Ontario Northland/Northern Ontario Transportation

[Fritter]

Is stupid Doug Ford actually bringing this train back or not?

I am glad I belong to this forum for the robust, thought provoking discussion and debate.

 

[felix123]

name calling and making childish statements like that wont make it return any faster....

I doubt the PC's have legitimate plans to restore service, nice or not. We've waited 4 years, and they're setting it up to be an election promise in 2026.
In any case I am sure that DoFo would be the first to admit he is a stupid person, but we're not much smarter for having believed the false promises here.

 

[nfitz]

I agree that the Ontario Northland service is a bit of the bait-and-switch we frequently see in politics. As far as I can tell though, the Ford government has been a lot more effective on delivering it's transit promises than any previous Ontario government I can think of - at least since the PC governments of the 1970s.

 

[C_Johnson_1995]

To return to the BCR issue in the business case, I wonder if it might be worth it to make the Northlander seasonal for the winter months.

The question of reliability for the bus in poor weather is valid. Seasonal service would be a way to maintain the link in the winter and spare the expense of operating the train when the bus is a sufficient substitute.

The only issue is the cost of an idle fleet for part of the year, however the service might then use existing locomotives with cars acquired second hand at a low cost. Perhaps VIA stainless steel cars as they are retired.

 

[Bordercollie]

To return to the BCR issue in the business case, I wonder if it might be worth it to make the Northlander seasonal for the winter months.

The question of reliability for the bus in poor weather is valid. Seasonal service would be a way to maintain the link in the winter and spare the expense of operating the train when the bus is a sufficient substitute.

The only issue is the cost of an idle fleet for part of the year, however the service might then use existing locomotives with cars acquired second hand at a low cost. Perhaps VIA stainless steel cars as they are retired.

Why would you spend all that money building stations, acquiring rolling stock and only use the train 4 months of the year? What good is a parked train? Have you seen the traffic on the 400/11 on any weekend or weekday afternoon? That alone is a good reason to have the train running.

 

[cplchanb]

To return to the BCR issue in the business case, I wonder if it might be worth it to make the Northlander seasonal for the winter months.

The question of reliability for the bus in poor weather is valid. Seasonal service would be a way to maintain the link in the winter and spare the expense of operating the train when the bus is a sufficient substitute.

The only issue is the cost of an idle fleet for part of the year, however the service might then use existing locomotives with cars acquired second hand at a low cost. Perhaps VIA stainless steel cars as they are retired.

this is where the dmu will win out. you only will need 2/3 or even a single car operation for low times and no loco required.

 

[smallspy]

this is where the dmu will win out. you only will need 2/3 or even a single car operation for low times and no loco required.

But conversely, you need to remove every one of them from service every 92 days for its regulatory inspection.

With a loco, you simply shuffle it off to the shops and grab any other one that's ready to go.

Dan

 

[cplchanb]

But conversely, you need to remove every one of them from service every 92 days for its regulatory inspection.

With a loco, you simply shuffle it off to the shops and grab any other one that's ready to go.

Dan

Whether dmu or loco wouldn't you have spare cars either way in the yard? Surely they won't be running with only the exact number they need to maintain service available

 

[Bordercollie]

Whether dmu or loco wouldn't you have spare cars either way in the yard? Surely they won't be running with only the exact number they need to maintain service available

More engines, more maintenance, more cost. Do you want the service to go bankrupt before it even gets off the ground?

There are specific reasons why DMU's are used in certain situations. This doesn't require that.

 

[lenaitch]

Whether dmu or loco wouldn't you have spare cars either way in the yard? Surely they won't be running with only the exact number they need to maintain service available

Sure, but with locomotives, there is flexibility. Other than yard switchers a railway can use pretty much any locomotive on any train. ONR doesn't even use passenger locomotives equipped to provide electrical power to the train; they use power units for that. With DMUs, they are one trick ponies that are of no other use to the fleet.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Saw this on Facebook. Either it is some insanely rare mileage or a typo.

 

[micheal_can]

Saw this on Facebook. Either it is some insanely rare mileage or a typo.

View attachment 414462

There is some sort of movie shoot in that area that they want this train for some reason.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

There is some sort of movie shoot in that area that they want this train for some reason.

Just heard this too. I think it will come through the GTA tomorrow at some point.

 

[lenaitch]

Saw this on Facebook. Either it is some insanely rare mileage or a typo.

View attachment 414462

Odd. If was just power I would suggest perhaps a lease, but the whole consist? There is a film shoot down there ('Handmaid's Tale'). Maybe it's a rental for the shoot (if that's the case, couldn't they find something closer?)

 

[ShonTron]

Odd. If was just power I would suggest perhaps a lease, but the whole consist? There is a film shoot down there ('Handmaid's Tale'). Maybe it's a rental for the shoot (if that's the case, couldn't they find something closer?)

York-Durham had damage from a tornado, otherwise I'd see it as a possibility for filming. There must be a reason why Waterloo Central or Guelph Junction isn't being used either. (A shame OBRY isn't an option anymore.)