VIA Rail Canada has announced a 150 million CAD programme to modernise its fleet of 56 Château and Manor sleeper cars over the next five years.

The work will be carried out by CAD Railway Industries at its facility in Lachine, Québec. The upgrades are expected to include improvements to interior fittings and onboard systems, with the aim of maintaining service standards on long-distance routes.

VIA Rail sleeper cabin

© VIA Rail

The refurbished cars will operate on The Ocean and The Canadian, which connect major cities and remote regions across the country. The programme is part of a broader effort to maintain reliability while new rolling stock is being procured.

The company stated that more than 100 jobs are expected to be supported through the project, including roles in engineering, project management, and skilled trades. The work is also expected to contribute to economic activity in the Montréal area.

Mathieu Paquette, chief executive of VIA Rail, said:

This investment is about delivering for Canadians today, while we build for the future. 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 will continue to carry out additional maintenance and upgrade work within its own facilities, alongside contracts with external suppliers. The company noted that a large share of its procurement spending is directed towards Canadian firms.

David Van der Wee, President and CEO of CAD Railway Industries said:

This project highlights the strength of Canada’s rail expertise and the importance of investing in domestic industrial capacity. We are proud to support VIA Rail in delivering high-quality service to Canadians.

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