VIA Rail

[crs1026]

In this case the thing is likely self correcting. The First Nations will insist on roads, not rail, and once the road is built the ore will move by truck, at least to the existing rail line. The case for a new railway to the Ring of Fire may not be there for either private or public investment.
I would however have loved to be a fly on the wall to hear Dofo offering to built Alberta rail lines with Ontario steel.

- Paul

 

[micheal_can]

The resurrected Victoria line
Or any short distance regional lines.

But honestly though we should be getting NEW dmus for these lines not relics from 3 generations ago.

I would much rather see the Siemens trains, possibly shortened and have one converted to a baggage car for these shorter routes. The 4 shorter routes that doe not have overnight sections would be the routes I would think might work. RDCs may be nice, but even I see them as the relic they are, and they should be replaced with something new. We shall see what is decided. As far as having spares, it would be a prudent thing if there are funds to do so, but likely has no budget to do so, so almost a non issue.

 

[Trackside_Treasure]

Ring of Fire, VIA Corridor Rotation Changes and now this...
Results of two Quebec Superior Court cases 'no bueno' for VIA Rail. Transport Canada, here we come. Someday. More here - it's a long read - pour yourself a beverage or just scroll down to Analysis.

VIA and CN in Quebec Superior Court, Part 2

After wending its way through the Federal Court system in Ontario and a subsequent move to the Quebec Superior Court , this post features ...

tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com

 

[crs1026]

Ring of Fire, VIA Corridor Rotation Changes and now this...
Results of two Quebec Superior Court cases 'no bueno' for VIA Rail. Transport Canada, here we come. Someday. More here - it's a long read - pour yourself a beverage or just scroll down to Analysis.

VIA and CN in Quebec Superior Court, Part 2

After wending its way through the Federal Court system in Ontario and a subsequent move to the Quebec Superior Court , this post features ...

tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com

Three things stand out -

One is simply that the clock is ticking for VIA..... the longer the restrictions apply, the worse VIA will fare commercially and (even more important) reputationally. The Ottawa bureaucracy is not known for speedy decisions especially on uncomfortable issues.

The second is that the bureaucracy is on the horns of a dilemma. TC cannot wash its hands of the original decision to procure the ventures, so if the end decision is that the Ventures are unsatisfactory as built.... the bureaucracy will have to explain how that happened given their extensive and intrusive oversight of VIA's spending envelope. I have to wonder if TC, while supposedly the most expert and objective forum for a decision, is really desirable as a third party given this conflict of interests.

The biggest thing is the reference to the ongoing dispute over the master Service Agreement, where CN appears to be taking a very oppositional position towards a continued relationship with VIA. That case before the CTA may be the war, and the Venture shunt debate is merely a skirmish.

And looming over all that is Alto. It would be very convenient for all concerned to agree that with Alto proceeding (some day -ha), VIA will just have to live with the inconvenient restrictions until the trains can move to Alto's tracks. That position would likely kill legacy VIA service. But it's just too easy a rationalisation that the general public would buy. Everybody wins except the public

- Paul

 

[Allandale25]

Ring of Fire, VIA Corridor Rotation Changes and now this...
Results of two Quebec Superior Court cases 'no bueno' for VIA Rail. Transport Canada, here we come. Someday. More here - it's a long read - pour yourself a beverage or just scroll down to Analysis.

VIA and CN in Quebec Superior Court, Part 2

After wending its way through the Federal Court system in Ontario and a subsequent move to the Quebec Superior Court , this post features ...

tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com

re "In fact the main legal case - a request for permanent injunction - is still ongoing."

Any sense of a timeline on that? Upcoming hearing/motion dates?

 

[Bordercollie]

I would much rather see the Siemens trains, possibly shortened and have one converted to a baggage car for these shorter routes. The 4 shorter routes that doe not have overnight sections would be the routes I would think might work. RDCs may be nice, but even I see them as the relic they are, and they should be replaced with something new. We shall see what is decided. As far as having spares, it would be a prudent thing if there are funds to do so, but likely has no budget to do so, so almost a non issue.

An F40, a baggage car and TWO HEP coaches would be easier and easier to cycle.

 

[Trackside_Treasure]

re "In fact the main legal case - a request for permanent injunction - is still ongoing."

Any sense of a timeline on that? Upcoming hearing/motion dates?

There was a proceeding scheduled in Montreal with VIA and CN for July 2. If it proceeded, it seems to take 2-4 weeks to see a judgment published.

 

[micheal_can]

An F40, a baggage car and TWO HEP coaches would be easier and easier to cycle.

In the short term, yes. I meant after the LDF is replaced. With the potential that more Siemens coaches may be needed to get enough axles on the Corridor fleet, ordering them plus a few more full trains for those shorter routes, it may be easy enough to do. They are already being maintained in Montreal and Toronto.

 

[Bordercollie]

In the short term, yes. I meant after the LDF is replaced. With the potential that more Siemens coaches may be needed to get enough axles on the Corridor fleet, ordering them plus a few more full trains for those shorter routes, it may be easy enough to do. They are already being maintained in Montreal and Toronto.

How are you going to cycle the train set through Toronto if there is only one set? You would need two in rotation.

Even with a 3x per week service.

 

[micheal_can]

How are you going to cycle the train set through Toronto if there is only one set? You would need two in rotation.

Even with a 3x per week service.

There are 4 routes in Canada operated by Via that are short enough that there is no need for a sleeper. Order 5 or 6 and rotate them through. ONR is ordering 3 cars for the return of the Northlander, but will only use 2 of them at one time.

 

[Bordercollie]

There are 4 routes in Canada operated by Via that are short enough that there is no need for a sleeper. Order 5 or 6 and rotate them through. ONR is ordering 3 cars for the return of the Northlander, but will only use 2 of them at one time.

What other VIA route requires two coaches and a baggage car? Only Sarnia comes to mind. So 3 train sets for rotation between North Bay and Sarnia? But you can't use them elsewhere because it's too short.

 

[micheal_can]

What other VIA route requires two coaches and a baggage car? Only Sarnia comes to mind. So 3 train sets for rotation between North Bay and Sarnia? But you can't use them elsewhere because it's too short.

Skeena and the 2 Northern Quebec routes were the 4 I was thinking of. The Vancouver Island,if it ever comes back is another one. The Gaspe one is likely too long for it.

 

[Bordercollie]

Skeena and the 2 Northern Quebec routes were the 4 I was thinking of. The Vancouver Island,if it ever comes back is another one. The Gaspe one is likely too long for it.

You've going to cycle the skeena train sets out of TMC? That's 10k round trip for maintenance. Not to mention 8 days round trip.

 

[micheal_can]

You've going to cycle the skeena train sets out of TMC? That's 10k round trip for maintenance. Not to mention 8 days round trip.

That is one route I am not sure of. However,the other 3 would be more realistic.

 

[Urban Sky]

How are you going to cycle the train set through Toronto if there is only one set? You would need two in rotation.

Even with a 3x per week service.

What other VIA route requires two coaches and a baggage car? Only Sarnia comes to mind. So 3 train sets for rotation between North Bay and Sarnia? But you can't use them elsewhere because it's too short.

You've going to cycle the skeena train sets out of TMC? That's 10k round trip for maintenance. Not to mention 8 days round trip.

Would you mind continuing this conversation in private messages rather than here, as I recall at least a dozen times where the very same points were explained to the very same commenter?