Official "Maple Leaf" Thread

[AgentSkelly]

I highly doubt they are moving the "border". However, the customs/inspections will be moving to the NF transporation center near the bridge when that building upgrade/reconstruction is finished.

Was thinking how do people work on a bridge over a border, why not just move it to the far side. I know about passenger crossing inspections, I'm talking about Amtrak employees or contractors working on the upper deck of teh bridge.

US CBP and CBSA say basically as long you return to one side of the bridge at the end of the day or for breaks on your shift, no issues. Usually to over come this, there's a Canada-side crew and a US side crew that coordinates with each other.

[MACTRAXX]

Everyone: I noticed that the Niagara Falls,NY station relocation is being moved forward...

It is good to see that Amtrak and VIA will move to acquire and save this short stretch of track
across the Whirlpool Bridge...and save the Maple Leaf train service in the process...

I wonder if an alternative since both Amtrak and VIA's stations will be located at both ends of
the WB would have cross-border passengers walk over the bridge to clear the respective
Customs and Immigration and board their next train to travel to their destinations...

MACTRAXX

[NS VIA FAN]

Today marks the last runs for VIA trains between Toronto and Niagara Falls. Beginning tomorrow there will no longer be VIA equipment making a daily round trip to Niagara Falls. VIA will continue to operate/crew Amtrak’s Maple Leaf and sell tickets on the Canadian portion of the run.

At 89 miles from Toronto…….Niagara Falls could be considered to be within commuter territory and GO Transit currently operates summer weekend trains. Wonder how long it will be before there are year ‘round Go Trains to the Falls? (or at least as far as St. Catharines?)

So will it still be practical for VIA to crew and sell tickets on the Maple Leaf? Or would GO Transit? Perhaps you will be able to buy an Amtrak ticket between two Canadian points once again……I believe the last time Amtrak sold tickets between two Canadian stations was back in the ‘70s.

[AgentSkelly]

Today marks the last runs for VIA trains between Toronto and Niagara Falls. Beginning tomorrow there will no longer be VIA equipment making a daily round trip to Niagara Falls. VIA will continue to operate/crew Amtrak’s Maple Leaf and sell tickets on the Canadian portion of the run.

At 89 miles from Toronto…….Niagara Falls could be considered to be within commuter territory and GO Transit currently operates summer weekend trains. Wonder how long it will be before there are year ‘round Go Trains to the Falls? (or at least as far as St. Catharines?)

So will it still be practical for VIA to crew and sell tickets on the Maple Leaf? Or would GO Transit? Perhaps you will be able to buy an Amtrak ticket between two Canadian points once again……I believe the last time Amtrak sold tickets between two Canadian stations was back in the ‘70s.

I've heard from a few VIA and even Amtrak OBS people that the Ontario portion of the Maple Leaf is the only train on the Niagara Falls run that makes money due to the fact of its terminus in NYC and the fact its most always full. If thats true, I could see VIA gladly still staffing the train for its turf still for decades to come.

Interestingly, with the Cascades and the Adirondack, VIA does ticketing for both trains out of its Canadian stations and its even on Amtrak stock. VIA even does baggage service at Vancouver for the Cascades!

[25Hz]

There have been numerous suggestions and drawn up proposals for GO to extend service from aldershot or a renovated hamilton james st station to niagara falls year round. It is a really beautiful place, and arguably an economic hub for the region.

Even in january, when i went, the train was pretty crowded. A lot of people got on at NFL to go into canada, which surprised me.

[NS VIA FAN]

I've heard from a few VIA and even Amtrak OBS people that the Ontario portion of the Maple Leaf is the only train on the Niagara Falls run that makes money due to the fact of its terminus in NYC and the fact its most always full. If thats true, I could see VIA gladly still staffing the train for its turf still for decades to come.

There’s been discussion on one forum that the Maple Leaf provides the least benefit to VIA. The train might be well used in Canada but a lot of these passengers are bound to/from the US with the greater value of their ticket apportioned to Amtrak.

Interestingly, with the Cascades and the Adirondack, VIA does ticketing for both trains out of its Canadian stations and its even on Amtrak stock. VIA even does baggage service at Vancouver for the Cascades!

A little different for the Maple Leaf……It’s a VIA train while in Canada which just happens to use Amtrak equipment. VIA must reimburse Amtrak for this and cover servicing, ticketing and station costs like any other VIA train. Also cover track costs to CN and GO.

On the other hand……the Cascades and Adirondack are Amtrak trains which VIA services and provides station facilities and ticketing for on a contract basis (and probably at a profit too)

[NS VIA FAN]

There have been numerous suggestions and drawn up proposals for GO to extend service from aldershot or a renovated hamilton james st station to niagara falls year round.............

The problem with all-day GO Trains to Niagara Falls is the lift-span at the Welland Canal. It must be opened on a regular unscheduled basis for seaway traffic and delays to trains are common in the 30 > 40 minute range. This would throw havoc into the morning or evening commute.

St. Catharines, on the west side of the canal (and about 10 miles from NF) is a more likely destination for GO Trains with shuttle buses beyond to Niagara looping through the city stopping at Hotels, Casinos and attractions. Presently GO serves Niagara Falls with buses on a nearly hourly schedule connecting to trains at Burlington.

[george matthews]

Everyone: I noticed that the Niagara Falls,NY station relocation is being moved forward...

It is good to see that Amtrak and VIA will move to acquire and save this short stretch of track
across the Whirlpool Bridge...and save the Maple Leaf train service in the process...

I wonder if an alternative since both Amtrak and VIA's stations will be located at both ends of
the WB would have cross-border passengers walk over the bridge to clear the respective
Customs and Immigration and board their next train to travel to their destinations...

MACTRAXX

I did not know that relations between the US and Canada were so bad as to make passengers walk across a bridge.

I have experienced this type of difficulty in Africa but never anywhere else. There was a time when one had to walk from Zambia to Rhodesia. The journey was across the bridge at Victoria Falls. It is much better to ride in a train.

[Patrick Boylan]

When I was young and adventurous one late December I took train to Buffalo, spent the night, including of course riding the light rail, then took local bus to downtown Niagara Falls NY, walked across the Rainbow Bridge, walked around the falls area, then local bus to Niagara Falls On train station. I think, but can't remember from so long ago, that I took a VIA train into Toronto, but maybe I caught the Maple Leaf.

[amtrakhogger]

Amtrak is scheduled to assume control of the Whirlpool Bridge (CN Grimsby Sub.) on Nov. 3, along with the Post Road Branch And the CSX Hudson Sub between MP 75.8 and MP 169.7.

[25Hz]

Amtrak is scheduled to assume control of the Whirlpool Bridge (CN Grimsby Sub.) on Nov. 3, along with the Post Road Branch And the CSX Hudson Sub between MP 75.8 and MP 169.7.

That's a nice chunk of trackage. I hope they do some work on the tracks from NFS to the other side of the bridge, very bumpy ride.

[MACTRAXX]

AH: Interesting news concerning the Whirlpool Bridge trackage...
Is Amtrak going to be in control along with VIA of this track?
I noted earlier in this topic the track length is under one mile...

With Amtrak taking control of the Poughkeepsie-Albany Rensselaer
route they can open it to higher speeds similar to the Albany-Hoffmans
trackage...

MACTRAXX

[Greg Moore]

AH: Interesting news concerning the Whirlpool Bridge trackage...
Is Amtrak going to be in control along with VIA of this track?
What is the length and mile posts of this track?

With Amtrak taking control of the Poughkeepsie-Albany Rensselaer
route they can open it to higher speeds similar to the Albany-Hoffmans
trackage...

MACTRAXX

Some of it is already 110 MPH. They could up it in one area, but that will require them to close a grade crossing as I understand it.
But they can improve the signalling (right now after bad rain, it can fail).

Not sure what else they'll do.

[ThirdRail7]

AH: Interesting news concerning the Whirlpool Bridge trackage...
Is Amtrak going to be in control along with VIA of this track?
What is the length and mile posts of this track?

With Amtrak taking control of the Poughkeepsie-Albany Rensselaer
route they can open it to higher speeds similar to the Albany-Hoffmans
trackage...

MACTRAXX

If I'm reading this correctly, Amtrak has the bridge or whatever is between MP 28.2 and MP 28.57. Restricted speed not exceeding 10mph. Yikes!

Not that it matters, but I'm not a fan of the end result. It seems odd to give this bridge to the same dispatcher that controls the Albany line, but I guess someone has to control it.

[25Hz]

If I'm reading this correctly, Amtrak has the bridge or whatever is between MP 28.2 and MP 28.57. Restricted speed not exceeding 10mph. Yikes!

Yea, going over that stretch is bumpy and slow. I don't think i've ever experienced rough riding in an amfleet ever till that trip across the bridge. It's really bad.