Canada's Coaches from the 1950s! VIA Rail Corridor Service

[@trainglen22]

The teal and gold cars are the newer rebuilt Budd cars, Grey is for Business class and the twin stripes are the original HEP2 cars, with the solid blue stripe is HEP-1 ex CP cars.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

Its impressive Via Rail STILL has these Budd cars since the very beginning. My biggest problem with Via Rail is that they weight your bags before boarding the trains in their station, which if you ask me, is ridiculous

[@robmausser]

for whatever reason, VIA REALLY wants to pretend they are an airline. Line up before boarding, weighing bags, assigned seats, demand priced tickets. I think for some reason they think that people LIKE these things from airline travel, and so they are trying to be as much like planes as possible to make passengers feel familiar

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

​@robmausser and they have airline styled on board food cart service on top of it

[@coastaku1954]

@@robmausser I really don't understand it, it sucks that a ticket from London to Toronto costs $42 on Weekdays, and then over $60 on Weekends. Both are way too expensive btw

[@suddenlysolo2170]

Not on all routes. The food and service is top notch on the Canadian betwen Vancouver and Toronto@@adventuresofamtrakcascades301

[@a.p.1299]

In Toronto I asked why are they weighing our luggage, I mentioned sarcastically that trains can haul millions of tons so why weigh them. The answer I got was that it was for their safety when they help passengers with their luggage. Well when we arrived in Windsor my wife and I were struggling with our luggage down the steps and being seniors it was a struggle. Also we had to help another senior from Ottawa with hers, all the time 2 via employees stood their with arms folded watching us struggle and not even offering to help.

[@maxster_8989]

VIA's Love the way slogan reminds me of McD's I'm lovin' it slogan

[@ashleyjiscool]

In the uk, our carriages form the 70s is being replaced, and up to the 90s

[@TransitQuebec]

I think VIA Rail don't have a car 2 on most train since 2 might be the reserved number for a second business class car

[@Robbi496]

Many of these coaches were built with large lounges for the bathrooms, but this cut back on seating capacity

[@captainjoshuagleiberman2778]

Those aren't business towers, they are condos. The GO Lakeshore East line is what you were paralleling. You can get a day pass on the weekend for GO for $10.00.

[@GregPalmer1000]

If I recall train 52 for Ottawa is the rear portion hooked to the Montreal consist #62 & splits at Brockville Ont & not Kingston, travelled from Kingston on the Ottawa portion & recently the Montreal portion

[@roger1818]

Yes, the split occurs at a Brockville, but it is apparent on the schedule since train 62 is ahead of the platform, so passengers can’t board or alight it, so it isn’t indicated as a stop.

[@kiddo817]

If you are in Toronto area, highly recommend doing a dedicated episode on GO transit and the two new modern concourses at Union. GO (and its GO Expansion project) is arguably undergoing the largest regional rail transformation in North America right now, with service levels set to increase by 3-4x over the next couple of years (all day service on all lines), dedicated tracks, a ton of new stations, and of course electrification on 6 different commuter rail lines and new EMU rolling stock. The future system has already been tendered and to be operated by Deutsche Bahn GmbH, a North American first.

[@LonestarTrips]

I have the footage, it's just a matter of time before it goes live.

[@linesided]

It's not just the Budd coaches that are from the 50's - I'm sure most of railroad ties are too. The stretch around Ajax is horrendous. The actual configuration in the coach is very nice and a lot more comfortable than many modern equivalents. Just fix the track already!!

[@he11ange1]

VIA Rail used to have a wannabe premium economy class as car 2. Via system never has been upgraded but that premium economy has disappeared. Thus let the economy class starts at car 3.

[@LonestarTrips]

Interesting! I was unaware there was a mysterious third class on VIA trains. Thanks for the info!

[@RailfanJourneys]

I'm definitely going to have to take a ride on these coaches on my next trip to Toronto! Excellent video!

[@SellthebigA]

This is a very nice video and has very much history! 52 is my lucky number.

[@kevinb8881]

These Budd coaches are almost 80 years old, wowsers!!

[@Patchestheguineapig]

I love your videos i have been subscribed since you had 1k

[@SomeRamdomAhole]

🍪

[@LonestarTrips]

Thanks a ton! It's been a long journey to get here, and I'm glad you've been a long for the ride.

[@SkysTrains]

took this trip yesterday on GO to catch 46 to ottawa. oshawa isnt the best station to wait at but the trains i spotted were amazing.

[@LonestarTrips]

I really only chose Oshawa because it's the terminus for GO's LE, and didn't want to do two "videos" on GO just going out and back.

[@SkysTrains]

@@LonestarTrips yea that makes sense. its cool to trainspot from the upper waiting area too. i hope you were able to spot something there.

[@davidlisowski5245]

Great report. It’s been years since I’ve been on the HEP 2 cars. Incidentally, they were acquired to replace the blue and yellow steel cars from CN on corridor services. The HEP 1 cars (ex CP) were refurbished for long distance trains.

[@davidburrow5895]

I've actually traveled on this very train. Having the extra locomotive in the middle makes the split go much more quickly than similar trains (like the Lake Shore Limited or the Empire Builder) in the States.

[@LonestarTrips]

Agreed, the split when I traveled farther north was super quick, so it definitely helps.

[@stephenkeever6029]

That's a really nice refurbishment job on those coaches! I wish Amtrak would refurbish their rolling stock on a timely schedule, since we have to wait so long between generations of new equipment.

[@danielrota7491]

so did I in 1956 they were the coach section of the original CP transcontinental The Canadian.Time to upgrade?

[@LonestarTrips]

It's a shame that Amtrak can't do the same, though I think at this rate a refresh would be a lost cause given that the new trains are coming relatively soon.

[@mirzaahmed6589]

Amtrak literally just refurbished Amfleets and Superliners a few years ago, and they are getting the Airo trainsets starting in 2026. You have no idea what you are talking about.

[@stephenkeever6029]

@@LonestarTrips That is exactly what Amtrak has decided to do for the Amfleet's that have been in service since 1975.

[@stephenkeever6029]

@@mirzaahmed6589 The Amfleet I's I frequently travel on have been in service since 1975 (48 years) with only repair and seat fabric replacement. The Budd Company really knew how to build train cars to last. Amtrak issued requests for proposals to overhaul the interiors in 2017. By 2018 they were investigating replacing the cars instead of overhauling. In 2019 they put out a bid for proposals for replacement of the cars altogether by 2021. They did do a minor amount of seat refurbishment such as replacing flattened cushions and threadbare fabric during this period. Amfleet I's are still very much sporting a 1970's look and feel. In 2022, Amtrak announced that it plans to begin retiring Amfleet I cars by 2027, with all cars to be retired by the end of 2030 (55 years!). I see the Airo train sets sitting at 30th street station for about a year now with local news reports that they should fully replace all of the North East corridor trains by 2035 since they have run into safety issues during testing that require some redesign.

[@Steve-xf4uv]

The silver Budd cars are still the most comfortable ride of any coach partly because they are so heavy. The renovations were well done and makes for a modern looking and comfy car. Many of these Budd cars came from the amalgamation of passenger services from CN and CP, the Budd cars coming from CP.

[@ModernClassic]

I really hope I can ride these Budd cars one last time before VIA totally retires them. I last rode them on Amtrak probably 20 years ago and I miss them - I've never ridden on better equipment! I'm sure someday I'll try the LRC's as well, though I have a suspicion they're akin to the Amfleet of the north. (Though at this point, I've got kind of a soft spot for Amfleet too.)

[@Mergatroid]

Aren't those the exact same seats ÖBB uses on their Railjet trains in First Class?

[@LonestarTrips]

I think they might be!

[@otisreed8799]

Great video, many thanks! Those coaches have certainly paid for themselves. I’m disappointed that I lived near Kingston, Ont for four years and never once took the train. Now that I’m in England I use trains regularly and just got back from a trip to Belgium… all by train.

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

Most of the HEP2 cars were built as far back as the late 1940s for US railroads. Now what's GO Transit fare between Oshawa and Toronto? Via got the HEP2 cars to replace remaining CN steam heated coaches that were not stainless steel construction.

[@danielrota7491]

The CN cars were built by Pullman The Supercontinental was superb train even without dome cars My first trip Montreal Vancouver in 1964 took I think 67 hours The CN line was faster than the CP. Mulroney and Mazankoski his transport minister at their first opportunity disposed of all the pullmans as soon they found and excuse to cancel 75% of the Canadian passenger network. Trains were replaced by royal commissions and high speed evaluation studies. I am not theses studies were cheaper than running the trains

[@trainboy1979]

One comment about the names up above at the station, Moncton for instance is on there, was never served by GT or CP.

[@mgrizz2386]

Wow even the non refurbished coach cars are nicer than the Canadian that goes across country. Hopefully they refurbish them soon, because they are very uncomfortable now in coach on the Canadian. Nice review. Thank you for taking us with you.

[@philiptrudel7994]

the canadian budd cars have been refurbished very recently. I think you got one of the old ones

[@tedharrison4522]

Coach class on VIA's corridor trains starts at Car 3 so that VIA has the option to add a second business class coach as Car 2. Not sure how often, if ever, this has occurred, but that's the logic.

[@LonestarTrips]

I know the Venture trains have a 2nd business coach, so we may see more trains with a car 2 in the future.

[@chrissoukas4288]

2 Business Class cars are used on train 75 to Windsor. However the second Business Car is numbered car 91.

[@PeevedLatias]

It happens quite frequently, but as mentioned it's usually labeled 91.

[@roger1818]

It may also be somehow related to VIA’s archaic reservation system. They are in the process of replacing it though.

[@WaynoGur]

I have friends in Brockville. I will have to check this out next time I visit. Thanks! Did you visit the CN Tower?

[@LonestarTrips]

I didn't have the chance to go up while I was in Toronto. I'll have to check it out next time I'm in Canada.

[@True_NOON]

And so is the rest of the infrastructure, however budd is actually built good

[@haweater1555]

7:08 The HEP1 Budd stainless cars (blue stripe only) were originally used by Canadian Pacific and continue today in transcons trains as well as some on Ont/Que corridor trains. The 1940s HEP2 fleet (thin yellow and blue stripes) you rode on were rebuilt and introduced in the late 90s to replace the old Canadian National 1950s carbon steel cars, which were painted completely blue with two yellow stripes. These cars had replaced the 1960s aluminum "Tempo" cars, which were sold in the 1980s to become the Rio Grande Colorado Ski Train. So twice in SW Ontario service, VIA has replaced equipment with something even older yet. New Siemens "Venture" trainsets from California are slowly trickling in to VIA to replace all current corridor trains; they are not compatible with anything else. The 1990s English "Rennisance" coaches, and the 1980s Bombardier "LRC" coaches will be junked. The old, but very well built and appointed 1940s Budd "HEP2" cars you rode will likely be sold off to US tourist railways.

[@edward361]

Split it is in Brockville, not Kingston.

[@kolkoreh]

Why did Via not bother to change out the carpet during this refurb?

[@virginiatolles1664]

Some of the Budd cars were purchased from Amtrak, yes, but many more were acquired from Canadian Pacific. Other sources may have contributed, too.

[@LiamWalsheliamskitchen]

Worth mentioning that the last car on your train was actually a HP1 - same kind used on trains like The Canadian

[@TracksideKitchener]

Next time you’re in Canada, you have to take the UP express to the Toronto Pearson airport, they only make two stops between the airport and union station

[@sylvanapaul]

I miss your video 😭

[@shmoney6464]

Have you rode in any trains in Switzerland 🇨🇭 ?

[@LonestarTrips]

I have! I had the privilege of visiting back in 2019 and rode all over Switzerland. Unfortunately this was before I started this channel, so I don't have any videos from it, though I guess that gives me an excuse to go back 😉

[@drdewott9154]

Honestly VIA's boarding system at Union station just seems awful. And why in the world are there separate concourses for seperate trains using the same platforms, that frankly just seems stupid instead of just turning up on the platform on your own and getting on on your own. Like jesus, VIA you're not an airline! Even if you'd say this was to make it so passengers didn't get on the wrong half of the train, then I'm from Denmark where we often have 2, 3, or even 4 trains combined into the same consist that split apart at various points along the journey, and even we work fine with just walking up to the platform, all we need are indicators on the platforms like section A-E and an overview on the departure monitor that shows where each segment of the train is going and where you are in relation to it. Plus the trains we have here are the IC3 Flexliner DMU's which are specifically designed for this kind of work. VIA rail even trialled 2 such DMU's in the 90's between Toronto and Kingston.

[@roger1818]

No one is forcing you to line up, it’s just people are sheep and when a line forms, they join it. I always just take a seat and relax until boarding starts and the line has dissipated. Besides, there’s no need to get to the concourse more than 10 minutes before departure.

[@drdewott9154]

@@roger1818 then explain the absurd gate thing?

[@roger1818]

@@drdewott9154 If running a “J Train” (like shown in the video), you will want to separate the passengers on the front and rear trains to avoid congestion boarding, since platforms at Union Station are very narrow.

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video 👋

[@LonestarTrips]

Thank you as always!

[@taichanie]

I didn’t know they used the budd cars on the corridor. I thought they were the Canadian only. We’re these from the ocean before they switched those cars out?

[@LonestarTrips]

I don't believe so. These cars were always intended to be run as corridor stock, with some being converted to long distance interiors for The Canadian and The Ocean.

[@taichanie]

@@LonestarTrips I guess I just didn't pay enough attention. Mostly what I remember was the LRC cars. But with nearly 100 of those vs 33 of the corridor cars. They would be the more common ones. Thank you for showing me something I didn't know about.

[@roger1818]

The ocean used HEP1 cars inherited from CPR. The HEP2 coaches were purchased from Amtrak. There are 7 HEP1 cars used on the corridor (5 coaches and 2 baggage cars). I guess it’s possible those came from the Ocean when the Renascence cars went into service, though the sleepers mostly got moved to The Canadian to increase capacity, though a few are still used at the tail end of the Ocean.

[@insideTRANSPORTATION2003]

The next one that should be done at some point is the former Amtrak International Limited. That is the 84/87.

[@yamoshigodofsaiyans1569]

Yo Septa in Philadelphia has been using these cars forever

[@samtrak1204]

At what station is Maple Leaf stopped on weed-infested track?

[@LonestarTrips]

That's the Niagara Falls Station in Canada.

[@samtrak1204]

@@LonestarTrips Glad to see Amfleet 2 on Adirondack. Manual doors work way better in freezing weather and snow storms.

[@Eduardomd54]

This splitting two sections of train, ea one with their locomotive is a common practice in the trains of Austria, ÖBB. They run for a while in the same schedule, then split, and go to their different destination. This is not new, In United States, at the time of passenger service with RDC equipment, they use to do that. Those austrian trains, are in very high level of operation. Usually they share the same track of the freight trains, and always on time. Here in the United States, because of the very long trains, I guess is not easy to share track, and often the AMTRAK trains, have to wait more than reasonable, the freight gets the priority.

[@archimedesxxicentury]

🧐 The infrastructure project "The bee honeycomb model of the conglomerates" will keep money 🐝💰. The Project is more Reliable than Gold 🪙. Archimedes XXI century 😇.

[@thyagarajannatarajan6234]

never dissapoint to impress via rail is way superior to amtrak

[@LonestarTrips]

What specifically is better about VIA? I've ridden on pretty much every service class in every coach type, and I definitely think Amtrak has the upper hand.

[@thyagarajannatarajan6234]

Well I could look at it using @GreenerGrass Jebscore. Lounges are much better w/ amtrak. Seating accomodations are more comofortable w/ via. Food is also better w/ via in my opinion. I mean getting a warm meal in business class is pretty impressive. In coach entertainment is lack luster between both. And finally service is pretty similar between both. @LonestarTrips

[@damiancooper3063]

Where is Breda?

[@LiaoHu]

bro take a go train to lakeshore east that literary take you to oshawa

[@LonestarTrips]

Yes, but that doesn't allow me to ride on rolling stock from the 1950s.

[@LiaoHu]

well sound like a You problem@@LonestarTrips

[@LonestarTrips]

@@LiaoHu Indeed it is a me problem, and I solved it, by doing exactly that.

[@LiaoHu]

yes sir@@LonestarTrips

[@marciaharder1647]

What is your next vid

[@damiancooper3063]

Amtrak Maple leaf from New York to Toronto

[@damiancooper3063]

Not Ns from Breda to Amsterdam Central

[@damiancooper3063]

Just so People know the Video that is listed is wrong

[@LonestarTrips]

Whoops! Good catch! The change to the Maple Leaf was a last minute decision, so I forgot to change the chapters.

[@harishsundaram7870]

I would like for these Via Rail Canada's Budd Coaches from the 1950s to be retired from service.

[@sethmatthewc]

im the #5 comment

[@Eduardomd54]

I enjoy very much your descriptions. I think that the VIA way to have both trains 52 & 62 operating together, then split and each one with their own locomotive and go to different places, is wise, yet simple. I did not like the way AMTRAK does, in your review from Chicago to NYC , when the section to Boston split, and the TRAIN without engine, shuts off of electricity, because no HEP available, And you could not open the door , no lights, no power ! Also I was disappointed of the meals available and the 5+ hours in delay ! I am a Train lover, but this is not acceptable for me.

[@archimedesxxicentury]

😢🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘 The transport infrastructure Disaster in World 🌎. Archimedes XXI century 😇.

[@MeITellYou]

Just sad

[@LonestarTrips]

How so?

[@wardy98px1]

Build new ones problem solved

[@진현수-e2x]

nerd

[@hirampriggott1689]

Ancient and nostalgic.