MONTREAL, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ - VIA Rail Canada today announced a $19.5
million program for the reconfiguration of 12 of the stylish stainless steel
passenger cars used on its western transcontinental train, the Canadian, to
increase its accessibility and market appeal. The work is being funded from
the $407 million allocated for passenger rail improvements under the
Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

"It gives me great pleasure to announce the complete redesign and rebuilding
of these cars," said VIA President and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Cote.
The contract for the rebuilding of VIA's eight Chateau sleeping cars and four
Park sleeper-dome-lounge cars has been awarded to Avalon Rail, Inc., of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Avalon Rail specializes in remanufacturing passenger
rolling stock of all types. The company will use various Canadian engineering,
design and supply firms for a portion of the project. The cars will be
delivered in 2011.

Mr. Cote added, "Avalon Rail was selected for this demanding work through a
competitive bidding process based on numerous factors. These included price,
craftsmanship, a detailed knowledge of the equipment to be rebuilt and on-time
completion of previous projects."