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Kitchener GO Train Progress Tracking

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A quick summary for those impatiently waiting for regular, two-way, all-day service between Waterloo and Toronto.

Currently, there is only a single track between Kitchener and Georgetown. Trains going in opposite directions cannot pass each other. This is why today’s service is only one-way at peak periods.

All timeline guesses are mine.

Summary

What still needs to happen

  • Passing tracks at Breslau
    • First stage should be done by 2024
    • Second stage will lengthen it so trains can pass at higher speeds (starting 2025)
  • Second platform and tracks at Guelph Central
    • Platform almost done; Tracks starting in 2025
  • Passing tracks at Acton
    • Probably start in 2025

What they have done so far

  • New tracks in Guelph so trains now go faster (before: 10 mph, now: 45mph. Completed in 2021)

Nice to have but not necessary

  • New train station at Kitchener Central Transit Hub (construction starts 2025)

Discussion

Note that GO could offer weekend two-way service today to Kitchener at a low frequency, say, two hours apart. But they have not chosen to do this, perhaps for operational reasons.

For effective two-way service, there needs to be passing tracks every 30 minutes or so. Metrolinx is building passing tracks at these spots.

The tracks between Georgetown and Bramalea are owned by CN Rail (blue lines on the map) and not Metrolinx. Metrolinx needs to negotiate access. The freight trains join the tracks from the south at Georgetown, and depart to the north at Bramalea. In other words, the freight and passenger trains need to switch sides. This creates a bottleneck as well.

What is happening Q3 and Q4 2024: https://assets.metrolinx.com/image/upload/Images/Metrolinx/CPG_Procurement_Opportunities_Pipeline_-July_2024.pdf