[micheal_can]

I haven't taken a train into Montreal since Covid. How have they changed the dungeon-like dimly-lit warrens that they call platforms? (though the photos I've seen of the modernized REM platforms look good - but I was unaware they were also working on the intercity platforms).

Still feels like a dungeon.

Union will be rebuilt with much wider platforms and stairwells. if it can handle standing room only traffic flows down those stairwells it can handle a HSR train.

As for the heights ill correct myself. every country and city has their own platform heights. but with Go trains they choose the height its not hard for Alto to stick and build with it in mind

What they could do that may be better is pick platforms that are only GO, then pick platforms that are only Via. Then all platforms can match the equipment without forcing a company to change their ways.

All Alto stations should have level boarding. There is no reason it cannot be done.

 

[Voltz]

I haven't taken a train into Montreal since Covid. How have they changed the dungeon-like dimly-lit warrens that they call platforms? (though the photos I've seen of the modernized REM platforms look good - but I was unaware they were also working on the intercity platforms).

Just having level platforms was enough, despite the old basement platforms.

 

[just east of the creek]

If it follows the existing abandoned alignment it won't be high speed and if they move the alignment to increase speed it won't be through Sharbot Lake. Quite the conundrum for them to serve about 1400 people.

I dunno…..passing up an urban centre like that? But on the plus side, the new station and transit node could be lakeside? Better able to capture the local cottage crowd commuting in by pontoon boats. And perhaps build a ‘Kee to Bala’ type structure and run excursion trains to ‘Boots and Hearts’ type entertainment events…..

 

[rdaner]

^No inside knowledge but I am assuming that Westbank and Oxford are going to be all over this!

 

[ComptoirGeneral]

So you don't think it's within the realm of possibility that HSR trains would have dedicated platforms and track all the way into and within Union? Presumably such an arrangement would be too expensive?

Something like the two northernmost tracks within Union and along the USRC east being dedicated to HSR all the way until the curve North at the Don. If that's of course the route HSR takes. The Richmond Hill GO train honestly IMHO can just be cancelled once the Yonge subway is extended North.

What uses those tracks now at Union? I assume some GO services stope there? The Canadian?

As far as I understand all the GO tracks and platforms will be rejigged with the platform widening, which would need work in the USRC to be done on the approaches to Union. Can dedicated platforms for HSR not be squeezed in?

Yes if HSR's approach to Union will be via the LSE tracks then it will need to share tracks and likely platforms with GO. Do you have some insight into this being the preferred route?

If they don't have a dedicated platform with level boarding at Union for ALTO, similar to the UP Express, then I simply have to ask what are we doing here boys?

 

[CapitalSeven]

Don't necessarily hold your breath. I rode some high speed and regional rails in Spain this winter and did not encounter a single train that did not have narrow awkward steps. It might go on a long time, but we can hope the same mistakes are avoided here. (edited because jet lag )

 

[Urban Sky]

Don't necessarily hold your breath. I rode some high speed and regional rails in Spain this winter and did encounter a single train that did not have narrow awkward steps. It might go on a long time, but we can hope the same mistakes are avoided here.

With Gare Centrale being stuck at 48 inches (1219 mm) platforms (and no vertical clearance available to raise the tracks) and Metrolinx refusing anything higher than 24 inches (61 cm), it will not be possible to provide level boarding at both. And with the impossibility to stop at a platform with a much higher platform height than the train’s boarding height, the highest platform height in the system pretty much dictates the boarding height. Thankfully, a gap of 24 inches is much easier (and faster) to climb than the 40+ inches today…

 

[bearcat]

With Gare Centrale being stuck at 48 inches (1219 mm) platforms (and no vertical clearance available to raise the tracks) and Metrolinx refusing anything higher than 24 inches (61 cm), it will not be possible to provide level boarding at both. And with the impossibility to stop at a platform with a much higher platform height than the train’s boarding height, the highest platform height in the system pretty much dictates the boarding height. Thankfully, a gap of 24 inches is much easier (and faster) to climb than the 40+ inches today…

Why are you so certain that Union will not have platforms dedicated solely to Alto with a different platform height compared to GO? If all the platforms at Union will need to be redone anyway to raise them to GO standards, why can't some be redone at 48 inches? Does GO need to be able to use every single platform at Union?

Level board is a big deal (maybe only to me) and if it's not implemented for a premium HSR that's brand new construction I thinks that's ridiculous.

Maybe with level platforms and no need to help customers get bags up stairs into the train they can finally stop weighing people's bag.

 

[Islington Express Bus]

Maybe with level platforms and no need to help customers get bags up stairs into the train they can finally stop weighing people's bag.

And end a proud Canadian tradition?

 

[Urban Sky]

Why are you so certain that Union will not have platforms dedicated solely to Alto with a different platform height compared to GO?

Because maintaining flexibility (and their ability to use all platforms for their own trains) was Metrolinx’ red line when I worked for VIA and afterwards directly for them as an external consultant and I doubt that this has changed in the meanwhile…

 

[micheal_can]

Because maintaining flexibility (and their ability to use all platforms for their own trains) was Metrolinx’ red line when I worked for VIA and afterwards for them as an external consultant and I doubt that this has changed in the meanwhile…

If we are assuming that alto will be fully electric, and that GO may or may not be electric by the time Alto opens, my guess is that there will need to be dedicated tracks and platforms. So, Metrolinx line in the sand may be washed away.

 

[bearcat]

Because maintaining flexibility (and their ability to use all platforms for their own trains) was Metrolinx’ red line when I worked for VIA and afterwards directly for them as an external consultant and I doubt that this has changed in the meanwhile…

Well that's very sad .

Essentially you are saying there will never be level boarding for VIA or Alto at Union thanks to Metrolinx.

Metrolinx can go to hell then.

 

[rbt]

Because maintaining flexibility (and their ability to use all platforms for their own trains) was Metrolinx’ red line when I worked for VIA and afterwards directly for them as an external consultant and I doubt that this has changed in the meanwhile…

I've periodically wondered if VIA would be better leasing station space within the South Convention Centre building and constructing a platform under the Skywalk continuing adjacent to the aquarium completely under their control.

Of course that corridor space isn't unused but work vehicles can probably find another access/parking location.

 

[MisterF]

I've periodically wondered if VIA would be better leasing station space within the South Convention Centre building and constructing a platform under the Skywalk continuing adjacent to the aquarium completely under their control.

Of course that corridor space isn't unused but work vehicles can probably find another access/parking location.

Doesn't Metrolinx still own the tracks though?

 

[Urban Sky]

I've periodically wondered if VIA would be better leasing station space within the South Convention Centre building and constructing a platform under the Skywalk continuing adjacent to the aquarium completely under their control.

Of course that corridor space isn't unused but work vehicles can probably find another access/parking location.

Doesn't Metrolinx still own the tracks though?

VIA and Metrolinx had actually looked into this, but the problems would be finding the space for 400 meter long platforms, creating a convenient access to the other station areas across Lower Simcoe Street and finding routes which don’t conflict with all Lakeshore services (especially when travelling in westbound direction). It’s also the worst part of the station to get towards Pearson and Kitchener, which is certainly the preferred corridor for HSR towards London/Windsor/Detroit…