Caption: Today is the 71st anniversary of D-day. However, it also marks the opening of the Union-Pearson Express. Construction of this airport-city connection service started four years ago as part of an agreement to host the Pan Am Games. This four year project was by no means a highball. Residents of Weston also put up a lengthy fight to make the UP Express electrified, referring to Diesel Multiple Units as "dirty diesels." They didn't get their way with that, however their concern of the area being divided by frequently passing trains was met with grade separation of all level crossings from Strachan Avenue up to Church Street, costing hundreds of millions. The history of this project lasts far longer than four years, however, and dates back well into the 20th century. While more familiar attempts to start this project began in the late 80s, my papa, who is a baby boomer, remembers from his childhood being told by his dad a train to the airport would soon be built from stories in the newspaper. This story dates back almost sixty years, and my papa, having been let down by many transit projects through the years, was sure it would never be built until he was long gone. Well... my friend, the government didn't let you down this time. In direct relation to the actual photo however, here the the third revenue service westbound airport run begins to grind around the last curve before the Pearson interlocking and station. The interlocking resembles a traditional TTC subway crossover, while the signals are very much those found on many mainlines in North America today. The high green is for a train behind me that is almost ready to take off to Union. Mind you, this service will be running every 15-20 minutes. Now Metrolinx... Let's keep moving forward with these badly needed transit projects, such as 2-Way All Day service on every GO train line. Hopefully we don't need another olympic sport event in order for that to happen, as I sure don't think that will happen anytime soon.