News Archive: 4th quarter 2005

Dec. 12 — This one slipped underneath the radar! In the minutes for the May 27, 2005 meeting of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors, approval was given for the purchase of two more double decker DMUs and an option for another coach, joining the existing set that was built for SFRTA this year. I have no details of specific delivery time, but would presume the new cars would be ready next year. I have made appropriate modifications to the DMU roster page.

I have also added another photo to Ken Storey's photo series of VIA 1720's appearance on the Canadian on August 1, 2003. Enjoy.

Nov. 28 — Thanks to Graham Gilley from Rocky Mountianeer for providing some extra dimensional data on the new crop of RMR cars, including the length of the platforms, and the seating of the cars. That information is now contained on the roster pages for the 9525, 9527 and 9529.

Nov. 23 — I have added construction photos of Alaska Railroad single level domes 555 and 556 to their respective roster pages. Follow the links to have a look at the progress on these cars.

Nov. 11 — I have updates regarding the numbering of new cars for the Alaska Railroad and Rocky Mountaineer Vacations. The two new single level cars for Alaska will be numbered 555 and 556. Also, the three new double decker cars for Rocky Mountaineer will be numbered 9525, 9527 and 9529, not even numbers as I had previously speculated. I have also updated the individual roster pages for each car with more details about the upcoming orders.

Nov. 6 — According to a recent article in the Beaverton (OR) Valley Times, the TriMet is preparing to purchase three DMU railcars and a pair of coaches for the Washington County commuter rail project between Beaverton and Wilsonville, OR.

Details of the cars' design wasn't released. According to earlier indications, the cars would be single level flat nosed units, but TriMet official Joe Walsh is also referenced as saying that the cars will be similar to those delivered to Florida Tri-Rail (presumably meaning double deckers?)

The article states that the TriMet board approved the purchase on Oct. 26. Approval by the Federal Transit Administration is expected late in the year. The 14.7 mile line is expected to begin operation in 2008.

Oct. 29 — One of our BC correspondants reports that VIA 1722 has been repainted by vandals at the shops of the Southern Railway of BC in New Westminster. From what we have been told, none of he windows were painted, but the car side was so thoroughly covered that the car's number isn't readable, so it may not even be the 1722.

Oct. 24 — Now that all of the Princess cars are in Denver, there is less and less to report on car movements. With Rocky Mountaineer's 16th season at an end, the fleet has been taken back to Kamloops, BC for winter work. Most of the company's cars will be refitted with new interiors this winter. As I understand it, RMV 9501, 9502, 9503, 9504, 9505, 9506, 9507, 9508, 9509 and 9511 will all get new interior decor to match the colors of the 9521 and 9523.

Also, we are pleased to offer a complete set of photos of VIA 1720 substituting for a coach on the Canadian. Speaking of VIA, we have the first of our vintage pages up, this one for BC Rail 1705, which is now VIA 1722. There will be several more vintage pages to come in the future weeks.

Oct. 16 — VIA's single level Panorama class domes 1720, 1721 and 1722 are on the move from their regular winter storage spot at Pacific Union Station. Accoriding to a Vancouver source, the cars were moved BNSF's New Westminster yard to forwarding to the Southern Ry. of BC's yard in Queensborough for galley work. I am not sure of the scope yet, but I understand that the 1721 and 1722 might be getting larger galleys to match the 1720. More to come asI get more details.

Oct. 14 — While Princess 7087, 7085 and 7089 are now in Denver, MSEX 7084, 7086 and 7088 are in Seattle awaiting shipment to Fort Lupton. Also arrived in Seattle are three former Holland America vintage domes that are headed to Colorado.

HALX 507, 50 and 56 arrived today and are headed to a new home on the Cañon City and Royal Gorge railroad. The latter two cars are two of the original four Tour Alaska domes that brought the idea of transporting cruise ship passengers to Alaska's interior by rail into fruition.

Oct. 4 — The Princess cars are beginning to arrive. Yesterday, MSEX 7087, 7085 and 7089 were unloaded off of the barge in Seattle, and are presently on Harbor Island awaiting shipment to Colorado Railcar for refurbishing.

If the plans are the same as they were detailed last year, you can expect that work to include new interiors similar to the ones put into MSEX 7080-7083 last winter (see the preview of the 7080-7082 for details). Most likely, 7084-7085 and 7086-7087 will be fitted with wheelchair lifts to the upper levels also.

MSEX 7084, 7086 and 7088 will most likely be unloaded on the next barge, which will arrive possibly on Saturday.