[crs1026]

Modern locomotives are only a touch heavier than previously, on a per-axle basis.

CLC H-24-66 (6 axles, circa 1955) - 375,770 lbs
Wabtec ET44AC (6 axles, current) - 432,000 libs

They are bigger, yes.... but older locos were often ballasted anyways. Axle loadings are still what they were.

Seeing a locomotive wheel go upwards on a frozen snow-packed flangeway is an interesting sight - ice is not very soft.

- Paul

 

[lenaitch]

Considering that steam engines were heavier, you why do you think it's only modern mainline freight locos that would lessen the concern?

For the record, CN and CP both have minor derailments every year to flangeway buildup.

Dan

Modern locomotives are only a touch heavier than previously, on a per-axle basis.

CLC H-24-66 (6 axles, circa 1955) - 375,770 lbs
Wabtec ET44AC (6 axles, current) - 432,000 libs

They are bigger, yes.... but older locos were often ballasted anyways. Axle loadings are still what they were.

Seeing a locomotive wheel go upwards on a frozen snow-packed flangeway is an interesting sight - ice is not very soft.

- Paul

It seems I was wrong. Consider me schooled.

 

[micheal_can]

ICYMI The Canadian and Ocean are celebrating milestones. The Ocean is 120 years old., and the Canadian is 70 years old. Or are they? The Ocean still follows much of the same route as it has for its 120 year existence. The same cannot be said for the Canadian. And they have both been cut in frequency to almost irrelevance. Did you know the Ocean was a daily train?

 

[micheal_can]

So, with this slim minority government, does this mean the LDF replacement should still continue? If so, when do we expect the first car to arrive?

 

[nfitz]

So, with this slim minority government, does this mean the LDF replacement should still continue? If so, when do we expect the first car to arrive?

Why does it being a strong minority have anything to do with it. They are only 3 seats short (currently - they could still pick up 1). They were 9 seats short (or 10 given the one MP became an independent on day 1) in 2021 and 12 seats short in 2019.

This must be the strongest minority in many years.

 

[micheal_can]

Why does it being a strong minority have anything to do with it. They are only 3 seats short (currently - they could still pick up 1). They were 9 seats short (or 10 given the one MP became an independent on day 1) in 2021 and 12 seats short in 2019.

This must be the strongest minority in many years.

With the NDP decimated and the Bloc cut in half, this could be another minority government that can last. The fact that this may last means we may see it far enough into the contract that it becomes hard to cancel it.

 

[micheal_can]

https://www.gaspetrain.org/2025/05/02/travaux-a-new-carlisle-2-mai-2025/

Information on the work on the Gaspe coast.

 

[micheal_can]

I am expecting that the LDF replacement will happen. I am assuming it will take about 5 years till the last item arrives and is in revenue service. If we look at the Corridor replacement as an example of what to expect for the LDF replacement,here are my expectations:
1) The worst cars are removed first. This may mean that the Ocean could see the newest cars first to replace the Renaissance fleet.
2) The next worst is likely the RDCs. Maybe it could get a Venture set?
3) Cab cars on some routes may exist, such as the Ocean.

The question is what happens to the cars once they are taken out of revenue service.
1) Donations will be made to various railway museums.
2) The worst to scrap.
3)I am wondering if for any of the smaller routes, could the stainless steel fleet see some of them refurbished? I know they are not in good shape. I know that most are likely not salvageable. However,for routes like the Skeena that only need 2-3cars, could they find enough parts to put together ~10 cars to service the line? Or would the this be too cost prohibitive?

 

[ownthesky]

At next week's Ministers Meeting, Carney's government has signaled that he wants proposals for "nation-building" projects that the federal government can ally with and felt to fast track. I'm curious if anyone thinks that Danielle Smith might pitch her regional Alberta rail plans this year, on top of the standard pipeline asks.

 

[micheal_can]

At next week's Ministers Meeting, Carney's government has signaled that he wants proposals for "nation-building" projects that the federal government can ally with and felt to fast track. I'm curious if anyone thinks that Danielle Smith might pitch her regional Alberta rail plans this year, on top of the standard pipeline asks.

If she was serious about it,then yes,I am expecting there to be a HSR project at least between Calgary and Edmonton.

 

[lenaitch]

At next week's Ministers Meeting, Carney's government has signaled that he wants proposals for "nation-building" projects that the federal government can ally with and felt to fast track. I'm curious if anyone thinks that Danielle Smith might pitch her regional Alberta rail plans this year, on top of the standard pipeline asks.

I suspect her concept of 'nation' will be fairly narrow and will stick to project that get Alberta energy to tidewater.

One thing I haven't heard at lot from her is the Quebec approach of 'give us the money with no strings and we will decide what is good for Quebecers'.

 

[rbt]

At next week's Ministers Meeting, Carney's government has signaled that he wants proposals for "nation-building" projects that the federal government can ally with and felt to fast track. I'm curious if anyone thinks that Danielle Smith might pitch her regional Alberta rail plans this year, on top of the standard pipeline asks.

These requests are usually, with near-term recession in mind, looking for projects which are close to construction ready but lacking funding: projects which can be tendered within a year, not decades. That means EAs in place and some level of design complete.

For Alberta that might include large portions of the Calgary Green Line which is still partly unfunded. I'd guess most of this funding [for Alberta] will be basic infrastructure like sewer, water, flood/fire protection, bridges, parks, etc.

 

[dowlingm]

From Anthony Prince/Save Matapedia to Gaspe Train on Facebook:

Source: CHNC Radio
VIA Rail seems to be opening the door to a partial return to the Gaspé.
Following the unanimous adoption of a motion in Quebec City calling on VIA Rail to return to the Gaspé Peninsula this summer, as far as New Carlisle, and to organize a shuttle to Gaspé, relayed in Ottawa by the MP for Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj on Thursday, the passenger rail carrier told CHNC that it was exploring alternative return-to-service scenarios.
VIA reaffirmed in an email its commitment to restoring service when the tracks are safe and allow competitive travel times to Gaspé, but learned at the same time as everyone else that section 3 was returning to the planning phase by Quebec in March, without a new timeline, hence the return to the drawing board to explore alternative scenarios, without giving parameters for these scenarios.
A rumor is circulating in Quebec that the Chaleur and the Ocean would be separated and operated independently rather than being united between Montreal and Matapédia.
The mention of an alternative scenario was received as music to the ears of Bonaventure MP Catherine Blouin.
In Ottawa, Alexis Deschênes emphasizes that this is a step in the right direction.

Given the state of VIA’s fleet availability, it’s probably for the best that the track remains unavailable through the last section this year.

As for the separated route, I would venture the last thing VIA needs is another unpunctual LD frequency complicating Montreal-Quebec City operations.

 

[micheal_can]

From Anthony Prince/Save Matapedia to Gaspe Train on Facebook:

Given the state of VIA’s fleet availability, it’s probably for the best that the track remains unavailable through the last section this year.

As for the separated route, I would venture the last thing VIA needs is another unpunctual LD frequency complicating Montreal-Quebec City operations.

When it last ran, I heard it would be connected to the Ocean for part of the route.

 

[Sauga89]

From Anthony Prince/Save Matapedia to Gaspe Train on Facebook:

Given the state of VIA’s fleet availability, it’s probably for the best that the track remains unavailable through the last section this year.

As for the separated route, I would venture the last thing VIA needs is another unpunctual LD frequency complicating Montreal-Quebec City operations.

New Carlisle is only like 120 km from Matapedia. It seems a touch far-fetched to me to run a separate train just for that 120 km, especially if you have to transfer to a bus anyways to get to Gaspé itself. I think both VIA Rail and the Gaspé region would be better off running a train from Montreal to Rimouski or Matane on the days the Ocean doesn't run. From Rimouski or Matane, you could connect with a bus circling around the peninsula. It would probably be faster than today's Ocean and would be daily service compared to the Ocean's three days a week.