The Ever Line SkyTrain Revisited – The Legacy

One just has to shake ones head! Except for brief mentions of our local SkyTrain Lobby, we do not hear about the now called Movia Automatic Light metro system in Youngin and for very good reason, as it has mired Bombardier into a massive local scandal. The local prosecution office is more blunt: EverLine, a […]

Sourcing Parts For An Edsel

I think the senior management at TransLink are worried, very worried. Bombardier is in serious finical trouble and is wanting to sell its rail division. With Covid-19, all deals are off, as transportation conglomerates cut operations to suit their immediate financial needs. Bombardier has now ceased all production and it is doubtful that Bombardier continue […]

Covid-19 – Time To Rethink Translink’s Metro Plans?

Something to think about. As ridership plummets on TransLink, it will be ever harder to implement the $4.6 billion extensions to the SkyTrain light-metro network as monies will be needed to shore up a collapsing transit network. Remember, the SkyTrain light-metro network is very expensive to maintain and operate. How can TransLink defend a $4.6 […]

On-Street Trams Around The World

During these dangerous times a small photo essay on on-street tram or LRT operation to brighten up the day. Luxembourg’s new tramway, classic modern light rial   Edinburgh’s newer tramway. Lot’s of teething problems but now a solid performer.   Melbourne’s streetcar/tram system, now being slowly upgraded to light rail status. Trams have now returned […]

Musings From A Funeral

  Sadly, I have been attending several funerals this year, but just few weeks back at a funeral for an acquaintance I bumped in to an old BC Transit type, who I dueled with back in the 80’s and early 90’s. Having a coffee after the service, he said something quite astounding; “You know, you […]

Smoke And Mirrors for The North Shore

Smoke and mirrors. Classic political bait and switch; bait the public into thinking that the province is really doing something, but in reality, doing nothing. The key is funding and of course funding is never mentioned. Without having each option showing cost, means the study is next to useless as people don’t have real information. […]

The Realities of Subway Mania In Lotus Land

  The realities of subway mania. Vancouver politicians live in “The Land of the Loyus Eaters”, when it comes to transit. In Greek mythology the lotus-eaters, were a race of people living on an island dominated by the Lotus tree. The lotus fruits and flowers were the primary food of the island and were a […]

We Are Back

  Memo to all Rail for the Valley is back! We have resolved our technical issues and now back on course bringing needed comment on metro Vancouver’s controversial transit scene.

The Grand Betrayal of the Fraser Valley

Coming back from a quickie holiday at Harrison Hot Springs, a few thoughts came to mind on my drive there and back. Traveling from South of the Fraser, one is certainly  aware of the mass of new housing being built and with scarce public transit or no transit at all, the only way for people […]

Adios Bombardier. Adios Movia Automatic Light Metro (SkyTrain)?

As predicted, Alstom is now buying Bombardier Transportation for CAD $10 billion. The question, which may worry Translink and the hapless Mayor’s Council on Transit is: “Will Alstom keep MALM (SkyTrain) production or abandon the proprietary light metro altogether? Will Alstom keep already expensive replacement parts available or discontinue production altogether?” I reached out for […]