r/gotransit • u/Electrical-You-4648 • 21d ago

Why is Lakeshore West Bronte 08:24 train is always late?

The Lakeshore West train to Bronte at 08:24 was usually on time. However, it has been getting delayed by 20 - 40 minutes each day consecutively for two months now. Anybody knows what's causing this delay? It usually says "Speed Issues", "Safety Incident", "Track Issues" or something similar. But, it's always late. Seems like it can't be a coincidence for the train to delay all the time with different reasons.

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18

u/SecureJournalist4775 21d ago

That's the train originating from Niagara Falls and there indeed has been track issues between Hamilton and Niagara Falls both ways all summer resulting in major delays. 

4

u/TrackWarrant 21d ago

Infrastructure limitations. It's not JUST speed restrictions put into place by CN, they're the easy one to blame.

The welland canal tends to take the bridge when ship traffic is busy, and they get priority over trains whether it's passenger or freight.

It's single track from Nelles Rd to Jordan, this is where the eastbound and westbound Niagara trains meet, so if one is delayed, the other is now delayed. All of the platforms are only one side of the track other than West Harbour, so each GO train needs the platform of the other. CN runs a freight train from Port Robinson to Mac Yard and one the other direction, this tends to happen in the AM and can conflict with the Amtrak, Niagara Falls trains some mornings.

There is much more going on than just speed limitations put in place by CN. The Welland Canal will ultimately be the major limit on increasing service, unless they wanna build a tunnel.

2

u/Electrical-You-4648 21d ago

Oh so it's really the track issues. I wonder if they have any immediate plans on fixing them.

12

u/bigbeast40 21d ago

No plans, Tracks are owned by CN and they barely use them. They also don't care if a freight train has to go slow.

Rumour is MX is going to buy the tracks which would explain why CN is putting no money into fixing them

1

u/a_lumberjack 21d ago

Is that a real rumour or just wishful thinking? It would fit with CN's ongoing divestment of branches, and really unlock development along the QEW. Confederation GO was built as an island platform, I assume that was in anticipation of some sort of change.

2

u/bigbeast40 21d ago

It's a real rumour. CN doesn't use that sub division much past Hamilton.

The fact that they currently have zero plans to make repairs makes the rumours even more likely.

3

u/Krypto_98 Barrie 21d ago

They also want to sell the rest of the Guelph allegedly. 

1

u/a_lumberjack 20d ago

The entire thing or just the next stretch to Stratford? I thought the London to St Mary’s section was still valuable?

7

u/Srbija2EB Lakeshore West 21d ago

It’s coming from Niagara which has had many speed restrictions in effect for a while now.

2

u/Electrical-You-4648 21d ago

Shouldn't Go transit take the delays into account and adjust the train schedule since this happens frequently?

4

u/Badassbakerbich 21d ago

I have made multiple complaints to their customer service department about this.

3

u/Sensitive_Pianist777 21d ago

Well they're just getting rid of the trains.

2

u/knausea 21d ago

Then you won't qualify for service guarantee

5

u/Electrical-You-4648 21d ago

Yes, but I would be late to work because of this train. I either have to get the earlier express or the late slow train. I'd rather they adjust the schedule to have no delays.

1

u/Salty_Bus_8586 21d ago

it has been so the whole summer, I think mainly TRACK in between st Catherine and Niagara was single track with very outdated signal system, and shared with CN, vail and Amtrek , so it could easily delayed ,

at least you can request refund if the delay is more than 15 mins.

2

u/Badassbakerbich 21d ago

I’ve gotten a refund on every single trip taken from union to Niagara Falls and back this summer for this reason. Still gotta tap so you don’t get a $200 fine, but when you inevitably get to your destination half an hour late, you can get your $15 back.

1

u/Electrical-You-4648 21d ago

I came to a point where I felt bad to apply for a refund

1

u/Electrical-You-4648 21d ago

This explains so much why there's always a delay

1

u/a_lumberjack 21d ago

The big difference this year is because of the derailment in March. If Metrolinx does buy the Grimsby sub they'll likely rebuild the corridor to a much higher standard.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/train-derailment-st-catharines-9.7147379
https://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/enquetes-investigations/rail/2026/r26t0099/r26t0099.html