As the last of the LRC locomotives were being scrapped by VIA, the Toronto Railway Historical Association (TRHA) mounted a fund raising campaign to acquire one of them from VIA. The campaign was a resounding success and the TRHA purchased #6917 from VIA in August of 2010. It is now one of only two preserved examples of this fine Canadian designed and built locomotive. The other can be found at Exporail, Canada’s National Railway Museum.

Subsequent to its acquisition, a team of TRHA volunteers restored the locomotive to operating condition as of the summer of 2014. Its further restoration is being managed in partnership with the VIA Historical Association.

History

The LRC (Light, Rapid, Comfortable) was built by Bombardier (MLW), Alcan and Dofasco in co-operation with CN and later VIA Rail Canada as a higher speed rail option for the busy Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The locomotives were capable of travel up to 125 MPH (limited to 100 MPH in service) and powered VIA’s Metropolis express train between Toronto and Montreal. These locomotives were a common sight throughout the Corridor from their introduction in 1981 until their retirement in 2001.

The LRC coaches are still the mainstay of VIA’s fleet in the Corridor, and are currently being rebuilt for another 20 years of reliable service. The LRC perfectly straddles past and present. The engine was the last locomotive in North America built with an Alco 251 prime mover, and the LRC concept was the grandfather of Bombardier’s high speed train program. Building upon ideas tested in the LRC, Bombardier has become one of the world leaders in high speed passenger rail equipment.

The LRC is currently not on display at the Toronto Railway Museum as it remains stored at VIA Rail’s Toronto Maintenance Center awaiting further cosmetic restoration. You can donate to this project on the VIA Historical Association Website.