VIA Rail

[smallspy]

I've heard rumours of CN using this line for more through freight service connecting to their yards in the GTA, including double-stack trains. Hopefully this means track improvments.

Without some very, very substantial improvements to the fixed plant, this is exceedingly unlikely. There are virtually no online sidings on the line capable of handling a freight train of any substantial length to schedule meets.

VIA has also expressed interest in buying the London East to Kitchener segment from CN, however I haven't heard of any progress on this.

Indeed, as far as I can gather this is still on their radar although there has been no public pronouncements about it for quite some time. I wonder if there is a need to wait until CN takes back possession of the line before they are able to announce anything more concrete.

Dan
Toronto, Ont.

 

[muller877]

Didn't the Sarnia train at one point go via Woodstock, at least for one of the trips?

The slowest part of that trip is now between Kitchener and London, with the last schedule I looked at suggesting it can take 2 hours to travel the relatively short distance.

Is there not also a slow order on the Paris bridge? Or have they fixed it?

 

[smallspy]

Is there not also a slow order on the Paris bridge? Or have they fixed it?

40 mph, although the PSO is as much due to the sharp curves in the area as it is the bridge.

Dan
Toronto, Ont.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

More HEP upgrades:

Design Services-Washroom Modernization-HEP1 Coach Cars

 

[drum118]

Via Rail cancels some Ontario services after union gives notice of impending strike

 

[Urban Sky]

Via Rail cancels some Ontario services after union gives notice of impending strike

It should be noted that this only affects the Sudbury - White River service (i.e. the only VIA service which depends on CP trackage):

Via Rail cancels service between Sudbury and White River as CP Rail strike looms

Via Rail cancels service between Sudbury, White River as CP Rail strike looms

 

[Urban Sky]

For those interested, VIA Rail is currently holding its Annual Meeting and also accepts questions through a form:
https://studiocast.ca/client/viarail/event/3951/en/


The webcast will also be available later on Youtube...

 

[lenaitch]

It should be noted that this only affects the Sudbury - White River service (i.e. the only VIA service which depends on CP trackage):

Via Rail cancels service between Sudbury and White River as CP Rail strike looms

Via Rail cancels service between Sudbury, White River as CP Rail strike looms

I would also assume that directional running agreements will revert to home territory and VIA will follow CN in the affected areas.

 

[crs1026]

I would also assume that directional running agreements will revert to home territory and VIA will follow CN in the affected areas.

Which will be doubly painful, since CN has ripped out many of the sidings in DRZ's. Its own traffic will be choked on its own rails.

- Paul

 

[smallspy]

Which will be doubly painful, since CN has ripped out many of the sidings in DRZ's. Its own traffic will be choked on its own rails.

- Paul

Indeed. CN has sent out a memo stating that for the duration of the strike that many southbound trains are to be broken into two trains for the run through the DRZ between Perry Sound and Sudbury.

Dan
Toronto, Ont.

 

[crs1026]

Indeed. CN has sent out a memo stating that for the duration of the strike that many southbound trains are to be broken into two trains for the run through the DRZ between Perry Sound and Sudbury.

Dan
Toronto, Ont.

It will be ironic if running shorter trains, which gives more opportunity to use all available sidings, actually works better for CN. It will cost more in labour, but it will demonstrate how the rampant cost cutting of the last decade has actually harmed railway operational flexibility - which is what is hurting VIA so much on the transcontinental routes.

- Paul

 

[JasonParis]

Can some explain to me the Sudbury to White River service and why it still exists? Not saying it shouldn't, but with all the cancellations to VIA services that have been made over generations, why did this one persevere?

 

[Sandpit]

Can some explain to me the Sudbury to White River service and why it still exists? Not saying it shouldn't, but with all the cancellations to VIA services that have been made over generations, why did this one persevere?

Because there are towns (settlements) along the route that are only reachable by rail. It might be cheaper in the long run to just build a road though, or maybe even offer to relocate residents willing to move.

 

[lenaitch]

Can some explain to me the Sudbury to White River service and why it still exists? Not saying it shouldn't, but with all the cancellations to VIA services that have been made over generations, why did this one persevere?

As far as I am aware it is part of VIA's 'mandated' service to provide service to isolated communities, similar to the northern Quebec routes They might have to do the same thing if VIA switched to CP although I don't know the demographics along the CN line that well). I'm not exactly sure any government would be willing to forcibly or effectively relocate anyone like they did in Newfoundland. That was extremely controversial and sometimes involved the removal of other government services (health care, schools, etc.).

 

[Allandale25]

From the CTV News twitter account:

BREAKING: Deal reached to restore rail link to Manitoba's isolated Churchill community http://bit.ly/2JhO4IE