Metrolinx/ GO Transit/ LRT/ TTC  News Editor ' JOHN S. JEFFERY

Please submit your Metrolinx/GO Transit/LRT/TTC News and photos to wce1942@gmail.com

Metrolinx/ GO Transit/ LRT/ TTC  News Editor ' JOHN S. JEFFERY

Please submit your Metrolinx/GO Transit/LRT/TTC News and photos to wce1942@gmail.com

 METROLINX/GO NEWS - November 2016

 City Age: Transportation's Impact on City'Building

October 13, 2016 | by Robert Mackenzie

https://goo.gl/ypduJq ' urbantoronto.ca

 CityAge: Regional Infrastructure Key to Building Innovation Hub

October 7, 2016 | by David Rudin

https://goo.gl/g8EX7B ' urbantoronto.ca

  Here is a night view of platform 26/27 at Union Station looking westward toward the CN Tower on Wednesday evening,October 12th, 2016, at 10:00pm. The train on platform 26 was about to leave shortly, headed for the Oshawa GO Station. Adam Reiss photo with permission       

                

 GO TRANSIT NEWS - NOVEMBER 2016

 LOCOMOTIVE FLEET

 Source: ' https://goo.gl/zU5Mrg ' cptdb.ca

 Here is Tier 2 MP40PH'3C GO 656 (2011) with GO 324 North, on the GO Barrie Line on Monday, September 26th, 2016, at the Allandale Lakefront GO Station platform. GO 656 is the last Tier 2 MP40PH'3C unit (600'656) delivered to GO Transit. The next ten units (657 - 666) were Tier 3 MP40PH'3C units, (2013'2014) , with the first five units delivered in the GO Transit colour scheme, and the last five units delivered in the new Metrolinx livery.

The next sixteen locomotives (667 - 682) are scheduled for delivery in 2017, and are Tier 4 twin engine 5400HP MP40PHT'T4AC units with AC traction. This is a new model from Motive Power Industries, who have built all of the Metrolinx 600 series diesel locomotives. John Jeffery photo

 

PASSENGER CAR FLEET - Updated October 22nd, 2016

Source: Canadian Public transit Discussion Board https://goo.gl/LTiR1c ' cptdb.ca

Transit Toronto https://goo.gl/OCMT4k ' transittoronto.ca

 Series IX ' CEM (Crash Energy Management) Cars - New Design introduced at APTA EXPO in 2014

 With files from Bryan Martyniuk

 CEM DESIGN SERIES IX CAB CARS: First in Service, October 14th, 2015

Supplier ' Bombardier

Series IX ' CEM Cab cars - 67 ordered

Series number - 300 ' 366

Delivered - 300 - 350

In Transit from Bombardier '  351 (October 22nd, 2016)

 Here is CEM Series IX cab car GO 351 sitting in CP's "E" yard in Thunder Bay on Saturday, October 22nd, 2016, where it will be picked up by CP420 train and shipped to Lambton Yard in Toronto. It will be interchanged at Lambton to CN for final delivery to GO Transit Willowbrook Shops in Mimico. Bryan Martyniuk photo with permission

 

CEM DESIGN - SERIES IX COACHES -

 March 2012 ' 60 coaches in initial order

August 02, 2016 - 125 additional coaches ordered -

 Series IX - CEM Coaches - 4000 Series,

Delivered - None as of October 21st, 2016

 Series IX - CEM Accessibility Coaches - 4500 Series

Delivered - None as of October 21st, 2016

 Delivery Schedule - begins in late 2016, both orders to be completed by 2020.

Bi'Level Coach Upgrade Programs

 200 SERIES CAB CARS - Updated October 17th, 2016

 These cars are currently being retired as cab cars, and put back into service as coaches, as more Series IX CEM 300 series CEM type cab cars arrive from Bombardier. The 200 series cars  are slated to be refurbished and will have their train operations equipment removed.

Here is former cab car GO 200 operating as a standard coach in the consist of GO 243 West at the Oshawa GO Station on Friday, October 7th, 2016. GO 200 is the first Bi'level 200 series cab car (200'257) and is a Series II car delivered in 1983. These cars will be sent for upgrading and removal of the train operations equipment.

Here is Series VII Bilevel cab car GO 243 at the Oshawa GO Station on Friday, October 7th, 2016, about to lead a westbound train for Union Station and Aldershot, with Tier 2 MP40PH'3C GO 610 providing the motive power. GO 243 was delivered in 2004 and features a washroom on the lower level at the "B" end. It is also configured in the same manner as the 2500 series accessibility cars.

2000 SERIES COACHES - UPGRADE PROJECT

 The 2000 series cars are now being upgraded to series V standards as well. Coach 2035 was used as the prototype for the series V upgrade program and was finally released on February 23rd, 2016.

UNION STATION RAIL CORRIDOR

GO Regional Express Rail Update ' http://goo.gl/ETEyWx page twenty two

Capital Projects Group Quarterly Report: September 2016, https://goo.gl/JbMfXr page six

Here is an view of Union Station looking westward along Front Street from Bay Street on Wednesday, October 12th, 2016, at 10:00pm. The eastern end of the building is wrapped in cladding as the Bay Street concourse goes through a complete renovation. Improvements continue in several other areas, including the York Concourse, station platforms, and train shed.

The next phase will see the installation of overhead catenary in the train shed along with the ongoing installation of new signals, track switches, and a new control system, throughout the Union Station Rail Corridor. Adam Reiss photo with permission

Here is Tier 2, MP40PH'3C GO 601 laying over with its train, at the GO Transit Don Yard on Tuesday, September 27th, 2016. This ten track yard is at the east end of the Union Station Rail Corridor, on the south side of the Corridor, where the old CN Don Freight Yard used to be. It is the newer of the two yards GO Transit use at Union Station to store GO trains that layover between runs. The other one is the North Bathurst Yard that is located on the west side of Union Station at Spadina Ave. and Front Street, on the north side of the Rail Corridor.

GO KITCHENER LINE - (Weston Sub) - Bathurst Street to Bramalea

(Guelph Subdivision) - Georgetown to Kitchener

with files from Kevin Argue - CRO contributor

Regional Express Rail Update Sept 9th http://goo.gl/ETEyWx  ' page six

Here is the new Shirley Avenue Layover Yard in Kitchener on Sunday, September 25th, 2016. We are looking eastward on the GO Kitchener line toward the west yard lead of the new layover yard which is about two kilometres east of the Kitchener GO station. Only two of four tracks are in use as Anne Marie Aitkins from Metrolinx confirms that the rail yard will not be completely finished until December. Metrolinx has also announced on October 21st, 2016 that this layover yard will also be a bus maintenance facility for 20 GO buses.

https://goo.gl/aKx7pl ' therecord.com

Here is the new King Street underpass bridge for the GO Kitchener line in downtown Kitchener on Sunday, September 25th, 2016. We are looking westward from Waterloo Street and you can see that the main line has been realigned because of the new bridge. This has resulted in the track access for the downtown layover yard being changed to the west end of the yard, at Park Street. The new ION LRT Central Station will be built on the left hand side of this picture. It will be a multimodal passenger facility and will include a new GO and VIA Station at this location, and will include retail and commercial space.

Here is an view of the third track project at the Georgetown GO Station, which now provides a direct connection between Silver Junction on the GO Kitchener line and the Georgetown GO Station. We are looking westward from the Georgetown GO platform on Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 and you will notice that the third track connection is now complete and in service.

   

 GO BARRIE LINE - (Newmarket Subdivision)

Regional Express Rail Update Sept 9th http://goo.gl/ETEyWx  page nineteen

Capital Projects Group Quarterly Report: September 2016, https://goo.gl/JbMfXr page four and five

 Here is GO 328 North swinging onto the Barrie line from the Kitchener line at Lansdowne Avenue on Tuesday, October 18th. 2016, with Tier 2, MP40PH'3C GO 611 providing the motive power. This is the first train of the afternoon and in the morning it will deadhead from Barrie south to Maple, and help relieve the crush of commuters at the lower end of the Barrie line.

Here is F59PH GO 562 (Series IV'1994) leading a northbound Barrie line L10L train, past the first six km stretch of second track construction, just south of the Rutherford Road GO Station, on Wednesday, October 19th, 2016. L10L trains use a F59PH at each end of a ten car consist and today F59PH GO 560 (Series III'1990) is pushing on the rear of this train.

GO LAKESHORE EAST CORRIDOR - (Kingston Subdivision)

Regional Express Rail Update Sept 9th'http://goo.gl/ETEyWx ' page twenty

Capital Projects Group Quarterly Report: September 2016, https://goo.gl/JbMfXr page five

Here is Phase IV F59PH GO 563 (1990, rebuilt 2011) with the first rush hour Stouffville line train of the afternoon, at Scarborough Junction on the Lakeshore East line, on Tuesday, September 27th, 2016. The train is crossing over onto Kingston Sub track one (north track) in order to access the Uxbridge Sub (Stouffville line), which begins at Scarborough Junction, and occupies the most northerly station track of the four tracks at the Scarborough GO Station. East of the platform, the Uxbridge Sub immediately swings north toward Lincolnville. Eventually this fourth track will be extended westward to the Don, which is at the east end of the Union Station Rail Corridor. This will support additional and electrified Regional Express Rail service on the Stouffville line.

Here is new CEM cab car GO 345 on Friday, October 7th, 2016, at the Oshawa GO Station. GO 345 West is headed for Union Station and Aldershot and Tier 2 MP40PH'3C GO 645 (2010) will provide the motive power. A new station building is under construction for use by GO and VIA.

EAST RAIL MAINTENANCE FACILITY, Whitby, ON '

Here is Tier 2 MP40PH'3C GO 624 East (2008) passing by the East Rail Maintenance Centre in Whitby, Ontario on Saturday, October 22nd, 2016. The west end of the yard is visible through the train servicing canopy. Significant progress has been made, and trackwork is now installed in the west end of the yard, but not ballasted. The main building is nearing external completion and the west yard lead right of way is being graded.

The Hopkins Street Bridge is closing permanently, on January 1st, 2017, and once it is torn down, the east end of the yard can be completed as well. This is also a notice to you railfans out there who enjoy taking pictures from this bridge. Get them while you still can.

GO ' LAKESHORE WEST CORRIDOR - (Oakville Subdivision)

GO Regional Express Rail Update ' http://goo.gl/ETEyWx  ' page seven

Significant station improvements at Mimico, Long Branch Station, Port Credit, Aldershot, and Hamilton GO Centre.

Source: Capital Projects Group Quarterly Report: September 2016 ' hhttp://goo.gl/JbMfXr  page five

 HAMILTON AREA

 WEST HARBOUR GO STATION - (CN Grimsby Sub)

Here is West Harbour GO Station on Wednesday, October 19th, 2016. Phase 2 of construction started on August 1st, 2016 and the main entrance and bus loop are now complete. The second platform and Bay Street entrance have been completed and GO Transit crews were on site setting up the electronic displays for the two levels of parking. The trackwork for the second station track is being installed, along with the elevators in the Bay Street entrance.

Here is West Harbour GO Station on Wednesday, October 19th, 2016. We are looking eastward toward Stoney Creek, and you can see the right of way for the eastward connection to the Grimsby Sub, which will be installed as soon as the track agreement with CN is completed. The first connection will be made at Ferguson Avenue which is at the second bridge in the distance, but eventually there will be a third track running all the way to the Confederation GO Station in Stoney Creek (2019) Only one West Harbour station track will be a through connection, with the other one being a stub end turnaround track.

Here is the approach trackage at CN Stuart for the West Harbour GO station, on Wednesday, Octoberber 25th, 2016. You can see the third main line in the distance by the CN Cargoflo terminal, which has now been installed between CN Stuart and Hamilton Junction. The last step is to finish the bridge over the Desjardins Canal and install some new switchwork and signals at Hamilton Junction.

LEWIS ROAD TRAIN LAYOVER FACILITY - (CN Grimsby Sub)

Here is the Lewis Avenue layover yard on Wednesday, October 19th, 2016. It is now complete, along with the connecting spur at CN McNeilly on the CN Grimsby Sub at Stoney Creek. Metrolinx has confirmed that this yard will be put into service as soon as the agreement with CN governing access to the Grimsby Sub is complete, in order to eliminate the deadhead movement of two trains every morning from GO Willowbrook in Mimico.

Here is CN McNeilly where the Lewis Avenue Layover Yard lead connects with the Grimsby Sub, in Stoney Creek. A CN crew is making some final adjustments before trains begin using this yard, in the near future.

GO ' MILTON CORRIDOR (CP Galt Subdivision)

 Here is Milton line train GO 342 West, northbound on the GO Kitchener line, with Tier 2, MP40PH'3C GO 650 (2010) providing the motive power. This train will turn west onto the CP Galt Sub at West Toronto, bound for Milton.  At the tail end of this train, on the left, is GO 328 North, the first Barrie train of the afternoon, with Tier 2 MP40PH'3C GO 611(2008),, about to turn off onto the Barrie line. It is Tuesday, October 18th, 2016 and we are at Lansdowne Avenue on this five track corridor.

GO ' STOUFFVILLE CORRIDOR (Uxbridge Subdivision)

GO Regional Express Rail Update http://goo.gl/ETEyWx ' page nineteen

Source: Capital Projects Group Quarterly Report: September 2016 ' hhttp://goo.gl/JbMfXr  page six

 Here is Tier 2 MP40PH'3C GO 615 (2008) with the second rush hour train of the afternoon at CN Hagerman, mileage 51.1 on the Uxbridge Sub, on Wednesday, October 12th, 2016. The train is easing to a stop at the Unionville GO Station and will deadhead back to Union Station as soon as all the passengers are discharged and the brake test is completed. The double tracking project will extend as far as Unionville, and the station facilities here will be upgraded, including a turnaround track.

Here is GO 615 North(2008) easing to a stop at the Mount Joy GO Station (Markham) at mileage 45.8 on the Uxbridge Sub on Tuesday, September 27th, 2016. GO 615 is a Tier 2 MP40PH'3C (2008) that has been repainted (February 2016) into the new Metrolinx livery. When all day' two way Regional Express Rail service begins on the Stouffville line, Mount Joy will be the turn around station for the mid'day trains.

Here is GO 628 North(2010) arriving at the Lincolnville layover yard at mileage 39.0 on the Uxbridge Sub, on Tuesday, September 27th, 2016. GO 628 is a Tier 2 MP40PH'3C (2008) and CEM cab car GO 322 was trailing this consist. This is the end of track for GO Trains at the moment however GO Transit purchased the right of way as far as the former CN Uxbridge station (mileage 38.43, Uxbridge Sub.) in 1993, to protect a planned future extension of service to Uxbridge. In the meantime this section is operated by the York'Durham Heritage Railway and they are based in the Uxbridge station.

There are currently six layover tracks at Lincolnville with a passenger platform for each track. At this station, passengers are allowed to walk out to their train in the morning and the departure sequence is posted.  The Lincolnville Layover expansion includes an additional track for train storage and upgrades to the existing track to accommodate future additional peak'hour and peak'direction service on the Stouffville Corridor.

https://goo.gl/bMl0yz ' wikipedia.org

https://goo.gl/KtzpZr ' metrolinx.com

________________________________________________

UNION PEARSON EXPRESS - (Weston Subdivision)

 Here is Type C car UPX 3003 leading Type A car UPX 1004 on a two car westbound train from Union Station to the Union Pearson Terminal at Pearson Airport Terminal One., on Tuesday, October 11th, 2016.  The train is westbound on the three kilometer airport spur and is passing American Drive. You can see the highest point on the spur in the distance.

Here is Type A car UPX 1008 leading Type C car UPX 3004  and Type A car UPX 1009 on a three car eastbound train from Pearson Airport to Union Station.  We are at Lansdowne Ave on the five track Kitchener line corridor on Tuesday, October 18th, 2016.

Union Pearson Express - Latest News

https://goo.gl/e8P2nm  ' UPExpress.com

Chief Executive Officer's Report - October 2016 Update

https://goo.gl/a1147T ' Board Meeting of October 27th, 2016

 STREETCARS

 Flexity Outlook LFLRV' fleet.  - 4400 - 4603

 Flexity Outlook Production Units In Revenue Service:

4401 ' Prototype unit -In Toronto carrying out testing and driver training.

4402 ' Prototype unit' In Thunder Bay being rebuilt into a production version tram.

4400 and 4403 to 4425 - In revenue service on the 509 Harbourfront line, 510 Spadina line, and 514 Cherry line.

 4426 - The 25th Flexity tram - In CP's "E" yard in Thunder Bay on Saturday, October 22nd, 2016.

 Here is the 24th Flexity tram, TTC 4425, on Tuesday, October 18th, 2016, now in service on the 510 Spadina Line. TTC 4425 is northbound and approaching the Sullivan Street platform.

Here is the 25th Flexity tram, TTC 4426, in CP's "E" yard in Thunder Bay on Saturday October 22nd, 2016. It will be shipped on CP train 420 to TTC Hillcrest Shops in Toronto. It cannot be operated under its own power until it is fully tested so it will be hauled from Hillcrest Shops to Leslie Barns by another streetcar, for testing and preparation for entry into service. Bryan Martyniuk photo with permission

 

  

AMTRAK

(Edited by William H Baird)
editor@canadianrailwayobservations.com

With a free hour from 11:15 to 12:15 Hrs in the New Westminster, BC  Area on Thursday May 5th, 2016 Andy Cassidy started off his railfan venture by running down to Sapperton Landing Park and catching Amtrak 510 North. The Sapperton Landing Park is adjacent to the CN (Ex BNSF) main line from Mile 144.0 to 144.25 on the CN New Westminster Sub. Also the CP Westminster Sub (low line), from Mile 6.75 to 7.25, but running in the opposite direction.

 In any event, Amtrak is fairly predictable and not overly exciting. However, when it's there you get it. When you stand on the boardwalk of the park one has a good view of the CN Fraser River Bridge down river. The Amtrak train was heading over it coming my way, and I caught one shot of the GE P42DC on the back end. Most days the train is only powered by a single unit, or has a Cab Car or Ex EMD F40PHR now a Non Powered Control Units on the opposing end. So it was somewhat unusual to see the train with a P42DC on both ends.  AMTK 117 leads the train but AMTK 132 is doing all the work, pushing from behind.  

 

Ruperto Gutierrez submitted these two news shots of AMTK F40PH 406 leading the AMTRAK Exhibit Train though Carrollton, TX with AMTK P42 156 pushing the on the tail end towards Frisco, TX end on September 22nd, 2016.

On September 22nd, 2016 Amtrak 156 is shown pushing the Amtrak Exhibit Train under the DART Green Line and destined to Frisco, TX.

With classic privately owned varnish on the rear, on September 24th Dennis Weber shot the tail end of Amtrak no.8, departing La Crosse, WI at 12:15.

 

AMTRAK VIGNETTE

  Please submit your AMTRAK IN CANADA photos directly to William H. Baird

 

 

Copyright CRO November 2016