Configuration:
62 seats, or 60 seats and a snack bar
Did you know?
Most of these cars were built in the 1950s for use by the CPR on their Canadian and Dominion trains.
VIA Rail acquired these stainless-steel cars in 1978, alongside similar cars acquired secondhand from various railroads in the United States to augment the fleet. However, cars 8130 to 8147 (built in 1946-1947) didn’t enter service until the early 1990s.
The majority of cars built during the 1950s era with other materials are no longer in service.
Some of these cars have been entirely rebuilt - except for the chassis - up to four times!
Although these cars are over 50 years old, they were built with a sturdy and lasting stainless steel construction, which makes them resistant to corrosion.
Thanks to VIA Rail's maintenance service, these cars can travel our railways for at least another quarter century.
At the end of the 80s, VIA launched a program to convert this steam-heated car to a more modern electric-heating system.