Electrification is the norm in most of the world and certainly in the industrialized world with the exception of the US
In case you didn't realize, we have a lot more in common with the US than the 'rest of the world'. Right or wrong we're more likely to follow in their path. And when I consider our standard of living I think we're mostly on the right path. But you are clearly wrong for attempting to blow this issue up into some cataclysmic and unmitigated disaster.
Truth be told, I would personally love to see this corridor electrified myself.
I mean if anyone can rightfully complain about how terrible it is to be exposed to large amounts of diesel exhaust it is those who will
actual operate the trains.
But lets be honest, the real reason why we feel this way is because we personally stand to benefit from it and not because of some altruistic ideal, that it would be for the greater good of the citizens of Toronto or Ontario.
And don't try to b***s*** me that it would be. As if you've actually computed that the net benefit of spending x amount of money to electrify the line would be of greater value than spending that money elsewhere i.e. in healthcare, education, policing, etc. Now it may turn out to be such, but your currently in no position to make such a definitive proclamation. You are after all an anonymous forum member on UT with unknown credentials. But, if you actually think that eight or twelve(depending on the configuration) 750bhp tier 4 diesel engines running 20 hours will be dramatically worse than the 1.2 million car trips per year(3,290 vehicle trips per day from Union) it will displace, your as diluted as a Leaf fan thinking this will be the year they win the cup.
After reading your posts I actually wonder if you realize that no matter where you live every breath you take will be contaminated with dangerous microorganism and environmental pollutants and that your being irradiated with an average of 0.87 mSv/a of radiation from cosmic and terrestrial sources for every second of your life. Point being as much as you would like you can't seal yourself into some bubble and think you can eliminate every possible treat to your well being. But there are choices you can make for yourself. I would love to work in an environment where I would not be exposed to diesel fumes at all. But this job is a choice I made. Just as living by the tracks themselves is a choice that you made for yourself.
And we are both free to pursue other options, no one is holding a gun to our heads to stay where we are. Sure, perhaps we stand to lose much if we decide to leave our situations and no, that's not fair. But that's life mate, its inherently unfair. Ultimately the benefits of my situation out-way the negatives for me. Does the same really not apply to you? Based on the argument you've presented I highly doubt it. Furthermore, do you really honestly believe that whining about your own personal dilemma on a public forum is going to change the outcome in your favor? I think not and you most certainly won't be receiving any sympathy from me. And whining is exactly what you sound like throwing out ad-hoc pseudo facts to support your flawed arguments.
As for why you can't run diesel trains in a tunnel, its simple physics.
You can't run them without the proper ventilation because the exhaust gases would legitimately become concentrated to harmful levels in an inclosed space. Installing a complex ventilation system would obviously increase the overall costs of the project. Hence the solution is to electrify the line, which of course enables other benefits. However in the open the exhaust gases are quickly diluted to harmless levels by the atmosphere. That is unless you live right on top of the tracks. But unless you built such as house just yesterday, I'm pretty sure you don't since I saw no such structure on my last run on the Weston sub a short while back.
