Two Galleys Are Better Than One

Among the many upgrades to the Renaissance fleet funded by the Capital Investment program is the addition of a new mini-galley, or a food service station, to one Renaissance coach car per consist.

In the past, VIA staff provided service by a food cart stocked from the galley located in the service car. During peak hours, serving coffee might have meant multiple trips back to that galley through several train cars, which in some cases meant a service delay that was simply not up to VIA standards.

Welcome to the new mini-galley – a time-saver for VIA and service improvement for passengers.

As of December, 2011 the first Renaissance coach car equipped with a new mini-galley went into service. And so far so great! VIA staff is appreciating the new ease of re-stocking their carts and VIA passengers are getting their comforting cup of hot coffee more quickly – this is definitely win-win.

The addition of the new mini-galley makes managing food products easier and decreases the number of trips needed through the train to the service car. Work tools are more easily accessible and the work environment is safer.

The new mini-galley includes a work area, coffee maker, microwave, hand wash station, storage compartments and a refrigerated compartment that can hold up to two service carts.

Across the aisle from the mini-galley is where the new baggage tower is located, complete with a new compartment for waste and recyclables. Everything is close-at-hand, efficient and easy to use.

More information, including a brief overview of the Capital Investment funded Renaissance project along with more articles and images, is available here.