GO Transit Fleet Equipment and other

[generalcanada]

It was the plan that they formulated that was then acted upon.

They came up with the plan to operate more, smaller trains. That got approved, and then went to equipment, who looked at how the current fleet was configured and what needed to change in order to operate that plan. Options were looked at, and decisions were made, and bids went out for tender.

It wasn't until later that it was realized that the people formulating the plan had no interest or ability to formulate plans that worked within the North American sphere of railroad operations.

Dan

Any chance you can expand on the bids? are we talking the original electric loco plan or more coaches?

 

[Bordercollie]

Are there no Halton sub detours this weekend?

 

[cplchanb]

They were fired. Do you think OnXpress' operations staff is still around?

Dan

the wrong people were fired then. Those people were suppose to save the system and they were let go because the C-suites at the top
declared them as an extra "frill"

 

[Metroscapes]

The former. MX is both adverse to collisions, and adverse to causing traffic disruption. 3 minute headways both ways can be tolerated on a street with very little traffic, but across bigger secondary or primary roads during rush hour could cause problems with backup and traffic.
MX thankfully has shown itself willing to build more grade crossings, across all lines. If slowly.

And that's been true for well over a decade. I had to advise a municipality before that a new at-grade crossing for their local road was likely a non-starter, and recommended that they stop treating it like a reasonable alternative scenario.

 

[nfitz]

It wasn't until later that it was realized that the people formulating the plan had no interest or ability to formulate plans that worked within the North American sphere of railroad operations.

One could also say that the people formulating the plan had no interest in doing crap.

Changing federal operating rules for railways was on the table. But Metrokinx fucked us over instead.

 

[smallspy]

Any chance you can expand on the bids? are we talking the original electric loco plan or more coaches?

No, we are not talking about electric locos - nothing that elaborate was put out to tender.

What was put out to tender was things like rebuilding some of the passenger cars, including the cab cars. Buying the second-hand Metrolinx locos, and working with ONR to come up with a plan for reactivating them.

There were plans for additional rolling stock beyond that, but that was also predicated on the timelines for the next steps of the project - more track, electrification, etc.

the wrong people were fired then. Those people were suppose to save the system and they were let go because the C-suites at the top
declared them as an extra "frill"

Since you seem to be unable to read up on the subject....

OnXpress was the problem. Their ass got rightfully canned because they couldn't make their visions make sense with the North American operating rules.

One could also say that the people formulating the plan had no interest in doing crap.

Changing federal operating rules for railways was on the table. But Metrokinx fucked us over instead.

It wasn't that changing federal operating rules was what OnXpress wanted - not that it was ever a serioius solution anyways, but was seen as their fallback. What they wanted to run the system like the subway, and be entirely self-regulating. They wanted to play by their own rules - in terms of the signals, trains, employees and staffing, everything. It was a Euro consultant's wet dream, and nothing more.

Dan

 

[ssiguy2]

I don't suppose it crossed anyone's mind at ML that they could have purchased 6 relatively new locos and 17 Bombardier bi-levels to help fill the gap? The commuter rail North Star in Minnesota just shut down a month ago and were {possible still are} looking for buyers. Both the locos and carriages are relatively new built in 2009 when the service started so it's not like they are worn-out crates.

It's not often newer complete diesel commuter trains come on the market so this could be an ideal opportunity to get some shorter trains for those off-peak services. Of course, that would require ML actually showing even the smallest amount of initiative and the chances of that are exceptionally low.

 

[generalcanada]

No, we are not talking about electric locos - nothing that elaborate was put out to tender.

What was put out to tender was things like rebuilding some of the passenger cars, including the cab cars. Buying the second-hand Metrolinx locos, and working with ONR to come up with a plan for reactivating them.

There were plans for additional rolling stock beyond that, but that was also predicated on the timelines for the next steps of the project - more track, electrification, etc.

So it was ONXpress who wanted to keep the coaches?
This pivot back to EMUs makes sense if that was the case

 

[RU479]

Is it known what GO’s is intending to do with the recently refurbished Series VII Cab Cars? (242 - 250)

Today I counted 6 that were all in active leading service today on various consists. 242, 243, 246, 247 (which was paired with an F59), 248, and 249.

This seems against what the article described MX’s plan was for the Series II cab cars.

 

[smallspy]

So it was ONXpress who wanted to keep the coaches?
This pivot back to EMUs makes sense if that was the case

OnXpress had a detailed plan for quite some length out into the future. I don't know the specific details, but they did account for things like lead times - not just with buying new equipment, but also with the works required on the railroad.

Dan

 

[cplchanb]

No, we are not talking about electric locos - nothing that elaborate was put out to tender.

What was put out to tender was things like rebuilding some of the passenger cars, including the cab cars. Buying the second-hand Metrolinx locos, and working with ONR to come up with a plan for reactivating them.

There were plans for additional rolling stock beyond that, but that was also predicated on the timelines for the next steps of the project - more track, electrification, etc.


Since you seem to be unable to read up on the subject....

OnXpress was the problem. Their ass got rightfully canned because they couldn't make their visions make sense with the North American operating rules.


It wasn't that changing federal operating rules was what OnXpress wanted - not that it was ever a serioius solution anyways, but was seen as their fallback. What they wanted to run the system like the subway, and be entirely self-regulating. They wanted to play by their own rules - in terms of the signals, trains, employees and staffing, everything. It was a Euro consultant's wet dream, and nothing more.

Dan

why are we trying to run this as a freight train operation rather than an actual transit line for passengers? we own all the track for LSE, stoufville, barrie, and most of LSW. why cant we run it like above ground metro system that every other country overseas is doing? why should we be accommodating freight train like operations when there will be zero ever on the USRC...seems like the bad carpenter is blaming their tools when its themselves that are lacking. ML promised us RER operations, and yet when that was being proposed they realized it would take heavy investment/effort for them to do and they B & Sed us.
Toronto has so much leverage to have TC grant waivers and to shape GO transit to run as a proper RER. once again its the VPs who think doing this is an extra "frill" and that riders are already happy with the status quo.

 

[Bojaxs]

why are we trying to run this as a freight train operation rather than an actual transit line for passengers? we own all the track for LSE, stoufville, barrie, and most of LSW. why cant we run it like above ground metro system that every other country overseas is doing? why should we be accommodating freight train like operations when there will be zero ever on the USRC...seems like the bad carpenter is blaming their tools when its themselves that are lacking. ML promised us RER operations, and yet when that was being proposed they realized it would take heavy investment/effort for them to do and they B & Sed us.
Toronto has so much leverage to have TC grant waivers and to shape GO transit to run as a proper RER. once again its the VPs who think doing this is an extra "frill" and that riders are already happy with the status quo.

CN still runs frieght trains up to King City on the Barrie line to serve a lumber mill. They also still serve customers on the Metrolinx owned portion of LSW. So it's not like you could setup the overhead electrical infrastructure for these lines, even though they're owned by Metrolinx.

I could be wrong, but I'm fairly certain Canadian regulations dictates that all railroad tracks, including passenger rail tracks, must be built to accommodate freight trains in the case of a derail on their mainlines. Hence why platforms 25 & 26 at Union Station are being built without roofs. In the case a freight train needs to detour through Union Station and is hauling double stack containers.

Or the other possibility is that when CN sold off these lines to Metrolinx, the understanding was that CN would still have running rights on these lines in the case of a derail on their mainline.

 

[RU479]

One of the former Metrolink F59s has been repainted and renumbered to 571.

 

[cplchanb]

CN still runs frieght trains up to King City on the Barrie line to serve a lumber mill. They also still serve customers on the Metrolinx owned portion of LSW. So it's not like you could setup the overhead electrical infrastructure for these lines, even though their owned by Metrolinx.

I could be wrong, but I'm fairly sure Canadian regulations dictate that all railroad tracks, including passenger rail, must be built to allow for freight trains in the case of a derail on their mainlines. Hence why platforms 25 & 26 at Union Station are being built without roofs. IN the case a freight train needs to detour through Union Station and is hauling double stack containers.

Or the other possibility is that when CN sold off these lines to Metrolinx, the understanding was that CN would still have running rights on these lines in the case of a derail on their mainline.

They worry too much about this whimsical what ifs that its hurting the overall progress of the region. When was the last time weve had a derailment here so serious that CN had to requisition our lines for their use? CN has continually shafted passenger rail here, why should we continue to provide them with lubricant? Build the bypass that we've been talking about for the last 10 years then.

This is the main problem with this place and why transit is so fukd up here. Theyre always just talking, no actual action and by the time they want to finally do something, the costs have spiraled out of control and they value engineer it away to the next election.

 

[turbanplanner]

I don't suppose it crossed anyone's mind at ML that they could have purchased 6 relatively new locos and 17 Bombardier bi-levels to help fill the gap? The commuter rail North Star in Minnesota just shut down a month ago and were {possible still are} looking for buyers. Both the locos and carriages are relatively new built in 2009 when the service started so it's not like they are worn-out crates.

It's not often newer complete diesel commuter trains come on the market so this could be an ideal opportunity to get some shorter trains for those off-peak services. Of course, that would require ML actually showing even the smallest amount of initiative and the chances of that are exceptionally low.

The HEP was different apparently?