The Great Canadian Transit Thread - Page 102

caltrane74 · #**2021** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 12:55 AM**

I was taking a picture of L Tower and by happenstance, I got a picture of Union Station Renovation

The scope of the work comes to my feet where I took this photo and then right behind me they continue to shore for the additional Subway platform and Transfer decks. To my right work will commence for new platforms for the Union Pearson Express line to the Airport.

Beedok · #**2022** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 1:18 AM**

Here's a minor question, but I've heard that electrifying the GO trains will make them faster, but I haven't been able to find how much faster. Will it just be a little bit or will it be significant?

caltrane74 · #**2023** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 1:45 AM**

With electrification trains will accelerate faster, have shorter headways and be able to accommodate additional stops.

As for overall speed I'm not aware of which trains will be faster, electric or diesel although I suspect the electric trains will be faster.

Nouvellecosse · #**2024** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 2:19 AM**

The overall speed has a lot to do with the tracks as well, not to mention that in built up areas, high speeds makes for long stopping distances in case of emergency. The top operating speed probably won't be much different, accept the electric trains will reach the top speed quicker, and therefore spend more of their time at that speed.

Innsertnamehere · #**2025** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 2:32 AM**

I seem to remember reading somewhere that electrification will save about 6 minutes to downtown Brampton, and 11 to Hamilton. Or something along those lines.

Rotax · #**2026** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 2:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by caltrane74

With electrification trains will accelerate faster, have shorter headways and be able to accommodate additional stops.

As for overall speed I'm not aware of which trains will be faster, electric or diesel although I suspect the electric trains will be faster.

Quote:

The overall speed has a lot to do with the tracks as well, not to mention that in built up areas, high speeds makes for long stopping distances in case of emergency. The top operating speed probably won't be much different, accept the electric trains will reach the top speed quicker, and therefore spend more of their time at that speed.

With electrification, a railway can use Electric Multiple Units (EMU). Trains formed by EMU railcars generally have 50% of their axles powered, which means they can accelerate much quicker without wheelslip than a locomotive pulling unpowered cars.

Also, electric locomotive are much more powerful (you can fit more horsepower in a smaller package when 100% electric) and sometimes have more tractive effort than most diesel locomotives, thanks to AC traction.

For example, an ALP-46A electric locomotive produces 7500 hp and 71 000 lb of tractive effort and weighs 92 tonnes.
An MP40PH-3C (like GO Transit has) produces 4200 hp and 88 500 lb of tractive effort and weighs 134 tonnes. The MP40 has more tractive effort because of its extra weight, though.

Nouvellecosse · #**2027** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 3:00 AM**

But even once they manage to electrify the network, there's no guarantee they'd be switching to EMUs as they'd have to replace the huge number of unpowered coaches they currently own. They could very well just cheap out and buy electric locos.

Innsertnamehere · #**2028** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 3:22 AM**

Unfortunately I think they will be purchasing electric locos. Hopefully they slowly replace them with EMUs as time goes on though.

Beedok · #**2029** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 11:37 AM**

Thanks everyone.

vegeta_skyline · #**2030** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 8:15 PM**

Also, they have no intention to electrify the entire network. Only the Kitchener and Lakeshore lines are planned to be electrified at this point.

Chadillaccc · #**2031** Posted **Mar 18, 2013, 8:27 PM**

Ohhh I didn't know they are planning to Electrify the Kitchener line. Well that is good. So basically it will be a highspeed commuter RT line between two completely different urban areas! Coool!

Not to mention the Lakeshore which will basically be a RT line between Oshawa and Hamilton! (I think?)

Chadillaccc · #**2032** Posted **Mar 19, 2013, 7:07 PM**

Sunalta Station by SurrealPlaces! Incredible skyline view from this station

West Bound by djking, on Flickr

Metro-One · #**2033** Posted **Mar 19, 2013, 7:23 PM**

Cool pic, I like it!

SteelTown · #**2034** Posted **Mar 20, 2013, 10:50 PM**

Hamilton councillors vote yes on bikeshare plan

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2013/03/20/hamilton-city-hall-endbridge-line-9.html
By Adam Carter, CBC News

A plan for a bicycle-sharing system in Hamilton just rolled a bit closer to reality.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve a bike share program in the city Wednesday afternoon. Now, the project will move towards the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage so that prospective operators can make a pitch to the city.

“This is great — I didn't expect it to go like this, but it is great to see,” said Al Mithani, a cycling and bikeshare advocate who presented at council Wednesday.

“I would love to see a bikeshare program here within a year,” Mithani told CBC Hamilton. “I would just like to see it come out as soon as possible so that we can see results.”

A bikeshare program — like the Bixi Bikes used in Toronto — would allow Hamiltonians to quickly rent bikes from turnstile locations throughout the city and use them as needed.

According to Peter Topalovic, head of mobility programs and special projects with the city, a bikeshare program with 35 locations and 300 bikes (along with staff and maintenance) would cost $1.6 million – or the price of two buses.

caltrane74 · #**2035** Posted **Mar 25, 2013, 3:11 AM**

Union renovation

To the right - New Subway concourse
To the straight ahead - New moat

ssiguy · #**2036** Posted **Mar 25, 2013, 5:19 AM**

Hey Chadillaccc...............does calgary have any kind of commuter bus service to Airdrie/Oko/Cochrane ? I thought the province wanted to explore some kind of commuter rail?

Chadillaccc · #**2037** Posted **Mar 25, 2013, 2:08 PM**

Commuter rail and high speed rail are very different. The province is exploring high speed rail. There are buses to Airdrie and Chestermere but I'm not sure about the others. There will eventually be a commuter rail system between Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks, Cochrane, Chestermere, Strathmore, High River, and probably out to Banff/Canmore.

MTLskyline · #**2038** Posted **Mar 29, 2013, 3:43 PM**

Here is one of the AMT's new dual-mode locomotives.

Crossing Elmhurst Avenue by Michael Berry Railfan, on Flickr

caltrane74 · #**2039** Posted **Apr 1, 2013, 12:33 AM**

Drum118 at UT captured some great shots of the elevated tracks for the EMU locomotives into Pearson Airport.

http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/showthread....rson-Express-(Airport-Rail-Link)/page172

Quote:

Originally Posted by drum118

March 15

]

travis3000 · #**2040** Posted **Apr 1, 2013, 12:53 AM**

^ So cool! That will be super handy and much needed to have a train going directly to and from the airport from downtown. It's about time!