In service 2002–present Number built 139 Maximum speed 200 kph (125 mph) | Manufacturer Metro Cammell | |
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Capacity 48 seats (coach, club cars)48 seats (dining car)10 double rooms (sleeping cars) | ||
The Renaissance fleet is a set of intercity railroad cars owned and operated by Via Rail Canada.
Contents
History
The cars were built by Metro Cammell in the mid-1990s for the proposed Nightstar overnight service between the United Kingdom and continental Europe via the Channel Tunnel. They are based on the British Rail Mark 4 design, but with heavy weight steel construction (by European standards) to meet safety requirements for the carriages to run through the Channel Tunnel.
In 2000, after the Nightstar concept was abandoned, Via acquired the entire fleet, including many unfinished shells, for C$130 million. The cars entered Canadian service in 2002.
Accessibility
The Council for Canadians with Disabilities successfully sued Via Rail in Council of Canadians with Disabilities v. VIA Rail Canada Inc. over the lack of accessibility of the Renaissance cars. The Canadian Transportation Agency ordered Via to retrofit some of the fleet to ensure the availability of accessible accommodations. Nevertheless the Renaissance cars remain the least accessible in the fleet.
Car types
Via acquired the entire original 139-car fleet; as designed it comprised 72 sleepers, 47 coaches, and 20 service cars. Via rebuilt fifteen of the sleepers into dining and baggage cars.