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VIA Rail

SFO-YYZ said:
Not sure if this has already been asked - but how is the new train set going to deal with different platform heights? For example, at Montreal Gare Central is there an automated step/extension to bridge the gap with the higher platform (instead of the current metal plaque that attendants manually install when in MTL...).
Click to expand...

That is a good question. If you look at one of the Amtrak San Joaquins Venture cars, it seems as if the door on one end is for high platforms and the door on the other is for low platforms, but VIA is only having doors at one end of the cars.

As you can see from first picture, the low platform door, seems to have fixed stairs inside the coach and a low gap filler and from the second picture, the high platform door has a gap filler for high platforms. It will be interesting to see what they do for VIA's cars.

caltrans2.jpg

Image courtesy EuroCityCard Blog

amtraknew1.jpg

Photo by Marc Glucksman
 
SFO-YYZ said:
First, I would caution against any kind of conclusions at this stage without any reliable sources, at least not until the JPO results are released. Second, keep in mind that the CIB has already invested some $70+ million into the JPO for HFR and has given very clear signals of their involvement. Third, we still don't know if there will be an election in 2021 given the complexities created by Covid - and even if there is an election - it doesn't mean high priority infrastructures need to be placed on hold. From a macroecon level, given the historically low interest rates/borrowing costs and the need to jump start the economy, there is every incentive for any gov't to invest more in heavy infrastructure as an easy way to boost short/medium term growth.
Click to expand...
I hate being cynical, but given the history of passenger rail in this country, there isn't any reason to be anything but cynical. There are really only 4 scenarios that can realistically play out:

1) The JPO results are released and the government determines that HFR isn't worth the investment. The project is cancelled.

2) The JPO results are released, they look good. The project isn't funded in the budget. An election happens, the Liberals form the next government but HFR is forgotten and never heard from again.

3) The JPO results are released, they look good. The project isn't funded in the budget. An election happens and the Conservatives form the next government. In usual style, the Conservatives cancel the project, promising improvements on existing lines. VIA service becomes less and less relevant in the corridor.

4) The JPO results are released and they look good. Unfortunately because of COVID, financial constraints and hard times for the public make an investment like this politically unpopular. The project is cancelled, and VIA service becomes less relevant in the corridor.
 
2transpo said:
I hate being cynical, but given the history of passenger rail in this country, there isn't any reason to be anything but cynical. There are really only 4 scenarios that can realistically play out:

1) The JPO results are released and the government determines that HFR isn't worth the investment. The project is cancelled.

2) The JPO results are released, they look good. The project isn't funded in the budget. An election happens, the Liberals form the next government but HFR is forgotten and never heard from again.

3) The JPO results are released, they look good. The project isn't funded in the budget. An election happens and the Conservatives form the next government. In usual style, the Conservatives cancel the project, promising improvements on existing lines. VIA service becomes less and less relevant in the corridor.

4) The JPO results are released and they look good. Unfortunately because of COVID, financial constraints and hard times for the public make an investment like this politically unpopular. The project is cancelled, and VIA service becomes less relevant in the corridor.
Click to expand...
You know there is going to be a lot of stimulus spending on infrastructure, so it might actually get built.
 
roger1818 said:
That is a good question. If you look at one of the Amtrak San Joaquins Venture cars, it seems as if the door on one end is for high platforms and the door on the other is for low platforms, but VIA is only having doors at one end of the cars.

As you can see from first picture, the low platform door, seems to have fixed stairs inside the coach and a low gap filler and from the second picture, the high platform door has a gap filler for high platforms. It will be interesting to see what they do for VIA's cars.

caltrans2.jpg

Image courtesy EuroCityCard Blog

amtraknew1.jpg

Photo by Marc Glucksman
Click to expand...
The cars will have a movable "trap" underneath the door, not unlike the LRC cars. Siemens is currently testing a couple of designs on one of the corridor baggage cars.

With that in mind, I don't believe that it will be possible to have an extending step to account for the gap at high-level platforms, and so the hand-bombed bridge plates as currently in use will likely continue.

Dan
 
smallspy said:
The cars will have a movable "trap" underneath the door, not unlike the LRC cars. Siemens is currently testing a couple of designs on one of the corridor baggage cars.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That makes sense. I had originally assumed it would be like that, but got confused when I started looking at the Amtrak San Joaquins Venture cars in detail. Regardless, previously posted concerns about how well the San Joaquins Venture doors will handle our winters are ill founded, as we won't be using that design.

smallspy said:
With that in mind, I don't believe that it will be possible to have an extending step to account for the gap at high-level platforms, and so the hand-bombed bridge plates as currently in use will likely continue.
Click to expand...

I kind of assumed that. You never know, as I can think a couple alternative designs that might work, but I'm not holding my breath.
 
2transpo said:
I hate being cynical, but given the history of passenger rail in this country, there isn't any reason to be anything but cynical. There are really only 4 scenarios that can realistically play out:

1) The JPO results are released and the government determines that HFR isn't worth the investment. The project is cancelled.

2) The JPO results are released, they look good. The project isn't funded in the budget. An election happens, the Liberals form the next government but HFR is forgotten and never heard from again.

3) The JPO results are released, they look good. The project isn't funded in the budget. An election happens and the Conservatives form the next government. In usual style, the Conservatives cancel the project, promising improvements on existing lines. VIA service becomes less and less relevant in the corridor.

4) The JPO results are released and they look good. Unfortunately because of COVID, financial constraints and hard times for the public make an investment like this politically unpopular. The project is cancelled, and VIA service becomes less relevant in the corridor.
Click to expand...

5) The Budget specifically mentions funding for HFR or there's a separate announcement before or after the budget the the HFR funding is part of infrastructure spending. I can even see them asking for some Provincial support or cooperation. A version of the JPO results are released, will sensitive discussions take place with certain land owners and CP Rail and Metrolinx.

6) Funding for HFR is provided for in phases. A certain initial phase just to improve the tracks between Toronto and Peterborough, and do the detailed design between Ottawa and Glen Tay or something like that.
 
^ That's one option, yes. Hard to know if they can strike a deal with CP given it's a branchline where they don't need to buy it outright.
 
Allandale25 said:
^ That's one option, yes. Hard to know if they can strike a deal with CP given it's a branchline where they don't need to buy it outright.
Click to expand...
I'd always leave it to the feds to cock it up, but having CP own the branch is ill advised. Not only do they overcharge up to 800% for work on upgrading rails, the whole plan for HFR is passenger rail priority and eventual electrification, two things that can't happen under a CP ownership.
 
^ I definitely agree it would be ideal if VIA was able to purchase the Havelock Sub. They also need to figure out how to work with CP Rail or build parallel tracks from just west of Perth to just north of Smiths Falls. The yellow/light blue lines were created by @reaperexpress.

The base map is from here: https://ontariomap.webs.com/

1613584021232.png
 
www.theglobeandmail.com

Federal budget proposals focus on health care spending

Recommendations include a call to ‘create a nationalized child-care system or increase funding for child care’ and to consider a universal basic income
www.theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com

Don't count your chickens. There is a good chance that this budget isn't passed and an election is called. Even if it is passed, if an election is called this year, and the Conservatives form the next government (which is possible and maybe even likely especially if opinions swing against the liberals), the project is dead as they will cut spending.

Bottom line, this is far from a done deal. In my opinion, this recommendation brings the likelihood of this being built from 0% to 25%. There are just too many stumbling points ahead.

Edit:
www.thestar.com

Opinion | Trudeau’s strategic plans aimed at June election

Federal Liberal insiders say the prime minister will be ready to take Canadians to the polls following a federal budget and a successful roll out of v...
www.thestar.com www.thestar.com
 
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