VIA Rail Canada

From CPTDB Wiki


Area Served	Canada
Founded	1978
Fleet Size
Number Of Routes
Ridership

VIA Rail Canada is a Crown entity charged with providing and maintaining passenger rail service across Canada.

It is not a Crown Corporation, and therefore is incapable of sourcing funding outside of its yearly grants from the Federal Government.

VIA uses the same 480Vac (500Vac nominal) HEP system as Amtrak, however VIA's is a two-sided system, with two separate HEP buses in each car.

Stations

See List of VIA Rail stations

Routes

Current

Corridor services:

Past

Locomotive Roster

Active Roster

Fleet Number Range	Year	Manufacturer	Model Number	CN Class	Engine Horsepower	Gearing Top Speed	HEP Generator	Notes
201-204	1966-1967	EMD	SW1000	GS-10	8V645E 1000hp	62:15 65mph	None	Built as Inland Steel 115-118, purchased by VIA Rail in 1987. 201 and 203 retired and sold.
900-920	2001	GE	P42DC	EPA-42a	7FDL16 4140hp	74:29 110mph	800kW GTA33A1 alternator driven by main engine.	Order built as addition to final Amtrak P42DC order and to Amtrak specs (with a couple of modifications). When HEP engaged available horsepower for traction is 3540hp less required for HEP.
6400-6419	1986-1987	GMDD	F40PH-2	GPA-30a*	16V645E3C 3000hp	58:19 90mph**	Secondary 500kW Delco 2E-7148 alternator driven by main engine.*	6400 rebuilt with computerized control and reclassed to GPA-30d. 6402 rebuilt with computerized control and separate HEP system and reclassed GPA-30h. *All units limited to 90mph when delivered, but have been modified to allow for 95mph with not physical changes. When HEP engaged available horsepower for traction is 2400hp less required for HEP.
6420-6429	1987	GMDD	F40PH-2	GPA-30b	16V645E3C 3000hp	58:19 90mph**	Secondary 500kW Delco 2E-7148 alternator driven by main engine.	*All units limited to 90mph when delivered, but have been modified to allow for 95mph with not physical changes. When HEP engaged available horsepower for traction is 2400hp less required for HEP. 6422, 6423 removed from roster.
6430-6458	1989	GMDD	F40PH-2	GPA-30c	16V645E3C 3000hp	58:19 90mph*	Secondary 500kW Delco 2E-7148 alternator driven by main engine.	*6430-6436 have been modified to allow for 95mph with no physical changes. When HEP engaged available horsepower for traction is 2400hp less required for HEP. 6430, 6447, 6450 removed from roster.

Retired Roster

Fleet Number Range	Year	Manufacturer	Model Number	CN Class	Engine Horsepower	Gearing Top Speed	HEP/Steam Generator	Notes
6300-6303	Rebuilt 1983-84, built 1954-1957	GMDD	FP9Au	GPA-418a	16V645C 1800hp	58:19 89mph	6300/02 had 275kW HEP package installed in 1997, all units rebuilt without steam generators.	Remanufactured from FP9 in 6500-6542 series at Pointe Ste. Charles or Moncton. All retired and removed from roster.Unit 6300 still on property at VMC yard as yard switcher.
6304-6314	Rebuilt 1984-85, built 1954-1957	GMDD	FP9Au	GPA-418b	16V645C 1800hp	58:19 89mph	6304/07/08/11/13 had 275kW HEP package installed in 1997, all rebuilt with 1 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generator.	Remanufactured from FP9 in 6500-6542 series at Pointe Ste. Charles or Moncton. All retired and removed from roster (6309 still owned by VIA Rail).
6501-6502, 6504-6512	Built 1954-55	GMDD	FP9	GPA-17a	16V567C 1750hp	58:19 89mph	1 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generator	Nee CN 6500-6512, 6500 and 6503 never made it to VIA. Some rebuilt to 6300-series, rest retired and sold or scrapped before 1992.
6513	Built 1955	GMDD	FP9	GPA-17b	16V567C 1750hp	58:19 89mph	1 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generator	Nee CN 6513. Retired and sold or scrapped between 1987 and 1992.
6514-6516, 6518-6521	Built 1957	GMDD	FP9	GPA-17c	16V567C 1750hp	58:19 89mph	1 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generator	Nee CN 6514-6522, 6517 never made it to VIA. Some rebuilt to 6300-series, rest retired and sold or scrapped before 1992.
6523-6532	Built 1957	GMDD	FP9	GPA-17d	16V567C 1750hp	58:19 89mph	1 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generator	Nee CN 6523-6532. Some rebuilt to 6300-series, rest retired and sold or scrapped before 1992.
6533-6537, 6539-6542	Built 1958	GMDD	FP9	GPA-17e	16V567C 1750hp	58:19 89mph	1 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generator	Nee CN 6533-6542, 6538 never made it to VIA. Some rebuilt to 6300-series, rest retired and sold or scrapped before 1992.
6550, 6553	Built 1953	GMDD	FP9	GPA-17f	16V567C 1750hp	Unknown	1 Vapor-OK steam generator	Nee CPR FP7 1400 and 1404, rebuilt for VIA by CN. Rest retired and sold or scrapped before 1992.
6557	Built 1954	GMDD	FP9	GPA-17g	16V567C 1750hp	Unknown	1 Vapor-OK steam generator	Nee CPR FP9 1409, rebuilt for VIA by CN. Retired and sold before 1992.
6566, 6569	Built 1952	GMDD	FP9	GPA-17k	16V567C 1750hp	Unknown	1 Vapor-OK steam generator	Nee CPR FP7 4066, 4069, rebuilt for VIA by CN. 6566 retired and scrapped in 1986, 6569 retired and sold before 1992.
6602-6607, 6610-6612	Built 1954-55	GMDD	F9B	GPB-17a	16V567C 1750hp	58:19 89mph	2 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generators	Nee CN 6600-6612, 6600/01 and 6508/09 never made it to VIA. All retired and sold or scrapped by 1990.
6613	Built 1955	GMDD	F9B	GPB-17b	16V567C 1750hp	58:19 89mph	2 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generators	Nee CN 6613. Unit retired and sold or scrapped by 1990.
6614-6620	Built 1957	GMDD	F9B	GPB-17c	16V567C 1750hp	58:19 89mph	2 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generators	Nee CN 6614-6620. All retired and sold or scrapped between 1985 and 1990.
6621-6630	Built 1957	GMDD	F9B	GPB-17d	16V567C 1750hp	58:19 89mph	2 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generators	Nee CN 6621-6630. All retired and sold or scrapped between 1985 and 1990.
6631-6637	Built 1958	GMDD	F9B	GPB-17e	16V567C 1750hp	58:19 89mph	2 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generators	Nee CN 6631-6637. All retired and sold or scrapped between 1986 and 1990.
6651-6653	Built 1954	GMDD	F9B	GPB-17f	16V567C 1750hp	unknown	2 Vapor-OK steam generators	Nee CPR 4474-4475, 4477. Units rebuilt by CN and CPR for VIA All retired and sold or scrapped between 1989 and 1990.
6758-6759	Built 1955, rebuilt 1958	MLW	FPA-2u	MPA-18c	12V-251B* 1800hp	62:21 92mph	1 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generator	*Built with 12V-244@1600hp. Ex-CN 6758 and 6759. Both retired by 1987.
6760-6765	1958	MLW	FPA-4	MPA-18a	12V-251B 1800hp	62:21 92mph	1 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generator	Ex-CN 6760-6765. All retired by 1989.
6767-6791 6793	1959	MLW	FPA-4	MPA-18b	12V-251B 1800hp	62:21 92mph	1 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generator	Ex-CN 6767-6791 6793. All retired by 1989.
6858-6859	Built 1955, rebuilt 1958	MLW	FPB-2u	MPB-18c	12V-251B* 1800hp	62:21 92mph	2 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generators	*Built with 12V-244@1600hp. Ex-CN 6858 and 6859. Both retired in 1985.
6860-6866	1958	MLW	FPB-4	MPB-18a	12V-251B 1800hp	62:21 92mph	2 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generators	Ex-CN 6860-6865. All retired by 1989.
6867-6871	1959	MLW	FPB-4	MPB-18b	12V-251B 1800hp	62:21 92mph	2 Vapor-OK 4625 steam generators	Ex-CN 6867-6871. All retired by 1989.
6900-6920	1980-1982	BBD	LRC-2	MPA-27a	16V-251F 3750hp*	71:32 130mph	2x 250kW Stamford C534B alternator driven by main engine.	*units have only 2700hp available for traction at any time. All units retired and removed from roster. 6907/14/17/19 still on property.
6921-6930	1983	BBD	LRC-3	MPA-27b	16V-251F 3750hp*	57:20 103mph	2x 250kW Stamford C534B alternator driven by main engine	*units have only 2700hp available for traction at any time. All units retired and removed from roster (6921 still owned by VIA Rail).
8558	1956	MLW	RS-10	Unknown	12V-244 1600hp	74:18 65mph	None	Ex-CP 8558. Only hood unit transferred to VIA Rail. Retired in 1982.

Rolling Stock Roster

Active Roster

Fleet Number Range	Type	Year	Manufacturer	Capacity	Notes
1720-1722	Glass-Roofed Coach	2000 Acquired 2002	Colorado Railcar	66 seats	Ex-BCR, used on Skeena.
1750	Lounge Car	1954	CC&F	56 seats	Ex-BCR, ex-Funtrain 5585, ex-VIA Coach 5585, nee-CN. Also known as the "Glenfraser" car, it is used only for private charters and corporate events.
3248	Snack-bar Coach	1954	CC&F	72 seats	Ex-VIA Coach 5454, nee-CN. Used on Northern Manitoba services.
3300-3349	LRC Coach	1981-1982	BBD	68 seats	First new equipment purchased by VIA Rail, 3349 retired due to fire/derailment damage. Used in Corridor.
3350-3372	LRC Coach	1984	BBD	68 seats	Second order of LRC equipment, built as 3350-3399. 3375-3399 converted to club cars in 1985. Used in Corridor.
3451-3475	LRC Club	Built 1984, converted 1985	BBD	56 seats	Second order of LRC equipment, ex-3375-3399. 3457 retired due to fire/derailment damage. Used in Corridor.
3600-3601	LRC Club	Built 1984, converted 2002	BBD	56 seats	Second order of LRC equipment, ex-3373-3374. Used in Corridor.
4000-4006	HEP2 Club	Built 1949 rebuilt 1995-1996	Budd AMF Technotransport	56 seats	Second-hand equipment purchased in late-1980ies/early-1990ies to allow younger "Blue and Yellow" cars to be retired. All cars built for SOU/L&N combined services. Used in Corridor and on Skeena during summer season.
4007-4009	HEP2 Club	Built 1947 rebuilt 1995-1996*	Budd AMF Technotransport	56 seats	*Cars rebuilt to club cars in 2000. Second-hand equipment purchased in late-1980ies/early-1990ies to allow younger "Blue and Yellow" cars to be retired. All cars built for SAL/PRR combined services. Used in Corridor and on Skeena during summer season.
4100-4125	HEP2 Coach	Built 1947-1953 rebuilt 1995-1996	Budd AMF Technotransport	68 seats	Second-hand equipment purchased in late-1980ies/early-1990ies to allow younger "Blue and Yellow" cars to be retired. Cars built and operated by a variety of different American railroads, although most ended up on Amtrak. 4123-4125 converted to club in 2000. Used in Corridor and on Northern Quebec services.
5648-5649	Combine	1954, converted 1998	CC&F	Unknown	Ex-VIA Coaches 5648-5649, nee-CN. Used on Northern Manitoba services.
7000-7011	'Renaissance' Baggage	Built 1995-1996 converted 2001-2003	Metropolitan-Cammell BBD	None	Were to be built as sleeper cars but unfinished, 7000/06/10 converted to Baggage Transition 7600-7602 in 2005. Used in Corridor and on Ocean.
7100-7113	'Renaissance' Club	Built 1995-1996 converted 2001-2003	Metropolitan-Cammell BBD	48 seats	Used in Corridor.
7200-7232	'Renaissance' Coach	Built 1995-1996 converted 2001-2003	Metropolitan-Cammell BBD	48 seats	Used in Corridor and on Ocean.
7300-7316	'Renaissance' Service Car	Built 1995-1996 converted 2001-2003	Metropolitan-Cammell BBD	1 bedroom	Used in Corridor and on Ocean.
7400-7402	'Renaissance' Dining Car	Built 1995-1996 converted 2001-2003	Metropolitan-Cammell BBD	48 seats	Were to be built as sleeper cars but unfinished. Used in conjuction with two Renaissance Service cars. Used on Ocean.
7500-7526	'Renaissance' Sleeper	Built 1995-1996 converted 2001-2003	Metropolitan-Cammell BBD	10 bedrooms	Used on Ocean.
7600-7602	'Renaissance' Transition Baggage	Built 1995-1996 converted 2001-2003 and 2005.	Metropolitan-Cammell BBD	None	Were to be built as sleeper cars but unfinished. Former Renaissance Baggage 7000/06/10. Used on Ocean.
8100-8129	Long Distance Coach	1955	Budd	62 seats	Cars rebuilt in 1990-1993 by AMF Technotransport. Nee-CPR 100-129 (128 retired 1968). 8111/14/15/21 retired. Used everywhere.
8130-8147	Long Distance Coach	Built 1946-1947 rebuilt 1992-1994	Budd Septa Rail*	62 seats	*8130/31/34/35/37/40/42/43/45/46 finished by AMF Technotransport after bankrupcy of Septa Rail in 1993. Second-hand equipment purchased in late-1980ies/early-1990ies to allow younger "Blue and Yellow" cars to be retired. Cars built and operated by a variety of different American railroads, although most ended up on Amtrak. 8136 stored due to derailment damage. Used everywhere.
8201-8229	'Chateau' Sleeper	1955	Budd	3 sections, 8 roomettes, 1 drawing room, 3 double bedrooms	All cars named with "Chateau"-prefix. Cars rebuilt in 1990-1993 by AMF Technotransport. Ex-VIA 14201-14229, nee-CPR. Used on Canadian and Chaleur.
8301-8342	'Manor' Sleeper	1955	Budd	3 sections, 4 roomettes, 1 compartment, 5 double bedrooms	All cars named with "Manor"-prefix. Cars rebuilt in 1990-1993 by AMF Technotransport. Ex-VIA 14301-14342, nee-CPR. 14304 and 8323 retired. Used on Canadian and Chaleur.
8401-8418	Dining Car	1955	Budd	48 seats	All cars named after famous CPR hotels. Cars rebuilt in 1990-1993 by AMF Technotransport. Ex-VIA 16501-16518, nee-CPR. 16503, 16505, 16516, 8406 and 8417 retired. Used on Canadian and Chaleur.
8500-8517	Skyline Dome-Lounge	1955	Budd	48 seats	Cars not named individually, but all cars feature "Skyline" before car number. Cars rebuilt in 1990-1993 by AMF Technotransport. Ex-VIA 500-517, nee-CPR. 508 and 513 retired, 8514 stored with fire damage. Used on Canadian and Chaleur.
8600-8616	Baggage Car	1955	Budd	None	Cars rebuilt in 1990-1993 by AMF Technotransport. Ex-VIA 600-617, ex-CPR 600-617, nee-CPR 3000-3017. 3011, 3014, 603, 617, 8607 retired. 8610 stored due to derailment damage. Used everywhere.
8618-8623	Baggage Car	Built 1963 rebuilt 1992-1993	Budd Septa Rail	None	Second-hand equipment purchased in late-1980ies/early-1990ies to allow older "Blue and Yellow" cars to be retired. Cars built and operated by UP. Although considered HEP1, have pass-through MU and communication cables and are essentially HEP2 cars. Used everywhere.
8702-8718	Park Dome-Sleeper-Observation Car	1954	Budd	24 seats, 1 drawing room, 3 double bedrooms	All cars named after famous Canadian (but not necessarily National) parks. Cars rebuilt in 1990-1993 by AMF Technotransport. Ex-VIA 15501-15518, Exx-VIA 15401-15418, nee-CPR. 15405 retired in 1959. 15501, 15512 and 15513 were not included in HEP program and stored. 15501, 15512 sold, 15513 loaned to CRM/Exporail. Used on Canadian, Skeena and Ocean.
9631	Baggage Car	1955	NSC	None	Nee-CN. Used on Northern Manitoba services.