Very thorough.
While I very much support more rail infrastructure, and am saddened by how much of it was wrongly abandoned in the past.....
I am not persuaded that you (or any of us) are going to see the Ontario gov't on building a few dozen km of new ROW, nor are CP or CN likely to do so for free.
Unfortunately I share your pessimism. With the current federal government, I don't see much happening for rail (except maybe more parking spaces). The shift in thinking required is not something Harper is capable of. Give it 6 months to a year..
I agree Kitchener to Hamilton is am important missing link in the rail network.
But into the foreseeable future I can't imagine passenger service in such a corridor more frequent than a few trains per day.
True say. Any new line connecting Waterloo-Wellington to Hamilton would be at least 20 years off. In the interim however, Highway safety (not necessarily speed) on highway 6 needs to be greatly improved to allow coaches to continue using this route.
As a side note, with the GO Kitchener line and subsequent upgrades, VIA expects to improve service by adding 3 trains per direction per day.
So I think, regrettably, it may be more appropriate to think about finishing up or upgrading some existing lines that make that connection; even if a in a bit more of a round-about way.
I think using the line to Guelph and then using a connection to the GO Kitchener corridor may be a more sensible choice.
This line does not easily connect with the north mainline in Guelph. the north mainline overpasses this line when both cross the speed river. It also includes a numerous amount of bends which will prevent trains from operating at full speeds.
OR building a smaller line linking Brantford to Cambridge where you have exiting lines at both ends, making for a much smaller amount of new track/row that would be required.
Normally, I would agree with you, however a light rail line is set to have this corridor torn up to make room for its own trackage. even so, this line would be subject to the same type of speed restrictions as the other line, except that it would be running through populated areas.
Long ago, there was a line that ran from Galt (south Cambridge) to Brantford vi Paris, but this was decommissioned long ago and turned into a rail-trail.
This is why I think bus lanes on the 401 and improving safety on 6 would be the best temporary measure. for intercity travel between Kitchener and Guelph.
On the subject of other areas in the corridor being upgraded for HSR. I don't think new corridors are likely to fly in the near term. The focus should be on full CTC (Computer control signals) and on needed grade separations and sidings or double-tracks.
This will set the stage for a future battle for full HSR once we have larger ridership figures and faster service in place.
Well put, my sentiments exactly. Incremental improvements are needed to keep the possibility of high speed rail feasible in the future. Toronto to Hamilton is a very easy case to make, and in my opinion, will be one of the first designated high speed corridors on the corridor (along with Toronto-Kingston and the Montreal area).
Anything beyond Hamilton will depend on the United States and Canada's streamlining of border controls and initiatives in the US for improved service on the Empire corridor.
fingers crossed
