Quote:
Originally Posted by ScreamingViking
I doubt the train would even stop in Windsor. But if so, it probably makes a lot more sense to build a small station and platform on the CP line rather than taking all that time to access the VIA station
|
They might bypass Windsor, but if they are wanting the train to be used for domestic travel in Canada, they need a station in which they can swap out the crew for a VIA crew.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScreamingViking
(and someone paying for "express" service from Chicago to Toronto wouldn't want their train to be making many stops; otherwise, why not just fly instead)
|
A flight from Toronto to Chicago is less than 2 hours. Even at an average speed of 200 km/h (it would most likely be slower), you are looking at over 4 hours to cover the over 800km by train (not counting the 90 minutes waiting at the boarder for all passengers to clear customs). At this distance the train isn't competitive on travel time with flying (it can be on driving though). IMHO, it is more likely that either the Amtrak train will terminate in Windsor or the VIA trains will terminate in Detroit to have passengers clear customs in the station instead of holding up the entire train at the boarder because one person is being grilled.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScreamingViking
I'd imagine CP would want Amtrack to use as much of its own track anyway;
|
Nope. Passenger trains are a nuisance to the freight railways. CP is only playing nice right now because they want Amtrak to put in a good word for them in Washington so that they will approve the KCS merger. After the merger is approved and the dust has settled, CP will be like "Amtrak who?" unless a contract has been signed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScreamingViking
I expect there would be fees for the American service provider to use Canadian tracks...
|
There are, but the railways make a lot more money shipping freight. Investors don't want to invest in something that is only marginally profitable, and thus only show a small return on investment. They want to invest in things that show a large return on investment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScreamingViking
CP would want to minimize any potential benefit to CN from that, not to mention the bad blood from the fight over Kansas City Southern railway which gave rise to this tunnel deal.
|
CP is quite happy letting CN host most of VIA's routes.