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Via got the budget authority today to start the actual Request for Proposals for long distance equipment replacement. There's literally no details, as the government says "to protect its negotiation position" which makes a lot of sense. In any event quite relevant to this thread as we could...

While the actual reality of Amtrak's Charger woes can't be defined with what we know, I do think you're erred in this quote. Via does have higher reliability, in arguably often harsher conditions. We know this a few ways, not the least of which was Via's equipment reporting to Parliament last...

I'll pay for business Vancouver, BC -} Seattle just to skip the customs line if I'm with my family. Assuming it isn't a 300% upcharge, of course! Generally I'm willing to do about 50% ish.

Via, although quasi-independent, needs the government's authority for big purchases. Although there exceptions, you'll rarely see big purchases like this initiated in Canada from November to February-ish. In March you start seeing funding announcements for capital projects with funds released...

In fairness to Siemens, it's really looking like it's specifications from the State Order of Ventures that are causing issues unique to that order. Via hasn't had similar issues, and Brightline doesn't appear to have (but being fully private, if they did, maybe we wouldn't know with no reporting...

Military discount can be layered on almost everything. It's awesome, and definitely applies to the room. I'm eligible and have gotten some insane deals, and now that point redemption also applies to points I'm taking the Canadian, with family, for free this summer for literally half the points...

Oh America, such a funny place 😂 Via Rail just issued a RFP for 39 F40s to get life extensions into 2035. That's a suitable quantity for the whole long distance network. Hopefully this is timed to be generally with a combined-ish order with Amtrak. If Via doesn't purchase before the next...

This also allows anyone along the SkyTrain system to make it to Pacific Central on weekdays, and most of the system to make it on weekends. It was really tight for SkyTrain with the 635am start, particularly on weekends.

Wow, I know the new system is not 100% but I just booked Halifax -> Toronto in sleeper + business for around 2100 points... Until yesterday I didn't have enough to book Halifax to Montreal, and certainly not the add on to Toronto.

Yes! Someone else posted those on another rail group, and it proved to be a great addition for my travel bag. They're odly expensive right now [In Canada]?

They're all still legal tender, but you may confuse the person accepting it! $1, $2, $25, $500 and $1,000 bills are no longer legal tender, but can be 'turned in' to the Bank of Canada via any major Canadian bank, in Canada where they'll be exchanged for face value. $5, $10, $20, $50 and...

I apologize as you've probably outlined this somewhere, but I'm assuming those LD numbers are largely based on insufficient equipment? The Coast Starlight is the only route I actually have any knowledge/observations, but 80% of 2019 would be reflective of the shorter train?

I suppose to clarify my question, is Amtrak looking to replace all the LD equipment, or just the SuperLiners? Conversely, even if it's only one subfleet, are they looking to only go with one fleet type or could we conceivably see both dual and single level? I had been Googling around a bit...

Yes. But Via is looking to essentially piggy back here. And the requirements, broadly, aren't that different for accessibility. Pour votre confort et votre sécurité, veuillez vous assurer que tout est inclus dans les deux langues officielles. (I don't speak French, this might be wrong lol)

Is this being framed as a single level design or a bilevel design, or potentially both? Have a hard time seeing Via go bilevel, but really don't have any substantive reason for that. I have no idea about Churchill service but everything else there's sleepers on can do bilevel, I think??

Vancouver service should be restored this week with significant easing of fires. I'm curious though as currently the rail bridge in New Westminster is damaged and out of service. Not for long, but could really effect the next #2.

I think this is the only active Cascades thread? Anyways, service in / out of Vancouver BC is likely to be cancelled for the next couple days. Amtrak's dependence on Twitter has left me blind to what they've posted, but the rail bridge between New Westminster and Surrey was subject to moderate...

Service is still suspended West of Edmonton this week, so far.

Fire forecast is looking okay for the Canadian's route in BC. A #1 left Toronto today that is a reasonable chance of making it Vancouver. Here's to hoping the fires are quickly gone - the forecast is looking positive for fire fighting operations in that area.

Just took my first post-Covid & Horizon equipped Cascades trip. I'm really not a fan of the Horizon equipment, to the point I'm pretty persuaded to fly in the future. However I'm really keep for the Airo, come on 2027!.