I suspect making all coaches that way would be a struggle as to have any attempt of darking out the train at night and storing luggage above means you'd need a weird setup
I don't think every car has to be a bi-level, I'm just saying they can't just replace the existing fleet with venture cars and have the appeal. If the bi-levels can be used on the entire route, I could see them becoming the Prestige Class, with one being a lounge / cafe for coach passengers and then coaches being modern single-level.I suspect making all coaches that way would be a struggle as to have any attempt of darking out the train at night and storing luggage above means you'd need a weird setup
I wasn't saying bi level but doing a more wrap around window for coach, it seems like the kind of thing you'd need to use in a lounge or cafe/dinnerI don't think every car has to be a bi-level, I'm just saying they can't just replace the existing fleet with venture cars and have the appeal. If the bi-levels can be used on the entire route, I could see them becoming the Prestige Class, with one being a lounge / cafe for coach passengers and then coaches being modern single-level.
I rode the Canadian this summer, I should probably get back up there and experience it while I can. It's a great add-on to an Alaska cruise!
Sure, Coaches can be standard coaches like Venture with LD seats. I'm saying the back of the train has to be something special like the Bi-levels if there aren't clearance issues. (Those cars have travelled several rail sections of western Canada - not sure if there are issues in the east or not.I wasn't saying bi level but doing a more wrap around window for coach, it seems like the kind of thing you'd need to use in a lounge or cafe/dinner
Presumably you'd want Prestige rooms on the upper level for the better views, although you could have 2 Prestige rooms on the lower level that span the entire width of the car.Sure, Coaches can be standard coaches like Venture with LD seats. I'm saying the back of the train has to be something special like the Bi-levels if there aren't clearance issues. (Those cars have travelled several rail sections of western Canada - not sure if there are issues in the east or not.
Prestige class rooms on the lower level and deluxe viewing and lounge on the upper level could be really nice!
My thinking was the Prestige cars would be rooms on the lower level and a deluxe lounge/viewing area on the upper level. Of course, maybe the bi-levels would only be dining / lounge cars and they just make brand new single level cars for sleepers.Presumably you'd want Prestige rooms on the upper level for the better views, although you could have 2 Prestige rooms on the lower level that span the entire width of the car.
Unfortunately, the best hint we seem to have to date is a blurry photo in the second picture of this tweet (as discussed over on Groups.io):I don't think anyone has discussed this, but could this be the end of berths? Personally I prefer more privacy and they feel outdated, but I believe a berth is cheaper than a single room. Wonder if they will implement it or not in a new design.
Good news, but the current political climate is likely to force items like this well down on the priority list even if the government survives the next election.Long distance equipment replacement was essentially confirmed as funded in the Federal Budget today; specifically, to enter into a Request for Proposals.
No details on scope etc. The RFP should be public and I'd assume released pretty quickly - that will answer at least what routes, and by extension likely the frequency of those routes that the purchase would be for.
But how would funding be handled? No appropriation from Parliament? I haven't a clue how these things work in Canada.The good news about Via being a Crown Corporation is they can run their own RFP; as long as Via can move relatively swiftly this purchase should be administered before the next election!
While VIA could certainly request proposals anytime they want, funding would indeed have to come from Parliament for a purchase of that size. The current government has just issued their new budget in which they proposed many expenditures, but they are currently in a position where a snap election could be forced by the opposition at any time. This could make the budget itself, let alone future expenditures, tenuous at best. Even if they survive until next year's mandatory election, funds for VIA are likely to be pushed aside for other priorities.But how would funding be handled? No appropriation from Parliament? I haven't a clue how these things work in Canada.
Even if they survive until next year's mandatory election, funds for VIA are likely to be pushed aside for other priorities.
Thanks. Are bilevel cars a no go? If so that would rule out piggybacking on Amtrak's long distance bid.
They can always piggyback on Amtrak's single level order or even better Amtrak could piggyback on VIA's single level order for the necessary single level LD equipment. VIA has in past already rejected bi-levels once for various reasons. They did try out Superliners for a short period and jointly operated the Superliner Chicago - Toronto service for a little while too.Correct. Just as well, from what I have seen, I don't like Amtrak's designs one bit.
Most on The Ghan and Indian Pacific are Budd-built, as well as some others. A recent review of one of the single-night trips even mentioned its "American-made" sleeping car. They have several overnight trains that don't get as much attention.Australia's transcon train has some Budd-looking equipment. Maybe it was a Budd-licensee, but I don't know.
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