micheal_can
Senior Member
It sounds like during the winter the bid will be given out so it can be started in the spring. I guess I was too optimistic that it could be done within a year.
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- Thread starter CDL.TO
- Start date
crs1026
Superstar
A couple years back, ON did plow the Newmarket Sub for CN after heavy snowfall.
Apparently there is a Jordan spreader stationed at Huntsville, and I am told that today it was being readied to do some snow clearing.
- Paul
micheal_can
Senior Member
It is times like this where wanting a passenger train makes sense. So long as the line can be kept clear, the train keeps moving.
lenaitch
Senior Member
Generally iffy winter driving conditions in the north is a valid argument (and I think cited in their business case) but chasing specific road closures isn't. People can make prior travel plans to use the train (that will run in the middle of the night) as an option, but it is not going to help people caught in a closure.
nfitz
Superstar
Despite the weather conditions and distances in the north, the number of road-related deaths in the remote regions served by these unnecessary services is a small fraction of what you get in Toronto. And yes you'll say - but look at how big the population is in Toronto. But do the math - the (2019) vehicular death rate for Nipissing is lower than Toronto - not just the total!
If this was about safety, then the money would be better spent improving infrastructure here, not in the middle of nowhere where few live, and much fewer will even use it. If one desperately needs convenience, then either pay for it locally, or move to somewhere that's more sustainable.
My son’s train was cancelled yesterday because of snow on the tracks. There was a massive amount of snow in Muskoka in a short period of time.
micheal_can
Senior Member
During a road closure, you may be correct. Using the time frame of that storm, If I were heading to Toronto for the weekend on that weekend,and seeing that forecast,I would take the train.
Was he on the CN train trying to go north?
I did hear of that happening. One would hope that snow clearing would be better if passenger service is operating on the line. Time will tell.
No, he was going through London where there was quite a bit of snow. But Muskoka, where the Northlander would go, was totally dumped on. During major weather events like that, passenger rail is no better off than passenger cars.
nfitz
Superstar
I'm not sure all that happened in London, but normally rail does a lot better in big snow storms than roads ... or planes.
Obviously though, I don't think anyone would claim that this new train would have for sure functioned with the 1.5 m or so they got in parts of Muskoka along the 11 corridor. It would have required a lot of frequent trains or a comprehensive plowing program to keep that open.
crs1026
Superstar
There’s also the last mile thing. If Highway 69 or 11 is closed…. The back roads will be worse. As in, no way to get to the train station. Let’s face it, in winter weather many people just won’t be able to get through until the roads are cleared. Sure, the townies who live near the stops may still get through and be able to ride…. But a train is not a silver bullet antidote for winter.
- Paul
- Paul
lenaitch
Senior Member
I refuse to get into pointless and circular arguments like this; although I suppose I am. The service is returning so folks should make peace with that. Time will tell whether it remains viable. I also see little point in debating - after the fact since the decision has already been made - that money would be better spent 'here' vs 'there'. A similar argument could be made why the TTC is wasting money to extend to Richmond Hill when those people could simply move to Toronto. If the argument is simply 'convenience should be funded locally', let's look at the amount of provincial and federal money that pours into GTA infrastructure so people can simply move about 'all day/two way'.
I won't even grace the 'sustainability' argument except to ask how much of its lumber, energy and just about everything originates from within the GTA.
micheal_can
Senior Member
Can we all get trains to our homes?
Seriously,though, the last mile will always be a challenge. A smart solution would be a hotel opening up beside the train station. Not just to serve passengers, but as an option if needed. If I know I can get close to home, but not make it all the way, getting closer is better than not. Using the Muskokas as an example, having another hotel open up in the towns of Gravenhurst or Bracebridge would not be a bad thing.
lenaitch
Senior Member
If there was a viable, year-round business model, somebody would have already done it. Even back when the Northlander operated, clearly nobody felt there was. I understand during this latest crisis, Gravenhurst managed to get some folks fed at Taboo Resort; although it doesn't appear any were housed.
micheal_can
Senior Member
lenaitch
Senior Member
Sorry, I took "beside the station" literally, like the Station Inn or Best Western in Cochrane.