[Trackside_Treasure]

Kingston launches survey on potential VIA Rail service expansion

(Kingston, Ontario) The City of Kingston is gathering public feedback on potential additional VIA Rail service options, including a late-night train option from Toronto to Kingston.

www.kingstonist.com

Do they even have more track slots?

This really is a political move, not a transportation planning move. The Mayor of Kingston has an ongoing issue with VIA not realizing Kingston was never going to play a big role in the HSR/HFR route. Where will this late night train terminate? What will its opposing train be? If terminating in Kingston, secure storage and crew accommodation has to be considered. Folks from Kingston-hinterland communities who actually take the train could not participate due to the survey's structure! But it's something....

 

[Bordercollie]

This really is a political move, not a transportation planning move. The Mayor of Kingston has an ongoing issue with VIA not realizing Kingston was never going to play a big role in the HSR/HFR route. Where will this late night train terminate? What will its opposing train be? If terminating in Kingston, secure storage and crew accommodation has to be considered. Folks from Kingston-hinterland communities who actually take the train could not participate due to the survey's structure! But it's something....

When there was an early departure from Kingston to Toronto the trains layed over at the cement plant overnight. There is also a wye there.

I believe they have a place to store catering in Kingston as well? So it has been done in the past. It's just that the train now starts in Ottawa instead. And they don't have additional slots through Smith falls.

 

[crs1026]

Kingston launches survey on potential VIA Rail service expansion

(Kingston, Ontario) The City of Kingston is gathering public feedback on potential additional VIA Rail service options, including a late-night train option from Toronto to Kingston.

www.kingstonist.com

Do they even have more track slots?

The links in that article lead back to some recent articles describing other discussions in Kingston. The recent schedule adjustment attempt may be a tempest in a teapot, but it sounds like councils along the Lakeshore have finally realised that VIA's ability to maintain and intent to continue the legacy service is tenuous once Alto gets going. It's theirs to lose if they don't make noise now. Hopefully they keep this up.

- Paul.

 

[Trackside_Treasure]

When there was an early departure from Kingston to Toronto the trains layed over at the cement plant overnight. There is also a wye there.

I believe they have a place to store catering in Kingston as well? So it has been done in the past. It's just that the train now starts in Ottawa instead. And they don't have additional slots through Smith falls.

Yes, I'm aware. But do we know that even if an overnight storage situation in Kingston was to go ahead, would this minimalist approach meet VIA safety and security requirements? Will CN approve it, though it hasn't been used since the pandemic and relations between CN and VIA are not currently the best? It was a dark, unlit, isolated and exposed location adjacent to a city street with zero security. The catering arrangements don't ring a bell. It's never been done with Venture sets.

The Ottawa start was a way to get the train consist through Kingston early in the morning, but overnighting the consist in Kingston is I'm sure what the politicians are thinking of, and it's really the only one that makes sense. Kingston has always been far more in the Toronto orbit re: day trips. Much more than Ottawa or Montreal. And though citizens and politicians may want it, and public support would definitely help, and though the early-morning up, late-night back train service was in place for years, it's been out of service for years and VIA is operating in a much different environment now.

 

[Bordercollie]

Yes, I'm aware. But do we know that even if an overnight storage situation in Kingston was to go ahead, would this minimalist approach meet VIA safety and security requirements? Will CN approve it, though it hasn't been used since the pandemic and relations between CN and VIA are not currently the best? It was a dark, unlit, isolated and exposed location adjacent to a city street with zero security. The catering arrangements don't ring a bell. It's never been done with Venture sets.

The Ottawa start was a way to get the train consist through Kingston early in the morning, but overnighting the consist in Kingston is I'm sure what the politicians are thinking of, and it's really the only one that makes sense. Kingston has always been far more in the Toronto orbit re: day trips. Much more than Ottawa or Montreal. And though citizens and politicians may want it, and public support would definitely help, and though the early-morning up, late-night back train service was in place for years, it's been out of service for years and VIA is operating in a much different environment now.

Is this spur line by Gardiner's Rd still active? Perhaps there is space there to store trains overnight? There was supposed to be another track to be built at Kingston, that would help provide space for layovers at the station overnight.

 

[Trackside_Treasure]

Is this spur line by Gardiner's Rd still active? Perhaps there is space there to store trains overnight? There was supposed to be another track to be built at Kingston, that would help provide space for layovers at the station overnight.

Yes, it is still there. There would definitely need to be some creative thinking to effect the changes area politicians are envisioning and gaining support for.

 

[micheal_can]

My 2 cents.
Via should keep the slots it has now along the Corridor that ALTO will cover. Losing those slots will be hard to get back if they ever need them.