VIA Rail Canada has announced a significant investment of $150 million to modernise its fleet of 56 Château and Manor sleeper cars over the next five years. This initiative is part of VIA Rail’s ongoing commitment to improving passenger experience and strengthening Canada’s passenger rail system. The upgrades will be carried out by CAD Railway Industries in Lachine, Québec, enhancing comfort, reliability, and onboard amenities for passengers on The Ocean and The Canadian routes.
The project is expected to create over 100 skilled jobs in engineering, project management, and specialised trades, contributing to economic growth in the Greater Montréal area. Mathieu Paquette, President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada, stated, “By modernising these sleeper cars here in Canada, we are enhancing comfort and reliability for our passengers, supporting skilled Canadian jobs, and ensuring our services continue to meet expectations as we renew our fleet over the coming decade.”
VIA Rail’s broader programme includes the progressive renewal of trains serving its long-distance, regional, and remote network, with a procurement process for new locomotives and passenger cars already underway. The full fleet replacement is anticipated over the next decade, ensuring a high-quality travel experience throughout the transition.
David Van der Wee, President and CEO of CAD Railway Industries, highlighted the importance of investing in domestic industrial capacity, stating, “We are proud to support VIA Rail in delivering high-quality service to Canadians.” This project underscores VIA Rail’s commitment to supporting Canadian industry and aligning with the Government of Canada’s procurement priorities, with most procurement spending directed to Canadian suppliers
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