VIA Rail

[Trackside_Treasure]

White River has a wye. So does Sudbury, sort of.

Reports are that White River's is not suitable for passenger eqpt.

 

[micheal_can]

Reports are that White River's is not suitable for passenger eqpt.

Could they just disconnect the coaches and just wye the engine?

 

[Bordercollie]

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The fact that we are spending money on equipment that will be retired in 18 months is not a good sign. Is Siemens going to pay for the structural repairs of these LRC'S? The New fleet is supposed to replace these cars with structural issues.

 

[Allandale25]

Sharing due to the relevancy for VIA and the Venture trains.

https://www.trains.com/pro/communications-signaling/installation-of-shunt-enhancing-antenna-for-passenger-trains-not-imminent-fra/

 

[Bordercollie]

Sharing due to the relevancy for VIA and the Venture trains.

https://www.trains.com/pro/communications-signaling/installation-of-shunt-enhancing-antenna-for-passenger-trains-not-imminent-fra/

So they could tack onto that orde

 

[ShonTron]

I would not be too surprised if VIA rerouted the Canadian on the CPKC tracks between Sudbury and Winnipeg in the future. That would solve the White River RDC issue.

However, it would require a replacement for the remote service stops on the CN route, which could be more easily done with a conventional train.

 

[Urban Sky]

I would not be too surprised if VIA rerouted the Canadian on the CPKC tracks between Sudbury and Winnipeg in the future. That would solve the White River RDC issue.

However, it would require a replacement for the remote service stops on the CN route, which could be more easily done with a conventional train.

I think it’s much more likey that the federal government procures enough long-distance fleet to replace the White River fleet than to provide the capital (fleet) and operating subsidy required to operate a separate Capreol-Winnipeg train like VIA did it 1981-1990 and which bled a multiple of what the White River train lost…

 

[Trackside_Treasure]

Sharing due to the relevancy for VIA and the Venture trains.

https://www.trains.com/pro/communications-signaling/installation-of-shunt-enhancing-antenna-for-passenger-trains-not-imminent-fra/

VIA officials were questioned in its Quebec Superior Court case as to why it was sourcing shunt enhancers for the Long Distance and Regional fleet but not the Ventures prior to their arrival.

 

[nfitz]

I would not be too surprised if VIA rerouted the Canadian on the CPKC tracks between Sudbury and Winnipeg in the future. That would solve the White River RDC issue.

How would they provide the required service to communities on CN between Sudbury and (Winnipeg?) then?

If it's a real issue, I'd think ending Canadian service west of Winnipeg. Or Atlantic services. I'm not sure if Prince Rupert is mandatory though.

 

[lenaitch]

I think it’s much more likey that the federal government procures enough long-distance fleet to replace the White River fleet than to provide the capital (fleet) and operating subsidy required to operate a separate Capreol-Winnipeg train like VIA did it 1981-1990 and which bled a multiple of what the White River train lost…

Agree. The distance between Sudbury and Winnipeg is multiples of that between Sudbury and White River, and I don't see the government being willing to strand the voters, albeit few in number.
I

 

[nfitz]

Agree. The distance between Sudbury and Winnipeg is multiples of that between Sudbury and White River, and I don't see the government being willing to strand the voters, albeit few in number.

I wonder what the marginal cost would be to operate the White River service the aaa km from Sudbury to Toronto, via Barrie (well Midhurst) and Bolton on the CP line. (or heck via Barrie and Newmarket using the CP + Barrie-Collingwood and GO).

Though why White River isn't a ONR service I don't know.

We keep seeing odd theories to extend it to places like Bumfuck, but would there be any revenue to cover this marginal cost? It would make maintenance simpler and cheaper at least.

 

[lenaitch]

I wonder what the marginal cost would be to operate the White River service the aaa km from Sudbury to Toronto, via Barrie (well Midhurst) and Bolton on the CP line. (or heck via Barrie and Newmarket using the CP + Barrie-Collingwood and GO).

Though why White River isn't a ONR service I don't know.

We keep seeing odd theories to extend it to places like Bumfuck, but would there be any revenue to cover this marginal cost? It would make maintenance simpler and cheaper at least.

Well, the simplest answer as to why "White River" isn't a ONR service is because it's not ONR property. The ONR isn't 'GO North'. It provides freight and passenger service on its lines, with a soon-to-be restored connection to Toronto.

Whether it should be a 'GO North' would be a matter of discussion. Obviously, the province would have to create enabling legislation and the requisite funding. Much like with their expanded bus service, providing and staffing services outside of their home territory has its challenges and costs.

I don't know the background why VIA Canadian left the CP route, other than to ensure a connection with the Prince Rupert service. I get the sense that CPKC has no desire to be a host for a passenger service and if they did, much like Rocky Mountaineer, would charge dearly for it.

I'm not sure why the province would want to fund a Sudbury to Toronto passenger service via Barrie when it has a perfectly good Barrie - Toronto GO service (in addition to there already being and Sudbury to Toronto VIA train - such as it is). If nothing else, the BCR connection is in very poor condition and there is no north-to-east connection.

 

[Bordercollie]

Well, the simplest answer as to why "White River" isn't a ONR service is because it's not ONR property. The ONR isn't 'GO North'. It provides freight and passenger service on its lines, with a soon-to-be restored connection to Toronto.

Whether it should be a 'GO North' would be a matter of discussion. Obviously, the province would have to create enabling legislation and the requisite funding. Much like with their expanded bus service, providing and staffing services outside of their home territory has its challenges and costs.

I don't know the background why VIA Canadian left the CP route, other than to ensure a connection with the Prince Rupert service. I get the sense that CPKC has no desire to be a host for a passenger service and if they did, much like Rocky Mountaineer, would charge dearly for it.

I'm not sure why the province would want to fund a Sudbury to Toronto passenger service via Barrie when it has a perfectly good Barrie - Toronto GO service (in addition to there already being and Sudbury to Toronto VIA train - such as it is). If nothing else, the BCR connection is in very poor condition and there is no north-to-east connection.

It's not hard to build a wye track where it meets the Mactier sub. There are plans to run the Bolton GO train on the CP line anyways.

 

[lenaitch]

It's not hard to build a wye track where it meets the Mactier sub. There are plans to run the Bolton GO train on the CP line anyways.

You mean a connection track. Yes, I suppose anything is possible with enough money, for land acquisition and construction, plus upgrade the BCR from its 10 mph track.

 

[nfitz]

I'm not sure why the province would want to fund a Sudbury to Toronto passenger service via Barrie when it has a perfectly good Barrie - Toronto GO service (in addition to there already being and Sudbury to Toronto VIA train - such as it is). If nothing else, the BCR connection is in very poor condition and there is no north-to-east connection.

The question is how much would the extra cost for VIA be. I'm not advocating it, I'm just wondering what the incremental costs are.

I don't know why Ontario would want to fund a Toronto to North Bay passenger service either, now that there's an expressway, and the train was replaced by a better bus service.

For VIA operations - how often do they dead head the White River rolling stock to Toronto? Or do they do maintenance up north somewhere.