by dowlingm
The terrain on the CP Havelock Sub-Smith Falls route wouldn’t be anyone’s first choice for a high speed route - or even the 90ish mph services VIA runs now.
Railroad Forums
Moderator: Ken V
mdvle wrote: As for the freight issue, I was more replying to the idea that CN, CP, or even some 3rd party, might view the new line as attractive for moving stuff Toronto <-> Montreal and not some local freights. In which case the freight train would need to be fast enough to not get in the way of the passenger trains (interesting thought, if the new line could be faster than a truck on the 401 would parcel services be interested in an RDC type of unit to move smaller amounts of freight - I suspect the costs wouldn't work but who knows).Perhaps a more plausible plan is for VIA to build the Toronto-Montreal line, and run it for CN/CP's use. Freeing up capacity to implement their actual plans on the existing corridor. Essentially an 'in-kind' infrastructure swap that could potentially cover VIA's entire operations coast to coast if done right.
electricron wrote:Where is VIA going to find the money to make this plan happen? It's difficult enough for us "foamers" to see how this will help VIA, imagine how much harder it will be for MPs to grasp it and then subsequently fund it?Truth.
electricron wrote:Where is VIA going to find the money to make this plan happen? It's difficult enough for us "foamers" to see how this will help VIA, imagine how much harder it will be for MPs to grasp it and then subsequently fund it?The "plan" is that it will be built by the private sector and VIA will lease / pay usage fees to run trains on it, those fees being enough to allow the private company to make a profit.
electricron wrote:Where is VIA going to find the money to make this plan happen? It's difficult enough for us "foamers" to see how this will help VIA, imagine how much harder it will be for MPs to grasp it and then subsequently fund it?I don't think the 'foamers' get this because of their love of ol-time railroading more than their superior understanding of the issue
mdvle wrote:Yesterday's federal budget allocated a total of $8 million to study VIA's proposal between now and 2022.$8 million to study the proposal for another 3 years is a far cry from funding it and getting it done now! The time for study should have been over when VIA announced their plans after they had studied it. It's time to start planning the project so they can start implementing it, so this new service can start by 2022.
electricron wrote: $8 million to study the proposal for another 3 years is a far cry from funding it and getting it done now! The time for study should have been over when VIA announced their plans after they had studied it. It's time to start planning the project so they can start implementing it, so this new service can start by 2022.But the whole point is VIA's plan doesn't require the government to fund it (though the issue is likely that the government would likely need to guarantee it). VIA wants the private sector to build it with VIA paying to use it.
electricron wrote:Along with the new route, VIA also need new trains. They're going to need more than $8 million to purchase new trains, but I suspect the government will want to start a study on that too.