GO Transit: Service thread (including extensions)

[Jonny5]

Official Announcement from Mx on Twitter six minutes ago:

Service Changes beginning Monday Dec 5th:

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From: https://blog.metrolinx.com/2022/12/...g-lakeshore-west-kitchener-go-express-trains/

That's so weird to see Lakeshore West trips run express from Hamilton to Clarkson and then make all stops to Union...
....
Ah. Because that's not what is happening. They must have forgotten their own lingo. They aren't running "express to Clarkson and onto Union". They are running "express from Clarkson to Union".

 

[denfromoakvillemilton]

There are plans to develop the area between Mount Pleasant and Georgetown pretty intensively, with a new GO stop added. I would count on stopping service being needed all the way to Georgetown before long.
Mount Pleasant has always been the bargain-basement terminus, as it’s as far as trains can get while keeping them on the south side so they don’t interfere with CN freight routings.
I can’t see how ML can add express service - or VIA, for that matter - on top of vanilla Regional RER without a lot more trackage.

- Paul

What station is planned there?

^ It would be at Heritage Road.

It's part of the planning work the City is doing for the Secondary Plan and they'll be advocating for it to the Province, who I assume will want developers to contribute to it. It's referenced in the secondary plan FAQs below.

FAQs

www.brampton.ca

I would be for this as long as transit gets to this area too.

 

[crs1026]

That's so weird to see Lakeshore West trips run express from Hamilton to Clarkson and then make all stops to Union...
....
Ah. Because that's not what is happening. They must have forgotten their own lingo. They aren't running "express to Clarkson and onto Union". They are running "express from Clarkson to Union".

Yeah, their copy writing is a bit weak.

The interesting thing is that this service profile works so long as the local headways are set at no closer than 15 minutes. By Clarkson, the express has caught up to the local train that is clearing at Oakville.

The problem will come when the service demands more frequent local service. The express trains will need to add stops and revert to being locals.

LSW will need to have four tracks before long, to sustain express service, and support VIA also.

- Paul

 

[Bordercollie]

Georgetown GO is rule105 territory so either a mainline platform or signalizing the track would resolve it

The fact that the station and yard are in the same place doesn't help. But there is a signal west of the station where things tend to get backed up.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Yes this is what I'm referring to. Verster said they would build a mainline platform. A practical meeting point is also needed for two way service since Georgetown is a half hour east of the passing track under construction in Guelph

A passing loop (second track) and second platform in Acton are part of the next “package” for the Guelph Sub. Agree that more in Georgetown is needed too, along with the Silver Grade separation.

 

[SkylineHorizon]

The fact that the station and yard are in the same place doesn't help. But there is a signal west of the station where things tend to get backed up.

They really ought to change that like they're doing with Lincolnville/Old Elm.

 

[reaperexpress]

A passing loop (second track) and second platform in Acton are part of the next “package” for the Guelph Sub. Agree that more in Georgetown is needed too, along with the Silver Grade separation.

Yes, have we heard anything about that package? I'm curious to see if they include a second platform at Acton and Breslau stations. Personally I'd just build the sidings without second platforms to keep costs down and get bidirectional service running as soon as posssible. Even without second platforms, the stations could still have hourly stopping services in both directions, with trains meeting at Guelph and Georgetown. The second train per hour during peak periods would operate express, skipping Acton and Breslau. VIA trains of course skip those stations regardless.

Second platforms could always be added at a later date if there is a desire to stop more than one train per hour at those minor stations.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Yes, have we heard anything about that package? I'm curious to see if they include a second platform at Acton and Breslau stations. Personally I'd just build the sidings without second platforms to keep costs down and get bidirectional service running as soon as posssible. Even without second platforms, the stations could still have hourly stopping services in both directions, with trains meeting at Guelph and Georgetown. The second train per hour during peak periods would operate express, skipping Acton and Breslau. VIA trains of course skip those stations regardless.

Second platforms could always be added at a later date if there is a desire to stop more than one train per hour at those minor stations.

Breslau GO is not part of the Kitchener Expansion project, its a standalone station awaiting funding (sadly).

 

[crs1026]

They really ought to change that like they're doing with Lincolnville/Old Elm.

One suspects that they do intend to do that, but until the new line construction details are finalised it would be poor use of money to enhance the current signalling if the track configuration will be changed shortly.

- Paul

 

[reaperexpress]

Breslau GO is not part of the Kitchener Expansion project, its a standalone station awaiting funding (sadly).

Sure, but the question still stands. The Breslau siding itself is already under construction, but when the station does eventually get built they will need to choose whether to build both platforms from day one or just the north one. Anyway, I thought that the station was supposed to be funded by the developer of the massive greenfield site just north of the proposed station?

 

[urbancog]

One suspects that they do intend to do that, but until the new line construction details are finalised it would be poor use of money to enhance the current signalling if the track configuration will be changed shortly.

- Paul

Metrolinx awarded engineering consultant R J Burnside a contract to design the revised station layout in November 2021 but the only sign of progress I've seen was some surveying at the site earlier this year. There's been no public consultation although the basic layout, from 2009 work is an island platform with a new accessible tunnel about 100m east of the current one.

 

[reaperexpress]

Accessibility is indeed a limiting factor for Georgetown. If the current station were fully accessible, eastbound trains could use the south platform as I described earlier, which would enable a reliable meet between the two directions of service for only the cost of some asphalt platform extensions.

But this wouldn't be viable until there's an accessible connection between the north and south sides of the station, which there currently isn't. And we wouldn't want to build any new elevators until we know what the final layout of the station will be.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Accessibility is indeed a limiting factor for Georgetown. If the current station were fully accessible, eastbound trains could use the south platform as I described earlier, which would enable a reliable meet between the two directions of service for only the cost of some asphalt platform extensions.

But this wouldn't be viable until there's an accessible connection between the north and south sides of the station, which there currently isn't. And we wouldn't want to build any new elevators until we know what the final layout of the station will be.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the yard track that serves the north platform that currently deadends recently (matter of weeks) get connected into the mainline? That would help a lot. New track in red below.

 

[crs1026]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the yard track that serves the north platform that currently deadends recently (matter of weeks) get connected into the mainline? That would help a lot. New track in red below.

Haven’t been following changes there lately, but even if that switch is back (it existed in older times as a manually controlled switch) the signalled territory begins immediately west of it. Unless CN upgrades it to a power switch, and signals the two platform tracks, the Rule 105 zone at the platforms remains and that forces operation at reduced speed from the eastward signal at Silver all the way to the platform stop.

But yes, being able to use both those tracks for through moves would definitely improve throughput and create a minimal passing capability.

- Paul

 

[SaugeenJunction]

The most recent GO schedules only run to January 6th. Anyone have insights on how GO’s (Alstom) engineer training is going? Any chance we could get some of the many rumoured service increases in the early new year?