[dowlingm]

If Northstar is shut down entirely, I would think there will be several bidders for their five MP36s, given the poor choices in the commuter diesel market in North America for those agencies who need to replace or expand.

 

[MisterF]

An in-depth report of all 31 commuter/regional rail systems in America was just released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Including an analysis of each individual network with graphs displaying ridership. Would have been interesting to see a similar analysis done on the GO network to see how ridership compares with the 31 American networks.

Looks like only Long Island Railroad has more ridership in North America. And the numbers are pretty close so GO expansion could propel GO to the top spot.

 

[drum118]

If Northstar is shut down entirely, I would think there will be several bidders for their five MP36s, given the poor choices in the commuter diesel market in North America for those agencies who need to replace or expand.

There is only a few systems that could use the coaches that currently use Bombardier DD coaches and cab cars unless ML buys them.

 

[dowlingm]

There is only a few systems that could use the coaches that currently use Bombardier DD coaches and cab cars unless ML buys them.

Apparently TRE and Amtrak don’t see it that way (at least on a temporary basis)

Trinity, Amtrak Consider Leasing Northstar Equipment

Trinity Railway Express and Amtrak are looking to lease locomotives and cars from Minnesota’s Northstar commuter rail operation.

railfan.com

 

[drum118]

Apparently TRE and Amtrak don’t see it that way (at least on a temporary basis)

Trinity, Amtrak Consider Leasing Northstar Equipment

Trinity Railway Express and Amtrak are looking to lease locomotives and cars from Minnesota’s Northstar commuter rail operation.

railfan.com

Its a short term lease if it happens and only for part of the fleet. Where is the rest going, especially after the lease is up ??

TRE, SunRail use BBD equipment.

If the price is right, WeGo could use the equipment to replace its current fleet.

 

[Bordercollie]

Its a short term lease if it happens and only for part of the fleet. Where is the rest going, especially after the lease is up ??

TRE, SunRail use BBD equipment.

If the price is right, WeGo could use the equipment to replace its current fleet.

See if Amtrak is willing to fill gaps with Bi-level equipment, VIA should do the same instead of cancelling trains.

 

[Urban Sky]

See if Amtrak is willing to fill gaps with Bi-level equipment, VIA should do the same instead of cancelling trains.

Sure, but how would VIA staff and maintain these trains?

 

[micheal_can]

Sure, but how would VIA staff and maintain these trains?

The same way the CN intermodal trains could run on ONR tracks during the blockades - You have GO operators and CN/Via personnel to tell them how to run the line. Only concern is whether GO Bilevels will fit into Central Station. If they won't, then only use them for all routes east of Ottawa.

 

[Bordercollie]

Sure, but how would VIA staff and maintain these trains?

Maintenance can be done by GO. You would need the trains to return to TMC every night.

The same way the CN intermodal trains could run on ONR tracks during the blockades - You have GO operators and CN/Via personnel to tell them how to run the line. Only concern is whether GO Bilevels will fit into Central Station. If they won't, then only use them for all routes east of Ottawa.

Use them on Toronto to Windsor trains exclusively.

 

[Urban Sky]

Maintenance can be done by GO. You would need the trains to return to TMC every night.

Use them on Toronto to Windsor trains exclusively.

Looking at VIA’s most recent equipment rotation, that only produces 3 plausible clyles:

• T-71-W-73-T
• T-73-W-76-T
• L-82-T-83-L

However, is it really worth it to train staff for these few trains and whether you want to further exacerbate the product (and customer experience) standardization issues VIA already experiences by operating legacy and Siemens fleet at the same time…

 

[Bordercollie]

Looking at VIA’s most recent equipment rotation, that only produces 3 plausible clyles:

• T-71-W-73-T
• T-73-W-76-T
• L-82-T-83-L

However, is it really worth it to train staff for these few trains and whether you want to further exacerbate the product (and customer experience) standardization issues VIA already experiences by operating legacy and Siemens fleet at the same time…

It would only be until the other Siemens sets can be put into service.

 

[micheal_can]

Looking at VIA’s most recent equipment rotation, that only produces 3 plausible clyles:

• T-71-W-73-T
• T-73-W-76-T
• L-82-T-83-L

However, is it really worth it to train staff for these few trains and whether you want to further exacerbate the product (and customer experience) standardization issues VIA already experiences by operating legacy and Siemens fleet at the same time…

Depends on the goal. If the goal is to have all listed routes running, then, yes it is worth it. If you are trying to save costs, then, no, it is not worth it.

 

[Urban Sky]

It would only be until the other Siemens sets can be put into service.

Exactly: it would be very much effort for relatively small (and short) benefits, while diverting attention from fixing the actual problems (e.g., with the Siemens fleet)…

 

[Bordercollie]

Exactly: it would be very much effort for relatively small (and short) benefits, while diverting attention from fixing the actual problems (e.g., with the Siemens fleet)…

So how do we actually fix the fleet issues? It's no longer winter and we still don't have new windshields for them?

That glass factory must be really busy.

 

[Urban Sky]

So how do we actually fix the fleet issues? It's no longer winter and we still don't have new windshields for them?

That glass factory must be really busy.

There seem to be two separate issues: the spare part shortage faced by Siemens and the speed restrictions faced by VIA. We will have to see what the solution is for either issue…