Caption: It's not a GO train, but it is GO equipment: VIA train #71 is operating a short GO Transit consist of three bilevels and an F59PH (an "L3"), seen rounding the curve on this gloomy day on the approach to Bayview Junction before heading up the Dundas Sub. GO Transit cab car 237 leads the charge, with F59PH 544 pushing on the rear end. If operating on time this would be VIA #71's usual ~9am appearance at Bayview, according to the timetable.

This was one of at least four sets of GO Transit equipment pressed into VIA service at the time, as defective axles failing on VIA LRC cars in February and March 1992 caused VIA to pull its entire fleet of LRC cars out of service effective March 17th due to safety concerns. In turn, VIA had to scrounge about for any replacement equipment it could find: old blue & yellow VIA cars coupled to steam generators pulled by F40's, LRC locomotives and old FP9's, Budd equipment that would normally be found on The Canadian, and borrowed equipment from GO Transit including bilevels, GP40's, APCU's and F59's were all pressed into VIA service until new replacement axles were made and installed in the entire LRC car fleet. No doubt there was a slight lack of comfort in having to ride a GO bilevel commuter coach on the 4+ hour trip for anyone travelling all the way from Toronto to Windsor.

Reg Button photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection.

For more info about the VIA LRC wheel failures and equipment substitutions, have a look at the May 1992 issue of Branchline here