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{{Short description|Canadian rolling stock}}
{{Infobox train
{{Infobox train
| background =
| background =
| name = Renaissance
| name = Renaissance
| image = VIA Rail Renaissance in Toronto.jpg
| image = VIA Rail Renaissance in Toronto.jpg
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| imagealt = Renaissance coaches on a Corridor train
| imagealt = Renaissance coaches on a Corridor train
| caption = A [[GE Genesis|GE P42DC]] with ten Renaissance coaches laying over at the [[Via Toronto Maintenance Centre]].
| caption = A [[GE Genesis|GE P42DC]] with ten Renaissance coaches laying over at the [[Via Toronto Maintenance Centre]].
| interiorimage = Renaissance comfort class.jpg
| interiorimage = Interior of VIA Rail Canada Renaissance Cars (formerly Nightstar).jpg
| interiorimagealt = Interior of a Renaissance coach
| interiorimagealt = Interior of a Renaissance coach
| interiorcaption = Interior of a Renaissance coach.
| interiorcaption = Interior of a Renaissance coach.
| service = 2002–present
| service = 2002–present
| manufacturer = [[Metro Cammell]]
| manufacturer = [[Metro-Cammell]]
| factory =
| factory = [[Washwood Heath]]
| family =
| family =
| replaced =
| replaced =
| yearconstruction =
| yearconstruction =
| yearservice =
| yearservice =
| refurbishment =
| refurbishment =
| yearscrapped =
| yearscrapped =
| numberconstruction=
| numberconstruction=
| numberbuilt = 139
| numberbuilt = 139
| numberservice =
| numberservice =
| numberpreserved =
| numberpreserved =
| numberscrapped =
| numberscrapped =
| formation =
| formation =
| fleetnumbers =
| fleetnumbers =
| capacity = 48 seats (coach, club cars)<br />48 seats (dining car)<br />10 double rooms (sleeping cars)
| capacity = 48 seats (coach, club cars)<br />48 seats (dining car)<br />10 double rooms (sleeping cars)
| operator = [[Via Rail]]
| operator = [[Via Rail]]
| depots =
| depots =
| lines =
| lines =


| carbody =
| carbody =
| carlength =
| carlength =
| width =
| width =
| height =
| height =
| floorheight =
| floorheight =
| platformheight =
| platformheight =
| entrylevelorstep =
| entrylevelorstep =
| doors =
| doors =
| art-sections =
| art-sections =
| wheeldiameter =
| wheeldiameter =
| wheelbase =
| wheelbase =
| maxspeed = 200 kph (125 mph) <ref name=clubcar>{{cite web | url=http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/our-fleet/renaissance-club-car | title=Passenger cars - Renaissance Club car | accessdate=2013-02-24 | author=[[Via Rail]]}}</ref>
| maxspeed = {{convert|200|kph|mph|0|abbr=on}} <ref name=clubcar>{{cite web | url=http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/our-fleet/renaissance-club-car | title=Passenger cars - Renaissance Club car | accessdate=2013-02-24 | author=Via Rail | author-link=Via Rail }}</ref>
| weight =
| weight =
| axleload =
| axleload =
| aux =
| aux =
| powersupply =
| powersupply =
| hvac =
| hvac =
| bogies =
| bogies =
| brakes =
| brakes =
| coupling =
| coupling =
| gauge = {{railgauge|ussg}}
| gauge = {{railgauge|ussg}}
| notes =
| notes =
Line 56: Line 57:


==History==
==History==
The cars were built by [[Metro Cammell]] in the mid-1990s for the proposed ''[[Nightstar (train)|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.
The cars were built by [[Metro-Cammell]] in the mid-1990s for the proposed ''[[Nightstar (train)|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 an initial three carriages for trials.<ref>Three Alstom Nightstar coaches shipped to Canada ''[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]]'' issue 385 June 14, 2000</ref> In December 2000, the remaining 136 carriages were acquired, entering service in June 2002.<ref>Britain says Goodnight to all 139 unused Nightstars ''Rail'' issue 400 January 10, 2001 page 9</ref><ref>Canadians to buy all 139 Nightstars ''[[The Railway Magazine]]'' issue 1198 February 2001 page 14</ref><ref>Night stock enters service at last ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' August 2002 page 412</ref>
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.

On May 26th, 2024 Via Rail officially retired the renaissance cars from services on the Windsor-Quebec City Corridor. The cars will remain in revenue service on long-distance routes until a suitable replacement is found which is not expected until at least the early 2030s.


== Accessibility ==
== 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.<ref>{{cite book | title=Making Rights a Reality?: Disability Rights Activists and Legal Mobilization | first=Lisa | last=Vanhala | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QkE6uYpoQGAC | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] | year=2010}}</ref>{{rp|2–3}}<ref>{{cite book | title=Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers | first=Candy | last=Harrington | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HxYfsx-APw8C | publisher=ReadHowYouWant.com | year=2010}}</ref>{{rp|129–130}}
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.<ref>{{cite book | title=Making Rights a Reality?: Disability Rights Activists and Legal Mobilization | first=Lisa | last=Vanhala | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QkE6uYpoQGAC | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] | year=2010| isbn=9781139497121 }}</ref>{{rp|2–3}}<ref>{{cite book | title=Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers | first=Candy | last=Harrington | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HxYfsx-APw8C | publisher=ReadHowYouWant.com | year=2010| isbn=9781458758750 }}</ref>{{rp|129–130}}


== Car types ==
== Car types ==
Via acquired the entire original 139-car fleet; as designed it comprised 72 sleepers, 47 coaches, and 20 service cars.<ref>{{cite web|title=VIA Rail's renaissance: "Renaissance" is the name VIA Rail Canada has given its new fleet of European-built passenger cars, but it applies equally well to the entire operation|first=William D. | last=Middleton|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-108114496.html|publisher=''[[Railway Age]]'' {{Subscription required|via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}|accessdate=2013-02-24|date=August 1, 2003}}</ref> Via rebuilt fifteen of the sleepers into [[dining car|dining]] and [[baggage car]]s.
Via acquired the entire original 139-car fleet; as designed it comprised 72 sleepers, 47 coaches, and 20 service cars.<ref>{{cite web|title=VIA Rail's renaissance: "Renaissance" is the name VIA Rail Canada has given its new fleet of European-built passenger cars, but it applies equally well to the entire operation|first=William D. | last=Middleton|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-108114496.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309033908/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-108114496.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2016|publisher=[[Railway Age]] |accessdate=2013-02-24|date=August 1, 2003}}</ref> Via rebuilt fifteen of the sleepers into [[dining car|dining]] and [[baggage car]]s. Thirty-three carriages never entered service, remaining in store at [[Thunder Bay]].<ref>Tragic End for Nightstar Stock ''[[Rail Express]]'' issue 247 December 2016 page 3</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Type !! In service !! Fleet numbers !! Notes !! Image
! Type !! In service !! Fleet numbers !! Notes !! Image
|-
|-
| [[Baggage car]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/our-fleet/renaissance-baggage-car| title=Baggage cars - Renaissance baggage car | accessdate=2013-02-24 | author=[[Via Rail]]}}</ref>
| [[Baggage car]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://corpo.viarail.ca/en/projects-infrastructure/train-fleet/renaissance-baggage-car |title=Baggage cars - Renaissance baggage car |website=[[Via Rail]] |access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref>
| 9
| 9
| 7000–7011
| 7000&ndash;7011
| Built out of unused sleeping car shells.
| Built out of unused sleeping car shells.
|
|
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| [[Passenger car (rail)#Coach|Club car]]<ref name =clubcar/>
| [[Passenger car (rail)#Coach|Club car]]<ref name =clubcar/>
| 14
| 14
| 7100–7114
| 7100&ndash;7114
| 48-seat capacity in a 2+1 configuration.
| 48-seat capacity in a 2+1 configuration.
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Passenger car (rail)#Coach|Coach]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/our-fleet/renaissance-coach-car | title=Passenger cars - Renaissance Coach car | accessdate=2013-02-24 | author=[[Via Rail]]}}</ref>
| [[Passenger car (rail)#Coach|Coach]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://corpo.viarail.ca/en/projects-infrastructure/train-fleet/renaissance-coach-car |title=Passenger cars - Renaissance Economy class car |website=[[Via Rail]] |access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref>
| 33
| 33
| 7200–7232
| 7200&ndash;7232
| 48-seat capacity in a 2+1 configuration.
| 48-seat capacity in a 2+1 configuration.
| [[File:Renaissance comfort class.jpg|100px]]
| [[File:Renaissance comfort class.jpg|100px]]
|-
|-
| [[Lounge car]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/our-fleet/renaissance-service-car | title=Service cars - Renaissance service car | accessdate=2013-02-24 | author=[[Via Rail]]}}</ref>
| [[Lounge car]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://corpo.viarail.ca/en/projects-infrastructure/train-fleet/renaissance-service-car |title=Service cars - Renaissance service car |website=[[Via Rail]] |access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref>
| 20
| 20
| 7300–7316; 7354–7359
| 7300&ndash;7316; 7354&ndash;7359
| Via Rail refers to these as "service" cars.
| Via Rail refers to these as "service" cars.
| [[File:Renaissance service car lounge area.jpg|100px]]
| [[File:Renaissance service car lounge area.jpg|100px]]
|-
|-
| [[Dining car]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/our-fleet/renaissance-dining-car | title=Service cars - Renaissance dining car | accessdate=2013-02-24 | author=[[Via Rail]]}}</ref>
| [[Dining car]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://corpo.viarail.ca/en/projects-infrastructure/train-fleet/renaissance-dining-car |title=Service cars - Renaissance dining car |website=[[Via Rail]] |access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref>
| 3
| 3
| 7400–7402
| 7400&ndash;7402
| 48-seat capacity; built out of unused sleeping car shells.
| 48-seat capacity; built out of unused sleeping car shells.
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Sleeping car]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/our-fleet/renaissance-sleeping-car | title=Sleeping cars - Renaissance sleeping car | accessdate=2013-02-24 | author=[[Via Rail]]}}</ref>
| [[Sleeping car]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://corpo.viarail.ca/en/projects-infrastructure/train-fleet/renaissance-sleeping-car |title=Sleeping cars - Renaissance sleeping car |website=[[Via Rail]] |access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref>
| 57
| 27
| 7500–7589
| 7500&ndash;7589
| 10 double bedrooms. 29 are stored at [[Thunder Bay, Ontario]].
| 10 double bedrooms. 29 unfinished shells were stored at [[Thunder Bay]]. These have since been scrapped.
|
|
|-
|-
| [[Baggage car]]/transition<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/our-fleet/renaissance-baggage-transition-car | title=Baggage cars - Renaissance baggage transition car | accessdate=2013-02-24 | author=[[Via Rail]]}}</ref>
| Transition Car<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://corpo.viarail.ca/en/projects-infrastructure/train-fleet/renaissance-baggage-transition-car |title=Baggage cars - Renaissance baggage transition car |website=[[Via Rail]] |access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref>
| 3
| 3
| 7600–7602
| 7600&ndash;7602
| [[Barrier vehicle]] used to transition between the European Renaissance couplers and the standard knuckle couplers on [[List of Via Rail rolling stock#Stainless steel|HEP]] rolling stock.
|
| [[File:Interior of Renaissance Transition Car.jpg|100px]]
|
|}
|}


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{commonscat-inline|Renaissance passenger cars}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Renaissance passenger cars}}


{{Via Rail rolling stock}}
{{Via Rail rolling stock}}
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[[Category:Railway coaches of Canada]]
[[Category:Railway coaches of Canada]]
[[Category:Via Rail rolling stock]]
[[Category:Via Rail rolling stock]]
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 2002]]

Latest revision as of 20:38, 20 July 2024

Renaissance
Renaissance coaches on a Corridor train
A GE P42DC with ten Renaissance coaches laying over at the Via Toronto Maintenance Centre.
Interior of a Renaissance coach
Interior of a Renaissance coach.
In service2002–present
ManufacturerMetro-Cammell
Built atWashwood Heath
Number built139
Capacity48 seats (coach, club cars)
48 seats (dining car)
10 double rooms (sleeping cars)
OperatorsVia Rail
Specifications
Maximum speed200 km/h (124 mph) [1]
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The Renaissance fleet is a set of intercity railroad cars owned and operated by Via Rail Canada.

History

[edit]

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 an initial three carriages for trials.[2] In December 2000, the remaining 136 carriages were acquired, entering service in June 2002.[3][4][5]

On May 26th, 2024 Via Rail officially retired the renaissance cars from services on the Windsor-Quebec City Corridor. The cars will remain in revenue service on long-distance routes until a suitable replacement is found which is not expected until at least the early 2030s.

Accessibility

[edit]

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.[6]: 2–3 [7]: 129–130 

Car types

[edit]

Via acquired the entire original 139-car fleet; as designed it comprised 72 sleepers, 47 coaches, and 20 service cars.[8] Via rebuilt fifteen of the sleepers into dining and baggage cars. Thirty-three carriages never entered service, remaining in store at Thunder Bay.[9]

Type In service Fleet numbers Notes Image
Baggage car[10] 9 7000–7011 Built out of unused sleeping car shells.
Club car[1] 14 7100–7114 48-seat capacity in a 2+1 configuration.
Coach[11] 33 7200–7232 48-seat capacity in a 2+1 configuration.
Lounge car[12] 20 7300–7316; 7354–7359 Via Rail refers to these as "service" cars.
Dining car[13] 3 7400–7402 48-seat capacity; built out of unused sleeping car shells.
Sleeping car[14] 27 7500–7589 10 double bedrooms. 29 unfinished shells were stored at Thunder Bay. These have since been scrapped.
Transition Car[15] 3 7600–7602 Barrier vehicle used to transition between the European Renaissance couplers and the standard knuckle couplers on HEP rolling stock.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Via Rail. "Passenger cars - Renaissance Club car". Retrieved 2013-02-24.
  2. ^ Three Alstom Nightstar coaches shipped to Canada Rail issue 385 June 14, 2000
  3. ^ Britain says Goodnight to all 139 unused Nightstars Rail issue 400 January 10, 2001 page 9
  4. ^ Canadians to buy all 139 Nightstars The Railway Magazine issue 1198 February 2001 page 14
  5. ^ Night stock enters service at last Railway Gazette International August 2002 page 412
  6. ^ Vanhala, Lisa (2010). Making Rights a Reality?: Disability Rights Activists and Legal Mobilization. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781139497121.
  7. ^ Harrington, Candy (2010). Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. ReadHowYouWant.com. ISBN 9781458758750.
  8. ^ Middleton, William D. (August 1, 2003). "VIA Rail's renaissance: "Renaissance" is the name VIA Rail Canada has given its new fleet of European-built passenger cars, but it applies equally well to the entire operation". Railway Age. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
  9. ^ Tragic End for Nightstar Stock Rail Express issue 247 December 2016 page 3
  10. ^ "Baggage cars - Renaissance baggage car". Via Rail. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Passenger cars - Renaissance Economy class car". Via Rail. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Service cars - Renaissance service car". Via Rail. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Service cars - Renaissance dining car". Via Rail. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Sleeping cars - Renaissance sleeping car". Via Rail. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Baggage cars - Renaissance baggage transition car". Via Rail. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
[edit]
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