[Allandale25]

... why are they raising the tracks by 5"?

Maybe they mean this portion for geometry/grading reasons?

 

[crs1026]

Maybe they mean this portion for geometry/grading reasons?

I certainly haven't noticed anything non-standard about the height of the platform, so it seems unlikely they are reducing the platform height (by raising the rail). My theory would be, they intend to pour 5" of granular material (and maybe geotextile) to the east of the end of track before they lay the turnouts or the rail for the connecting track..... that bare ground doesn't look like it's ready for the ballast layer. I would speculate it's just a copy writer misunderstanding what they were told by the technical people.

- Paul

 

[SaugeenJunction]

New tender up on MERX for Milton GO upgrades: PT-2024-RTCM-904: Milton GO Station Rehabilitation

The Work includes but is not limited to station building upgrades, platform rehabilitation including introducing precast curbs, tactile plates, a snow melt system and the replacement of two (2) platform shelter, site works including parking lot and bus loop rehabilitation as well as the replacement and introduction of four (4) new bus shelters.

 

[Dan416]

For a second I thought it was Milton line upgrades, but then it clicked it was the Milton GO station, not the whole line. Sad lol

 

[vistaway]

Sure looks like they're getting to work at West Harbour.

 

[crs1026]

Sure looks like they're getting to work at West Harbour.
View attachment 597358

That’s a ballast regulator, spreads and details ballast during track surfacing.

- Paul

 

[Bojaxs]

Sure looks like they're getting to work at West Harbour.
View attachment 597358

CN logo on the equipment. I'm assuming, because this stretch of track is owned by CN, that CN is responsible for construction of this project? Or is MX merely leasing out their equipment?

 

[crs1026]

CN logo on the equipment. I'm assuming, because this stretch of track is owned by CN, that CN is responsible for construction of this project? Or is MX merely leasing out their equipment?

CN will be performing the work.

- Paul

 

[Bojaxs]

CN will be performing the work.

- Paul

What does CN stand to gain from working on passenger rail projects? Why would they dedicate their own time, man power to working on this project? Is MX paying them? Is this a gesture of good will? Asking out of curiosity.

 

[Allandale25]

^ I'll speculate and suggest that maybe it's logistically easier on their end for things to be done to their standards, by their trained crews rather than outsiders. I'm not in the industry so I'm not sure. I assume from their perspective their a certain efficiency and logistical benefits.

 

[Northern Light]

What does CN stand to gain from working on passenger rail projects? Why would they dedicate their own time, man power to working on this project? Is MX paying them? Is this a gesture of good will? Asking out of curiosity.

LOL, absolutely 100% yes.

CN is not doing anything for 'free' for someone else.

This particular project has no real benefit to them, so this is entirely a paid gig.

 

[ARG1]

What does CN stand to gain from working on passenger rail projects? Why would they dedicate their own time, man power to working on this project? Is MX paying them? Is this a gesture of good will? Asking out of curiosity.

That's exactly how it works. Metrolinx tells CN to do something, they come to an agreement, and then CN sends them the bill. The interesting question (if anything) is whether CN just charges them the flat cost of labour and resources (so 0 profit - covering the costs), or if there is some sort of upcharge, and if so how much?

 

[Northern Light]

That's exactly how it works. Metrolinx tells CN to do something, they come to an agreement, and then CN sends them the bill. The interesting question (if anything) is whether CN just charges them the flat cost of labour and resources (so 0 profit - covering the costs), or if there is some sort of upcharge, and if so how much?

While I can't speak to the specifics on this work...........I think its more than fair to say there's a mark-up, LOL

 

[max]

While I can't speak to the specifics on this work...........I think its more than fair to say there's an mark-up, LOL

Haha! Bill Gates wouldn't invest in a for-profit company that does work at cost!

 

[EYorker]

What does CN stand to gain from working on passenger rail projects? Why would they dedicate their own time, man power to working on this project? Is MX paying them? Is this a gesture of good will? Asking out of curiosity.

On corridors that are owned by their respective owners, the host railroad calls all the shots on construction in that corridor.

That's exactly how it works. Metrolinx tells CN to do something, they come to an agreement, and then CN sends them the bill. The interesting question (if anything) is whether CN just charges them the flat cost of labour and resources (so 0 profit - covering the costs), or if there is some sort of upcharge, and if so how much?

The Auditor General of Ontario issued a rather scathing report a number of years ago of Metrolinx and their host railroad construction billing practices.

Full report: https://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/annualreports/arreports/en16/v1_309en16.pdf

Excerpt:

For contracts with CN and CP, Metrolinx does not do work to know that it is getting what it pays for: it does not verify charged costs; it does not ensure that charged costs are reasonable; when it requests that the parts on a project be new, and pays the cost of new parts (as opposed to less expensive recycled ones), it does not require that parts be checked to ensure that they are new. It has also been paying excessively high mark-up rates charged by CN for building new rails for Metrolinx (CN’s mark-up rates are specified on its invoices,while CP’s are not as clear).