VIA Rail Canada has completed the modernisation of its Toronto Maintenance Centre, marking a key milestone in the Corporation’s vision to strengthen Canada’s passenger rail system.

The new facility combines purpose-built infrastructure, advanced technology and modern maintenance capabilities in an effort to support the long-term reliability and performance of VIA Rail’s new Corridor fleet of 32 bidirectional trainsets whilst continuing to service existing equipment.

VIA Rail Canada train

© VIA Rail

Funded by a 310 million USD investment from the Government of Canada; the 4-year project was delivered on budget, and is expected to generate significant benefits across Canada.

Construction works supported up to 475 jobs in skilled trades and construction, and more than 80% of the project’s content was Canadian.

Mathieu Paquette, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail Canada, said:

The completion of the Toronto Maintenance Centre is a concrete demonstration of how VIA Rail is modernizing passenger rail in Canada.

This facility gives our teams the infrastructure and technology they need to maintain our trains more efficiently, improve fleet availability and support a more reliable, accessible and comfortable experience for our passengers. It is another important step in redefining the travel experience in Canada.

Toronto’s upgraded Maintenance Centre sought to transform an aging facility into a high-performance maintenance hub. The site features expanded maintenance bays and inspection platforms, preventive and corrective maintenance tracks compatible with trainsets of up to ten cars, under-track pits, and roof- and car-level work platforms allow maintenance teams to work around the train in a single integrated location.

Elsewhere, the facility is equipped with a range of specialised heavy-maintenance equipment, including a stand-alone wheel lathe and a bogie drop table, as well as upgraded yard tracks designed to improve train movements and reduce operational bottlenecks. Fuel-plant improvements add new sanding, windshield-washer-fluid and diesel-exhaust-fluid systems to support current and next-generation equipment.

Finally, the site also possesses a brand-new Vehicle Equipment Measurement System (VEMS), which, by providing real-time monitoring, diagnostics and early fault detection, is expected to aid reduce unplanned downtime, extend asset life and keep more trains available and ready for service.

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