Caption: Classic Via Rail.

Via Rail FPA4 #6765 and a FPB4 are in charge of the seven car full service* Chaleur, Via Rail Train #17 departing Drummondville, P.Q.

Just to the right in front of the box car is CN RS-18 # 3651 (MLW 1957), beside the freight shed.

Note the CN jointed rail. And multi speed signs.

And passengers !

Referring to Via Timetables it appears that in 1983 the full service Chaleur trains # 16 / #17 ( Gaspe – Montreal) replaced the conventional St Laurent trains #18 / #19 ( Mont Joli – Montreal) and the Gaspe – Matapedia Budd Car trains #621 / #622. Similar to #18 / #19, the new Trains #16 / #17 operated 4 to 5 hours behind the Ocean trains #14 / 15.

By 1985 the Chaleur #16 / # 17 was combined with the Ocean west of Matapedia and the renewed but short turned St.Laurent trains #631 / 632 (Mont Joli to St Foy) filled the original Chaleur time slot. Throughout the mid eighties the St. Laurent ( and all Quebec City trains) terminated / originated at St Foy due to road and related construction near the Palais Station.

And imagine daily Chaleur service to Gaspe and separate daily Ocean service to Moncton / Halifax. And effective June 1, 1985 the new Atlantic #11 / #12 served the CP route daily providing Moncton / Halifax four daily full service trains. How novel !

During the current 2015 federal election, do ask your local candidate to support improved and more frequent Via service to your community.

* Full service Chaleur included checked baggage, unreserved coach, reserved Dayniter coach ( 5700 series) and sleeping car space as well as meal and beverage service. Most interesting (at that time ) in the regular consist was the modern combine baggage coach ( 9300 series? ) in addition to the full baggage car.

12:20 EDT at Drummondville, P.Q. June 25, 1984, Kodachrome by S.Danko.

More Drummondville, courtesy Pierre Fournier:

Via # 17

Via # 25

Via # 25

Via # 620

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