Reliability of the RDC's

Over the past month, 6 runs of the Sudbury-White River have been cancelled due to "equipment problems". I assume that it refers to RDC problems and not track problems, but this failure rate seems pretty horrible. What exactly is going on?

http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail ... is-weekend
http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail ... cancelled-
http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail ... d-tomorrow

The reason for canceling the first of these runs was because of a collision between the RDCs and an MTO truck at a grade crossing.

Here's the story on that one from the Wawa News: http://www.wawa-news.com/index.php?opti ... Itemid=134

I think it's possible that the other runs were the result of ongoing problems caused by that collision. I could be wrong, but that seems likely.

It is unfortunate for the Lake Superior train having all those problems... Stuff happens, I guess. Luckily that MTO truck driver wasn't seriously hurt.

I'm also glad to hear that the problem wasn't the RDC's themselves, as my family is planning to ride the Malahat, after a trip to Vancouver on the Canadian this March.

Does anyone know when VIA is putting the rebuilds into service?

The White River service is not the only line to be affected by cancellations. About two weeks ago one Winnipeg - Churchill round trip was cancelled due to unspecified equipment problems. The Thompson newspaper reported that VIA was not providing alternate transportation. Obviously, there are long stretches of the line where no alternate transportation could be provided (except a helicopter or hot air balloon) but on previous occasions - usually a breakdown of one of the locomotives and Omnitrax wisely will not permit VIA to operate the train with one unit - passengers have been flown to and from Churchill.

The Gaspe train, formerly known as the Chaleur, probably has more cancellations than any other train: floods, snow, ice, leaves on the line, brake problems, late train, etc. But VIA does not abandon passengers on this route and provides bus service, occasionally even for a long overnight trip.

warwgn3 wrote:It is unfortunate for the Lake Superior train having all those problems... Stuff happens, I guess. Luckily that MTO truck driver wasn't seriously hurt.

I'm also glad to hear that the problem wasn't the RDC's themselves, as my family is planning to ride the Malahat, after a trip to Vancouver on the Canadian this March.

They haven't had any problems with break downs on The Malahat in a while. This time of year though they only need a single car and they have two available.

There is a page and a half article in the February TRAINS magazine
on the IRS shop in Moncton, including an in-shop photo.