Ontario Northland/Northern Ontario Transportation

[Allandale25]

ONTC chairman reports progress on trainsets for return of Northlander : My Espanola Now

The chairman of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission says the Northlander is on track for its return in 2026. Al Spacek provided an update on the progress that’s being made […]

www.myespanolanow.com

 

[SaugeenJunction]

New (well, new for ONTC) track testing car:

 

[lenaitch]

It seems to have been through a few iterations since it was built in 1949. I wonder why ONR felt they needed their own equipment rather than pay CN or CP to run their network every year or so.

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www.rrpicturearchives.net

 

[micheal_can]

It seems to have been through a few iterations since it was built in 1949. I wonder why ONR felt they needed their own equipment rather than pay CN or CP to run their network every year or so.

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www.rrpicturearchives.net

I'd bet it has to do with the return of the Northlander.

 

[lenaitch]

My source maintains that they've owned it longer than 2022 but, regardless, they were getting tired of paying (usually) CN to do their track evaluations. It was costing them in the order of half a million each time.

The tech upgrade mentioned in the post is a result of no documentation and the person who had the knowledge (Michael D. Harding apparently) has since passed on.

 

[Bordercollie]

New (well, new for ONTC) track testing car:

View attachment 566837
View attachment 566839

Looks similar to a HEP 1 coach

 

[SaugeenJunction]

New (well, new for ONTC) track testing car:

View attachment 566837
View attachment 566839

Just noticed, Starlink is attached to the coach.

 

[Allandale25]

 

[crs1026]

Looks similar to a HEP 1 coach

Canadian Trackside Guide (shameless endorsement for a superb publication) says it's a former 10 Roomette 6 Bedroom sleeper originally Union Pacific then Amtrak. Built by Budd in 1950.

- Paul

 

[Allandale25]

Northlander will operate one southbound and one northbound service a day

There will be 16 two-minute stops in both directions.

torontosun.com

 

[lenaitch]

A little bit of greenwashing there when they use the terms "hybrid diesel-electric engines". No doubt they will be the latest generation of diesel but still, that 'hybrid' combination has been around for 80 years.

 

[dowlingm]

If the reference to hybrid was a statement of intent to electrify the Ramore and Temagami subdivisions and to operate ALC-42Es as power, bring it on

 

[micheal_can]

If the reference to hybrid was a statement of intent to electrify the Ramore and Temagami subdivisions and to operate ALC-42Es as power, bring it on

That would not be hybrid, that would be fully electric.

 

[11th]

A little bit of greenwashing there when they use the terms "hybrid diesel-electric engines". No doubt they will be the latest generation of diesel but still, that 'hybrid' combination has been around for 80 years.

Could there be battery packs and regenerative charging from braking? That's what I think when I see "hybrid".

 

[micheal_can]

Could there be battery packs and regenerative charging from braking? That's what I think when I see "hybrid".

Hybrid really only means a motor driving the wheels with an on board engine. So, technically, most diesel train engines are hybrids.