VIA Rail

[crs1026]

(Shameless plug) The Canadian Trackside Guide is your friend.

CN Rivers Sub - Winnipeg - Kearns - 55.7 mi
CN Gladstone Sub - Kearns - Dauphin - 121.7 mi
CN Togo Sb Dauphin - Canoray - 124.9 mi
CN Assiniboine Sub - Canoray - Mutchler - 92.2 mi
CN Tisdale Sub - Mutchler - Hudson Bay - 1.5 mi
CN Turnberry Sub - Hudson Bay - The Pas South - 83.4 mi
HBRY The Pas Terminal Sub - The Pas South - The Pas - 4.7 mi
HBRY Wekusko Sub - The Pas - Wabowden - 136.4 mi
HBRY Thicket Sub - Wabowden - Thompson Jct - 199.8 mi 63.4 mi
HBRY Thompson Subdivision Thompson Jct - Thompson - 30.5 mi

Total - 850.8 miles, or 1161 kms 714.4 miles, or 1143 kms

- Paul

Mea Culpa Seems my math was a bit off, here it is corrected.

- Paul

 

[just east of the creek]

Mea Culpa Seems my math was a bit off, here it is corrected.

- Paul

Paul,

Shameless plug or not, the source is impeccable and the point well taken. Thanks for the input.

A couple of people I talked to in Thompson and the Pas explained the length of time as roadbed issues, but did not have the knowledge to elaborate. From my roadside views the surrounding countryside did not look the same as James Bay Lowlands (Moose River area) but then it was heavily covered in snow.

There is also an overnight bus service between Winnipeg and Thompson - the fare is $80 ish. Leaves around 9(?) and gets in at 6:30. That apparently is well used. And there is enough less way in the schedule to make up time lost in this weeks icy conditions.

Now to brave the vicissitudes of Air Canada for the last leg of the tour.

Thanks again.

 

[lenaitch]

Paul,

Shameless plug or not, the source is impeccable and the point well taken. Thanks for the input.

A couple of people I talked to in Thompson and the Pas explained the length of time as roadbed issues, but did not have the knowledge to elaborate. From my roadside views the surrounding countryside did not look the same as James Bay Lowlands (Moose River area) but then it was heavily covered in snow.

There is also an overnight bus service between Winnipeg and Thompson - the fare is $80 ish. Leaves around 9(?) and gets in at 6:30. That apparently is well used. And there is enough less way in the schedule to make up time lost in this weeks icy conditions.

Now to brave the vicissitudes of Air Canada for the last leg of the tour.

Thanks again.

You're not really into the Hudson's Bay Lowlands until to get to about Gillam, but you are well within the Boreal, with its poorly drained soils as well as extensive broad and deep bogs and fens. Not making excuses for the host railways but I can really see trackbed stability being an ongoing issue. In addition to the threat of sudden influxes of water, like a heavy spring that shut down the line to Churchill or even a beaver dam letting go, in many areas you are basically building on peat. I remember riding the PBX many years ago when you could stand at a rear vestibule and watch the train slowly rock back and forth.

 

[Admiral Beez]

I’m planning to take the train from Toronto Union to NYC this summer and then a cruise. What’s the luggage allowance? Amtrak and VIA have different specs.

Train baggage allowance | VIA Rail

Before travelling on board our trains, please read the baggage policy carefully.

www.viarail.ca

Baggage 101 - What You Can Bring On Board | Amtrak

Curious about Amtrak's baggage policy? Not sure what to bring, or how much can carry onboard? Read on to get the 411 on Baggage 101.

www.amtrak.com

 

[micheal_can]

I’m planning to take the train from Toronto Union to NYC this summer and then a cruise. What’s the luggage allowance? Amtrak and VIA have different specs.

Train baggage allowance | VIA Rail

Before travelling on board our trains, please read the baggage policy carefully.

www.viarail.ca

Baggage 101 - What You Can Bring On Board | Amtrak

Curious about Amtrak's baggage policy? Not sure what to bring, or how much can carry onboard? Read on to get the 411 on Baggage 101.

www.amtrak.com

The Maple Leaf follows Amtrak rules.

 

[Admiral Beez]

The Maple Leaf follows Amtrak rules.

But do Union staff?

 

[micheal_can]

But do Union staff?

Good question. I don;t know. Their baggage policies don't look too different. What is your specific concern and others who are more knowledgeable can answer.

 

[Urban Sky]

I’m planning to take the train from Toronto Union to NYC this summer and then a cruise. What’s the luggage allowance? Amtrak and VIA have different specs.

Train baggage allowance | VIA Rail

Before travelling on board our trains, please read the baggage policy carefully.

www.viarail.ca

Baggage 101 - What You Can Bring On Board | Amtrak

Curious about Amtrak's baggage policy? Not sure what to bring, or how much can carry onboard? Read on to get the 411 on Baggage 101.

www.amtrak.com

If in doubt: go with the Amtrak specs. It‘s an Amtrak train, which just happens to be staffed by VIA until NF/ON…

 

[Allandale25]

Any news on the VIA-CN speed restriction situation for the new Venture sets? I don't think I've seen any news since mid November.

Via Rail wants judicial review of CN Rail speed restrictions | Globalnews.ca

Via Rail says the restrictions CN imposed on Oct. 11 are causing daily delays on Via Rail's Québec City-Windsor corridor, affecting thousands of passengers.

globalnews.ca

 

[Trackside_Treasure]

Any news on the VIA-CN speed restriction situation for the new Venture sets? I don't think I've seen any news since mid November.

Via Rail wants judicial review of CN Rail speed restrictions | Globalnews.ca

Via Rail says the restrictions CN imposed on Oct. 11 are causing daily delays on Via Rail's Québec City-Windsor corridor, affecting thousands of passengers.

globalnews.ca

Here's the latest on the judicial review request launched by VIA Rail. It's still before the Court.

VIA and CN in Federal Court over CN-Imposed Speed Reductions

VIA Rail Canada made an application for judicial review under sections 18 and 18.1 of the Federal Courts Act, one month after CN imposed its...

tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com

There are several posts in that blog's right sidebar that are kept up-to-date.

 

[Allandale25]

Here's the latest on the judicial review request launched by VIA Rail. It's still before the Court.

VIA and CN in Federal Court over CN-Imposed Speed Reductions

VIA Rail Canada made an application for judicial review under sections 18 and 18.1 of the Federal Courts Act, one month after CN imposed its...

tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com

There are several posts in that blog's right sidebar that are kept up-to-date.

Very detailed post. Thank you!

 

[reaperexpress]

Highlighting a key section from the @Trackside_Treasure article, summarizing the application for judicial review:

VIA notes that railway track circuits must detect equipment in any part of the track circuit; and they must detect a shunt of 0.06 ohm resistance when the shunt is connected across the track rails of any part of the circuit by providing a warning time of at least 20 seconds before railway equipment reaches a crossing. Operating control circuits must provide consistent warning times for railway equipment operating over the grade crossing.

Venture trains in a 24-axle configuration have been confirmed to provide a minimum resistance of 0.06 ohms as required, as admitted by CN. Since CN’s new rule was purportedly adopted to allay a hypothetical risk that VIA Venture trains regularly operating over its grade crossings and generating the required 0.06 ohm shunt would not be detected by its warning systems, the purpose and effect of CN’s Crossing Supplement is to allow it to operate its railway in violation of the Railway Safety Act, Grade Crossing Regulations, and Grade Crossing Standards.

My understanding is that 0.06 ohm is the maximum resistance, not the minimum. So when they say they meet the requirements it means the axles produce less than 0.06 ohm resistance. But in any case the point is that the trains meet the Transport Canada shunt requirements.

 

[lenaitch]

It appears from what's available to us that CN's case lacks foundation. I wonder what their game is.

 

[Urban Sky]

It appears from what's available to us that CN's case lacks foundation. I wonder what their game is.

Their game (if you insist on them acting maliciously) could be to retaliate against something (though not sure what). I don’t think there are any negative consequences for them if the courts were to eventually decide in VIA‘s favour, but they would have caused havoc on them for multiple months.

 

[roger1818]

The quote that I found interesting in the @Trackside_Treasure article was:

VIA contends that forcing the manual protection of 304 grade crossings creates very real risks to the safety of passengers, employees and the public due to the additional cognitive workload placed on locomotive engineers needing to accelerate and decelerate repeatedly at some grade crossings while referring to a list of those crossings while operating trains. CN’s Crossing Supplement creates additional safety risks, which are entirely unwarranted, as will be further detailed in VIA’s forthcoming application to stay the Crossing Supplement.