News   Dec 05, 2025
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News   Dec 05, 2025
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News   Dec 05, 2025
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Alto - High Speed Rail (Toronto-Quebec City)

Yes. In addition to the $11 million cut in VIA Rail's annual funding (phased in by 2028-2029), Alto's budget has been cut by over $125 million for the next 4 years (no cut to year 5). See page 337 of the budget.
I saw that but remember Alto/HFR is running on a 4+ billion development budget. thats really tiny comparatively
 
There are currently no rails directly connecting Ottawa to Cornwall. And a line there would likely make a great GO route. Definitely not ALTO.
Once again the point is missed. The comment was they couldn't image doing a drive of that distance frequently, and my response was people do it from Barrie daily.

Yes, but that's via 400, not backwoods roads for parts of the journey. The 138 in the winter isn't fun and the 417 can get some funky weather, including blowing snow.
Your idea of 'backwoods roads' and mine are clearly different, and not thinking Hwy 400 doesn't get 'funky winter weather' tells me you haven't done it.
 
Your idea of 'backwoods roads' and mine are clearly different, and not thinking Hwy 400 doesn't get 'funky winter weather' tells me you haven't done it.
I guess our ideas of driving on the 400 versus the 138 are very different and I think this conversation should probably end here. 😋
 
I saw that but remember Alto/HFR is running on a 4+ billion development budget. thats really tiny comparatively
Its peanuts, dwarfed by the fact that alto is very likely to recieve tailor-made leg. To speed up development and construction, which will probably save a couple billions in costs alone
 
I'm hoping the reduction can be absorbed by spending less on maintenance through retirement of the LRC and HEPII fleets, with service maintained at a level that leverages the Venture fleet fully. And modest growth in ridership and revenue.

But beware White River, and Prince Rupert.

I would say, however, that anyone proposing buying more Ventures is probably dreaming. Too small potatoes to hope for production in Canada, and further orders from California are just not sellable to the public any more.

And don't get any hopes for Gaspe.

- Paul
 
Less money for staff, same money for development costs
That's a lot of money for staff. I wonder if they've used an accounting trick to slide over some of the costs out of the operational budget. And this is nothing.

I'm not sure why they included the VIA and Alto changes, but left out any description, which was provided for the other sections in the table.
 
I'm hoping the reduction can be absorbed by spending less on maintenance through retirement of the LRC and HEPII fleets, with service maintained at a level that leverages the Venture fleet fully. And modest growth in ridership and revenue.

But beware White River, and Prince Rupert.

I would say, however, that anyone proposing buying more Ventures is probably dreaming. Too small potatoes to hope for production in Canada, and further orders from California are just not sellable to the public any more.

And don't get any hopes for Gaspe.

- Paul
How much longer can they possibly keep RDCs going at this point? On Prince Rupert, it is more traditional equipment, but it's still HEPs and Budd Cars from the wider Canadian fleet. I'm nervous for the longevity of those services as well.

Also, I know I'm boring everyone at this point but for posterity: Alto (or some sort of Canadian HSR) is not happening.
 
How much longer can they possibly keep RDCs going at this point?
If you listen to the railfan press, the RDCs have been just around the corner from replacement for the past 30 years. And in that time, they've had a two major rebuilds.

On Prince Rupert, it is more traditional equipment, but it's still HEPs and Budd Cars from the wider Canadian fleet. I'm nervous for the longevity of those services as well.
I'm nervous, but I'm cautiously optimistic. A lot of us also feared that the Government wouldn't cough up the money for the Corridor fleet, and yet here we are. While things are worrying, they are also promising.

Dan
 
If you listen to the railfan press, the RDCs have been just around the corner from replacement for the past 30 years. And in that time, they've had a two major rebuilds.


I'm nervous, but I'm cautiously optimistic. A lot of us also feared that the Government wouldn't cough up the money for the Corridor fleet, and yet here we are. While things are worrying, they are also promising.

Dan
Thanks as always, Dan! On the latter, what's your feeling on the Canadian long distance fleet replacement program? Any faith they'll follow through there? Would those same cars also get put on Ocean services as the Renaissance are also nearing end-of-life?
 
Don't think the numbers would warrant it. Ottawa has decided to send its LRTs to its suburbs rather than doing something commuter-specific like GO - Ottawa's O-Train going from Kanata to Orleans is equivalent to an LRT here going the distance from Rouge Park to Pearson.

My point was more about whether it even belongs in the ALTO forum.

Once again the point is missed. The comment was they couldn't image doing a drive of that distance frequently, and my response was people do it from Barrie daily.

Ah, now I understand,and agree with your sentiment.
 
If you listen to the railfan press, the RDCs have been just around the corner from replacement for the past 30 years. And in that time, they've had a two major rebuilds.

The RDCs are on their last legs.If the LDF replacement can happen, it will resolve this.

I'm nervous, but I'm cautiously optimistic. A lot of us also feared that the Government wouldn't cough up the money for the Corridor fleet, and yet here we are. While things are worrying, they are also promising.

Dan
Just like the rest of the stainless steel fleet, this is at the end of their life, and beyond. And if the LDF is replaced,then there is no issues.
 
The RDCs are on their last legs.If the LDF replacement can happen, it will resolve this.


Just like the rest of the stainless steel fleet, this is at the end of their life, and beyond. And if the LDF is replaced,then there is no issues.
Why would VIA replace RDCs with loco hauled long-distance on a remote line with minor ridership? Unless you're saying they'll filter Corridor equipment down to that line? But you still are left with higher op-costs in fuel etc.
 

Not sure if posted. $13 billion for this year towards major projects, including the HSR line. It is unclear how much goes to the HSR specifically, and obviously things can go wrong with the project, but it sure seems to me an indication that the government sees this project as important and worth fast tracking and investing in at a large scale. My opinion is that from a psychological perspective, this project might actually be more important than some others, even if it isn't one of the first out of the gate to protect or build the economy.
  • Major Infrastructure and Defence Projects: $13 billion is allocated to fast-track projects including LNG, nuclear, mining, ports, and high-speed rail.
 

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