West Coast Express is a commuter rail line in the Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada. The only such rail service in Western Canada, the line serves to connect the suburbs and towns towards the east to the city centre at Vancouver Waterfront. The Route The line is 43 miles in length, with five trains per day in each direction taking 75 minutes for a full journey. The railroad is shared with Canadian Pacific who operate long distance and regional freight trains within the area. There are various industries along its length, including a large railyard at Coquitlam. There are line speeds up to 70 mph. The line starts by departing under the impressive skyline of Vancouver, snaking around Vancouver Bay, before intersecting the parallel metro line between Moody Centre and Coquitlam Central. It then passes through Coquitlam railyard, crosses the Pitt River and calls at numerous local commuter towns. The final stretch runs adjacent to the Fraser River across to the final stop at Mission City station, just north of Abbotsford. The line is very scenic; there are numerous landscapes from city, coastal, suburban and riverside, all being overlooked by the distant Rocky mountains and having the distinct conifer-dominated atmosphere characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. Route Map The Trains West Coast Express' fleet primarily composes of five EMD F59PHI diesel-electric locomotives operating with 44 Bombardier Bi Level Coach VI in a push-pull configuration, with the rear coach supporting a cab-car. Typical formations vary from four to ten coaches with a single locomotive. Canadian Pacific operate a large fleet of freight locomotives, the most numerous being the EMD GP38-2, EMD SD40-2, GE AC4400CWM and GE ES44AC, conveying a range of freight including box car, tanker and container loads. EMD F59PHI at Vancouver Waterfront Bombardier Bi Level Coach VI departing Port Coquitlam Canadian Pacific Railyard at Coquitlam Industry at Port Moody Golden Ears Road Bridge near Maple Meadows, crossing Fraser River Conclusion This route would offer a good mix of passenger and freight on a scenically varied route. Two new operators (West Coast Express and Canadian Pacific) and a second Canadian route in a new region (Pacific Northwest). Modest rolling stock requirements including reuse of some existing stock, together with an achievable route length makes this route seem very feasible, subject to licensing. This suggestion was actually inspired by a personal trip to Vancouver this summer, although I did not ride this line, my other adventures included a trip around the Vancouver metro network to the outskirts of the city, including the area around Moody Centre and Coquitlam, having by chance encountered this route in real life (having previously known little about it). The scenery here is truly stunning, and the route itself just seems like such a natural fit for TSW. Cab Ride: Thank you for reading. All thoughts and additional ideas welcome.
