Recent content by PShells

I’m sure the service levels and general costs in the economy are much higher than the original contract signed in 2012. Outside of data in a press release I don’t have an ability to assess if it’s a good or bad renewal as headlines do not convey useful information (maintenance staffing numbers...

The former contract that went to the end of 2023 was for ~$100mm per year based on its press release. I don’t know if there was inflation or cost pass through provisions that made the cost higher throughout the life of the contract.

I'm going to commit the cardinal sin of extrapolating experience in one field to a generalization in all fields. I work in finance. The best leadership teams I've worked for are often mediocre investors but great leaders who create a culture that enable risk takers to deploy capital. On the...

I’m not holding my breath on 2036 given the pace of construction to get 2AWD diesel train service at a15-30 minute cadence. There’s still so much utility relocation, bridge and grade separation, track to be laid (2nd, 3rd and 4th track), track to be moved to its final position, switches to be...

Reddit posts suggests someone died on the tracks near the Bathurst bridge.

I enjoy coincidences. Metrolinx has uploaded their latest safety report celebrating everything that they do in the name of safe operations. https://assets.metrolinx.com/image/upload/Documents/Metrolinx/Metrolinx_Annual_Safety_Performance_Report_2025.pdf

The new Broadview Ave bridge (apart of East Harbour station) is being installed this week. It appears to be precast pieces of concrete are being mounted into place. I'm sure one of our excellent photographers will catch it on their next update. Similar to the other spans in the corridor, there...

It's a soul crushing pace of construction if riders won't see tangible outcomes after seven major weekend closures, including one being a 3-day long weekend. For many corridors that's almost a year's worth of work.

There has not been any noticeable construction completed this winter on the Stouffville line excluding the Finch grade separation. The only contractor trucks I’ve seen at West Highland Creek have been to clean out the switches. Small incremental work is being done for the second platforms at...

The Barrie line now has seven weekend track closures planned between April and August, of which five are occurring in May. The construction bulletin has added notices for a weekend in both July and August. If riders are lucky additional track time will come online and service levels will...

In the East Harbour section of the LSE corridor there are several stockpiles of concrete railroad ties being stored, which feels like they’re arriving several months earlier than needed. It’s nice to see the contractor’s enthusiasm.

https://www.metrolinx.com/en/projects-and-programs/stouffville-line-go-expansion/new-rail-underpass-coming-to-scarborough-community Finch grade separation early works appear to be compete. On the west side, retaining walls have been installed in the former shopping plaza and an excavator...

https://assets.metrolinx.com/image/upload/Images/Metrolinx/Toronto%20East/Platform_and_trackwork_by_Kennedy_GO_Station.pdf Is this work “allowed” to be conducted during the day in a red zone because it’s considered SOGR work? Whereas work that’s deemed GO Expansion would not be granted in a RZ...

Will the process of bringing this track into service make the rails level with the three tracks in the corridor? To the uninformed (me) it looks awkward sitting below the existing ballast in the corridor.