ICF RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
The ICF has submitted a $15M rail infrastructure funding request to the BC and Canadian governments.
The work to be completed will essentially replace 104,000 ties from Victoria to Courtenay. This is approximately a quarter of the ties on the line. $2M is allocated for ballast replacement and $500K is to undertake a bridge and trestle engineering audit.
The provincial government approved $7.5M but no decision has yet been made by the federal government. An answer is expected early in the new year.
This initial funding request resulted from the BC Ministry of Transportation study of the E&N railway which recommended an incremental approach to rebuilding rail service on Vancouver Island.
Bridge & Trestle Engineering Audit
With $500K from the provincial commitment the ICF has worked with its rail operator, Southern Rail of Vancouver Island and the BC Ministry of Transportation to complete an engineering audit of the 46 bridges and trestles along the line.
The report to be completed by mid February 2012 will determine the weight loading for each structure, the estimated life of the structure and immediate and longer term repairs that may be necessary to be undertaken over the course of ten years.
The engineering team is also assessing the varying weight loads required for passenger and freight trains. Typically passenger loading is half the weight of freight.
Field work was completed during November and December.
RAIL SERVICE PLANS
The initial $15M capital works will allow for several immediate rail services to recommence, expand or to be developed.
Immediate Passenger Improvements
New Train
The ICF has had discussions with VIA Rail about the Island passenger service. VIA Rail has committed to recommence service with the track work approved.
VIA has also committed a newly renovated three car train. This new train will have the capacity to carry bicycles & baggage as well as a small refreshment centre.
The bicycle storage will nicely complement the ICF biking & hiking trails being constructed within the rail corridor for passengers to be able to access various areas along the corridor for cycling and hiking.
New Passenger Schedule – Island Malahat Train
The ICF has presented VIA Rail with a proposal for a new passenger schedule. The train would originate out of Nanaimo approximately 6:00am heading southbound arriving at Victoria around 8am. The train would then depart Victoria arriving at Courtenay approximately 12:30pm and then make an afternoon run back to Victoria for a 5:30pm arrival. It would depart Victoria at 6pm for an 8pm Nanaimo arrival.
VIA Rail and the federal government are considering this schedule proposal.
Intercity Commuter Train – Salish Express
A second passenger train service is being researched by the ICF. The concept, is for the Salish Express (only a suggested name), to depart Nanaimo early in the morning as a dedicated service for employees of the Victoria Shipyards that live north of the Malahat.
The current Esquimalt station stop is at the gates of the shipyards. Once off loading these passengers the train would continue into Victoria and then make several morning runs between Victoria and Langford.
This service has the potential to greatly reduce the vehicle congestion on the Island highway especially from Goldstream into Victoria.
The Salish Express would then make a mid day run to Nanaimo, returning to Victoria to provide a late afternoon service between Langford and Victoria before returning to Nanaimo.
Operating costs, ridership, the train type, fares and integration with bus service are all part of the research being undertaken.
If bridge and trestle weight loading allowed the type of train could be bi-level cars. Three bi-level cars could carry over 800 passengers. This would have a significant impact in reducing the number of vehicles on the roads.
Once the research is complete the ICF will be proposing that a pilot project be undertaken to determine ridership demand.
Excursion Trains
The opportunity for dedicated weekend schedules from one location to another as an excursion train becomes more plausible with the introduction of the Salish Express.
It would be unlikely the Salish Express would operate as an inter-city commuter service on Saturday and Sunday and thus be available for excursion service.
There may be demand for a weekend ski train to Mt Washington originating from Nanaimo or Victoria during the winter as one example. There are several others to be explored.
Tourist Feature Train
The Nanaimo Port Authority has recently completed its new cruise ship terminal at the Nanaimo Harbour adjacent the ICF main rail yards.
As the cruise ship business grows there is a natural opportunity to operate a feature train from the dock to other destinations on the Island and to compliment the very successful Maclean Mill train operated on the ICF Alberni sub between Port Alberni and the historic mill.
New Victoria Station
A new Victoria station terminus has not been determined but a likely location in Vic West is on ICF land between Mary and Catherine Street.
This location would provide better connecting opportunities with the bus system then the current location across the bridge. However as ridership increases and the CRD develops its overall transit plans thought should be given to extending the rail across the new bridge to Douglas St.
New Nanaimo Station
The new heritage station in Nanaimo is 75% complete. The $2.4M rebuilding project on Selby St will be the flagship of our stations.
The building has been restored to its original design after a fire virtually destroyed the structure. VIA Rail contributed nearly $900K and the Young Professionals of Nanaimo led a $400K fundraising campaign to get the project started.
The ICF has been able to negotiate a $1.1M mortgage with CIBC to complete the building. Also the majority of the station was leased to a local restaurateur who will be establishing an Irish restaurant – pub.
Opening of the station is expected to be in late spring of 2012
Rail Freight Business
The $15M track improvements will also allow for an aggressive campaign to attract more rail freight business. The infrastructure investment will give businesses the confidence in rail service as a reliable means for moving goods and resources.
SVI’s sister company recently constructed a new rail barge facility at Annacis Island on the mainland side. This location connects Island trains with three class one railway companies that move product all through North America. It will become a vital link for economic growth on Vancouver Island.
Aggregate Train
The most immediate opportunity is moving gravel from up Island to Langford.
Gravel for the greater Victoria region is now being barged in or moved by truck over the Malahat. Depending on bridge and trestle weight loading results there may be the ability to move gravel by train over the Malahat to a transload facility in Langford.
SVI is researching this opportunity with Langford and gravel companies.
Coal Train
There is the potential of hauling coal from a proposed coal mine near Fanny Bay to the Port of Alberni.
A major mining company is currently in the environmental assessment review process to establish a coal mine. Their plan proposes hauling coal by truck through to Port Alberni for shipping to Asia
The ICF owns the Alberni sub rail line that connects to the main rail line. SVI has been working to develop a rail option for hauling coal by train rather than by truck.
Job Training and Employment
The ICF in partnership with SVI and rail construction contractors are developing a trackman training and employment program. Approximately 15 to 20 full time positions will be established as a result of the infrastructure improvements.
The program will be focused on ICF First Nation communities. It will consist of a number of weeks of training, including classroom and onsite. Successful graduates would be employed in the construction project and then ongoing rail maintenance.
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