The West Coast Express service is getting a boost and its engines are getting a tune-up!

Starting on June 19, a freshly painted and fully refurbished new locomotive (the front engine car) begins riding the rails, bringing back a fifth train in service for the first time in over three years.

This new addition to the fleet provides more convenience and capacity for our customers. The additional train will make two trips each weekday, restoring Train 2 in the West Coast Express schedule.

New West Coast Express service details

• 5:55 a.m. weekday departure from Mission City Station
• 4:20 p.m. weekday departure from Waterfront Station

Keen-eyed West Coast Express watchers will notice this new locomotive looks a little different from our others.

It’s all part of the ongoing West Coast Express Fleet Refurbishment Project. Our locomotives are nearing the end of their lifespan, so this initiative will drastically improve the quality of their engines. The project is co-funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, and TransLink.

Engine refurbishments

These new locomotive upgrades will:

• Reduce engine emissions by up to 50 per cent
• Extend the lifespan of the locomotive engines by 15 years
• Include newly painted locomotive cars

The locomotives will be overhauled to significantly reduce criteria air contaminants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and other hydrocarbons. In addition, all head-end power units, which provide heat and lighting to the passenger cars, will be replaced to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.

To ensure there is no disruption to West Coast Express service, all of the locomotives are being refurbished one at a time. The entire project is expected to be completed by 2026.

Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, both the federal and provincial governments are helping improve customer experience and the reliability of the West Coast Express fleet for years to come. This project was also made possible through funding from the Mayors’ 10-Year Vision.

Quick facts

• West Coast Express is a weekday commuter rail service that runs 69 km between Mission and Vancouver.
• There are seven locomotives, with over 40 cars in the fleet, and eight stations on the route.
• Each locomotive powers a train of up to 10 cars capable of holding up to 1,440 passengers.
• West Coast Express has been serving the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver since 1995 — with over 2.6 million boardings per year.