J-Trains

While browsing through some pictures on the web I came across this cool shot of a VIA “J- Train” . It’s #56-42, the 9am departure from Toronto that will split at Brockville. #56 (the front portion) goes to Montreal and #42 continues onto Ottawa. Look at those F40s pouring it on!....... Especially the one at mid-train.

http://s61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/m ... 008002.jpg

What's a J-train?

Otto Vondrak wrote:What's a J-train?

When two trains run from the point of origin along the same route for a portion of the trip on the same schedule, these trains often run joined together up to the point their paths diverge. While the term "J-train" is usually only applied to corridor trains that run as locos+cars+locos+cars, simply uncoupling at the appropriate location without any switching, it can also refer to those that are remarshalled at some point along the route such the Abitibi/Saguenay and Ocean/Chaleur. I suppose Amtrak's Empire Builder could be called a J-train between Chicago and Spokane.

is the 2nd loco running and have a engineer for the joined part of the journey ?

The mid-consist locomotive is running throughout the trip and is controlled from the lead locomotive by an MU connection which passes through the coaches. Normally there is an engine crew (VIA uses two engineers and no conductor) onboard the second train although they may be riding in one of the coaches. Sometimes the decision to run joined or separate is not made until shortly before departure and there have been times when the lead unit fails and the second train pushes.

This is the 9:30 am train #42/56. Since June #42 has been leading and #56 is on the rear. The
Montreal engineers deadhead back in 56's coaches until Brockville where they cut off from the tailend of #42 at Perth
just West of Brockville.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRh_GsFohII

This video shows train 40 pulling train 52 at Belleville. According to the description, the trains are split at Brockville, and run as one from Aldershot to Brockville.

How is this denoted in the timetable? If it's the arrows, does that mean that every arrow represents a consist combining/uncombining?

http://www.viarail.ca/sites/all/files/m ... ntario.pdf

This combination of consists of VIA trains is commonly referred to as a "J-train" (for joined). There is no indicator in the timetables to show this practice and the only clue is that the two trains have the same scheduled times for each of the stations in common they stop at. There are times, for various reasons, the trains may run as separate consists, often one right after the other.

The arrows in the timetables indicate connections between trains running on different schedules. Since not all trains stop at all stations, it allows passengers to make a trip between locations at a time where both points are not not served by a single train.

The caption on the video may not be accurate since VIA discontinued running the full consist from Aldershot toToronto due to logistic difficulties, and now offer a small shuttle train (#740) between these two points allowing a connection in Toronto for points east.

Ken V wrote:This combination of consists of VIA trains is commonly referred to as a "J-train" (for joined). There is no indicator in the timetables to show this practice and the only clue is that the two trains have the same scheduled times for each of the stations in common they stop at. There are times, for various reasons, the trains may run as separate consists, often one right after the other.

Do they list the combined portion on both trains' schedules, or is the joined part a separate train number? For example, when 40 and 52 did run joined, did both trains have times for Aldershot?