Rapido Trains Inc. Saves one of the last VIA (ex CPR) RDC's from scrapping

[Puddington]

I'm so proud to work for a lunatic..... Jason Shron and Rapido Trains Inc. have saved one of the last VIA Rail (ex CPR, Ex DAR) RDC's from scrapping - we bought it.....

Jason learned early last week that Industrial Rail Services in Moncton, NB had begun scrapping the remaining VIA Rail RDC's that had been slated for re-building only a few years ago. IRSC went bankrupt and the assets of the company, including the RDC's were being liquidated (read scrapped) quietly and without any fanfare.... A entire slice of Canadian rail history was being destroyed for scrap metal value.

Together with GO/Bombardier engineer and railroad restorer Chris Fox, Jason jumped a plane to Moncton last week; inspected the fleet, found VIA 6133 (the former Canadian Pacific Railway / Dominion Atlantic Railway 9058 on the scrap line and in, what could be charitably called "decent shape" () and decided to take steps to save and restore the unit. Jason is, as some of you might know, passionate about saving Canadian rail history for the scrappers torch. He bought, with his own money one of the last LRC locomotives and today the Toronto Railway Historical Association is restoring her to operating condition. Last year we we bought "Edmonston" an Ex VIA, Exx CNR "E" series duplex sleeper and are re-furbishing her as we speak for operations as a tourist car on the Credit Valley Explorer.

Anyway; after what were tense and sometimes downright frustrating negotiations, Rapido Trains Inc. and Jason announced tonight that we have taken ownership of VIA 6133 and will be arranging in the coming days (we have to move it within a week - ten days) to the Greater Toronto Area for further inspection and to begin restoration of this historic Rail Diesel Car.

I can tell you that buying and restoring an RDC is NOT a line items in Rapido's budget.... but we'll do it anyway. We will take donations, and they have already begun to come in (railfans are some of the best people in the world!) but we're not a registered charity and we don't have the time or facilities to establish one so this comes off the bottom line and we can't even issue tax receipts; all anyone will get is a thank you and knowledge they have helped save a piece of Canadian rail history..... exactly the motivation Jason, Dan, Bill, Dan, Thomas, Janet and I have.....

There's a hastily cobbled together page on FB - follow the link on our home web page.... http://www.rapidotrains.com/

I'm so proud to work for Jason and Rapido; we put our money where our mouth is and try and do what we can to save Canadian railway history; it's awesome to work for a company with a conscience and a commitment to our hobby, our heritage and our common interests - railways, railroading and all things rail!

[delamaize]

Way to go guys!

[nkalanaga]

"all anyone will get is a thank you and knowledge they have helped save a piece of Canadian rail history"

How about a plaque in one vestibule listing the contributors names?  Deer Lodge, MT did that with their MILW Little Joe.  No amounts, so nobody can gloat, but everyone who sent in a contribution has their name listed.

[Puddington]

"all anyone will get is a thank you and knowledge they have helped save a piece of Canadian rail history"

How about a plaque in one vestibule listing the contributors names?  Deer Lodge, MT did that with their MILW Little Joe.  No amounts, so nobody can gloat, but everyone who sent in a contribution has their name listed.

Me like..... will bring that one to the Poohbah.....

[MVW]

Exemplary. Bravo! (Stands and applauds.)

Jim

[Lenny53]

I'm so proud to work for a lunatic..... Jason Shron and Rapido Trains Inc. have saved one of the last VIA Rail (ex CPR, Ex DAR) RDC's from scrapping - we bought it.....

There's two (9069 and 9250) at Exporail in CP Rail action red.

[eja]

Bravo !

[CNR5529]

Well done Rapido! Yet another great project to be proud of.

[squirrelhunter]

I saw a link about this on a Southwestern focused railroad yahoo group. Bravo to Rapido for doing this! Puddington, do you know if VIA 6221 has been scrapped yet? It is the only RDC that was owned by the Missouri Kansas Texas and it would be a shame if it were scrapped.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Whenever these rescue efforts come up, I put in some money to help the cause. If everyone puts in a few bucks, it goes a long way.

[lock4244]

I am to understand from sources planted under deep, deep cover, that the RDC is in the consist of CN train 305 today departing Moncton, NB. No visual confirmation yet. Would like to know the reporting mark she's moving under as I'd love to bag a shot of her at Beare on CN's York Sub.

[Puddington]

RPDX6133... we have our own reporting mark...... kinda cool.....

[CNR5529]

Very good news!
Dont know if you guys had heard, but VIA started testing RDCs in southern Ontario: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/london-via-diesel-passenger-cars-1.3462193
We may soon have a swarm of budd cars running around!

[jmarley76]

Very cool!

If it is an option, maybe a "gofundme" or "indiegogo" campaign is in order? It would be a great way to raise some money , and hey, maybe one of the perks for contributing could be a ride or tour when the restoration is complete! Just a thought... 

[Puddington]

As of a few days ago the general public had donated over $32000.00 for the purchase, movement, restoration and care of 6133 and not one dollar qualified for anything more than a "thanks Rapido for taking the lead" to save a piece of Canadian rail history. Money came in in fives and tens, in hundreds and in larger amounts from modellers, rail  fans, history buffs and others (including many Americans and other nationalities) who just wanted to help. To each and every one of those wonderful people we say thank you....

This(and the saving of the LRC locomotive and Edmonton duplex sleeper plus numerous projects at the Toronto roundhouse) wouldn't have happened without the vision, leadership and frankly, guts of Mr. Jason Shron. Rapido is much more than just Jason, ask him and he'll glow about the first class team we have and the talent assembled behind the VIA yellow and blue but I can tell you that the energy, drive and vision are all Jason. Behind that "lunatic" passion is a savvy business man, dedicated historian and Canadian rail fan and, in my humble opinion, someone worthy of our admiration, support and recognition for what he has done for the state preservation of Canadian rail heritage and its translation into museum quality models.

I'm proud to work for Rapido Trains Inc., grateful for their support of me during my health struggles and proud to call Jason Shron my employer, and more importantly, my friend.....

6133 is on its way to yet another life, this time thanks in no small part to a lunatic visionary named Jason.