Electric Trains...
Hi Rob,
Southern Ontario was once criss-crossed with electric Interurban Lines along the Niagara Peninsula and the north shore of Lake Erie.
There was plenty of traffic on those lines, and they were cheaper to run relative to steam.
With the reduction of traffic due to the automobile and the introduction of diesel locomotives killed the electric lines.
The biggest problem with linear induction used on the Scarborough RT is the fact that the Track Guideway is shaped like a trench that fills up with snow.
Thanks for this info, TinGoat. It's interesting and helpful.
I've also thought that our distances & climate, especially here in Canada, are major reasons why electric trains haven't caught on here as they have in Britain and Europe. It's comparatively easy to run electric trains -- either with overhead wires or with electrified track -- in England & France, etc.
IMO, I can't see how we could construct and maintain such 3rd rail electrified track over here with our extreme winters and distances.
Rob
Hi Rob,
Southern Ontario was once criss-crossed with electric Interurban Lines along the Niagara Peninsula and the north shore of Lake Erie.
There was plenty of traffic on those lines, and they were cheaper to run relative to steam.
With the reduction of traffic due to the automobile and the introduction of diesel locomotives killed the electric lines.
The biggest problem with linear induction used on the Scarborough RT is the fact that the Track Guideway is shaped like a trench that fills up with snow.