Re: (rshsdepot) Toronto Union Station

["Gene Paoli" <stationman_@_prodigy.net>]

The CN Toronto Union Station was designed by architect Hugh G. Jones in
1914.
Gene Paoli
stationman_@_prodigy.net

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_home.com>
To: RSHS Depot <rshsdepot_@_lists.railfan.net>
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2001 8:31 PM
Subject: (rshsdepot) Toronto Union Station


>     TORONTO, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - Transport Minister David Collenette and VIA
> Rail Canada Chairman Jean Pelletier today delivered the first of VIA's new
> high-speed locomotives, driving it into Toronto's Union Station, where
they
> unveiled a $10 million, four-year renovation of passenger rail facilities
at
> Union Station. VIA also unveiled the bold, new exterior look of its 139
new
> Renaissance passenger cars, which will expand the total passenger rail
fleet
> by one third.
>     The new equipment and station project are part of the federal
> government's $402 million capital investment in passenger rail. Passenger
> rail
> across Canada has enjoyed significant growth in ridership and revenues in
> recent years. The capital investment will provide VIA with the modern
> equipment, tracks, signalling, and facilities it needs to meet growing
> demand,
> while ensuring safe, efficient operations.
>     "The federal government is fully committed to the revitalization of
> passenger rail," Mr. Collenette said. "It makes good economic sense. It
> makes
> good environmental sense. And it expands the range of options available to
> Canadians in the transportation marketplace with more trains, faster
trains,
> and better facilities across the country."
>     Mr. Collenette added, "Union Station is the anchor for VIA's national
> passenger service. It is Canada's premiere multi-modal hub for intercity
> rail,
> local subways, regional commuter trains, and commuter bus service. The
> $10 million renovation of passenger facilities here at Union Station is
part
> of a nation-wide investment in better stations and facilities to improve
> passenger comfort, convenience and service."
>     Noting VIA's impressive record of cost-reduction and revenue growth,
VIA
> Chairman Jean Pelletier said that each of these initiatives help VIA to
> deliver the best possible return on the Government's investment in
passenger
> rail.
>     "The Government of Canada has put forward a bold vision for the future
> of
> passenger rail in this country," Mr. Pelletier said. "We are responding
with
> a
> sound business strategy to help make that vision a reality - a strategy
> based
> on understanding the needs of the marketplace, and the needs of Canadian
> travellers."
>     It is a strategy that is already getting results. Last month, VIA
added
> a
> number of new and extended services in the Greater Toronto Area - services
> that Mr. Collenette says are a sign of things to come.
>     "The renaissance is well underway," Mr. Collenette added. "The
> renaissance of passenger rail - more trains, faster trains, more often -
is
> unfolding across Canada, bringing truly modern, affordable, safe and
> efficient
> travel options, to more Canadians than ever before."
>
>     New locomotives: The new Genesis (P42) locomotive is the first of 21
new
> high-speed locomotives VIA has purchased from GE Transportation Systems.
The
> locomotives combine the latest in advanced technology, safety systems, and
> proven reliability. Capable of speeds up to 110 mph or 177km/hr, they will
> be
> used to replace VIA's LRC locomotives, and to expand services in the
Quebec
> City-Windsor Corridor. The locomotives represent an $80 million investment
> and
> represent a 60% improvement in emissions as compared to the high-speed
> locomotives they will replace.
>
>     Station renovations: A quarter of a billion passengers pass through
> Union
> Station each year - almost ten times the entire population of Canada. The
> $10 million renovation of passenger facilities at Toronto's Union Station
> will
> ensure more comfortable and convenient service, with new escalators and
> elevators, and a complete redesign of the concourse level. Renovations
also
> include new ticketing facilities, improved baggage handling, and better
> access
> to boarding platforms. These improvements will also contribute to the
> revitalization and long-term financial stability of the station,
preserving
> Union Station's importance for Toronto and the rest of Canada.
>     The station renovations are part of a system-wide project to modernize
> all VIA Rail stations. Last month, VIA opened a new station in London,
> Ontario, and announced renovation projects at several key stations.
>
>     New passenger cars: VIA's 139 new Renaissance cars were purchased from
> Alstom. Designed specifically for business and short-haul overnight
service,
> the cars are being modified and assembled by Bombardier in Canada to meet
> VIA's specifications and all Transport Canada safety requirements. The
> $130 million total investment will expand VIA's total fleet by one-third,
> enhancing VIA's successful train services in the Quebec City-Windsor
> Corridor
> and Eastern Canada. They will also allow greater flexibility in deploying
> equipment to Western Canada, where demand has continually outpaced
capacity
> in
> recent years.
>
>     Additional information is available in the following backgrounders at
> VIA's website www.viarail.ca:
>
>     - VIA's New Locomotives
>     - VIA's New Renaissance Passenger Cars
>     - Renovation of Toronto Union Station
>     - The Renaissance of Passenger Rail: an overview of the federal
>       government's $402 million capital investment in passenger rail.
>
>

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