micheal_can
Senior Member
Could that model be used here in such a way that it would provide the freight operators the slots they need as well as being able to have a robust passenger rail network?
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- Thread starter kEiThZ
- Start date
dowlingm
Senior Member
I do wonder if one thing the UK has that might be helpful in thre North American market is rolling stock leasing. It’s difficult, of course, with the variety of train control and platform heights etc., but it seems to me that liquidity to react to unexpected issues is far too tight, whether it be demand surges, a significant train crash like the Talgo Series 6, or a natural event like that flooding that took out a lot of northeast corridor stock a few years back. By contrast, an airline in a bind has many options to choose from, some of which ordered straight from the production line by the lessors.
nfitz
Superstar
The privatisation of the operating companies went badly - but no where near as badly as the rail infrastructure, which was quickly renationalised decades ago.
The "continental" way of doing the contracting has been very common in the UK for many decades, with municipal buses, etc. It's also seen in some rail operations in the UK such as London Overground, the Elizabeth Line, and various streetcar/LRT operations like Manchester Metrolink. And of course here in Canada with GO Transit and transit agencies like YRT (York Region Transit).
My (vague) understanding is that the future model for Great British Railways is that all the existing operating franchises will expire and become part of the government corporation (along with Network Rail). Who then have the option of contracting out services.
This won't preclude the operation of open-access private operators (like Eurostar or Rocky Mountaineer).
I love their current logo!
I wouldn't be surprised if the leasing comes to an end once all the lines are run by the same government company.
Bojaxs
Senior Member
This video does a fairly good job of explaining the privatization of railroads in Britain, and the recent re-nationalisation attempt.
The British government auctioned off different lines to different companies where as in N.A. we had entire networks bought out by a single company.
The EU model is great for passenger rail, but awful for freight rail. Freight rail companies claim to be private, but essentially are controlled by the state. They're state controlled companies.
Where as freight rail companies in N.A. are swimming in profits/ money, EU freight rail companies regularly rely on subsidies from the government to stay afloat.
European rail freight to see major changes in 2024 - Trains
Europe’s biggest rail freight companies are facing major challenges in 2024, despite efforts by politicians to encourage more freight movement by rail and less by road. In some countries, new ownership or new companies are challenging established operators and providing business opportunities...
www.trains.com
Europe can learn from America when it comes to freight rail.
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nfitz
Superstar
The difference is that all the railway track was spun off into one company (Railtrack), which was then sold in 1996 in a manner to CN. While the passenger service on different lines was franchised (not sold) to several other companies.
Railtrack quickly went bankrupt and in 2002 was turned into Network Rail - what we would call a Crown Corporation.
The franchises have expired and changed over time. But many of the franchisees have failed financially, and the government keeps finding that they are running passenger lines anyhows.
Admiral Beez
Superstar
One of the recently graduated spawn is interested in moving to Sarnia, seeking a job in mental health or social work. I put together the below list. I was surprised that the run from Sarnia to Toronto was scheduled as almost five hours, plus freight delays. It would be a shame if the kid is five hours away by train, but at least there's a direct rail connection compared to other small ON cities.
Travel:
- Direct VIA Rail connection from Sarnia station to Toronto Union Station. Under five hours travel time, cost about $50 each way.
- Less than two hour drive away from Detroit, USA airport. Flights to everywhere from here, https://www.metroairport.com/
- Flying from the USA is one of the best cost savings hacks for Canadians, especially for flights within the USA. That's why Torontonians going to Disney in Florida will often fly from Buffalo, NY instead of Toronto Pearson.
- If you don't drive, there's a good bus network https://www.sarnia.ca/living-here/getting-around/sarnia-transit/
- If you do drive, auto insurance will be very cheap in Sarnia compared to Toronto.
- The usual big box drive up plazas, plus one shopping mall https://lambtonmall.com/.
- Good store for gamers https://www.facebook.com/p/Future-Pastimes-100063745801919/
- Progressive shops/places https://www.sarniabookkeeper.com/, https://www.dogeatdog.ca/ and https://diversityed.ca/
- Imperial theatre https://www.imperialtheatre.net/
- Theatre Sarnia has lots of info https://www.theatresarnia.org/
- Lots under the term "Mental Health" paying over $70,000
- More under "Social Worker" $70,000 and up
- Potential employers in Sarnia include the Canadian Mental Health Association, St Clair Child & Youth Services, and Bluewater Health's Mental Health & Addiction Services
- Lots of houses with garages (you'll want a garage due to harsh winters), under $500k
- I would also look at homes over $500k below $700k
- You might like a condo too, since there's no maintenance, This one looks right over the river into the USA.
lenaitch
Senior Member
I'm not sure I'd call Sarnia winters "harsh". They can get lake effect snow but they tend to be more inland (not very far inland, but still) because of prevailing winters and the position of Lake Huron. They typically get about 1/2 the snow accumulation that London gets.
nfitz
Superstar
Sarnia? Given how much further south than Toronto it is, that seems unlikely. According to Natural Resources Canada, Sarnia is Plant Hardiness zone 6B (1981-2010 30-year norms) compared to 7A in Windsor and downtown Toronto. Mississauga (Pearson) and Niagara are 6B. Markham and Vaughan are 6A. Barrie and Ottawa are 5B. The higher the warmer.
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Admiral Beez
Superstar
I didn't mean to suggest that Sarnia had particularly bad winters, but more that winter anywhere in ON can be harsh, so a home with covered parking is useful.
Not that I have that here in Toronto, nor for that matter when I was digging out my car in NB for three years. Sigh.
lenaitch
Senior Member
I've lived in northern and central Ontario for years - now back in the 'near north - and it always surprised me how many people up here don't have garages. It might be partially economic. Granted, a lot of people that do have them never see a vehicle (with some subdivision garages, they're simply too small). We're part of the weird class of people that actually park in the garage.
chrisw
Active Member
A lot of people use garages to store stuff.
kEiThZ
Superstar
And as your MP, he'll say whatever it takes to get your vote. Was the conversation of any depth at all or did you just ask him if he liked HFR and he responded positively?
I wouldn't trust any commitment where there wasn't an actually serious knowledge and consideration of the idea.
Admiral Beez
Superstar
Oh that bothers me. People leave their vehicle worth tens of thousands outside while putting a few hundred dollars worth of crap in their garage. Buy a backyard shed for your stuff.
This...
Not this...
micheal_can
Senior Member
When I had a garage, my snowmachine, atv and motorcycle was stored in it. The reason is that those things are easier to steal. My truck stays outside. Easier to replace it through insurance. Having said that, in a few years, I plan to build a garage that can fit it all in.Oh that bothers me. People leave their vehicle worth tens of thousands outside while putting a few hundred dollars worth of crap in their garage. Buy a backyard shed for your stuff.
This...
Not this...
Urban Sky
Senior Member
I agree that a garage is for the fleets of the entire family, which in our case are 5 bikes, 1 tricycle, 3 prams, one little carriage and one snow sleigh, but no car, as we‘ve never owned one except for a few summer months some 10 years ago when we drove my brother-in-law‘s 94’ Toyota Tercel into the ground…Oh that bothers me. People leave their vehicle worth tens of thousands outside while putting a few hundred dollars worth of crap in their garage. Buy a backyard shed for your stuff.
This...
Not this...