Please submit your Metrolinx/GO Transit/LRT/TTC News and photos to wce1942@gmail.com
Kitchener, Toronto Mayors Pitch 2 City Innovation Corridor
Commuter transit key component in similar world-class innovation hubs, mayors say - CBC News Posted: Feb 11, 2016
Metrolinx Board Meeting - February 10th, 2016
7.1 Electrification
7.2 Regional Express Rail and SmartTrack Integration
7.3 Station Analysis
7.4 Grade Separations
Each link is a Metrolinx powerpoint presentation - excellent updates
Electrification:
Next Steps - GO Transit.com/Electrification
Project Updates as of February 1st, 2016.
Union Station Rail Corridor
Lakeshore West Corridor - Strachan Avenue to Burlington
Kitchener Corridor - UP Express Spur to Bramalea
Lakeshore East Corridor - Don Yard Layover to Oshawa GO Station
Barrie Corridor - Parkdale Junction to Allandale GO Station
Stouffville Corridor - Scarborough Junction to Lincolnville GO Station
Next Steps - Kitchener Corridor - Malton to Bramalea
Fight Gridlock in Brampton - from Facebook
SmartTrack Western Corridor Feasibility Review -January 19th, 2016 -
Ev Delen shared City of Toronto Reports on Twitter - http://goo.gl/VQ6Ofq
Union Station - with files from William Baird
Union Station Platform Action Plan - Metrolinx
Action Plan to increase platform safety at Union Station. This is the follow-up response to a platform accident death on April 28th, 2015.
Source:
http://goo.gl/IMaeU3 - gotransit.com
https://goo.gl/W4drqG - Tempo Jr- Jan 2016 issue
Union Station - Electrification - Clearance Issues
Mark Ostler of Metrolinx provided this reply on February 5th, 2016, to CRO, on the question of the electrification of Union Station,.
The train shed is almost 90 years old and is a heritage site.
We are working closely with Parks Canada to preserve and restore the train shed history.
Electrifying the corridors and train shed is an exciting opportunity fully supported by the Ontario government.
We now have a funding commitment for electrification.
We have been building electrification into all of our planning initiatives for a number of years now, throughout the network.
This includes:
- building in the necessary vertical clearance into all new structures,
- providing for the siting of foundations for poles for future overhead catenary systems,
- grounding infrastructure at stations,
- hardening up signal systems, and
- providing for future electrification in the design of the atrium at Union Station.
Preliminary design is underway for the electrification system within the train shed. This work, which is nearing completion, will confirm the vertical clearance requirements within the train shed.
There are a variety of options we have, to accommodate the catenary and our experts are assessing the options that are the most cost efficient and least disruptive to our customers.
We are developing a plan and will be presenting an update in the coming weeks.
We have already done some of the preparatory work such as ducking to accommodate the catenary.
Two views of GO 617 East arriving on platform five at Union Station on February 14th, 2016, from Aldershot, with Oshawa as its destination. Notice the arches of the original roof which need to be modified to accommodate the overhead catenary for electrification. The new atrium can be seen above the arches. Walter Pfefferle photo with permission. Lower photo by John Jeffery.
This is a view of the new stairways and elevators which feed up to the train platforms from the newly renovated York Concourse. A retail concourse is under construction one level below. John Jeffery photo.
GO Transit Fleet -
Source - Mark Ostler - Media Relations and Issues Specialist Metrolinx
Diesel-Electric Locomotives- Update February 5th, 2016
MP40PHT-T4AC -
Prototype unit - GO 647 - All vehicle testing at the TTCI test centre in Pueblo Colorado was successfully completed. Testing of train control functions has been successfully completed and current testing is focused on minimum run times and acceleration and braking tests. Metrolinx is now running some final tests and if GO 647 successfully completes these tests, this unit will be released to revenue service.
16 production units are on order from Motive Power Industries, in series 667-682, for 2017 delivery.
Electric Rolling Stock-
The choice of electric rolling stock is being evaluated, and final recommendations will be made towards the summer of 2016. Tendering and documentation requirements mean that the order will be placed in early 2017. One condition of the tenders will be that prototype units must be available for testing early in 2020.
Source - Mark Ostler - Metrolinx
GO CEM (Crash Energy Management) Cars - Latest version of the Bombardier bi-level coach
Update from Mark Ostler- Metrolinx - January 20th, 2016
With files from Bryan Martyniuk and Ken Reiss
CEM design cab cars and coaches:
Supplier - Bombardier
CEM Cab cars - 67 ordered
Series number - 300 - 366
Delivered - 300 - 314
In service - 300, 303, 304, 306, 308
In Transit from Bombardier - 315, 316, 317, 318
CEM Coaches - 60 ordered
Series number -
Coaches - 4000 series,
Accessibility coaches - 4500 series
Delivery Schedule - begins summer 2016.
GO 308 West at Oshawa GO station, on February 9th, 2016, getting ready to depart as the 3:41pm for Union Station. The consist is comprised of CEM cab car 308, series 8 coaches 2855, 2844, 2846, rebuilt series 5 coaches 2426 and 2418, series 8 accessibility coach 2560, series 8 coach 2856, rebuilt series 5 coach 2442, series 8 coach 2842, and GO 663, a Tier 3 MP40PH-3. All cars are in the new Metrolinx livery. John Jeffery photo
Here are CEM cab cars GO 315 and 316, at CP's Westfort Yard in Thunder Bay on February 11th, 2016. They will be forwarded on CP train 420 to Toronto, and transferred to CN at Lambton Yard for final delivery to Metrolinx at Willowbrook Shops. Bryan Martyniuk pictures with permission.
Here are CEM cab cars GO 315 and 316 departing Thunder Bay on the back end of CP train 420 on Sunday, February 14th, 2016. Bryan Martyniuk photos with permission.
GO 315 and 316 on Feb 16th at Sudbury. CP 420 had left these GO Transit cars, the flat cars acting as buffers, and some autoracks, on the Cartier Sub South Main track while they set off the rest of their train in the Sudbury yard.
CRO contributor Ken Reiss kindly provided this update for us. Ken Reiss photos with permission
Metrolinx CEM Cab Control Car #318 was picked up by CP on February 21st, 2016 at the Bombardier plant in Thunder Bay. It is now waiting in CP's 'E' yard on Monday February 22nd, 2016, for furtherance to Toronto.
Bryan Martyniuk photo with permission.
GO Transit Expansion: Metrolinx Updates - Jan 20th, 2016
With files from Mark Ostler - Media Relations and Issues Specialist - Metrolinx
With files from Kevin Argue - CRO contributor
Whitby East Rail Maintenance Centre
The East Rail Maintenance Facility is under construction and due for completion in 2017. The facility includes approximately 500,000 square feet of new buildings. The project also includes:
tracks and storage for thirteen 12-car passenger trains;
built-in capacity to store an additional nine passenger trains for future use
stations to repair, maintain, fuel, wash and power GO trains;
staff and visitor parking; and sustainable design and construction features.
Source: http://plenarygroup.com/assets/media/Plenary-Metrolinx-factsheet.pdf
These two pictures show the status of the main train service building on February 22nd, 2016. The top picture shows the north side of the east end. The lower picture shows the north side of the west end. You will notice all the extra steel work on the north side for additional shops and offices. Click on the link below and go to page 17 to cross reference what is in the pictures with the yard diagram. John Jeffery photos.
Click on the link below and go to page 17 for a detailed map of this project. Metrolinx advise that both the Whitby East Rail Maintenance Centre and the Willowbrook Shops will be modified to service both diesel and electric trains.
https://goo.gl/noGvdo - Metrolinx/Town of Whitby
West Harbour GO Station:
Parking starts to open up at James Street GO station
Hamilton Spectator - Jan 22, 2016
Parking - 46 spaces - available starting January 25th. The rest of the 300 spaces will be available by summer 2016.
Trackwork -
Hamilton Junction to West Harbour - pictures of third track construction
Urbantoronto.ca - posted Thursday, February 18th, 2016 by mdrejhon
The second station track and the third main track between GO West Harbour adjacent to York Street to Desjardin (just west of Bayview Junction) are under construction. This will provide direct access to West Harbour from Bayview Junction , to keep GO and VIA passenger trains separate from CN freight trains on the Grimsby sub in stretch between Bayview Junction and Stoney Creek. This will also allow for an increase in GO train service at West Harbour GO station.
This third track connects with the existing station track one, and station track two will be a dead end track for trains terminating at West Harbour.
Station track one will be extended eastward to Confederation GO station in Stoney Creek providing separate GO access to Confederation GO station and Lewis Ave. layover yard for GO trains. This will also allow access to the CN Grimsby Sub. for GO and VIA trains travelling to and from Niagara Falls.
The Lewis Ave. layover yard in Stoney Creek will provide capacity for four GO trains. The yard is complete and just waiting to be connected to the CN Grimsby Sub. This will allow increased GO Train service at West Harbour GO station. Confederation GO station in Stoney Creek will be completed in 2019.
Source: Mark Ostler - Metrolinx
Additional Train service - Metrolinx is negotiating with CN and the City of Hamilton to finalize the timing and number of trains into West Harbour GO station, and the associated infrastructure to support that.
Source: Mark Ostler - Metrolinx
GO Kitchener Line - with files from Mark Ostler - Metrolinx
Georgetown - Direct connection between Silver Junction and GO Georgetown platform.
Construction is in progress. This third track will provide a direct connection between Silver Junction (just west of the Georgetown GO station, on the Kitchener line) and the Georgetown GO platform. Project completion is expected in summer 2016.
Source: Mark Ostler - Metrolinx
Track improvements -
Track work will commence in spring 2016. Metrolinx are also looking at other ways to improve train speed on this line. Some things being considered are double tracking, the installation of welded rail, and the removal of some level crossings. The Kitchener line will only be electrified between Union Station and Bramalea GO station because GO is only electrifying lines that they own. The section between Bramalea and Georgetown is owned by CN, so trains travelling to points west of Bramalea will be diesel-hauled, or in some cases may be hauled using dual-power locomotives, like those used by AMT in Montreal.
Shirley Ave. Layover Yard - Kitchener
Construction of the Shirley Ave. layover yard in Kitchener is in progress, and it will be operational in summer 2016. This yard will have the capacity for four GO trains. When this layover yard is completed the AM and PM train service between Union Station and Kitchener will be doubled.
Source: Mark Ostler- Metrolinx
Regional Express Rail projects:
with files from Kevin Argue - CRO contributor and Mark Ostler- Metrolinx
Barrie Line - Double Tracking Project
Phase One - Six kilometres of second track between York University and the Rutherford GO station are under construction. Work continues on the bridge south of Langstaff, and some track has been laid. Work on the CTC signal infrastructure is complete and the CTC signals have now been activated. Phase 1 of the project is on track for a summer 2016 completion. Some increases in train service on the Barrie line will take place at that point.
Phase two - This phase will include a full double track expansion of the Barrie corridor, a new station stop at St. Clair Ave.and Eglinton Avenue, as well as a new grade separation at the CP-CN Davenport diamond. Phase 2 will start later in 2016 and will be completed in the first half of 2017.
Source - Mark Ostler and Urban Toronto.ca
Stouffville Line: Double Tracking Project
Work is in progress, from just north of Milliken GO Station(Steeles Ave) south to Marilyn Ave, which is the first street north of Agincourt GO station. This five km stretch of additional second track will connect at Kennedy Road to the south end of the existing 1.5 km siding, which extends up to just south of Unionville GO station. This will provide double track from Unionville GO station down to the Agincourt GO station.
In Phase 2, the rest of the section from Agincourt GO Station to the Kennedy GO station will be double tracked. The Kennedy GO Station is a Transportation Hub with the TTC bus network and the Bloor-Danforth subway line (line 2). In the future GO trains will also interchange with the Eglinton LRT at this station.
Phase One- A 1.5 km passing siding exists between GO Unionville and Steeles Ave. A 5 km addition to this second track will be constructed from Steeles Ave down to the GO Agincourt station at Sheppard Ave. This phase is now under construction with clearing, and tree removals in progress. Property line trees and privately owned structures encroaching on the right of way are also being removed. Existing signal cables are currently being relocated. The completion of this phase will allow an increase in train service on this line. Metrolinx is negotiating with the City of Toronto and other stakeholders, regarding a long-term plan for the level crossing at Steeles Avenue (Milliken GO station).
Phase two -In this phase, the double tracking of the full stretch between the GO Kennedy Station and the Unionville GO station will be completed. This involves double tracking the stretch between Marilyn Avenue ( just above the Agincourt GO station) down to the Kennedy GO station. This station interfaces with the Bloor-Danforth subway (line 2), and after 2020, the Eglinton LRT line. The Stouffville line joins the Lakeshore East line at the Scarborough GO station. There is a six track layover yard at the north end of this line at the Lincolnville GO station. Metrolinx also owns the former CN trackage from Lincolnville to Uxbridge, and there are long term plans to upgrade this section, but none that have been approved or funded, at the present time.
Source - Mark Ostler and Urban Toronto.ca
Here is the south end of the existing siding on the Stouffville line at Kennedy Road. Notice how the second track was constructed so that it can easily be extended southward. The 5 km extension in phase 1 will take the second track down to Marilyn Ave. just north of the Agincourt GO station.
The top photo looks southward on the Stouffville line, from Huntingwood Drive towards Marilyn Ave. ,which will be the south end of the second track for phase one. The lower photo is looking northward from the Agincourt GO station. John Jeffery photos.
Richmond Hill line -
Gormley station is currently under construction and will be completed near the end of 2016. A layover yard at Bethesda Road was completed in 2014.
GO Lakeshore East Corridor - Third Main track between GO Guildwood and GO Durham Junction (Pickering)
This third main track will relieve a lot of ongoing congestion and train delays between GO and VIA on this stretch of the Lakeshore East line. This will allow an increase in service on the Lakeshore East Corridor. The Lakeshore East Transit Project Assessment process will begin in spring 2016 and be completed by Dec 2016. Construction of the Third Main track will begin in 2017.
Source - Mark Ostler - Metrolinx
UP Express fares need 'clear and sharp' look, Del Duca says
CBC News -posted February 10th, 2016
Note: A special meeting of the Metrolinx Board has been arranged for Tuesday February 23rd, 2016 to make a decision about a new fare structure for the Union Pearson Express.
Metrolinx to improve Bloor Street GO Transit/UP Express Station
Progressive Railroading - February 12th, 2016
Here is UPX 3005 East, travelling along the 3 km airport spur, in early afternoon on February 14th, 2016, headed for Union Station. We are looking northward from the UPX terminal at Pearson International Airport, Terminal One. Also UPE 1006 departing pearson Airport. Walter Pfefferle photo.
Here is GO 640 East passing UPX 3005, just west of the UPX terminal at Union Station late in the afternoon on February 14th, 2016. Walter Pfefferle photo with permission.
https://goo.gl/e8P2nm - UPExpress.com
LRT Transit Projects in Central Ontario - MARCH 2016
with files from Kevin Argue - CRO contributor
Crosstown Eglinton LRT - Toronto http://www.thecrosstown.ca
Crosstown gas-fired power plant has Mount Dennis residents fired up http://goo.gl/5fFf9Q
Metrolinx Finalizes Eglinton Crosstown Station Names - cityscape | Torontoist https://goo.gl/DQMUwi
Finch West LRT
Finch West LRT Maintenance and Storage Facility
By: Laurie Monsebraaten Social justice reporter, Published on Thu Dec 10 2015
Finch West LRT maintenance and storage facility- Jane-Finch on track to get more than basic transit garage - http://goo.gl/oUkl3g
ION LRT- Region of Waterloo - with files from CRO contributor Kevin Argue
LRT dome done next week, only to be taken down two months later
Waterloo Region Record By Kevin Swayze- February 17th, 2016
LRT work gearing up in uptown Waterloo Jan 24, 2016 The Record.com
ION Track Installation
Grand River Transit Timelapse #3 - Route 200 iXpress
This express bus route will transition from bus to rail and become Phase 2 of the ION LRT, after phase 1 is complete.
Kitchener transit hub pitches to be sought in 2016
Waterloo Region Record By Paige Desmond - Oct 19, 2015
The Region of Waterloo will seek developer pitches in 2016 for the transit hub at King and Victoria streets in downtown Kitchener.
The future transit hub will connect many different types of transportation including ION light rail transit, Grand River Transit, GO train and bus, VIA Rail, Greyhound, Coach Canada, Cherry Bus Lines, CarShare, pedestrians and cyclists.
ION: The Story So Far
Published on 13 Nov 2015
Director of Rapid Transit at the Region of Waterloo, Darshpreet Bhatti, reviews the project through 2015 and looks ahead to 2016.
ION - Construction Updates - http://goo.gl/dzA8uZ - Completion: 2017
Hamilton LRT: https://goo.gl/m2vUVq
LRT may not be 'free' after all - Bay Observer- February 12th,2016
Ottawa LRT - with files from William Baird
Trillium Line O-Train failed to stop at signal twice, late in 2015 - Jon Willing Ottawa Citizen January 22, 2016
TTC - MARCH 2016 NEWS - with files from Kevin Argue
Chief Executive Officer's Report - February 2016 Update
TTC.ca - Interesting project update information on pages 53 and 54. Good picture of TTC 4417 at Roncesvalles carhouse being prepared for revenue service. It has now entered service in the late afternoon of February 19th, 2016, on the 510 Spadina line.
Bloor-Danforth Subway - Scarborough extension
Revised Scarborough subway plan eliminates 2 stations.
By: Tess Kalinowski Transportation reporter, Published on Wed Jan 20 2016
Plan eliminates two subway stations on the Scarborough Subway extension. The savings would be used to build a Crosstown Eglinton East extension into the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus. - http://goo.gl/uIZxSN
Downtown Relief Subway line
City proposes Queen Street route for Toronto's downtown relief line
OLIVER MOORE - URBAN TRANSPORTATION REPORTER
The Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 2:52PM EST
TTC Fleet Plans 2016
January 14, 2016 by Steve Munro
http://goo.gl/cVttWX - A very comprehensive report, worth reading.
Subways:
Get ready for a ton of TTC subway closures
Posted by Derek Flack / FEBRUARY 10, 2016
Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension
http://goo.gl/0b1xZN - project updates
Toronto-York Spadina subway extension $400M over budget
CBC News Posted: Jan 15, 2016 10:04 AM ET - By Jamie Strashin
Toronto Rocket (TR) Subway Cars
Streetcars:
Here is ALRV 4201 and LFLRV 4403 passing each other at the Nassau St. platform on the 510 Spadina line on February 22nd, 2016. 4201 is the first ALRV and 4403 is the first production Flexity LFLRV. 4201 is southbound to Union Station, and 4403 is northbound to Spadina station. John Jeffery photos.
Flexity Outlook LFLRV- fleet. - 4400 - 4603
Flexity Outlook production units in revenue service:
4401 - Prototype unit, will be upgraded to production unit after 4402 returns from Thunder Bay.
4402 - Prototype unit, at Bombardier Thunder Bay for upgrade to production unit.
4400 and 4403 to 4416 - In revenue service on the 509 Harbourfront line, and 510 Spadina line.
4417 - 16th Flexity tram - In service on the 510 Spadina line, on the evening of February 19th, 2016.
Here is TTC 4416 at the Queen's Quay platform on Bathurst St. , on the 509 Harbourfront line on February 5th, 2016. She is westbound to the Fleet St. loop on her fourth day of service. John Jeffery photos.
Here are Flexity LFLRV's 4403 and 4416 passing each other at the intersection of Bathurst St, Lakeshore Blvd, and Fleet Street. They are operating on the 509 Harbourfront line, with 4403 eastbound to Union Station and 4416 westbound to the Fleet Street loop. 4416 is on her fourth day of service. John Jeffery photo.
Here is the 16th Flexity tram, TTC 4417 on her fourth day of service, operating on the 510 Spadina line. She is at the Nassau Street platform southbound to Union Station. John Jeffery photos.
New Cherry Street Streetcar line opens June 19th, 2016.
Here is a quick look at the new Cherry Street Streetcar line which opens for service on June 19th, 2016. The upper picture is looking toward the junction between the 504 King line and the Cherry Street Streetcar line. The lower picture shows the right of way going down Cherry Street, with the Mill St. loop in the distance. John Jeffery photos
Map of West Donlands - Google maps - https://goo.gl/2Xaa1j
The Cherry Street Streetcar line is being built by Waterfront Toronto, in conjunction with the Toronto Transit Commission.and will run from the Mill Street streetcar loop across from Distillery Lane, up Cherry/Sumach Streets to King St. with three stops. There it will connect with the 504 King line in both directions.
The TTC has decided to implement Route 514, from the Mill Street Loop on the Cherry Street line, to the Dufferin Gate Loop on Dufferin Street, further west on the 504 King St. line. This route was initiated to serve the West Donlands Neighbourhood , using the Cherry Street line and the 504 King line, and to minimize the need to short turn 504 King cars.
The West Donlands neighbourhood, is south of King St. and East of Cherry St, bordered on the east side by the Don Valley Parkway, and on the south by the Toronto Terminals Railway. This area used to be mostly industrial, which has now been removed. The new development is mostly retail, commercial and condominiums.
Future - Cherry St line and Queen's Quay East line
Waterfront Toronto's plan is to eventually extend the Cherry Street line south of the Gardiner Expressway into the Port Lands. It would meet with the proposed East Bayfront LRT running from Union Station along Queens Quay East to temporarily terminate in a loop west of Parliament Street.[1]
Click on the link below to visit the webpages below.
https://goo.gl/W857im - Wikipedia.
http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/ttc-flexity-streetcars-testing-delivery-bombardier.3263/page-495
AMT - Agence
Metropolitaine de Transport
(Edited by Jean-Francois Turcotte)
amtnews@canadianrailwayobservations.com
AMT Three Years Capital Investment Plan
AMT released its three-years capital investment 2016-2017-2018 plan on December 11.
(Document in French)
https://www.amt.qc.ca/Media/Default/pdf/section8/publications/amt-pti-2016-2017-2018.pdf
Key rail-related items include:
Completing final work on the Lachine Maintenance Facility by the end of 2016. The facility is now open and completed at 95%.
Completing the Pointe St-Charles Maintenance Facility, to open in 2017. Final completion is expected in 2018.
Purchasing of two diesel switchers for the Lachine and Pointe St-Charles facilities. Isn't it ironic that those GP9RM #1310-1313 have been disposed of in recent years? They would have been a good fit for switching tasks.
Completing final work on the Mascouche line by the end of 2018, most notably completing the Sauve and Ahuntsic stations.
Completing the overhaul of 10 former GO Transit F59PH (#1340-1349) as F59PH-3. Units 1340, 1343, 1346, 1347, 1348 and 1349 have been completed and most are now in service. Units 1341, 1342, 1344 and 1345 will follow in 2016 and 2017.
Overhaul of 11 F59PHI (#1320-1330), to be completed in 2016 (five units already done).
On the Vaudreuil-Hudson line, adding a third main track between Dorval and Pine Beach to increase capacity and reduce interference with CP freight traffic. CTC has recently been installed between Dorval and St-Lazarre, replacing the directional automatic block system. This project is conditional to the rebuilding of the Dorval Circle, a stalled project which is expected to resume in 2016. Or later.
Purchase new Bilevel cars for use on the Vaudreuil-Hudson, Candiac and St-Jerome lines. This will in turn release some Multilevel cars for use on the Deux-Montagnes line. A tender has been issued, and the first new cars are expected in 2018, at the earliest.
Improving the safety features of the Mount Royal Tunnel.
Completing the first round of engineering studies for extension of STM's Blue Metro line from St-Michel to Galleries d'Anjou (including five new stations and a new garage facility). However, elected officials at City Hall and Provincial Minister of Transportation have publicly expressed doubt about this project, hoping for a cheaper (and slower!) surface alternative, such as a tram. AMT is also currently studying further extension of the Yellow line in Longueuil toward boulevard Rolland-Therrien, and a further extension of the Orange line to Bois-Franc, Cartierville and Laval, looping on itself to reach Carrefour Laval (near A15/A440).
Notably absent from the plan are the following items:
Any firm plan for the overhaul of overtired MR-90 electric multiple units used on the Deux-Montagnes line.
Any firm plan to deploy badly-needed Multilevel cars on the Deux-Montagnes line. AMT instead prefer to run them, sometimes half-empty, on other, less crowded, lines.
Adding a second main track on the Deux-Montagnes line between Val Royal and Roxboro. This project had been present in AMT's three years Capital plan for decades, and now it's just being abandoned. When you thought AMT couldn't be any more disdainful toward Deux-Montagnes line riders, this is a final slap in the face.
Rerouting the St-Jerome line to Central Station, using the Mount Royal Tunnel. Another casualty of the Provincial Government's lack of interest.
Any plan for future electrification. A pity, considering that 300 M$ have already been spent on twenty expensive and complex ALP-45DP dual-mode locomotives, where only five are currently needed, and there are no plans to use them on the Deux-Montagnes line yet. AMT was quick to gobble CN's totally bogus arguments against electrification, without any further studies or inquiries on the subject. Meanwhile, self-driving electric buses and cars are coming, and may quickly make diesel commuter rail transit totally irrelevant within a decade.
In Downtown Montreal the evening of 27th, Michael Berry shot AMT F59PH 1345,1346 and 1340 at Lucien L'Allier Station. Note the repainted units have eliminated the white and green Class lights.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtlwestrailfan/25285553516/
AMT's "Ghost" F59's Still On Service
Although they are slated to be rebuilt as F59PH-3's later this year, AMT still rosters four un-rebuilt F59PH's with simplified white or gray paint scheme: #1341, 1342, 1344 and 1345.
This stunning picture from Michael Berry depicts white ghost #1344 pulling 5 Bombardier 700-series cars over Canadian Pacific's St.Lawrence River bridge in Lasalle, QC, on Candiac line train 84.
Another view:
Units 1340, 1343, 1346, 1347, 1348 and 1349 have already been rebuilt by Brookville Locomotives and have been repainted in AMT's latest scheme.
All are former GO Transit units.
Mascouche Line
AMT has extended at least one Mascouche line train set from 6 to 8 cars, reacting to increasing ridership on peak trains 1204 and 1209.
Thirty cars were originally intended to run on the Mascouche line; currently 26 are required to run the regular service (not counting reserve or maintenance rotations).
STM News
MPM-10 in service!
The first of Societe de Transport de Montreal's new MPM-10 "Azur" sets began revenue service on February 7, 2016, after several months of empty-run testing. The MPM-10 (Montreal Pneumatic Material 2010) is currently under production by Bombardier Transportation for the Montreal Metro. A test train was delivered in 2014, followed by a second prototype (which is still being tested on empty runs). It is expected that the 468 MPM-10 cars (forming 52 nine-car trains) will fully replace the 336 remaining MR-63 cars by the end of 2018, providing a 17%-increase in fleet size. Each 9-cars MPM-10 trainset also offers an 8% increase in a capacity over the earlier MR-63's and MR-73's.
The first in-service train entered service on the Orange line on the morning of February 7, 2016. Nicholas Houde clicked the first train set arriving at Plamondon Station on the Orange Line at Noon time (with many rail and transit enthusiasts on board).
Since the initial launch, the first revenue MPM-10 train has been running as an extra service between 09:15 and 16:15 on weekdays. It inserts itself between two regular trips at Cremazie station (Southbound), and is stored in the Youville shop when not in service.
The MPM-10 cars will be used mainly on the Orange line, displacing the newer MR-73 cars currently used on this line to the Green line (where the MR-63's are currently used). At least one MR-63 3-cars element is expected to be donated to Exporail.
This link (in French) provides an interesting insight of the conception of the new Azur cars. A must-see, even if you don't understand French.
http://ici.radio-canada.ca/tele/decouverte/2015-2016/segments/reportage/3739/metro-azur
Garage Cote-Vertu
STM currently operates four overnight storage facilities: Montmorency (Orange line), St-Charles (Orange line, near Henri-Bourassa), Angrignon (Green line) and Honore-Beaugrand (Green line). A limited number of trains can also be stored in the tail tracks at the end of lines in Cote Vertu (Orange line), Snowdon (Blue line), St-Michel (Blue line), Berri UQAM (Yellow line) and Longueuil - Universite de Sherbrooke (Yellow line).
In the short-term, the increase in fleet size will allow all Orange line trains to operate to/from the Montmorency stations during peak hours, eliminating the short runs at Henri-Bourassa.
However, the bulk of the increase in fleet size was originally to displace more MR-73's to the Blue line along with the extension of this line past its current eastern terminus of St-Michel, to Galleries d'Anjou, where a new garage is expected to be built. The price tag for this 5-stations extension is now in the 3 billion-range, casting doubt over the feasibility or viability of the project. The Anjou extension will open in 2021, at the earliest.
In the meantime, STM must regardless find room to store the extra 126-cars (14 trains) without clogging its network. As a result, STM now intends on building a new overnight storage facility at the Western end of the Orange line, past the Cote-Vertu station.
The garage will be built along boul. Marcel-Laurin (provincial highway 117) at the intersection of boul. Thimens. The site was formerly occupied by pharmaceutical giant Wyett and has now just been acquired by STM. It does not currently host any building and is not in use. Construction is expected to start in 2017, and be completed before the last of the MPM-10 is delivered.
The following article (link in French) precisely depicts the location of STM's new facility:
http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2015/05/13/un-nouveau-garage-a-la-station-cote-vertu
The garage will host ten 9-car train.
AMTRAK IN CANADA
(Edited by William H Baird)
editor@canadianrailwayobservations.com
VIA 97 rolls through Hamilton Ontario headed for New York with AMTRAK 22 in the lead. Feb 23 2016
The Amtrak Adirondack from Montreal, QC skirts along the shores of Lake Champlain Southbound on the NEUS (CP/D&H) heading for Albany NY with the Ocean View dome car, and Private Varnish Sierra Hotel on the tail end on a mild and breezy fall afternoon. This great shot was taken by Francois Jolin October 7th, 2014.
AMTRAK CONSISTS for Trains #517 and #516 (Vancouver, BC)
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20 2016
TRAIN 517 UNIT #72 / MT. ADAMS TALGO SET / CAB CONTROL UNIT #90278
TRAIN 516 UNIT #129 / MT. OLYMPUS TALGO SET / CAB CONTROL UNIT #90251
THURSDAY JANUARY 21 2016
TRAIN 517 UNIT #72 / MT. ADAMS TALGO SET / CAB CONTROL UNIT #90278
TRAIN 516 TRAIN CANCELLED DUE TO MUDSLIDE NEAR EVERETT WA
FRIDAY JANUARY 22 2016
TRAIN 517 UNIT #72 / MT. ADAMS TALGO SET / CAB CONTROL UNIT #90278
TRAIN 516 TRAIN CANCELLED DUE TO MUDSLIDE NEAR EVERETT
SATURDAY JANUARY 23 2016
ALL AMTRAK TRAINS TO / FROM VAC CANCELLED DUE TO A SECOND MUDSLIDE ON BNSF TRACKS
SUNDAY JANUARY 24 2016
TRAIN 517 UNIT #467 / MT. ADAMS TALGO SET / UNIT #470
TRAIN 516 UNIT #71 / MT. BACHELOR SERIES 8 TALGO SET
Via Greg Menard - (VCVR / VAC Baggage Room), and Brian Peters (CRO) with thanks.
Some trains that I normally worked were annulled due to mudslides, and 'bus-tituted'. On both Thursday and Friday, train #517 only operated Vancouver BC to Everett WA, with a 'bus bridge' EVR-Edmonds-SEA. Same for the northbound train #510, passengers bussed SEA-EDM-EVR, then rode on train to VAC. I guess that equipment was 'stranded' north of EVR. You likely noticed that the Sunday train #517 had no cab control unit. The train had an F59 locomotive on both ends. I think that UK rail fans call that 'top and tail'. Anyhow, I hope that when I return to work this Wednesday that there will be no more mudslides causing the BNSF to shut the line down for Amtrak train service. (Andy Cassidy photos)
Please submit your AMTRAK IN CANADA photos directly to William H. Baird
© CRO March 2016