DMU's First International Sale
New Grand View DMU Promises to Be the Most Luxurious Ever Built

The Great Canadian Railtour Company, North America’s largest privately owned passenger rail service, has finalized an agreement to purchase one single level Grand View DMU with an open viewing platform on the rear of the car and two single level Grand View Coaches with full 360 degree domes for the ultimate in scenic rail observation.

The new single level Grand View DMU is a customized, self-propelled railcar based on Colorado Railcar’s widely acclaimed Aero DMU. The passenger area has been raised 30 inches to create an under-floor, end-to-end luggage and storage compartment for tour passengers.

Nina Plag, Corporate Development Manager for Rocky Mountaineer Vacations comments; “The DMU can manage the mountain country with greater speed than locomotives, assuring that our guests view the spectacular scenery during the daylight hours.”

The single level Grand View DMU will meet the company’s demand for luxury commuter railcars with enough power to face the daunting challenge of mastering the Canadian Rockies. The Grand View DMU will run Gold Leaf Service between from the world famous Whistler, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics to Prince George and then on to Jasper. One Grand View Coach will run Red Leaf Service from North Vancouver to Whistler, and the other Coach will run Red Leaf Service from Whistler to Prince George to Jasper.

From L to R: Jeff Schrecengost, Brad Barkman, Dominic DeBrito, Arthur Rader inspectingthe original Aero DMU after being painted in SFRTA/Tri-Rail colors.

SFRTA/Tri-Rail Visits Colorado Railcar’s Ft. Lupton Plant

“I was very pleased with Colorado Railcar’s production staff, especially their pride in, and ownership of their work” said Brad Barkman, Director of Operations for SFRTA after his recent inspection visit to the Ft. Lupton, Colorado plant. “Everyone has QC but it was nice to see that extra level of craftsmanship”.
On this trip, Barkman reviewed the progress of the Double Deck DMU, the Double Deck Coach and the upgrade of the Aero DMU, all destined for revenue service in South Florida next year. “Colorado Railcar is right on schedule and now that the FRA structural buff load test has been passed, the process will go quickly and I intend to increase inspection frequency, along with our QC technician, as a part of our normal inspection process. We are excited about these new cars and are preparing our facilities for their arrival. We have bi-level cars, but the Double Deck DMU and Coach are almost four feet higher requiring door modifications on our maintenance bays.” Barkman noted that he was pleased with the finishes being applied to the Aero DMU and the Double Deck DMU in SFRTA/Tri-Rail’s new paint scheme.

World’s First Glass Domed Touring Car with
Open Air Platform on the Upper Level
Alaska Railroad’s new Glass Domed, Double Deck Observation Car is now in production with Colorado Railcar and scheduled for completion in Spring of 2005. This innovative railcar is the only car in the world featuring an open air platform on the upper level with a domed ceiling covering the entire car. The new design allows touring passengers spectacular unencumbered views of Alaska’s magnificent terrain traveling 15 feet above ground level with the overhead protection of a glass dome. The new railcar will run between Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks. Colorado Railcar continues to produce innovative custom railcars to precisely fit customer’s needs.