VIA Rail

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by roger1818

Point taken.

I am here to learn. I am also here to talk about all stuff related to Via. When I learn something or when I am taught something that goes against what I know, I willingly acknowledge it. That is how we have good discussions and we can move forward.

Originally Posted by roger1818

But if the demand is for only a few hundred litres of water a day, it may be cheaper and easier to truck it in than it would be to rehabilitate the pipe.

Very true. But what if there was demand if only the pipe had the abiltiy to get the water to you when you need it, not just when they think you can have it?

Originally Posted by roger1818

I was referring to the Calgary-Edmonton train.

So, Calgary and Edmonton agreed and still agree that they should not have regular service?

Originally Posted by roger1818

AFAIK, the issues with hydrogen fuel cells are not related to hydrogen storage, but more related to cost. I don't think fuel cells will catch up to batteries for cars, but for long distance freight transport, the economics are completely different.

I do agree that we likely could see a hydrogen sooner in a train than a car. Mind you, I don't see why they would not just go electric instead. Trains are effectively electric, but they carry a generator with them.

Originally Posted by roger1818

But what does that have to do with electrifying the national rail network?

Originally Posted by roger1818

Possibly true, but how does electrification of the Corridor help someone wanting to travel to Vancouver?

I have accepted that if anything is going to happen with Via, it will first happen in the Corridor. So, if they electrify the Corridor, then, maybe it will happen elsewhere.

Originally Posted by roger1818

How often does the average person in Sudbury travel to Toronto? If in the TOM corridor (where trains are significantly more frequent than what you could expect between Sudbury and Toronto) only 5% of travel is by train, what percentage do you think would take the train between Sudbury and Toronto?

People travel there likely every few months for a weekend, or even the day. Having a daily service could capture some of that. Bus is considered low class, so you cannot use the bus as a direct comparison. Prior to covid, there were about 4 flights or more a day from Toronto.

A unique comparison would be the old Northlander, that in the last few years were using more than they used to -- more than 2 cars + snack car for the entire route. It was a daily, and it served less than the population of just Sudbury. I could see a smaller train being a good thing for a daily. Maybe if ONR runs the HCR, a daily train from SSM-Sudbury-Toronto would work. That is well over 200,000 besides anything in the GTA.

Originally Posted by roger1818

Here is hoping.

I am hoping they have sorted out the Ocean turning around in Halifax.