Hamilton GO finally on the move!

[Bob Bratina]

There is little chance that more trains could be added to Hunter St. The last time the tunnel was enlarged, to accomodate the big auto carriers, they had to lower the roadbed to increase the height. To re-open the cut to enlarge would not be possible without millions of extra dollars spent to underpin the apartment buildings that were erected in the last 40 years. A workman was killed at one adjacent building under construction when a passing train caused the cave-in of an improperly hoarded excavation. The soil is quite sandy and easily disturbed.

In developing the lay-over plan I did discuss with GO and the Mayor of Welland the possibility of having the trains originate in Welland to service the Niagara Peninsula. Trillium Railway's Wayne Ettinger originally suggested bringing passengers into Hamilton from Welland using a Budd Car, allowing them to connect. CP had issues with other crews operating on their line, and GO's long term vision was to extend service eventually along the CN lakeshore line.

I wouldn't rule out a return to railway use of the LIUNA Station building and or property. I think it will be some time though before a volume of service is established that would require more than basic platform and ticketing facilities.

What is the point Mr. Barbera wishes to make his unkind suggestion? If I can contribute useful information based on my work on Council and with GO, I'm happy to. I stated in an election debate that it is common for politicians to take credit for things that require many contributors to be successful. The failure of any one might impede or prevent a succesful conclusion. Similarly with the Layover facility. Mr. Barbera would be amazed at how quickly plans can change or be stopped entirely. U.S. Steel in Hamilton is an unfortunate example. And who's to say who took the decisive action, and who might have stopped it. There are some City initiatives that I can lay almost exclusive claim to, but establishment of rail facilities and service is a very complicated and expensive business. If Mr. Barbera doesn't mind I will continue to pause, gaze, and smile at those wonderful MP40's which now make Hamilton their home, because I love trains and I had something to do with them being here.

[Dundasguy]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

It's always a good thing to see increased train service, but I feel compelled to point out a few things:

First off, this layover facility and expanded service has been on the books since pre-Metrolinx days, first draft plans appeared in 2005, long before Bob Bratina was on the board of GO. While I applaud Bob's breathless enthusiasm for all things on rail, it isn't really fair to identify him as the spearhead of this initiative.

Secondly, while a step forward, it is important to note this is significantly less service enhancement than originally proposed back in 05/06. Originally this layover facility was supposed to bring three additinal trips to Hamilton (presumably two new morning trips and one new afternoon trip). I'd like to know what transpired since 2006 that has seen the service enhancement reduced to just one new train. I hope it is simply because the actual layover facility is not completely finished (thus the closed doors on the eastern half of the trains as they enter and leave hamilton GO Centre). I still hold out hope that the original promise of three new runs will be realized.

Finally, I have to express my disappointment that the media event led by Bob focussed on the construction of new parking facilities to respond to growing demand for use of this station, and the allusion that existing buildings may be demolished to accomodate such a parking structure. There was a lost opporunity to reinforce a pro-transit message by pointing out that virtually every HSR route serves the GO Centre, and the easiest way to connect to GO is by HSR. I hope this oversight is rectified (and I hope the idea of a parking garage at the GO Centre dies a quick death too!). Lets focus on expanding transit via LRT routes before something as counterproductive as a parking garage built at what is supposed to be a central transit hub.

Blah Blah Blah...is black always white with you?

[matt602]

Just wanted to thank you for the input Mr. Bratina. I greatly appreciate it.

[markbarbera]

Mr. Bratina, there was no intent in my posting here earlier today to level 'unkind words' against you. I merely wanted to bring perspective to Monday's media event and remind everyone that the overall effort went far beyond any one individual, and to express my disappointment that the end result in GO train service actually falls considerably short of the deliverables originally promised by GO several years back. In no way were my comments made in order to diminish your role in the completion of this project, and, as I said in my earlier post, I sincerely appreciate the energy you bring to transit-related projects in this city. Frankly, I am surprised at your somewhat snippy response to me in your later post, which I'll attribute to a post made most likely at the end of a very long day.

Having said that, let me reaffirm what I have said on many occasions within this forum and within my direct correspondence with you. Being a constituent of your ward, I appreciate the long hours and hard work you put in on behalf of Ward 2.

[Jon Dalton]

[omro]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

Cool, I have never been in a double decker train, not sure we even have them here.

[thisisdan]

Don Campbell said that increased Go service is one of the reasons why Hamilton is one of the best places to buy real estate in Canada on The Hour last night. http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/videos.html?id=1065889868
(it's right at the end, about 9 minutes into the video)

___
http://www.avonhamilton.com | view brochures online

[highwater]

Neat clip. Thanks for the catch.

[sofasurfer]

Originally Posted by omro

Cool, I have never been in a double decker train, not sure we even have them here.

99.9% certain the UK doesn't have any - they do in Holland, Belgium and Italy IIRC.

[Jon Dalton]

Originally Posted by omro

Cool, I have never been in a double decker train, not sure we even have them here.

If you're used to UK trains you might find ours slow, rickety, loud and lacking in amenities. The trains I've rode around the London area were the smoothest and quietest of all the trains I've ridden, and some of the best interiors.

[omro]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

If you're used to UK trains you might find ours slow, rickety, loud and lacking in amenities. The trains I've rode around the London area were the smoothest and quietest of all the trains I've ridden, and some of the best interiors.

My former job had me on the tube (underground) at least an hour a day and onto the various railways to various destinations at least another hour to a maximum of another seven hours a day. So believe me, in the last two years I've sat on trains far more than I've sat in offices! The standard varies greatly. The majority are certainly as you describe, though nothing has beaten the Eurostar to Paris. London to Paris (334km) in just over two hours on the smoothest train I've ever been on. I do like train travel a lot. I can sit and read or watch tv (I have had an archos personal media player for years).

Hopefully I'll find a job in Hamilton and just walk to work, but if I have to commute to Toronto, I'll survive. I would like to take the train there at least once though. Sit on the top deck and look out.

[Batman]

When are you moving to Hamilton omro?

[omro]

Originally Posted by Batman

When are you moving to Hamilton omro?

The 5th April

[matt602]

Originally Posted by thisisdan

Don Campbell said that increased Go service is one of the reasons why Hamilton is one of the best places to buy real estate in Canada on The Hour last night. http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/videos.html?id=1065889868
(it's right at the end, about 9 minutes into the video)

___
http://www.avonhamilton.com | view brochures online

"The City leadership is fantastic in the region"

[omro]

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

99.9% certain the UK doesn't have any - they do in Holland, Belgium and Italy IIRC.

I've never seen any, too many low victorian bridges probably.

Australia has them, so my flatmate tells me, but I've never been there.

[emge]

Originally Posted by omro

I can sit and read or watch tv (I have had an archos personal media player for years).

Hopefully I'll find a job in Hamilton and just walk to work, but if I have to commute to Toronto, I'll survive. I would like to take the train there at least once though. Sit on the top deck and look out.

As itt turns out, I do have to commute to Toronto every day in April (working at a one-month placement at St. Michael's Hospital) and I'm just thrilled - it gives me two and a half extra hours in a day to work on other things...

It's really nice to have my commute be usable time instead of standing/waiting/walking/etc.

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by matt602

"The City leadership is fantastic in the region"

I had to replay that section again to make sure that I heard it right, I couldn't believe my ears.

And the irony of hearing that after coming back from the Guelph Civic League presentation is not lost on me.

[borgo100]

Originally Posted by omro

The 5th April

Same day at the Death Cab For Cutie concert..... i like them

[sofasurfer]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

If you're used to UK trains you might find ours slow, rickety, loud and lacking in amenities. The trains I've rode around the London area were the smoothest and quietest of all the trains I've ridden, and some of the best interiors.

I've had to take the GO Train in to Toronto a couple of times now for work meetings - it really wasn't as bad as you're making out, IMO. The only thing I don't recall seeing were toilets on board (which some - but by no means all, particularly on commuter routes - UK trains have).

Sounds like you were lucky enough to travel on some of the London lines that have nice trains (South West Trains, perhaps?) It *really* depends on which Train Operating Company (TOC) franchise you're travelling with - they vary a *lot*... IIRC, the former Thameslink and Silverlink franchises had some pretty crappy rolling stock that is now quite dated compared to, say, SWT (which until about 4-5 years ago still had slam-door trains running, some of which were about 30-40 years old and below minimum safety standards!)

I do find the GO bus a bit of a let-down after taking the train, though - but in terms of conveniece (especially at weekends) it's been a no-brainer.

[omro]

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

Sounds like you were lucky enough to travel on some of the London lines that have nice trains (South West Trains, perhaps?) It *really* depends on which Train Operating Company (TOC) franchise you're travelling with - they vary a *lot*... IIRC, the former Thameslink and Silverlink franchises had some pretty crappy rolling stock that is now quite dated compared to, say, SWT (which until about 4-5 years ago still had slam-door trains running, some of which were about 30-40 years old and below minimum safety standards!)

First Great Western
East Midlands Trains, were Midland Mainline (I missed their free cups of tea after the change over)
Virgin
National Express
Southern
South West Trains

These were the main train service providers to my clients.

Silverlink got bought by National Express, they are having most of their trains upgraded. Other silverlink trains became part of London Overground, which is expanding.