VIA Rail Canada

[Enviro_1203]

Spotted Locomotive 902 at Ottawa Station. (The one that had a fire in Richmond, just outside of Ottawa) It is painted green instead of blue

[Downsview 108]

i dont know if this has been mentioned but there is a VIA F40PH in the same paint scheme as the P42 sitting individual at Mimico.

[TheAverageJoe]

i dont know if this has been mentioned but there is a VIA F40PH in the same paint scheme as the P42 sitting individual at Mimico.

That would be one of the rebuild F40's

[Downsview 108]

Cool. Nice to know they're keeping them. And they look great in the new colours.

[Waiting for 30 Minutes]

A freight derailment in Smiths Falls yesterday has affected Via trains between Toronto and Ottawa.

VIA Rail Canada wishes to advise travellers that all its trains between Toronto and Ottawa are affected by a CP freight derailment which occurred earlier this afternoon near Smith Falls, Ontario.

VIA has not yet received confirmation as to when the line will be cleared.

VIA’s Thursday morning westbound trains between Ottawa and Toronto are being replaced by bus.

VIA’s eastbound trains between Toronto and Ottawa will terminate in Brockville and passengers will be bussed from Brockville to Ottawa. VIA will make every effort to minimize the delay to its customers, however average delays of one to two hours are expected.

Passengers choosing not to travel may opt for a full refund or change of reservation with no service charges.

Passengers are advised to call 1 888 VIA RAIL (1 888 842-7245) or visit viarail.ca for more information.

VIA wishes to apologize for any inconvenience this disruption, which is beyond VIA’s control, may cause to its customers.

[jlarocque2005]

Via is unveiling Premium Economy class more info can be found in the link below

Your the Boss

[kellergraham]

VIA has replaced their old departure board at Gare Centrale with a new one similar to the one at Union Station

[smallspy]

VIA has replaced their old departure board at Gare Centrale with a new one similar to the one at Union Station

When did they do that? I don't remember there being a new board when we went through Central Station on the 2nd of May.

Dan

[Chris_the_traveller]

It was at least as of Saturday May 22 (that's when I first saw it)

[Waiting for 30 Minutes]

VIA has replaced their old departure board at Gare Centrale with a new one similar to the one at Union Station

Let's hope this doesn't happen to this one.

In other news, Via Rail is offering free economy class travel for veterans and currently active Canadian Forces personnel and up to five immediate family members. In addition, they will receive 25% off the best available fare if travelling in business or sleeper.

Here is the press release:

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Today, the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Canada’s Minister of State (Transport) and Donald A. Wright, VIA Rail Canada Chairman of the Board, announced the third year of VIA Rail’s Canadian Forces Family Appreciation fares to celebrate the contribution made to the country by Canada’s military personnel and veterans. They were joined at the Ottawa Train Station by the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture); the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Marc Laliberté, VIA Rail Canada President and CEO.

Between July 1 and August 14, 2010, active or retired Canadian Forces personnel and veterans will be entitled to free Economy class rail travel on selected trains across the entire VIA network. In addition, Canadian Forces personnel and veterans will be eligible for a 25% discount off the best available fares for travel in both Business and Sleeper class. Each active or retired Canadian Forces member may also bring up to five immediate family members with them, at a 25% discount off the best available fare in any class of service. The Canadian Forces Family Appreciation fare can also be combined with VIA’s children’s’ summer travel discounts.

“This is a great chance for us to celebrate the members of the Canadian Forces personnel and their families and show them how proud we are of the work they do,” said Minister Merrifield. “Our Government is proud to support VIA as they extend this initiative for a third year.”

“We are pleased that VIA is once again honouring members of the Canadian Forces and their families by providing them with special fares,” said Minister MacKay. “We hope that many members will be able to take advantage of this opportunity.”

"VIA Rail connects communities, large and small, across Canada," stated Minister Blackburn. "We are grateful that VIA is providing this unique opportunity to CF personnel and Veterans to visit these communities, to be reunited with their family and friends, or simply enjoy the beauty of our country. In doing so, we honour their service and contribution to our peace and freedom.”

“We at VIA are proud of the contribution and recognize the sacrifices made by the members of the Canadian Forces,” said Mr. Wright. “For a third consecutive year, we’re honoured to recognize these strong men and women for all they are doing and have done for our country. We hope that they will be able to take advantage of this offer and experience everything our great country has to offer aboard the train.”

Close to 17, 000 current or retired Canadian Forces personnel took advantage of VIA’s initiative to honour them with a special fare in 2009.

[D40LF]

Let's hope this doesn't happen to this one.

In other news, Via Rail is offering free economy class travel for veterans and currently active Canadian Forces personnel and up to five immediate family members. In addition, they will receive 25% off the best available fare if travelling in business or sleeper.

Here is the press release:

I thought they were already doing that and it had not ended.

[Waiting for 30 Minutes]

How the G20 summit will affect Via Rail:

VIA Rail Canada wishes to advise travellers that to avoid congestion in the downtown Toronto area, it will move its operations from Toronto Union Station to suburban stations during the core G20 summit dates, from June 24 through 27. Additionally, due to extremely low advance ticket sales, VIA will also be operating a weekend schedule around the core summit dates.

“Due to the proximity of Union Station to the main meeting location,” said VIA President and CEO Marc Laliberté, “we know that there will be major congestion, making access for our customers very difficult. We regret the inconvenience these changes may cause, but we believe that making them well in advance and communicating this information to travellers now will help minimize access issues for our customers and ensure the continuity of our operations.”

The following changes will be in effect for the period of June 24-27, 2010.

All VIA trains between Toronto and Niagara Falls, Windsor, London and points enroute will originate/terminate in Oakville. The VIA/GO Transit station is located at 200 Cross Ave., Oakville.

All VIA trains between Toronto and Sarnia via Kitchener and London (“north main line”) and points enroute will originate/terminate in Brampton. The VIA/GO Transit station is located at 31 Church St. West, Brampton.

All VIA trains between Toronto and Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Gaspé and points enroute will originate/terminate in Oshawa. The VIA/GO Transit station is located at 915 Bloor St. West, Oshawa.

VIA’s Toronto-Vancouver Canadian will originate/terminate at the Oriole GO Transit station, located at 3300 Leslie St., North York.

Passengers with VIA connections will be shuttled between suburban stations to their connecting trains.

For arriving passengers without connections. VIA will operate a shuttle serving Oshawa station, Scarborough Town Centre, Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Oakville station.

VIA will make every effort to minimize shuttle travel times, but advises that customers should expect delays.

Passengers starting their trips at one of the suburban stations will be responsible for their own local ground transportation. Customers are asked to call VIA at 1 888 VIA-RAIL (842-7245) to confirm their train’s departure time.

For the period of June 24-27, passengers holding a valid VIA ticket will be able to board GO trains from Oshawa, Oakville or Brampton and Toronto’s Union Station in both directions. Passengers should consult with their local transit operator for schedules serving Oakville, Oshawa and Brampton.

Customers holding bookings for travel during these dates may opt for a full refund or change of reservation for travel that commences no later than August 31, 2010, with no service charges, provided their original reservation has been cancelled or modified prior to the scheduled departure time of their train. Travellers who wish to take advantage of these options should visit viarail.ca for complete conditions and procedures.

VIA is encouraging customers who wish to change or cancel their reservation to advise VIA by June 22. Please note that tickets become non-refundable and non-exchangeable after the scheduled departure time of the train.

Any modifications to schedules or updates to information on suburban operations will be posted at viarail.ca and available as of June 4 (p.m.) Reservations and information are also available by calling VIA toll-free, at 1 888 VIA-RAIL (842-7245) or 1 800 268-9503 (TTY for the hearing impaired).

[Shaun]

How the G20 summit will affect Via Rail:

Good luck getting off at Orioe Station and taking the subway downtown. Imagine getting off the Canadian with your Suit Case at Orioe? Someone please go take pictures.

[Chris_the_traveller]

This sounds insane!

Is it known who will provide the shuttle service?

And the press release says VIA ticket holders can board GO Trains, but why not GO buses?

I bet this would be a cool photo op for the Canadian at Oriole station (and others I suppose).

I kinda wish I could come to Toronto to see this

[Waiting for 30 Minutes]

My biggest question is why Oshawa and not Guildwood? I mean, IIRC, there's basically no transit from Oshawa GO Station off-peak.

[TheAverageJoe]

This sounds insane!

Is it known who will provide the shuttle service?

And the press release says VIA ticket holders can board GO Trains, but why not GO buses?

I bet this would be a cool photo op for the Canadian at Oriole station (and others I suppose).

I kinda wish I could come to Toronto to see this

I wouldnt be surpised if they dont use Coach Canada as they have used them in the past

[miklin]

anyone heard anything about the ONR Northlander-----------will it be using Oriole also?????? And I wonder why VIA mentions trains for Halifax and Gaspe leaving Oshawa. Wouldn't those just leave Mtl. as usual? Maybe the press release writer was clueless as to where those trains originate.

Maybe Oshawa was chosen over Guildwood for the purpose of having a yard large enough to store equipment. I think I'd just give up travelling VIA those days as they are already warning that the Gardner and Hwy 427 are subject to unannounced shutdowns for motorcades and the shuttles wil likely be affected to some extent

[smallspy]

According to VIA employees, those particular stations were chosen because they already have facilities for handling checked baggage and are better suited to handling big crowds of people.

Dan

[Shaun]

anyone heard anything about the ONR Northlander-----------will it be using Oriole also?????? And I wonder why VIA mentions trains for Halifax and Gaspe leaving Oshawa. Wouldn't those just leave Mtl. as usual? Maybe the press release writer was clueless as to where those trains originate.

Maybe Oshawa was chosen over Guildwood for the purpose of having a yard large enough to store equipment. I think I'd just give up travelling VIA those days as they are already warning that the Gardner and Hwy 427 are subject to unannounced shutdowns for motorcades and the shuttles wil likely be affected to some extent

Could they not transfer them to GO Trains?

[miklin]

Geeze Dan-that's a laugh about Oshawa and big crowds. Since it's also the GO station, on most days there is not room to swing a cat especially if the weather is bad. Oakville is marginally better.

[jlarocque2005]

Good luck getting off at Orioe Station and taking the subway downtown. Imagine getting off the Canadian with your Suit Case at Orioe? Someone please go take pictures.

Ya think via would extend the canadian to Oakville as Oriole does not have facilities for checked baggage not to mention a long enough platform ?

[Red Rocket 191]

Ya think via would extend the canadian to Oakville as Oriole does not have facilities for checked baggage not to mention a long enough platform ?

A sign that says "take checked baggage to that guy over there" will suffice.

Unlike GO, VIA does not board every single coach. At most stops they only open a single door and board all passengers there. Platform length is irrelevant. Besides, Oriole's platform isn't much shorter than the space under the train shed at Union.

[TDE]

A sign that says "take checked baggage to that guy over there" will suffice.

...oh snap! People read signage??

For the operations...

Will they use Wye at the CN Main line (that hovers in york region) north of Oriole to come and go?

or

will they go southbound into Oriole, deadhead to TMC via USRC. Then do the looping through the usual "Canadian" routing out of toronto (still deadheading) where by means it uses the wye north of Oriole to go/face north, clear the wye and reverse into Oriole, load and head out northbound?

or

deadhead to TMC, turn each car, and deadhead to Oriole, using the same Sub... load and head Vancouver-bound?

[smallspy]

Geeze Dan-that's a laugh about Oshawa and big crowds. Since it's also the GO station, on most days there is not room to swing a cat especially if the weather is bad. Oakville is marginally better.

It's still a hell of a lot better than Guildwood in that regard. Plus, there is lots of room in the parking lot for mobile shelters, which I believe is the plan.

Dan

[D40LF]

All VIA trains between Toronto and Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Gaspé and points enroute will originate/terminate in Oshawa. The VIA/GO Transit station is located at 915 Bloor St. West, Oshawa.

Between Toronto and Halifax, Gaspe? I guess someone really doesn't know how VIA operates. O yea, thats VIA themselves!!!