BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION CANADA
Bombardier again stated in May 2016, they promise to step up production on Toronto's new TTC streetcars after renewed criticism over its failed promises to deliver them.
However, past efforts to "significantly accelerate" manufacturing mean the company expects to deliver only 16 new streetcars this year, the Montreal-based manufacturer said in a statement recently. That's well below what Bombardier promised earlier this year, leaving city officials including Mayor John Tory "completely dismayed." "I think their performance has been woeful on this contract to date," TTC CEO Andy Byford told reporters at city hall. "It's about time Bombardier owned this problem." There are only 17 new, low-floor accessible streetcars in operation so far, three of them delivered since January. Bombardier is therefore promising only 13 additional vehicles by year's end, which averages out to fewer than two per month. The previous schedule promised at least four new vehicles each month starting in April, for a total of 54 by the end of this year. And it is far fewer than the number on the original schedule, which would have had 73 streetcars on the tracks by the end of last year. The new schedule, not the first to promise ramped-up production, comes after Byford said recently that he's still frustrated about blown deadlines. - 3 - Bombardier recently appointed a new president for transportation in the Americas, Benoit Brossoit, who "has given his go-ahead to a plan for added capacity to accelerate the pace of delivery of the TTC (light rail vehicle) project." The company says it will use a second manufacturing plant in La Pocatiere, Que., along with an additional assembly line in an unspecified location to help with production that is currently being completed in Thunder Bay. Previously, problems with the sizing of parts for the streetcars' frames shipped from Bombardier's Mexican plant were holding up assembly.
A spokesperson said Monday "dimensional issues with some parts and sub-assemblies" remain an issue and that the La Pocatiere site already has a track record of producing properly fitting components on time for the Toronto cars. Asked whether they're doing enough to prevent further delays, spokesperson Marc-Andre Lefebvre said: "What Bombardier is implementing today is bringing online the full force of our integrated manufacturing model." The company says it remains committed to its promise of delivering all 204 streetcars ordered by the end of 2019. "Bombardier Transportation is taking decisive action to ensure deliveries of streetcars to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and its riders," said a statement from the company. "Bombardier acknowledges the disappointment of the TTC with regards to delivery of this project so far, but is still committed as ever to support its customer in the full delivery of this order." The city is pursuing a legal claim for $51 million, or 5 per cent of the total $1.25 billion order, after Bombardier missed the first contracted deadline. Tory said "It is no way to do business." "It is causing great harm to the city. It's frustrating. What more can we do? We are the customer here who signed the contract; we're paying on time, we're doing everything we're supposed to and I really think the questions have to be asked of Bombardier." Byford told a news conference that he pushed Bombardier officials to come up with a solution during an "uncomfortable" meeting last week and asked for a public explanation.
TTC chair Councillor Josh Colle, said the company has taken "encouraging" steps to increase production to meet the end-date of the contract. But he said Bombardier should do whatever it takes to meet the deadlines. "At this point, I think Bombardier owes the City of Toronto an apology," he said. "The riders and the customers have been very loyal and patient. The city, who has invested a great deal with them, has done that all in good faith and continues to be disappointed." Responding to Colle's comments Lefebvre said: "As we've said many times, Bombardier regrets that its performance on this project has been disappointing to the TTC and its riders and we apologize for it." The delays have forced the TTC to continue refurbishing aging streetcars to keep operating at the current capacity, costs included in the legal claim against Bombardier. Byford said it's not clear what the revised schedule means for those costs, but that the city is consulting with lawyers on its options. The current contract limits the city's legal claims for damages to $51 million.
They need those street cars! In May, the TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION says it recorded an all-time record ridership in 2015, surpassing the previous year's record total by nearly 3 million riders! In 2015, the agency logged 537.5 million riders. The agency says that ridership increased each year over the past 12 years. The agency's subway system logged 229.1 million riders in 2015, while Toronto's Yonge-University Station was named as one of the busiest stations with 216,200 daily customers. The agency says it expects its 2016 ridership levels to exceed 2015 records with a projected 554 million in annual ridership this year. The agency operates four subway lines and 11 streetcar routes.
GENERAL ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION
Stephen M. Koenig submitted these great shots he took in late-May 2016 of brand new motive power in Erie, Pennsylvania. First up, we have brand new FERROMEX ES44AC 4804, 4803, and 4800 on the GE test track in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Factory-fresh NORFOLK SOUTHERN ES44AC-T4C 8166 was taken May 24th, testing with GECX ES44AC 2012, and brand new FERROMEX ES44AC 4805 are just out of the shop! General Electric's own ES44AC, GECX 2012 is often used while testing new locomotives as you can see.
Brightly coloured (Columbia Railroad) Cerrejon ES44AC 1021, GECX ES44AC 2012 and Cerrejon 1022 on the test track on April 27, Part of a three unit order.
Ready to ship on May 6th, 2016 were CITIRAIL CORP ES44AC-T4C CREX 1504 and 11 siblings (CREX 1506, 1513, 1503, 1516,1519, 1520, 1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, and 1525) waiting for pick up by Norfolk Southern on the GE interchange track in Erie, PA. These locomotives are part of a 25 unit order from 2015, however with the current freight traffic downturn, these brand new GE units are reportedly going to be stored on BNSF until needed.
The Union Pacific's GE painted GEVO No. 7605 (GE Evolution Website)
At San Antonio Texas, John Karges photographed the GE "Next Fuel" ES44AC (GECX 3000) at the SWRI Locomotive Technology Center on July 13th, 2015
GMD LONDON VIGNETTES
Factory fresh CP SD40-2F 9002 is accompanied by sister CP 9017 and GMD-built SD40-2 CP 6013 seen leading an eastbound hotshot stopped at the east signals to the CP Saddle Rock siding deep in the Fraser River Canyon in the summer of 1989.waiting for a westbound meet.
For many years the "Red Barns" (as they were affectionately called by railfans), often hauled the coal traffic as leaders from the East Kootenay's Elk Valley Tech coal mines to the Roberts Bank coal port near Vancouver, BC. With the 1995 introduction of the GE AC4400CW to the CP fleet, these Dash 2F's were then relegated to working wayfreights or any other kind of rail traffic across the system. Currently the complete roster is based out of Winnipeg but these engines can be still be seen anywhere from Montreal to Vancouver. This model has garnered much love and hate over the years from both railway crews to photographers. Many CP hoggers were not pleased with the desktop style controls when used in switching operations, and how these non-air conditioned engines became rather hot during the summer months, especially between Kamloops, and Northbend, BC. We can testify that on hot summer days, most trains led by CP Red Barns had wide open front cab doors to bring a little fresh cool air into the cabs! Therefore it was always best to photograph the Red Barns in the cooler, early hours of the day rather than late when the temps got high in the summer.
Kevin also submitted this CP RAIL rendering by Michael Eby. At the time of their arrival CP RAIL was phasing out the black painted "Multimark", and instead going with the less expensive all Action Red with white stripes livery. During the 1990's, two were repainted into CP Rail System (dual flag) livery, but sadly after 2000, none ever got repainted into the CP golden Beaver scheme which would have looked great! (WB).
Marc Forseille submitted these great roster shots of CP Rail SD40-2F 9001, 9008 and 9018, all taken while trackside in the 1990's in British Columbia.
The remaining seven CP's Red Barn's remain on the roster, but have been stored since Oct. 31st, 2015. The numbers are: CP 9001, 9003, 9006, 9007, 9008, 9009 and 9015. The class unit CP SD40-2F 9000 was retired back in December 2012, and has been scrapped. All the other CP SD40-2F's are retired and sold, and a pair used in the SD30C-ECO program. CP SD40-2F 9004, 9010, 9011, 9014, 9017 and 9020-9024 were sold to Central Maine & Quebec (CMQ), in September, with the CP road numbers retained.
The following CP GE's were seen on the CAD arrival track on May 11th, and shot by Luc Lanthier: CP 8878, 9535, 9536 and 9541. The four GE units were moved to CAD from CP St-Luc Yard the night of May 9th. The GE's are here because CAD is continuing to swap out CP 9500-series trucks with the newer CP 8700-series GE's. As almost all the 9500-series are stored and have been for some time. Therefore these older CP AC4400CW locomotives will very likely get disposed of.
On May 25th, the following units were photographed outside the Cadrail shop: GMTX MP15DC 331 (in blue paint), was working in the CADRAIL yard moving railcars around.
Former SOO GP38-2 (CP 4404), is still on the property for overhaul, rewire, repaint and RCL installation.
More GE's, CP 9535, 9536, 9541, 8878, and 8734 were sitting outside in the CADRAIL yard, with the 9500's for truck swap outs, and then returned to storage on CP.
CSXT P40PHR 9993 now inside, is rumored to receive a complete rebuild (or overhaul), this from our CSX sources south of the border.
On May 5th, 2016 at CAD, there were not many units visible outside but Luc clicked off this shot of former CP/SOO nee-MILW MP15DC GMTX 312 which has been on the property for some time. It was repainted red a few months ago, and was moved dead on May 5th, in the yard and then parked outside the shop.
NEW ARRIVALS in MAY
AMT 1329
CP 9535
CP 9536
CP 9541
VIA 3461 - Coach arrived in May
AMT - Coach 2024 arrived in May
AMT -Coach 2031 arrived in May
QGRY 6920 - SD40-3 arrived in mid-April
GO 2504 - Coach arrived in mid-April
INSIDE THE SHOP (Updated May 27th, 2016):
CADRAIL 2001 - RS23 for yard collision Repairs
CEFX 2015 - GP20D for Unknown
CP 4404 - GP38-2 for RCL and Repaint
CP 8640 - AC4400CW Wreck repairs
CP 9574 - AC4400CW Repairs
CSXT 9993 - P40PHR for complete rebuild
GMTX 312 - (ex-CP 1428) in blue paint is soon to be released.
GMTX 331 - (ex-SOO 1553) in blue paint is soon to be released
LTEX 3812 -GP38-3M (ex-Ann Arbor GP38) in overhaul process
LTEX 3815 - GP38-3M (ex-LTEX 2588) previously sent to RSI in Minneapolis, but returned to CAD.
RPRX RP20BD 5401 - In long-term storage outside.
LTEX F40PH270 - Remains stored on Cadrail property.
RELEASED In MAY
CP AC4400CW 8639
CP ES44AC 8878
CP AC4400CW 9542
LTEX GP39-3M 3905 Waybilled to Baja railroad
LTEX GP39-3M 3906 Waybilled to Baja railroad
QGRY SD40-3 6920
VIA P42DC 901 fully repainted from fire damage
RELEASED in APRIL
AMT 1324 returned to service
CEFX 2032
CP 8504
CP 8520
CP 8630
CP 8711
CP 8727
CP 8729
CP 8731
CP 8863
CP 9515
CP 9523
CP 9554
CP 9566
CP 9643
CP 9766
CP 9766
LTEX 3903 - Repainted Completed (ex-LTEX 2536)
LTEX 3904 - Repainted Completed (ex LTEX 2563)
(They have both been delivered to the Kettle Falls RR, via
BNSF Chicago).
LTEX 18523
LTEX 18524
LTEX 18531
(All three F59PH locomotives have arrived at AMP in Dansville, NY).
This former GO Transit F59PH is getting converted to a cab car at Juniata. There are four of these at the shop right now with two being overhauled and repainted, and two being converted to cab cars for NC-DOT. There are others in storage there as well, (Altoona Works).
GO/AMT COMMUTER CARS:
NEWEST ARRIVALS :
AMT - Coach 2024 arrived in May
AMT - Coach 2031 arrived in May
GO TRANSIT / METROLINX commuter cars at CAD for overhaul and conversion to Bi-Level V standards. The list shows the commuter cars on the property undergoing the overhaul process, and those already released:
GO IN THE SHOP:
GO 2002, 2037, 2048, 2061, and 2078
GO RELEASED:
GO 2415, 2416, 2418, 2433, 2430, 2434, 2435, 2436, 2442, 2447, 2450, 2451, 2452, 2453, and 2455, all in 2016.
On February 23rd GO 2035 was released back to GO. It was the first Bi-Level 1 upgrade of this series to be completed at CAD three years ago, and used as their prototype example. It is now back in Toronto commuter service after three years inside CADRAIL in Montreal!
AMT IN THE SHOP:
AMT 2032 arrived in March.
AMT 2018, 2020 and 2036 (in Progress)
CADRAIL has been contracted by the Agence Metropolitaine de Transport for modernization and door refurbishment on a number of AMT 2000-series Montreal commuter coaches.
AMT RELEASED:
AMT 2032 - Coach
AMT1323 - F59PHi
VIA RAIL LRC cars at CADRAIL for Refurbishment
VIA NEWEST ARRIVALS:
VIA LRC 3461 arrived in May
(LRC) CURRENTLY INSIDE:
VIA 3323, 3458, 3459, 3466, and 3473.
(LRC) COMPLETED/RELEASED:
VIA 3307 released in May
VIA 3475 released in May
VIA 3466 released in April
VIA 3309 released in March
At Cadrail on October 12, 2015 was GMTX MP15DC 318 photographed on the property by Richard Marchi, who also included hiss shot of SOO MP15DC 1446.
JLCX 4004 (a former Railink painted GP9), was released from the locomotive and car repair shop RONSCO in Coteau-de-Lac, QC, and was lifted on CN 373 on April 29th, to Diesel Electric Service in Sudbury for more work.
BRC SW1000 456 was spotted in Sarnia Yard May 14th. It has been sold to the Belt Railway of Chicago and was released from US Steel Lake Erie works, with Motive Power Resources handling this locomotive transaction.
Noted on LDSX property just outside the shop were these locomotives:
Built in August 1987, CN C44-9W 2565 was spotted in May 2016, at the LDS Shop for repairs.
As well, NCLX SW1000 40 is back again at LDS. She has been plagued with failures and has been sent back to LDS several times over the last few years. This shot of her (with NCLX MP1500D), was taken in 2013 by Jon Hall, as they sat outside the LDS Shop.
Not too far from the LDS shop, on May 15th Ontario Hydro One Schnabel Car HEPX 200 was positioned on the siding at Myrtle Station. The CP Peterborough line and this siding had to be upgraded and inspected before this very heavy transformer load could be spotted on to it. The west end of the siding was upgraded with 100 lb. rail, several new ties, and fresh ballast of course. The middle of the siding has been raised up to match the elevation of the access road. When the load was removed, the car and accompanying safety caboose HEPX 79640 (ex CN) were returned to the Transformer yard at the Pickering Nuclear Station in Pickering, Ontario, on the CN Kingston Sub. (John Jeffery CRO Metrolinx/GO/LRT/TTC News Editor photos) and the load was shot by Phil Hall.
The 2016 Toledo National Train Day in Ohio last month was very fortunate to enjoy the generosity of several railroads. In particular, Norfolk Southern and Amtrak were instrumental in making the event such a success. Without their support and assistance, I doubt the event would take place. Last year and again this year, the Ann Arbor Railroad is bringing in a locomotive for display. Watco, Ann Arbors owner, is an important part of Toledo's rail infrastructure and I am very pleased to have them represented. In the past, the Wheeling and Lake Erie and Great Lakes Central have also brought engines in for display. These photos from past Toledo Train Days show the variety of power and cars that the railroads have graciously brought in for public viewing. (Steven Rathke - NS Engineer)
On May 18th, 2016, George Manley shot Sierra Railroad genset #52 returning to Oakdale from Riverbank and crossing the UP in Oakland, CA.
While riding N&W #611 a streamlined J-Class 4-8-4 out of Roanoke, VA in early May, Jody Moore was greeted by the following surprise: NS's pair of Railpower RP14BD gensets, NS 2120 and 2121 are working as shop switchers, at the Norfolk Southern Diesel Shop in Roanoke. Shown here is NS 2120, resting between shifts. As a bonus, behind the 2120, you can see a twinge of green and white stripes, which are on the hood of battery-powered BP4 locomotive NS 999, which is also assigned to Roanoke.
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Copyright CRO June 2016