VIA Rail network developments

[PHrenetic]

Originally Posted by roger1818

.......

That sounds reasonable to me. They might be able to do it in stages and have the upgrades between Ottawa and Montreal operational sooner though.

Good Day.

Watch out for the Mount-Royal tunnel being taken over by Caisse for the REM....they are claiming access allowance for heavy rail if the motive power is built to their standards for interoperability access, ....BUT !!!!
What standards, what power, what height, diesel .vs. electric, ownership, frequency, collision control, etc etc OMG......

Montreal is going to be a fur-ball !!

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by PHrenetic

Watch out for the Mount-Royal tunnel being taken over by Caisse for the REM....they are claiming access allowance for heavy rail if the motive power is built to their standards for interoperability access, ....BUT !!!!
What standards, what power, what height, diesel .vs. electric, ownership, frequency, collision control, etc etc OMG......

Agreed, but with the proposed routing, the tunnel will most likely only be used for travel east of Montreal. At some point they will need to find a better approach into Montreal (be it Central Station or a new station), but I am not sure that it be in the HFR proposal. One option for using the tunnel from the west would be to combine efforts with the REM and use their route from Dorval to Central Station, but it still isn't the most direct of routes.

That is unless they decide to not use Central Station but instead build their own station somewhere more convenient. The two things that make me wonder this are:

1. The following from page 13 of VIA Rail's 2016 – 2020 corporate plan

While it owns many stations, some are leased, including the key busy hubs of Toronto Union Station and Montreal Central Station, both of which share space with local commuter train services.
...
The fact that VIA Rail does not control its access to Union or Central stations is a major business risk. Downtown to downtown service is key to intercity passenger rail success. With the explosive growth in commuter rail ridership and services, VIA Rail’s access to these main stations is threatened.

2. The article How VIA Rail Torpedoed its Own “High-Frequency Rail” Project and Montreal’s chance for Regional Rail.

Maybe, just maybe VIA has decided to not use Central Station anymore. They could build a new station near Gare Lucien-L'Allier, but that wouldn't be a good location for trains to the east. Another option would be to build a new, inter-modal station north of Mount Royal. One that they own but has access to the REM for those going downtown (use of the REM could be included in your ticket).

[PHrenetic]

Originally Posted by roger1818

Agreed, but with the proposed routing, the tunnel will most likely only be used for travel east of Montreal. At some point they will need to find a better approach into Montreal (be it Central Station or a new station), but I am not sure that it be in the HFR proposal. One option for using the tunnel from the west would be to combine efforts with the REM and use their route from Dorval to Central Station, but it still isn't the most direct of routes.

That is unless they decide to not use Central Station but instead build their own station somewhere more convenient. The two things that make me wonder this are:

1. The following from page 13 of VIA Rail's 2016 – 2020 corporate plan

2. The article How VIA Rail Torpedoed its Own “High-Frequency Rail” Project and Montreal’s chance for Regional Rail.

Maybe, just maybe VIA has decided to not use Central Station anymore. They could build a new station near Gare Lucien-L'Allier, but that wouldn't be a good location for trains to the east. Another option would be to build a new, inter-modal station north of Mount Royal. One that they own but has access to the REM for those going downtown (use of the REM could be included in your ticket).

Good Day.

The biggest point is the liability of not having ownership of the access to the station nor the station proper. After that, yes, the Phase 1 of HFR is strictly west - Mtl, Ott, Tor - which does not use the tunnel.
BUT - Catbus' point, in my read of his blog article, which I completely agree with, is that the loss of the tunnel dictates a complete abandonment of eastward options, for ownership of your own resources, and thus primacy of operation, unless VIA builds a well-located new station, with immediate access to the central core, and a viable new eastward access, if not a westward one as well.
As almost a side bar,the Caisse is taking over with virtually no comment, let alone opposition, a public good - the tunnel. Wow!
So any HFR (or HSR, we won't go there) proposal will now -have- to include a detailed analysis of a new station location and west and east accesses, which I can easily predict will be a very long, drawn-out, highly contentious process, which could easily foreclose the Quebec City growth, if not be the death of the whole thing.
Which is possibly why TransportCanada and M.Garneau have split VIA's trains and HFR into two separate processes.

[Norman Bates]

I just heard on the world this weekend that a freight derailment near Kingston has forced VIA to cancel all trains between Toronto and Montreal and Ottawa. Tickets will be refunded or trips rebooked at no charge.

So glad that I’m not stuck in Toronto tonight, begging for another night at the Royal York.

Impetus for a passenger-only corridor out of Toronto?

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by OCCheetos

I think a number of people have assumed that VIA will end up getting the same trains that Brightline uses.

Here is the layout of Brightline coaches:



There is a third configuration not depicted that has a small baggage compartment at one end for checked baggage and as a result only has 58 instead of 66 seats.

For those who are interested, there is a video of a Brightline media tour. Unfortunately there is a glitch about 45 minutes into the tour which causes the audio to get way, way off sync. I found the tour under the train at the beginning fascinating.

https://www.tcpalm.com/videos/news/local/florida/2017/01/12/brightline-train-tour/96484468/

[PHrenetic]

Originally Posted by Norman Bates

I just heard on the world this weekend that a freight derailment near Kingston has forced VIA to cancel all trains between Toronto and Montreal and Ottawa. Tickets will be refunded or trips rebooked at no charge.

So glad that I’m not stuck in Toronto tonight, begging for another night at the Royal York.

Impetus for a passenger-only corridor out of Toronto?

Good Day.

CBC video clip from the 2 railfan photographers on the scene :

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/via-rail-service-resumes-derailment-1.4561563

Wow ! TSB will want to see this video in detail.

EnJoy!

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by PHrenetic

CBC video clip from the 2 railfan photographers on the scene :

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/via-rail-service-resumes-derailment-1.4561563

From the article:

"We could see a bit of dust kicking up from the rear of the train. Then the boxcar on the tail started wobbling back and forth," Cadue said.

Not sure if it was dust or a smoking hot box.

[Allandale25]

Here's the news release. Copied below in full. It's not in the release but in his speech the Minister says the trains will be available "Spring 2022".

VIA Rail’s fleet to be replaced in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor
News release
From Transport Canada

March 19, 2018 Etobicoke, Ontario Transport Canada

The Government of Canada is building on its successful long-term plan that focuses on people and on the things that matter most to Canadians, including a good transportation system. Canadians in all region benefit from travelling in a passenger rail fleet that is efficient, safe, accessible and affordable. To keep Canada’s travel system competitive and efficient, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport today announced that the Government of Canada will provide funding for VIA Rail to replace its fleet in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor.

As it is reaching the end of its useful life, the fleet in this corridor must be replaced to help maintain passenger safety for the next 30 years. The new fleet will also:

reduce environmental impacts as engines with the latest technology will be more fuel-efficient resulting in air quality improvements;
improve travellers’ experience and accessibility by including visual communication media for hearing-impaired passengers; purpose-built accessible washrooms; on-board wheelchair lift, and a minimum of three wheelchair tie-downs per train, with two in the same car, an increase from the current one tie-down per train; and
increase VIA Rail’s operational flexibility and reliability by reducing the mechanical breakdowns that effect on-time-performance.
VIA Rail will soon launch a request for qualifications followed by a request for proposals. Interested bidders are encouraged to visit VIA Rail’s website regularly for updates.

Budget 2018 also proposes $8 million for Transport Canada to undertake foundational work to advance VIA Rail’s proposal for high frequency rail in the Quebec City-Toronto Corridor. This phase of the project would support further economic analysis of key issues associated with a project of this size, such as revenue and ridership projections, as well as estimates for capital and operating costs. This funding will also go towards: exploring opportunities to leverage private investment or a potential role for the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and open and transparent engagement with potentially affected communities, including Indigenous peoples.

These activities would inform future decisions, allowing the Government of Canada to move forward with the path most likely to deliver good value for taxpayers and the best possible outcomes for travellers.


Quotes
“VIA Rail has been connecting Canadians together for decades and plays an important role in the lives of Canadians who rely on the train for their transportation needs. We are proud of investing in this new fleet to make travel more accessible and efficient for all Canadians, support economic growth and job creation and promote a sustainable environment for generations to come.”

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

“We thank the Government of Canada for their trust in VIA Rail and for this historic investment. It will allow us to significantly improve our intercity rail service. It will also ensure Canadians continue to have uninterrupted access to the Quebec City-Windsor corridor on a sustained long-term basis. A new modern fleet will provide our travellers with safer, faster, more frequent, more accessible and environmentally friendlier service. This important milestone moves us forward with VIA Rail’s transformation plan. It will make VIA Rail the smarter way for Canadians to travel in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor.”

Yves Desjardins-Siciliano
President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada

Quick facts
The Quebec City-Windsor Corridor accounts for 94% of VIA Rail’s ridership.

Replacing VIA Rail’s locomotives with modern equipment will reduce nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter emissions by up to 85%.

Budget 2018 proposed funding to replace VIA Rail's cars and locomotives with 32 new, bi-directional trains, maintaining current seating capacity for use in the Windsor-Quebec City Corridor. This will ensure that VIA Rail's rolling stock in the Corridor will remain safe and comfortable, and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Associated links
Budget 2018
Transportation 2030
VIA Rail
Contacts
Delphine Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700
[email protected]

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
[email protected]

Mariam Diaby
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
VIA Rail Canada
514 871-6010
[email protected]

[roger1818]

VIA has updated their information about The Fleet Renewal Program (pictures not included):

THE PROGRAM

VIA Rail is excited to confirm that following the Federal Budget 2018 it will acquire a new train fleet to replace the current rolling stock operating within the Québec City – Windsor corridor, which serves the majority of our passengers. It is expected that by 2022, we will be welcoming Canadians on board a brand new set of trains. Our current fleet, reaching the end of its useful life, has served us well over the past 35 years, but it is now time to modernize ensuring safer, faster, more frequent, more accessible and an environmentally-friendly service. With the introduction of new trains, VIA Rail can offer a better travel experience with more comfortable cars that are better adapted and more accessible to people with reduced mobility – not to mention greener. All aboard!

BENEFITS OF THE FLEET RENEWAL PROGRAM

1. Improving the customer experience: Modern trainsets will provide better amenities and improved comfort for travellers.
2. Improving accessibility: New trainsets will provide Universal Accessibility to all Canadians and their caretakers. The new fleet will allow VIA Rail to remain the most accessible mode of transportation.
3. Reducing environmental impact: Engines with the latest technology will be more fuel-efficient resulting in air quality improvements and a reduced environmental impact of four to five times less pollution than cars or other modes of transportation.
4. Increasing operating efficiencies: Bi-directional trains will allow for more efficient use of our fleet, optimize operating costs and provide more capacity for passengers.
5. Ensuring customer safety: New trains will be designed to continue to meet or exceed the latest safety standards.

PURCHASING PROCESS

• VIA Rail intends to proceed with its new fleet procurement through a request for proposals and will ensure, as is the case in its day-to-day business practices, that a fair, open and transparent bidding structure and process is in place.
• The call for proposals will be placed on the MERX system and will be open and accessible to all qualified companies wishing to make a proposal.
• The procurement process will comply with the highest industry standards and regulations, including provisions outlined in international trade agreements.
• An independent Fairness Monitor will follow the entire procurement process.

KEY FLEET REQUIREMENTS

VIA Rail is looking to procure a new fleet that meets the following criteria through its fleet renewal process:

• 9,100 passenger seats, provided by 32 bi-directional trainsets to replace the cars and locomotives in service along the Québec City-Windsor corridor.
• Enhanced Universal Accessibility features for passengers with reduced mobility, including multiple accommodations for wheelchairs and other mobility devices on the trains.
• More fuel-efficient, Tier 4 Diesel engines, with the option to operate on electrified rail infrastructure as it becomes available.
• Capability of trainsets to operate in either direction (push-pull) to reduce the turnaround time for trains at stations in urban centres, thereby reducing operating costs.

http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/fleet-renewal

[kwoldtimer]

Do I understand correctly that this newly approved equipment will allow VIA to maintain existing levels of service, effective in 2022? I wonder how many more trainsets will be required for HFR?

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Do I understand correctly that this newly approved equipment will allow VIA to maintain existing levels of service, effective in 2022? I wonder how many more trainsets will be required for HFR?

It would be hard to know in advance. It would depend on the frequency, speed and turnaround time of the service

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by acottawa

It would be hard to know in advance. It would depend on the frequency, speed and turnaround time of the service

It also depends on the level of service being maintained on the existing corridors.

[roger1818]

I took the train to Montreal the other day and was pleased to see that the raised platforms for track 1 were open, so I snapped a quick picture (sorry, it's a bit fuzzy). Unfortunately my train was on one of the stub (non through) tracks. I commented to the conductor that I had never seen one of the stub tracks being used, and he said he had never seen one being used either.



On board, I was surprised at the seats. I was on an LRC coach but rather than the new seats that slide forward when reclining, it was the old style that lean back. I thought all the LRCs had been renovated and they were replacing the seats during the renovations. Half of the seats were facing backwards, but I think they could turn the old seats around.

Also, I never watch TV commercials, but I saw one for VIA Rail tonight that I thought was worth sharing. I find it interesting that it shows the train on double track.

• Video Link

[J.OT13]

Found this picture of VIA's Ottawa Station. Though I appreciate (I guess) they installed bollards that are a bit different, I wold have preferred something with a more mid-century design would have been more appropriate.


https://twitter.com/rail613/status/989251027110105089

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Found this picture of VIA's Ottawa Station. Though I appreciate (I guess) they installed bollards that are a bit different, I wold have preferred something with a more mid-century design would have been more appropriate.


https://twitter.com/rail613/status/989251027110105089

And with all that tape for the Taxi Stand, it is awkward getting into the station from the direction of the LRT station.

Also, why is it necessary having a bollard up against the station wall with no room to walk past it on one side?

[J.OT13]

I honestly don't understand the use of that yellow tape.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I honestly don't understand the use of that yellow tape.

It is the winding queue for the taxi stand.

[Catenary]

Originally Posted by roger1818

And with all that tape for the Taxi Stand, it is awkward getting into the station from the direction of the LRT station.

Also, why is it necessary having a bollard up against the station wall with no room to walk past it on one side?

The front row of bollards was probably set back from the curb, and then each bollard back from that was probably set with a minimum spacing for accessibility, and that's where that ended up.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by roger1818

It is the winding queue for the taxi stand.

Which is really dumb.. It means people are forced to line up to get in taxis one at a time meaning one old lady who needs to put her walker in brings everyone to a halt.

Before they did this stupid forced line up system people could hop in taxis all up and down the ring road so it was way more efficient.

But hey.. Needless forced lineups are VIA's jam. Look at the way they force people to line up and go through "gates" one at a time instead of just letting everyone walk onto the platform at the same time like they do everywhere else in the world.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

Which is really dumb.. It means people are forced to line up to get in taxis one at a time meaning one old lady who needs to put her walker in brings everyone to a halt.

Before they did this stupid forced line up system people could hop in taxis all up and down the ring road so it was way more efficient.

But hey.. Needless forced lineups are VIA's jam. Look at the way they force people to line up and go through "gates" one at a time instead of just letting everyone walk onto the platform at the same time like they do everywhere else in the world.

I doubt that there are many who miss the queue-jumping chaos of the VIA taxi stand as it used to be.