A trespasser's photo of railway tracks near Vaudreuil-Dorion - 26 Mar 2013 Jason Magder.

24 July 2013

Vaudreuil-Dorion Takes Action
on Train Speeds

Montreal Quebec - The mayor and residents of a town west of Montreal will post speed signs along the railways to raise awareness about federal regulations that limit train speeds in municipalities.
 
Even before the deadly train derailment and explosion in Lake Megantic, Vaudreuil-Dorion's Mayor said residents of his town were fed up with the dozens of trains passing through the community every day, some reaching speeds of 100 km/h.
 
On Thursday, the town will post three huge speed limit signs along the tracks.
 
With the signs measuring 1.2 metres by 2.4 metres, the Mayor Guy Pilon said the message will be hard to miss.
 
"No train can come through without seeing it. And we're going to put them on posts thirty-five feet high, with a four by eight, so imagine, drivers will see it, that's for sure," Pilon said.
 
Previous letters to the federal government and rail companies haven't produced results. A petition started by the town now has more than 100,000 signatures.
 
"We have to win this war because it's war between a big, big, company, the government, and a little community like us," said Pilon.
 
Selling Home
 
One resident of Vaudreuil-Dorion said the dozens of trains passing through may cause his family to move.
 
"We're thinking to sell the house, concerning this matter," he told CBC News. "The area is very nice, it's great for family, the kids really like it. The only problem is the train."
 
CP rail spokesperson Ed Greenberg said train engineers honour speed limits set by the federal government, but that doesn't mean they can't go slower when necessary.
 
"Our crews adhere to those federal regulations but they have the ability, if there is a concern regarding conditions on the track, to slow down if required," he said.
 
Pilon is urging others to sign his town's petition and says more signatures could lead to change.
 
"So just talk to your friends, make sure the petition is signed," he said.
 
Author unknown.

Vancouver Island
British Columbia
Canada