Toronto Airport train suspended

[jiml]

The UP Express train service between Toronto's Union Station and Pearson Airport has been suspended. The problem was initially reported to be for track work this weekend, with buses filling in. Many insiders knew this was not the case and the actual cause - cracked brakes on the Nippon-Sharyo rolling stock - is now being reported:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-up-express-pearson-airport-suspended/
Although the service is run by the same agency as Toronto's GO Transit, there is no spare single-level equipment sitting around that could substitute and it was not even clear in one report if a locomotive-hauled short consist could meet weight and clearance requirements. This is going to be a mess unless a solution is found quickly.

 

[Willbridge]

The UP Express train service between Toronto's Union Station and Pearson Airport has been suspended. The problem was initially reported to be for track work this weekend, with buses filling in. Many insiders knew this was not the case and the actual cause - cracked brakes on the Nippon-Sharyo rolling stock - is now being reported:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-up-express-pearson-airport-suspended/
Although the service is run by the same agency as Toronto's GO Transit, there is no spare single-level equipment sitting around that could substitute and it was not even clear in one report if a locomotive-hauled short consist could meet weight and clearance requirements. This is going to be a mess unless a solution is found quickly.

That's an interesting question regarding weight and clearance requirements. For the Denver Union Station project (I was told) we were required to build the ramps strong enough to carry locomotives, even though there was no plan at the time for their use.

If that is the case in TO, would they be able to run service weekends and holidays with borrowed equipment?

 

[GDRRiley]

The tiny basically custom Nippon-Sharyo fleet strikes again. SMART is the only other system with these cars. I'm sure they'll be checking their own.

 

[jiml]

A significant portion of the ROW is elevated:



and I'm not sure the platform covers at either Union or the airport would accommodate GO double-deckers:

 

[jiml]

That's an interesting question regarding weight and clearance requirements. For the Denver Union Station project (I was told) we were required to build the ramps strong enough to carry locomotives, even though there was no plan at the time for their use.

I'm not sure Toronto's planners were as prescient.

 

[greatwestern]

Service alert on UP Express website posted yesterday states that for the rest of the week they will be operating a 30 minute (frequency) train service.

(A couple of days ago I purchased my CAN $6.20 senior single fare from Pearson to Union station for when I fly in from the UK in June !!)

 

[jiml]

Thirty minute frequency is better than nothing. Someone who flew here from Toronto reported bustitution was still in effect on Monday. (For those not familiar with the geography, the bus route has to travel on two of the busiest highways in Toronto and lengthy rush hour delays were part of the reason for UP in the first place.)

 

[MARC Rider]

Thirty minute frequency is better than nothing. Someone who flew here from Toronto reported bustitution was still in effect on Monday. (For those not familiar with the geography, the bus route has to travel on two of the busiest highways in Toronto and lengthy rush hour delays were part of the reason for UP in the first place.)

I think thirty minute frequency might be better than the SEPTA Airport line in Philly.

 

[jiml]

I think thirty minute frequency might be better than the SEPTA Airport line in Philly.

That surprises me.

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

I think thirty minute frequency might be better than the SEPTA Airport line in Philly.

SEPTA Airport Line is 30 min frequency all day as far as Wayne Junction, hourly North of there to Glenside.

 

[Dayliner381]

The Union Pearson Express is now back on an every 15 minute schedule throughout the day, seven days a week. Since COVID and prior to last week's temporary shutdown the schedule had 15 minute headways only on peak hours Monday to Friday.