Arbutus: Greenway & Future Streetcar | Proposed

[spm2013]

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[red-paladin]

My fear is that the city will eventually take ownership of the corridor, and never allow LRT.
I feel they can't tell CP that it's zoned for a transportation corridor only, and then once they buy it at that rate, turn around and never use it for rail transportation. Greenways are nice but they shouldn't could as a transportation corridor.

[makr3trkr]

http://www.vancourier.com/opinion/so...pect-1.1268099
Soapbox: CP needs to treat Arbutus Corridor gardeners with respect
July 30, 2014

"We, as gardeners, feel terrorized by their notices and signs..."

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I wonder how that woman would feel about people planting things on her lawn.

If the city does eventually put in light rail and a proper greenway, it's not like the gardens are going to stay intact anyway.

And CP backed off on the August 1 deadline, anyhow:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis...s-cp-1.2722666
Arbutus corridor will not be cleared immediately, says CP
Jul 30, 2014

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

My fear is that the city will eventually take ownership of the corridor, and never allow LRT.
I feel they can't tell CP that it's zoned for a transportation corridor only, and then once they buy it at that rate, turn around and never use it for rail transportation. Greenways are nice but they shouldn't could as a transportation corridor.

Agreed -

And they'll do it subversively by imposing strict requirements to underground any streetcar or LRT line (and preserve surface trails and gardens) - then blame hgher levels of government for not funding the project.

Since the Canada Line is in place, transit on Arbutus can start small and be expanded as necessary. i.e. single track streetcar with pullouts at stations for passing.

[Kisai]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Agreed -

And they'll do it subversively by imposing strict requirements to underground any streetcar or LRT line (and preserve surface trails and gardens) - then blame hgher levels of government for not funding the project.

Since the Canada Line is in place, transit on Arbutus can start small and be expanded as necessary. i.e. single track streetcar with pullouts at stations for passing.

Yeah, at the rate we're going no surface or elevated transit will ever be seen down the Arbutus Corridor. As much as I prefer grade-separated rail, the Arbutus corridor was originally rail, and not that long ago (only a decade) , so the viability of running another West Coast Express train down it is certainly doable, but to run a proper LRT it would need to be double tracked, and from pictures I see online, it looks like that space exists already

http://www.cpr.ca/en/in-your-communi...uly%202014.pdf

But the "property owners" nearest to it might not realize exactly how much they have encroached upon it. Look at page 21 for an example. Also look at various "parking lots" that are encroaching on it. Anyone know how much space would be needed for a sound buffer?

If CP upgrades the line to be usable, that would essentially be all the work needed to run passenger rail on it, but the problem is... where would it go?

[Conrad Yablonski]

Saw some CP flunkies trying to run a speeder-a truck that can also run on rails-down the line last week the look on the face of the driver was priceless.

You'd think he was headed into an Ebola infected zone he was so frightened.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Conrad Yablonski

Saw some CP flunkies trying to run a speeder-a truck that can also run on rails-down the line last week the look on the face of the driver was priceless.

You'd think he was headed into an Ebola infected zone he was so frightened.

It is unfortunate that CP employees don't feel safe on CP property. So much for property rights.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by Conrad Yablonski

Saw some CP flunkies trying to run a speeder-a truck that can also run on rails-down the line last week the look on the face of the driver was priceless.

I don't see what the problem would be. The worst that could happen is that he could derail - no big deal for a pick-up truck that can simply fold up the hi-rail gear and then just drive to the next level crossing to get back onto the rails again.

[Millennium2002]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

I don't see what the problem would be. The worst that could happen is that he could derail - no big deal for a pick-up truck that can simply fold up the hi-rail gear and then just drive to the next level crossing to get back onto the rails again.

Not quite... vehicles have gotten stuck on tracks before. lol.

I wonder if they were gasping at all the infringements and obstacles on their land...

[jsbertram]

Originally Posted by Conrad Yablonski

Saw some CP flunkies trying to run a speeder-a truck that can also run on rails-down the line last week the look on the face of the driver was priceless.

You'd think he was headed into an Ebola infected zone he was so frightened.

This might become the newest Playland Ride.

"11 KMs of HELL on Steel Wheels"
See if you can ride end-to-end without HURLIN'
Bonus points for not hitting non-CPR vehicles

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by jsbertram

This might become the newest Playland Ride.

"11 KMs of HELL on Steel Wheels"
See if you can ride end-to-end without HURLIN'
Bonus points for not hitting non-CPR vehicles

I am So There!

[spm2013]

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[ssiguy]

I love it.

The precious wealthy on the Westside bitch about how much taxes they have to pay and then want City Hall to spend mega bucks so they can plant radishes and tulips.

[twoNeurons]

If anyone here has done the Whistler Mountaineer, they'd realize that there are places on that journey which are practically in people's back yards. WAY closer than Arbutus is.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

If anyone here has done the Whistler Mountaineer, they'd realize that there are places on that journey which are practically in people's back yards. WAY closer than Arbutus is.

When the Pacific Great Eastern pulled up its tracks after abandoning its interurban service to Horseshoe Bay in 1928, West Van residents thought it was going for good. Imagine their shock when in 1956 Wacky Bennet ordered the railway finally completed from North Vancouver to Squamish (and Quesnel to Prince George) and those residents lost what they thought were their gardens, sheds etc.

[finalcoolman]

Since there are no freight customers, could CP rail theoretically start their own DMU (diesel multiple unit) service on the corridor just out of spite? Are they only legally allowed to do freight or could they do anything they want including passenger service?

[spm2013]

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[whatnext]

Originally Posted by finalcoolman

Since there are no freight customers, could CP rail theoretically start their own DMU (diesel multiple unit) service on the corridor just out of spite? Are they only legally allowed to do freight or could they do anything they want including passenger service?

Why would they start a guaranteed money loser (passenger rail) to spite anybody? They'd only be hurting themselves.

[MalcolmTucker]

^ That is not true. CP can build any rail infrastructure it wants. It is not bound by any city zoning for rail infrastructure.

[spm2013]

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