lenaitch
Senior Member
Just speculating, but it might just have part of CN implementing their 3-year plan that had to be filed with TC. The loss of ridership was going to happen anyway.
|
|
|
- Thread starter CDL.TO
- Start date
Allandale25
Senior Member
South River potential stop for restored passenger train
South River council members are thrilled and excited with the announcement that rail passenger service is being restored to northeastern Ontario.
www.northbaynipissing.com
Article from Thursday, April 14th.
lenaitch
Senior Member
In the Updated Initial Business Case (the kinda-sorta final plan), South River and Kirkland Lake were added as "sensitivity stations". I didn't really get into how they defined 'sensitivity' - I just assumed it had something to do with the upcoming election.South River potential stop for restored passenger train
South River council members are thrilled and excited with the announcement that rail passenger service is being restored to northeastern Ontario.
Article from Thursday, April 14th.
Allandale25
Senior Member
‘Essential infrastructure’: Muskoka rail advocates on province’s passenger rail promise
It's been nearly a decade since the Ontario Northlander chugged along Muskoka's tracks. â
www.muskokaregion.com
Northern Light
Superstar
‘Essential infrastructure’: Muskoka rail advocates on province’s passenger rail promise
It's been nearly a decade since the Ontario Northlander chugged along Muskoka's tracks. â
From the above:
I believe this is a quote attributed to Lucille Frith: She is the co-chair of both the Northeastern Ontario Rail Network and the Committee Promoting Muskoka Rail Travel.
nfitz
Superstar
Sounds like perfect being the enemy of good. You have to think if this lot were trying to evacuate Ukraine by rail, the whole thing would be on hold, while they try and solve accessibility issues on a platform in Lviv.
lenaitch
Senior Member
Without insider knowledge (which I don't have), she is making the assumption that ONTC is going to buy new trainsets, which I'm not sure has been established. They have announced the purchase of more power, but they could just as easily refurbish some more of their former GO fleet. The former would likely take less time but more money; the latter the opposite.
Buildings in Gravenhurst and Huntsville still exist. Huntsville is in private hands while G'Hurst is owned by the town. No doubt both would support a return to a 'train station', but leases need negotiating, tenants possibly relocated (apparently part of G'Hurst houses a vet clinic). Bracebridge was never more that a kiosk and I haven't noticed if it is still there.
I can understand the anticipation, but such things don't turn on a dime, and we have to remember that much of this is pre-election promises. I'm not sure how much money has actually changed hands.
I'm not sure I agree with her assertion that the Northlander was dropped because it interfered with freight operations. North of Washago, I believe there are two freight trains/day, and south of Washago, it didn't necessarily interfere as much as CN really didn't see it as a priority, a situation that will still exist. I foresee more interference with enhanced GO service on the Bala sub. in the GTA.
Advocacy is great, but when they start fussing over scheduling that works for multiple needs, and how people get from home to the train station (which, if anything, is a municipal issue), they really need to take a small pill.
Buildings in Gravenhurst and Huntsville still exist. Huntsville is in private hands while G'Hurst is owned by the town. No doubt both would support a return to a 'train station', but leases need negotiating, tenants possibly relocated (apparently part of G'Hurst houses a vet clinic). Bracebridge was never more that a kiosk and I haven't noticed if it is still there.
I can understand the anticipation, but such things don't turn on a dime, and we have to remember that much of this is pre-election promises. I'm not sure how much money has actually changed hands.
I'm not sure I agree with her assertion that the Northlander was dropped because it interfered with freight operations. North of Washago, I believe there are two freight trains/day, and south of Washago, it didn't necessarily interfere as much as CN really didn't see it as a priority, a situation that will still exist. I foresee more interference with enhanced GO service on the Bala sub. in the GTA.
Advocacy is great, but when they start fussing over scheduling that works for multiple needs, and how people get from home to the train station (which, if anything, is a municipal issue), they really need to take a small pill.
micheal_can
Senior Member
It was shut down to save costs.
Right now, the old PBX cars are sitting, waiting to be refurbished. There is no reason that they couldn't do that right now.
Right now, the old PBX cars are sitting, waiting to be refurbished. There is no reason that they couldn't do that right now.
lenaitch
Senior Member
I don't think we know which corporate direction ONTC will take regarding rolling stock. Whichever direction is decided and approved will require funding to be released. Even if they decide to refurbish, the fabrication shops have contract commitments that have to be satisfied, and we don't know how much spare capacity they have.
micheal_can
Senior Member
1) This could be an easy way to stall the opening to the point that it can be cancelled.
2) The shops in North Bay have the physical capacity to do it. Whether they have the manpower is the real question.
lenaitch
Senior Member
2) I'll have to take your word for it.
Hiring staff for what would essentially be in-house work would require funding.
micheal_can
Senior Member
That is true. The Ford government hasn't shown us the money. That is why I feel 1) is more likely.
Bordercollie
Senior Member
Didn't they commit 75m to new rolling stock? Or was that for the whole project?
They could just tack into the VIA Siemens order and convert one car to sleepers.
Bordercollie
Senior Member
rbt
Senior Member
Sorry, my comment was wrong.
$75M is the current commitment but all 3 options being looked at are expected to cost over $600M in total; so I don't actually know what the initial funding covers.
Reviving passenger train gets $75 million boost (6 photos)
Ontario Premier Doug Ford rode the Northlander into Porcupine where a terminus station could be located
www.timminstoday.com