[crs1026]

I rode the Kitchener line yesterday and observed that there was work (of one sort or another ) in progress pretty much all the way from King St all the way up to Rogers Road, and again at Resources Road. As usual, nothing happening at Randolph. Precious little at Woodbine.

From what I could tell, the work in progress was mostly utility and telco and.or railway telecom related, plus there is a tender out to renew the couple of bridge spans needed for the additional tracks south of Dundas.

Lots of work on the Barrie line just south of Dundas street, as I understand it this is a major sewer project. Sound walls appear to have been completed on the east side of the tracks.

There appeared to be earthmoving going on around Dundas, and a stockpile of concrete ties has begun south of Dundas also.

Roadbed is pretty much ready for track laying from Dundas to Bloor.

St Clair station work has started. Of note, the interchange track between CPKC and ML, which is used by CN nightly to reach CPKC Lambton Yard, appears to be getting a relocation, with a new control point on the CPKC further north from today's location. This will add a little width through the St Clair station. One wonders if anything is getting roughed in towards eventually connecting a Bolton GO line to the Weston Sub.

Bottom line - most of this is prerequisite work that has to happen before the additional tracks (needed for 2-tracking the Barrie line, and 4-tracking the Kitchener line) can be put down. Why none of it has been started before now is a good question, given all ML's decade long promises of "bringing you 2WAD to Kitchener and Barrie" - but it's forward motion at last. But given all the remaining steps needed, nothing likely to be ready this year.

On a more celebratory note, yesterday was my first trip on the LSE east of Union in a while, and I noted that the new fourth track has started to be laid west of Smalls Creek. This was a "wow" moment for me - it will be years before we have a working four track main line through that stretch, but after years and years of talking and waiting, and then years of watching preliminary work such as grading and retaining wall construction, the line is finally four tracks wide in one spot. That's a huge milestone even if not ready for use.

- Paul

 

[Allandale25]

I rode the Kitchener line yesterday and observed that there was work (of one sort or another ) in progress pretty much all the way from King St all the way up to Rogers Road, and again at Resources Road. As usual, nothing happening at Randolph. Precious little at Woodbine.

From what I could tell, the work in progress was mostly utility and telco and.or railway telecom related, plus there is a tender out to renew the couple of bridge spans needed for the additional tracks south of Dundas.

Lots of work on the Barrie line just south of Dundas street, as I understand it this is a major sewer project. Sound walls appear to have been completed on the east side of the tracks.

There appeared to be earthmoving going on around Dundas, and a stockpile of concrete ties has begun south of Dundas also.

Roadbed is pretty much ready for track laying from Dundas to Bloor.

St Clair station work has started. Of note, the interchange track between CPKC and ML, which is used by CN nightly to reach CPKC Lambton Yard, appears to be getting a relocation, with a new control point on the CPKC further north from today's location. This will add a little width through the St Clair station. One wonders if anything is getting roughed in towards eventually connecting a Bolton GO line to the Weston Sub.

Bottom line - most of this is prerequisite work that has to happen before the additional tracks (needed for 2-tracking the Barrie line, and 4-tracking the Kitchener line) can be put down. Why none of it has been started before now is a good question, given all ML's decade long promises of "bringing you 2WAD to Kitchener and Barrie" - but it's forward motion at last. But given all the remaining steps needed, nothing likely to be ready this year.

On a more celebratory note, yesterday was my first trip on the LSE east of Union in a while, and I noted that the new fourth track has started to be laid west of Smalls Creek. This was a "wow" moment for me - it will be years before we have a working four track main line through that stretch, but after years and years of talking and waiting, and then years of watching preliminary work such as grading and retaining wall construction, the line is finally four tracks wide in one spot. That's a huge milestone even if not ready for use.

- Paul

re 4th track on LSE. I saw it too recently. Couldn't get a good pic. Maybe @kotsy can

 

[generalcanada]

re 4th track on LSE. I saw it too recently. Couldn't get a good pic. Maybe @kotsy can

View attachment 717166​

View attachment 717167​

isnt that 4th track a storage track for construction or something?
remember reading a notice awhile back

 

[crs1026]

isnt that 4th track a storage track for construction or something?
remember reading a notice awhile back

It is being used on a short term basis as a siding for storing construction equipment, as ML is still building its logistics bases, but as things progress it will become a main line track. It is being built to main line standards.

- Paul

 

[nfitz]

It is being used on a short term basis as a siding for storing construction equipment, as ML is still building its logistics bases, but as things progress it will become a main line track. It is being built to main line standards.

It is odd though that the local communication we get is about a 4th siding and not main line track. Yes, it is main line track ... temporarily used as a siding; but once again Metrolinx's communication sucks ass.

 

[Allandale25]

It is being used on a short term basis as a siding for storing construction equipment, as ML is still building its logistics bases, but as things progress it will become a main line track. It is being built to main line standards.

- Paul

I did indeed see concrete ties. A UT member fav.

 

[paraone]

re 4th track on LSE. I saw it too recently. Couldn't get a good pic. Maybe @kotsy can

View attachment 717166​

View attachment 717167​

I live right against the tracks just to the east of smalls creek on the northside. I've watched the construction for a long time and have been wondering when they'd actually lay down track. Right now the signal tower footing east of Woodbine is smack dab in the middle the path for the 4th track, I haven't seen anyone behind our row of houses since July. Also guessing the noise wall ML promised us is not happening now.

 

[PShells]

It is being used on a short term basis as a siding for storing construction equipment, as ML is still building its logistics bases, but as things progress it will become a main line track. It is being built to main line standards.

- Paul

Will the process of bringing this track into service make the rails level with the three tracks in the corridor? To the uninformed (me) it looks awkward sitting below the existing ballast in the corridor.

 

[crs1026]

Will the process of bringing this track into service make the rails level with the three tracks in the corridor? To the uninformed (me) it looks awkward sitting below the existing ballast in the corridor.

Mostly Yes and possibly only maybe in places.

Once the new track is ballasted, the railhead will rise as a certain amount of the ballast is tamped forming a layer underneath the crossties. Certainly on overpasses where the track rests on the same structure as existing tracks, the vertical elevation will be identical. That will also be the case at interlockings where there are crossovers between new and existing tracks,.

I don't know whether the new roadbed is at the same grade throughout. There may be places where it hasn't been built at the same level. In some locations it may be a whole new roadbed rather than a widening of what was there. In those locations there is no real need for identical elevation.

- Paul

 

[Bojaxs]

Shot this today while riding the Barrie train up to Downsview. Is this the double tracking for the Barrie Line, or the fourth track for the Kitchener line?

Barrie Double tracking

drive.google.com

 

[crs1026]

Shot this today while riding the Barrie train up to Downsview. Is this the double tracking for the Barrie Line, or the fourth track for the Kitchener line?

Barrie Double tracking

drive.google.com

Both. ML hasn't divulged its immediate plan, but full build would add two tracks to Barrie and one to Bloor, removing the turnout at Parkdale.

Looking at the bridge spans and unused signal masts, I am guessing only two tracks for the moment. Possibly the turnout at Parkdale will be reconfigured to allow a further track from there northwards.

- Paul

 

[drum118]

Feb 23
Had my first look at Confederation Station since it open and a few surprise where to be seen. Parking lot was about 35-40% full considering the few trains it see a weekday.

A few GO bus riders where waiting inside the station as well drivers waiting to be pickup or to pickup up someone since there is no real protection at the bus terminal.

A crew was working on the station as you could hear drilling taking place.

During the construction of the station, it did not look like there were going be any shelters on the platform that turn out to be correct having riders stand in the stairwell area and the 2 elevators areas for protection. The first GO Station with 2 elevators I have seen to date and a great thing that is long over due. You see the main elevator as you walk toward the platform area only to see another to your right when you get to the platform access area.

Another surprise was to see the 4th track in place on the bridge for future expansion for CN.

Looking south of the platform, you have a huge area where construction material was store for the station as as well construction trailers. I am assuming ML has this land for future expansion of the parking lot with access to the station tunnel under the future GO 2nd track. The track area is ready for the future track.

Looking west from the platform, there is a lot of landscaping to be done for that 2nd track. Based on the current GO tracks to the stations, if a switch was use from the current south track, for the 2nd track, it could happen just east of the road crossing or it would take place west of the road crossing. It would be better to extend the current track where it connect to that station from the West Harbour station that would allow for two way service.

The east end is ready for the future 2nd track to connect to track 2 to the east.

Why are station announcements taking place when there is no one on the platform and hours before the next train shows up??

More up on my site

2nd elevator

 

[lastcommodore]

Feb 23
Had my first look at Confederation Station since it open and a few surprise where to be seen. Parking lot was about 35-40% full considering the few trains it see a weekday.

A few GO bus riders where waiting inside the station as well drivers waiting to be pickup or to pickup up someone since there is no real protection at the bus terminal.

A crew was working on the station as you could hear drilling taking place.

During the construction of the station, it did not look like there were going be any shelters on the platform that turn out to be correct having riders stand in the stairwell area and the 2 elevators areas for protection. The first GO Station with 2 elevators I have seen to date and a great thing that is long over due. You see the main elevator as you walk toward the platform area only to see another to your right when you get to the platform access area.

Another surprise was to see the 4th track in place on the bridge for future expansion for CN.

Looking south of the platform, you have a huge area where construction material was store for the station as as well construction trailers. I am assuming ML has this land for future expansion of the parking lot with access to the station tunnel under the future GO 2nd track. The track area is ready for the future track.

Looking west from the platform, there is a lot of landscaping to be done for that 2nd track. Based on the current GO tracks to the stations, if a switch was use from the current south track, for the 2nd track, it could happen just east of the road crossing or it would take place west of the road crossing. It would be better to extend the current track where it connect to that station from the West Harbour station that would allow for two way service.

The east end is ready for the future 2nd track to connect to track 2 to the east.

Why are station announcements taking place when there is no one on the platform and hours before the next train shows up??

More up on my site

2nd elevator

I was the very second person to tap on at Confederation GO... Its a very nice station and there was much celebration on site on opening day, but its a little sad how little trains it gets, and the painfully slow stretch btwn Confed. and WH. Metrolinx really should prioritize better all-day direct link between Hamilton and Toronto

All else I can add... there is a comedically large number of poles on the platform, not really sure why

 

[smallspy]

I was the very second person to tap on at Confederation GO... Its a very nice station and there was much celebration on site on opening day, but its a little sad how little trains it gets, and the painfully slow stretch btwn Confed. and WH. Metrolinx really should prioritize better all-day direct link between Hamilton and Toronto

Until more track is built through there, there will be no improvement of service to Confederation. CN has forbidden from having any more trains stop there.

As well, because of how the signals are arranged, it is awkward to have trains turn back there. That's why all of the trains that do stop there are running into service from or running out of service to Lewis Rd.

As for the slow stretch - there are things that can be done to improve it, but simply no impetus.

All else I can add... there is a comedically large number of poles on the platform, not really sure why

It's a bit of a joke within Metrolinx as well. There is no logical reason for it, unless there was a sale on single-sided lighting poles.

Dan

 

[drum118]

I was the very second person to tap on at Confederation GO... Its a very nice station and there was much celebration on site on opening day, but its a little sad how little trains it gets, and the painfully slow stretch btwn Confed. and WH. Metrolinx really should prioritize better all-day direct link between Hamilton and Toronto

All else I can add... there is a comedically large number of poles on the platform, not really sure why

Those poles are ridicules as I have never seen that many on any platforms I have seen and this was when they started to place them. Other than been a well lite platform, no clue why they did it this way.