and technically groundless weapon against VIA.
• the thousands and thousands of hours that lawyers spent crafting a legal strategy to battle CN, collecting affidavits and sifting through the previous three years of communication with CN.
• the crushing blow that the jurisdictional argument dealt to VIA's case, not even getting a hearing in Federal Court in Montreal.
• VIA shifting the case from Federal Court to Superior Court in Quebec, in which its interlocutory injunction was not only denied but then upheld on appeal.
• both court cases pointing to VIA's case against CN not being a legal issue, not even a commercial contract issue, but a regulatory issue that needs to be not solved by the courts but by the Federal regulator.
• Transport Canada's intransigence and foot-dragging as a regulator, now six months of inaction even after CN supplied requested crossing signal data.
• the resulting fall-out from CN's actions dealing huge blows to VIA's ridership, reliability, public perception, on-time performance and public image.
• VIA's apparent reticence to name CN as an aggressor, instead having to politely refer vaguely to the 'infrastucture operator/host railway' due to its inability to advocate for itself.
• the extent to which CN's crossing speed reductions has hampered VIA's Venture roll-out.

TRACKSIDE PROGNOSTICATOR

In this initial post on the CN-imposed speed reductions that was not only published in real-time in October, 2024 as we tried to figure out the what and why, but has also been maintained each Monday with Venture-equipped trains' on-time performance as a way of ensuring that we don't miss the timely demise of said reductions, I predicted the following solutions:

• probable SHORT-TERM SOLUTION: Continued speed restrictions at affected crossings causing Venture trains to operate at the 30-60 minute late range.
• probable MEDIUM-TERM SOLUTION: Lengthening Venture consists with unused Venture cars. 
• probable LONG-TERM SOLUTION: Shunt-enhancer installation on Venture sets. 

At this point, my short- and medium-term predictions are coming true, while the long-term is cloudy and confusing. Not only would this require technology and testing not only not operating in Canada, but only recently approved and not-yet implemented in the US.

OTHER SOLUTIONS

Other solutions that VIA could attempt are few, but they do exist:

ADD LEGACY CARS TO VENTURE TRAINSETS - There are lots of Legacy cars currently sitting in VIA's maintenance centre yards. HEP cars like spare Chateau sleepers or coaches seem the most likely, since the majority of LRC cars are still in use or stored, not spare. The HEP cars are now surplus, and it only takes two per train to reach the magic number. These additional cars do not have to be 'part' of the train for operational purposes, and yes, require running-around at destination. Consider them passenger-less place-holders.

ORDER MORE VENTURE CARS - The purchase of Siemens Ventures was to secure VIA's Corridor future. Imagine the current Federal government, up to its eyeballs in issues that are important to every Canadian such as tariffs, pipelines, housing, inter-provincial trade, artificial intelligence, jobs, pensions, increasing defence and NATO spending, border security, the drug war, etc., shelling out millions for additional equipment to satisfy a bully of a host railway in a very profitable but very small part of VIA's national network. Especially since it was just announced that federally-funded institutions and Crown corporations like the CBC and VIA are expected to propose their own cuts under the Liberal government’s sweeping efforts to find $25 billion in annual savings from the federal budget in the next three years

CONVINCE CN THAT THEY'RE JUST PLAIN WRONG - However, CN has not only doubled-down on its claims of safety and philosophy of risk-aversion, it has in true Canadian fashion double-doubled-down, dug in its corporate heels, put out its corporate horns and fought VIA tooth-and-nail on this. All this in a toxic environment of a Train Service Agreement that neither party has been able to agree on for years.

WHAT THE RAILFANS WANT (AND WHY THEY SHOULDN'T WANT IT!)

JUST ORDER MORE VENTURE CARS - our newly-elected Federal government would have to approve this purchase, right? You know, that government that is awash in the fraught files listed above. And VIA is going to go to that government, cap in hand and ask for millions of dollars (not to mention one to two years even if approved) to settle a dispute that only recently emerged between VIA and CN, two current/former Crown corporations. One that could be proven at any time to be without basis and magically dispensed with.

THE VENTURES ARE 'JUNK' AND SHOULD BE RETURNED/SCRAPPED - a non-starter, don't you think? This isn't like an item you order on Amazon, comes with one piece missing and they send you a replacement the next day with all the pieces. The Ventures are the best option VIA arrived at, and now that they've arrived, continuing to question their implementation is pointless.

THEORIES ON HOW MANY TRAINSETS VIA NEEDS - the original order was for 32. Railfans reason that when you build an eight-unit consist, somewhere there is a four-unit consist sitting there idle. Yes, but the hope would be that this is a short-term coping mechanism only. 

THEORIES ON HOW VIA SHOULD CONFIGURE ITS VENTURE TRAINSETS - what car can go where, which cars have end-doors, which cars have which type of coupler. Are the two augmented cars being sold as passenger space, and will this conform to VIA's sales protocols? Not important right now. Remember, the magic number of 32, whether the cars' space is sold or not.

'AJOUTAY' CONSISTS ARE TOUGH TO TELL APART FROM REGULAR VENTURE TRAINSETS - well, that's true. When passing at 90 mph, two additional cars painted the same and with minuscule numbers are difficult to discern because they only take one second to pass by! Flying by covering 132 feet per second is scarcely time to appreciate the new, longer, improved and of-railfan-interest 'ajoutay' consist'.

'AJOUTAY' CONSISTS CAN'T POSSIBLY FIT INTO VIA'S CORRIDOR ROTATION - VIA has slowly but consistently found its creative chutzpah when it's come to dealing with the ripple effects of CN's actions: 

• cancelling certain perpetually-late Venture trains caused by late arrivals on the previous leg. 
• making near-daily Nos 60/50 and 62/52 'doublavays' as far as Brockville, resulting in far improved on-time performance at Montreal and Ottawa, respectively. 
• experimenting with other 'doublavay' trainsets elsewhere in the Corridor
• shifting Ventures away from early-morning 'commuter' runs like Ottawa-Toronto Nos 641 and 41. 
• temporarily pausing implementation of Ventures to South-West Ontario, before reintroducing Ventures to Toronto-Sarnia train Nos 84-87 and now sparingly to Windsor.
• stationing readily-available guard consists at the TMC and MMC to replace last-minute problematic trainsets prior to departure.

With continued scheduling synergies, there are likely other ways to get the best utilization possible from 'ajoutay' consists, especially now that VIA has been able to lengthen most Montreal-Toronto trains to seven or eight LRC cars.

VIA needs to break through its 13-Venture rotation at which it has been stymied for months now! It's not crew training, and with 31 trainsets now on the property, it's not supply. It's not even maintenance, because VIA seems to have a handle on some of the mechanical problems dogging the new technology, steadily increasing the sets in service and reducing the number of 'shop-queens' not available for service. Here are the facts to support that contention. 

The effect that CN's crossing speed reductions have had on VIA's Venture roll-out has been significant. Despite a continually-increasing drumbeat of delivered trainsets, the implementation thereof has reached a plateau, with relative numbers in the last two years especially disappointing:

• 2021 - 1 trainset delivered
• 2022 - 1 trainset delivered - 1 in revenue service of 2 available
• 2023 - 9 trainsets delivered - 6 in revenue service of 11 available
• 2024 - 14 trainsets delivered - 14 in revenue service of 25 available
• 2025 - as of July, 7 trainsets delivered - 13 in revenue service of 31 available

VIA No 67 Meeting EXO at Rue Bridge Sud on July 14:

'Ajoutay' VIA No 67 at Ste Anne de Bellevue also on July 14:

WILL 'AJOUTAY' CONSISTS CONTINUE?

Questions remain, and we watch and wait to see if this success is sustainable and if more augmented consists will follow:

• How will 'ajoutay' consists affect the use of VIA's maintenance centres in Montreal and Toronto that are apparently designed to only handle the as-delivered six-unit consists, not these eight-unit consists.
• What will the impact be of additional 'ajoutay' consists on VIA's Venture fleet utilization and availability on the whole?

Running extra...one-liner edition...

This AI-generated YouTube thumbnail defies description:

This EG-generated PowerPoint awaits presentation:

Bristles gone from the street-sweeper made their way to my gons!

Glittering condos on the site of Kingston's grain elevator. Artist's conception:

Walker's reality:

First past the post...

Thanks to Lion Liu for his assistance with this post. His fine drone photos have certainly added much to my droning on-and-on about VIA's Ventures! He may not always share my rampant optimism, but I respect his realism.