Passenger
VIA Rail Canada
Sponsored by
CEO of massive rail project faces hurdles but Express Trains may be solution:
The route to be traced by Via Rail's planned high-frequency rail (HFR) line from Toronto to Quebec City, a project headed by Imbleau to build a new set of dedicated tracks slated for completion in the mid-2030s. Martin Imbleau has a nearly panoramic view of Montreal from his offices on the 34th floor of 1 Place Ville Marie, and Clearly in view are Central Station and Victoria Bridge, which are both essential to passenger and freight traffic through the city. Simply entering and exiting big cities quickly will be one of the thorniest challenges, Imbleau said. "If you go to the Gare Centrale or Union Station or even the Gare du Palais in Quebec (City), you realize that on the last segment to reach those train stations the trains go slowly. Therefore, it really affects your journey time," said Imbleau, CEO of VIA HFR Inc (the subsidiary of the passenger rail Crown corporation).
The 32 VIA Rail Siemens Trainsets (with the majority still on order in California), are bidirectional locomotive-hauled corridor trainsets with an SCV-42 locomotive and five Venture coaches; two business class cars, two economy class cars, and an economy class Cab Car. The trainsets can be reconfigured to between 3 and 7 cars long. VIA Rail's Siemens Charger locomotives are designated as SCV-42 (they were built as SC-4 units, and were unveiled as such, but were later "derated and redesignated" before delivery). Lukas Ouellet captured VIA train 28 yesterday at the VIA station in Dorval, QC on the CN Kingston Sub. Leading is VIA Rail 2204 is a Siemens SCV-42 Charger loco.
VIA HFR continued: "One of the constraints is to get in and get out of the cities in a much faster way." The existing tracks in and around the Greater Toronto Area are largely owned by regional transport authority Metrolinx and Canadian National Railway Co., with little room for more lines in a dense downtown area.
In Quebec, the planned route from its capital along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River to Montreal would likely mean entering that city from the north. This raises the question of whether a new tunnel through Mount Royal would be created — the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec's infrastructure arm has ruled out a second set of tracks through the existing tunnel, where the REM commuter line runs — to reach the heart of the city. "It's not about frequency only. It's about being fast. It's about being reliable," Imbleau said.
While stops in Peterborough, ON, Ottawa, ON, and Trois Rivières, QC, are mandated there. Each of the three consortiums selected to submit proposals for the roughly 1,000-kilometre line must each present two options: one allowing for speeds of up to 200 km/h, and another that can go even faster during high-speed legs of the journey. Imbleau noted that the average speed of some trains deemed high-speed in Europe, such as France's 600-kilometre Paris-Montpellier route, notch below 200 km/h and takes well over three hours. However, referring to the Toronto-Montreal route, which would cover roughly the same distance by way of Ottawa our One target is three and a half hours, so it's pretty fast," he said. The second speed option would likely increase the project's price tag. It was pegged at between $6 billion and $12 billion by former transport minister Omar Alghabra when it launched in 2021. Authorities have since shied away from estimates, however. However, High-speed rail lines demand full-grade separation at road crossings, potentially requiring hundreds of millions of dollars for construction of dozens of overpasses and underpasses. VIA 2202 & 2301 was shot by Ron Visockis departing Westbound at the VIA station in Belleville, ON November 3, 2023.
VIA 904 was shot Westbound in Belleville, ON, November 3, 223 by Ron Visockis.
VIA GENERATIONS: VIA RAIL's Motive-Power has changed drastically in the last 20-years from the GE-built P42-DC beginning in 2001, the Rebuilt F40PH-3 beginning in 2011, to the newest Siemens-built SCV-42 locomotives. Joel Potvin managed to catch all three models still together in October 2023 at the VIA Rail MMC shop in Pointe St-Charles, QC.
GE-VIGNETTE: Brand-new VIA P42DC 900 (wearing the great looking as-Built VIA GE blue) by Richard Gorddard in Brockville, ON, on March 23, 2001.
On November 3rd, 2023, Ron Visockis captured VIA F40PH-3 6424 passing the original CN/VIA Station building in station in Belleville, ON.
VIA F40PH-3 6432 expedites the Eastbound "Canadian" toward its next stop at the station in Jasper, AB, while handling a couple of "S-curves" at milepost 8, at CN Geikie about 10 minutes out of Jasper, Alberta. Bill Edgar took these shots great on July 17, 2013.
Dome-Lounge-Observation car "Yoho Park" brings up the rear of a lengthy Westbound VIA "Canadian" east of Jasper where the train will stop long enough for servicing and for passengers to visit local shops for about an hour.
Two of Napa Valley Wine Train's MLW FPA-4 locomotives are among six units to be replaced by two Tier 4 locomotives through a combination of state and federal grants. Napa Valley Wine Train. In November, the California Air Resources Board approved a grant that would allow the Napa Valley Wine Train to replace — and, under regulatory requirements, destroy — six vintage diesels with two Tier 4 compliant switchers. The approval, which occurred earlier this year, according to the CARB website, covers two of the Wine Train's signature ex-Canadian National, ex-VIA Rail Canada FPA4 locomotives; an ex-Southern Pacific RS11; a GP9R; an ex-U.S. Navy GE 65-ton switcher, and an ex-U.S. Air Force GE 80-ton switcher. All of the locomotives involved were built in 1959 or earlier. They would be replaced by two 1,560-hp Knoxville Locomotive Works locomotives. Napa Valley Wine Train has told the Bay Area Air Quality Management District the two new units "will be able to perform the same scope of work as the six [replaced] units, despite the overall decrease in horsepower," according to the CARB's approval.
• NVRR 70 ex VIA #6760, nee CN FPA4 822693
• NVRR 71 blt 1959, ex-VIA and CN FPA4 6775 831531
• NVRR 72 blt 1959 ex-VIA and CN FPA4 6787 83165 26
• NVRR 73 Repowered with a EMD 12-645E and ex-CN FPA4 83168
Napa Valley Wine Train received more than $2 million for the locomotive replacement when federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Program, or CRISI, grants were announced in September [see "Federal Railroad Administration awards more than $1.4 billion …," Trains News Wire, Sept. 25, 2023]. The CRISI announcement indicated the tourist railroad would "replace seven highly polluting locomotives with three near-zero-emission locomotives;" no explanation of the difference in figures between the state and federal documents was immediately available. Napa Valley Wine Train and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District are to provide 75% of the funding for the project.
CN VIGNETTE: One of the CN MLW's that went to the Napa Valley Wine Train was CN FPA-4 6775, (later-VIA 6775 to NVRR 71). On a bitterly cold morning in January 1968, a trio of MLW's bring a 14 car "The Ocean" from Halifax, NS through suburban St. Lambert and onto the Victoria Bridge on the final miles into Montreal's Central Station. Here, she looks like she has been through quite a storm as she is seen here returning after a two-day voyage from Nova Scotia. Ian Stronach took this great shot as she was eastbound on the CN Ste-Hyacinthe Sub passing the VIA Station in St-Lambert QC, approaching Montreal to terminate.
SEIMENS SCV-42 VIA TRAIN SETS IN SERVICE TRACE:
(As of Late Friday - November 20, 2023)
• VIA 2202/2301 A Ottawa,ON November 20 at 08:14am
• VIA 2203/2302 D Pickering,ON November 20 at 14:27pm
• VIA 2204/2303 A Montréal,Qc November 18
• VIA 2205/2304 A Montreal,Qc November 19 at 21:06pm
• VIA 2206/2305 A MontreaLQc November 17
CN C44-9W 2673 leads P276 with VIA Siemen Set 2309 (minus the SCV-42 locomotive) being hauled through Ingersoll, Ontario on November 9, 2023.
VIA F40PH-3 LOCOMOTIVE TRACE:
(As of November 17, 2023)
• VIA 6400* Retired 2010
• VIA 6401 A Montreal,Qc November 13
• VIA 6402 A Montreal,Qc November 16
• VIA 6403* (Renumbered to 6459)
• VIA 6404 A Montreal,Qc October 25
• VIA 6405 A Montreal,Qc November 16
• VIA 6406 A Quebec City,Qc 16:23pm
• VIA 6407 D Moncton,NB 17:01pm
• VIA 6408 D Moncton,NB 17:01pm
• VIA 6409 A Montreal,Qc November 14
• VIA 6410 A Winnipeg,MB November 15
• VIA 6411 A Montreal,Qc November 5
• VIA 6412 A Vancouver,BC November 16 at 08:26am
• VIA 6413 A Montreal,Qc 12:07pm
• VIA 6414 D Brockville,ON 16:28pm
• VIA 6415 A Vancouver,BC November 12
• VIA 6416 A Toronto,ON 12:02pm
• VIA 6417 A Montreal,Qc March 24
• VIA 6418 A Toronto,ON 15:01pm
• VIA 6419 D Clarke,ON 16:56pm
• VIA 6420 A Montreal,Qc 13:50pm
• VIA 6421 A Montreal,Qc November 11
• VIA 6422* Retired 2001
• VIA 6423* Retired 1999
• VIA 6424 A Montreal,Qc November 15
• VIA 6425 A Montreal,Qc March 14
• VIA 6426 D Brockville,ON 16:34pm
• VIA 6427 D Terrace,BC 10:27am
• VIA 6428 A Montreal,Qc March 28
• VIA 6429 A Winnipeg,MB November 13
• VIA 6430* Retired 2001
• VIA 6431 D Biggar,SK 14:13pm
• VIA 6432 A Montreal,Qc November 15
• VIA 6433 D Woodstock,ON 16:23pm
• VIA 6434 A Vancouver,BC November 5
• VIA 6435 A Montreal,Qc August 2
• VIA 6436 D Biggar,SK 14:13pm
• VIA 6437 A Windsor Spur,ON 15:47pm
• VIA 6438 A Vancouver,BC November 12
• VIA 6439 D Kings,ON 16:35pm
• VIA 6440 A Winnipeg,MB November 15
• VIA 6441 A Winnipeg,MB November 13
• VIA 6442 D Harvey,BC 13:26pm
• VIA 6443 A Toronto,ON 12:02pm
• VIA 6444* Retired 2012
• VIA 6445 A Vancouver,BC November 16 at 08:26am
• VIA 6446 A Toronto,ON November 15
• VIA 6447* Retired 1998
• VIA 6448 A Toronto,ON 14:27pm
• VIA 6449 A Montreal,Qc January 18
• VIA 6450* Retired 2000
• VIA 6451 A Winnipeg,MB November 13
• VIA 6452 A Montreal,Qc October 28
• VIA 6453 A Unknown,Qc 16:38pm
• VIA 6454 D Chambord,Qc 16:45pm
• VIA 6455 A Prince Rupert,BC November 16 at 20:06pm
• VIA 6456 A Fitzpatrick,Qc 13:40pm
• VIA 6457 A Winnipeg,MB November 6
• VIA 6458 A Winnipeg,MB November 13
• VIA 6459 D Toronto,ON 16:32pm
VIA F40PH-3 6439 leads VIA 633 as it passed MP62.8 of the VIA Alexandria Sub and was nicely captured by Raymond Ferand.
Frank Lenny Smith shot VIA F40PH-3 6425 and a P42DC, leading a "Dog's Breakfast" of VIA passenger equipment in Belleville, Ontario on August 12, 2015.
CP MONTREAL VIGNETTE: At Windsor Station in the 1950's, CPR E8 1800 meets an inbound CPR Commuter train, with a D&H train in the Distance. OR IS IT NYC?
EXO/AMT
Former AMT - Agence métropolitaine de transport
EXO – CN INCIDENT: In Montreal, QC, November 21, 2023, a Canadian National freight "light-power move" (with CN ET44AC 3100 & 3102), suffered a face-to-face Collision with EXO commuter train (led by EXO F59PH 1346), which was stopped on the EXO Mascouche line. Neither locomotive derailed in this incident, but both received front-end damage. An CTSB investigation was opened after the collision between the two trains on Tuesday evening in the northeast of Montreal, located near the Saint-Léonard–Montréal-Nord station. No people were injured during the event, but EXO train service was affected. (La Presse Nord-est de Montréal).
As CRO went to press The TSB says, the CN Crew Got inside the block with a restricting light (Red signal), They saw the light change in front of them go green for the next block, but it wasn't their light. (It was for the Commuter train at the station ahead of the, to depart Cab Car first with engine pushing. The CN Crew thought it was their light… notched up the two engines, even though they were still supposed to go no more than 15. They collided with the standing EXO train at 32-34 mph. The Video keeps being deleted, but is here as I type this: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0CH4-qr7xd/?fbclid=IwAR3kVnMZyehGdP6LPbDDNMHGvD0QdkCSPytUTup5MYfddHp1frhR8nhvf_E
CN's Phil Hall added… The GMD-built F59 does have an enhanced cab collision structural integrity, which appears to have performed exactly as it was supposed to. The cab split off from the body at front of the cab which protects the crew as opposed to the full impact on the cab front.
A new use for the former remaining EMU Deux-Montanges fleet! (We shuda thought of that! WHB). EXO F59PH 1340 was shot by Railfan Charles pushing EXO train S84 through St-Henri (Cab end First), on Saturday, October 28 2023 on the CN Montreal Sub.
Montreal's once-envied Métro is a now a symbol of the crisis in public transit
Commentary By Konrad Yakabuski
When Montreal's Métro opened in 1966, just in time for Expo '67, the city's subway system was the envy of North America. Built for $213-million and running on rubber tires, instead of squeaky steel wheels, it was a technological marvel. Its art-filled stations drew new patrons to public transit and, for a time, even made taking the subway chic.
These days, taking the Métro is not any fun at all. The network's oldest stations are run down and poorly maintained. Several have become unofficial shelters for homeless people. Random acts of violence are increasingly common. As are service interruptions. The deterioration of Montreal's Métro system is illustrative of the crisis in public transit occurring across Canada. Governments claim urban transit is a priority and a critical component in their plans to cut carbon emissions. Politicians keep promising new subway and light-rail transit projects to entice voters. They talk a lot less about the costs of maintaining existing transit services.
Yet, those costs have become unsustainable. Ridership lags far below pre-pandemic levels, depriving urban transit authorities of hundreds of millions of dollars in annual operating revenues. Transit authorities warn that, without more funding, service cuts are inevitable. Statistics Canada reported this week that ridership on the country's urban transit networks soared 15.1 per cent in September compared with the same month in 2022, reaching 134.7 million passenger trips. Ridership rose most in Edmonton, up 29.2 per cent. The number of trips increased 6.1 per cent in Toronto and 11.5 per cent in Montreal. Still, ridership remained at only 82.1 per cent of the pre-pandemic level. What's more, transit authority operating revenue (excluding government subsidies) was, at $323.6-million, 12.3 per below the September 2019 level. Ridership is unlikely to fully recover any time soon. Remote work has permanently changed the public-transit equation everywhere.
Quebec's 10 urban transit authorities, led by the Société de transport de Montréal, last month said they face a $2.5-billion revenue shortfall over the next five years and will be forced to drastically reduce services without more provincial funding. An internal STM document obtained by Radio-Canada outlined a long list of potential cuts that includes closing the Métro at 11 p.m. and reducing the frequency of buses and subways. Service reductions would only create a vicious cycle, however, by leading to a drop in ridership and fare revenues, making even deeper cuts unavoidable.
In spite of the STM's financial woes, an extension of the Métro's Blue Line through lower-density east-end Montreal neighbourhoods is still planned for 2029. But the project, if it proceeds, is only likely to exacerbate the STM's financial problems. Quebec Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault has ordered all 10 transit authorities to re-examine their cost structures, starting with hefty salary increases granted to managers in recent years. She has offered a one-time grant of $265-million, which she says would be enough to absorb 70 per cent of next year's deficits, but no more money after that. Instead, Ms. Guilbault says she plans to commission performance audits on the province's transit authorities. "The reality is that we can't just endlessly give more money to cover these deficits," she warned this month. Transit authorities "need to examine themselves, restructure their finances and find ways to save money at the source. My bet is that there are other ways to become more efficient than closing the Métro after 11 p.m." Compensation accounts for two-thirds or more of the operating costs at Quebec's transit authorities. In addition to bloated management structures, generous collective agreements have meant that unionized transit workers earn salaries and benefits that far exceed those in comparable provincial public-service or private-sector jobs.
Overall, the salaries of municipal employees in Quebec were 25.7 per cent higher than those of provincial workers in similar jobs in 2022, according to data compiled by the Institut de la Statistique du Québec. Including benefits, the gap was 34.6 per cent. According to the ISQ, municipal bus and subway operators earn more than any other Quebec workers in jobs that require only a high school diploma. Their average base salary stood at $66,659 in 2022, though most earned significantly more because of overtime bonuses. The average annual bus-driver salary stands at $106,652, excluding benefits, according to the Montreal Economic Institute. The MEI estimates that aligning the compensation of bus drivers and subway operators with that of non-municipal workers would save $250-million annually, eliminating about half of the annual deficit faced by Quebec's transit authorities. It may be unrealistic to expect transit workers to give up wage gains negotiated in good faith, at least not without a major fight. But transit authorities clearly need to exercise more financial rigour and union contracts cannot be off limits.
LRT News
Montreal REM
(Reseau Express Metropolitain)
The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) Metropolitan Express Network is a 67-kilometer (42 miles) automated light metro rail system that is projected to cost $6.9 billion under the Alstom-led consortium, Groupe des partenaires pour la mobilité des Montréalais (Groupe PMM). Significant progress has been made on construction, with some parts of the line planned to open as soon as this year. The rolling stock consists of 212 "Metropolis" model cars, to be operated in 2-4 car sets. Ongoing testing can be seen around the Montreal, Quebec area on most days as the lines prepare for revenue service.
The Île-des-Sœurs station at the base of the (Samuel de Champlain Bridge) is progressing well. Some finishing work is still in progress as well as exterior work and last will be the landscaping.
A ride on the REM on the morning after the first Montreal snowfall of the year (in November 2023) in a Rear Window View starting in Downtown Central Station southbound to Ile Des Soeurs (Nuns Island). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAsk3O-qGaM
As Édouard-Montpetit station work continues at the future REM station (located near the University of Montreal and the METRO Blue Line. The exterior envelope is in its finishing phase, and the installation of ceramic tiles is underway and constructing the elevators is continuing.
TTC/GO Transit/Metrolinx
Edited by TTC/GO Transit/Metrolinx editor Brian Barker
Please submit your GO/TTC news and photos to oaktree_b@hotmail.com
GO INCIDENTS
A Passenger reportedly sustained serious injuries while boarding coach GO 4235 on GO assignment 2722 at mile 0.0 GO of the USRC Sub.(2023/11/02)
Eastward GO assignment 9130 was reported to have struck an unoccupied vehicle at a Public Crossing equipped with FLB&G, located at mile 320.41 of the GO Kingston Sub. There was No derailment. No leaks. No injuries. (2023/11/17)
Person assaulted on GO train between Milliken Station and Agincourt Station
The Toronto Sun reports that a person was struck in the face with a heavy object, while travelling on a GO train between Milliken Station and Agincourt Station, at around 1:50pm on October 29, 2023. The victim had non-life threatening injuries; police released an image of the suspect shortly after the incident.
GO train car evacuated after fire at Union Station
In what police are calling "an intentional act of vandalism in a washroom," a GO train was forced to be evacuated at Union Station shortly before midnight on November 3, 2023, after one car filled with smoke. Firefighters responded to a fire on a Lakeshore West train at the station, with no injuries reported. No suspect details have been released.
Women charged with impaired driving after vehicle hit by GO train in Scarborough
Toronto Police responded to a call in the area of Morningside Ave and Gardentree St, near the Guildwood GO station, at 8pm on November 17, 2023 to reports of a GO train having struck a vehicle. No injuries were reported. A woman in her 40s was arrested nearby for impaired driving. She reportedly left the vehicle on the tracks at the time of the incident. Photos show her driving along the tracks as she hit the front of the GO train, reportedly flashing her high beams at the train so it got out of her way...
The crash affected the Lakeshore East line, leading to the cancellation of some trains. Photo above shared with the CRO Facebook group by Phil Hall.
GO/METROLINX CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
ONTARIO LINE UPDATES
Metrolinx shared a video on October 31st, showing Toronto's other "hidden" station known as Lower Queen, a restricted underground streetcar stop beneath the Queen subway station. The station was built in the early 1950s, the lower interchange platform was roughed in to serve the planned (but never constructed) Queen Street Rapid Transit streetcar line. "The streetcar terminal would permit east-west movements to flow through the city without being impacted by the traffic synonymous with the downtown core. The separate line was proposed to run from Trinity-Bellwoods Park in the west to Logan Avenue in the east, dipping underground as it moved through the chaotic downtown core" according to a blog TO post. It was never built, as preference was instead given to the Bloor-Danforth subway line.
Despite never seeing any transit vehicle pass through, the station is set to be resurrected as part of the Ontario Line. Photo above showing part of the never opened station.
EGLINTON CROSSTOWN LRT UPDATES
Crews on the Eglinton Crosstown have been installing over 5000 "tunnel rings" along the line, to prevent cave-ins along the underground sections of the line. According to insauga.com, 5240 rings have been installed along the line as of November 7th. A total of 6554 of these rings have been produced, for eventual installation along the line.
FINCH WEST LRT UPDATES
The Toronto Star reports on November 21st that construction on the Finch West LRT should be completed this year, with the LRT ready to be opened in 2024. "We've made a lot of headway, getting really close to the end of major construction," said Andrew Hope, chief capital officer for rapid transit for Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency overseeing the project. "We are very confident at this point that the line is going to open next year."
BARRIE LINE EXPANSION
Barrietoday.com reports that Metrolinx officials held an open house on November 28th, where the public was able comment and discuss the future of double tracking the Barrie Line. An in-person event was offered on the 28th, with five more virtual sessions at a later date.
As a reminder, the project is organized into seven construction zones, from King St West to Finch Ave West. The open house described above focused on Zone 3, from St. Clair Avenue West to Eglinton Avenue West – and offered a general update on all other project zones. "The project includes preparatory work, such as grading, vegetation removal, utility relocation, noise barriers, security fencing, storm sewer installation and platform expansion, as well as Sheppard Bridge and Downsview Station enhancements." These are all part of the plan to bring an increased capacity to the line.
HAZEL MCCALLION LINE (HURONTARIO LRT)
Insauga.com reports on November 9th that 40 meters of track have been put down on Hurontario St, south of the QEW, are part of a dedicated guideway where trains will run separately from vehicle traffic. They have been installed near a recently completed bridge, connecting areas on the east side of Hurontario with those one the west side. "The area around Port Credit GO Station is about to undergo some changes," said officials with Metrolinx, the provincial agency overseeing the huge transit project that's on schedule to be completed by fall 2024. "That's because crews just completed the construction of a new bridge at Eaglewood Boulevard. The completion of this phase of construction has allowed for the start of the guideway track installation of the future Hazel McCallion Line in Mississauga south."
When the tracks are fully installed, the new Eaglewood Bridge will be handed over to the City of Mississauga and opened to the public. According to Metrolinx and Insauga.com: "On top of enhancing traffic flow and connecting communities on both sides of Hurontario Street, this reconfiguration will create a more efficient coordination with the ongoing LRT guideway construction on Hurontario Street."
Construction prep has begun in south Mississauga for an underground LRT station to be built at the Port Credit GO station, as reported in insauga.com on November 24th. With major work at Port Credit out of the way, crews can now start building the LRT station at the existing GO station, using the "Verona System", a massive concrete passageway/push box, under the Lakeshore West rail tracks to create the tunnel through which the LRT trains will travel in and out of the transit hub.
The new tunnel will separate northbound and southbound LRT traffic when the line opens in 2024. Metrolinx officials note: "the project reached another milestone by reinstating three existing GO train tracks with brand new rail" in Port Credit. "This enhancement ensures improved efficiency and safety for GO train commuters. Additionally, the foundation for two additional tracks has been laid, setting the stage for future expansion and increased capacity."
OTHER METROLINX NEWS
Shuttle buses replaced service on the Barrie Line between Allandale Waterfront and Union stations November 4-5, to allow for track maintenance along the corridor. Work included platform upgrades at Maple station and switch upgrades near Aurora station as part of ongoing expansion work on the line. GO shuttle buses replaced the train service for people travelling between Allandale Waterfront GO and Union Station, while Downsview Park GO was not served by any GO bus replacements. Travellers out of Downsview Park were encouraged to use the TTC during this time.
In a November 6th press release, the City of Brantford is asking the Province of Ontario to establish a "GO Transit Rail Station extension in Brantford". Per the release: "The proposal, titled "Brantford on Track: Paving the Way for GO Rail Extension," comes in response to the pressing need to address the region's growing population, increased economic activity, and the evolving transportation demands of the community."
Brantford's population is expected to increase by 60,000 people by 2051, with an additional 1,830 acres added to the city after boundary adjustments in 2017. The City wants the extension of rail services to the area (one of the fastest-growing areas in Ontario), noting that the current GO buses that serve the area call at Aldershot GO, where parking is already at capacity, thus train service would help to relieve congestion. It would also add capacity and reduce travel times. Also noted is that both London and Woodstock have asked for a rail extension to the area, for similar reasons.
Called the East Harbour Transit Hub, the project will connect GO Transit, TTC streetcars and the future Ontario Line; it will be located in Toronto's Riverdale neighbourhood, east of the Don Valley Parkway and south of Eastern Avenue, on the Lakeshore East and Stouffville GO transit lines. CP24 confirms on November 15th that the project will use 40km of existing GO rail corridors so that new stations are more conveniently located for neighbourhoods and commercial areas. "The project aims to facilitate single-train connection between Toronto and other towns and cities, including Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Mississauga, Oakville and Hamilton."
Digital renderings released by Metrolinx (see above) show a large station with room to accommodate 100,000 daily customers. "Proposed design features include a massive skylight and exposed beams, as well as a drop-off area for cars and ride-shares. City briefing documents from March of this year say the project is estimated to be completed in May 2028, with an estimated service start date of August 2028."
Bemused users on social media posted a photo of the area at Osgoode Hall where trees were hastily cut down this past summer, showing the untouched area where the trees have started to grow back. As a reminder, the trees were cut down in order to prepare the area for the Ontario Line subway station to be built in the area, but it appears nothing has been done with the site since the trees were removed. Above photo shared by Threads user ipedro.
GO Transit wrapped a bi-level coach to celebrate Diwali; the car was seen travelling along the Kitchener Line from November 10-15 and had on-board festivities to mark the event. The coach would later travel across the GO network until November 26th. Photo above from weeklyvoice.com showing the coach.
Over the last few months (starting in late August 2023), Metrolinx has been quietly rolling out new PRESTO machines at GO stations, before the big "reveal" in their November email blast to users of the service. The new Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) allow customers to buy GO tickets and load funds onto a PRESTO card using cash, debit or credit cards. They can also check card balances, transaction histories and fare types. Select machines now also sell PRESTO cards, automatically setup as an Adult card, but this can be changed by a Station Ambassador to other fare types. The new machines do not sell braille PRESTO cards; those requiring one will have to go to other vendors (typically Shoppers Drug Marts/Loblaws locations), or can go to the PRESTO website or call the contact centre.
The new machines will eventually replace existing devices, as part of a multi-phase introduction. According to Metrolinx, the new devices offer: "More PRESTO card options, including the ability to purchase PRESTO cards from all machines, load a card, set a GO default trip, and change the language option to English or French. The ability to purchase both GO Transit and UP Express paper tickets from all TVMs. Accessibility enhancements for a better customer experience, including toe clearance for customers using mobility devices, a larger screen with high contrast display, high contrast and braille labels and an enhanced accessibility mode with audio output that enables control of the TVM using the PIN pad."
GO TRANSIT PHOTOS
CRO reader's photos
Great photos this month submitted by CRO readers. Always looking forward to GO Transit or UP Express (even TTC!) photos submitted by our audience here, feel free to send them to the email listed under the column heading. -BB
MPEX 679 in Watertown WI back on August 2021. That unit is one of the MNP54ACs with the twin Cummins prime movers, producing 5,400HP. Unit painted for GO Transit, but still wearing Motive-Power's reporting marks, likely on a move to or from the builder. Photo by Andy Deutsch, kindly submitted to CRO. Thank you!
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Eastbound GO 612 departs Oakville bound for Toronto Union Station on November 3 2023. Photo by Terry O'Shell.
 TJO Photo.JPG)
Westbound GO 363 waits for passengers at Toronto Union Station bound for Hamilton West Harbour on July 10 2023. Photo by Terry O'Shell.
 TJO Photo.JPG)
On July 10, 2023 eastbound GO 625 at John St. Interlocking, next stop Toronto Union Station. Photo by Terry O'Shell.
UPExpress NEWS AND PHOTOS
UPExpress photos taken in the USRC
Some great photos this month submitted by Terry O'Shell, showing the Union Pearson Express in the Union Station Rail Corridor, with thanks. All taken this past summer, to bring some warm thoughts to what we hope isn't too cold a winter...
 TJO Photo.JPG)
Eastbound Union Pearson Express DMU UP 1011 is leading a two DMU consist through John St. Interlocking approaching Toronto Union Station on July 10 2023
 TJO Photo.JPG)
Eastbound Union Pearson Express with DMU 3005 leading is arriving Union Station, Toronto on July 10, 2023
 TJO Photo.JPG)
Westbound Union Pearson Express three DMU consist is ready to depart UNION Station, Toronto for Pearson Airport
HAMILTON LRT NEWS
Construction begins along several streets in the city
In a November 15 press release, Metrolinx confirms their crews have started relocating water mains along Wentworth St, Sherman Ave and Nash Rd as prep work for construction on the Hamilton LRT. The City of Hamilton's decision to convert Main St from one-way to two-way traffic has helped the design of the LRT: "(this) has led to an opportunity to refine the LRT route and how the LRT will access the Operations, Maintenance and Storage (OMSF) facility on Chatham Street."
The change shifts the LRT route from the previous LRT-only bridge onto Main and Dundurn Streets and shifts the access to the OMSF from the busy Longwood Road to Frid Street. It also shifts the Dundurn LRT stop onto Dundurn Street, closer to Hamilton's Innovation District. Map above showing the changes.
TTC NEWS
TTC SERVICE DELAYS, ROUTE CHANGES AND CLOSURES
TTC INCIDENTS
Due to track work, there was no subway service on Line 1 between St Clair and Finch stations, November 4 and 5, 2023. North York Centre and Lawrence stations were also closed, shuttle buses running during the down-time. Regular service resumed the following Monday at 6am.
Due to track work, service on Line 1 ended early between Eglinton and Sheppard-Yonge stations, November 6-9, at 11pm. Shuttle buses ran during the closure, with normal service resuming the following morning at 6am.
Line 1 was closed between St. George and St. Andrew stations two consecutive weekends (November 9-10 and November 18-19), due to maintenance. Shuttle buses were not run "because of ongoing construction along the route, which will impact the consistency of service for the shuttle buses." Extra streetcars were run in the downtown core instead. Museum, St. Patrick and Queen's Park stations were closed; all other stations remained open during these closures.
From November 13-16, Line 1 between Sheppard-Yonge and Eglinton stations closed early at 11pm due to track work. Shuttle buses ran during the shutdown. The stations remained open to allow for Presto card reloading and to access surface routes.
Due to a power shut down, Line 1 Yonge-University trains were not running between Union and Bloor-Yonge stations, starting at 10:57am on November 15. Service resumed at 11:24am that morning.
Service on Line 1 between St George and St Andrew stations was not running due to track work, November 18-19. No shuttle buses were run, but service was increased on surface routes, and customers were advised to use the Yonge side of the line to reach downtown.
Line 1 trains were not stopping at Bloor-Yonge station due to a security incident at 6:08pm on November 22, lasting until 6:28pm. Social media reports there was a disorderly person assaulting passengers.
Early closures were announced on Line 1, between Eglinton and Sheppard-Yonge stations, from November 27-30. This was to allow for track work to take place. Service ended nightly at 11pm with shuttle buses operating. Normal service resumed the following day at 6am.
Line 2 Bloor-Danforth had no service between Broadview and Woodbine stations, due to an operational problem, starting at 1:03pm on November 10th, with shuttle buses running instead. Subway trains were moving again 1:28pm on that portion of the line.
Portions of Line 2 between Kipling at Islington stations were closed due to track work, the weekend of November 11-12. The service was replaced by shuttle buses, with stations remaining open so customers could access surface routes or buy/load Presto cards.
Trains were not running between Keele and St. George stations as power was shut down, starting at 3:10pm on November 20th. Service resumed at 3:29pm, no reasons given for the outage. Trains were also not stopping at Ossington earlier that afternoon due to a security incident. Notice was given at 1:06pm, service to Ossington resumed at 3:22pm. No details were given.
There was no service on Line 2 between Kipling and Islington stations due to track work, November 11 and 12. Shuttle buses ran instead, with service resuming that following Monday at 6am.
There was no service between Ossington and Jane stations due to an injury on the tracks, first reported at 9:11am on November 23rd. Shuttle buses ran between Ossington and Jane stations, with bus service at Keele Station being redirected to High Park Station. Regular subway service resumed at 11:03am that morning.
The eastern end of the Bloor-Danforth (Line 2 subway) was closed, with no service between the final two stations on the line (Warden and Kennedy), on the December 2-3 weekend due to track work. Warden station was closed, but Kennedy remained open for Presto loading and access to surface routes. Passengers requiring accessible connections were advised to get off at Victoria Park station.
Due to a security incident, there was no service between Sheppard-Yonge and Don Mills stations, starting at 6:05pm on November 23. Shuttle buses were deployed, but were not serving Don Mills Station. Regular service resumed at 6:27 pm that evening. [As a reminder, Line 4 is the shortest subway line in use in Toronto (only 5.5 km long), rarely seeing delays. -ed.]
506 Carlton cars were detouring eastbound via College St and Ossington Ave due to an operational problem, starting at 9:53pm November 3rd. Regular service resumed near College St and Lansdowne Ave at 11:54pm that evening. That same evening, 510 Spadina streetcars were not stopping near Spadina station due to police activity, first reported at 10:47pm, service resuming near Spadina Station at 11:28pm that evening.
501B Queen cars were detouring via University Ave, Dundas St W and Church St due to a demonstration on November 4, 2023 starting at 5:30pm. Detour lasted around 30 minutes. 505 Dundas service was also affected by a demonstration that day, detouring eastbound via Spadina Ave, King St W and Parliament St, starting at 4:13pm, normal routing resuming 2 hrs later. 510 Spadina cars were forced to detour northbound via King St W, Bathurst St and College St due to a blocked track, starting at 4:03pm that day, lasting until at least 4:41pm.
505 Dundas streetcars were detouring via Parliament St, Queen St E and Broadview Ave due to track work, starting at 11:45am on November 9, returning to normal routing at 10pm that evening.
TTC gave notice that the Queen's Quay streetcar platform at Union Station was closed from 11pm November 10th, until 4am November 14th, affecting the 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina streetcars. Replacement buses were serving Union Station with stops at Bay and Front streets. Customers could also use GO Transit at Exhibition Place and Union Station.
501 Queen service was detouring eastbound via Broadview Ave, Gerrard St E and Coxwell Ave due to a blocked track, starting at 6:32pm on November 11. The problem was cleared at 8pm that evening. 503 Kingston Rd service was also detouring via Broadview Ave, Gerrard St E and Coxwell Ave during that time. An "operational problem" affected 505 Dundas cars that day, starting at 7:30pm, forcing the streetcars to detour eastbound via College St and Ossington Ave; normal routing returned at 9:06pm.
506 Carlton cars were detouring westbound via Mccaul St, Queen St W and Bathurst St due to a blocked track, starting at 10:18am on November 12th, with normal routing resuming at 11:21 am.
501 Queen service was detouring via St. Matthews Rd, Jack Layton Way and Broadview Ave due to a fire, starting at 6:59am, lasting until 9:53am, on November 15. The 501 Queen service was impacted later that morning at 11:37am, when cars were detouring via Shaw St, King St W and Roncesvalles Ave due to emergency overhead wire repairs. This detour lasted until 1:05pm.
504 King cars were detouring eastbound via Spadina Ave, Queens Quay W and Fleet St due to an operational problem, starting at 7:56pm, lasting until 8:59pm on November 18. 504 King service was also suffering delays near King St W at Dufferin St due to construction, from 5:30-6:30pm that day.
Starting November 19th, the 507 Long Branch streetcar returned to service, the first time the service has run since 1996. It operates every day until 10pm between Long Branch Loop and Humber Loop. Customers can board from platforms on Lake Shore Blvd. From 10 pm until 1 am, service will be provided by 501 Queen streetcars, providing customers with transfer-free service between Long Branch Loop and McCaul Street.
On November 19, 503 Kingston Rd service was not running between Charlotte St at Oxley St and King St E at Church St E, due to an operational problem, starting at 9:34am until 10:47am. Later that day, 501 Queen service was detouring via Kingston Rd, starting at 8:25pm on November 19, due to a disruptive customer. Regular service resumed near Queen St E at Neville Park Blvd at 8:56pm.
November 20th saw 501 Queen service detouring eastbound via Church St, Richmond St W and Adelaide St E due to a collision, starting at 1:11pm, until 2:22pm that afternoon. 504 King cars were not deployed eastbound from King St W at Spadina Ave E side to King St E at Sumach St due to "weather conditions", starting at 1:09pm that afternoon, with no service into the Distillery Loop. Service resumed at 2:21pm. Weather that day was bright and sunny, but no explanations were offered as to what "weather conditions" affected service. Social media users quipped that the driver had perhaps forgotten to lower the sun visor that afternoon...
503 Kingston Road service was detouring via Coxwell Ave, Gerrard St E, Parliament St and King St E, due to an operational problem, starting at 6:33 am on November 22nd. Shuttle buses were operating during the detour, regular routing returned at 10:01 am that morning. Also that day, 511 Bathurst service was detouring via College St, Spadina Ave and Spadina Station, while the TTC fixed a mechanical problem, starting at 7:28pm until 8:16pm. Number 7 bus service was extended to Dundas Street to make up for the detour.
OTHER TTC NEWS
After promising in March 2023 that they would have fare integration between GO Transit and the TTC available at the end of 2023, the Ford government has been forced to postpone the integration until February 2024. Global News confirms in a November 1st 2023 article that the plan's timeline was deemed "too ambitious" by the government.
The plan would allow riders to pay only one fare when using the Presto system, rather than a double fare when moving from GO Transit to the TTC or vice-versa. The issues are said to be with a software system used by Presto, taking months longer to upgrade than was forecast. Internal government estimates show the plan will cost between $100 million and $150 million a year over its first three years of operation.
The TTC announced November 17th that they would be purchasing 60 new made-in-Canada streetcars, produced by Alstom in Thunder Bay. All three levels of government were present for the announcement made that Friday morning. During a press conference for the announcement, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland said the new streetcars will facilitate a "faster, more comfortable commute to wherever you want to go in Toronto." "And they represent great jobs for people in Thunder Bay for hardworking, highly skilled union workers in that great Canadian city," she continued. "Creating good paying middle-class jobs across Canada, across Ontario, is a cornerstone of our economic plan. And a thriving Toronto and Toronto thriving absolutely depends on having a thriving public transit system." When delivered, the new vehicles will bring the streetcar fleet to 264 vehicles.
This comes after Bombardier previously delivered streetcars that were plagued by delays, forcing the TTC to keep the CLRV vehicles in service longer than expected. The TTC eventually sued Bombardier in 2016 to recoup some of the costs.
The new cars entered service on November 17th, with an inaugural run on the 504 King route. According to ProgressiveRailroading.com in a November 21st article: "The TTC's 2023-2032 capital budget and plan includes the streetcar program, consisting of the 60 additional low-floor streetcars and the reconfiguring of the Hillcrest Complex to accommodate the storage of at least 25 streetcars. The program is essential to ensuring the TTC can meet future ridership growth and demand over the coming years, commission officials said."
In what had the potential to escalate, a protest was held at Union Station in Toronto on November 9th, occupying the Bay Concourse before moving outside and dispersing peacefully. The group of around 200 people reportedly took over much of the Bay Concourse, but commuters were able to move around them freely. Police and security were on hand. The group moved out to the street in front of the station at around 10am, after staying in the Concourse area for 2 hours. There was concern that the protest would delay foot traffic through Union or delay transit operations, but that was not the case.
All subway trains were held at platform stations while buses and streetcar operators halted the vehicles at the closest stop before the clock strikes 11am on November 11th, remaining in place to observe a moment of silence in honour of Remembrance Day.
A confidential TTC board meeting was held behind closed doors on October 27th, raising questions about the future of current CEO Rick Leary. The meeting was subject to client/solicitor privilege, with city officials and the Mayor refusing to comment. A Toronto Star story from October 31 cites unnamed sources confirming the meeting was about workplace misconduct allegations made against Leary. Leary remained on the job as we went to press this month.
The Toronto Sun reports that the TTC is "in crisis" in an October 30th article, saying Board Chair Jamal Myers isn't providing the needed leadership. When the mayor was questioned, she offered the following: "What happened with Rick Leary on Friday? What is going on with the TTC?" she was asked. "I have no idea," Chow said in reply, "What I'm doing with the TTC is to focus on better public transit." According to the Sun article, the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 113, (...) desperately wants Leary gone. Few details have been released about the discussions that took place during the meeting.
Further details came from a Toronto Star story on November 13th, where there were allegations of workplace bullying and intimidation from Leary. The Star spoke with former TTC managers and executives who are worried about "a mass exodus" from the agency due to Leary's conduct. The TTC board ultimately voted not to suspend Leary.
BlogTO reports on November 4th that since the end of post-pandemic service cuts, customer complaints on the system have increased, mostly due to overcrowding on both bus and subway routes, an increase in security incidents on the system, and longer wait times.
One bright spot was the $60 million budgeted for Line 5 (the Eglinton Crosstown) has been used to increase bus service, pending the opening of the much-delayed LRT.
CTV News confirming that Toronto Police have arrested three teenagers in connection with a bomb threat made to St Patrick subway station on October 18th. Police were called to the station at around 5pm that day, when they allege the three teenage boys (who were on a southbound train) were able to gain access to a rear operations area. "According to investigators, the teens broadcast an announcement over the PA system, saying there was a bomb onboard that train. The teenagers then allegedly ran away with stolen property while the train and station were evacuated for public safety reasons." The area was searched and cleared of any threats, with no injuries reported. The three 17-year-olds are facing charges for mischief over $5,000, theft under $5,000, and common nuisance/endanger lives or safety of public. Their identities are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, with the charges not proven in court.
After rolling out full 5G cell phone service on the subway, Rogers offered customers with its credit card in their mobile wallet a credit worth five free rides, redeemable until the end of 2023. Starting November 1st, customers of the Rogers Bank were able to access the promotion which offers a credit of $3.30 per ride, up to one credit per day and five credits total.
Global News published a story on November 2nd explaining how three utility poles installed during construction at the site of the former Honest Ed's store in Toronto that were used to help support streetcar wires, are finally being removed, long after construction at the site has been completed.
As can be seen in the photo above (from Global News), the poles are currently in a lane of live traffic, blocked off by concrete barriers, despite no longer holding up streetcar wires along Bathust St. A local city councillor is reportedly frustrated by the delay in removing them. "Councillor (Dianne) Saxe said it took months of haranguing the transit commission, Toronto Hydro, and the building owners to get the overhead wires removed, following the removal of construction hoarding for the building. But much to her annoyance, the poles remain in place and getting answers has been an equally frustrating experience." as told by Global News. The delay is said to be due to the contractor needing clearance from other utility companies before they can remove the poles. "What it says is that we have too many duties and not enough staff to get things done in a reasonable amount of time, because there just aren't enough people to do it," Saxe said.
Streetcars stopping near the poles cause traffic backups in the area and cars parked illegally also cause problems. After the report aired, staff were seen beginning the process of having the poles removed.
The Toronto Star published a story on October 18th, describing a video making the rounds on social media, reportedly showing bed bugs on TTC vehicles. A local entomologist confirmed the critters are in fact lice, not bedbugs.
TTC responded to the concerns saying the vehicles are sanitized nightly and they were not aware of any issues, but ask that patrons promptly report any issues so the vehicles can be properly sanitized. The Star reminded customers to check the seat before using it, to avoid any nasty surprises; it also mentioned that bedbugs don't cause much more than an allergic reaction in most individuals.
On Twitter, the TTC posted the following: "When a report of bed bugs is received, the vehicle is immediately fumigated. Our vehicles are not considered a hospitable environment for bedbugs, but they can be brought on by passengers at any moment, unfortunately. We are in the process of testing new non-fabric seats." The TTC is reportedly testing the fabric-free seats on two buses, starting in 2021, with the goal of finding ways to keep vehicles cleaner and more comfortable. These seats could perhaps find use on streetcars and subways in the future, but nothing has been announced.
November 17th saw Rogers confirming it has activated cell service for its customers at all Toronto subway stations, plus the tunnels between Sheppard West and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre stations. This comes after full cell service for all customers (regardless of their provider) was activated in the busiest section of the subway last month. Still no confirmation when non-Rogers customers would have full cell service throughout the subway; the cell companies have until December 20th to negotiate a commercial agreement, per a ruling from Federal officials who oversee wireless communications in the country. A Rogers press release notes the upgrade to the legacy network was done ahead of schedule.
Rogers also notes the busiest hubs for data usage are Bloor/Yonge, Queen's Park and Wellesley stations, while data usage in tunnels is the highest between St. George and St. Patrick stations. Above is a map from Rogers showing the extent of service so far.
CityNews published a story on November 13, exploring how the streetcar corridor on King Street has not been the success it was hoped to be. They note that travelling along King St in a streetcar is now as bad or as worse than it was before the King Street pilot was made permanent in April 2019, which supposedly gives streetcars priority along the roadway. The pilot made it so that vehicles could not go through intersections and can only turn right. Traffic overflow from other streets illegally using the corridor was given as the primary reason. While police have issued "over 22,000 tickets, an average of 5,000 tickets per year to vehicles for drivers failing to obey the posted signage.
Most of the charges were "proceed contrary to sign at intersection" and "disobey sign," which was a catchall to disobeying posted signage, according to police." Police staffing levels are blamed for the lack of enforcement, with some councillors asking the city to look at automated enforcement to try and deter drivers (i.e. Using technology similar to red light cameras to automatically issue tickets -ed.). "CityNews has learned that eastbound travel times from Bathurst to Jarvis during the evening rush hours averaged 19 to 26 minutes before the pilot program in 2017. The latest times show it is now worse with an average of 22 to 29 minutes. "
We also learned that a TTC streetcar operator was ticketed for blocking an intersection on King Street recently, as reported on November 10 in the Toronto Star. Social media users report the police officer boarded the streetcar and took the operator's license, effectively preventing the streetcar from moving at that point and forcing riders out into the street. The police officer then returned with a ticket for the driver; the delay reportedly held up 20 streetcars behind the one that was stopped by police. Another streetcar operator from behind the stopped vehicle boarded to see what the issue was, and reportedly exchanged words with the officer.
The TTC was given two decades to make all subway stations accessible, but two years ahead of the deadline, the TTC's CEO recently admitted they would be unable to reach the target in time. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) passed in 2005, and gave the TTC until 2025 to make all subway stations accessible; in the September board meeting, TTC CEO Rick Leary admitted the Commission won't reach the target before 2025.
Global News reports on October 21, 2023, that local disability advocates are asking the provincial government to hold the TTC accountable for the missed target. "When you're given 20 years to do something, the first thing you should be planning to do is get in under the schedule, not wait until the last minute for some of these stations and say, 'Oh my gosh, we can't do it,' " (accessibility advocate David) Lepofsky said.
The TTC says 54 out of 70 subway stations are currently accessible; of the remaining 16, work is underway on 15 of them, with only 3 scheduled to meet the target date.
HOLIDAY-THEMED TTC VIGNETTES
TTC streetcar on the 501 Queen route. #4236 (ALRV, L3 Class) designed by the Urban Transportation Development Corporation (UTDC), built in 1988, refurbished in 2017. Last operated on December 14, 2018 on route 501. Taken on December 31, 2005 by Flickr user Gary J. Wood. CC-by-SA
Peter Witt streetcar, seen on Bay St (with the Royal York Hotel in the background), among large snowbanks. March 9, 1931, Public domain photo. City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail fonds, Fonds 1266, Item 23364.
Construction work is never done! TTC construction work, Front and York streets, with Peter Witt streetcar waiting and Union Station in the background. Taken December 7, 1922. City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail fonds, Fonds 1266, Item 1. Public domain photo.
Original Toronto Star caption: "Clearing the way for the TTC. Its big brush spinning; this TTC sweeper clears a path through Fleet St. snow for following streetcars. All available equipment is in action and service is at a nearly-normal level. Motorists are not so lucky; as wind and snow have combined to make this one of the worst driving days of the winter. Toronto got only four inches of snow; but drifts piled high." From the Toronto Public Library, photo by Mario Gio. Public Domain photo. Taken February 24, 1962.
HOLIDAY-THEMED GO/UNION STATION VIGNETTES
People skating in front of Union Station as part of "Union Winter", when a skating rink is built on the sidewalk area in front of Union Station along Front St in Toronto. Taken by the editor January 23, 2023.
Interior of the former Canadian Pacific (now Fairmont) Royal York Hotel in Toronto, where festive decorations abound. The interior lobby at the hotel has since been renovated, putting a large clock/bar in the middle… Taken January 1, 2007 by Alex Indigo, on Wikimedia Commons. CC-by photo
Great winter shot of GO 558, heading Eastbound at Mileage 54.8 on the Uxbridge Sub. 558 is an EMD F59PH built in 1990, part of order number C495, serial number A4924. Photo by Phil Hall, with permission.
Snowy winter day with GO 615 heading Eastbound at Mi. 56.6 on the Uxbridge Sub. Unit 615 is an MPI MP40PH-3C, built in 2008, carrying serial number 2405-16. Photo by Phil Hall, with permission.
Sponsored by
Amtrak
Amtrak in the USA
By Noel T. Braymer and William H. Baird
Amtrak has announced a limited-time flash sale on its routes nationwide. Now through Nov. 15, the ultra-low fares are available to customers in hundreds of destinations across the country for travel from Dec. 4, 2023, through March 15, 2024. https://media.amtrak.com/2023/11/winter-flash-sale/
President Biden approves $16.4B in funding for Amtrak's NEC Corridor:
On November 06, 2023, the Biden administration announced a $16.4 billion investment for rail projects along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor as part of the overall investments in infrastructure by President Biden, a longtime Amtrak user. The funding will go to 25 passenger rail projects and will come from the bipartisan infrastructure law's overall $66 billion investment in rail. The projects are an effort to move "the United States closer to his vision for world-class passenger rail," an official said. The projects include rebuilding 100-year-old tunnels and bridges, upgrading tracks, power systems, signals, and stations, and advancing future projects that aim to improve travel times by increasing operating speeds and reducing delays. (NEC Map).
The administration is also aiming to "ensure that train service is more convenient and climate-friendly than either driving or flying," officials said. Officials noted the Northeast Corridor, which runs from Boston to D.C., supports 800,000 trips per day and is the most heavily traveled rail corridor in the U.S. The $16.4 billion will be dispersed through nearly $9 billion in fiscal 2022 and 2023 funds and $7.4 billion in future commitments. The Frederick Douglass Tunnel in Maryland will receive $4.7 billion to replace the tunnel, which officials said will increase the speed of the train from 30 mph to 110 mph. The Gateway Hudson River Tunnel in New York and New Jersey will receive $3.8 billion to replace the tunnel that was damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
Louisiana officials sign pact for New Orleans-Baton Rouge AMTRAK Service:
Louisiana Gov. Bel Edwards, state Department of Transportation and Development and Amtrak officials yesterday signed a service development agreement calling for the return of intercity passenger-rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Signed at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, the agreement is viewed as a breakthrough for a project that dates to 2008, when the idea was introduced through a concept study, state officials said in a press release. According to the agreement, passenger service could start as early as 2027. "An Amtrak line connecting Louisiana's capital to the largest metropolitan area in the state will have immense economic benefits for both cities and the parishes in between," said Edwards.
An Amtrak train on the yet-to-be-named route would stop at downtown Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge South, Gonzales, LaPlace, New Orleans International Airport, Jefferson Parish, and New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. The planned route is scheduled to take 75 to 90 minutes. The initial plan calls for one round trip daily, expanding to two round trips later. Expansion would depend on an evaluation of operations and potential railroad improvements.
Amtrak will use tracks now in place and owned by Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CN. The tracks, which run along the Interstate 10 corridor, are one of three routes that connect New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The CPKC and CN tracks were chosen because they were the most direct and had less conflict with freight transportation, state officials said. Baton Rouge hasn't had passenger-rail service since 1969, two years before Amtrak began, noted Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. "Amtrak is working with states and others across the nation to have a route map that reflects where the population has grown and where people want to travel," Gardner said. "In poll after poll, here in Louisiana and nationally, when given the option to take a train rather than drive, the public wants Amtrak and passenger trains as a travel choice." Gov. Bel Edwards (left) and Amtrak CEO Gardner Stephen Gardner discuss a plan to begin a new Amtrak route that would run between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Baton Rouge hasn't had passenger-rail service since 1969, which was two years before Amtrak began. Photo – Gov. Edwards' Facebook page.
New Chicago-Toronto passenger rail service AMTRAK & VIA (with ETR):
A new USA-CANADA passenger rail service s being looked with service involving Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada moves ahead. The $44 million proposal would see passenger service between Chicago and Toronto come through the Detroit River Rail Tunnel with a third mainline on the Essex Terminal Railway line connecting the CP tracks to the existing VIA Rail station in Windsor. Photo by Richard Elleby.
"It's exciting," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. "Because you have President Biden of the United States who supports Amtrak and wants to see big investments being made and wants to support that. And so you have him investing in Amtrak on the U.S. side and Amtrak saying, 'well, you know, what, we need a connection to Toronto.'" Officials believe the project would address population and traffic increases while supporting economic growth, suggesting 66,500 passengers would use the service each year, with 14,000 passengers starting and finishing their trip in Windsor. (Amtrak in Toronto Union Station Photo).
"This used to exist in the past, it ended some decades ago," Dilkens explained. "And so all of the work is being done now to get approval in the U.S. and in Canada for a joint customs facility to be located at the Via station in Windsor, to fix the crossings that we believe need to be fixed and upgraded to eventually see service start by 2027." He continued, "It's a great option to have because you'll be able to take the train from Windsor to Chicago and then once you get into Chicago, you can literally take the train to 35 other states in the United States. And of course, when you're in Canada, once you get to Toronto, you can branch out to the rest of the VIA network across the Border. Amtrak and VIA are paying for the project that includes improvements to nine grade crossings in Windsor. Dilkens said improving the safety of both passenger and freight operations could also alleviate noise concerns raised by many Walkerville residents within the last year.
Proposed Stations:
• Chicago, IL
• Hammond-Whiting, IN
• Michigan City, IN
• New Buffalo, MI
• Niles, MI
• Dowagiac, MI
• Kalamazoo, MI
• Battle Creek, MI
• Albion, MI
• Jackson, MI
• Ann Arbor, MI
• Dearborn, MI
• Detroit, MI
• Windsor-Walkerville, ON (NEW)
• Chatham, ON (NEW)
• Glencoe, ON (NEW)
• London, ON (NEW)
• Ingersoll, ON (NEW)
• Woodstock, ON (NEW)
• Brantford, ON (NEW)
• Aldershot, ON
• Oakville, ON
• Toronto, ON.
See AMTRAK Article: https://www.amtrakconnectsus.com/maps/chicago-detroit-toronto/
"Improving the crossings would actually make a noticeable improvement to some of the complaints that we receive with respect to train whistles, and so it's all part of the economic development progress that we're seeing here and the activity that people are seeing and improving the rail system is great because it gives us more options to travel throughout the United States and across Canada," Dilkens noted. "The plan isn't final yet but I've never seen this amount of momentum, wanting to move this project forward. Momentum from the United States and then the connection in Canada as well. So there really seems like there's a real possibility that this could happen!" (See ETR in CRO - Ontario Shortlines December 2023).
Amtrak train 49 was several hours late, and was shot by Mike Garza at Riverdale, IL, on September 29th with the 40th anniversary AMTK 145 and 50th anniversary AMTK 46.
Mike also clicked Metra's first F-40 (METX 100), was shot Westbound on the Rock Island district taken at Tinley Park on September 26th, 2023.
"Pennsy Legacy". Amtrak Metroliner cab car 9638 (nee Penn Central 812; Budd, 1967-1970) is on the front of Keystone Service train 645(31), seen approaching Harrison Station. Similar to the cab car, the signals on the catenary bridge above are also originally from the Pennsylvania Railroad and have been upgraded by successor railroads. The signals were originally PRR position lights, which have been converted by Amtrak into position color lights. The Metroliner's were originally ordered by the PRR, but the railroad was folded into Penn Central before they were delivered Matt Csenge took this nice shot from the PATH Station in Harrison, New Jersey on October 31, 2023.
In Oscawana Park in Crugers, New York, on October 26, 2023, Christopher Gore captured Empire Service train 240 southbound on track 1 led by AMTK 715.
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Copyright CRO 2023