John H
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Post by John H on Jun 20, 2017 22:11:14 GMT -8
Following up on the Winnipeg - Churchill track story. It looks like there's some differences of opinions on how fast the response is to this problem. Omnitrax, which owns the track, is taking its time assessing the damage. Until they do that, neither the provincial or federal governments will commit to helping with repairs. Omnitrax is making noises that it can't afford to fix the damage on its own. Meanwhile residents in Churchill are stranded and feeling ignored. A couple of guys on motorbikes arrived in Churchill, having travelled the entire stretch of the line on their bikes. They say it's not as bad as people have been led to believe - keep in mind they're not experts. News story: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/churchill-motorcyle-riders-rail-line-1.4170059I know we live in a different world than 100 years ago, with insurance and a lot more regulations and red tape and environmental and safety concerns. But I think 100 years ago, they'd have been working on this for a month already and might have had it fixed by now. Instead we have different levels of government, track that's owned by an American company, rented by a Canadian crown corporation (the passenger service) and no doubt many other interests waiting on each other. The fact this closure only affects a few small relatively unimportant communities certainly contributes to this not being a priority for anyone. Disappointing that the company that "owns" the track is happy to run it until there's a problem with it. |
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 21, 2017 15:22:07 GMT -8
CN used to own that route. They must have disposed of it to a 'short line' operator. The same happened in the Okanogan. CN sold off their Okanogan Subdivision to the Kelowna Pacific who subsequently went 'belly up'. Now, CN is back operating what was once theirs.
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 10, 2017 10:31:22 GMT -8
Via Rail engine 6454, adorned with a 'Canada 150' wrap, leads the west bound Skeena into McBride, BC, where CN's Tete Jaune & Fraser Subdivisions meet, on what was once (a hundred years ago) the Grand Trunk Pacific mainline - 23 August 2017 
© WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr |
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 15, 2017 8:18:27 GMT -8
The Prince Albert Park brings up the tail end of Via Rail Canada's west bound Canadian on CN's Edson Subdivision just east of Swan Landing, Alberta - 1 September 2017. This is where the Athabaska River flows out of the east end of Brule Lake, north west of Hinton. This train was running only about 90 minutes late, almost 'on time' considering the priority that CN gives Via's flagship train.  © WCK-JST by Jim Thorne, on Flickr |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Oct 11, 2017 16:14:25 GMT -8
On Via rail " Canadian" Train 1 arriving at Vancouver Pacific Central Station from Toronto Union Station. I am posting these photos because this first time I caught Canadian arriving at Pacific Central Station.  Glacier Park by Blue Bus Fan, on Flickr  1720 by Blue Bus Fan, on Flickr  6426 by Blue Bus Fan, on Flickr |
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Post by Mike on Nov 12, 2017 21:10:40 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,308
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Post by Neil on Nov 12, 2017 22:34:26 GMT -8
Wow... that first shot looks like at least sixteen passenger cars... I didn't realize Via trains were still that long.
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 12, 2017 23:00:06 GMT -8
Wow... that first shot looks like at least sixteen passenger cars... I didn't realize Via trains were still that long. During the summers the consist is over 20 cars. Half that length during the winters, however. |
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Post by Mike on Nov 12, 2017 23:16:44 GMT -8
Wow... that first shot looks like at least sixteen passenger cars... I didn't realize Via trains were still that long. During the summers the consist is over 20 cars. Half that length during the winters, however. On some days this past summer, the Canadian was 30 cars long, with 3 locomotives pulling it. Winter consist:  Summer consist:  |
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grk
Chief Steward
Posts: 227
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Post by grk on Jan 7, 2018 15:22:21 GMT -8
25 hours late! On January 2 I took VIA's Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto. A very long train with 17 cars and 3 locomotives. Many passengers heading to Blue River for Heli skiing, others to Jasper for a taste of the Rockies and some like me making the entire journey. A full moon and lots of snow made evenings in the dome car worth while, and the northern lights across the prairies were amazing. Plenty of wild life including wolf, fox, coyote,deer, elk, moose and antelope. Dining car food is outstanding with a different menu each night feature a red meat (Alberta prime rib, Gulf Island rack of lamb and Fraser Valley crown roast of pork), a fish entree (Winnipeg gold eye, Skeena salmon, Haida Gwaii halibut), a fowl and a vegetarian. No frozen items other than ice cream! Service levels very high with excellent staff onboard. Bitterly cold weather ( -26 to -35 across the north) took a toll on time keeping with a 25 hr delay in Toronto arrival. A trip all Canadians should do at least once!
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Post by mybidness459 on Jan 7, 2018 16:53:01 GMT -8
I took the train several times as a lad from Vancouver to Edmonton and enjoyed it as you can imagine a kid would. I even got to go to the front and blew the horn inside the engine cab that was AWESOME!
I have had occasions in the past few years to take the train and would consider it. HOWEVER OMG!!!! It's cheaper to fly, which probably explains why the train was empty on the episode of Mighty Trains I saw.
Again If I was a gazillionair I would love to go to Halifax and back to Vancouver by train and it is on my bucket list.
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grk
Chief Steward
Posts: 227
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Post by grk on Jan 7, 2018 18:30:54 GMT -8
Yes, a big difference in the fares! VIA in a bedroom was $1700 one way; Air Canada on the return was $349! It would appear than almost no one in the sleepers were using the train for just transportation, for most it was really a "land cruise". Coach is much much cheaper, on par with Greyhound and significantly more comfortable than the bus.
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Post by Mike on Apr 15, 2018 10:48:53 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 18, 2018 8:39:29 GMT -8
Via Rail's west bound 'Skeena' running about 30 minutes late, seen little east of Hazelton near Porphery Creek at mile 32 of CN's Bulkley Subdivision
16 June 2018
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John H
Voyager
Admin Emeritus
Posts: 2,919
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Post by John H on Jun 26, 2018 21:08:19 GMT -8
VIA Rail is changing the schedule for the Canadian! Instead of leaving Vancouver in the late evening, it will be leaving Vancouver at noon - providing daylight service for a good part of the year through the Fraser Canyon, arriving at Kamloops around 9-10PM. I've always been disappointed that the Fraser Canyon portion was in darkness in both directions on the old schedule. It sounds like the reason for the change is that more time has been added to the trip to help alleviate delays that have become longer and more frequent. www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/media-room/latest-news/44019/22-june-2018-via-rail-modifies-schedule-canadian |
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Post by Mike on Jul 27, 2018 22:14:11 GMT -8
Today was the first day for the new schedule for the eastbound Canadian. Here the first eastbound departure under the new schedule is seen pulling away from it's stop in Mission. Previously this stop would've been made after dark.  VIA #2 - Mission Harbour by Michael, on Flickr |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Aug 1, 2018 19:08:41 GMT -8
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Post by Mike on Aug 8, 2018 17:10:05 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 21, 2018 8:38:46 GMT -8
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Post by Mike on Aug 21, 2018 16:48:49 GMT -8
A train & a ferry; what could be better? Glad to see that some of BC isn't covered with smoke from forest fires. Captured on the same day as your photo, a trio of F40PH-3s hustle a 27 car Canadian east through the ever-present haze from forest fires.  VIA #2 - Glen Valley by Michael, on Flickr |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Dec 12, 2018 11:42:35 GMT -8
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Post by Mike on Jan 2, 2019 16:24:04 GMT -8
VIA #2 climbs the approach towards the Mission rail bridge, and it's first passenger stop at Mission Harbour. January 1, 2019. |
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John H
Voyager
Admin Emeritus
Posts: 2,919
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Post by John H on Jan 16, 2019 21:35:50 GMT -8
VIA Rail is changing the schedule for the Canadian! Instead of leaving Vancouver in the late evening, it will be leaving Vancouver at noon - providing daylight service for a good part of the year through the Fraser Canyon, arriving at Kamloops around 9-10PM. I've always been disappointed that the Fraser Canyon portion was in darkness in both directions on the old schedule. It sounds like the reason for the change is that more time has been added to the trip to help alleviate delays that have become longer and more frequent. www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/media-room/latest-news/44019/22-june-2018-via-rail-modifies-schedule-canadianThat didn't last long. Starting in May, the Canadian will be leaving Vancouver at 1500 (making the canyon part of the trip mostly in the dark). Also this year, unlike years past, there will be no third train running the entire length of the route in the summer. Instead there's a shortened version between Edmonton and Vancouver for the summer months. |
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Post by Mike on Feb 13, 2019 11:37:58 GMT -8
VIA #2 exiting the Grandview Cut, and heading onto the double track, for the run down the New Westminster Subdivision to the Fraser River bridge. February 12, 2019.  VIA 6402 - Still Creek by Michael, on Flickr |
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 9, 2019 13:36:45 GMT -8
Via dome car Prince Albert Park brings up the tail end of the west bound Canadian seen here during its station stop at Jasper, Alberta. That is Jasper's Heritage Railway Station is on the right.
22 June 2019
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