Passenger cars - Economy class car (units 8100 to 8147)

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Did you know?

• Most of these cars were built in the 1950s for use by the CPR on their Canadian and Dominion trains.
• VIA Rail acquired these stainless-steel cars in 1978, alongside similar cars acquired secondhand from various railroads in the United States to augment the fleet. However, cars 8130 to 8147 (built in 1946-1947) didn’t enter service until the early 1990s.
• The majority of cars built during the 1950s era with other materials are no longer in service.
• Some of these cars have been entirely rebuilt - except for the chassis - up to four times!
• Although these cars are over 50 years old, they were built with a sturdy and lasting stainless steel construction, which makes them resistant to corrosion.
• Thanks to VIA Rail's maintenance service, these cars can travel our railways for at least another quarter century.
• At the end of the 80s, VIA launched a program to convert this steam-heated car to a more modern electric-heating system.

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