[crs1026]

Switches, tracks are in place in Hamilton past West Harbour. I guess the rails are set beside the space and then are shifted over onto the railroad ties? I'm not incredibly familiar with the installation process.

The switches are delivered in shorter prefab'd panels which are welded together and dropped in place. (They will cut and remove a section of the existing main line to create the gap for the turnout to be dropped into.) Then ties are laid out and rails (which appear to have been dropped along the straight section) laid in place. Then the rail ends are welded together to produce one continuous track. Then, ballast is spread on top of the trackage, and then a tamper and ballast regulator are used to level and raise the track and compact the ballast.

From the photos, it looks like both turnouts are still being assembled and readied to be dropped in place. The turnouts appear to be nice long ones, meaning speeds will be optimum into and out of both platforms.

It doesn't take long to add the straight track sections, looks like progress is definitely being made. Nice to see this project being advanced.

- Paul

 

[SaugeenJunction]

The switches are delivered in shorter prefab'd panels which are welded together and dropped in place. (They will cut and remove a section of the existing main line to create the gap for the turnout to be dropped into.) Then ties are laid out and rails (which appear to have been dropped along the straight section) laid in place. Then the rail ends are welded together to produce one continuous track. Then, ballast is spread on top of the trackage, and then a tamper and ballast regulator are used to level and raise the track and compact the ballast.

From the photos, it looks like both turnouts are still being assembled and readied to be dropped in place. The turnouts appear to be nice long ones, meaning speeds will be optimum into and out of both platforms.

It doesn't take long to add the straight track sections, looks like progress is definitely being made. Nice to see this project being advanced.

- Paul

Hearing we should see major progress in a matter of weeks, which is great considering we’ve been waiting almost a decade.

 

[canarob]

Some sort of prep work has been started at the West Highland Creek bridge on the Stouffville line. Could this finally be happening soon?

 

[reinventingthewheel]

Finished abutments at Jimmy Simpson, crews working on catenary to prepare for bridge placement over the weekend (notice here). This may be our last picture before the bridge deck is in place.

 

[Allandale25]

Getting close.

 

[PShells]

Some sort of prep work has been started at the West Highland Creek bridge on the Stouffville line. Could this finally be happening soon?

There have been workers/trucks at the creek a few times in the past two weeks during my commute home.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

There have been workers/trucks at the creek a few times in the past two weeks during my commute home.

Finally, after years of waiting. Bulk of the track laying and cut-ins should be done in a matter of weeks.

EDIT: Apologies for some reason I thought I was responding to a post about the West Harbour tie-in. I have no idea what the timing of the West Highland Creek Work is.

 

[Allandale25]

^ @crs1026 will launch some celebratory fireworks

 

[TwinHuey]

September 27

 

[canarob]

Great shots as always! This time with workers and equipment!

 

[Krypto98]

What does CN stand to gain from working on passenger rail projects? Why would they dedicate their own time, man power to working on this project? Is MX paying them? Is this a gesture of good will? Asking out of curiosity.

Not sure if this is true, but I've heard as part of the Bloomington extension, Metrolinx also paid part of the cost of extending some sidings on the Bala, there is zero way they do anything for free... usually it's a quid pro quo

 

[PShells]

Finally, after years of waiting. Bulk of the track laying and cut-ins should be done in a matter of weeks.

Once the double tracking is completed around Milliken station all that remains is double tracking Kennedy to the Lakeshore corridor.

In the future state of 15-minute service to Unionville how does commuting past UV work? Is it via bus? Does every second train progress to Old Elm? I realize this is several years away.

 

[Bojaxs]

Not sure if this is true, but I've heard as part of the Bloomington extension, Metrolinx also paid part of the cost of extending some sidings on the Bala, there is zero way they do anything for free... usually it's a quid pro quo

Sounds about right.

Does CN have any desire to get rid of the Doncaster diamond? Is there a slow order going over it? I know that was the reason why CN removed the OBRY diamond in DT Brampton.

I figure if CN wants to get rid of the Doncaster diamond, they'll share the cost with MX to grade separate.

 

[smallspy]

Not sure if this is true, but I've heard as part of the Bloomington extension, Metrolinx also paid part of the cost of extending some sidings on the Bala, there is zero way they do anything for free... usually it's a quid pro quo

They were paid to extend the double-track from Elgin to Setter, and to build the additional service track at Bloomington for GO's service.

Does CN have any desire to get rid of the Doncaster diamond? Is there a slow order going over it? I know that was the reason why CN removed the OBRY diamond in DT Brampton.

CN would love to get rid of Doncaster, but they also realize that the cost of what would be required to remove it would greatly outweigh the savings from its removal.

For the record, CN got rid of the diamond at Brampton because it was no longer necessary. They didn't pay for it's maintenance, that was OBRY's cost.

I figure if CN wants to get rid of the Doncaster diamond, they'll share the cost with MX to grade separate.

Operating and maintenance costs for diamonds are borne by the second railway through. In the case, that's CN. But CN is also the first railway through there, as they own the Bala Sub at that point.

Dan

 

[Allandale25]

^ I wonder if CN has a priority wish list for diamond removals. In Canada, I wonder if the CPKC-CN crossing west of Winnipeg is near the top of the list and Doncaster is down the list.