VIA Rail

[cplchanb]

Certainly VIA seems capable of selling out longer trains than they've historically run, despite higher ticket prices.

Espcially true for the f1 weekends. They should run a double train on those days

 

[Bordercollie]

Espcially true for the f1 weekends. They should run a double train on those days

Is anything being done to put more ventures into service?

 

[Trackside_Treasure]

Is anything being done to put more ventures into service?

Slowly, slowly. The removal of Rens from the Corridor, the dropping down to one HEP set, temporarily returned to two sets, sidelining of HEP cars, continued retirement of LRC cars are all part of a slow increase in the number of Corridor rotation lines covered by Ventures, now up to 16.

There are two impediments to more Ventures entering service. One is the ongoing CN-imposed reductions that continue to hamper Venture On-Time Performance. Couple this with ongoing court case in Quebec waiting to be heard as VIA seeks injunctions against CN restrictions.

Then there are ongoing maintenance issues that result from TMC servicing buildings not ready, niggling teething troubles with Venture maintenance (though VIA seems hesitant to release Venture serviceability data) one set never entering service and another in the shop after a September incident.

On the bright side, the incremental gains in Ventures that have entered service have resulted from all sets delivered, all operating crews trained, TMC and MMC staff knowing the Ventures better, finding mechanical and schedule workarounds, and limited creativity creating 32-axle sets. All of these have happened very slowly.

I have to imagine a world in which VIA orders these sets and is allowed to run them on some fantasy parallel Corridor free of any interference from the euphemistic 'infrastructure owner'. How different would that world be, and what VIA trains would be operating in it?

 

[Bordercollie]

Slowly, slowly. The removal of Rens from the Corridor, the dropping down to one HEP set, temporarily returned to two sets, sidelining of HEP cars, continued retirement of LRC cars are all part of a slow increase in the number of Corridor rotation lines covered by Ventures, now up to 16.

There are two impediments to more Ventures entering service. One is the ongoing CN-imposed reductions that continue to hamper Venture On-Time Performance. Couple this with ongoing court case in Quebec waiting to be heard as VIA seeks injunctions against CN restrictions.

Then there are ongoing maintenance issues that result from TMC servicing buildings not ready, niggling teething troubles with Venture maintenance (though VIA seems hesitant to release Venture serviceability data) one set never entering service and another in the shop after a September incident.

On the bright side, the incremental gains in Ventures that have entered service have resulted from all sets delivered, all operating crews trained, TMC and MMC staff knowing the Ventures better, finding mechanical and schedule workarounds, and limited creativity creating 32-axle sets. All of these have happened very slowly.

I have to imagine a world in which VIA orders these sets and is allowed to run them on some fantasy parallel Corridor free of any interference from the euphemistic 'infrastructure owner'. How different would that world be, and what VIA trains would be operating in it?

Hopefully they can complete the overhaul of the HEP cars to be able to use them on LD routes.

 

[ManyQuestions]

Just spotted some Ren cars getting scrapped in the Montreal maintenance center.

 

[Bordercollie]

Just spotted some Ren cars getting scrapped in the Montreal maintenance center.View attachment 700347

Please preserve one.

 

[McGillicuddy]

Please preserve one.

Two steps ahead of you.

 

[Bordercollie]

Two steps ahead of you.

View attachment 700350

Nice try

 

[cplchanb]

Just spotted some Ren cars getting scrapped in the Montreal maintenance center.View attachment 700347

I spy with my little eye.... glen fraser and a decoupled venture set (joining up to be an extended consist or vice versa?)

 

[Bordercollie]

I spy with my little eye.... glen fraser and a decoupled venture set (joining up to be an extended consist or vice versa?)

Is it retired?

 

[ManyQuestions]

I spy with my little eye.... glen fraser and a decoupled venture set (joining up to be an extended consist or vice versa?)

I didn’t get a photo of the full decoupled venture set but it had at least four cars.

 

[Bordercollie]

I didn’t get a photo of the full decoupled venture set but it had at least four cars.View attachment 700392

Are those LRC's being scrapped also?

 

[ManyQuestions]

Are those LRC's being scrapped also?

I didn’t see any signs but wasn’t looking, just passing on the REM and noticed at the last moment to get a photo, may take a better look tomorrow. Surprised they were being scrapped on site but I guess it makes sense if they have yard space.

 

[kEiThZ]

I haven't been tracking enough. Can someone give me an easy explainer on the 32 axle limit and why it cause VIA heartburn?

 

[crs1026]

I haven't been tracking enough. Can someone give me an easy explainer on the 32 axle limit and why it cause VIA heartburn?

You have lots to read. Spoiler: CN has imposed highly restrictive speed restrictions on Ventures with under 32 axles (ie most of them) at level crossings.

Trackside Treasure

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- Paul