VIA is running six extra Oceans (three round trips) between Montreal and Halifax for the Holidays using a solid Budd Stainless Steel consist including two Dome Cars.
6431 F40
6449 F40
8619 Baggage
8103 Coach
8139 Coach
8118 Coach
8130 Coach
8506 Skyline Dome
Kent Diner
Chateau LaSalle Sleeper
Chateau Brule Sleeper
Chateau LaTour Sleeper
Chateau Levis Sleeper
Geez those cars will be eligible for Canada Pension Plan and Old Age security benefits…they sure proved their value and worth and still going…just like me!
All Budd cars? Well, what would be more appropriate for Christmas than a passnger train that looks like a classic Lionel set on steroids?
What a lovely consist!
Our first trip to the Atlantic Provinces, in 2007, was a round trip with Renaisance equipment–and two years later, we went to Moncton in a drawing room! However, even though there was a dome lounge car in the consist, there was no Park car, for the train to Gaspe was still running, and its equipment was on the rear between Montreal and Matapedia. Returning from Moncton, alas, we had a room in a Renaissance car.
Here’s the westbound Ocean #15 at Truro NS this afternoon, Dec 29/17 with a Renaissance consist including 5 coaches, 8 sleepers, 2 lounge-service cars bracketing a full diner…plus a Budd Chateau Sleeper (crew) and ‘Tramblant Park’ bringing up the markers. Train is sold-out.
Great pictures… well done!