Comments on: Will Rail Survive on Vancouver Island?

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 18 May 2011 05:30:56 +0000

It’s cp rail’s and espacially railamericas fault that the e&n is in such bad shape. Cp wanted to rip up the tracks and rail America did no maitenace on the track

By: Trains, Tanker Trucks, and Salmon

Trains, Tanker Trucks, and Salmon — Fri, 06 May 2011 05:08:16 +0000

[…] to the Island Corridor Foundation, an estimated $15 million is needed to upgrade our rails. This funding will also give us enhanced […]

By: Matthew Buchanan

Matthew Buchanan — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 04:06:19 +0000

It would be a shame to see this railway disappear when it has so much potential in the future. If the funding comes through I can see a bright future for passenger service along this corridor. The population of Vancouver will only increase in the years ahead and this track connects all of the major cities along the east coast spine of the island.
As President of Transport Action BC, I’ll do all I can to put pressure on the government to fund this important project. I’ve already sent letter to the Premier and Prime Minister.
I feel we should highlight all the work that has been done recently in this corridor such as:
– new bridge at 4 mile road
– improved crossings at Phipps, Admiral, Sitkum roads
– new bus exchange near Langford station
– Nanaimo station being rebuilt
– the Cowichan Station Area Association adopting a mile
– the people who voluntarily cleared the Port sub
– and many more

By: Matthew Buchanan

Matthew Buchanan — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:51:00 +0000

Paul, you have some good ideas, I think there are more people like who are interested in putting their money where their mouth is. Please contact me.

By: Paul Randall

Paul Randall — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 07:10:55 +0000

Will rail survive on the island? NO, not unless someone gets on with the the project and just does the work.
I offered $500 toward the purchase of 1500 feet of used rail, ties and plates. A very small amount I know, the material sold for $2300, a definite deal and I heard nothing from Mr Bruce.
There seems to be the drive to rebuild with only new materials and upgrade everything to the best european rail standards. It’s not realistic. We have a very old, neglected system that needs help just to survive.
Let’s go to the recycle store and get what we need cheap in order to keep it running long enough to see if it will catch on going in the correct direction with schedule changes.
$15 million? I don’t doubt it but it can be a lot cheaper. Try http://www.adamscole.com Railroad ties for re-lay track projects:7/9″ X 8′ ft. Lengths & 6/8″ X 8′ ft. lengths Grade#1. Re-lay ties $25.50 each. That’s US dollars. Let’s buy from them, not sell to them!
$2.6 million for ties leaves a lot remaining for reballast, track and wages. Used ties would probably give a 10 to 15 year life span seeing the current ones have been in place for 30 years or more.
As for $500k for more studies on the bridges? what happened to the previous studies with multi million dollar costs? I’ll save you some of the cost, the bridges need work. The steel ones haven’t had any maintenance for 20 plus years and very much need some protective paint at the minimum, you get it, I’ll help put it on. As for the wood structures, may I suggest Macdonald & Lawrence Timber Framing Ltd. the guys rebuilding the kinsol trestle. Seems they have some experience.
We need the rail system, the 22 hour highway closure April 16th is a great example. Could have moved a few people during that time I think. Or better yet move the millions of litres of fuel that go over the Malahat each week by rail?
I want to live next to a railroad not a bike path, but just in case I’m checking my tire pressure….
Paul, 45 years of living on the wrong side of the tracks.

By: Gary Beyer

Gary Beyer — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:36:28 +0000

When I heard the news that the rail corridor was being “Donated” to the ICF, I predicted that the passenger service that had been part of Island life for over a century would come to an end. The Vancouver Island Corridor has lost money for many decades and with out the vision to creat a true commuter/ freight service, the governing bodies should let it die. This may in turn open opportunities for private parties to do what the Foundation could not accomplish. Please do not get me wrong, I beleive that the Province should step in and provide the funding needed, but remember this is the same Government that divested the Province of BC Rail, and it made the Province money. I think Mr. Bruce you are right,,, call you MLA’s, write the Premier, though I somehow think it a futile effort.

By: John Hosie

John Hosie — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:36:00 +0000

Graham,
I don’t know how you maintain your optimism most days. I fear this whole process will go down the road of the DODO bird if these govt.’s don’t kick in and see the potential, or should I say, untapped potential here ?
I’ve written several emails and their standard response is we’re working on it ? Obviously , not hard enough. Having participated in all of the ‘get on the train’ conferences, I can say beyond reasonable doubt, there is a alot of talent and enegy to carry this through, If they cough up the funding to make it come to fruition.
What else can we do ? who else can we bug about this program, I really don’t want to see this fail ! Maybe we need a rally somewhere to get some fire back in the boiler and wind in someones sails ? Ready to go !
cheers…..
John Hosie
Rail Enthusiast
Nanaimo
jkhosie@telus.net