Owner Norm Orfall stands in the dining area of The Tioga Pass railcar. (Photo Courtesy Derek Brade)

By Chris Brown

All aboard

Soldiers will ride in style on the Tioga Pass for BATUS transport

Aug 24, 2021 | 12:59 PM

SUFFIELD, AB – Twice a year British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) moves equipment on the highway and railway, destined for the U.K. for repairs or redeployment.

Preparations for the moves are taking place next to the Trans-Canada Highway this week, with tanks lined up along the tracks just outside Suffield. Waiting at the rear is the Tioga Pass.

It’s a luxury railcar that from about 1960 to 1990 was used by rail executives. Its role in 2021 is much different.

“I charter my car to the British Army and they put guards on these military trains that haul their equipment back and forth to the east coast and the guards ride with me,” explains Tioga Pass owner Norm Orfall.

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The car provides some of the comforts of home for the soldiers for the five-day trip to Montreal. It has four bedrooms, a living area, kitchen and a dining room.

Orfall and the Tioga Pass are making their 16th trip with BATUS. He says he’s enjoyed it every time he’s come to southeast Alberta.

Norm Orfall prepares to board the Tioga Psss. (Photo Courtesy Derek Brade)

“I have come up here all these times and met really wonderful people in Medicine Hat. Good folks, had a lot of fun and just enjoyed it, really have,” he says. “The Brits have been really great and they work with me. This is so odd and such an unusual thing that they have to kind of tolerate. You know you can’t sit down and specify exactly what you’re going to do.”

Orfall picked up the car in Edmonton in January 1993. He operates it out of California, often travelling within the state and across the U.S. on ticketed and privately-booked trips.

He connected with BATUS years ago after chartering a British group from Los Angeles to San Diego

For more on the Tioga Pass visit ridemytrain.com.

BATUS move

CFB Suffield says the remaining fleet of armoured vehicles will be used in support of military training exercises that BATUS is actively planning to host at the base in 2022.

The preparations for the equipment move will occur intermittently during the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., says the base.

“It will circumvent the Hamlet of Suffield to minimize noise and disruptions to the greatest extent possible. Those who live or travel south of CFB Suffield may observe military equipment being moved from Township Road 150 (Scott’s Road), around the Hamlet of Suffield and onto the TransCanada Highway or nearby railway tracks.

Military police and other safety personnel will be slowing or redirecting traffic in the area as needed, although there should be minimal disruptions to the highway. The public is asked to not approach vehicles or personnel involved in this activity and respect traffic control measures.