Extra Sections Across Maine At Christmas

[ghCBNS]

For several days during Christmas 1980..... besides the regular VIA 'Atlantic' between Halifax-Saint John & Montreal across the State of Maine......there was also a second, extra 'Atlantic' that ran through between Halifax and Toronto instead of Montreal. It made no stops (other than for crew changes and servicing) between McAdam NB and Kingston ON.

The regular section of the 'Atlantic' following close behind made the usual 6 stops across Maine.

Here's the two westbound sections of the 'Atlantic' on Dec 22, 1980. Thirty-Eight years ago this weekend!

VIA #111 w/b (Thru train to Toronto)

6772 FPA4

6634 F9B
6773 FPA4
9646 Baggage
5197 Coach
5306 Coach
5297 Coach
765 Cafe Lounge
5701 Dayniter
5733 Dayniter
Green Lake 6/6/4 Sleeper
Ecum Secum River 10/6 Sleeper
1348 Diner
Harmonie Lounge (Heavyweight)
Evelyn 4/8/4 Sleeper
Exeter 4/8/4 Sleeper
Sisiboo Falls 14/4 Sleeper
Bedford (Open Observation)

VIA #11 w/b Atlantic
6780 FPA4
6865 FPB4
6776 FPA4
9627 Baggage
5580 Coach
5407 Coach
3039 Cafe Coach
432 Lunch Counter
5702 Dayniter
Yukon River 10/6 Sleeper
1365 Diner
Cape Canso Sleeper Lounge
Green Ridge 6/6/4 Sleeper
Green Cabin 6/6/4 Sleeper
Rainbow Falls 14/4 Sleeper
Mount Resplendent 5/3 Sleeper

Also got a couple of photos of the #11 Departing Halifax and #111 at Truro NS that year. 

 

[Miningman]

Very nice. Thank you. So was this repeated in following years or was this a one time thing? Surprised to see a heavyweight in the consist and an open end observation. I'll take the heavyweight sleeper, thank you.

[ghCBNS]

No.....The 'Atlantic' was eliminated in the big VIA cuts of November 1981. It did return in June 1985 and lasted until December 1994. But the Second Sections across Maine never operated again.

The following year...December 1981....VIA's Halifax-Campbellton-Montreal 'Ocean' operated with extra sections.

Here they are at Truro, Nova Scotia

 

 

[ghCBNS]

There is no Extra Ocean this year....but today's westbound train from Halifax to Montreal is reported to have 6 Coaches, 7 Sleepers and 3 Domes including a 'Park Car'

[Miningman]

16 cars! Not bad. Those Budd cars don't own VIA a nickel. 

[ghCBNS]

Actually 18 cars when you add in a Baggage + a Diner.

[Miningman]

Of course. Nice traditional real train over Christmas. Don't let them take it away from you out there. 

[ghCBNS]

Miningman

Of course. Nice traditional real train over Christmas. Don't let them take it away from you out there.

Actually I’ve scheduled my next trip to Montreal in mid January to be on a Renaissance Ocean. Sure the Rens have their mechanical issues…..but for the solid, quiet, smooth riding qualities….I’ll take one any day over the shimmy and rattling of those old Budds!

 

 

 

[SD70Dude]

ghCBNS

Miningman

Of course. Nice traditional real train over Christmas. Don't let them take it away from you out there.

Actually I’ve scheduled my next trip to Montreal in mid January to be on a Renaissance Ocean. Sure the Rens have their mechanical issues…..but for the solid, quiet, smooth riding qualities….I’ll take one any day over the shimmy and rattling of those old Budds!

Did VIA ever manage to properly winterize the Renaissance fleet?

The Budds stay warm as long as they are supplied with power.  If the locomotives die then they all freeze.

I suspect that some summer diesel accidentally ended up in a number of F40's last winter, as the freezing train incidents appear to have been caused by plugged fuel filters.