ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[Bob_McBob]

This is the first time I've listened to one of these ice events over the scanner, and it's an absolute shitshow. As soon as the overhead lines ice up, LRVs start losing power, and the entire system quickly stops functioning because the route is blocked. LRVs dwelling at stations start having their own power issues, traction and braking become a problem on any kind of incline, etc. They've spent the last two hours trying to just move LRVs with various coordinated passing maneuvers. They were supposed to be sending out a scraper an hour ago, but it still hasn't happened. Two trains are running coupled right now, another is stuck and asking for permission to move back and forth on the line to get past the sticking point, and another is at Conestoga Station with no power. They've already basically said service is finished for the night. Some LRVs between stations still have passengers stuck on them after hours because the shuttle buses aren't running properly.

I don't see how this is a viable situation. The whole idea of running trains continuously in winter weather to keep the lines clear etc. is a fairy tale. Any ice accumulation pretty much guarantees the system will go down for an extended period almost immediately.