lenaitch
Senior Member
And do what with it?
The CN Newmarket sub, which ONR bought, is not the transcontinental route. The CN Bala sub (from Washago to Toronto), which ONR did not buy, is CN's transcontinental route.
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Ontario Northland/Northern Ontario Transportation
- Thread starter CDL.TO
- Start date
micheal_can
Senior Member
They already do have a small crew based in North Bay, but most of the crew are based in Englehart.
Btw, 2-3 feet of snow has fallen....
EdDrass
Active Member
1. I would have thought the lion’s share of track improvements would have occurred before now — it’s been several years. The province buying the route suggests they intend to upgrade … but when?
2. Those who rode the old Northlander may recall one of the roughest sections was near Lake Simcoe, in the portion still owned by CN.
I used to dread that zone; one jolt was quite noticeable— even alarming.
What track work has been done along the route; are there any reports?
From my post on X:
micheal_can
Senior Member
The old route? Do they mean the old Newmarket Sub that is no longer active, or do they mean the Bala sub, of which is in good shape?1. I would have thought the lion’s share of track improvements would have occurred before now — it’s been several years. The province buying the route suggests they intend to upgrade … but when?
2. Those who rode the old Northlander may recall one of the roughest sections was near Lake Simcoe, in the portion still owned by CN.
I used to dread that zone; one jolt was quite noticeable— even alarming.
What track work has been done along the route; are there any reports?
From my post on X:
View attachment 722452
Yeltsa Kcir
New Member
I'm confused, can someone give me a quick rundown of why the government bought these tracks?
micheal_can
Senior Member
Their reasoning is better schedule adherence for the Northlander.
nfitz
Superstar
Perhaps so they have a fighting chance of making the schedule, and not have the media endlessly reporting a Finch West-like failure, making Druggie look like a fool.
just east of the creek
Senior Member
I fully agree with your comments above.
I also noted that commercial cardlock sites are full of traffic, and not just refuelling. Whether or not there are any facilities trucks are taking rest breaks in those sites dur to a lack of serviced sites.
Anywhere there are snowplow turn sites, those half moon shaped areas, paved mainly, to allow MOT snowplows to perform u-turns, you will find a commercial truck unit parked.
Somewhere I read that truckers have been complaining about a lack of parking in Ontario ( perhaps the 401 corridor was the issue?) but I think this issue is prevalent through the north as well.
The one incident on 17 this past week of a stopped truck, there was a paved shoulder, but due to snow and proximity of the guard rail, the unit was mostly on the highway, uphill gradient on a two lane stretch, and there appeared to be some sort of a service vehicle in attendance. But no lights, no triangles, no flares (common in QC), and it was certainly incumbent on all drivers to sort out the situation quickly without many clues. Again the province could step in an require all service vehicles to be fully equipped with flashing yellow lights, it could require a flare as well as the triangles for any commercial vehicle stopped and impeding a public roadway. and it could require any service vehicle to set up a portable orange safety sign. These seem to be easy changes that would work towards better safety for all.
Fritter
Active Member
I suspect it was CN wanting to be rid of it, as the route and customers along route fit better with ONR business needs than it fits with CN's business needs.
EdDrass
Active Member
Before I respond have we clarified the names of the sections in question?
As for me I was referring to the former iteration of the Northlander train service as “old”, unless there is a better distinction.
micheal_can
Senior Member
If you mean after the 1990s service, then it ran on the Bala Sub south of Washago. If you mean pre 1990s,then it ran on the former Newmarket sub. Using the term 'old' is not enough with this service, as it has had a few routings that I know of.
lenaitch
Senior Member
I don't get out and about as much as I used to, particularly in the north, but I get the sense that 'truck stops' (private commercial businesses with good access and parking for rigs) might be feeling the economy. It could also be that the new generation of trucker, particularly south Asian, don't use them as much. It takes a fair bit of traffic volume year-round to keep them viable. Look as some of the massive ones in the States on major Interstate routes. I've always been surprised that there is almost nothing on Hwy 69/17 in the Sudbury area except for Nairn Centre west of the city. When I was in Wawa, there were two 24/7 gas station/restaurants. with good parking. I'm not sure if there are any now.
I just saw something today that said some companies are prohibiting their drivers from stopping in Longlac due to thefts from trucks. Go figure.
The issue of flares/lamps and reflectors is covered by HTA regulation (although don't ask me to quote) but I agree more and better would be better.
Which is technically prohibited but I suspect so long as the plough has enough room to manoeuver they aren't going to complain.
micheal_can
Senior Member
You said you used to be police. Why not ticket them and let the judge decide? In a storm like this, those plows need all the space they can get, and having a truck in their way does not help.
reaperexpress
Senior Member
Not entirely sure if this is what you're asking for, but the Newmarket Subdivision is the railway that used to run from Toronto to North Bay via Barrie and Washago. The portion between Barrie and Washago was demolished decades ago, leaving two disconnected segments. The southern segment (Toronto-Barrie) is owned by Metrolinx, for the GO Barrie Line. The northern segment, from Washago to North Bay is the segment that was just purchased by Ontario Northland.
The Bala Subdivision is CN's mainline from Toronto to Capreol (north of Sudbury), en route to Vancouver. The southern 26 km is owned by Metrolinx (south of Doncaster Diamond, where it meets CN York Subvision), and the rest is owned by CN.
The subdivision names and ownership can all be found in the Canadian Rail Atlas, though it hasn't yet been updated with the recent purchase.
lenaitch
Senior Member
ONR bought the CN Newmarket sub, which runs from its junction with the CN Bala sub at Washago and runs to its end of track/junction with the ONR at North Bay. The section south of Barrie to Toronto was sold to Metrolinx and the section between Barrie and Washago was abandoned and removed, all in the mid-1990s.