Caption:
VIA Rail's October 29, 1978 'takeover' * of the CP Rail ' The Canadian ' resulted in the immediate re-routing* of the CP Rail trains #11 & #12 from the CP Rail Mactier Sub to the CN Newmarket / Bala ** Subdivisions as VIA Rail The Canadian Toronto – Calgary - Vancouver trains #1 & #2, on a three night schedule.
The 'new ' VIA Rail 'The Canadian' routing replaced the CN Super Continental *** on the Newmarket / Bala Subdivisions
A week into the new routing, the 'new' VIA Rail train #1 ' The Canadian' , with ex CP Rail GMD FP9 #1412, is on the CN Newmarket Subdivision, seen here somewhere north of King City, November 1978 Kodak negative by S.Danko
* annulling rail passenger service at the CP Rail stations: Mactier, Medonte ( Coldwater, Orillia), Midhurst (Barrie), Alliston, West Toronto
** 'The Canadian' new route had train #1 transferring on to CP Rail at Reynolds, CP Parry Sound Subdivision at CN Boyne, CN Bala Sub), and vice versa for train #2
what's interesting
*** effective October 29 1978 the ex CN Super Continental became VIA Super Continental Montreal – Edmonton - Vancouver trains #3 & #4, on a three night schedule – a dramatic improvement from the decades old CN four night schedule!
[ noteworthy: the Toronto connection for the Super C became Toronto – North Bay trains #121 & #122 ( ( all reserved, no checked baggage ) yes ! the Northlander ! ( the Super Northlander Connector ?! ) ]
the new October 1978 routing for trains 1,2,3,4 did not last, by June 17, 1979 VIA flipped the arrangement and the Super C became the Toronto – Edmonton – Vancouver train and The Canadian the Montreal – Calgary – Vancouver train, ( perhaps to facilitate easier servicing for the ex CP equipment with ex CP personnel at the CP Montreal shops ?).
Really noteworthy is the June 1979 Super C Toronto – Edmonton – Vancouver retained the three night schedule !
unusual 1978 sightings becomes the usual:
the final weeks & underpowered
colourful
bemused observers
VIA variety & variety plus
sdfourty
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