I am asking a question, not stating a fact. This thing: ? is called a question mark.
You had one question mark in your original post, so I would hope that it was intended as a question.
However, one of your other comments - "As I stated there are at least 4 tracks between Burlington-Pickering. Pickering to Oshawa GO uses its own tracks so that is not an issue." is incorrect as a statement of fact. There are at least three tracks from Aldershot to Guildwood, but only two from Guildwood to Pickering Junction. Before more tracks are added, there needs to be an EA and then the money's going to need to be allocated. That needs to happen before any questions of separation of tracks comes into play.
Not everyone is trying to pretend like they know everything on the internet.
Who's pretending?
However, you have misunderstood my question. So I will ask it again in a more detailed way.
I am aware that all passenger trains are subject to FRA standards.
But, my question: are they subect to FRA standards if the lines aren't owned by freight companies and no freight is ever allowed on the lines?
So long as FRA equipment is required to run on those tracks, they must be kept to FRA standards, and thus all equipment must meet those standards and regulations (except in limited situations where a waiver has been given to run non-compliant equipment within the permissions and rules of that waiver).
To make it clear - if the track that they are running on is under FRA oversight then the trains are most certainly subject to the applicable FRA standards and regulations. If a line was built to keep one type of train totally separated from everything else, than it would not need to be subject to those FRA rules - which is how most light rail and subway lines work.
I was under the impression FRA was to protect passenger trains from hitting freight trains that share the lines.
The FRA was created to monitor, manage and regulate the US railroad network. Keeping trains from hitting others, regardless of their load, is just part of their job.
If the tracks between Burlington -> Oshawa are only used by VIA trains and other GO trains and owned by Metrolinx, and NEVER freight trains, then do they have to follow FRA standards for safety?
VIA trains don't have to meet FRA standards in the first place, as they never run in the US.
They will still have to meet TC standards, however, as the VIA trains would have to operate with freights elsewhere on their system.
Furthermore, if 2 of the 4 tracks between burlington-Oshawa are only ever used by EMU's and never by VIA/other trains, can they be extempt from FRA standards?
FRA rules wouldn't apply, as the tracks aren't being built in the US.
But sure, you could in theory do that. But why? You are reducing the overall capacity of the corridor by doing that as you couldn't have an interconnections between the lines. You are also limiting the locations where the separated equipment could run. If you make it TC compliant, you can then run it anywhere in Canada.
Dan
Toronto, Ont.