LRC BUFFER CARS

I received this LRC (Laconic-Revealing-Cryptic) message from someone at VIA eight-plus months ago on Thursday, September 25, 2025:

 "News flash, all LRC cars temporarily removed from service after cracks discovered. 

They’ll be back pending a good inspection." 

Reading it made my spidey-senses tingle. While I don't spend as much time trackside as I could or would like to, I believe in PSR - Precision Sort of Railfanning. Coincidentally (or not) these structural integrity issues were discovered in September, 2025 when I had been trackside. Several LRC cars were noticeably not in service. Missing from my non-oblivious view of the obvious. Perhaps they had gone to oblivion. Or Ottawa. Same thing.

A related message arrived on March 20, 2026:

"Buffer cars are returning ASAP to all LRC consists!"

VIA had received news that due to structural integrity issues, LRC-equipped trains would require buffer cars at either end of the consist. Do you feel like you've seen this movie before, as I have? Indeed, the HEP fleet required buffer cars back in October, 2022 and since that fleet was also used outside the Corridor and had no replacement planned for at least a decade, exhaustive testing was performed. The Venture fleet was purchased to replace the Legacy fleet seat-for-seat, and the LRC fleet is to be out of service by the end of January, 2027.

BACK TO THE PAST...

Unlike the HEP Budd-built cars, the remaining lifespan of the 45+ year-old LRC fleet was considerably shorter. As in, months remaining. Notwithstanding that dead-train-walking horizon, the incomplete implementation of the Venture fleet would perhaps mandate a life extension for the LRCs? 

Previously, structural problems with some of the LRC car floors had been discovered by engineers at Industrial Rail Services (IRSI) in Moncton in 2012. Mentioned in a 2010 speech given at the plant by then-CEO Marc Laliberté (above). Spanning 2011 to 2014, the LRC refurbishment program at IRSI begun in 2008 involved only 34 cars of the Economy Class fleet, extending some of the cars' lives, despite the plan involving refurbishing 98 cars including Business Class cars.  IRSI went bankrupt right in the middle of the project in 2014. The last few cars at IRSI had their finishing work done by CAD employees working at the IRSI facility. Continuing work on the last 10 LRC rebuilds was done by CAD and VIA at the MMC, with the final cars outshopped in 2016. Business Class cars had a minimal rebuild: 22 received a new interior, banking system removed, minor structural work, and paint on the sides only, outshopped in 2014-2015. All refurbished LRC cars received the green and grey 'Renaissance' scheme. These are likely the 'major car overhauls and structural repairs' that VIA refers to in Pillar 1 of the  Media Key Messages document in this post.

BACK TO THE PRESENT...

VIA System Operating Bulletin VB26-103 dated March 20, 2026 prescribes the precautionary measures for buffered LRC consists:

My initial occasional observations from September became a through-line to the addition of buffer cars in March, 2026. In late-March, I also spent three days trackside - the 27th, 28th and 29th. My timing, for once, was excellent and my time trackside coincided with VIA's supplementing of LRC-equipped trains with unoccupied LRC buffer cars on the head- and tail-ends in mid-process. VIA stated that the deployment of buffer cars would begin March 21, then introduced progressively over following days within a week, in line with equipment rotation. Some trains would operate without buffer cars in the interim.

LRC BUFFER CAR OBSERVATIONS

Back in September, 2025 four to six trains (Nos 40 and 63 each day, plus some days' 46, 53, 64, 66, 67, 69) that weekend were supposed to be LRC consists but were instead equipped with Ventures, due to cracks and resulting inspections being conducted on the LRC fleet. There were 17 coaches and 10 Business Class cars that I did not observe on any of the four days I was trackside. Some reports intimated that 13 cars did not pass inspection, though VIA says 21 required repair.

These inspections were substantiated in VIA's mechanical daily reports for 2025. One train was late being placed at Toronto Union "DUE TO EQUIPMENT AVAILABILITY ISSUES RELATED TO STRUCTURAL INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS."

In mid-March, I'd already noticed subtle changes being made to VIA consists:

• Mar.14 - No 65 had a polyglot consist: 4004-3334-3368-3307-4001-3325-3366-3308.

• Mar.16 - No 64 had a polyglot consist: 3340-3335-3351-4009-4000-3367-3343-3338 and No 65 had a polyglot consist:3307-3368-3334-4004-4001-3325-3366-3308 (previous  65 remarshalled). Two HEP2 Business Class cars marshalled together.

• Mar.17 - modification to Corridor rotation: No 67-79-72-66 now operating with 6 instead of 8 LRC cars while Nos 65-->75-->70-->64 keeps its polyglot consist. Was the move to 6 cars a preparatory step for addition of a buffer car on each end?

• Mar.23 - Buffer cars are very slowly being implemented, two days into the change period: No 61, 65 no buffer cars yet. No 67 had 3354, 3478 previously retired. No 64 had buffer cars.

• Mar.25 - No 643: 907-3306-3318-3359-3311-3475-3470-903 buffered consist. 

• Mar.26 - No 65 buffered 9-car polyglot consist: 6409-3305B-3307-3368-3467-4001-3325-3366-3308-3465B-6433; No 66 buffered 8-car consist: 915-3478B-3456-3463-3358-3337-3355-3370-3354B-913; No 67 buffered 8-car consist: 6416-33xxR-33xx-33xx-3363-3313-3469-3461-34xx-64xx. [B=Buffer car]

• Mar.27 I was successful in visually confirming buffered LRC sets : No 643: 920-3304B-3473-3365-3341-3352-3462B-6453; No 65: 6402-3464B-3338-3343-3367-4000-3466-3335-3340-3472B-901 [9 cars].

• Mar.28 still unbuffered LRC No 53: 6401-3471-3361-3324-3353-910, buffered overnight: now Mar.29 No 50: 918-3452B-3353-3324-3361-3471-3301B-6414.

• Mar.29 confirmed buffered LRC No 43: 6411-3455B-3458-3357-3336-3350-3459B; Confirmed buffered No 40: 910-3468B-3461-3469-3329-3363-3313-3333-3302B-6406 (complete consist of No 67 on Mar.26).

Mar.30 - Buffered LRC consists now in service (ensuing substitutions in brackets). All first and last cars of a consist that I confirmed empty, denoted with a 'B'.

6-car:

918-3452B-3353-3324-3361-3471-3301B-6414

907-3306B-3318-3359-3311-3475-3470B-903 (3466 replaced 3475 by Apr.12)

920-3304B-3473-3365-3341-3352-3462B-6453 (3351F replaced 3352 by Apr.13?)

6411-3455B-3458-3357-3336-3350-3459B-900

*

8-car:

910-3468B-3461-3469-3329-3363-3313-3333-3302B-6406 (3356 replaced 3333 by Apr.12; 3460 and 3464B replaced 3461 and 3468B by Apr.12)

915-3478B-3456-3463-3358-3337-3355-3370-3354B-913

*

9-car:

6402-3464B-3338-3343-3367-4000-3466-3335-3340-3472B-901 (4004 replaced 3466 on Apr. 2; 3342 replaced 3338 by Apr.12)

6409-3305B-3307-3368-3467-4001-3325-3366-3308-3465B-6433 (3307 replaced by 3312 and 3308 replaced by 3316 by Apr.14)

HEP:

4005-4007-4112-4114-4119 No 61 Apr.1, then 4119 replaced by 4113 Apr.5, then 4005 replaced by 4002 Apr. 9; 4007 replaced by 4009 Apr.10.

All the above buffer cars in use were in the most recent group of LRC cars retired by January, 2026. I kept tabs on the buffered LRC consists. After mid-April, an updated list of consists as of April 26, 2026 can be found in this post: VIA Ventures, Part 5.

Buffer cars (17) observed in use since March, 2026 (all retired by January, 2026):

Economy: 3301, 3302, 3304, 3305, 3306, 3354

Business: 3452, 3455, 3459, 3462, 3464, 3465, 3468, 3470, 3472, 3476, 3478.

VIA DOCUMENTS THE BUFFER CARS

The Siemens Venture new fleet implementation was initially intended to be fully, completely accomplished prior to the final retirement date of the LRC fleet. Would that date  - currently mandated for the end of January 2027 - be extended if the Ventures are not fully in service by January 2027? VIA's answer: the LRC fleet will be decommissioned beginning of 2027. [Period.]

Although inspection data and reports performed on behalf of, or by VIA Rail Canada, which led to the addition of buffer cars to LRC-equipped trains in March, 2026 are not available, all necessary measures  have been implemented in accordance with the recommendations made by external experts following their conclusions.    

Was the scope and purpose of work currently and recently performed on LRC coaches at CAD Railway Industries intended  to  extend  the  life  of  a  number  of  LRC  cars? The scope of work assigned to CAD Railway Industries was identical to the work performed internally by VIA Rail and was intended to accelerate the repair schedule, with up to five rail cars  being  processed  by  CAD  on  a  sequential  basis. 

At least two moves to CAD were documented on social media. On December 17, 2025 VIA 6446 with idler 3334 took 3358 from MMC to CAD, Lachine. Reportedly one of nine LRC coaches to have structural repairs made at CAD. On February 28, 2026 VIA 6411 and idler Business Class car 3458 lifted 3365 from CAD and delivered 3368.

The work addressed cracking at the longeron-to-bolster beam weld connection identified on certain LRC cars. A total of 21 cars required repair, with repairs divided between MMC and CAD Railway Industries. The repair consisted  of  installing  a  carbon  steel  splice  that  is  bolted  and  riveted  to  the  structure  to restore the structural connection between the longeron and the bolster beam. 

I hadn't heard the term and therefore needed to bolster my vocabulary; to lengthen my lexicon. I wondered if it was linger-on? No, that's someone who refuses to die. Longer one? Long-gone? Longjohns? No, I learned that a longeron is a main lengthwise structural beam used to provide a strong framework. It is a vital load-bearing piece that runs the length of a car to help it keep its shape and handle forces like bending and twisting. 

Why was work being performed so late in the life of the LRC fleet? Regular inspections were planned and conducted on LRC cars as per VIA Rail’s inspection and maintenance program. When issues were discovered that required repair, these were addressed in a timely manner.  The longeron issue was discovered through the regular inspections, and the issue was safely and proactively addressed so that the cars can be returned in service. 

When will LRC cars be disposed of, and will they be scrapped on site at VIA mechanical facilities? The LRC cars will be disposed of once they are formally retired from service, beginning of 2027. Following retirement, the materials from the cars will be recycled by a specialized third-party company with recycling activities to be carried out either on VIA mechanical facilities/premises or at the facilities of the specialized recycling company.

The involvement of external experts to perform an independent engineering assessment mentioned above sounds like HATCH and the technical advice it provided to VIA in its October 17, 2022 report that led to buffer cars being added to stainless steel consists until structural integrity issues could be tested and the equipment cleared for continued use. The urgency with which the repairs to LRC cars were performed by VIA and CAD hinted at the continued need for the LRC fleet to cover Corridor consists during the continually-delayed continuum of Siemens Venture fleet implementation since the first set arrived in 2021. 

RISK ASSESSMENT - LRC CARS STRUCTURAL DEFECTS

Under Section 15(1) and 16(2) of the Railway Safety Management System Regulations 2015, a railway company is required to carry out Risk Assessments, as required by the Regulations, and communicate the risks identified as requiring remedial action, and the remedial action to be implemented, to the employees affected. This risk assessment issued by Railway Safety Governance and Compliance was dated March 20, 2026.

CIRCUMSTANCE: The LRC fleet is in the final phase of its service life. Recent inspections identified structural findings, and VIA Rail acted with a safety-first, proactive approach consistent with its long-standing commitment to safe operations.  These  inspections  confirmed  that  LRC  equipment  remains  safe under normal operating conditions. However, as a precaution related to rare abnormal scenarios, additional mitigation measures are being introduced.

DESCRIPTION: The risk assessment was completed in February 2026 to identify hazards and define remedial actions. The overall residual risk level was assessed as Acceptable when mitigation measures are applied.

A formidable folio of internal documentation regarding implementation of LRC buffer cars flowed from the structural integrity inspections. Passenger and media key messages, SMS notices provided to Corridor Railway Operations and Customer Experience personnel, Q&A  documentation prepared for managers regarding the addition of buffer cars, as well as Equipment Maintenance Service Bulletin which summarizes the actions taken by VIA Rail in accordance with the reports’ recommendations. 

LRC FLEET BUFFER CARS - PASSENGER AND MEDIA KEY MESSAGES/

Voitures tampons LRC - Messages clés pour les passagers et médias

As is the case in mainstream corporate culture, it's important to 'get out ahead of the issue' with a sound media strategy that sounds believable. This messaging document was last updated March 19, 2026.

Supplanted by 'what could we possibly be asked', a Q&A backgrounder of talking points is provided to back up the key messages. The talking points use the 'phrase that pays' strategy: "proactive", "safety-first", "low-probability" keep popping up!

• VIA Rail implemented a proactive plan, including the deployment of buffer cars, to ensure continued safe railway operations through the LRC fleet's planned retirement by early 2027. There's that hard-date yet again! 
• Buffer cars were introduced progressively across LRC trains [March 21-March 30, 2026].
• The buffer cars provide additional separation within the train as a precautionary safeguard in rare, very low-probability train-to-train collision scenarios. Front or rear-end train-to-train collisions involving VIA Rail passenger equipment are exceptionally rare.
• The LRC fleet is not being retired because it is unsafe. It is, however, in the final phase of its service life and was already scheduled for full retirement by early 2027.
• The fleet has been actively and responsibly managed, with major overhauls completed between 2011 and 2016 and continued monitoring as it approaches retirement.
• Deploying buffer cars minimizes passenger disruption as the new fleet reaches full operational readiness.
• The independent engineering assessment confirmed that the LRC fleet remains safe under normal operating conditions.
• Additional points were also provided for addressing passenger concerns or rebooking seats.

PROACTIVE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES - LRC EQUIPMENT

Issued to all OTS Corridor employees, this Customer Experience - Corridor document CO26-015 originated with Managers, Customer Experience, dated March 20, 2026. 

• All consists with LRC cars will include a buffer car on the front and rear end that will be empty as seats will be inhibited for sale. 
• Employees and passengers will be restricted from entering these designated buffer cars while the train is in movement. Locomotive engineers may have to access these cars while in motion for some specific train movements.
• IMPORTANT: In the event that the buffer car is the Business Class car, it will be important to move emergency equipment exclusive to that car, such as the AED and oxygen tank, to a car in service (prior to departure while the train is immobilized).
• In the event of an emergency that requires access to the buffer car while the train is in motion, the SM will contact the ICLE to stop the train.
• OTS personnel are asked to do the doors safety procedure briefing to two (2) designated passengers in one of the adjacent cars to cover each end door in the event of an evacuation.
• Passengers affected by the remarshalling of our trains will be contacted by VCC. We will be using one common message: "Due to temporary operational adjustments we are currently reconfiguring our trains, and thiswill impact your train."
• Employees working on trains requiring empty buffer cars will be contacted by their managers to review the operating plan if they are over capacity (alternate transportation, etc.) or if they have to reassign passengers in different cars.

CONFIRMATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BUFFER CARS - LRC EQUIPMENT

Issued to all OTS Corridor employees, this Customer Experience - Corridor document CO26-032 originated with Managers, Customer Experience, dated March 31, 2026. "We would like to confirm that all consists operating with LRC equipment are now fully configured with buffer cars at both the front and rear, in accordance with the proactive precautionary measures in place." The confirmation document then reiterated all the points contained in the March 20, 2026 document CO26-015, with some key takeaways and Q&A's provided for managers:

INTERNAL MANAGER Q&A - LRC STRUCTURAL ISSUES

Key Takeaway - Safety first, always:

During scheduled preventive inspections, a structural issue was discovered on some LRC cars. In full compliance with safety regulations, the cars were immediately withdrawn from service and we proactively launched a fleet-wide inspection, ahead of the planned schedule, to identify and address any potential issues early on. This demonstrates that VIA Rail's rules and procedures work as intended, effectively allowing us to detect, assess, and manage such situations safely.

Key Takeaway - Limited impact on customers and employees:

As additional cars were found with this structural issue, they were immediately removed from operations. This created a short-term disruption to fleet cycling and planning, but it has since been addressed. Thanks to the controls already in place and the remedial actions applied immediately upon discovery, the safety of our employees and passengers was fully upheld throughout the process.

Key Takeaway - Transition to a modern fleet:

The LRC fleet, in service since the 1980s, is gradually being replaced by the new Venture fleet. LRC cars identified with structural issues will either be repaired or decommissioned, depending on their condition and decommissioning schedule, among other factors. This situation highlighted the importance and benefits of the transition to modern equipment in maintaining safe, reliable service.

Q: Why were these inspections conducted?

A: In full compliance with safety regulations, VIA Rail conducted a fleet-wide inspection after a structural issue was discovered on some LRC cars during routine maintenance. The proactive decision to inspect the entire fleet ahead of schedule ensured any potential issues were identified and addressed early, maintaining the highest safety standards.

Q: Why wasn't this detected earlier? 

A: It was. The issue was discovered through VIA Rail's regular inspection program, exactly as our safety system is designed to work. Our rules and procedures enabled us to detect, assess, and address the issue safely and proactively, before it could have any significant impact. Every affected car was immediately withdrawn from service, and remedial actions were applied without delay. The safety of our employees and passengers was fully upheld throughout the process.

Q: How many cars were affected?

A: Approximately 38% of our LRC cars showed similar structural issues, to various degrees. These cars were immediately removed from operations and will either be repaired or decommissioned, depending on their condition and decommissioning schedule. The remaining cars were cleared for safe operation.

Q: What specific actions did VIA Rail take?

A: In line with our commitment to safety first, VIA Rail acted quickly and decisively:

• Immediate withdrawal of any car found with structural issues.
• Fleet-wide inspections launched proactively and ahead of schedule to ensure full compliance.
• Passenger relocation for the few consists using uninspected LRC cars on the day the fleet-wide inspection decision was made, moving passengers from the rear car so it could serve as a buffer.
• Equipment substitution with Venture cars to maintain service without compromising safety.
• Service bulletin issuance as part of our continuous improvement approach, reinforcing inspection consistency and enhancing our ability to detect and address issues early.

Q: What happens next for the LRC fleet?

A: Cars with identified issues will either be repaired or decommissioned, depending on their condition and decommissioning schedule, among other factors. The remaining LRC cars continue to operate safely as usual. This proactive process reflects VIA Rail's responsible fleet-management strategy and highlights the importance of the transition to modern equipment.

SUMMARY:

What to avoid in discussions:

• Avoid going beyond approved messages.
• Avoid technical details.
• Avoid speculating on findings or scenarios.
• Keep it simple, consistent, and anchored in key messages.

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE - SERVICE BULLETIN 

SUBJECT: ADDITION OF BUFFER CARS ON CONSISTS WITH LRC CARS 

AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE

Bulletin No. C554 dated 03-2026, authorized by Senior Director, Technical Services.

EQUIPMENT TYPE:

All LRC cars

POSSIBLE HAZARDS AND RISKS: 

Workplace health and safety: death, amputation, crush of a body member.

Train and passenger safety: derailment, minor/major injury

BULLETIN DESCRIPTION:

Based on recent recommendations from a third-party engineering firm, VIA Rail is taking proactive precautionary measures to address structural issues with its fleet of LRC cars and maintain safety margins. Locomotives and other fleets are not affected.

LRC train operations remain safe under normal conditions. This measure is being implemented out of an abundance of caution while the LRC fleet transitions towards planned retirement in January 2027.

Effective immediately and until further notice, buffer cars must be placed at each extremity of LRC train consists to maintain existing safety margins. The buffer cars are used strictly as a mitigation measure and are not intended for passenger service. 

Passengers and employees must never occupy a buffer car. Employees may access buffer cars for operational or safety reasons only when the train is stopped.

Only LRC cars may be used as buffer cars to protect LRC cars in revenue service. HEP and other types of cars are not permitted as buffer cars. Placing HEP2 cars between revenue LRC cars is permitted but should be avoided if possible [although several trains have had 1 or 2 HEP2 Business Class cars added to LRC consists from mid-March to present].

This measure is aligned with VIA Rail’s Safety Management System and on-going engineering oversight of the LRC fleet.

AFFECTED DEPARTMENTS

1. On-Train Services (OTS): N/A

2. Locomotive Crews: Refer to crew notice VB26-103.

3. Equipment Maintenance Personnel: Buffer cars are part of the consist and safety inspections are mandatory. Therefore, the following applies:

3.1. No serviceable cars are planned to be used as buffer cars. However, the following applies if serviceable cars are used as buffer cars:

• Perform scheduled maintenance and inspections without any changes.
• HVAC system may be set to lowest setting to save fuel.
• Turn on vestibule and hallway lighting.

3.2. Bad order cars used as buffer cars:

• All bottom deck safety systems must pass B and C inspections.
• On board fire extinguishers must be inspected and compliant.
• Access doors must be tested per B and C inspections.
• Electrical top deck inspection is required (battery charger, BMS, DC supply, wheel slip, brake indicators).
• Cleaning is not required.
• Ensure cars are drained and blown per GC600110. Apply tags on water filling valves and add eLogbook job.
• Ensure toilets are dumped and garbage emptied.
• HEP 480 VAC power must be applied to at least one trainline on trailing buffer cars. Leading buffer cars require two trainlines to feed the consist.
• Set HVAC system to the lowest setting to save fuel.
• Turn on vestibule and hallway lighting. 
• Bearing monitoring system must be active and trainlined to locomotive.

3.3. The updated Train Safety Inspection Checklist (TSIC; LT700/002), which includes a section on buffer cars, must be duly completed.

ANALYSIS - WHAT'S LEFT OF THE LRC CAR FLEET?

I've been tracking VIA's LRC fleet in decline for over two years now. I began tracking in earnest when  initial reports about the LRC car fleet withdrawal were first publicized in early-2024, and reports of 17 cars sidetracked as of March of that year. In September, 2025 I unexpectedly received the actual VIA document prescribing LRC car retirement hard-dates and it was a really revealing revelation. Per the documents, VIA has been following the prescribed dates, and I have no doubt the January, 2027 last-of-the-fleet retirement date will also be adhered to. It represents the removal from service of the largest chunk of the fleet, by far, at one time.

The addition of buffer cars threw observers for a loop because previously retired cars were seemingly unretired, though their marshalling was strictly at the ends of LRC consists, so not unretired. All 17 cars used as buffer cars by early-June, 2026 were drawn from the most recent group of LRC cars retired by January, 2026. No in-service cars have been observed in use as buffer cars.

The figure given in the Internal Manager Q&A document was "38% of our LRC cars showed similar structural issues". With 53 LRC cars not yet retired, and 3309*, 3322x, 3334**, 3360*, 3364*, 3371* not in regular use, the serviceable fleet stands at 47 (* = last seen in service Aug-Nov 2025; **last seen in service Feb 2026; x = already scrapped). So 38% of 47 cars means that 17 cars requiring repair; VIA's number was 21. Either way, it's safe to say that approximately 40% of the remaining fleet had structural integrity issues detected and serious enough to require repair to stay in service for another 10 months, maximum.

It also appears that some bad-ordered cars were repaired and returned to revenue service in order to fill out remaining LRC consists. Operationally, with buffer cars, all LRC consists automatically became two cars longer. 

As of publication date of this post, there are a very limited number of LRC consists in use.  Two six-car (including buffer cars) operate between Toronto and Ottawa, and four nine-car LRC consists (including buffer cars and one HEP2 Business Class car) cover trains 64-65-66-67-70-72-75-79 daily. The remaining 18 slots in the Corridor rotation are Venture-equipped, only one HEP2 consist, with as many as five various guard consists at maintenance centres. It seems to me that VIA will soon have to 'get off the pot' and place the full 32-set Venture fleet into Corridor service. Right now that number varies, between 20 and 24 sets in use per week. We're getting there!

Expect the buffer cars to be in use throughout 2026 and into 2027. It will be interesting to see what Corridor consists look like after the last LRC fleet retirement hard-date comes and goes. Stay tuned!

****WHEN PUBLISHING, LINK THIS POST TO THREE DAYS IN MARCH/LRC BUFFER CAR POST, SECOND PARA

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers and grandfathers among Trackside Treasure's readership!

My Dad's influence on my brother and me and our trackside time is revealed in shadows in some blog photos. Shadow self-portraits at Kingston in November 1997 (above) in this Trackside Treasure post and at Westmount's Glen Yard in February 1961 (below) scanned by Dave for this post just published on Rolly Martin Country. 

from the Book of Job:

"For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, because our days on earth are as a shadow."

Running extra...

These are fun to scroll through - a gallery of photos from the 2026 North East Railroad Prototype Modellers Springfield, MA meet as posted by Eric Hansmann on the Notes on Designing, Building and Operating Model Railroads* blog (above). (*That has to be the longest blog name ever!)

Close To The Vest Department: CNN's Kaitlan Collins interviewing Prime Minister Mark Carney in France, with CNN not having seen the US-Iran Memorandum Of Understanding yet. (As one commentator put it, signed by the author of The Art of the M.O.U.)

KC: Did you actually see...the agreement itself?

MC: I've seen the agreement, yes.

KC: Oh, so the president showed it to you?

MC:I've seen the agreement. We have our sources, just like you.

First past the post...

Kudos to our three grandchildren for the World Cup behaviour! We received a Lifeline call for a family member this week, seconds after receiving their Happy Meals in the local McDonald's PlayPlace. We were in a pickle! An immediate response by my good wife to meet the paramedics left with me with three kids under ten for an indeterminate period of time with no vehicle. There was hamburger-munching, playing-with-Squishmallows from the Happy Meals, (even sharing!) and much running, jumping and sliding. For over an hour. They even participated in my "Let's See Who Can See Grandma Arrive Back In The Parking Lot First" game with relish. They were not sauce-y. They allowed our blessed onion to catch-up on events just-transpired as we mustered our resources for the trip to the hospital. Our thanks to bun and all: Big Mac, Little Mac and Patty (not their real names).