BC Rail 1705 (Single Level Dome) vintage page

North Vancouver, BC. May 13, 2004. Photo by Ian Smith.
For this car's current page, click here.

Notes: Given the name "Chilcotin". This car and two others were initially built for the Florida Fun Train, but were left incomplete when the operation shut down. In 2000, the cars were completed for Panorama service on BC Rail's brand new Whistler Northwind cruise train between North Vancouver, BC and Prince George via the resort town of Whistler. The interior was designed by Vancouver firm Architectura. After being in service for a year, the 1705 was renumbered 1722.

1704 and 1705 feature a service bar on one end of the car and two restrooms — one ADA compliant — across the aisle. The cars seat 78 passengers, with 19 rows of seats on the galley side of the car and 20 rows on the restroom side. Because of the difference, the cars both feature a unique half sized window next to the last row of seats.

The car was constructed using the center sill of one of three former VIA (ex-CN) baggage cars, numbers 9623, 9639 and 9649. I do not yet know which of the three cars donated center sills to which Panorama car, but I am working on it. The three car bodies are in use as storage sheds at CRM's plant in Ft. Lupton, CO.

When BC Rail's passenger service was discontinued in October 2002, the 1722 and two other single level domes - 1720 and 1721 - were sold to VIA Rail, Canada's national passenger service carrier, for service on the scenic Skeena passenger train, which runs between Jasper, AL and Prince Rupert, BC on a two day schedule with an overnight stop in Prince George, BC.

VIA 1722 at Vancouver, BC. May 11, 200. Photo by Jody Moore

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