reaperexpress
Senior Member
Check the maps carefully when Metrolinx does its next round of public consultations. There is no plan to extend electrification beyond Aldershot. This isn't even possible, absent an agreement with CN - Metrolinx doesn't own the ROW. For all practical purposes, the RER expansion will terminate at Aldershot.
I wouldn't put so much weight on the omission of any CN-based electrification from plans. I find it hard to believe that they would electrify only Union-Bramalea, stopping just short of the two largest trip generators on the line. My guess is they are hoping to strike a deal with CN, but are keeping it quiet. Including electrified CN lines in the publicized plan would give CN too much leverage - basically they would feel they could charge any price and Metrolinx would pay. If the CN segments are not publicized, Metrolinx has a lot more negotiating power since they could treat the deal as merely "nice to have", thereby creating the option of declining an unattractive offer.
Maybe this would be a good application for the UPX fleet in a few years....electrify UPX with new rolling stock rather than convert the DMU's, and cascade the DMU's to an express service to Niagara Region.
Hey! Hands off my Kitchener - Guelph shuttle trains!
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