dowlingm wrote: ↑Thu May 16, 2024 2:35 pm
Tadman wrote: ↑Thu May 16, 2024 1:10 pm
That makes sense, but if MUCTC or EVO originates trains here, couldnt Amtrak pay them to do the same? For that matter if Amtrak has an employee or pays a Via employee to do this three blocks away at Central Station, why can't that person walk the three blocks (or take a company pickup full of tools) if EVO is unwilling?
Are we sure the servicing happens at Central? Adirondack used to park at VIA MMC and was presumably serviced there, alongside its VIA P42 cousins.
EXO operates no GE power from Lachine Maintenance Center, only EMD and CAT, although they do have Chargers on order for delivery next year, if Adirondack is slated for a similar change at some point.
You are correct the Adirondack is serviced at the VIA MMC and stored there overnight. The train can be turned one of three ways of which one is now verboten by CN. So lets go with with what I remember as the most common. Drop your passengers in Gare Central and back out to the Victoria Bridge then pull into the MMC. That way in the morning once you have your paperwork from VIA TOP you can just back into Gare Central. The other way is to back into the MMC after dropping your passengers then in the morning its out to the bridge and back to the station.
Here is the kicker there is or was a VIA crew on duty about the same time as we were, so we wanted to get out ahead of them. Not to prove anything just so we could grab a cup of coffee or breakfast if you had the time. Crews did or still do a lot of running around in the morning. Hotel to the station to get your paperwork, hopefully its ready. Then off to the MMC to get your train, A brake test, an inspection to be sure all is in working order, then it is off to the station. Two hour sign up and some days 90 minutes of can be spent running around.
I don't think Windsor Station helps the situation any.