http://www.viarail.caCapital Investment ProjectsWe’ve Been Working On The Railroad… | The first piece of exciting news was the opening of the Grafton passing track this summer. This portion of third track, which can be found between Grafton and Cobourg, runs along north side of the existing two mainlines and is close to 8 miles long. This work is being done thanks to the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. To learn more about our awesome track work, like how to build a new track or the “Metal Muscle” machines we use to help us do the work, check out our Tracks project page here. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/51632Belleville and Oshawa celebrations! | Last week celebrated three new station openings! First the new Windsor Station opened to the public. Next up came the official opening of VIA’s gorgeous new Belleville Station, including it’s new accessible overhead walkway and island platform. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/51628Welcome to Windsor | Windsor’s new station has opened its doors! As of September 11, the building is complete and welcoming our passengers. Winsor Station was funded through the Government of Canada’s Capital Investment Program.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/51250Rise Up: Cobourg’s New Footbridge Is In Place | With the new overhead walkway work moving along so quickly in Cobourg, it’s no surprise that the footbridge structure has already been lifted into place, high above the tracks. Thanks to the government of Canada’s Billion Dollar Investment, VIA Rail is Transforming. To read more about all our improvement projects, click here.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/51057E-boarding Pass: The Whos and Hows | As of the first week of August, our e-boarding pass pilot project moved past the pilot phase and was officially launched across the Quebec-city – Windsor corridor. The project has been moving forward with great success and we have many people to thank for this.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/51052The HEP Family: Park Cars and a Pilot Project | Welcome to the final article in our HEP Family series. These stainless steel cars, from Manors to Diners comprise The Canadian, our cross country train that runs from Toronto to Vancouver. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/51047The HEP Family: Diner of Champions | This is the second article in a three part series about our renovated HEP cars, otherwise known as The Canadian: the train set that travels across the country from Toronto to Vancouver. These improvements were made possible through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. To read more articles about VIA’s Transformation, please visit our main page.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/50008Entertainment On Board? Here’s Your Preview… | Announcing a new pilot project for VIA passengers: On Board Entertainment! Make sure to check back for news about the on board entertainment system as well as other projects funded through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan that are Transforming VIA! ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/49996The HEP Family: Mind Your Manors | If you’ve recently travelled on The Canadian, which runs across the country from Toronto to Vancouver, than you’ve probably had the opportunity to take advantage of our refurbished HEP cars.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/49703Sainte-Foy’s Facelift | Sainte-Foy Station work is one part of VIA Rail’s Billion-Dollar Transformation. To read more about our other Station, Train and Track projects, please visit our home page.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/49689How To Use This Website | At TransformingVIA, we’re quite proud our little website full of articles, images and videos of all the behind-the-scenes work funded through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/49678Oshawa Station: Overhead Walkway Now Open | The Oshawa Station walkway and island platform build can also be seen in images, by viewing the media gallery. It is part of VIA Rail’s Billion-Dollar transformation, funded through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. To read more about other station projects, click here. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/48863How to do an LRC Overhaul: Step 4 | We’re back with our fourth and final “how-to” article, a step-by-step guide to overhauling your very own LRC car. To re-cap the work done so far, have a look at the Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3 articles. It is now time to finish up the work, and get that train back on the rails!]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/48855Cobourg: From The Ground Up | Hello to all our Cobourg Station fans! Continued work since our last update has proven very productive and big changes can be seen at our overhead walkway and new third track build at Cobourg Station.And check back often for more updates about the work and other projects ongoing at VIA Rail. Cobourg’s new accessible island platform and overhead walkway are thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. To read about other projects that are transforming VIA, click here. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/48841E-boarding Pass Pilot: All Aboard! | If you book travel between Montreal and Québec anytime after the 3rd of July, you will now receive an e-boarding pass by email, which can be printed at home, or used directly from your smartphone (no paper needed!). To read more about VIA`s Billion-Dollar transformation, you can visit the main page of our site, where new articles, images and videos are added weekly!]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/48823Light Show | Have you ever wondered how the signal lights that hang over or sit to the side of the tracks work? The enigmatic light system is a mystery to most of us, but to Locomotive Engineers, it’s the language of the rails.There are so many other amazing projects going on a VIA right now… we’re building new tracks and stations, we’re overhauling all of our locomotives too! Just follow the links to learn more.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/48016How to do an LRC Overhaul: Step 3 | In case you haven’t finished Step 1 or Step 2, we welcome you read, "How To Do an LRC Overhaul: Step 1" and “How To Do an LRC Overhaul: Step 2". By the time you’re done those, you should be ready, paint brush in hand, to begin the final paint job.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/48010Ask VIA: Trains | Following our call for questions a couple weeks ago, presenting the next video instalment in our Ask VIA series! The video focuses on our RDC overhaul project, with questions from both Kelly Corbett and Stew Winstandley answered by our resident Trains Expert, Daniel Nobert, Senior Manager, Equipment Program.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/47581Summer Scoop on Windsor | As the warm weather rolls in, the work is nearly a close at Windsor station. As of our last update in March, the exterior was almost complete, and the interior wall structure was beginning to take shape.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/47567VIA’s New Booking Engine Is A Snap | If you’ve purchased a ticket with VIA as of June 5th, you’ve probably seen our new at-a-glance fare shopping tool. This launch of VIA’s “Fare Matrix” makes it easy to find the best fare as well as the shortest trip options in each class, on one screen.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/47557The Triple Track Timetable | Over the past little while VIA Rail’s infrastructure teams have been busily adding new sections of third track to our network. These new triple tracking areas will offer fewer delays and a smoother ride to our passengers as the extra “lane” mean that passenger trains no longer have to stop and wait for freight trains to pass.Here is your handy-dandy breakdown, in an easy to read chart format, of the new triple tracking regions, lengths and statuses.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/47552A 100th Year Announcement at Winnipeg Station | When the TransformingVIA website began last year, one of the first articles we published was about Winnipeg Station’s Centennial. The “green” building was coincidentally given a BOMA BESt Level 2 designation at the same time. And now, another timely coincidence has occurred! Just as we reach the end of Winnipeg’s Union Station’s centennial year, the Government of Canada and VIA Rail have announced a further $6.5 million investment in the Heritage building. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/47545Back for More Jargon | Our first article about track jargon was so well received that we’re following it up with another look into the fascinating world of railroading terms. At Transforming VIA we must admit that this is a welcome task, as there is no shortage of creative track lingo to explore. So much jargon… so little time! Here are a few more terms to help shed some light into the "dark territory" of track terms:]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/47499The RDC Fleet Rebuild: The connections are made | our Rail Diesel Cars or RDCs are also being completely overhauled, inside and out. The RDC fleet overhaul is part of VIA's Billion-Dollar Transformation, to read more, please click here.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/47494Toronto Maintenance Center: Fuel Master | Toronto Maintenance Center, To make certain that the fuel storage and delivery system was environmentally sound and would remain so for many years to come, a new fuelling system was installed and has been in operation since June 2011. T]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/47475Ask VIA Returns! | Ask VIA: Trains will be your opportunity to ask questions about, you guessed it, VIA’s trains! The chosen question (or questions) will be answered in video format. Other questions will be answered in the form of an article that will accompany the video.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/47448Checking Out Our Tracks | Throughout the past nine months of writing about our Capital Investment funded projects, TransformingVIA has published some really interesting articles and media galleries depicting the how-tos of building and maintaining our tracks. One question which has come up often, and which will be answered herein is “by what means and how often does VIA inspect their tracks?” We should note that VIA shares much of its track with CN, who own a good majority of the rails across the country. Despite this, everyone is compliant to the same track inspection rules outlined in detail by Transport Canada. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/46070TSI+: We Have The Technology, Part 2 | Train Status Information Plus. Now that you know all about VIA’s amazing new near real-time mapping system, here is another feature being added to the TSI+ system: “Geo-Fencing”. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/45529The F40 Story, Positions 3 and 4: We Can Rebuild Her | This month, the 53rd and final locomotive of VIA’s F40 fleet will be pulling into CAD Railway industries shops (CADRI) for its overhaul. It is locomotive number 6453, aptly named for its position in line to be refurbished.Thank you to the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, for making this overhaul possible! To read more about VIA’s Billion-Dollar Transformation, click here.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/45525Halifax’s Old Heritage Building Is Looking Young Again | Hey East coast Canada, here’s an article for you! In this piece we’ll be exploring all the work done at Halifax Station, which was on the list of station improvements funded through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/45505Train Simulator: A Game Changer | As of November 12, 2011, VIA has become the proud owner of its own train simulator, which is comprised of a full-scale set-up that reproduces, as much as possible, a true train conducting experience. The train simulator project was funded through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Check out more “tech” projects by clicking here. To read more about VIA’s Billion-Dollar Transformation, click here.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/45501Online Redemption | Hoorah! Now added to the recent list of VIA Rail’s tech upgrades as of March 30: VIA Préférence points redemption online! While redeeming points or miles online is not something new in itself, having this functionality directly integrated within a reservation booking process is quite remarkable. This new addition to VIA’s online reservation system works with any itinerary in the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor and has been welcomed warmly by our VIA Préférence members. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/45484Sleeping in Style: Renaissance Accessible Sleeper Cabins | Coming soon to the Montreal – Halifax route: one new accessible sleeper room per Renaissance consist. The Renaissance accessible sleeper is part of a larger-scale program to upgrade the Renaissance fleet, and is funded by the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan. More information, including a brief overview of the whole Renaissance project along with more articles and images, can be found here. More about VIA Rail's Billion-Dollar Transformation can be found here.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/45480The Foundations of Cobourg | At the Cobourg station overhead walkway build, things have been moving along nicely since our first “breaking ground” announcement. Check back for more information about Cobourg station and all our other station projects, funded through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/45298TSI+: We Have The Technology, Part 1 | Thanks to the existing WiFi system, which is the platform needed to support the GPS tracking, trains running within the Quebec City – Windsor corridor can now be followed through an online near real-time mapping system developed by VIA Rail.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44780St-Hy: Short and Sweet | The quaint town of Sainte-Hyacinthe’s train station was not overlooked when it came time to do such much appreciated upgrades.The work in Sainte-Hyacinthe is a small part of VIA’s Billion Dollar Transformation, funded through the government of Canada’s Capital Investment program. To read more about other station projects, please click here.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44778From Top to Tail: A Lesson In Track Jargon | ll work and no play… is just no fun! So how about a whimsical article featuring some of the crazy track jargon used by those working on the railroad, all the live long day? Though it’s not directly about VIA’s Billion-Dollar Transformation, don’t knock it just yet, we still might spike your interest. Here then is a list of a few terms you may have heard railfans using.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44730Our P42s: Good for Another Decade | VIA Rail’s P42 locomotive fleet overhaul, funded by Capital Investment, was completed in July, 2011. It took close to two years to overhaul the 20 trains which were rotated through our Montreal Maintenance Center (MMC), one at a time, with only a one week overlap between trains (so as not to disrupt train service). The P42 fleet is in fact 21 strong, but one had already been overhauled in 2006.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44660Oshawa Station: Where It’s At | During our last visit to the Oshawa Station Build in December 2011, the overhead walkway was being hoisted into place. Now, a few months later, the build is progressing nicely, the work is on schedule and there have been many big and noticeable changes.All these upgrades are part of VIA’s Billon-Dollar Transformation. Improvements to Stations, Tracks and Trains can be found throughout the TransformingVIA site. You can read the articles or follow the evolution through our media galleries, where images and videos help tell the story of VIA’s Capital Investment program.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44655We’re Totally Wired! | There are many components of train travel that may seem less exciting than the trains themselves and thus miss out on the fame they deserve. One such thing, which is not often discussed, is the track wiring. Running alongside each train track are the wires (that is, the electrical system) that are imperative to safe train operation. Wiring system upgrades go hand-in-hand with all new sections of third track, new turnouts and new switches which can be found on the Kingston, Alexandria, Smiths Falls, Brockville and Chatham subdivisions.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44649Building A New Track | It’s easy to announce that “we’re adding new track”, but getting there is a many-step process, involving lots of preparatory work. In this article we’ll show you how these sections of new track are built, from grading to stabilizing (don’t worry if you don’t know what that means yet – you will!). If you prefer to see the work in images, check out the Building A New Track image gallery. Sections of triple tracking have been taking place all along the Kingston subdivision, to increase efficiency and reduce delays as part of the Capital Investment Projects. To read more about the tracks projects, click here. For more about VIA’s Billion Dollar Transformation, click here!]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44166The F40 Story, Position 2: Primed for Progress | If you have been following The F40 Story then you already know all about VIA’s F40 fleet upgrades. You are familiar with the fact the overhaul consists of 7 positions that each locomotive goes through, beginning with Position 1, in which the old F40 gets a once-over. If not, well, now is your chance to catch up! The articles and media gallery can be accessed by clicking on the links featured here, and will give you a solid background to read about Position 2, in which our F40 continues its overhaul, and gets prepared and primed.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44164Smart Booking! | Announcing VIA’s new mobile booking engine. Mobile booking is part of VIA Rail’s Billion Dollar Transformation. If you are interested in reading more about VIA’s upcoming Technology projects, please click here. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44134Open To The Public: Belleville’s New Station | Though peripheral work continues around the building, as of March 20th Belleville’s new station and overhead walkway will be open to the public. Hooray, hooray! The elevators leading up to the walkway on either side are also in operation.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44132Props for the Palais | Many stations across the nation have benefitted from improvements funded through Capital Investment. Some construction work, such as the new overhead walkways that are currently being built in Cobourg and Oshawa are more top-of-mind as they are happening right now. New station builds in Belleville and Windsor will be complete and opening this year as well. But what about all the other work that has already been completed? Québec City’s Gare du Palais Station, for example, has had some major improvements over the past year, but because many of the upgrades have taken place behind-the-scenes, they were mostly left unnoticed by the public.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/4411950 Articles and Counting | TransformingVIAis proud to announce our that we are 50 articles “old” today! Every week new content is uploaded to the site, including articles, image galleries and videos. Since we launched TransformingVIA in September 2011, the site has become a great resource for all the Capital Investment funded work transforming our tracks, trains and stations.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44115Private Homes Get A Public Crossing | Just East of Belleville there is a small stretch of track where homeowners use private crossings to access their houses from the road on the other side of the rails. Though this method served well enough so far for the people who lived along the route, it is preferable to use protected public crossings, equipped with signalling (such as an automatic warning device when a train is coming), which provides a safer environment for all people.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44107Windsor Station: We’re Going In | What’s the latest on the work in Windsor you ask? Glad you did! The new station is coming along nicely and we’ve got some new images offering you an insider’s peek at the current state of construction. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/44101Hutchison Road Gets a New Bridge | Through the Capital Investment Funding VIA has been making big improvements to its infrastructure. In terms of the tracks, the most visually noticeable are the 41 miles of new third mainline track sections along the Kingston Subdivision. Hutchison Road bridge, located at mile 140.75 on the Kingston Subdivision, is one example of an overpass needing to be re-built to accommodate an extra set of rails.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/43705HEP Car Interiors: It’s All Material | Many of VIA’s stylish stainless steel HEP cars are being given the grand treatment, inside and out.At VIA we take safety and security to heart. Each and every car that goes out meets our high standards of safety, without compromising on comfort. Have a look at the new, lush Deluxe Sleeper cars, pictured above. VIA is currently at work on these gorgeous new HEP cars, a perfect combination of safety, luxury and comfort.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/43686How To Do An LRC Overhaul: Step 2 | Thanks to Capital Investment funding, most of VIA’s fleet of cars and locomotives have been undergoing overhauls over the past few years, and not to be left out of the fun, the LRC cars are getting in on the action too. Welcome back! Transforming VIA is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn how to overhaul your own LRC car. Lucky for you, we are currently overhauling the entire LRC fleet, so you can follow along as we provide you with insider’s information on how everything is done, including images of the process, start-to-finish! ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/41007Ask VIA: Stations #1 | Above, the “winning” question, sent in by Jaimie Cowles, is answered by Jacques Leclerc,Senior Project Manager, Real Estate at VIA, on location at Belleville Station. You can also visit the Belleville station media gallery, which has been updated with recent images of the construction work.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/40545Things are Turning Out Great | Not to be left out, our turnouts are getting some special treatment as well. A turnout comes by its name honestly: it is the place where a train can turn off of one track and go onto another. In essence it is where one set of rails turns into two. Thus, there would be a turnout placed at both ends of a new section of third track, for example.New turnouts can be seen all along the Kingston subdivision, where much of the new triple tracking has been taking place.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/40531The RDC Fleet Rebuild: Work That Body! | The RDC Fleet Rebuild has been funded through the Government of Canada’s billion-dollar Capital Investment program. Most of VIA’s fleet is being overhauled or upgraded. To read more about the trains projects]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/40515A Preview of the Panorama | This bright, 6,200 square-foot space is the new location of VIA’s Panorama Lounge, which was opened to the public as of January 30th for a “test run”, pending its official opening slated for March 12th. The Panorama Lounge, which is a joint venture between the City of Toronto and VIA, is a gorgeous heritage marble-lined space with plenty of seating to accommodate all needs.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/40509The World’s Fastest Wi-Fi on Rails | In January 2011, VIA introduced a new state of the art WiFi system onto its first train within the Quebec City – Windsor corridor, replacing its first generation (originally installed in 2007). Since then, all train sets running in the Corridor have been equipped with WiFi and are successfully keeping passengers connected through their trips And with a 99.5+% coverage rate between Quebec City and Windsor, we’ve got you covered!]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/39440Two 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.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/39438Ask VIA Returns! | Ask VIA: Stations will be your opportunity to ask questions about, you guessed it, VIA’s train stations! The chosen question (or questions) will be answered in video format. Other questions will be answered in the form of an article that will accompany the video.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/39200More Power to London | A couple of years ago, London Station’s platforms were in a sad state. The island platform’s asphalt surface needed to be removed and repaved, and the structural steel holding up the canopy was in serious need of attention.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/39198Skipping ahead: Another F40 Off The Line | Through this Capital Investment microsite, VIA has been telling the story of the F40 overhaul, beginning with the “F40 Story” and continuing with “Position 1: The Old F40 Gets a Once-Over”. And the story will continue… the full, seven-part description of what our beloved F40s undergo before they are placed back into service.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/39196More Trains, More Often! | Thanks in no small part to Government of Canada’s billion-dollar Capital Investment, track and train upgrades have allowed VIA to introduce new, expanded train schedules in the Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto triangle!]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/39194Our Joints Get Peaked | Rolling along in our trains, you may have noticed the rhythmic “cha-chug” sound that is so idiosyncratic of train rides.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/39192Hot Switches | One of the readers who asked a question through our new segment, “Ask VIA” wondered about how the dropping temperatures in winter affected the tracks…]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/39190Oakville Station: A Collaborative Effort | In 2009, and through the Capital Investment program, VIA and Metrolinx (GO Transit) worked together on a brand new station in Oakville.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/39153On Train and Station Automation | VIA is very excited to announce Phase 2 of VIA’s OTS: On Train and Station Automation project. What does the OTS mean for passengers? It’s a time-saver. It will eliminate the need for at-station ticket pick-up and will simplify the boarding process. It also means improved customer service and is a huge benefit to both VIA and our passengers.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/37772How To Do An LRC Overhaul: Step 1 | Thanks to Capital Investment Funding, most of VIA’s fleet of cars and locomotives have been undergoing overhauls over the past few years, and not to be left out of the fun, the LRC (Light, Rapid, Comfortable) cars are getting in on the action too. In our feature article, Light, Rapid Comfortable, you can read the full overview of the work. But here, in the articles section, we’re going to teach you how to do your own LRC revamp. You’ll get to see the behind-the-scenes process from start to finish, including images of the work.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/37433Breaking Ground in Cobourg | VIA is thrilled to announce the latest Capital Investment project: Cobourg Station! The work officially began on December 8th, and over the next few months Cobourg station will be undergoing a transformation.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/36329Ask VIA: Tracks #1 | A couple weeks ago we asked you to submit your questions for our new segment, Ask VIA, and ask you did! Tony Dadamo, Quality Control Inspector at VIA, answers your questions. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/36327P42 Engine Lift Off! | Recently, and with funding from the Capital Investment Program, theentire fleet of P42 locomotives underwent an overhaul-in-kind. The work was completed by July 2011. The extensive list of work that was done to all 21 of these streamlined trains includes full overhauls, repairs, replacement of some equipment, checks, inspections and in for a few lucky locomotives, a new paint job.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/35759Go West… or East! | Rolling through Brockville just got a lot easier! In the past few weeks, two new portions of third track have been added to the East and to the West of Brockville station. This reconfiguration means much improvement in terms of travel experience and fewer delays. Thanks to the Capital Investment Program.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/35754Our New RDC Goes For A Test Drive | The first of six refurbished RDCs (Rail Diesel Cars) has hit the tracks for its inaugural run! And in honour of this, we are hosting our inaugural video: footage taken of the road test. The new baggage car can be seen rolling up and down the rails in Moncton, giving its new lower-emission N-14 Cummins engine a whirl.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/35707Oshawa Station Gets a Lift | If you’ve been anywhere near Oshawa Station lately, then you’ve probably been witness to lots of construction - what with the new overhead walkway and island platform being built through capital investment funding.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/35592Ask VIA! | “Ask VIA” will be your opportunity to ask questions about, you guessed it, VIA! The main themes for these questions will be Trains, Tracks and Stations. The chosen question (or questions) will be answered in video format. Other questions will be answered in the form of an article that will accompany the video. We will be soliciting questions through our Facebook account as well as through the microsite ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/34018A Brighter Montreal | Montreal Central Station has been just a little bit brighter since the installation of VIA’s new LED arrival/departure board thanks to Capital Investment funding. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/34015Part 2: The Renaissance Accessible Coach | As part of the capital investment projects, nine Renaissance coach cars will become more accessible through various upgrades including new accessible washrooms and wheelchair tie-downs.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/33879All Hands On Deck! | Within the Kingston subdivision, VIA is adding 45 miles of third track at various points along the route in order to reduce delays caused by track-sharing. These sections of 3rd track allow for trains to pass each other easily, virtually eliminating the time lost when two trains have to manoeuvre around each other (using the siding). These sections of track are sometimes added to bridges, as is the case in Salmon River. The original Salmon River bridge was built to hold two sets of rails. To accommodate for the new section of triple tracking, the bridge had to be expanded. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/33487Siding, Platform and Crosswalks, Oh My! | You may not have noticed how much faster and easier boarding your train at Fallowfield Station has become. Perhaps you got to the station at the last minute, jumped on your train and left (one of the many benefits of train travel). Well, you can thank the new siding, and fully accessible island platform and crosswalks for helping things run so smoothly.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/33463Ottawa Station: Building of Steel | Over the last year, Ottawa's Train Station has undergone a “spit and polish” including with repairs and upgrades to the steel framework. The unique roof truss structure hangs over the front of the station – where it protects passengers from rain, snow or sun – across the building and over the platforms at the back. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/33461A Toast to Jasper! | In Jasper, Alberta a large scale project to upgrade the potable water distribution systems has just been completed. The “water cabinets” and distribution system meet the new standards set by Health Canada: they are built from stainless steel, and equipped with an electric hose reel. The cabinets also house a small container with a disinfecting chlorine solution, into which the nozzle of the distribution hose is placed between uses. The hose itself is attached to underground piping, which has also been replaced. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/33377Reflecting On The LRC Paint Scheme | With funding from the Capital Investment Program, theentire fleet of LRC cars has been undergoing an overhaul. Along with an extensive list of work that is being done, the new cars will also be donning a new paint job. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/33375Position 1: The Old F40 Gets A Once-over | We start with position 1 in which the locomotive is given an incoming inspection to check for all repair work that will need to be done. Following this the F40 is stripped right down to the frame. All major components (including the main cabinet, main engine, main generator and compressor) are sent to be rebuilt or repaired. The trucks – or the undercarriage of the locomotive (comprised of the wheels, the brakes and traction motors) – are removed and set aside to be reinstalled later on in the rebuilding process.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/31802Nice Curves! | The aim of many of these track upgrades is to improve trip times and one way to do that is to increase the speed at which the train can take the curves. Less deceleration and acceleration mean a faster, more comfortable and more fuel efficient ride.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/31800Belleville’s New Station is Taking Shape | Construction began in December 2010, with the demolition of an old baggage building (no longer in use). The building needed to be removed in order to make room for Belleville’s new fully-accessible station, island platform and overhead footbridge, which includes an elevator on either side of the tracks. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/31133Our Crossings Get Rehabilitated | The VIA crossings – or the area that cars and people can safely cross a train track – are monitored closely and replaced routinely. These crossings suffer more wear and tear due to their extensive use, along with other factors like the damage caused by the salting of roads in winter. Tracks can rust from beneath, which can lead to the loss of proper track gauge (the distance between the rails). ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/31132Raising The Roof at Windsor Station | Windsor station construction continues: the structural steel of the walls and roof have been erected. Some of the masonry of the exterior walls has also been going up, and the building is now taking shape.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/30968The Skyline Shines | Thanks in part to capital investment funds, the first of four Skyline cars to be given a system overhaul and gorgeous new interiors is now complete and ready to roll.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/30962HEP, HEP, Hooray! | You’ve probably seen them rolling down the rails on their journey across Canada: the distinctive HEP 1 train cars are easily recognized with their stainless steel exteriors.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/30642Getting Tied Down | Throughout the nights and over the past few months a major tie-replacement program has been taking place across the Alexandria and Smiths Falls subdivisions. Workers have been burning the midnight oil, replacing the ties from dusk till dawn, to ensure the safety of the tracks. The work is done under the moonlight so that daytime train service does not get disrupted.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/30640New Smiths Falls Station Officially in Service | “We broke ground in October last year and are happy to open the doors to the public”, beams Senior Director, Real Estate Magdy Fahmy. The adorable new station at Smiths Falls is looking great, as seen in the image above.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/30638100 Years Old, But Still Green | “What a great birthday present!” Raphael Leung, VIA’s Senior Officer Technical Services couldn’t be more excited. For the last 23 years Raphael has been working to improve the efficiency of Winnipeg’s almost-100-year-old Union Station, and all his hard work has paid off, literally!]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/29577Laying the Foundation at Windsor Station | In preparation for the new station in the city of Windsor, Senior Project Manager Jacques Leclerc shared the attached image of the foundation work in progress. “Next milestone, erection of the structural steel!” declared Leclerc. The steel will be going up in August and will take about 3-4weeks to complete.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/29575Roll Over, Gananoque! The 3rd track is officially open | Reliability and trip time improvements? Check! Potential for growth? Check! Amazingly cool track-laying machine? Check!]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/29574Look Ma, No Hands! | The latest addition to VIA’s Centralized Traffic Control system, located in the Smiths Falls subdivision, will be operational by the end of August.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/29571Renaissance, Part 1: Coming to America | The VIA fleet is comprised of many different types of locomotives and cars, many of which have an interesting past-life, such as the Renaissance fleet, which was originally designed for a Glasgow, London – Amsterdam Frankfurt service via the Channel Tunnel (the “Chunnel”) in Europe.]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/29567The F40 Story | All VIA locomotives are slated for a full overhaul at some point in their service on the rails. They get checked and repaired from top to bottom, from the headlights to the back end. Well, that time has come for our trusty F40 fleet. ]]>http://www.viarail.ca/en/node/29565http://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/themes/viarail/images/logovia.pnghttp://www.viarail.ca