VIA Rail Canada announced late last week they plan on investing $1.95 billion in their remote, regional, and long-distance locomotive fleet, and will also be bringing their production back into Canada.
The investments include 45 new hybrid battery-diesel locomotives, and a new assembly and maintenance facility in Montréal. In their news release, VIA Rail Canada says the new trains will be built with Canadian rail's unique challenges in mind.
"Designed for the realities of Canada’s vast network and climate, the new locomotives will improve reliability, performance and fuel efficiency while reducing emissions," read part of the news release.
There's no doubt that VIA Rail service is nowhere near what is used to be, especially for remote and regional routes. The new investment gives some hope that VIA Rail still sees value in those routes, and is actively looking to expand that service. Pictured below is a page from VIA Rail's Winnipeg - Churchill Route Guide, showcasing the route, and some of the stops along that route, including Dauphin.
In a Facebook post about the announcement, the Dauphin Rail Museum says it aligns with their efforts to expand Dauphin's VIA Rail service.
VIA Rail Canada's Winnipeg - Churchill Route gives Manitobans an affordable and easy way to access other parts of the province. Their new investment in regional, remote, and long-distance locomotives will help that access continue.
