I had assumed that the running gear of an ALP45DP was good for at least 110mph and perhaps higher. I will check when I can, as I think there are now two runs about to be produced for different customers and up-to-date information on effective speed (it's higher on straight electric for prime-mover-related concerns) should be available more or less directly.
The Bombardier locomotives were designed for commuter service which usually has a maximum speed of 70 mph or so. Presumably Via would require locos that are capable of at least 110 mph for their dedicated tracks. Can the Bombardier locos be upgraded to allow this?
I would expect so. Siemens has a good track record of selling (light) rail equipment in Canada, dating back to the late 1970s when Edmonton bought their first U2 LRT cars.
I am not aware of any "buy Canadian" requirements in our laws, but Federal funding grants may come with their own unique strings attached. You never know, VIA did not have any trouble choosing the American-made GE P42's over the Canadian-built EMD F59 when they needed more locomotives some years back.
From the specs stated in the VIA page I posted, the new trainsets will be bi-directional (second locomotive or cab car on the other end) with Tier 4 compliant dual-mode locomotives. This makes Bombardier's ALP-45DP the obvious initial front-runner for motive power. While it was produced before Tier 4 came into force, the diesel engines it uses (CAT 3512c) have since been modified to meet that standard.
Other options could include dual-mode versions of the Charger, MP54 or F125.
I expect Talgo to be another bidder for the trainsets, in addition to Bombardier and Siemens.
The desire for electric propulsion indicates that VIA is not giving up on regaining access to the Mont-Royal Tunnel, so I also expect the new trainsets to be single-level.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Bombardier does not currently have any suitable designs. I don't know if they could design new trainsets and produce them by the proposed introduction date. The only North American designs available would be Siemens for locomotives and Talgo or Siemens for coaches. There would probably be some requirement that a certain percent of the manufacturing be done in Canada. Of course, it is possible another manufacturer would come up with new design, but it seems unlikely.
I saw no mention of a BUY CANADIAN requirement. Could Siemans (read Sacramento) be a bidder as well as Bombardier?
Deggesty CN's service into Detroit was from Chicago via GTW. The CP did operate into Detroit through Windsor (and the engine crews changed in Windsor though the train crews went under the river into Detroit).
CN's service into Detroit was from Chicago via GTW.
The CP did operate into Detroit through Windsor (and the engine crews changed in Windsor though the train crews went under the river into Detroit).
Right up until Amtrak…..CN had a connecting bus to/from trains at Windsor that looped through downtown Detroit.
Prior to that…through cars (including sleepers) between Detroit and Toronto were ferried across the Detroit River from GTW’s Brush St Station and attached to trains at Windsor.
ben CSSHEGEWISCH CMStPnP Thats good news they can standardize the hodge podge of equipment they have now in that corridor. Since Canada is offering to pay for a new bridge to Detroit. Any news on when VIA Rail will extend service to Detroit and add it to the Windsor Corridor? Probably never. Detroit is slightly outside of VIA's service area. Didn't they previously go there?
CSSHEGEWISCH CMStPnP Thats good news they can standardize the hodge podge of equipment they have now in that corridor. Since Canada is offering to pay for a new bridge to Detroit. Any news on when VIA Rail will extend service to Detroit and add it to the Windsor Corridor? Probably never. Detroit is slightly outside of VIA's service area.
CMStPnP Thats good news they can standardize the hodge podge of equipment they have now in that corridor. Since Canada is offering to pay for a new bridge to Detroit. Any news on when VIA Rail will extend service to Detroit and add it to the Windsor Corridor?
Thats good news they can standardize the hodge podge of equipment they have now in that corridor. Since Canada is offering to pay for a new bridge to Detroit. Any news on when VIA Rail will extend service to Detroit and add it to the Windsor Corridor?
Didn't they previously go there?
Johnny
http://m.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/fleet-renewal
Looks official. Maybe something will actually get done for once.
But new, fast trains are useless without fast, clear tracks to run on.
The Federal Government in Canada brought down a budget yesterday. Via Rail was given money to replace all its cars and locomotives in corridor service (between Windsor, Ont and Quebec City). The plan for dedicated passenger track between Montreal and Toronto is still under study.
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