MisterF
Senior Member
I'm resurrecting this thread because I was just perusing the leaked VIAfast report and I thought it was better to post this here than in the CN Turbo thread. The report is hosted on highspeedrail.ca and it's a big 66 MB file. Some highlights:
-eliminating grade crossings as much as possible, fencing key sections
-consolidating CN and CP freight onto one corridor where possible, which would actually increase freight capacity. Building new track where rights of way are shared
-new corridor from Gananoque to Smiths Falls. Double track the existing VIA corridor from there through Ottawa to Moose Creek, then using the CP mainline to Montreal.
-Local trains would still serve Cornwall and Brockville but at freight speeds.
-"close to hourly" departures
-2h15 to Ottawa, 3h30 to Montreal
-Revenues projected to triple, significant profits in the Toronto-Montreal portion
The biggest problem that I can see is that the line would still go through dozens if not hundreds of communities, which I'm sure would limit speeds. But it's still a bargain compared to something like the TGV. The report presents VIAFast as an opportunity to make our transport system rail-centred, increase efficiency, and save costs on road maintenance. There must be some very connected anti-passenger rail interests in Ottawa.
-eliminating grade crossings as much as possible, fencing key sections
-consolidating CN and CP freight onto one corridor where possible, which would actually increase freight capacity. Building new track where rights of way are shared
-new corridor from Gananoque to Smiths Falls. Double track the existing VIA corridor from there through Ottawa to Moose Creek, then using the CP mainline to Montreal.
-Local trains would still serve Cornwall and Brockville but at freight speeds.
-"close to hourly" departures
-2h15 to Ottawa, 3h30 to Montreal
-Revenues projected to triple, significant profits in the Toronto-Montreal portion
The biggest problem that I can see is that the line would still go through dozens if not hundreds of communities, which I'm sure would limit speeds. But it's still a bargain compared to something like the TGV. The report presents VIAFast as an opportunity to make our transport system rail-centred, increase efficiency, and save costs on road maintenance. There must be some very connected anti-passenger rail interests in Ottawa.
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