These cars first entered service for VIA in 1981. By 1985, following the second delivery of coaches, the LRCs had become essential for VIA. They eventually took over the majority of Corridor services in Ontario and Quebec. In 2010 the cars entered a major refurbishment program. It was discovered that they had structural issues which could not be overcome. The rebuild program was scaled back, resulting in some cars received a full rebuild and others just receiving a cosmetic refresh.

The LRC coaches originally had two versions: coach and VIA 1 first class. They were externally identical, with the first class cars carrying a VIA 1 logo and no large Canadian flag. In 2013, VIA converted the VIA 1 cars to Business Class cars featuring 2 + 1 seating, some blanked windows and a new paint scheme.