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No point. Via is already cash strapped as it is and boneheaded by eeking out every last second of their HEPs.
Even when they did operate push-pull consists on QMO, they had to wye the train, as VIA‘s reservation system does not support a change in direction midway. This operational requirement will only change with the arrival a new reservation system (which is on its way), not with that of a new fleet…
VIA‘s fleet is inherently incompatible with Amtrak equipment, which is why VIA could only rent entire trainsets from Amtrak to use them exclusively on captive cycles like 82-83, 650-651 or 85-88. However, only 85-88 is at TMC at the same time as the Maple Leaf, which makes this the only cyle which could be swapped out with a fresh Amtrak trainset every day without renting a spare trainset. With none of VIA‘s existing facilities having more than the most basic experiences with maintaining Amtrak equipment, the utility of renting Amtrak equipment would be very limited…
Amtrak won't want to sell them. The amfleets are nice casuel they were refurbished in 2017/2018 so they last until the Siemens replacements arrive.
Why does the reservation system matter? The seats still have the same numbers. Could just remove the front vs rear facing indicators from the passenger information because there isn't any way of selecting anyway. It's not great but it works as an interim fix if a new system is on the way.
VIA‘s reservation system has been inherited from Air Canada and airplane seats don‘t have any of their characteristics change halfway through a trip. Agents see the direction of travel to be able to specifically book seats in direction of travel, which is why with bidirectional trains you‘ll need to have two different layouts per car type (i.e. one with an arrow showing in one direction and one showing in the opposite direction), and that information is also written on the ticket…
I'd agree but don't think such prioritization is done with the current system. Last winter the train seemed to be filled from front to back in the direction of travel and there were often people changing from rear facing seats to forward ones. Personally, I don't think think facing the direction of travel will be as important on the new trains if they are equipped more comfortable seats than the hard ones used on the recent via refurbs.
Didn't know you could request seat directions if booked in person.
for whatever reason every time i book a seat its rear facing despite booking 6+months ahead of travel. Id have to call and have them change it every time. Why cant they enable seat selection (free of course) on the website? theres no technical reason why not to especially if its mentioned theyre following air canada.
Will the new follow follow the GO Transit model of the locomotive always facing away "East" of Union? Or opposite? I assume with the new fleet the locomotive car will never enter Montreal Centrale first (same with Quebec Palais)? That would making booking a seat feel more predictable when visiabizing the train? That is, the cab car is always facing West when heading to western destinations.
