Two VIA trains sit ready attached to power units.

I have been working on the VIA Rail yard and shops lately. Here are some preliminary photos of the area, taken with a cell phone to check for details. Once complete I will photograph again with a better camera and a backdrop.

In the first photo, two siding have been assigned for trains, waiting for service. Power supply units are between the engines, complete with four electrical hookups each. An E8 sits on track 1 and a VIA F40 in the Home Hardware scheme is on track 2.

VIA Rail Service Shop is a hub of activity.

The shop area is busy, with an F7B moving out of Bay 1, while a full dome car and coach are receiving maintenance in Bays 2 and 3.

The lights on the building are made from gluing small jewels to strips of styrene cut at a 45 degree angle. I have created all of the signs on the building, laying them out on my computer, then printing them on photo paper. I use a black marker to color the edges.

I still have some work to do, replacing the sign over the doorway, “dirtying” the concrete pad and soot stains over the bays. I will also add a few weeds in the nooks and crannies.

A simple Car wash ensures all passenger cars leaving the VIA Shops ready for service.

On the track leading from the VIA Maintenance shop is a car wash, as the units return to service, they leave the shop area clean and ready to go.

In this photo Kokanee Park passes through the car wash while the supervisor gives instructions to a yard employee servicing the car wash from an access man hole.