Catching up with the next generation of Via Rail

A few weeks ago, I found myself with a clear calendar on a Saturday morning. In addition, thanks to a timely tip from a railfan on Eastern Ontario Rails on Facebook, I knew that Via Rail was using its new Siemens Charger trainset on Train 24 eastbound to Montreal. 

Train 24 was at the station when I arrived, and it was indeed one of Via's new Siemens trainsets, with its rear-facing cab leading the way north. I couldn't see the Charger locomotive, since Train 24 was partially hidden behind a west-facing LRC consist that was queued up for a run to Toronto. 

I have to say that it's been a good run for Via Rail fans in recent years. First, there was the Canada 150 wraps, followed by the Via 40 wraps. More recently, there were the repurposed Love The Way wraps. That's not to forget the plethora of schemes applied to the silver streamliner HEP cars in recent years. Add it all together and we are only now emerging from an impressive rainbow era of Via Rail. 

But, on to business. The Siemens trainset was sitting on a track in the middle of the station yard and the morning sun was blazing, which was casting shadows on my side of the platform. Add to this the Ottawa Station's canopies over the platforms and the newly installed chain link fence around the yard, and I knew I had my work cut out to get some quality shots.

Luckily, the security fencing has squares cut out of it, for the purposes of fire hoses, I'm guessing. I'd also like to think Via was throwing us railfans a bone, but I'm guessing it was for fire department purposes. Here's what I initially saw. I knew I would have to wait until the train made its way from underneath the station canopies to get a better shot. But this shot was okay, taken through one of the square cutouts in the fence.

I tried getting some shots from various cutouts in the fence, but nothing seemed to really capture the image I wanted. However, I kept trying.

This shot shows you the complexities of getting a clear shot of this train on the platform. It was obscured by the west-facing train and it was also bathed in shadows from the harsh morning sun. Still, it's always fun to get two trains in one shot, even if they are both parked.

When the train began to pull out of the station yard, my view became unobstructed. The sun was still blazing and there was nary a cloud to work with, so I took a few shots and hoped that I could touch up the elements a bit afterward. I like this shot quite a bit. It gives you a clear shot of the Charger locomotive as well as the signalling equipment in the east end of the station yard. That stop sign is for railway baggage carts and platform maintenance vehicles. It is now protected by a chain link fence, which is a relatively recent addition to the area.

 I also made sure to get a shot of the engine by itself. This unit is 2203.

Here's one final shot of the train passing beneath the Belfast Road overpass. I was originally planning to take photographs from this overpass, but ongoing construction closed the road both ways, which was really frustrating. It's the second time this road has been closed. I did notice that a few construction workers were watching the trains from the west sidewalk on the overpass.

I didn't stay long at the station, as I had my two bored daughters in tow. I convinced them to come with me in return for a visit to a local restaurant for a fruit smoothie in return. Not a bad deal for them. But I didn't want to press my luck with their patience. Besides, I think I have enough Via Rail photos from the first half of this year. There's only so much I can shoot. I did like that I got a few pictures from the Tremblay Road station, as I have only been here a few times this year. This as by far the most productive visit. 

The Siemens trains continue to be in use between Ottawa and Montreal mainly, with the occasional service to Toronto, judging by what I read online. It won't be long until their presence on the rails becomes more commonplace. I wonder if we will then pine for the days of LRC coaches, HEP cars, F40s and P42s? I won't miss the P42s but maybe some of other equipment, especially the silver streamliners, as they hold a special place in my memories.

For now though, I enjoyed the novelty of seeing something new.