Rail transport in North America

North America's railway network features several famous transcontinental routes, connecting the east and the west and uniting nations. Much of the continent's rail operations involve the transport of freight; with increased demand came a long line of heavy haulers that continues to evolve to this day. Smaller engines tend to operate on branch lines or in yards, shifting and sorting cars around—a process known as shunting, or switching in the United States. Commuter trains continue to bring thousands of passengers from the suburbs to downtown and vice versa every day, while inter-city trains, though not comparable to their European counterparts, carry the legacies of some of the most glamourous luxury trains ever to grace the rails. Steam locomotives big and small remind curious spectators of a past where steam reigned supreme, while electric locomotion, though still an unfamiliar concept, is starting to gain exposure among younger urban planners and environmental activists alike. Tram, LRT, and metro networks are also gradually being installed.

This post covers the most unique operations in every country, state, and province with a train system.

Canada

Ontario

Much of Canada's rail traffic is concentrated on the provincial capital of Toronto. The Toronto Transit Commission operates nine tram lines that crisscross the city using low-floor five-section Flexity Outlook trams, the latest generation, comprising virtually the entire fleet. The previous generation was a single-car tram called the Canadian Light Rail Vehicle, which ultimately became an icon of the city, alongside its articulated counterpart, the Articulated Light Rail Vehicle. The TTC also operates three metro lines using two types of train: the Toronto Rocket and T Series. Car 5134 is actually a Wiki Camp 2 contestant. Two lines are currently under construction, while one prematurely closed.

Commuter train lines radiate out of Toronto, operated by the Government of Ontario under GO Transit. What a clever name. The most prevalent locomotives in the system today are MPI MP40PH-3C diesels, part of the MPXpress family. A few of the older generation F59PH locos still remain in operation, even after a few decades. The coaches are the popular octagonal Bombardier BiLevel Coaches, of which they are usually grouped in 12 in lines with higher demand. GO train services are very frequent in some locations, especially in and around Toronto. A more popular trainspotting location is along the Gardiner Expressway, where one can witness passenger trains speeding along a quadruple-track section of the Lakeshore West line to Hamilton, parallel with the Expressway.

VIA Rail Canada trains are also common in these parts of town. 96% of VIA's passenger traffic and 81% of its revenue come from services between Windsor and Quebec City, though these services only use a certain section of the corridor, such as from Toronto to Montreal. VIA's beasts of burden include the venerable EMD F40PHs and the newer GE P42DCs. They come with either LRC coaches (which somehow outlived their corresponding locomotives), Budd stainless steel coaches, or British-built Renaissance coaches, though a combination may also be used. There is a new fleet of passenger trains on the way, though, as Siemens have recently begun manufacturing Venture trainsets powered by an SCV-42 diesel, part of the Charger family.

Gallery

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  Flexity Outlook tram No. 4434 crossing the street.

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  CLRV No. 4059 operating on 506 Carlton.

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  T Series Car 5134 at Kipling station.