My Favourite Spot in Toronto | West Toronto Railpath | City Adventures
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- This week I took a trip to one of the most important transit hubs in Toronto, and to take a walk along a major rail path-turned multi-use pathway in the city. Come along with me and let's talk transit!
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!
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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!
![Cycling Dupont & The West Toronto Railpath (Narrated) on August 3 [4K]](/img/1.gif)
This video is longer than usual, but it has a ton of heart in it, so if you like it - share it with a friend!
Is GO getting EMUs? If so, what type?
That was probably me that passed you on my ebike that morning!
Nice video, I also like car-free urban paths as they add to quality of life.
One thing I think we could have learned from all the converted factory lofts is that these old-style factories actually convert pretty well. They used to house machines and workers, and they can again if they need to. Now they have offices, retailers, art galleries, residences, and whatever else we need. Old-style factories are interesting, comfortable, and flexible multi-use structures, and maybe it's time we started building them again?
I agree 100% they are great spaces and the flexibility is so valuable because like you say they can adapt over time!
On top of that, they just look darn charming, the old ones that is. Can't say the same for Amazon fulfillment centres.
I live right next to the West Toronto Railpath and it is easily my favorite feature of the neighbourhood. Your description of the juxtaposition between nature and industry is spot on. It's what I love about this little trial and I am so happy to see it covered on your channel.
Couple of things to note about the Railpath that you may not have known: The city is planning a major southern extension and renovation of the trail that will see it extended all the way to Queen (and then onto King as it is tied into a development there). For the renovation component, they will be adding "green walls" separating the rail corridor from the trial. These walls will be clear sound barriers with fences next to them that function as lattices for vines they will be planting. This will both add to the greenery of the trial and deter graffiti. Additionally, they will be adding new seating areas, a parkette on Ernest, and rough-ins for a connection to both the Davenport Greenway and Suroran park. This project is finalized and fully funded so its nice to actually speak with some confidence about something exciting without fear that it will never materialize.
Living in this part of town is already pretty nice, but there are so many amazing things planned here that have me excited for the future of this neighbourhood. It's crazy to think that only 20 years ago this area was crack-central.
Thanks for the video, Reece. It was a pleasure to see you cover something very dear to me.
That's great to hear! Thanks for sharing. Do you know a rough timeline for start and completion of the extension?
Really looking forward to the extension! Very, very cool.
Nice! Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Ur neighborhood is really nice looking George
@@christopherkotsopoulos701 construction is planned to start in the Spring of next year and finish by the end of 2023. The extension/renovation of the Railpath will coincide with improvements to the GO station and rail corridor, which will add a new connection to the subway platform and another track for the Kitchener line. The next two years are going to be a mess and I probably won't be seeing much of the Railpath, but when it's done it's going to be great.
26:39 oh we certainly do appreciate the effort and heart that went into this one!!
Also that shot of the UP Express train leaving the station with the morning sun reflecting off of it, beautiful sky, chill music, and some glorious TOD in the background is literally 10/10 **chef's kiss**
ps if you're looking for a new clip to add to a new intro, I nominate this one!
I very much enjoyed the morning walk and exploration with you. Let's do it again soon. A walk around Kennedy Station would be nice when it is complete.👍
I agree! Thanks for watching!
Welcome to my 'hood. Love using the Railpath. I used to live east of it, and now I'm west of it - I tracked all the Grade Separation and Railpath building progress in the past. Don't forget the awesome Osler Fish Market near Osler/Dupont. You walked right by the back wall of it when on the Railpath. Love the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Art and live-work spaces (huge renovated brick building/coffee house) off of it. If we bicycle, I will share an amazing shortcut via the railpath and small streets to get downtown.
Benches! What a great idea.
As a 77 year old, who loves to walk,someplace to rest once in a while is essential.
Most of the walks I choose forces rest brakes on someone's front stoop.
Benches should be mandatory for every and all walkways,
I agree, they also just make for nice places to relax and read or eat a snack or talk to a friend!
Agreed!
What a delightful way to spend an afternoon. I can bring some fruit.
15:00 "I do think there may be a case for speed limiters"
Yes! For all motorized vehicles, though - not just e-bikes/e-scooters/etc : )
Of course!
In the EU from 2022 onwards all cars will have speed limiters, because European drivers... let's say they don't like to go under the speed limit when driving on the highway xD
And in the EU all scooters and E-bikes are limited to 25 kph, if you go over that speed, you lose your electric power. So technically it's still possible to go over 25
@@portugueseeagle8851 what about the Autobahn? Are they going to start having speed limits on those?
If so, I got to get over there quick before that happens. One of the things in my bucket list is to drive a fast car on the no speed limit Autobahn.
This is a highly relaxing video to watch after an entire day of Zoom Meetings.
I've always wondered what the community reaction would be when changing a linear park (back) to a railway? Can previously abandoned rail right of ways that are now cycle paths etc become transit again? Awesome video!
Thanks! I definitely think it would be a bit controversial but as a last resort I think it’s acceptable. That said if you’re in an area so dense that you can’t expand the right of way then perhaps it’s time to start Tunnelling
For cyclists this would be pretty terrible. The West Railpath is such an amazing piece of infrastructure that helps us avoid deadly, car-choked roads. So little of city infrastructure is given to cyclists, it would be very bad to lose one of our safest, most comfortable routes.
The city is actually working on a project right now to extend it down past Queen St. Once that's done it will be an even more vital connection link for west end to downtown bike trips.
@@gregvassilakos That's the answer, preserve trail paths.
Um... cycle paths are a form of transit.
@@HughGordon totally, thank you for the correction, what at meant was railways 🚈 🛤!
I genuinely enjoy these casual strolling videos. They're somewhat RUclips slice of life style essays for people stuck at home looking for work in these troubling times.
Great video! Would love to see more like this
I like how in London our electric and hydrogen buses don't even advertise it and the new electric ones didn't even get in the news really. It's just sort of expected. During the Olympics when they were retrofitting all the buses as hybrids they made a bit of a thing of them, but they still only got a little logo on them rather than becoming obnoxious.
Well, these were Toronto's first in decades so I don't mind it - makes spotting them from a distance easier too and helps make the public aware! I would support maybe wrapping them until it's time to replace it - that way people get familiarized!
@@RMTransit What make of bus are they Reece?
Same here. Our STCP brand of buses just says on the side in smallish letters "100 % Elétrico". But asides from that it looks the same as the natural gas ones.
12:25 That's the Toronto Hydro's Junction's substation. Built 1920 to serve that area with electricity and still in use today.
Definitely make more of these types of videos.
It'll be neat to go back to this spot once GO is electrified
This video is excellent, getting the same vibes I got yesterday taking my Metro to some new shops I discovered
Thank you!
Last year I was living near the Railpath, and an almost daily walk was to do 2 up-and-backs of the path. With the walk to/from where I was living, it added up to about 10km. Helped me achieve my goal of walking 300km last September. Absolutely love the railpath - best walking in Toronto.
I work in the building at Randolph (21) on the third floor (the Red Cross building). Unfortunately, there are no windows on the rail side. That said, I commute from Brampton and this go station being located literally a few feet from my office is about as good as it could be for me, other than living next door. I walk to path at lunch, usually. Its great to have this. Thanks for doing this video.
Thats so cool! Thanks for sharing, and for watching!
I loved this video.
You have a knack of finding and presenting the interesting bits in something that looks mundane to the onlooker. I used to live fairly close to the area (circa College & Brock) and did not even spare 41 minutes to see the West Toronto Railpath but this 41 minutes flew by. And I learned a lot! Keep them coming!
Toronto looks beautiful! I need to take a vacation there some day. Also I enjoyed the vlog style content.
Literally everyone: ug living next to a railway sounds awful. too loud.
RMTransit: how cool would it be to have a studio in this old dilapidated building next to a busy rail corridor? Maybe someday!
😂
I’m just discovering your vlogs a year later. I love watching this type of content and hearing you out in such a casual tone. Looking forward to more!
Most multi-use trails have a speed limit of 15 or 20kmh I believe. The problem is an utter lack of enforcement. Ebikes can go up to 34kmh on the roads safely.
Great video and a nice change of pace!
20 km/h is the speed limit on recreational paths in Toronto. But yeah, complete lack of enforcement.
I used to live near the end of this trail and take this walk every morning before work!! :)
Wow, you're so passionate about trains and their infrastructure! Love it!!
33:48 the MOCA building is very cool and surroundng development is adding much needed density 2024ish. perhaps a toronto rail + neighboorhood connection video would be a great video topic
I used to go that area all the time, thanks for posting the video!
It's kinda fun seeing the guy from Langley experience different parts of Toronto that us born locals take for granted. I've actually never been on the west Toronto rail path but all the buildings you saw and pointed out are exactly what I'd expect.
Haha, its very cool and makes me wonder about alternate realities for railways in other places (like Langley!)
This is cool! The vlog’s are fun so I’d be down for more.
I was just introduced to you and your channel after seeing you featured on Johnny Strides video. This is the first video of yours I have watched and I liked the way you edited this video and the background music. The CP "midtown line" you mention is the CP North Toronto Subdivision and the North Toronto subdivision is short and runs through midtown, between Scarborough and ends at the Davenport diamond at the northern tip of the railpath.
Most Ottawa shared paths have 20km/h speed limits. (As someone just peddling, I honestly have no idea how close I get to that speed… I should invest in a speedometer.)
I think speed limits for human power are a little less necessary, but with new ebikes being increasingly close to mopeds I think it makes sense
Other trails in TO do have speed limits for bikes so I'm surprised the railpath doesn't. Parts of Taylor Creek and the Donlands trails are 20km and some wider sections are 30km. But even human power can be a bit too quick, especially if they're road bikes.
I liked that. Really interesting. Appreciate it very much. You could do more in that way. That'd be great.
They are currently working on connecting the rail path on the south side of Dundas that will go down to King St., I think they are currently doing grade work, you can see it if you take the UP to union
Love this video. More trains!
Yes. Vlogs like this are great.
Tier 4 locos at the beginning were paired on the Lakeshore corridor were the norm, pre-pandemic.
During 2020, I think they were used on other corridors, but now are on all GO corridors.
I haven't ridden a BYD yet, but have ridden an XE40 and a Proterra. Both pre-covid.
I think it's narssistic for those who hate towers, but once population grows beside these big transit/rail corridors, where do the people go?
PS: Love the Flexity Streetcars.
Enjoyed watching this, but so sad to see so much vandalism (Graffiti) which just gives the vibe of the area being a dangerous place to be.
This is my home base when I’m not at school, definitely a really nice area
Nice video like and subscribed from Czech Republic 🙂👍👍👍👍👍
my man is afraid of pigeons. never would i have imagined...
That was enjoyable
I love that area too, it's one of the great urban anomalies (if that's the right term to use) within Toronto. Railfanning in that area is also really exciting and will be in the future. Excellent video, loved every minute!
A true rail enthusiast enjoys trains by wanting to walk for miles next to them, and not sullying them by going inside.
I think the tunnel would come in through that blank wall by the elevator. Would make most sense for step-free access.
Imagine sleek EMUs flying back and forth through there, but yeah, Transport Canada needs to lose the engine bell requirement through stations. Maybe a video on engine bell history and what’s needed to get TC to drop this, or maybe the City can pass a whistle ban like Barrie did but for bells too.
TC would have to coordinate with the FRA for that and the FRA is not going to drop that requirement ever
@@JBS319 Last time I checked, Canada and the USA have been two different countries for the last 238 years.
@@kevinlove4356 and yet even when Canada was still a part of the UK its railways were built to American standards. The USA Canada and Mexico operate one continuous railway network: in fact Canadian Pacific now has trackage in all three countries. Locomotives are generally pooled and therefore must be built to FRA standards which includes bells. TC and FRA generally consult with each other before making changes with FRA having the bigger influence because it has the bulk of the rail network and its requirements also apply to CP and CN.
@@JBS319 Actually, no. Following a Royal Commission's recommendations, in 1851 the government of Canada (what is today Ontario and Quebec) mandated a track gauge of 5' 6". This remained in effect until 1870, when the parliament of the new Dominion of Canada repealed the previous Act that mandated 5'6".
The rail diamond (which is also a hashtag!) is in fact the one that was removed for the grade separation. Its the last West Toronto Diamond.
Sometimes it depends which track you go to for boarding at Blood and Weston. Since stoufville turns into Kitchener if it's 10 car or 12 car then the train will use the far further out ones that are not integrated with UP Express. If it's 6 or 8 car then it uses the UP track.
There are plans to extend it south that are underway!!
I think those metal structures are just in place to prevent people from climbing them.
I would love a video on the SF Ferry SMART train system, or just SMART. The ferry was just to entice you.
When your channels continues to grow you will be able to afford that 🤣🤣. Let's talk again in 5 years.
Nicely done! The only thing I’d recommend is adding subtitles to decode most of the initialisms abbreviations you use.
GO should get ACS-64s
If they built the new platform at Bloor, it would be the first platform 0 in the GO network I think!
It's not one of my most frequented bikeways, but it's a lovely ride through the "rust belt". BTW, there is a 20km/h speed limit on Toronto's bike tracks. Unfortunately it's almost impossible to enforce but I do get upset when lycra-clad roadies and E-bikes whiz past pedestrians at 30 and 40km/h. You wanna go that speed, take the street.
No but I honestly love graffiti. 13:40 is so aesthetic
We don't call it the up express, we all know it is pronounced the "You P" Express. Has been that way from day one. We don't call the TTC the Titc, it's TTC.
All the fences make the path resemble a prison yard. Maybe the whole area is a big construction site.
My friend lives in those townhouses😆
Creepy lighting in the underground section and stairways
7:12 I will be living next to the finch LRT
Cool!
Here in Germany E-Bikes are speed limited to 25 Km/h. There is another class up to 45 Km/h that require you to get insurance and a license plate. Also you're technically not allowed to ride on bike lanes with these faster ones.
Yeah things are a bit wild west in North America, for better or for worse!
Could you make a video about the debat about transit project in Québec city. Please, I would really be interested to hear an outsider percpective :)
@ 2:05 - I always thought those were so creepy! Why should you have to kiss the person who drops you off? If it's a family member or other loved one then fine, but when I take a taxi or Uber to the station, I'd prefer to just tip the driver in cash. Really, some of the drivers just haven't been that kissable!
Its just a name
@@joeyknight8272 Well, I wish someone would explain that to the drivers!
@@ElmerCat is this a joke?
@@joeyknight8272 You mean, you've never received that "Aren't you forgetting something, dear?" complaint, when all you wanted to do was rush off and catch your train?
On the point of new UP Express trains, I think the issue might be that this is such an awkward time to purchase new trains. You can purchase DMUs now, but in 4 years you're going to have wires strung up already at which point you have to convert them to EMUs. Knowing this, Metrolinx is probably asking what's the point? Just wait for OnCorr to to start, get the full specifications you need, and just order new EMUs.
More like this
Todays my last day in Toronto! I’ll check this out :)
Good idea!
Ah. Good ol' DDW.
where's the video on the Swiss rail network. With only 8.6 million people, Switzerland might be small enough that you could do video on the whole network (or at least an overview). If the whole country is too big, I nominate the capital city of Bern to be showcased. the street car network is crazy in Bern. A vid on just one of the Swiss cantons could also be great.
Does Dmity Rogachev do videos like this one? My Russian is nonexistent, so I can't tell if his commentary is the same
Oh man! We have a similar path called the Ringgleis where I live in Brunswick (the german one), which mostly runs along old freight rail - which in part is going to be converted to tram rail over the coming years. Just something special about a walk down this kind of path at dusk/dawn isn't there?
When is the line due to be electrified?
Has Toronto ever said "No" to a developer? Like, can anybody just build anything if they can afford it? How many new lego-block condo towers does the GTA need?
Why do you hate developers building homes for people to live in?
The City of Toronto has frequently said "no" to developers, however Tory provincial governments have given the Ontario Municipal Board the power to overrule the city government and ensured that it is in the pockets of developers.
On top of which Canadian real estate is one of the best money laundering channels in the world so condos are built to facilitate money laundering, not to be lived in. Federal, provinicial, and municipal governments, bank stock holders, and many other groups benefit from this so it is unlikely to change.
@@The-Axel Thanks for your view on it. I have been personally dismayed by the expensive but overall shittiness of newer Toronto condo buildings. I have heard that Canadian real-estate is quite popular for laundering money. I've seen news stories about people moving into new condos that are unfinished and barely liveable, and I guess that's because the developers build so many units that are bought but unoccupied. I would also add that REITs, large real-estate investors, have also gorged themselves on cheap loans to buy and develop new real estate. Many of the biggest companies are publicly traded. I'm sure REITs are a major corrupting factor in municipal/provincial building deals, though their activities are legal on the surface.
In response to your comment about things being unlikely to change, I would retort that it's up to us to change it. Politics is a constant struggle, but this persistent defeatism is exactly why the GTA is such a dump. The people just throw up their hands and move to an overpriced, cookie-cutter condo in the middle of nowhere, and accept their 2hr highway commute each way, and their stroads, and their supercentres, and the lifestyle they can just barely afford that leaves them fat, tired, poor and pissy, with only the appreciating value of their houses and Toonie Tuesday at Popeyes to look forward to. The way I see it, as long as there is blood in my veins, and breath in my chest, I can do something about it.
Few people in the video. Does Toronto really have 2.9 million people? 😂
BTW, living right next to the railway is quite noisy (especially at night). I think the house price should be cheaper?
The chill hiphop music isn't going to make me like the 6 lane stroads that separate construction sites where you can already tell they're building something tacky.
The West Toronto Rail Path should have been extended north to Weston. Sadly, Metrolinx and the City couldn't get their acts together.
RM make a vid of 903 TTC bus
the problem isn't the (e-)bikes, it's the "multi-use" path.
I live in Long Beach, California (Los Angeles County). I'm used to seeing gang spray paint tagging along LA Metro track corridors. I however was shocked to see the degree of graffiti in your area of Canada. The "artists" have deemed worthy as canvases, not just the expected buildings, walls, structures, but also rubbish bins and benches.
Why do all Train in North America constantly ringing bells while driving. I understand when they would do that an an unprotected rail-road crossing but here the line is fenced in and no level crossings.
I think it's because it's pulling into the station, I might be wrong but that'd be my guess
👍👌👏😊❤️🇺🇸
Hmm..I see you don't like pigeons...😊
Out & about (the town). This has been different than inside (the studio).
Indeed, hope you enjoyed!
Hey Reece why don't you make Rail Vlogs. Reviews of trains, classes, different stations and lines.
I think lots of other people already do this and do it well, I have more to add in other areas!
29:15 "tout est possible for Some Butt Stuff?"
Rail Path needs lights