Hello friends...Well All Via Rail Renaissance equipment is planned to be upgraded to meet full handicap accessibility needs as the Canadian government is finally kicking in some well needed funds...
goodnightjohnwayne wrote:
. From an American standpoint, the Renaissance cars are most certainly not ADA compliant. I'm truly amazed that Canada doesn't have a stringent legal framework for handicapped accessibility, unlike the the United States.
. I would also question their overall safety within the context of North American railroading.
. In the United States, this equipment would never have been put in service to begin with due to the certainty of an ADA lawsuit. Personally, I doubt that the Renaissance cars would be eligible for the same sort of FRA waiver that was received for the Cascades Talgo sets.
. VIA should really consider the safety and handicapped accessibility issues of the Renaissance fleet, and then budget for long term replacements that are FRA and ADA compliant. It might be time for VIA to explore a Viewliner order now that Amtrak seems set to reopen production.
Well G.N.J.Wayne that's just it, its not American ! So from an American standpoint it means nothing to Canada. Remember ADA stands for AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES, not Canadians. Canada does have there own disabilities act but its not as screwed up as the new one we just got in the USA. If interpreted by some, It could mean that Amtrak need to get rid of ALL there current mismatch boarding height rolling stock and purchase ALL uniformed equipment across the board, which Just can't & won't happen.
...There actually pretty safe equipment in contrast to other light weight cars, Just no reinforced crumple zones that would let them run with US freight traffic.
...It could be put into service in the US, just not with Amtrak... It would clear acceptance on any line separated from freight trains and NOT need a MAS over 79mph. Only problem is we don't have any such lines in the USA except for Mass transit ( NYCTA, CTA, Metro, etc). Although the cars were built for 125 mph service in the UK. In Canada they limit it to 110 and in the USA we would limit it to 79 even though they were originally built to go faster.
...They could get a FRA waiver, not essentially the same one the Talgos have, but one that's just not for use with Amtrak as there routes have to meet certain guidelines because they share ROWs with freight traffic.
...VIA bought these cars for the retirement of older rolling stock and to expand there fleet beyond what was currently on hand for the need for new equipment was eminent. If you know the history behind the Renaissance cars is that VIA purchased them for a steal of a deal ! roughly about 1 million per car vs. the actual cost price of 3 million. Looking at it that way, spending a meager 100k-200k per car afterwords to upgrade it for your own handicap compliance makes a lot of seance compared to what you just saved. The Only thing they didn't fully anticipate was the severe cold weather effects of Canada on these cars. I don't think Canada (VIA RAIL) will ever look into buying the same rolling stock that Amtrak is purchasing unless there given an offer they just cant refuse, Like the one they got on the Renaissance cars. Given that the Renaissance Cars are not going anywhere unless the UK want to buy them back. Now AMTK & VIA purchasing Locomotives together I could see that happening but with VIA's now in process F40 rebuild project that too is unlikely.
jp1822 wrote:Kills me to hear (as I've been hearing) the unfinished Renaissance car shells are heading to the scrapper. VIA could really use some of these cars for either an extra diner, sleepers, service cars, transition cars, or coaches of some sort. I also think VIA was short-sighted in cancelling its overnight corridor service from Montreal to Toronto. .
JP I agree with you... and not but a few days ago I saw a news report on VIA Rail with there new found funding is looking into bring the train back. It was said One more train is needed on the Toronto - Montreal run but its not certain if it will be a day time run or a overnight service.
goodnightjohnwayne wrote:AgentSkelly wrote:
Yes, the Service Car has the Accessible Accommodation Suite which I think is a good deal.
Actually, wasn't this area formerly intended as an immigration holding cell?
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Actually funny enough the service car was originally intended to be the Customs/ Immigration car for the UK, so Im sure somewhere there was a space for a holding cell at one point.