Toronto Eglinton Line 5 | ?m | ?s | Metrolinx | Arcadis

[Chaplinurbex]

This might not seem like much, but I think it is another good sign of an imminent opening. I walk by Chaplin station every day with my dog. Since I have nothing better to do I like to stare in longingly. In the main station there has been an informational poster on the window in this picture (you can see the tape marks) for years. On the other side of the station near the orange bench there was a table, chair, and bulletin board. Again, had been there for years. These were both things placed for workers (contact numbers, health and safety, technical information etc). If they are removing infrastructure for workers that would be important or even legally required, then they must be getting the stations ready for customers.

Anyways, thought I'd add something that isn't endlessly arguing about how Line 5 should have been built different.

 

[Chaplinurbex]

Adding to my post above. Earlier in 2025 all of the electronic display board in the stations began displaying schedules and maps. A few months ago when all the fencing around the station entrances came down, they switched the screens to all say "LRT Testing In Progress". I would assume so that people aren't confused and think that they can walk into the stations and use the train. As of this morning (you can see in my photo above from last night the old message), the displays are back to showing maps and schedules. So, another sign pointing to them getting ready to accept passengers soon.

 

[A 6264]

Adding to my post above. Earlier in 2025 all of the electronic display board in the stations began displaying schedules and maps. A few months ago when all the fencing around the station entrances came down, they switched the screens to all say "LRT Testing In Progress". I would assume so that people aren't confused and think that they can walk into the stations and use the train. As of this morning (you can see in my photo above from last night the old message), the displays are back to showing maps and schedules. So, another sign pointing to them getting ready to accept passengers soon.

For all the fuss about how slow the east above-groupd portion of the line might be, it's been my observation that in evenings, when they don't keep stopping the trains for inspectors to get out and look around, the test trains and buses seem to be able to travel at approx. equal speeds and keep up with each other. I have a big problem with the Eglinton 34 buses since line 5 construction began, in that they are so far apart, I often have to wait 20 minutes for one to arrive. Regardless of speed, the trains should be a big improvement on frequency and wait times. In short I don't think the open sections will be as bad as people worry about, and will not be just like Finch West. I'm all for line 5 opening ASAP, but without making predictions that it will do so soon, keeping it real. I think there is no good reason for it to have not opened years ago.

 

[nfitz]

I think there is no good reason for it to have not opened years ago.

If it avoids much of the disaster of the Finch West opening, it was worth every minute! And there's positive signs as Line 5 remained running yesterday, when Line 6 was closed. Better yet if they push through proper signal priority in a year or two.

Clearly whoever at Metrolinx that is managing Line 5 and/or whoever at TTC who is agreeing to accept it are far more competent than Line 6. And/or the consortium is far more competent and responsible.

 

[urbanclient]

the test trains and buses seem to be able to travel at approx. equal speeds and keep up with each other.

I'll keep this in mind, but I am not getting my hopes up. The December 10th TTC board meeting revealed that the travel times were not meeting the original projections. Getting strong TSP working in 53 days is not something I am confident about.

 

[jordanmkasla2009]

The TTC doesn't use switch heaters on the streetcar network, due to them being single-balled switches, it's fairly easy to clean them and throw them manually if they need to

To add to this, every TTC streetcar also has a switch broom as well as a switch bar so even if there was a problem throwing the switch through NA, the operator could get out, sweep and throw it manually.

I believe Waterloo has electric heaters. I can't say that that I've seen gas heaters on the streetcar tracks.

The wrong heater, and not using electricity are different things.

Waterloo uses electric heaters on the embedded sections and forced-air natural gas heaters on the rail spurs and in the yard. Drivers also have a switch broom in the cab in case they need to use the embedded switches and have a problem with the system throwing the switch. Switches in the embedded section are also visited by the track maintenance contractor as part of their snow clearing efforts.

 

[crs1026]

I would hope that the traditional manual sweeping of switches is not a practice that TTC would impose on an LRT. Good example of “how to turn an LRT into a streetcar”.
I’m not aware - how are switches cleared on exposed sections of the subway eg Davisville, Keele? One would hope that the LRT works similarly.

- Paul

 

[smallspy]

I’m not aware - how are switches cleared on exposed sections of the subway eg Davisville, Keele? One would hope that the LRT works similarly.

- Paul

Switch heaters, and trackside forces equipped with brooms. The same thing as the full-sized railways.

Dan

 

[toronto647]

Serious Question - Are there any updates on whether the Eglinton LRT is opening in February, if yes, when in Feb? Also any update when TTC / City will be providing an update in "late Jan" as we are already in the third half of the month almost with no indication of an announcement date...

 

[ThenWhat]

An interesting discussion about switches, with a lot of good information. But: How often do you actually have to throw a switch in normal operation? If all trains follow the same route, don't the switches stay in the same position the whole day?

This is not a trick or rhetorical question. I really want to know the answer.

 

[lastcommodore]

An interesting discussion about switches, with a lot of good information. But: How often do you actually have to throw a switch in normal operation? If all trains follow the same route, don't the switches stay in the same position the whole day?

This is not a trick or rhetorical question. I really want to know the answer.

Any train entering or exiting a yard, diversions (not applicable to the LRTs), third track storage (I believe 5 has one at Laird and somewhere else), and most frequently, crossovers entering or exiting a terminal station if it's not a loop.

Line 5, thankfully, has both terminal crossovers underground and sheltered. Edit: Only the eastern terminus crossover of Line 5 is sheltered. The crossover at Mt. Dennis is exposed. 6 has both exposed.

 

[crs1026]

An interesting discussion about switches, with a lot of good information. But: How often do you actually have to throw a switch in normal operation? If all trains follow the same route, don't the switches stay in the same position the whole day?

This is not a trick or rhetorical question. I really want to know the answer.

On major railways, it's very common in bad weather for dispatchers to try and line all movements in a way that minimizes throwing any switches. In some cases they will throw the switches every so often when no trains are around, just so they don't jam up. But yeah, every time the switch is thrown, there is an element of suspense until it either throws properly, or not. If the RTC can't get the switch to line properly, they have to call out the section forces or instruct the train to stop and clear out the switch manually.

On the LRT, leaving everything lined for through moves and not touching the switches further would likely be doable, with the exception that it would negate any ability to turn back trams or sideline malfunctioning trams. So not ideal and does constrain operations.

For streetcars, where there are multiple routes diverging at a particular switch, there isn't much choice but to throw the switch repeatedly, which calls on operators to get out and sweep - delaying their passage while they do this.

I would hope that for LRT either there will be maintainers deployed, or the switches would be left in the most useable position.... otherwise as noted the LRT becomes a streetcar.

- Paul

 

[thettctransitfanatic]

Serious Question - Are there any updates on whether the Eglinton LRT is opening in February, if yes, when in Feb? Also any update when TTC / City will be providing an update in "late Jan" as we are already in the third half of the month almost with no indication of an announcement date...

Within the next week or the week after is when you will likely hear from the TTC or City. From what I understand, TTC will implement Line 5 related changes to the associated bus routes on February 8th for that period of service changes, the rumoured date for a possible opening since December has been February 8th but this is obviously not officially confirmed.

 

[Steve X]

Any train entering or exiting a yard, diversions (not applicable to the LRTs), third track storage (I believe 5 has one at Laird and somewhere else), and most frequently, crossovers entering or exiting a terminal station if it's not a loop.

Line 5, thankfully, has both terminal crossovers underground and sheltered. 6 has both exposed.

The junction between the yard and the mainline is located just east of Mount Dennis Station which is exposed to the weather. Trains need to enter service so those switches would move around quite a bit.

Also the crossover into Mount Dennis Station is located at this junction which is also exposed to the weather. It’s not underground.

 

[duffo]

Within the next week or the week after is when you will likely hear from the TTC or City. From what I understand, TTC will implement Line 5 related changes to the associated bus routes on February 8th for that period of service changes, the rumoured date for a possible opening since December has been February 8th but this is obviously not officially confirmed.

I would not be surprised about a Feb 8th opening at all.

Crosslinx recently held a "finish line" celebration party, and Metrolinx is running simulated service test runs, open to all staff, next week.