VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) has announced on 2 April 2026 an investment of CAD 150 million (€100 million) to undertake a comprehensive modernisation of its fleet of 56 Château and Manor sleeper cars over the next five years. This initiative forms part of the company’s continued commitment to improving the passenger experience while strengthening Canada’s national passenger rail system.

CAD Railway Industries, based in Lachine, Quebec, has been selected to carry out upgrades to essential onboard systems and interiors. The work will enhance comfort, reliability, and amenities for passengers travelling on The Ocean and The Canadian, two of VIA Rail’s flagship long-distance routes.

The programme is expected to generate more than 100 skilled jobs across engineering, project management, and specialised trades. It will also contribute to economic activity in the Greater Montreal area while reinforcing Canada’s capabilities in rail manufacturing and maintenance.

“This investment is about delivering for Canadians today, while we build for the future”, said Mathieu Paquette, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail Canada. “By modernising these sleeper cars here in Canada, we are improving comfort and reliability for our passengers, supporting skilled Canadian jobs, and ensuring our services continue to meet expectations as we renew our fleet over the coming decade.”

In parallel, VIA Rail is progressing with the broader renewal of its long-distance, regional, and remote (LDRR) fleet. Procurement for new locomotives and passenger cars is already underway, with a full fleet replacement planned over the next decade. The current modernisation programme ensures that passengers continue to enjoy a high-quality, comfortable, and dependable travel experience during this transition period.

“This project demonstrates the strength of Canada’s rail expertise and the importance of investing in domestic industrial capacity”, said David Van der Wee, President and CEO of CAD Railway Industries. “We are proud to support VIA Rail in delivering high-quality service to Canadians.”

Alongside this initiative, VIA Rail continues to invest in the maintenance and modernisation of other rolling stock within its own maintenance centres. This reflects a balanced approach that supports both in-house expertise and partnerships with Canadian industry.

The project also underlines VIA Rail’s commitment to supporting domestic suppliers and aligning with the Government of Canada’s procurement priorities. The majority of VIA Rail’s procurement spending remains within Canada, helping to strengthen local expertise, sustain employment, and contribute to economic growth nationwide.

About VIA Rail Canada

VIA Rail Canada operates the country’s national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada. Its mandate is to provide a safe, accessible, efficient, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible transport service that meets the needs of Canadians. VIA Rail connects more than 400 communities across the country, including regional and remote areas. In 2024, the corporation transported over four million passengers and received nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards from the Railway Association of Canada.

About CAD Railway Industries

CAD Railway Industries was established over 50 years ago in Lachine, Quebec, and provides comprehensive rolling stock maintenance solutions across North America. The company delivers integrated repair and refurbishment services for locomotives, freight wagons, passenger cars, and diesel engines, extending the operational life of rail assets. It operates some of Canada’s largest rolling stock repair and refurbishment facilities, with major sites in Lachine, Calgary and Lethbridge in Alberta, and Sarnia in Ontario.

2023 Trans-Canada Train Trek

1. REVIEW | Brussels Airlines Brussels to Munich in Economy.
2. REVIEW | Lufthansa Premium Economy Munich to Montreal.
3. REVIEW | Air Canada Economy Montreal to Halifax.
4. Flying Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and Air Canada Brussels – Munich – Montreal – Halifax in minimal economy.
5. HALIFAX | Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.
6. REVIEW | The Westin Nova Scotian Halifax.
7. NOVA SCOTIA | Sampling Halifax.
8. REVIEW | VIA Rail Canada night train 15 ‘The Ocean’ from Halifax to Montreal.
9. QUEBEC | Meandering Montreal.
10. REVIEW | InterContinental Montreal.
11. FORMULA 1 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal track walk.
12. MONTREAL | Dining solo at Monarque felt like being part of a tv show.
13. MONTREAL | Exporail – Canadian Railway Museum in Saint-Constant.
14. REVIEW | VIA Rail train Montreal to Toronto in business class.
15. ONTARIO | Touring Toronto.
16. REVIEW | Little Canada museum in Toronto.
17. TORONTO | CN Tower.
18. REVIEW | Residence Inn by Marriott Toronto Downtown / Entertainment District.
19. CANADA | Train excursion to Niagara Falls.
20. THE CANADIAN | Day 1: boarding in Toronto and crossing Ontario.
21. THE CANADIAN | Days 2 & 3: Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
22. THE CANADIAN | From Jasper via the Rocky Mountains to Kamloops and Vancouver.
23. Life on board VIA Rail’s The Canadian: eating, sleeping, showering and keeping busy.
24. Is the four-day The Canadian night train journey something for you?.
25. REVIEW | VIA Rail’s The Canadian four-day night train from Toronto to Vancouver.
26. Discovering Vancouver.
27. REVIEW | Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront Vancouver.
28. BRITISH COLUMBIA | Introduction to Whistler.
29. REVIEW | Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre.
30. VANCOUVER | Granville Island.
31. VANCOUVER | St. Lawrence Restaurant.
32. REVIEW | Hotel Belmont M Gallery Vancouver.
33. Vancouver & Whistler 2023.
34. REVIEW | Lufthansa Premium Economy Vancouver to Frankfurt.
35. Flying on a Lufthansa Boeing 747 in economy from Vancouver to Frankfurt.
36. REVIEW | Lufthansa Economy Frankfurt to Brussels.
37. Canada 2023.
38. 2023 Trans-Canada Train Trek.