Railroad Forums
Moderator: Ken V
Ken V wrote:I've always felt that returning trains between Calgary and Edmonton would be one of the best moves that could be made in terms of rail transportation in this country. It seems the Government of Canada and, especially, the Province of Alberta don't agree. As long as Ralph Klein and his cohorts are in charge, I don't see it happening.I would agree with it would be the Best move for Canada's Transpertation Service.
cpr_trains wrote:I respecfully disagree. The problem with rail service between Edmonton and Calgary is not summed up in governmental red tape or a lack of desire to promote business and commuter traffic between the Cities or a lack of station stops.I recall thinking at the time of the discontinuance of this service that it is a real shame that because of a relative few idiot motorists the potential of these trains could never be reached.
The problem is a historic one with regards to rail service in this corridor and is one of the main reasons the Edmonton-Calgary train was scrubbed from the timetable many years ago - accidents at the over 150 level crossings on the CP Red Deer Subdivision.
When CP and eventually VIA operated an RDC over the line, it was fraught with so many level crossing accidents which ultimately led to its demise.
Alberta wants high-speed Edmonton to Calgary train, commuter rail, in new provincial master plan
While no specific route is yet promised, Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen told Postmedia on Thursday ahead of the announcement the ultimate goal is to build a network of trains connecting the province
A high-speed Edmonton to Calgary train, and commuter rails for both cities, is part of the government’s “vision” for Alberta with the promise to develop a new province-wide rail plan in the coming years.
The Alberta government on Monday confirmed its goal to develop a 15-year passenger rail master plan potentially led by a Crown corporation similar to Ontario’s Metrolinx to begin construction as early as 2027. The province began soliciting proposals Monday for a company to help bring the vision to life along with a feasibility study that lays out which routes and train technologies, and who should operate them — the public sector, private sector, or a combination. Alberta’s 2024 budget includes $9 million for this work.
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