This article was published in the September 2011 edition of
TRAIN COLLECTOR; the magazine of the TRAIN COLLECTORS SOCIETY
TRAIN COLLECTOR; the magazine of the TRAIN COLLECTORS SOCIETY
Tri-ang Hornby
Canadian National United Aircraft Corporation Turbo Train - the pre-production model
The Canadian National UAC Turbo Train made an impressive model. Tri-ang Hornby’s plans were quite far advanced before it was realised that the real-life locomotives were proving to be unsuccessful and, sadly, the model was never actually introduced into the range.
Canadian National United Aircraft Corporation Turbo Train - a brief history
The UAC Turbo Train operated in Canada between 1968 and 1984. It was an early high-speed gas turbine train and was also one of the first tilting trains to enter service.
In 1966 Canadian National Railways ordered five 7-car Turbo Trains to operate daily services between Montreal and Toronto. They planned to operate the trains in tandem, connecting two trains together into a larger 14-car arrangement with a total capacity of 644 passengers. Travel time between the two cities was 3 hours 59 minutes for the day service and 4 hours 4 minutes for the evening services; almost a full hour faster than the previous ‘Rapido’ express service offered by CN.
The trains were articulated; sharing a single bogie between cars.
The Turbo Train's first demonstration run was in December 1968. An hour into its debut run, the Turbo collided with a lorry/truck at a level crossing. Despite the concerns that lightweight trains like the Turbo would be dangerous in collisions, the train remained upright and largely undamaged. No one was killed and the train was returned from repairs within a week. Although, this event has been cited as a main contributory factor in deterring Canada’s efforts in fully developing a modern passenger rail system.
Technical problems, including brake systems freezing in winter, required a suspension of service in early January 1969.
CN changed their plans, and in 1971 a rebuilding program began, converting the five 7-car sets to three 9-car sets and several minor modifications were made.
The remaining power and passenger cars were sold to Amtrak, in the US, as two 4-car sets. One of those sets sideswiped a freight train on a test run in 1973 and burned before delivery.
The three rebuilt 9-car sets entered service for CN in late 1973.
On April 22, 1976 a Canadian rail speed record was set when a speed of 140.6 mph (226.3 km/h) was attained, during speed trials, which still stands to this day.
CN operated the Turbo Trains until 1978, when their passenger operations were taken over by Via Rail who continued the service. The Turbo Train's final run was on October 31, 1982.
In 1966 Canadian National Railways ordered five 7-car Turbo Trains to operate daily services between Montreal and Toronto. They planned to operate the trains in tandem, connecting two trains together into a larger 14-car arrangement with a total capacity of 644 passengers. Travel time between the two cities was 3 hours 59 minutes for the day service and 4 hours 4 minutes for the evening services; almost a full hour faster than the previous ‘Rapido’ express service offered by CN.
The trains were articulated; sharing a single bogie between cars.
The Turbo Train's first demonstration run was in December 1968. An hour into its debut run, the Turbo collided with a lorry/truck at a level crossing. Despite the concerns that lightweight trains like the Turbo would be dangerous in collisions, the train remained upright and largely undamaged. No one was killed and the train was returned from repairs within a week. Although, this event has been cited as a main contributory factor in deterring Canada’s efforts in fully developing a modern passenger rail system.
Technical problems, including brake systems freezing in winter, required a suspension of service in early January 1969.
CN changed their plans, and in 1971 a rebuilding program began, converting the five 7-car sets to three 9-car sets and several minor modifications were made.
The remaining power and passenger cars were sold to Amtrak, in the US, as two 4-car sets. One of those sets sideswiped a freight train on a test run in 1973 and burned before delivery.
The three rebuilt 9-car sets entered service for CN in late 1973.
On April 22, 1976 a Canadian rail speed record was set when a speed of 140.6 mph (226.3 km/h) was attained, during speed trials, which still stands to this day.
CN operated the Turbo Trains until 1978, when their passenger operations were taken over by Via Rail who continued the service. The Turbo Train's final run was on October 31, 1982.
Rapido Trains Inc. of Ontario, Canada recently produced several models of the Turbo Train in HO scale including 3-car and 9-car versions in CN and VIA Rail liveries; very attractive and, at $499.95 and $719.75 respectively, definitely for the scale enthusiast. There was also an additional 'Turbo TwoPack' in CN livery containing the 'TurboClub + TurboCafe' which was available to upgrade the 3-car version. Regrettably, now all sold out and no longer available!
In the United States, the Turbo Train entered service for the Department of Transportation in 1968. It was operated by the New Haven Railroad, later by the Penn Central and finally by Amtrak between Boston and New York. The American Turbo Train was built in a 3-car configuration and was expanded to 5-cars in 1972. The Turbo Train was withdrawn from service in the US in 1976. |
The original article is now available in downloadable format. Please click on the link below.
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