Regional Passenger Service reinstated In Ontario
It is interesting that Ontario is reinstating the Northlander Passenger service in Ontario, yet the BC government ignores reinstating, at least three regional railways.
The prediction that the service would see 40,000 to 60,000 passengers a year; three BC regional railways could easily reach the same passenger loads a day, per line!
Rail for the Valley’s Marpole to Chilliwack regional railway, using the existing and still in use former BC electric interurban line, could easily reach 40,000 passengers/day by 2041.
The E&N railway, again, with proper planning, could surpass 40,000 passenger a day, connecting cities from Victoria to Courtney and Port Alberni.
The proposed Salmon Arm (or even Kamloops) to Kelowna regional railway, could again, with proper planning see over 40,000 passengers/day.
What is lacking in BC is the political will to plan for regional railways simply because rubber on asphalt solutions are deemed politcal winners and rail, except for SkyTrain are politcal losers.
In an age of global Warming and climate change, political cowardice reigns supreme.

Ontario Northlander passenger train revival contracts awarded
Railway Age
CANADA: The government of Ontario has awarded contracts for infrastructure works to enable the reinstatement of Ontario Northland’s Northlander passenger service between Toronto Union station and a new Timmins-Porcupine station.
Enseicom is to design and manufacture shelters with seats, lighting and heating for the stations at Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Temiskaming Shores, Temagami, South River, Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Washago. Ontario Northland CEO Chad Evans said these would be ‘safe, comfortable and accessible, providing a consistent, modern passenger experience’.
Remcan is to undertake track improvements to enhance safety and decrease maintenance requirements.
X-Rail will complete warning system upgrades along the corridor north of North Bay.
Track upgrading and the construction of station platforms, car parks and paths is to begin this summer.
The previous Northlander service was replaced by buses in 2012, however a business case for a revival was published in 2021 with traffic predicted at 40 000 to 60 000 passengers/year by 2041.
In 2022 Siemens Mobility was awarded a C$139·5m contract to supply three loco-hauled trainsets. Manufacturing began this May.
The future service will operate four to seven days a week, according to seasonal demand.
‘People and businesses in northern and central Ontario deserve the same access to safe and reliable transportation as the rest of the province’, said Associate Minister of Transportation Vijay Thanigasalam on May 31. ’Reinstating the Northlander will not only support our northern industries and resource sectors, but it will also pave the way for a more integrated transportation network that connects communities from the north to the south.’
Marpole to Langley has some possibilities. The rail bridge in New West (in particular) is a very lazy asset.
If you have not followed the route to Chilliwack, I believe you should. A huge population increase, especially in the Vedder/Sardis/Chilliwack corridor.
Do not make the mistake this is a commuter rail operation. It is not, it is a regional rail operation.
I hope they keep the trains as a combination passenger/freight operation, same as the old one. I went mountain and trail biking in the extreme north. The sparse rocky terrain was perfect in the summer months, as long as you could avoid the hidden bogs and swamps. But the people on the train would help you unload your cargo (bikes and camping gear), which were stored in boxcars, while you, the passenger, was comfortable and safe in the passenger cars. For many small communities in northern Ontario, this train was the only land transport connection, there were some winter roads but few, if any, permanent hard surfaced roads. This train was also the primary way these small isolated communities got their supplies.
The old regional railways should be reinstated. the problem is the line on Vancouver Island needs to be restored and there is a certain first nation that do not want the railway on their land.
The Halalt First Nation which is situated near the town of Crofton oppose the E&N. The Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose) First Nation opposes the E&N.
https://www.cheknews.ca/first-nation-voices-opposing-en-railway-revival-growing-1143034/
It doesn’t make sense as a railway would benefit the first nations.
There are other first nations that support the E&N. President of Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council backs Island rail plan.
https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/president-of-nuu-chah-nulth-tribal-council-backs-island-rail-plan-6649915
The organization that owns the island railway corridor is made up of 14 First Nations and five regional districts.
BC government should bring the bc rail to Prince George. It is funny as the NDP opposed the BC Liberals selling a long term lease to CN. Now the NDP have a majority, they do nothing to bring back BC rail. The rail line to prince george is still active used by CN and Rocky Mountain train.