Via to get 400 mill. from Canadian Gov.

BC Rail King Apr 14, 2000

  1. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Via Rail Canada will now recieve about 400 million dollars for revamping passenger services across Canada. This funding has raised questions of Via fans everywhere. It has been relized by most people, that 400 mill doesn't actually go very far, maybe a few train sets that in the long run Via will not be able to keep going, or if we were really lucky we could see increased service on the Canadian, Skeena, or other western ntrains that give poor service.

    Knowing Via I excpect the $ to go directly to the east, and they will again, forget that the west is a place in CANADA too, and remeber, Via Rail CANADA.

    Via has said they are very happy to recieve the $, but have made to officail annoucment!

    Dane N.
     
  2. nbrail

    nbrail E-Mail Bounces

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    Well, being from the other side of the country, the east side (easter than Ontario and Quebec), I would argue tat most of the money that will be infused in VIA will be West of here.

    My guess is that they will improve the more central and lucrative sections...probably the Montreal - Toronto type runs.

    We might end-up with some "hand me down" equipment.

    My 2 cents.

    nbrail
     
  3. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    I can imagine getting used equipment from AMTK. A maint. officail in Vancouver told me they were looking at cars in the US to purchase, but when it came to the price tag, they just could not handle it!
     
  4. BrianS

    BrianS E-Mail Bounces

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I can imagine getting used equipment from AMTK.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    But, you're assuming that Amtrak has cars to spare. Right now, alot of trains are going to be cut back to free up equipment for the new routes. Now, once the new Acela and Surfliner stuff starts service that'll free up alot of Amfleet and Horizion equipment, but cuts will still have to be made to regular consists to get enough equipment.
     
  5. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Brian S.,

    That is a very good point to make, and I must say it makes Vias life get even more interesting [​IMG]

    Dane N.

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    TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
    TAMR2860@hotmail.com
     
  6. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Wait!

    Aren't there still 10 sleepers AMTK has no intention of using?

    Dane N.

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    TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
    TAMR2860@hotmail.com
     
  7. BannonVIA

    BannonVIA E-Mail Bounces

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    Well guys, Ive read your posts and I see you all have mixed feelings about the funding.
    I work at VIA headquarters in Montreal Quebec.
    I could say that a bunch , in fact, a heavy amount is gonna go into the Quebec City - Winsdor Corridor...as this is the run that makes us the most money...it only makes sense..I also see your point from the west coast..not enough trains...well...not enough population...As far as new loco's go..forget about the AMTRACK thing...Im sure the NEW loco's we are gonna get are gonna amaze you guys...They are great.
    Have a good day guys..you can email me if you wish.


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    Bannon C Woods Jr
    VIA Rail Canada
     
  8. nbrail

    nbrail E-Mail Bounces

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    Can you give us any clues as of what the new locomotives will be? I'd like to get one from the Hobby Shop before they are sold out!

    nbrail
     
  9. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Honestly,

    The crap about Via not thinking there isn't enough population is pure stupid! Hate to tell you, but we make up a big part of Canada. I have some logic for Via to follow, maybe if they give us more than 3 trains aweek, people will ride them! It would be a good idea, sheesh!

    Happy Railroading!

    Dane N.

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    TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
    TAMR2860@hotmail.com
     
  10. BannonVIA

    BannonVIA E-Mail Bounces

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    Well, the new loco's...
    although it is still confidential an all that what I can say s limited...
    if you take the 6400's (F40PH-2D) locomotives...and take the Bombardier 6900 LRC's mix em together and BAM! we got new locos...when details ar released...I will post a reply
    Bannon
    "If you race to the crossing, and you tie, you lose."


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    Bannon C Woods Jr
    VIA Rail Canada
     
  11. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Thanks for the info! Better than being totally in the dark! I am interested to see the unit, will they replace the lat LRC's or F40s?

    I know you may not be able to answer, but I should at least ask ya [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG].

    Happy Railroading!!!!'

    Dane N.

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    TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
    TAMR2860@hotmail.com

    [This message has been edited by BC Rail King (edited 07 May 2000).]
     
  12. BannonVIA

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    Well, The F40's have a great track record, almost doubling the LRC's in on time performance. The LRC locomotives will be retired once the new equipment is recieved.
    We are all very excited about this and Im sure the general public will be quite content with the quality of these trains.
    Its too bad for the LRC's but the fact of the matter is , is that they are just too unreliable, high, very high maintenance and poor stability as far as on time performance goes.
    I was just in Toronto (I live in Montreal) and I had the oppurtunity to visit the Toronto VIA Maintenance Center. I saw some older BUDD cars, And as the hamster runs the wheel in my head, I thought, wouldnt it be great if we could re-furbish these BUDD cars, find a steam locomotive and make a tourism line??? Let me know what you think...Imagine, steam loco's running with budd cars, personaly I love the idea...let me know.
    Email me if youhave any ideas...
    Bannon_C_Woods@viarail.ca


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    Bannon C Woods Jr
    VIA Rail Canada
     
  13. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Well,


    I think it is a good idea, but trying to find a steam loco for what Via can spend will be hard.For the small some of $500 000 you can have one built in China [​IMG] The problem I have with it is the fact that any money they make on ti will go towards the Toronto-Montreal corridor, and service in the west will fall apart. The crew on the Canadian is even getting quite mad. When I took the train last month, one of the people on board was only going to have about 2 months more service and then quit. It is the same story that I have already told. WE HAVE THE POPULATION TO SUSTAIN HEAVY PASSENGER SERVICE. We already have alot, but none that can get us east.

    Look at what we have, and for the most part it does well

    Pacific Starlight Dinner Train
    North Wind is about to start
    Royal Hudson
    Cariboo Prospector
    Whistler Explorer
    PWR
    West Coast Express
    OKVR
    and some more

    Nowe I know you will say those are, for the most part all tourist trains. Well, I have some news for Via, The CANADIAN IS ALL TOURISTS NOW. Very few people can count on it in the West. Not only is it always late, the train is dirty cause of the stupid new turn around polocy. The crew is over worked, tired, cranky, and often rude. No offence intended to you, but geez, with 400 Mill. Via sure could try and get the Canadian to at least be daily.

    Arrg.

    Venting [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Happy Railroading [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Dane N.


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    TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
    TAMR2860@hotmail.com
     
  14. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Just think, Dane, in England we have passenger trains every half-hour or every hour on most routes. Even the single car train between Spalding (where I live) and Peterborough (about 20 miles) runs every hour each way [​IMG]

    I feel really sorry for you [​IMG] - honestly!!

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    Alan

    HEY!!! I just hit 500 posts!!! Good grief, do I spend that much time on here? [​IMG]

    The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

    www.ac-models.com
    http://Andersley.homestead.com
    http://galleryusarail_tehcaj.homestead.com

    [This message has been edited by Alan (edited 09 May 2000).]
     
  15. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Welll, I should add, Sky Train (TransLink) runs every 3 minutes! [​IMG], but it aint a real train!


    BTW-The new line is coming along nice!

    Alan, you do spend too much time here!

    LOL

    Happy Railroading to all, especially u Alan!

    Dane N.

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    TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
    TAMR2860@hotmail.com
     
  16. BannonVIA

    BannonVIA E-Mail Bounces

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BC Rail King:
    Well,
    I think it is a good idea, but trying to find a steam loco for what Via can spend will be hard.For the small some of $500 000 you can have one built in China [​IMG] The problem I have with it is the fact that any money they make on ti will go towards the Toronto-Montreal corridor, and service in the west will fall apart. The crew on the Canadian is even getting quite mad. When I took the train last month, one of the people on board was only going to have about 2 months more service and then quit. It is the same story that I have already told. WE HAVE THE POPULATION TO SUSTAIN HEAVY PASSENGER SERVICE. We already have alot, but none that can get us east.

    Look at what we have, and for the most part it does well

    Pacific Starlight Dinner Train
    North Wind is about to start
    Royal Hudson
    Cariboo Prospector
    Whistler Explorer
    PWR
    West Coast Express
    OKVR
    and some more

    Nowe I know you will say those are, for the most part all tourist trains. Well, I have some news for Via, The CANADIAN IS ALL TOURISTS NOW. Very few people can count on it in the West. Not only is it always late, the train is dirty cause of the stupid new turn around polocy. The crew is over worked, tired, cranky, and often rude. No offence intended to you, but geez, with 400 Mill. Via sure could try and get the Canadian to at least be daily.

    Arrg.

    Venting [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Happy Railroading [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Dane N.

    ------BannonVIA------

    Not quite saying that there isnt a population...Im saying that our profits ($$$$$$$$$) come from the Corridor (Quebec City-Windsor), We have more people being moved there than the rest of the country put together. So LOGICALLY, most of the money is going to be used to move most of the people.
    Dont get me wrong, I would love to see more trains out west, but the facts are facts, money has to go where the money comes from.
    And the crew, well, how happy would you be if you worked winnipeg to Vancouver. And they are not overworked.


    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>



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    Bannon C Woods Jr
    VIA Rail Canada
     
  17. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    Where there are trains, there are passengers. The reason there are passengers in the east is because you actually provide service to the east.

    Dane N.

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    TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
    TAMR2860@hotmail.com
     
  18. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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    This would be a good time to add that I still do enjoy taking Via Rail Canada !!!

    Happy Railroading!

    Dane N.

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    TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
    TAMR2860@hotmail.com
     
  19. BC Rail King

    BC Rail King E-Mail Bounces

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  20. BannonVIA

    BannonVIA E-Mail Bounces

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    I looked into it a bit, and still the figures are the same, the population is so much greater in the corridor, we have to put the money there, no choice, its not that because there is a service there are passengers, its there are passengers and they need a service, its not like that out west, not at all, there are many trains that run out there, VIA cant be the only ones, what we have there now...
    The Canadian - Leaving Toronto and ending in Vancouver
    The Skeena - Jasper to Prince Rupert
    The Malahat - Victoria to Courtenay

    Thats alot of money right there alone.
    Plus all trains that you mentioned (BCRailKing), you guys arent doing so bad as far as quantity of trains go.
    Hopefully I left you with a different perspective and I also understand that you might be indifferent to the subject considering you live out west. Anyhow, are new cars are coming into the shop today, im going to go downstairs after and take a look, I'll let you guys know what they are like.

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    Bannon C Woods Jr
    VIA Rail Canada
     

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