BUDD Cars Being Modernized and Upgraded for Sudbury, Chapleau to White River Run

The "BUDD" cars which operate between Sudbury, Chapleau and White River, Ontario, are getting an overhaul, according to an announcement made today which says that the funding is being made available for the complete modernization and upgrading of six self-propelled rail diesel cars.(RDCs)

Industrial Rail Services Inc (IRSI) of Moncton has been awarded a $12.6 million contract for the project. The project to rebuild rail cars that will be used on VIA services between Sudbury and White River in Ontario and between Victoria and Courtenay in BC, is being fully funded through the federal Government’s Economic Action Plan.

The first of the six rebuilt RDCs will be delivered by IRSI in April 2011 and the remainder of the fleet will be completed by the end of that year.


Among the advanced systems being incorporated into the RDCs by IRSI are:

New interiors and fully-rebuilt seating with improved accessibility for passengers with special mobility needs;
New, fully-accessible washrooms and toilets;
New LED interior lighting;
New controls, electrical wiring, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems;
Fully-rebuilt diesel engines that meet Euro II emission standards; and
Fully-rebuilt air brakes.

Built in the 1950s by the world-renowned Budd Company of Philadelphia, the six sturdy, stainless steel RDCs are structurally sound. Now, by applying numerous technologically-advanced sub-systems, the cars will provide 15 to 20 further years of safe and reliable service to Canadian rail travellers with improved cost-effectiveness and passenger comfort. The rebuilding project will also reduce the already-low environmental footprint of VIA’s RDCs.

The first of the six rebuilt RDCs will be delivered by IRSI in April 2011 and the remainder of the fleet will be completed by the end of that year.

Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Atlantic Gateway; Marc Laliberté, VIA Rail Canada’s President and CEO; and Richard Carpenter, President of Industrial Rail Services Inc today announced funding for the complete modernization and upgrading of the six self-propelled rail diesel cars (RDCs).

NOTE: Thanks to John McKnight of Chapleau for providing this news.