dowlingm wrote:My understanding is that the Rens are not ageing gracefully and that steel side stock usually reserved for Christmas demand is currently in service.
A Budd is substituting for one of the two Ren consists on the Ocean.
I specifically scheduled my trip three weeks ago to ride the Renaissance consist that is still operating.. The interiors of the Budd consist from the late ‘80s HEP I rebuilding are starting to look quite ‘tired’ and say what you will about the Rens….they provide a much more solid and smooth ride compared to the rattle and vibrate of those old Chateau Sleepers!
Last fall when VIA substituted a Budd consist for a Ren…..they received quite a backlash when they placed those who had booked single occupancy of a Ren Bedroom now in a Chateau ‘Cabin for one’ (old style Roomette) . VIA then had to bring in additional Manor cars so everyone would have the Bedroom they had originally booked. Frankly….I used to like riding in a roomette and especially in an upper duplex…but now find the toilet in the same room digesting along with the thought of all that surrounding carpet !!
The GF of a co-worker took their young son to Campbellton for March Break…going up on a Budd coach and returning on a Ren. When we picked them up the only thing she liked about the ‘old train’ as she called it was the being able to take the little fellow up into the Skyline…..much preferred the Ren coach she has been riding the past few years.
