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Caption: It's 06:34 and VIA #1 has arrived in Jasper, AB for its schedule station stop. Here the train will get a head-end crew change, fuel, water top-up, garbage unloading, other regular servicing, and dome car window cleaning. Well, selective dome car window cleaning that is. The Prestige Park car had its upper-level windows cleaned, but not the other three Skyline cars. ????
Looking west along the station platform we see VIA's new policy of buffer cars on mid-50's Budd built car consists in action. VIA 8314 Cameron Manor sleeping car has been tacked on behind VIA 88709 Laurentide Park completely blocking any direct views out of the lower-level bullet lounge windows. Looking at the roof of this trailing car from the upper-level dome windows of the Prestige Park car really diminished the rearward view as well.
I don't have a good feeling about this Band-Aid solution as it relates to the future of VIA's long-distance overnight trains. Hopefully it does not spell the beginning of the end for this very enjoyable and iconic train.
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It so fits with everything else that is going on. Little is making sense these days. Band-aid solutions are going to become a common practice. An eyesore is an eyesore, put an old gon or flat car out the back, people can see out then.
Let’s hope Paul that common sense prevails and VIA places an order for the new long-distance cars that Amtrak is putting into place on its transcontinentals.