Caption: VIA Cab Control Car #2300 leads the second Charger Test Train trip west toward Windsor as it crosses Belle River in, ironically, Belle River, Ontario on August 5, 2022. Had hoped that 2200 would be leading westbound as it is the actual locomotive for the train set, but instead it was on the rear for this trip.
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You picked a great spot to grab this image. Nice !!
Great shot !
Do you know when the train is heading back east?
Was headed back to London tonight. Should be making another run to Windsor next week from what I hear.
It’s a lovely shot, for me seeing the cab car leading is just as interesting as the power. If someone had told me 50 yrs ago when I started railroading, that trains here would be operated backward at full track speed, on a passenger train no less, I would have thought them to be crazy.
As an aside, anyone know exactly what it is they are testing, beyond perhaps measuring the dependability of the equipment?
Ron, everything: I would imagine platforms with steps, distances, clearances, etc, plus crew familiarization and training. I suspect they are also training senior management/trainers who will then train the rest of the staff/qualify them on the equipment. Not to mention all the stuff inside that has to be operated by the on board staff which would also require similar training.
They’ve run the equipment in the Windsor-Montreal corridor twice, and each time one run down the Guelph sub too.
Do you know when the next test train is scheduled to head west or when that trip will return east afterwards? Will this be using the first consist or the 2202 consist they just received?
Matthew,
Actually it went by here about 45min ago on the 3rd test run. In Windsor and will be returning east to London tonight, August 10th.
Do you know when it’s heading from London towards Toronto by chance?
I’m attempting to track down a retired VIA fellow who may be able to get the schedule of runs,i’ll advise my luck!