tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3680264279342137192.post4806314762377844872..comments2024-03-28T12:47:31.381-04:00Comments on THE BEACHBURG SUB: The curious case of the Prince of Wales BridgeMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07917230984518214781noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3680264279342137192.post-30701651412372692942014-06-03T13:29:50.693-04:002014-06-03T13:29:50.693-04:00I saw one testing in the middle of the night last ...I saw one testing in the middle of the night last fall. I was walking away from Greenboro at 2 am on a Sunday morning, and I turned around to see the headlights of a LINT coming towards the station. I ran to meet it, and got the platform as it pulled in. There were Alstom engineers on board along with Sandbags, and the platform extenders were flipped up, with instrumentation cables taped to the side of the train. I haven't seen one since, only track work taking place most nights.<br /><br />It is only last year that the switch to the POW bridge was covered in gravel. Prior to that it was only disconnected, but level with the CR track. I believe the reason for raising the track is due to the curve around the hydro pole. Before the track was raised, trains would slow down, travel around the pole and then power up the hill to Bayview, rather than just letting gravity slow the train down as it goes up the hill. Raising the track before the switch allows the trains to use gravity to slow down, then go around the curve and coast on a more level track into the station.<br /><br />On the Gatineau side, the tracks are in very good shape and do continue across the shared bus-train bridge, with signalized separation from the one lane bus traffic and a north to east switch and shallow angle crossing on the west side of the bridge allowing access to the track to Wakefield. I think the only thing stopping a train from accessing the POW bridge on the Quebec side is the crossing at Boul Alexandre-Tache that has had a layer of asphalt laid over it and crossing lights removed, but the asphalt could be removed easily even for temporary use.Alexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3680264279342137192.post-80706728434710069862014-06-03T09:51:48.528-04:002014-06-03T09:51:48.528-04:00Alex - I was there just a few days ago, and the Al...Alex - I was there just a few days ago, and the Alstoms were nowhere to be seen in the yard. It is possible there were in the fenced in maintenance facility, as you say. OC Transpo has not been clear about how long these new trainsets will be tested and when they will be put into service. Thanks for your comment.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07917230984518214781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3680264279342137192.post-80081048980571854802014-06-02T12:49:53.426-04:002014-06-02T12:49:53.426-04:00How long ago did you look at Walkley? I haven'...How long ago did you look at Walkley? I haven't been there since April, but the Alstoms had been moved from their place out in the main yard into the fenced Maintenance facility, and weren't visible from Albion Road North. I don't know where else they would be hidden.Alexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3680264279342137192.post-56726276740668257472014-06-02T11:20:52.653-04:002014-06-02T11:20:52.653-04:00That's good news, Keith. I had read that the t...That's good news, Keith. I had read that the track along the Rapidbus lanes was going to be replaced at some point, but didn't realize the city had moved so soon. Still, there was the issue with the disconnection of the QGRY right of way at Lorrain Ave. Hopefully, the rail service has resumed, although I doubt it will mean much for the trackage around the bridge. Thanks for the update!Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07917230984518214781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3680264279342137192.post-25154688664894505072014-05-30T22:14:54.565-04:002014-05-30T22:14:54.565-04:00I think the track that was pulled up on the quebec...I think the track that was pulled up on the quebec side was mostly replaced. I know it goes at least as far as the bridge over the Gatineau river, but I think it stops there and resumes on the other side, which of course makes this trackage pretty much on its own. I think just about all of the track that was pulled up was actually re-laid, in the event that someone would use it again, probably light rail transit.<br /><br />From what I know, there is a plant in Gatineau not far for the former QGRY yard that has resumed rail service recently, although I could be mistaken.<br /><br />It does seem as though the Maniwaki sub is doomed though. It's unfortunate but it seems that the cost to repair is prohibitive to the point that the plug will probably be pulled soon.Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870970300548765804noreply@blogger.com