Via Rail's Fleet Renewal Program

[bdawe]

To what extend will these trains actually have to be "FRA compliant"?

[Backshophoss]

Canadian rail equipment standards follow the US FRA standards to allow cross boarder interchange,both freight and passenger cars.
What ever Siemens build to the Amtrak spec or the Brightline spec should be good in the US and Canada.

[D40LF]

To what extend will these trains actually have to be "FRA compliant"?

Transport Canada does allow some waivers (just like the FRA), but my guess is VIA will go for compliant equipment. The UK style Renaissance cars are allowed to operate under some sort of a waiver, but thats probably because some structural modifications were made and they never lead trains. So non-compliant passenger cars could be a possibility, but locomotives would probably have to be compliant.

GO Transit is also looking into buying non-compliant trains. Transport Canada has hinted that they may require a temporal separation of different types of equipment, or a collision avoidance system like PTC.

[NH2060]

Well considering that VIA has literally no time to waste getting the HEP-2s and LRCs replaced along with however many locomotives Siemens just has to be the would-be bidder they would go with. Right now their only commitments include fulfilling the CA + Midwest states order for 130 cars (though I could see some more tacked on to make up for lost seating + fleet expansion) and the up to 50 Brightline option cars. They would do well to place their order in for the 160 or so corridor coaches they will need ASAP before Amtrak has a chance to get their 500+ car order in tying up the production line. Amtrak can wait for new cars, but VIA really cannot.

[mdvle]

They would do well to place their order in for the 160 or so corridor coaches they will need ASAP

Like most government organizations VIA has to follow an open bidding process.

Any order will not be announced / placed until around this time next year after the first stage (qualify to bid) followed by the second stage (the actual bidding process) occurs.

[mdvle]

The first round is now available

https://www.merx4.merx.com/public/solic ... 8/abstract

[mdvle]

More info http://m.railjournal.com/index.php/nort ... hannel=000

[electricron]

More info http://m.railjournal.com/index.php/nort ... hannel=000

Inter sting, 32trains with 9100seats, that averages out at 284.375 seats per train.
If each new coach is equivalent in seating capacity as the old LRCs with 68 seats, that would average out at 4.18 coach cars per train. Of course not all the new cars will be coach class, some new cars will be club class having 24 less seats. So on average, we’re discussing 4 to 5 car trains in length.

[NH2060]

Don't forget this is the base order so there could/will be options included in the finalized contract which will definitely be needed for expanded service. The new 160 cars are just to replace equipment that will be unusable within 5-10 years and will be unceremoniously removed from service as soon as possible.

[NS VIA FAN]

So on average, we’re discussing 4 to 5 car trains in length.

Long gone are those 15 car Rapidos between Montreal and Toronto!

[gaspeamtrak]

So on average, we’re discussing 4 to 5 car trains in length.

Long gone are those 15 car Rapidos between Montreal and Toronto!

Yes those were the good old days with all that business .
Now those 3 and 4 car trains Via runs is sickening.
At least they are getting new equipment so at least we will still have passenger trains in the future.
I can still remember # 79 Toronto to Windsor running with 15 to 17 cars usually with those ex. Reading cars on the end!?
Ah the good old days.

[mdvle]

We have some answers. From the official RFQ (available as PDF on VIA website, link below):

• 32 trains, delivered as diesel only, but must be convertable to bi-mode
  125mph capability
  push/pull operation
  Tier 4
  must meet all TC and FRA standards
  proven in similar operating conditions, or redesign is minimal
  6 months of winter testing prior to acceptance for service
  thus at least one train needs to be on VIA property by Oct 2021 to allow for the testing
  first train to enter official service 2Q 2022, all trains by 2024
  maximum of 4 entries will proceed to the 2nd stage
  joint bids are permitted

http://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/files/m ... glish).pdf

[D40LF]

Sounds like Siemens is in a very good position. I could also see Bombardier trying to bid. I suppose locomotive manufacturers (like EMD or MPI) could partner with a coach maker to form a joint bid as well.

[NH2060]

For my money, barring any political maneuvering/collusion, Siemens has got this in the bag hands down. It has a 125mph train currently IN PRODUCTION and IN REVENUE SERVICE that features locomotives based on the same platform as an electric locomotive (ACS-64) and -from what has been posted on other forums- has a bi-mode locomotive in design for presumed purchase by Amtrak, LIRR, and Metro North (though obviously they would have to be converted to overhead power, not a third rail). The only possible snag would be regarding the coaches. If the design cannot be amended to allow traps to be installed for low level boarding while still conforming to FRA safety standards then there goes Siemens for at least the coach order.

[mdvle]

The design to allow traps is either done or in the process of being done for the multi-state order that Siemens was given when the original company was unable to deliver.