Another ex-GO F59PH, lettered for AMMX 1344 waits at Mac Yard shop track on Sept 16/15. The unit went out on 421 for furtherance to NS at Seneca Yard for overhaul and repaint.
At Tichborne, ON September 17th, John Soehner caught two refurbished AMT F59PH locomotives: AMXX 1340 and 1347, returning back to Montreal on CP train 174 with CP 8615 and CP 8533 leading.
AMT president Nicolas Girard was forced into resignation one year
before the end of his contract. His replacement, Paul Cote, is no
stranger to rail operations, as he once was president of VIA Rail.
Girard, once a member of Quebec National Assembly under the Parti Quebecois denounced predecessor Joel Gauthier (who once was the
general manager of Quebec Liberal Party) to the police over fraud and
breach of trust. Gauthier 10-years reign at AMT was notably tarnished
by the controversial Mascouche line (a.k.a. Train de L"Est), plagued by
cost overruns, poor planning and botched execution, and today sees
ridership way below expectations. Many Mascouche line contracts were
linked to Italian organized crime and engineering firm scandals, with
Gauthier personally involved.
Girard's dismissal, while not totally unexpected since the Liberal
Party is now back in charge (and perhaps willing to avenge the harsh
treatment of its former general manager), signals deep changes in the
management of the agency. Not unsurprisingly, the role of AMT is
expected to change this fall, as planning and operations are split into
two different agencies. ART (Agence Rgional Transport) will
operate the commuter rail and outer suburbs bus networks, while network
planning and future developments will revert to elected members of the CMM (Communaut Metropolitaine de Montreal).
Quebec's Caisse de Depot et de Placement will also assume a large role
in the future light rail line linking downtown Montreal and the South
Shore suburb of Brossard, and may also be involved in a future airport
light rail link.
Mascouche Line
As expected, AMT opened the Sauve and Pointe-aux-Trembles stations on July 6, 2015. The Mascouche line timetable has been slightly adjusted in consequence.
https://www.amt.qc.ca/Media/Default/pdf/section4/Horaires-Train/horaire-ma-juillet-2015.pdf
All stations on the line are now in service, although much landscaping work remains to be done.
Ridership on the line remains way below
expectations for now, but should improve with the start of college and
university semesters. So far, only the Repentigny is recording
higher-than-expected ridership, which does not come unexpected since
the planned station in nearby Charlemagne (near A640) was dropped in a
short-sighted attempt to reduce cost.
On august 21st, AMT train #1209 (17:16 from Central Station to
Mascouche), led by ALP-45DP 1354, approaches the recently-opened Sauve
station.
The picture of the Sauve station below illustrates the difficulties AMT
is experiencing with the Mascouche line: most of the line runs on a
fill, thus requiring expensive stations built mostly on stilts. Despite
this picture being taken in the middle of the PM rush hour, commuters
on the platform are rather scarse, and on this day, barely a dozen of
them boarded AMT #1209, and the train was barely full leaving Sauve.
On a gorgeous July 3rd afternoon, Nicholas Houde caught Agence Metropolitaine de Transport (AMT) train #1205 rolling over the Autoroute 640 at Lachenaie QC, on the AMT Mascouche Subdivision. At this location the train actually goes down the middle of highway 640!
Note : where is this picture, I don't have it]
Future Bilevel cars
Radio-Canada is reporting that AMT may acquire anywhere from 20 up to 100 new cars, intended for use on the CP-operated lines (Candiac, St-Jerome and Vaudreuil-Hudson). Earlier reports indicated that AMT intended to acquire additional 23 Multilevel cars.
The fact that only these three lines are mentioned hints that AMT may be willing to acquire Bilevel-type equipment (similar to 2000's cars) with low-platform doors only, unlike the previous order of Multilevel cars (3000's) which have both low and high-platform doors, thus can operate system-wide. In turn, this could release Bombardier Multilevels to increase service on the CN lines out of Central Station, itself using high-platforms.
Westmount Subdivision Triple Track
Work is well under way to add a third main track on CP's Westmount subdivision between Glen (east of Vendome station) and Montreal West(near Elmhurst st). This track is necessary to further increase capacity on the Vaudreuil-Hudson, St-Jerome and Candiac lines, currently plagued with an antique signal system (also being replaced) and many deadhead moves to and from Sortin yard during the peak hours.
AMT News contributor AMTFan1 filmed a
ride aboard Candiac train #85 sometime in July 2015, showing the third
main track being laid south of the existing main lines, with a control
point with powered crossovers East of Elmhurst Street.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1Te8G-XmdA
The site of the former Glen yard is now occupied by a brand-new hospital. The existing South platform at Vendome will be enlarged to become an island platform, with track on both sides.
Note: an unsignalled service track once ran on the roadbed that will be occupied by the third main track. It used to serve Glen Extension yard and a few industrial spurs along the subdivision. It was ultimately removed in the 1990's.
The following link contains wonderful
pictures of Glen yard at its heydays.
http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/cpr_facilities/Glen.htm
F59PH-3
There are now at least two rebuilt AMT
F59PH operating, 1348 and 1349. The former GO-Transit units have been
overhauled by Brookville Locomotives in Pennsylvania, and are now
designated F59PH-3.
The following pictures show the 1348 in service on the Dorion-Hudson
line, initially double-heading with an unrebuilt F59PH.
As AMT #40, with AMT 1352 (Bombardier ALP-45DP) leading, waits for departure on north track of CP Vaudreuil Subdivision, AMT #20, with AMT 1348 (EMD F59PH-3) leading, is about to stop at the Beaconsfield station to pick up passengers on July 16th.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=539477
[Nicolas Houde picture]
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=538597 [Nicolas
Houde picture]
The attractive paint scheme on the rebuilt F59PH-3 is quite a contrast with the “stealth†paint scheme hastily applied on F59PH 1341, 1342, 1344 and 1345, which were quickly deployed on the Candiac line amid a motive power shortage and a need to replace older, fuel-hungry F40PH’s. F59PH 1342 is here seen crossing the St.Lawrence river toward Candiac.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=530806 [Michael Berry picture]
Your first look at AMT F59PH 1349 (Ex-GO) sitting in the Buffalo and Pittsburgh's Buffalo Creek Yard June 6th. This is the second ex-GO unit painted in the new AMT scheme.
There are still a few leased RBRX F59PH running around. On August 14th RBRX F59PH 18523 was spotted at Sortin Yard in Montreal and shot by Pierre Fournier.
PHOTO Coming
RBRX 18523 PF
Former AMT F40PH leased to Keolis (Boston) [repeated from last Month]
A bunch of Rail World F40PH's formerly assigned to AMT have been leased
by Keolis for operation on Boston's MBTA's commuter rail network.
So far, units #274, 293, 301, 302, 310, 330 and 418 have been sighted. All are former Amtrak, same # except 330 is ex-AMTK 365 and 418 is ex-AMTK 318.
Two of these had been sighted in March
on CP’s Colonie Line, in transit to Boston via Albany.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=524796
Former NJT GP40FH-2 to Iowa Pacific
Iowa Pacific has acquired several former NJT GP40FH-2 (lettered SLRG – San Luis & Rio Grande) for use on its growing freight and passenger trains operation, among them at least one unit that was formerly leased by AMT, #4137. It is seen here leading a special train out of Chicago, in full Iowa Pacific (IC-inspired) orange-and-chocolate livery. The result is stunning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxLzU_Jeacg
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=529411
Note: the unique four-axes cowl-bodied Spartan cab unit were built by Morrison-Knudsen using F45 bodies on GP40 frames.
Running about 8 months behind schedule owing to train control software-related problems, STM is now performing live tests of two new MPM-10 trains on the Orange and Blue lines. The test trains will not initially take passengers, and will run between regular in-service trains during off-peak periods.
Previous tests were performed only at night to avoid interaction with
regular in-service trains.
The following YouTube clip shows the new Azur train on one of its first
public run. [warning: gross language at the end of the clip!]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irA3OOr47GM
STM expects to receive 468 cars forming 52 nine-car trains, in a trailer cab trailer cab configuration. The first train is expected to enter revenue service by December 2015, with all cars delivered by the end of 2018.
THE AMERICAN CONNECTION
The American Connexion
This AMT Column is being published late because the editor was busy
visiting Washington, DC.
At the North end of Union Station, from WMATA's NoMa-Gallaudet station
on the Red line, one has a nice view of the south end of Amtrak's
Northeast Corridor, which sees intensive traffic from Amtrak (Acela's,
Regionals, some long-distance service), MARC commuter trains (both
diesel and electrics) and VRE (diesel-powered deadhead positioning
moves).
In a very questionable move, MARC will discontinue its electric
operations and operate all service with diesel locomotives starting
next year, even on the Baltimore-Perryville line, which is fully
electrified.
Amtrak is also expected to retire its last remaining AEM7's by the end
of the year, as they are replaced by newer, more powerful ACS-64's. I
was lucky to catch two of these increasingly-rare birds during my visit.
Too bad AMT couldn't snap one of those MARC or Amtrak AEM7's to pull
Multilevel cars on the Deux-Montagnes line. Just saying...
Metrolinx/TTC News Editor - JOHN S.
JEFFERY
Please submit your Metrolinx/TTC News and photos to: wce1942@gmail.com
GO 647 – The Continuing Journey
This locomotive has been lengthened and
repowered with a Cummins twin engine repowering package (5400 hp) at Motive
Power Industries in
http://goo.gl/9zpZV – TTCi website
http://goo.gl/mOlmnZ - test track facility map
Upon completion of dynamic testing,
Metrolinx expects this unit will arrive at Mimico in late fall for in-service
testing. If this prototype is
accepted, ten more Metrolinx MP40PH-3C locomotives will be similarly repowered.
Source:
Mark Ostler, Media Relations & Issues Specialist Metrolinx
GO 647 sitting outside the MPI plant in
Robert Boes photo, with permission.
GO 301 CEM cab car, the second prototype
for testing, sitting outside the Bombardier plant in
Source:
Bryan Martyniuk picture for Canadian Train Sightings, with permission
GO Transit Commuter Car upgrade (2400
series)
GO TRANSIT / METROLINX commuter cars at CAD
(
IN THE
GO 2434 2436, 2437, 2442, 2452, 2453, 2455,
and 2499.
(GO 2434, 2442, and 2455 are the most
recent arriving at CAD in August)
GO 2035 was the first Bi-Level 1 upgrade of
this series to be completed at CAD., and is staying on the property as all
methodology, procedures, and standards are developed and based, from this first
prototype example.
RELEASED (GO):
GO 2415, 2416, 2418, 2433, 2430, 2435,
2447, 2450, 2451, in June, July and August.
Source:
Canadian Railway Observations
GO Transit Expansion - Project Status:
With files from CRO Contributor Kevin
Argue.
Union Station renovation project- The first
phase is finished, with more to complete in 2016 and 2017.
An interesting article by Craig White dated
Union Pearson Express
Train set UPX 1002/1005,( both type A
cars), is proceeding eastward off the airport spur, on Sunday afternoon,
Major GO Train Construction for
By Mark
Rejhon
Published
Amtrak 205, a P42DC and its five car train
glides westward past West Harbour GO station, on the CN Grimsby sub,
on
Stoney Creek-
Lewis Ave. Train layover yard - under
construction, scheduled to open in
early 2016.
GO 216 East, a Seasonal Niagara Service
train, rushes eastward at full track speed on the CN Grimsby sub, towards
New project announced on
A new station on the GO
Georgetown South project –
Weston Station
Vibration mats have been installed under
the tracks at Weston Station to reduce vibration from train operation.
New off peak train service between Union
Station and Mount Pleasant Station
GO has just announced (
The Stouffville line will see off-peak
service a little later on, with trains passing at
Mount Pleasant GO station, the terminus of
the new off- peak GO service between Union Station and
Source:
GO Transit
http://goo.gl/0zrX9K
GO boosts
By: Tess
Kalinowski Transportation reporter, Published on
Metrolinx updates source:
Mark Ostler - Media Relations & Issues Specialist Metrolinx
Rail Upgrade Program:
A small portion of the Metrolinx rail
upgrade program for the
Source:
Mark Ostler - Media Relations & Issues Specialist Metrolinx
The work underway at Georgetown Station
will provide better access for GO trains coming into Georgetown GO Station. A
section of track is being added to eliminate the need for GO trains to merge
with the CN mainline at Silver Junction and then diverge from the mainline at
Georgetown Station. CN is performing the work, which is being funded by
Metrolinx.
Source:
Mark Ostler - Media Relations & Issues Specialist Metrolinx
Source:
This is Cowie Junction just west of the
Crosstown
Crosstown
Finch
Metrolinx Issues Request for Qualifications
for Finch
Hurontario -
Project Description
Construction Updates
The
Possible connection to Hamilton Waterfront
This former CP station is adjacent to the
Summerhill
Streetcars:
Flexity Outlook LFLRV- fleet.
– 4400 – 4603
Flexity Outlook production units in revenue
service:
4400 – Prototype unit, upgraded to
production standards, in revenue service.
4401 – Prototype unit, at Bombardier
Thunder Bay for upgrade to production unit.
4402 -
Prototype unit, will be upgraded to production unit in November 2015.
4403 – First production unit
4404
4405
4406
4407 -
4408 –
4409 – In revenue service
4410-
In revenue service
Source:
Streetcar
Infrastructure:
Overhead Catenary
Progress continues on completing the
upgrade of the overhead catenary.
The new Flexity LFLRV cars draw 50% more power than the existing fleet of CLRV’s
and ALRV’s. Power feeds and overhead
power feeds and collector wires have been upgraded to supply more power to the
new cars. The catenary structure is
also being upgraded to allow the LFLRV fleet to start using their pantographs in
December 2015, on the 509 Harbourfront, 510 Spadina, and 511
Source:
Brad Ross –Executive Director – Corporate Communications
A view on
This view is looking southward along
Leslie Barns: update –
Leslie Barns is a new LFLRV streetcar
maintenance and storage facility under construction at the southeast corner of
The access trackage has been laid southward
along
Source: http://goo.gl/JVmcm7
The trackage into Leslie Barns from
This is the view on
AMTRAK IN CANADA
(Edited by William H Baird)
editor@canadianrailwayobservations.com
On a warm afternoon on September 18th, 2016 the Amtrak “Adirondack” skirts the rugged shores of Lake Champlain at Port Kent, NY. Private Varnish adorns the tail end of the passenger with former New York Central observation car “Babbling Brook”, photographed by Francois Jolin on the Canadian Pacific Canadian Subdivision at Port Kent, New York.
AMTRAK VIGNETTE
Two days before the International ended, Walter Pfefferle and some friends rode it to Windsor and back on the Sunday April 18 2004. The service ended that Tuesday. Here we see it sitting at the VIA Station in Sarnia Ontario.
© CRO October 2015