NeoArashi wrote:Maybe it's just me, or pure Nostaligia (as before 2009, I never took a renaissance car) but I've always felt that these old Steel cars are more comfortable. Dunno why. Still, good pics you took there!
It's not just you....I've spent a lot of time in both types of equipment (in coaches and sleeper for both), and I can say hands-down that the Budd equipment is much more comfortable. Overnight in the coaches, the Budds are a whole world better than the Rens. Sure no single seats, but so much easier to actually sleep. And when it comes to beds in the sleepers, there's no comparison: the Budds are far, far more comfortable.
Not nostalgia speaking on my part, because my first several trips on the Ocean were in the Renaissance cars and I was generally okay with them....until I finally got to experience the trip in the Budds! I've met plenty of people on board who have shared exactly the same sentiment, so it's always nice to see them back. I was very particular to book travel on that equipment both ways for my Christmas travels this year.
Great pics by the way!
Here's the full consist for the train:
6439 F40PH-2D
6433 F40PH-2D
8609 baggage (ex-CP)
8130 coach
8137 coach
8144 coach
8139 coach
8505 Skyline
8401 Acadian (Diner)
8203 Chateau Brule
8202 Chateau Bienville
8220 Chateau Papineau
8211 Chateau LaSalle
8214 Chateau Laval
8704 Evangeline Park
Note that all 4 coaches are among the HEP1 cars that came second hand from various American origins, rather than the ex-CP stock. A bit unusual, as we've normally had a mix of both types in past years.