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Well, I went downtown today, and 200-214 were all facing west when I passed Willowbrook Yard. Another thing to note, cab car 317 had a small thing on the roof section to the right of the horn. 343 also had this. I think it may be an antenna, but it may also be a light, like on the Amtrak Siemens Charger cab.
 
Just to become a GO Train operator you need six years of training.
From CityNews:
"Seems simple but it's not, becoming a GO train operator takes about six years of training. (Metrolinx): We hire everyone on as a customer service ambassador, the training for that's about six to eight weeks long. Obviously work as a service ambassador for about a year or two, about a year and a half, after a perfect work record we give everyone the opportunity to move up to become a conductor, that involves another six weeks of in class training and then more on the job training, you do that role for about five years to become an expert of everything going on up here and then we'll take you back off the trains, put you back into class for another six weeks, and then we'll put you on the train to learn all the territory as a throttle trainee, and then after about a year you're a locomotive engineer."

Taken from a news report about Metrolinx hiring. The text is from a video.
 
Bibi L said:
Just to become a GO Train operator you need six years of training.
From CityNews:
"Seems simple but it's not, becoming a GO train operator takes about six years of training. (Metrolinx): We hire everyone on as a customer service ambassador, the training for that's about six to eight weeks long. Obviously work as a service ambassador for about a year or two, about a year and a half, after a perfect work record we give everyone the opportunity to move up to become a conductor, that involves another six weeks of in class training and then more on the job training, you do that role for about five years to become an expert of everything going on up here and then we'll take you back off the trains, put you back into class for another six weeks, and then we'll put you on the train to learn all the territory as a throttle trainee, and then after about a year you're a locomotive engineer."

Taken from a news report about Metrolinx hiring. The text is from a video.
Click to expand...
Transport Canada requires minimum 2 years as a conductor to become a locomotive engineer. I have heard of some qualified conductors going from Class 1s to GO being a CSA for 8-12 months and then conductor another 2-4 years and then locomotive engineer. Alot of class 1 conductors will never apply to GO cause it's a massive paycut to become a CSA for however long it is.
 
Krypto98 said:
Transport Canada requires minimum 2 years as a conductor to become a locomotive engineer. I have heard of some qualified conductors going from Class 1s to GO being a CSA for 8-12 months and then conductor another 2-4 years and then locomotive engineer. Alot of class 1 conductors will never apply to GO cause it's a massive paycut to become a CSA for however long it is.
Click to expand...
This is why NA needs to rethink how people can become engineers when one can become one elsewhere in 9 months to 24 months depending what type of line they will be running on. HS operators require 2+ years of experience. Not everyone will qualify to be an engineer after training and they will have an option to remain as an CAS or conductor.

GO has had issues getting qualify engineers in the past to increase service some what, but what is coming down the road for service along with retirement or moving to a class 1 system, it going to be a major issue than it is today. Depending on the line and service for it, you need at least 3 engineers for every new train been put in to service let alone what is currently in place. Going from hourly to 15 minutes requires 3 extra train for the current one and 9 engineers. Lets say there are currently 5 hourly trains on line today, you need 45 more engineers to offer 15 minute service 7 days a week. Now add in the other lines and that is no small number of engineers not allowing for retirement or the spare board.
 
Voltz said:
I found this video of the interior of a new Caltrain EMU, could be neat to have here.
Click to expand...

Interesting design - I noted the roughed-in high level platform door openings on the end sections. The stairways to upper and lower levels are not much wider than the ML cars, however, so un/loading wouldn't be much faster. I liked the overhead luggage racks.

- Paul
 
crs1026 said:
Interesting design - I noted the roughed-in high level platform door openings on the end sections. The stairways to upper and lower levels are not much wider than the ML cars, however, so un/loading wouldn't be much faster. I liked the overhead luggage racks.

- Paul
Click to expand...
Luggage racks would be useful to have on the Bi-Levels.
 
GOTransitFan206 said:
Luggage racks would be useful to have on the Bi-Levels.
Click to expand...
I heard they had them on certain agencies, we used to have tables and coat hooks that were removed when the priority alarm/yellow strip was installed. Overhead luggage areas would obstruct the yellow emergency strips.
Replacing the triple seats at the lower level A end door with a luggage/bike area would be a better idea.
 
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