What kind of trains are run on VIA Rail’s comparatively short Vancouver Island service? Their website doesn’t show any pictures of the kind of train used there.
VIA uses Rail Diesel Cars built in the late 1950’s by the Budd Co. The train runs on the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway. One return trip a day, Victoria to Courtenay and back. The E&N is primarily a freight railroad but lately there’s been little freight traffic. During the Non-tourist season, the train often runs with only one car, but can swell to three cars during the tourist season. Three cars are assigned to this train, 6133, 6135 and 6148.
Here’s a shot I took of the train in Nanaimo on the return trip to Victoria, shot last summer. Although the cars are over 40 years old they have recently been rebuilt.
I live just outside of Victoria, BC and gew up alongside the E&N. If you have any more questions about the E&N operations past or present , email me at enrailway@yahoo.ca
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Did the freight service come back yet? I heard that was a Calgary based company was going to buy it.
Wow, it sure doesn’t look like that roadbed gets much looking after.
I should make my way over to the Island and take that trip one day, perhaps on the next long weekend.