Chuck
Senior Member
The biggest GO news of all is the return of train service to Barrie in just over 2 weeks. The Bradford line will officially be renamed the Barrie line on December 17th.
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- Thread starter drum118
- Start date
unimaginative2
Senior Member
In terms of writing, no doubt, but he's abysmal (probably like them all) in terms of fact-checking.
The Barrie extension makes so much sense. I'm so glad it's finally happening. I wish they'd have an additional GO station in downtown Barrie. Are those tracks still there? How will transit access be to the new station? I don't really know anything about Barrie transit.
borgo100
Active Member
Ya it's sad that there is'nt a downtown station and yes the track are still there, they go all the way to collingwood
ShonTron
Moderator
The tracks to Collingwood are still there, but are not rated to high speeds - they are owned by a short line operator, Barrie-Collingwood Railway, and only used a few times a week to serve a few industries in Collingwood, Barrie and Innisfil.
The tracks from Allandale (where the line to Collingwood, which goes west, and doesn't hit downtown Barrie at all, joined the line to North Bay, now gone) north along the Newmarket sub were pulled after 1999. VIA used to use these tracks, now, like all traffic, it goes the long way around via Beaverton. Stupid.
So there's no tracks in downtown Barrie, though a site across from the Barrie Transit terminal would be the ideal terminus for GO. Allandale wouldn't be too bad (even reopen the station there!), but Barrie South is a horrible location, except it has the land for the GO Transit Parking Authority.
The tracks from Allandale (where the line to Collingwood, which goes west, and doesn't hit downtown Barrie at all, joined the line to North Bay, now gone) north along the Newmarket sub were pulled after 1999. VIA used to use these tracks, now, like all traffic, it goes the long way around via Beaverton. Stupid.
So there's no tracks in downtown Barrie, though a site across from the Barrie Transit terminal would be the ideal terminus for GO. Allandale wouldn't be too bad (even reopen the station there!), but Barrie South is a horrible location, except it has the land for the GO Transit Parking Authority.
Coruscanti Cognoscente
Senior Member
The fact that the station has been named "Barrie South" implies that a "Barrie North" will be constructed at some point. Maybe even in downtown Barrie?
scarberiankhatru
Senior Member
There's no rails in downtown Barrie...maybe they can put the rails back if they haven't built stuff all over?
Will there be an Innisfil station?
Will there be an Innisfil station?
ShonTron
Moderator
Nothing yet's been built over the right-of-way in Barrie itself, but a house or two were built north of Barrie on the right-of-way, and the Casino Rama expansion were built on the Newmarket sub alignment.
Though Barrie has plans for downtown development that would obliterate the ROW and pretty much kill any chance of restoring it, even in a dead-end terminus. Allandale would likely be the terminus if service was restored. Train storage is supposed to be nearby, so it's more than a remote possibility.
I'm slightly surprised there's no station for the long stretch from Mapleview Drive to Bradford. Gilroy (Innisfil Beach Road) would be the most likely choice.
Though Barrie has plans for downtown development that would obliterate the ROW and pretty much kill any chance of restoring it, even in a dead-end terminus. Allandale would likely be the terminus if service was restored. Train storage is supposed to be nearby, so it's more than a remote possibility.
I'm slightly surprised there's no station for the long stretch from Mapleview Drive to Bradford. Gilroy (Innisfil Beach Road) would be the most likely choice.
allabootmatt
Senior Member
Like many others here I'm not at all knowledgable about transit/politics in Barrie; Sean, your description makes it sound as though the city is not very pro-transit at this point. Is that a fair characterization? I remember a UT photo thread of the city that showed "No Cycling" signs downtown (!) but I'm hoping those were just some weird anachronism and the city has its head screwed on on this stuff...
Jonny5
Senior Member
It's nice to see that Barrie Transit offers free service to pass holders to the sation. They probably wont want to pay for anything more as the monthly pass to Union is $331.00!
borgo100
Active Member
looking on google map of barrie you can see where the track use to be so it should'nt be a problem for Go to connect collingwood
There are plans to extend the Barrie GO Train service to Allandale in the next couple of years. Those plans include an associated bus terminal, local retail and office commercial, and newly landscaped parkland along the bay. It's on its way.
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RedRocket191
Senior Member
Its an exciting time for the Barrie-Bradford corridor.
>Extension to Barrie South opening in the next few weeks.
>Extension to Allandale in the next few years (I hope they keep the Allandale name - "Barrie - Allandale" would be fine by me)
>All day service to Newmarket within a few years from now.
Could winter ski trains to Collingwood be next? Elvis festival Express? Summer trips that connect to Wasaga Beach (would do wonders to revitalize a town that is definitely hurting right now).
Now, where's the Georgetown expansions?
unimaginative2
Senior Member
Wasaga Beach would be such a perfect spot for summertime weekend trains if the tracks ran just a bit closer to the town. Collingwood and the ski resorts might be more problematic, because people would be carrying much more equipment with them and would be going to dispersed locations at the various ski hills, making the car much more attractive.
borgo100
Active Member
Wasaga beach would be great! they should put the station at the Monorail terminal, for the monorail that is purposed
unimaginative2
Senior Member
It would definitely be great, but the tracks are unfortunately about 10 miles outside of town.