Via Rail Canada - The Canadian

Steve Boyko of traingeek.ca has recently interviewed me about my VIA Rail Canada - The Canadian and VIA Rail Canada - The Corridor. Please go read the full interview at his blog at the link above to learn about how I designed these projects.

One thing that makes The Canadian interesting is the different types of cabins in the sleeper car.

The Duplex Roomette are partially stacking cabins that efficiently use space.

The LEGO recreation here has 3 duplex roomettes on the left.

At night time, the beds can pull out.

Although the cabins are 4 studs wide each, there is enough room for the minifigs to fully lay down. 

Next, the Berth is a simple open cabin with 2 seats. At night time, the beds fold out.

On the LEGO model, we have the 2 seats as well as a light to the left. One bed, the upper berth, will fold down from the wall. The other bed will replace the 2 seats. The bedding is stored in the closet at the end of the train car, and can also hold the seats that are not in use.

The beds instead of seats...

It's been almost 8 weeks since I have submitted Via Rail Canada - The Canadian and the project already has 5000 supporters.

This is currently the fastest-supported LEGO Ideas Train project on all of LEGO Ideas! Let's keep the momentum going :)

Please also see my other VIA Rail train project, Via Rail Canada - The Corridor. The Corridor only has 1250 supporters right now and could use more to catch up with The Canadian!

This post will show pictures of the real VIA Rail trains this set is modeled on.

 First, we have VIA's F40PH-3D locomotive. in 2007, Via Rail rebuilt their fleet of F40PH-2 locomotives into this new modern design called the "Renaisance Scheme"

Here is the rear of the vehicle.

Next up, the baggage car.

As you can see, there is a little foothold under the sliding door as well as a small tank.

Some VIA travellers bring their canoe with them along their journey.

This post will show pictures of the real VIA Rail trains this set is modeled on.

As you can see, the right side of the Chateau car has windows at staggered heights.

The Skyline car is seen here with the dome roof on top.

Lastly, the VIA Rail sign trackside accessory was modeled after this picture.

Steve - a professional rail photographer, writer, and blogger in Canada has written an article about my LEGO VIA Rail Ideas sets. He will have future posts about the train that will go into more detail. He also has some excellent content if you'd like to learn more about the Via Rail trains. Visit the blog traingeek.ca!

This update will show various ways to expand this set.

This train can be powered up with the LEGO Powered Up electric components 88001 Train Motor, 88005 Light, and 88009 Hub. The Powered Up Hub is a battery box with built in Bluetooth receiver. The LEGO Powered Up smart phone app can control the train speed, lights, and real Via Rail F40PH sound effects.

One 88005 Powered Up Lights can be used to light up the front AND the back of the locomotive.

To install the Powered Up components, first remove the equipment rack in the engine room.

Now the Powered Up Hub battery box goes where the equipment rack was.

Lastly, the Powered Up Lights are used on the front headlights of the locomotive and the light at the rear door of the train engine!

Mix and Match

If you have 2 of this set Via Rail Canada – The Canadian, you can make the train twice as long.

You can also use the green locomotive from The Canadian to pull the LRC cars from my other LEGO Ideas project, Via Rail Canada -The Corridor.

You can combine The Corridor set with The Canadian set in another arrangement. Here the yellow F40PH locomotive is pulling The Canadian cars.

Here are some things you can do with the accesories included in the baggage car.

The brothers are kayaking on their Canadian vacation.

The brothers can mount their paddles on the side and hold fishing rods instead.

The brothers can also load all the same cargo on their sled when they go snowshoeing.

The brothers love to sled together!

That's it for today! Next update is coming soon :)

This update will show pictures of the dome car.

Next up is the unique observation car with dome roof called “Skyline”.

As you can see, this train car is a double-decker vehicle, with stairs inside to access the higher floor.

The other side has an exhaust vent on the side of the car.

The top of the roof has many individual windowpanes.

The dome roof comes off as one piece.

The other segments of the roof can lift off as well.

The interior of the observation dome has seats and tables.

On the left is the lounge area with a table of desserts, along with stairs. There are stairs that go up to the observation area. On the other end of the car is an eating area with table booths, a coffee machine, and newspapers.

The flooring of the second level, the dome seats, also lifts off as one piece.

On the end is a lounge with drinks and baked goods.

Underneath the observation floor is a small kitchen with a sink, grill, and a food-preparation countertop.

That's all for now. Please look forward to the next update, which will show how to install the electronic LEGO Powered Up components.