Lakeshore West GO line is not effected by the heat that softens rail tracks

By Staff

June 19^th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

This came in from the media people at Metrolinx:

They list the GO lines that they expect will have problems with the tracks  because of the heat wave we are dealing with.

They listed Barrie Line; Stouffville Line and Lakeshore East.  They did not show Lakeshore West (that’s us).  We reached out and asked if this was correct?

GO Lakeshore West line – tracks don’t soften and the heat wave doesn’t impact the service.

The response: “That’s right – currently, there are no impacts to Lakeshore West rail services due to the extreme heat. If anything changes we will keep you posted.”

How does that happen?  Are they using a different kind of steel for the Lakeshore West line?

Does the heat wave stop before it gets to Oakville and Burlington?

Whatever – this is their story and they are going to stick with it.

None of the following applies to us.

During prolonged periods of high heat, rail tracks have the potential to soften and expand that require us to run trains at slower speeds. To ensure the safety of our customers and crew, slow orders are issued along the network which also reduce the risk of track damage.

As a result of ongoing heat patrols and slow orders, the following trips have been impacted:

Barrie Line: 

Union Station 12:54 – Aurora GO 13:44 – Customers can take a GO bus from Union Station Bus Terminal running express to Rutherford GO, and making all stops north to Aurora GO.

• Aurora GO 15:04 – Union Station 15:54 – Customers can take a GO bus from Aurora GO, making all stops south to Rutherford GO station, and then running express to Union Station Bus Terminal.
  • Customers travelling to and from Downsview GO are encouraged to use the TTC.

Stouffville Line: 

Union Station 14:12 – Mount Joy GO 15:07 – Customers can take a GO bus from Union Station Bus Terminal running express to Unionville GO, and making all stops north to Mount Joy GO.

• Mount Joy GO 15:34 – Union Station 16:29 – Customers can take a GO bus from Mount Joy GO, making all stops south to Unionville GO station, and then running express to Union Station Bus Terminal.
• Customers travelling to and from Kennedy, Agincourt and Unionville GO are encouraged to take TTC.

Lakeshore East: 

Union Station 15:20 – Durham College Oshawa GO 16:22 trip has been cancelled. Please consider taking the 14:50 or the 15:50 train departing at Union Station.

• Durham College Oshawa GO 16:40 – Union Station 17:42 trip has been cancelled. Please consider taking the 16:10 or the 17:10 train departing at Durham College Oshawa GO.

Kitchener Line:

The Bramalea GO 15:22 – Union Station 15:59 train will not stop at Etobicoke North GO today due to weather related track conditions.

Customers at Etobicoke North GO are encouraged to use local transit.

We know that heat-related delays can be frustrating for customers, however we must take proactive measures to ensure the GO Transit network operates safely in all kinds of weather conditions.