GO Transit Fleet Equipment and other

[smallspy]

The operating rules are a system that exists to keep people safe. Given that EU regulations have produced a safer rail network than the Canadian ones, it seems short-sighted to simply dismiss them because "that's not how we do it here". It doesn't make sense to blindly commit to a set of inefficient regulations that were created incrementally in a low-density freight environment when we're trying to create a high-density passenger environment with minimal freight. European mainlines are much more similar to the proposed core GO network than the remote single-track railways on which the Canadian rules and regulations were developed .

Could SOME of the European regulations (and keep in mind, there are few standardized railway regulations continent-wide) work here? I am sure that there are likely some.

Could all of them be imported wholesale? No - not without completely changing how the railroads operate here.

And that's the issue. Just saying "look over there, they can do it" misses the point of HOW they are able to do it and why. Their lines are configured for small, light trains. Ours have been prioritized for the opposite.

So long as the network needs to be capable of mingling with those freight trains, it needs to be able to be kept safe of them, too. And that goes for VIA trains, or any longer-distance GO runs. We don't run subways on the Kingston Sub, nor should we.

How large are the freight trains that operate on the Metrolinx-owned railways where electrification, ETCS and frequent service are proposed?

Normally? As Krypto98 wrote above, generally not much longer than 20 cars, although some of the Aldershot-to-Oakville transfers have be as long as 100 autoracks.

In extraordinary circumstances, such as CP's Oshawa derailment or the blockages of CN's line around Tyendinaga? 10,000 feet is not uncommon.

Dan

 

[Krypto98]

Have seen more than 20 cars from Oakville to Aldershot with two power units. Have seen yard switchers and mainline power on them. Same for CN Lambton transfer that used mainline power. The waterfront transfers where 20 maximum with two yard switchers.

When CN ran trains through Union, mainline power pulling over 100 cars.

Halton Sub and the Galt Sub see double stacks. I cannot speak to the Barrie line since I am rarely there when CN moves. Double stacks did show up on the Richmond Hill line and at Union. Lots of auto racks from Oakville to Aldershot. CSX runs double stacks on the NEC.

CN hasn't run through the USRC in almost a decade now. Most of the examples you listed aren't exactly recent, Waterfront switcher hasn't been a thing in at least 5-6 years maybe more, I've never ran it . Of course Halton sub would see double stacks its their main line. Auto racks from Oakville to Aldershot are from the Ford job which i mentioned can reach way bigger lengths. The most I've had on the Lambton transfer was like 90+ cars with 2 GE engines. I can't recall if ive had some double stacks on that job.

 

[generalcanada]

CN hasn't run through the USRC in almost a decade now. Most of the examples you listed aren't exactly recent, Waterfront switcher hasn't been a thing in at least 5-6 years maybe more, I've never ran it . Of course Halton sub would see double stacks its their main line. Auto racks from Oakville to Aldershot are from the Ford job which i mentioned can reach way bigger lengths. The most I've had on the Lambton transfer was like 90+ cars with 2 GE engines. I can't recall if ive had some double stacks on that job.

wasnt there an incident like 5-7 years ago that required cn detour through the usrc corridor?

 

[smallspy]

wasnt there an incident like 5-7 years ago that required cn detour through the usrc corridor?

A little bit more than 5 to 7 years ago.

CP derailed in Oshawa on June 5th, 2009. As the line was impassible for several days as they cleaned up the site, numerous freights were rerouted via CN coming down the Galt, across the USRC and up and out over the Kingston Sub to Cobourg, where a temporary connection track was built (on the site of an old one that had been removed several years prior).

Dan

 

[turbanplanner]

A little bit more than 5 to 7 years ago.

CP derailed in Oshawa on June 5th, 2009. As the line was impassible for several days as they cleaned up the site, numerous freights were rerouted via CN coming down the Galt, across the USRC and up and out over the Kingston Sub to Cobourg, where a temporary connection track was built (on the site of an old one that had been removed several years prior).

Dan

Is that connection still there now or was it re-demolished?

 

[CMQSD402F9011]

What I heard in an other forum

“I've got a hunch now that 580-583 will be the four ex-Metrolink F59PHI units (some slight dimensional differences are noted in UMLER), while 570-579 (or however many eventually make up the series) will be most of the F59PH's.”

 

[Bordercollie]

What I heard in an other forum

I thought these were only for parts because they don't have prime motors?

 

[smallspy]

Is that connection still there now or was it re-demolished?

The connection was re-lifted shortly after the Belleville Sub was reopened.

I thought these were only for parts because they don't have prime motors?

They are trying to source additional prime movers for the rest of the hulks. So if they can find enough, then they can rebuild all of them.

Dan

 

[ctf5650]

The connection was re-lifted shortly after the Belleville Sub was reopened.


They are trying to source additional prime movers for the rest of the hulks. So if they can find enough, then they can rebuild all of them.

Dan

Can't they just order 710s straight from the source (EMD)? They still sell them

 

[Bordercollie]

Can't they just order 710s straight from the source (EMD)? They still sell them

Umm I don't think so. Maybe they can buy a Cummins crate engine. But then you need to reconfigure the wirring harness and need new software, not going to be easy.

 

[crs1026]

Umm I don't think so. Maybe they can buy a Cummins crate engine. But then you need to reconfigure the wirring harness and need new software, not going to be easy.

There’s not much difference in the scope of rebuilding those hulks versus a life extension rebuild to any of GO’s legacy F59’s, and as we have seen those rebuilds do happen.
The supply chain for both new parts and second hand components for 710’s is quite robust. What makes the supply murky is who actually owns a hulk (most often it’s not the railway) and what terms the manufacturer has imposed on resale or reuse. So just because locos from one railway are being scrapped in Iowa doesn’t mean their 710’s are available on the used market.
I am confident that the hulks in North Bay could be rebuilt if there were serious intent and approval. The question is whether Ml has funding already and if/when they want them available.
We will hear if any of those units turn up in the shop, until then - barring a clear statement from Ml or ONR, let’s not speculate or feed railfan grapevines.

- Paul

 

[T3G]

There is a BiLevel with an ad wrap for the Junos. Would anyone happen to have caught the number?

 

[lastcommodore]

There is a BiLevel with an ad wrap for the Junos. Would anyone happen to have caught the number?

Caught it, LSW 7:17 Union EB. 2734

 

[lastcommodore]

Caught it, 7:17 Union EB. 2734

Couldnt get a better shot due to the via concourse entrances.

 

[T3G]

Caught it, LSW 7:17 Union EB. 2734

Much obliged.