|
Caption: On May 28, 2018 CP’s Expressway service between Toronto (Hornby) and Montreal came to an end, after years of struggling to fill out the overnight service. The Expressway concept started as a TOFC service between Toronto and Montreal, to compete with trucks in the 401 Corridor. Initially named the Iron Highway and rebranded as “Expressway”, the concept was never fully embraced by customers, often leading to mostly empty trains running back and forth. At its height, the service operated with morning and evening departures from both terminals and even expanded service to Windsor/Detroit to compete truckers with the entire 401 corridor. Over the years traffic waned and the trains were reduced to one evening departure, 6 days a week between Toronto and Montreal. As with many things on the railroad that we take for granted, it seems like it was “here today and gone tomorrow.”
Like many last runs, it was an unceremonious event, with the train departing as advertised, headlong into the afternoon GO Rush. Riding off into the setting sun and into the history books.
CP 132-28: CP 8112, CP 8835 - 100 platforms
|
To see a video of this train, click the YouTube link below! The Expressway is at 18:15 and there’s twenty other trains to check out in the video as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRKBxnrKqRE
How on earth did this not work?
The 401 is a nightmare of trucks driven by ‘international students’ and ‘refugees’.
Honestly, It worked, but I think the Expressway equipment was getting to the age and needed replacement.
I believe that’s why it was canned. If I’m wrong they could have done it for another 10 years…. but it’s too late now.
I worked my last trip on Expressway out of Hornby 14 years ago this June. We took the train to Smiths Falls and taxied home, a typical Sunday trip.
I also heard it was an equipment issue because the margins were pretty tight after expenses, they couldn’t justify buying new equipment. Regardless. the plant & dispatching at the time meant that many trains were running late. I think things are better now, with switch heaters on the Belleville Sub & longer sidings. I also think Alexander Medora’s comment is right. There is a huge opportunity in the short haul market for this type operation if a few hurtles could be overcome. Climate change is another justification for such service. Trains can move 100 trailers using less fuel than 100 trucks.
It seems that the link in Robbie’s post may have been compromised, it lead me to an ad, no train video.
Correct link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRKBxnrKqRE