dowlingm wrote:They rebuilt some RDCs for White River and I believe have some additional ones which could be rebuilt. While I agree services like Toronto-Kitchener-Sarnia would make sense as 2-3 Nippons vs 1 F40+2 HEPs, the RDCs could probably be rebuilt in Canada and thus constitute pork (albeit not the latest in accessibility or emissions control). As it was the Union Pearson service was supposed to be RDCs too, until Metrolinx grabbed some of SMART's options.On the one hand, VIA hasn't been shy about using and maintaining Budd-built equipment. They also still have control of the two(?) E&N RDCs from the Malahat (Victoria - Courtenay) train as far as I know, so there are spares out there.
On the other, a heavy rebuild on each RDC might total $1 million anyway. It isn't much more to get a two- or three-car Nippon Sharyo unit at all, and might be worth it solely because of the increased safety standards (1,000,000 lb crush test) and the mainline usage.
On the third hand, VIA seems to have little-to-no interest in investing in its branchlines, sooooooo...