GO Transit - North America's BEST Commuter Rail Network!

[@hypecat9138]

Hope you are doing well

[@LonestarTrips]

Thank you so much! You're so incredibly generous! I'm doing wonderful, btw. I've got a lot of work in the near future, but I'm able to take some time to relax for the next few days.

[@kiddo817]

The GO Expansion project is probably the largest single regional transit project in North America at the moment, and mostly under the radar. When the dust settles, GO will operate the largest electrified RER-style rapid transit regional network in North America.

[@ghostassoc]

I know. This is sooo exciting and transformational. Toronto will have its equivalent to the London overground or Berlin/copenhagen S-train networks.

[@rlwelch]

GO Expansion is a BIG DEAL :)

[@nekomasteryoutube3232]

I heard about the plan years ago but I still dont see much happening. Then again I live in the north end of Oshawa and dont get out much. Still, I'm surprised how many companies are coming together to make this happen.

[@Absolute_Zero7]

​@@nekomasteryoutube3232There isn't much visible on the Lakeshore Lines. Current work is being done on double tracking and expanding stations along the Kitchener, Barrie, and Stouffville lines. Starting Jan 2025, operations of the network will be handed over to DB who will plan/operate the new service patterns, and build electrification.

[@fares-please]

As a locomotive engineer for Alstom who operates GO and UP trains I’m really happy you enjoyed your experience! Looking forward to your UP Express video.

[@LonestarTrips]

I can't wait to put it out! The UP Express is such an interesting service.

[@Waterslide_Productions]

I take the go train nearly everyday during the week, the engineers and conductors do a great job to keep the trains running on time, great job 👍

[@coastaku1954]

I really want to operate a GO Train, how do I get in on that?

[@JuliasCesar]

As a Vancouverite from British Columbia the province on the Western coast I ENVY GO TRANSIT! We have the West Coast Express commuter rail out here which is an abysmal typical North American commuter system. 6 trains towards Downtown in the morning and 6 returning in the evening. GO is incredible as it offers ALL DAY service on MOST of the lines. After the GO RER Electrification goes through it will operate like Germany’s S BAHN. People out here write to your local government and send this video to show them the TRUE POWER OF COMMUTER RAIL DONE RIGHT! Great video thank you for the upload! As a Canadian it’s crazy I’ve never been to Toronto but our country is SO big it’s actually not easy getting around out here without enough to pony up for a plane ticket!

[@coastaku1954]

What's amazing is that many Urbanists STILL complain about GO Transit

[@nanaokyere7141]

It's because they don't know how good we have it here. ​@@coastaku1954

[@2011scuba]

Went to Toronto for the first time this summer from Pennsylvania, USA. Absolutely loved our experience with GO. We stayed an hour out of Toronto for cheaper hotel costs, and took the GO everyday into the city. We were never on at rush hour, so i cant speak for how crowded they are at those times, but with the exception of a weekend Blue Jays game, the trains were never crowded on our trips to the city and back. The price was so cheap compared to the transit ive priced in America too. It was always on time, something I cant say about Amtrak. I cant wait to go back to Toronto and plan on using GO in the same manner again. 100% would recommend

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

Great video, but all of your Stats For Nerds (8:01) about the locomotive are incorrect. Locomotive 609 is an MP40PH-3C, not an MP36 The engine is an EMD 710G3B, not a 645 The power output is 4000 hp, not 3600 The top speed is 93 mph (150 km/h), not 102 mph The trains can reach their full top speed in service, since the Lakeshore East, Lakeshore West and Stouffville lines have 95 mph speed limits. However local trains such as the one you were on do tend not to exceed about 80 mph (130 km/h) due the stop spacing.

[@LonestarTrips]

Shoot, you are absolutely right. I completely misread the locomotive specification when beginning my research, and that just led me down a rabbit hole of wrong information. I apologize for the incorrect stats.

[@Komiksulo]

Eastbound on the long straight stretch between Ajax and Whitby, it’s slightly downhill, and I have been on a GO train hitting 150 km/h (as measured by my phone). It’s nice to be faster than the cars on the 401.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

@@Komiksulo The speed limit on the GO line between Ajax and Whitby is only 85 mph (137 km/h). You'd need to be on the Via line, which has a speed limit of 100 mph (160 km/h)

[@kryptotransit]

​@OntarioTrafficMan I've gotten to 80 mph (128 km/hr) on the Kitchener line just after bloor. Kingston sub has some pretty nice speeds, I've gone 65 mph in a high priority intermodal train before which was pretty cool.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

@@kryptotransit Yeah I just finished adding the P+ speeds for the Kingston Sub to OpenRailwayMaps, they're pretty good, and LRC is even higher.

[@harrisonhschan]

I live next to Union Station, I'm glad you stopped by the GTA and had a good experience here!!

[@LonestarTrips]

I absolutely loved Toronto. Y'all have a fantastic transit network, and I wish more cities in the US would take note.

[@OnTheGo352]

Small correction, at 8:06 seconds and in the description you call it the MP36PH-3C. Go transit only owns and operates MP40PH-3C's. Great video!

[@LonestarTrips]

Yeah I realized after I posted that I totally screwed up the specs. They’re all technically correct for the MP36, but seeing as GO only operates MP40s, well, yeah…

[@OnTheGo352]

​@LonestarTrips easy mistake I'm sure, specially when in the United States you find the mp36 everywhere. Also depending on the corridoor, top Speeds are indeed up to 93mph! Surprising for big trains like these.

[@papyrussemi2848]

as a hamiltonian, i'd say it's pretty damn good

[@LonestarTrips]

Heck yeah it is!

[@murraytown4]

I live in Ottawa which also uses ‘Presto’, which is super convenient for TTC and GO.

[@Harper210]

Gotta say the LIRR/Metro North is a close second due to the better frequency and sheer distance it covers. Sure maybe the stations aren't as grand but they recently redid the entirety of Penn Station along with most mainline stations.

[@JermaniBurroughs]

& The whole System Including NJT have Weekend Service With Cross Platforms on Half of the system so basically LIRR/MNRR is actually 1#

[@thyagarajannatarajan6234]

Very excited for this one. I was able to ride the Lakeshore Limited for the first time this weekend. Hope to make some content out of it.

[@baseballfan99]

Another great video. Having done many Amtrak Routes, Canada will be my next North American trip in a couple of years with a good few European ones closer to home in between.

[@syed2194]

Being from NJ, GO transit looks pristine compared to the embarrassment we have for commuter rail. Got to check it out when I was in the GTA and it blew me away.

[@dracianfury325]

For some info on the Tims stall it is only open during weekdays. And as for the reason why it’s not built into the station I believe it has to do with the fact that it was there during the stations revitalization but I think they didn’t intend it to be a permanent fixture.

[@switchgear100]

it is also only open until like 2pm

[@frongus47]

in my opinion it needs more surburban connections and other routes that dont go through the down town l think this would improve usage

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

GO Transit runs an extensive bus network which provides the circumferal connections you want. The Highway 407 service is especially fast, frequent and popular.

[@TheTroyc1982]

that is what the GO Bus network is for

[@switchgear100]

​​@@OntarioTrafficManits too bad the bus service rarely lines up with the trains

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

@@switchgear100 The central corridor (Square One - Bramalea - Hwy 407 - RHC) is frequent enough that it doesn't matter, but they could definitely improve connections for the outer branches by timing them to match trains. For example it's unfortunate that the 48 isn't timed at Bramalea to meet westbound trains there.

[@Aphrx]

They are actually removing the divider in the coaches now

[@stephenkeever6029]

Great video! Did you upgrade your camera because the image quality looked really good on this video?

[@Edwards-Videos]

5:02 Not all GO train coaches have the plugs on the wall. The older cars do not at the moment. 8:18 the locomotive is actually an MP40OH-3C.

[@amaan-aliladak]

The building you had pointed you're camera up at is CIBC Sqaure. It's a mix building with the Bank CIBC owning it and Metrolinx leasing part of it for the new GO Bus Terminal that's been in operation for quite some time

[@FlightAndTrack]

What a great video Lonestar!

[@LonestarTrips]

Thanks a lot! I'm so glad you enjoyed! 😊

[@TheTroyc1982]

You should do a video of Union station itself someday

[@stoddard1953]

GO transit is awesome. They're consistently on-time and on-schedule. They keep customers up-to-date when they're delayed. The network could be improved upon but I also understand they have to fight with CN for rights to the rail tracks. Unless they built their own rail tracks.

[@kiddo817]

GO already owns 85%+ of tracks they operate on, and they are also building up to 500km more dedicated trackage, including electrification of all commuter lines to increase frequency by up to 4x from current levels. All of this has been ongoing for the last 10 years.

[@stoddard1953]

Aye, that's awesome! I wasn't sure how much track they really owned or not since they do share on certain locations.@@kiddo817

[@otisreed8799]

Compared to any equivalent sized European city it’s a joke… but hopefully the electrification and service level upgrades will be transformative

[@wainber1]

@@otisreed8799 it’s been a while since I’ve taken a commuter train although part of that has do with my having worked from home almost daily from mid-March 2020 when Covid had shut Ontario down indefinitely. Before Ontario had declared its 1st related state-of-emergency but after 2018 I have been working two part-time away from home jobs, neither of which had been located on a GO train line but both of which had been located on the same subway line. As of now, it remains unclear whether any job I find will, should it require some away-from-home work, be located within reasonable walking distance of a GO train station or bus stop that is served more than just a couple times per hour. So many job postings I have viewed have had locations based far enough from go train stations or bus stops that have the frequency of service that would be necessary for me to want to take GO Transit that I am not likely to use any of its trains or buses to regularly commute to work should I find a job that is based far enough from my Midtown Toronto place of residence that using the TTC as the only method would take too long to get to work.

[@KCTopDawg]

Very cool compilation of catches! Speedster!

[@jessicaburdell7779]

I just took a trip back home and to work in Utica, on the Trailways Megabus, and was wondering if you were ever planning to do any more bus trip videos as well, like the Jet one I watched a few months previous.

[@johnziegelbauer4999]

It would be great if they had their own lines , from what I understand they lease the track from the big rail companies and they get priority on the lines

[@switchgear100]

i have never seen another train on the go train lines that was not a go train. at least their main line is only used by GO

[@stephenp448]

GO owns most of the trackage it runs on. VIA Rail (intercity trains) still has to work around freight service, though there is apparently a push to change that.

[@rotatorcuffs8140]

@@switchgear100 I have once recently on the Kitchener line leaving Union Station. The GoTrain I was on had to pull over for a passing freight train.

[@alitabatabaei4578]

Go train completey owns two its lines. The Barrie line and the soufville Line. Those two lines are only used and serviced by go transit. . It's other lines operate on CN owned trackage with the exception of the Milton line which is owned by CP rail

[@dbolt6543]

VIA runs on Lakeshore East, Lakeshore west and The Kitchener line. CN retains trackage rights on most of the lines it sold to GO as does CP. There are lots of Freights on the Lakeshore west, especially for the Ford plant and also on the Kitchener line in Malton

[@rlwelch]

If you're cold, they're cold. Bring the Timmies counter inside ❤

[@gedias1]

As someone who does use the GO, I have to say that I find the Metra system in the Chicago area just as nice.

[@jlelliotton]

I am a regular user of the other side on the Lakeshore West between Aldershot and Union (also UP Express to Toronto Pearson airport)

[@awesomeman116a]

More Toronto videos pleaseee!

[@ShluffyMonster]

As someone who has rode in NJT multilevel coaches I find sitting diagonally on the 4 seat sections more comfortable, even with someone you know. Additionally i think this applies to most commuter services.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

I agree. I find row seating to be much more pleasant, because you can put your feet under the seat in front of you rather than needing to interleave your legs with the person opposite you. Quad seating is great when you're travelling in a group, but most people are not travelling with more than 1 other person. For this reason, GO should make the top deck (the Quiet Zone) entirely row seating to create a more quiet environment, while leaving the lower deck with quad seating as a more social zone.

[@ShluffyMonster]

@@OntarioTrafficMan your suggestion makes a lot of sense and I most definitely agree

[@gb9727]

They should get acs 64s

[@bradkratz7758]

Glad to see "stats for nerds" make a come back.

[@LonestarTrips]

It's been a while without them, but I figured it was time to bring them back!

[@marklee8644]

Oshawa mentioned 💪💪💪💪

[@journeyswithj246]

Great video review!

[@cstephen98]

Great if you want to travel to Toronto for work, Monday to Friday. Useless for just about anything else as a public transit option. I think I use it once a year.

[@nanaokyere7141]

Well that's what the TTC is for you live in Toronto

[@AndreiTupolev]

32 miles in one hour? All of these commuter services seemed to have very generous schedules

[@TheTroyc1982]

and it's comes every 15 minutes all day

[@awesomeman116a]

@@TheTroyc1982 Actually 30mins all day on some routes, while others have hourly schedule 15mins during rush hour And in the future, it will be 15mins all day and up to 7mins during rush hour

[@nekomasteryoutube3232]

Hey hey I live in Oshawa :3

[@faustobrindisi5745]

Dear: I would like to know which station of the GO network in Toronto, I can see many freight trains at regular speed, thank you very much. Greetings from Argentina.

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video 👋

[@aviano72]

MPXpress are the nicest locos in NA

[@WaynoGur]

Did you tour the CN Tower? It is a truly unique experience.

[@LonestarTrips]

Unfortunately I did not. The timing of my travels didn’t allow me to get up there. That being said, I do plan on going back to Canada in the future, so I’ll definitely check it out.

[@awesomeman116a]

@@LonestarTripsYesss come back eventually please

[@jacktattersall9457]

GO does not operate MP36s but MP40s because 4000hp is needed to pull a twelve car train with just one locomotive.

[@kevinb8881]

GO should put Siemens Chargers locomotives on their trains!!!

[@kiddo817]

They are in the process procuring for EMUs as part of the GO Expansion project, so doubt Chargers would work for a rapid transit regional network.

[@kevinb8881]

@@kiddo817 Oh yeah, that's right, they want 100% electrification on their entire rail system, I hope they can afford it, railroad electrification ain't cheap!!

[@GamingRailfanner]

@@kiddo817Not exactly, see they currently need 13 additional diesel locomotives for more service because EMUs are 100% not coming for a long time

[@bahnspotterEU]

@@kiddo817Didn‘t they go for electric locomotives instead, so that they can keep using their newer Bi-Levels?

[@dbolt6543]

Forget the chargers, stick with MPI that work.

[@MeITellYou]

4:20 oh boy the leg room 🤦‍♂️

[@JermaniBurroughs]

This video is Great & GO transit is Great compared to Other Commuter Rail Systems in NA. But I wouldn’t call this the Best Commuter Rail in NA because of its Lack Of Electrification, EMUs, Grade Separation on Most Used lines. So I would say this is the 2nd Best in NA. Because The MTA does it better when I comes to Regional Rail with its Electrification on Most lines, the MNRR New Haven Lines have 4 Trains per off- hour & 6 Trains during Peak Hours, 2 Terminals instead of 1. But at least GO have all of its lines go to Union Station. & Once the GO Expansion is done it’ll be like The MTA & NJT but with Overhead Electrification & It’ll be more Modern (As long as they get EMUs) & At least GO have a Direct Airport Connection.

[@elliectroncake]

Locomotive #609 is an MPI MP40PH-3C, not MP36 :)

[@RailKingMell]

I thought it go only had mp40ph's

[@otisreed8799]

Great video, thank you! Infrequent diesel loco hauled trains is North America’s best? 😅😳

[@bahnspotterEU]

Luckily not. The NYC-focused railroads are definitely still better

[@stephenp448]

Trains running every 15 minutes doesn't really count as infrequent. Many years ago, when the trains only ran once per hour outside of rush hour, well, that was a different story.

[@gb9727]

Im not really a fan of the motive power locomotives. They look dated, and i think they should get siemens ventures or just chargers

[@Neville60001]

Although those are great locos, I don't think Siemens Chargers locos are good for commuter rail services like these (and as GO Transit's doing electrification, those most likely _won't_ be bought to run on GO Transit routes.)

[@rotatorcuffs8140]

What is a cab car and how does it differ from a locomotive?

[@LonestarTrips]

A cab car is a passenger car which also houses a secondary control station for the train. It allows the engineer to drive the train without being in the locomotive. Alternatively, some railways use Non-powered control units (NPCUs), which are old gutted locomotives used often for luggage storage and train control.

[@stefandee1970]

Im in....

[@gregbaker3502]

I've taken GO every day an hour each way for 18 years. It is horribly run and insanely expensive.

[@switchgear100]

agreed. GO has to be paying this guy, because anyone who has taken more the one go train knows it is not premier anything.

[@Neville60001]

@@switchgear100, GO/ Metrolinx _isn't_ paying this guy, he liked with he saw and rode on all by himself, and it was quite a genuine response.

[@timbacchus]

Do you need a passport to travel in Canada from USA?

[@LonestarTrips]

You do need a passport to enter/leave the country, but not to travel once inside.

[@timbacchus]

Thank you.@@LonestarTrips

[@LonestarTrips]

Ofc! Always happy to help 😊

[@ghostassoc]

Why is this even a question? Of course you need a passport to travel to another country. Americans…

[@timbacchus]

Well you don't to Mexico@@ghostassoc

[@JJRol.]

Love the way GO operates but it's quite disappointing that the network isn't electrified yet. Imagine the possibilities with electrification! Great video!

[@LonestarTrips]

I really hope they're looking into electrification. I haven't heard anything about it, but it would be such a fantastic step forward for the system. I also know they're looking to enhance service with more frequent trains starting next year, which is awesome considering their network is already one of the best.

[@LonestarTrips]

Replying again because they ARE looking into electrification! Construction was set to begin this year, though I'm not sure if it actually began or not.

[@harrisonhschan]

​@@LonestarTripsthey're looking into it and have released reports, that's all. Metrolinx, the provincial agency running GO Transit, UP, the Presto card system; has a lot going on (they build all the TTC subways as the TTC is broke) and are usually extremely delayed... they're four years behind on Line 5, 3 years on line 6, they're starting the Line 1 extension and a brand new Ontario Line project to relieve Line 1, and now the Line 2 extension to replace Line 3. Not to mention there's talks of extending line 5 (that hasn't opened yet) east to meet the new line 2 extension...

[@radagastwiz]

They've selected the consortium to build out the new infrastructure (which will bring electrification and upgraded signaling); partners in it include Alstom and Deutsche Bahn. I'm not sure when construction will be starting.

[@awesomeman116a]

@@LonestarTrips The electrification is part of the bigger GO Expansion, and idk about the electric part of it but i know they started on other things like station renovations and adding more tracks for all day service on more lines

[@AndreiTupolev]

These heavily commuter oriented operations with very expensive trains (3000 + hp locomotives, 12 bi-level carriages in this case) that only operate one or two peak hour services and then go and have a nap 😴 until the evening peak, must be very expensive. And i bet middle-of-the-day services are fairly sparse. I'm sure they could get much more intensive utilisation out of them. And I'm sure that more frequent, and faster, off-peak services would encourage more people to use rail.

[@bahnspotterEU]

Unfortunately from what I heard, GO is unable to run all-day service on some lines due to the ever bothersome freight railways forbidding it. At least service on the lakeshore lines is pretty good all week. I think before COVID they ran trains there up to every 15 mins in the peak, but even now it’s not a commuter schedule anymore.

[@chloetangpongprush3519]

5 of the 7 GO train lines have all day service (Lakeshore west/east, Barrie, Kitchener, and Stouffville). it's hourly bi-directional service and Lakeshore lines are usually half hourly. The other two lines (Milton, Richmond Hill) only have peak service because GO doesn't own the tracks like their other lines. GO is actually not that peak oriented compared to other NA commuter railroads. Electrification and other upgrades are under construction and that'll bring 15 minute service on those 5 lines in the next decade.

[@TheTroyc1982]

the Lakeshore line in this video is every 15 minutes at peak and every 30 minutes off peak and runs all day long as is most of the GO network, 2 of GO 7 lines can not match these frequencies because of Freight service on those lines

[@fireshorts5789]

GO is a great way for suburbanites to funnel into downtown Toronto. Thats it. It fails miserably at doing anything else. You didn't even show the way bike couriers block the doors with their bikes on the Kitchener line.

[@switchgear100]

not to mention most stations are located in horrible locations. Moat of them you need a car to reach and at that point might as well just drive

[@canadmos]

Isnt "funneling suburbanites" it's exact purpose? That comment is confusing 😅

[@SaxophoneChihuahua]

yikes 32 miles in 1 hour

[@kimchiman7292]

According to my wife Kim, who spent three weeks in Seoul last April, the Seoul subway is very quiet. However, the GO Train between Hamilton and Toronto is extremely noisy. Is it because Canada is a backward country? Or is it because it's a free-spirited country where people live freely? In any case, shouldn't the behavior of making noise (talking loudly) that disturbs the ears and nerves of fellow citizens on the train be rightfully condemned?

[@syrax101]

Sir… You should be sued… I shouldn’t be this hype every week to watch these vids… This is now an addiction and this channel is the cause of it… Expect a letter from my lawyers… lmao great vid!

[@LonestarTrips]

That has to be hands down one of the best comments I’ve ever received. I genuinely thought this was a negative comment at first! Thanks so much for the support, and it always makes my day to hear comments like these 😊

[@samtrak1204]

Passengers with disabilities don't get a window?

[@jakestar121]

idk why that new one is designed like that. some of the other accessibility/customer service cars on the GO network have wider gangways and these padded “bench” seats that are much more spacious for people with accessibility needs to sit in and look out the window

[@tsujimasen]

What? No, LIRR / MNR / NJT are all better than GO. It's not even electrified and it doesn't have high level platform boarding. Only certain lines run seven days a week, and none run 24/7.

[@Neville60001]

Both MNR and NJT use the same kind of train as GO does (in the case of MNR and NJT, GE Genesis locos in the MNR, and another one in the case of NJT.)

[@tsujimasen]

@@Neville60001 Only on some branches. EMU’s are quite common on MNR.

[@PeterC-zp4dt]

Hell, arguably even Metra is better (at least until GO finishes their electrification) just based on the network size/coverage and land use around most stations. The Oshawa station featured in the video isn't even close to downtown Oshawa and is instead in the middle of a parking ocean, a car dealership, and a highway. GO transit has some of the worst land use I've seen in any major North American transit system.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

All GO lines run all day every day except for the Richmond Hill line. The Milton line only has train service during peak periods, with bus service outside of peak periods, including on weekends. The Lakeshore West, UP Express, Kitchener, Barrie, Stouffville and Lakeshore East lines have train service all day in both directions, with bus service in the late evening until about 2AM. There is a brief gap in service before service resumes around 5AM. GO is planning to electrify the core 260 km of the network, and implement level boarding.

[@Neville60001]

@@tsujimasen, what you said does _not_ invalidate what I said.

[@fatviscount6562]

Informative video, but it fails to explain the “BEST” in all caps. The train’s too speed for a few minutes as no relevance; much better to take the distance divided by trip time and compare it against driving time on google maps at the same time. The suburban stations look like they are located in the middle of nowhere, and you mentioned nothing about connecting bus lines. Ergo, GO requires car dependence, which at the very least adds 15-20 minutes to the trip. The reality is that someone living in Oshawa needs 75-90 minutes to get to a Toronto, 30 miles away. That’s an urbanism failure.

[@LonestarTrips]

👍

[@ant8504]

Most GO stations have local transit connections it's really not hard to get to the stations, there are some stations in poor spots but that's just because they're built on existing freight ROWs that have been purchased by GO

[@thebabbler8867]

Definitely not the best; it literally goes nowhere.

[@DanaWood-iq6zr]

& Its not Electric

[@TracksideKitchener]

First

[@LonestarTrips]

😊

[@switchgear100]

if GO got rid of the shitty plastic covid guards their trains would be infinitely better. those shields absolutely suck for anyone that is not a stick. You claim they are a good thing, but in practice as someone that has to use the train frequently they make 90% of the seats unsitable for most adult men. The outlets also rarely work, so good luck finding one that works.

[@OfficialETandM]

@LonestarTrips Are you planning to ride SMART within the next month or so? If so, I'll send you an e.m.a.i.l (you know what I mean) letting you know all the details. Thanks! - Elevators, Trains, And Moe (OfficialETandM)