VIA Rail Canada boasts 56 sleeper cars as part of their fleet of long-distance, regional and remote (LDRR) network, which takes overnight travellers to many destinations across Canada.
However, these Chateau and Manor sleeper cars, which were built between 1955 and 1957, are showing their age. In order to continue VIA Rail’s ongoing commitment to offering its passengers an improved travelling experience, a five-year upgrading and modernization program of these sleeper cars will be implemented.
The announcement was made at a recent press conference held at the repair facilities of CAD Railway Industries, a Lachine-based company selected by VIA Rail to carry out these improvements. The objective is to upgrade the sleeper cars’ key systems and interiors, as well as improve their comfort, reliability and onboard amenities.
“This $150 million project is a project made by Canadians for Canadians,” said David Van Der Wee, President and CEO of CAD Railway Industries. “These sleeper cars have a number of reliability issues, and they need a good redesign and re-engineering of their structures. As well, the vintage 1950s exteriors are going to be preserved throughout the upgrades. All of this is being done to enhance the passenger experience and the joys of travelling by train.”
Mathieu Paquette, President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada, stated that this vast sleeper car modernization project is being done to ensure that these 56 cars maintain their good working order until VIA’s new fleet of locomotives and passenger cars is introduced to the public within the next 10 years.
“The work will be done in a staggered method, at a pace of five cars at a time over the next four to five years. This investment is about delivering for Canadians today, while we build for the future,” he said.
The VIA Rail sleeper car modernization project is expected to create over 100 skilled jobs in the engineering, project management and specialized trade sectors.
by Stuart Nulman
