NEW CARRIAGES FOR ROCKY

CANADA’S Rocky Mountaineer rail operator has ordered ten brand new custom-made Goldleaf railcars, with the rolling stock “completely re-engineered with efficiency and guest comfort in mind”. The new bi-level glass-domed carriages are the first to be added in more than a decade, with Rocky Mountaineer president Steve Sammut saying “we are constantly looking for ways to improve our guest experience, which is the core of our business. The care and attention that has gone into every detail of this car build is remarkable…we are focused on redefining comfort for our guests”. The new railcars will be constructed in Switzerland and Germany by the Stadler Rail Group, with the order being part of a major investment program which is seeing Rocky Mountaineer revitalise its entire fleet of Goldleaf and Silverleaf railcars. Earlier this year the company also announced a partnership with French manufacturer Alstom which will see a full rejuvenation of the Silverleaf fleet, requiring the Rocky Mountaineer railcars to be stripped to the frame and completely re-engineered. The upgraded carriages will be custom built by Alstom with “signature oversized windows, luxurious seating and state-of-the-art mechanical systems”. So far three of the Silverleaf carriages have been upgraded, with six scheduled for completion by the commencement of the 2017 season.