Toronto's Secret Rail Line | Midtown Toronto Line

The Midtown Toronto Line is a shockingly underappreciated railway corridor passing through central Toronto, and passing a number of existing rapid transit and subway stations that has the room and capacity to carry rapid transit, or even regional trains someday. In this video I show you the line, give some brief history, and detail it's great potential.
As always, leave a comment down below if you have ideas for our future videos. Like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you won't miss my next video!
=ATTRIBUTION=
Map Data © OpenStreetMap contributors: www.openstreetmap.org/copyright
Nexa from Fontfabric.com
Epidemic Sound (Affiliate Link): www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
=PATREON & KZbin MEMBERSHIPS=
If you'd like to help me make more videos & get exclusive behind the scenes access and early video releases, consider supporting my Patreon or right here on KZbin! Every dollar goes towards helping my channel grow & reach more people.
Patreon: / rmtransit
KZbin Memberships: / @rmtransit
=MY GEAR=
Shop the gear I use for my videos here: www.amazon.ca/shop/rmtransit
This is an affiliate link where I make a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you, helping me to fund this channel!
=COMMUNITY DISCORD SERVER=
Discord Server: / discord
=MY SOCIAL MEDIA=
Twitter: / rm_transit
Instagram: / rm_transit
Website: reecemartin.ca
GitHub: github.com/reecemartin
=ABOUT ME=
Hi, my name's Reece. I'm a passionate Creator, Transportation Planner, and Software Developer, interested in rapid transportation all around my home base of Toronto, Canada, as well as the whole world!
#toronto #transit #secretrailways

[@RMTransit]

Do you have a piece of infrastructure you think could be repurposed for transit?

[@trainluvr]

The left lane of every interstate highway in America. A detailed proposal exists somewhere on the web to place a kind of long distance light rail technology over existing pavement.

[@androiduser8780]

I could see a "go local" service running along the lakeshore line, this would not be heavy rail but LRT style, knowing you cannot run a light rail service along the heavy lines this would require some creative thinking, but it could help eliminate the last mile bus trip.

[@bodaciousbiker]

Considering you're originally from BC, I'd love to get your opinion on reviving the old abandoned BC Electric Railway/Interurban line that used to run from Surrey out to Chilliwack. There's been talk about resurrecting it for years but nothing concrete. Forgive me if you've already covered this issue.

[@jameslovestokyo]

@@trainluvr Especially since nobody in North America (I'm including you, Canada) seems to understand how multi-lane highways work. If you're not going to keep right and pass left, then I think we should take away that left lane. 🚄

[@terrygelinas4593]

A piece of the rail corridor from Kipling TTC - to go to Sherway Gardens. Similar idea to Yorkdale TTC - shopping/parking hub, with handy subway stop right beside a major highway (and just to the west of it, near several other transit corridors and near Mississauga border). Also it will reduce the carbon footprint of many Mississauga MiWay buses needing to go to Islington TTC.

[@cmedley]

Put this guy in charge.

[@killerspade]

Sounds like a better use of money than the 413, build it yesterday!

[@RMTransit]

I agree!

[@Absolute_Zero7]

I mean they're completely unrelated projects. I agree this should be built but this has almost nothing to do with the 413. Now if you want to say "Build the Bolton Line" instead of the 413, that I can agree with you.

[@alexanderip1003]

@@Absolute_Zero7 not only build the Bolton line but also operate Bio mass powered trains on that line as well

[@jackdough8164]

The 413 is a stupid stupid idea

[@1Nanerz]

Both are needed. Gotta get the trucks out of the core. We still need our products delivered. We need the Bradford bypass built yesterday as well. Infrastructure improvements shouldn’t just benefit the people in Toronto.

[@timothymeyer3210]

To me it looks like this needs something like London Overground: a rebranded, metro-style line over existing heavy rail tracks

[@alexanderip1003]

or crossrail

[@katrinabryce]

@@alexanderip1003 Crossrail is new track to link two existing passenger lines.

[@alistairlogie1815]

A style metro line might have trouble competing with the nearby and parallel subways line 2

[@rebbiakiva]

The most important benefit that using the mid-town Toronto line would be that it would encourage development to the north of downtown which is already congested. It would also help alleviate further bottlenecks during rush hour where too high a percentage of commuters are cramming into a few ultra-dense blocks in the CBD and South Core.

[@hiyo2837]

It would become hopefully like north york downtown

[@bigillwilly]

I would not hold out a lot of hope in battling against mid-town NIMBY-ism

[@jpp7783]

Yes, Toronto’s transit is too downtown-centric. While a healthy, vibrant downtown is important, we need to spread it out a bit. Think of London, England. It’s almost lacks a centre. Rather, it has many centres (finance in the City, theatre in the west end, etc). We have to move away from this bicycle-wheel-spoke model of transit and development, where everything leads to one core point but the ends of the spokes don’t relate to each other at all.

[@iman2341]

Wooooow! This is like the Toronto Overground! Precedent is lines like this prove to be incredibly popular!

[@RMTransit]

Yeah it would be super awesome, and yeah the precedent is crazy!

[@jasperlim8909]

Can't wait for an express train like this one! Love the Express Train in NYC. So fastttttt

[@jasperlim8909]

This video gives me hope! Toronto has so much unrealized potential. And this infrastructure is something we can tap into quickly to help resolve our transit challenge.

[@terrygelinas4593]

The connectivity of this proposed line (and useful back-up redundancy) is great. On another note, I live near the West Toronto Railpath - yes, a video please! Finally, if the Ontario Line (can't say Toronto/downtown) is ever extended to Dundas West TTC, we will have tons more connectivity.

[@RMTransit]

A video will definitely happen! That said, Idk about Ol to Dundas west haha

[@longbranchmike7846]

@@RMTransit Ontario Line to Dundas West should eventually happen, as there will still be a crush of people transferring at rush hours between Lines 1 & 2 at Bloor/Yonge station.

[@nanaokyere7141]

@@longbranchmike7846 Well the thing about that is that ppl living west on that side of the city can use the UP Express, or the soon to be built Smarttrack station at liberty into the city. So I think that's why the western part of the city doesn't get looked at as much.

[@shawnpitman876]

@@nanaokyere7141 UP is unreliable and entirely too expensive.

[@TheRandCrews]

I propose to connect the Ontario Line to Jane Street, and go north and become the western portion of the Ontario Line taking over the Jane Street LRT proposal with deviation to connect to Weston GO. Extending from Exhibition GO, put up a station by Roncesvalles Car house, run along the LW tracks then go underground by Windermere neighborhood.

[@AtharAfzal]

This is such an amazing idea - especially for people accessing the Yonge-Eglinton business district or people working in the Markham area. What is even nicer is having this as a connectivity from Halton and Peel too - eventually.

[@AK.__]

Better though develop each area independently - people in Markham to work in Markham, and people in Midtown to stay in Yonge Eglinton area, without unnecessary commuting and creating a traffic.

[@billythorne]

I like this idea, because it would mitigate many of the problems with the Eglington crosstown, Toronto's current midtown route, and relieve the line.

[@RMTransit]

Indeed, I see that as a key benefit!

[@Stet17]

It just goes to show how hilariously behind we are on building transit infrastructure when we’re thinking of relieving lines that aren’t even in service yet.

[@Secretlyalittleworm]

I see video, I click

[@RMTransit]

Haha I am honoured!

[@bodaciousbiker]

Thank's for another great video Reece! BTW, I'd love to see the old Summerhill Station once again used for its intended purpose. At the very least, this line/right of way should be preserved for the day that it can be converted back to passenger rail, and the way Toronto is growing, I'm sure it wouldn't be that long. It would make a great addition to the city's transit infrastructure. If the planners at Metrolinx/TTC have any good sense, they're already subscribed to your channel and are taking detailed notes! Keep up the good work!

[@RMTransit]

Thanks so much! Appreciate the kind words, I look forward to a day this comes to fruition!

[@footballfanstyleonye]

@@RMTransit Get a job at Metrolinx and make your transit dreams a reality!!

[@malcolmscott748]

Great content and active presentation through graphics.

[@RMTransit]

Thanks!

[@Nunavuter1]

@@RMTransit The graphic illustrations are a welcome addition. You might also want to add "stand up" segments where you talk on camera out at the locations you are describing. This way, we don't just see you talking at your desk at home. It would add visual variety.

[@MateodeJovel]

I love this idea however, I would also add one station to the east at Neilson or Morningside for Malvern as that's one of the biggest underserviced neighbourhood in Scarborough

[@RMTransit]

Yeah the stations are very preliminary, there are a couple of locations where more could be added.

[@MacPhal1]

I really like this style video. You can also do it with as a colab with other transitubers or Urbanist to talk about how they would like to see there cities transit expanded.

[@RMTransit]

Yeah that could be cool!

[@ceruleanstone]

This would be great. A few modifications: 1) I would add a station at Christie to better serve the new developments on Dupont. 2) I'd extend one stop further into Scarborough along the existing rail line and build a stop at Malvern Town Centre, Malvern being a long underserved Priority Neighbourhood. 3) I'd use Metro trains rather than heavy rail like a GO train.

[@nanaokyere7141]

I agree with 1. Number 2 is still being planned as an LRT line extension of the Eglinton crosstown to Malvern town center via UTSC, hence why that side of town hasn't been redeveloped yet. Sadly we won't see that for awhile. Number 3, the new stations being built are very low, resulting in the new trains we'll be getting when certain lines are electrified will be bi-level. I would love metro style trains, but the way the city is growing it wouldn't make for the future.

[@shawnpitman876]

Christie is ENTIRELY too close to Dufferin for them to do that without it intending to be a new subway line. Also using Metro trains rather than heavy trains is actually a bad idea, considering these corridors are shared with freight and therefore you want as much passenger protection you can get in the case of an incident. That way you end up with far less lawsuits over dead or maimed people from your Metro train getting flattened.

[@shawnpitman876]

@@nanaokyere7141 Number 2 won't happen, this is what they do to scarborough every time, they say oh we'll get to that later... SIKE you get nothing.

[@BenBelanger4]

This would've cut my commute to highschool in half! Ive driven and walked past this line for years and never thought of the possibility of conversion to passenger rail. Great video

[@NLvideomaster]

Love how you made a full fledged pitch out of this!

[@youdonwannaknowme]

I love that you covered this! I've spent a few times daydreaming about the possibility of this line, but I recognize that it's only possible if the Missing Link could happen. Can you do a video covering it so that more people can be educated on it and hopefully support it?

[@timshort9692]

Very well put together!! Thank you.

[@_Matt_Matt_365_]

Imagine if they build this rail line! I discovered this railway last year when I was exploring around Don river.. When I first saw Midtown railway, I assumed it's another abandoned Don Valley railway. But I was proven to be wrong when I saw a 1km long freight train pass by! I was bummed out to learn that it's a freight only railway now, and it used to be passenger railway in the past. I think more people feel the same. However, I find the possibility of converting Summerhill LCBO back to rail station highly unlikely. that would be epic though! Thanks for the vid!

[@RMTransit]

It's highly unlikely unless we make it so!

[@blackpanda7298]

This is one of your best videos. We need this in Toronto

[@nanaokyere7141]

WOW. I think this is the first video you've made that has actually got me teared up. These stations look absolutely amazing and so high class. Each station is unique to its surroundings and thus makes for very promising designs. The above stations look so classy and sophisticated, with the clean lines and sharp angles with pavilions outside. It's beautiful. My favorite one from those renders is Gerrard station, which will look ridiculously cool. The walk in stations look amazing with the curved glass, which will make developers try to intergrade whatever they're building on top with that architecture. Which I think is very cool and sort of calling the shots on how it should look on top of the station. Exhibition station will EASILY be the most favored station for the time being (East Harbor might have something up its sleeves) and the most architectural pleasing station to date. I'm kind of confused as to what the pavilion across the station will be for if the trains will arrive side by side by the GO trains directly into the station. Overall I'm so glad this is starting happen as I was waiting and wondering when it would start, knowing how slow Toronto takes to start and finish projects. P.s - My favorite walk in station will be the University and Queen station. As it will be the most tiniest walk-in station in the city. It's also going to be the most beautifulist station, as it's going to be on historical grounds. So this Apple store looking station is going be the most liked station. Hands down.

[@n.b.3521]

Woohoo, more Reece! Love the idea for your new series! :)

[@larsmiller7388]

These are my favorite kind of videos. TY

[@ashermccready]

dude this is one of my new favorite channels

[@furryrider208]

Wow Reece, what a great idea! - I used to play in one of the abandoned warehouses on the south side of the tracks - I hope that Metrolinx is listening and preserves the corridor for this

[@esftracksydeomg]

I often visit the Midtown Toronto line myself to go photograph Canadian Pacific trains its very fun to witness the movement of freight with your own eyes and to watch the locomotives work

[@mickmalowany5479]

If you're reactivating and upgrading the Leaside Spur, would also be nice to see the Don Branch get the same treatment and shift Richmond Hill-Union service to a Don Branch/Midtown/Leaside Spur alignment. This would: - make for a *much* straighter (and faster) route to RH - create opportunities for useful connections on that line to express bus service on York Mills and Lawrence - possibly provide significant Line 1 relief, given all the new connections - free up a huge amount of space in the Don Valley for both recreational and stormwater management / green infrastructure value ... and wouldn't it be so cool to see GO service running across Half-Mile Bridge!

[@delanoanderson5890]

Took the words out of my mouth!!

[@longbranchmike7846]

I doubt citizens will give up the Leaside Spur multi-use trail easily - it's a great trail, bordered by trees on both sides.

[@dexpranodvszky1850]

This might be the best video you've done.

[@jonathanivanov7070]

This is a great idea. I’ve been interested in transit systems and subway maps recently, Toronto has so much potential

[@davidreichert9392]

Great idea. I hope that people at Metrolinx are watching your videos. On the eastern end, stations to serve Malvern Town Centre and the Zoo would be a great idea.

[@delanoanderson5890]

These plans make so much sense! I think about this everyday.

[@elliottmcpeek7443]

this is fantastic! i have a real love for the city but have always been disappointed by the lack of transit options especially after going to nyc and london, hopefully someone w some pull gets a load of this video

[@mdhazeldine]

That Toronto North station is gorgeous. Definitely needs to be a station again! P.S. Congratulations for not mentioning the Skytrain. haha!

[@pauldevey8628]

I love this video! May I suggest showing picutres of some of the areas where you suggest upgrades/stations etc. I know that is a lot of work but documenting them with your diagrams and pics/vids of the sites would be educational for us. Maybe there are others here following you who could help? I am in Ottawa and wish we had what Toronto has - working transit system (insert humour here)!

[@jdayellow]

This is one of the best videos you've made tbh I've always thought about how crucial this linec ould be. What do you think about the CN York subvision for passenger service?

[@rgp905]

Great video, would love the other additional video. Metrolinx should hire you. Amazing work 😁

[@matteopennacchietti9831]

Love this video!!!

[@RMTransit]

Thank you!

[@JBS319]

Much like the Musashino Line is able to balance both busy freight and high frequency passenger services, the Midtown Line could do that but even better. I see it and the Triboro Line in New York as very similar projects: both utilize existing freight lines, connect unserved or underserved sections of their respective cities, and can be phased in while still being useful in their parts. The type of equipment used will be critical on both as they would have to conform to mainline railroad standards. For the Midtown Line, DMUs like on the UPX would be a good start until the line can be electrified and tied into the RER. For Triboro, electrification would be a must early on and it could use a sub fleet of M8s (or M10s potentially by then) to operate services, potentially allowing thru-running into Metro North territory like the Midtown Line would extend over existing GO lines. The first time I ever saw the North Toronto station I thought “wouldn’t this be a great passenger rail corridor”

[@RMTransit]

I couldn’t agree more with the comparisons you’re making, especially the Triboro (I thought about it a bunch when making this)

[@kiefershanks4172]

This is an impressive thought piece. Currently Canpa is being completely renovated at its junction with the Oakville subdivision, clearly with the intent to run trains up to CP territory. The only reason for such an investment would suggest Metrolinx is actively pursuing running GO trains along the route you have proposed. Another possible addition beyond a midtown route is using CNs York/Halton subs to run GO service roughly parallel to the 407 which would have terminating stations at Bramalea GO and Pickering GO. This line could connect to the Stouffville, Barrie, and Richmond Hill lines as well. GO needs new east-west corridors to really bring it to life with new ridership and we have so many incredible opportunities. Great video 👍

[@simt1973]

Reece! Your Transit videos are Stellar, I really think you should consider becoming the minister of Transportation in the future!

[@globalfoodaction6748]

This video is brilliant after 8:50 minutes! It really emphasizes the point that not everything has to go through Union, nor should it. Our suburban centres are creating their own gravitational pull in terms of business and residents, they just lack the connections between them.

[@the_yesnt1358]

Great video Reece

[@RMTransit]

Thank you!

[@trentonc9141]

That's a great idea. I've crossed those tracks soooo many times both in the east and west but never realised it's the same line. That is definitely a hidden gem. A possible stop at Morningside Ave would be useful too since there has been so much development there in the past couple of decades (it use to be all farm land). It can serve as access to Morningside Height, Malvern North East and to some extent, Southeast Markham. There is also ample of space to make a station there on the south side where it crosses Morningside Ave. (the north end is park land with a creek). They could also add extra lanes before Swells Rd to park their GO trains overnight before their trip back to the west side. Thanks for this informative video.

[@pierreroy8124]

This is SO cool- from someone who worked on RER3 and rapid-transit architecture in Toronto....

[@RMTransit]

Thanks Pierre!

[@androiduser8780]

Loved this video, one of your best! You should reach out to Metrolinx with this and see what they say?

[@kevanhubbard9673]

The problem is that privatisation and the free market dogma has created a rivalry between passenger and freight operators and they are no longer seen as parts of an integrated system.Both are in competition for track access and obviously the more trains using a limited amount of track the more scope for delays,etc..

[@CoolAsFreya]

I live in Melbourne and I could spend my entire life still exploring my home city's train and tram infrastructure. We have a freight-only line that runs fairly close to the international airport, and they've only just now started planning a passenger railway connection to the airport mostly using the existing freight corridor, many decades too late but I'm glad it's finally in the works

[@tilmanarchivar8945]

Ok, Melbourne is bigger then some countries. ^^

[@Brianrockrailfan]

great video

[@Milaisacat]

A hundred freight CPKC trains a day strikes me as a very heavily utilized freight corridor. With that said, what a great video. I knew essentially nothing about this line, save for the fancy train station LCBO. Thanks for insightful information.

[@jimbobogie8204]

Speaking of Lakeshore East there's another "forgotten" line that follows the mid-town CP line to the Agincourt freight like then proceeds north to Peterborough (actually it goes all the way to Ottawa) but it has been allowed to deteriorate-I saw a track inspector several years ago near the line-when I asked him why he was there (I was smiling because I knew) he just shook his head. It's surprising that nobody has mentioned the Peterborough corridor (since we're talking about whole scale rebuilding/creating new lines). It's single track but could provide "inbound" service in the morning and return service at night. I'm living on Vancouver Island now and am very familiar with abandoned rail lines!

[@chaughten]

Great animations!

[@julianpineros1932]

Amazing video had no idea that LCBO was a train station that’s crazy

[@nmarycz]

This was amazing! I'd love to hear your ideas or concepts on the future of Ottawa/Gatineau transit network. While I would love a GOtrain network here, our population just isn't dense enough to justify it. I wish OC would revise our express bus system to be more like Gobus. Farther park&rides in Kemptville/Arnprior/Carleton Place/Casselman that could run both directions during the day, connecting the once rural areas with the rest of the city. I'd love a series of Reece's concepts for some much needed improvements for the other Canadian cities too!

[@mclarke5222]

Amazing video! It’s interesting how many Irish place names have been lent to Toronto

[@DejanOfRadic]

I've walked these tracks from Bathurst to the Ontario Science Center.....lovely views and some surprising vistas

[@hocamrastas4778]

Wow it was actually used for passengers in the past. So great that beautiful, functional heritage station facilities are still in place. It's got to happen.

[@FredIsMyName22]

Love fantasizing about go midtown. My plan would be to cut the Sunnybrook Park stop and put a stop where an extended OL meets the midtown line. My thinking is the OL will always be frequent and automated, so it makes for a better connection than line 5, though transfers to line 5 at science centre will be easy. The only issue is that results in close stop spacing

[@Absolute_Zero7]

I'd say the argument against that is probably that as Reece pointed, there is already going to be a stop at Thorncliffe Park which will in general be far more useful as a connection to the Ontario Line. So its not really Sunnybrooke Park vs Don Mills as it is Don Mills vs Thorncliffe Park, in terms of figuring out where to connect with OL.

[@dylanbmorgan3973]

Great video! Serious question, why hasn't this been done yet? And when do you think is likely for it to happen in the future?

[@_Matt_Matt_365_]

Holy crap! I didn't expect you to come up with a full on infrastructure project during the video! That's amazing!

[@RMTransit]

Haha, thank you! I appreciate that you appreciate it!

[@CameronVarley]

This would be amazing!

[@mcnudde]

This actually makes great sense.

[@jasperlim8909]

RMTransit! Definitely email all city councillors and the mayor's office with this amazing content!!!!

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

RM, you're a true visionary! (Looking forward to this new series.) What about an extra station close to the Zoo? (Why stop dreaming...)

[@mastersingleton]

A video on the West Toronto Line would be an interesting watch, and reactivating passenger service along the Midtown Toronto Line would relieve overcrowded train and bus lines during peak hour.

[@taz33m]

the clip of Toronto skyline at 10:32 was spectacular!

[@TagusMan]

This line would be perfect for the city. Toronto needs a diagonal line. The way they are over developing the Dupont corridor, we're going to need this line sooner than later.

[@masterseems8005]

This is a great video - logical & well thought out. Thanks very much for showing the potential of transit in our city & beyond. At the rate of development & projected population increase, something needs to be done about having people move around safely & quickly. We can't keep spending money on highways & need to invest in projects like these. I hope the people at GO, VIA, TTC, CP etc. can come to some productive agreements in conjunction with elected officials. But at the rate they move & the politics involved, it might be a while. But there is hope.

[@aderYYZ]

I loved this idea, RMT! It is so intelligent and efficient and I’ve never heard the Toronto MSM of politicians mention it. The rail lines are already established. What would the Feds have to do to convince CP to let it go that couldn’t get them to accept it. If this had been started when the Finch and Eglinton Crosstown’s began all the stations would have been already done, yet, neither of those lines are working still. Have you pitched this to the mayor? It makes so much sense and with so much future enhancements for GTA transit. I love it.

[@weaselwag]

as someone who used to live in north york and work in kipling and scarlett road (different jobs). THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN AMAZING. omg it is SUCH a pain getting there now! i love this idea

[@xavierjunod5967]

I use to work right next to those tracks. I got to witness the new TTC streetcars being delivered on freight trains, then being shipped back for repairs ^^

[@ricladouceur6202]

It criss crosses the city and there's huge capacity for extra lines as well. You've done all the work for them.

[@rickywinthrop]

I'm super excited for my great great grandchildren to be able to get around the city so fast.

[@RGC198]

Thanks for sharing this interesting video. Like Toronto, Sydney Australia has a number of unused passenger rail lines. One goods only line actually passes Marrickville Station 4 miles SW of Sydney and heads out to the airport. Unfortunately, it was never used for passenger train services. Apparently, Sydney City has several half built underground areas planned for use by trains that were never completed.

[@stefanzivkovic99]

Great video!! Would really love to see the two big freight railroads cooperating with provincial transit to open up more transit options to the city/people. I can only imagine the cooperation needed to open up some of these freight lines for public transit use! A note about the CN Bala sub at Doncaster and North. The Bala sub is one of CN's most valuable lines. It brings in the majority of intermodal/bulk goods from Canada. From the Wests ports, oil, grains, minerals and more, the Bala sub is the gateway into the GTA for CN. The railway has been real hesitant to cooperate with Metrolinx, increasing frequency of transit on the line through Richmond Hill decreases freight throughput into the GTA. While Metrolinx is increasing frequency slowly, upgrades to the Doncaster Diamond are only in Metrolinx's 25 year plan. The diamond is always backed up during afternoons, making space for GO Trains. Hard to convince CN to constrict its main artery. I do think line upgrades are feasible for shared use though, would love to see your proposed upgrades to the Doncaster Diamond, especially a tunnel under. Metrolinx owns all line south of the diamond and a Steeles station would be a great addition. Getting freight railroads to cooperate is quite a tough business case! Keep up the amazing videos and feel free to reach out if you need info on the Bala sub, I've got it all.

[@MrOfficialConsulting]

Reece. Why has the ttc not hired you as a consultant? Absolutely amazing videos. I live here in TO vp and finch area. Very well articulated and brilliant ideas. This is what we need more of in our city

[@e5ty]

they're too allergic to good ideas to hire people like him

[@Anonymity4LDAF]

Great video. What's needed is service across North Pickering, Whitby, and Oshawa. I wonder if this could work. Have you ever looked into running a commuter ferry between the Queen's Quay ferry terminal and st Catherines?

[@TaylerSpliff]

I love the OREKS tag at 0:16

[@jaygatz4335]

Great proposals! Let me add to the wish list: Extending service to Peterborough, and reviving the Don Branch line to connect Leaside with downtown.

[@dwightmcfee9521]

Fabulous

[@JamieTec]

Love to hear your review of hamilton's transit - current, proposed and what we should be doing

[@RobertDerusha]

Out in the Shwa we always heard that go would build a new station on this line. There's a huge property, the old knob hill farms plaza that would be perfect. They could even fit the bus terminal there, transfer the current go bus terminal to DRT. I've only ever heard that it would tie to the LSE line, so this would be a big improvement.

[@debestcanadian]

Nice presentation. One more very underused rail line that might be valuable to add to your plan would be the "Havelock Subdivision" line. This CP line branches northeast immediately after your proposed Agincourt Station, past the outskirts of eastern Scarborough and Markham, then through very rural areas to eventually wind its way to Peterborough. While this may not currently be enough to justify service, the big thing is that it runs adjacent to the land set aside for the long-proposed Pickering airport. If the airport is ever built, it would be a cinch to expand the rail service from Agincourt.

[@japanesetrainandtravel6168]

Reece, I would love you to do a video update on your thoughts regarding the O Train issues considering LRT Trains were pulled from testing and RTC confidence is now being questioned.

[@dansolo360]

For Metrolinx please take note of this amazing thinking. WE NEED THIS.

[@MadMadCommando]

Rail infrastructure development would be so much easier if we nationalized CN and CP. Not only would it help transit projects use underutilized freight corridors and be a great revenue source, with electrification, it could go long way to helping climate change by displacing the entire long haul trucking industry.

[@1Nanerz]

Lol! CN was federal until 1995. The government couldn’t run it worth a damn. It’s a much better system under private ownership and CN has been cooperative in working with Metrolinx.

[@MadMadCommando]

@@1Nanerz A much better system for who? Yes, a privatized CN is much more profitable, but if the railways in Canada were invested in properly, the long-haul trucking industry in this country wouldn't exist. If a government run CN was at all profitable, then that's that much less taxes you and I have to pay. Rail is way more energy efficient than any other form of land transportation, and trucking companies wouldn't exist if the government didn't pay for road maintenance.

[@railfantrainman1000]

I live in the Toronto area, have all of my 50 years, and have been a railfan since I was 4 or 5. There seem to be good ideas in this video - the major obstacle is CP Rail, I think. CP got out of the passenger business decades ago - just about everywhere you look in Canada, passenger service is on CN lines, or short lines, occasionally - very seldom CP. Canadian Pacific has never liked passenger service much. The only commuter service along CP in the Toronto area is from West Toronto through to Milton - CP only did that as part of a deal to avoid a lawsuit, or a bigger lawsuit, back in 1979 or the early 80s, because of the fire on their line in Mississauga in 1979 that pretty much forced half the city then to evacuate (at least 150,000 people, or more).

[@mr51406]

Wonderful dream! ⭐️ Not at all excessive! Build it and they will come! You could copy-paste this to Montreal’s mid-city CP beltline too. Wide enough for 3 or even 4 tracks. Which has some transit on it on the west side but doesn’t stop! Canora, Namur and Côté-St-Luc are naturals. And the Mascouche line uses CN’s beltline, but there are so few stations and, as I ironically say, the frequency is every leap year. It should be every half hour! And the right of way is definitely wide enough for 2 or 3 tracks.

[@nashvalen4307]

It will be really nice if you give us more information about the west side. Eglinton west rapid transit. Royal York, Islington, Martin Grove etc. how the stations are gong to look like, and its benefits. Thank you so much!

[@Pyotyrpyotyrpyotyr]

I live at St Clair West station, anything involving the go train or line 2 involves going down town. This train line as you describe would be so freaking sexy. It hadn't occurred to me as possible but hopefully.....

[@jasperlim8909]

this transit line will bring prosperity to many underserved communities, including Thorncliffe

[@andrewcanuck6417]

I couldn't help but notice with your final map showing the Mid town express line added that the only major rapid transit gaps in Toronto are exactly where the Highways are. How feasible do you think it would be to utilize these with DEDICATED busways including stations/stops located near off ramps? Do you think 401, 427, Gardiner and DVP could be knitted into the TTC system well? You talked generally about this in your video "highways can be useful" Feb 8 2021, but I'm curious if you think it could be successfully applied in Toronto. Transit planners talk so much about many of the damages of urban highways, are there serious plans to partially repurpose them for dedicated busways? Also thanks so much for your content.............I'm obsessed with your stuff :)

[@RMTransit]

Thanks for the kind comment! I recommend watching my GO ALRT video - I actually break down a concept for using the 401 corridor for transit in it! Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maXWh32JpruErNk

[@MirorR3fl3ction]

Two major things to add 1. Make the western terminating station either Cooksville or Port Credit Go stations, providing a vital rapid connection between the Lakeshore West Go, Hurontario LRT, and South Etobicoke Streetcar lines to Kipling Station 2. an extension to the west end of the St.Clair streetcar line to connect with one of the new stations on the Dupont corridor

[@canadave87]

Fun fact, my company's offices on Eglinton are located where they are partly because they thought that that the Midtown Line was going to become a GO corridor at the time (mid\late 90s, I believe). Now because of Line 5, we're likely going to be moving before that ever happens, since the site we're at is probably going to be redeveloped. Also, I think there's potential synergy with this line and VIA's High Frequency Rail plan, since I believe that they would connect or come close to connecting in Scarborough. It might open up the possibility of GO Train service to Peterborough, for example.

[@JMiskovsky]

In Prague we have transport system which includes trains. It does take some traffic. It seems that your transport lines have free slots for trains.

[@blackdogsn]

Such a great video. Love the idea of investing in under utilized rail infrastructure. Let’s abandon 413 in favour of midtown rail please!

[@wilfstor3078]

This is an awesome idea, which means that in this city it will never happen...

[@garthmcgibbon4285]

I lived in Toronto until the 1980s. I always wondered why no one had the vision you have to foresee the future for rapid transit in southern Ontario. You have a splendid plan and demonstrate its utility and usefulness. Could you consider how to intermesh all of the abandoned lines in southern Ontario to make rapid transit work from these lines into the city? Recently the Orangeville CP line has been abandoned. Will GO transit use that? Could be a great way to get to Collingwood. Also relaying of track from Barrie to Georgetown and into the western part of the city. The sky is the limit as to available trackage if the government cooperated. Only thing is their taxes on highway routes. I was surprised most of the abandoned CPR track up through the Don Valley is still intact. Definitely a lot of money will be saved if that is reactivated for the Toronto-Quebec City VIA rail route. I wish you well. You have spent a lot of time thinking this out!

[@synergy8462]

This proposal looks amazing! although I would extend the midtown go line to Peterborough.