Vancouver Island Train

Jarritos

Well-known member
Feb 3, 2021
185
282
63
Lmfao, a bridge would cost literally BILLIONS to fucking build to get to the island. Look at a map, shortest distance would have to be either Tsawwassen terminal or Point Robert's to Mayne Island, then hopping over to N Pender Island/Salt Spring then finally Vancouver Island. Would take decades to build at the rate we can build here in Canada, disrupting wild life, and peoples properties. All to save maybe an hour commute. No thx
 
  • Like
Reactions: AmethystAngel

80watts

Well-known member
May 20, 2004
3,253
1,194
113
Victoria
Yes billions. But it would make a mega project, help improve commerce between mainland and island. Also Vancouver (mainland) and Van Island are only going to increase in population in the near future, with Victoria and area at a high construction rate. Vancouver is about used up, unless you put in tall skyscrapers, Van island could use that in certain places.
Island to make more campgrounds, hotels (tourist stuff).
Cost of materials will drop on the Island due to transport from ferries.
So build a bridge, but make part of the money made, pay for ferries to outgoing islands. A bridge would have as many as 10X people using the bridge as opposed to using the ferry.
A bridge will open the economy of both Vancouver and the Island.
Build the bridge...
Build a rapid transit too, when building the bridge.
Think big, not isolation.
 

johnywalker87

Active member
Nov 27, 2014
227
98
28
A bridge should be built between Vancouver and Vancouver Island but that means stopping a route for BC Ferries and displace jobs.

Wouldn't look good for the politicians if jobs where lost or if the people want this bridge due to cost, environment, etc.

Corym
No Thanks, a bridge would create more traffic. We want our Island to stay as it is for now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AmethystAngel

johnywalker87

Active member
Nov 27, 2014
227
98
28
Yes billions. But it would make a mega project, help improve commerce between mainland and island. Also Vancouver (mainland) and Van Island are only going to increase in population in the near future, with Victoria and area at a high construction rate. Vancouver is about used up, unless you put in tall skyscrapers, Van island could use that in certain places.
Island to make more campgrounds, hotels (tourist stuff).
Cost of materials will drop on the Island due to transport from ferries.
So build a bridge, but make part of the money made, pay for ferries to outgoing islands. A bridge would have as many as 10X people using the bridge as opposed to using the ferry.
A bridge will open the economy of both Vancouver and the Island.
Build the bridge...
Build a rapid transit too, when building the bridge.
Think big, not isolation.
There is not much land left for construction in Victoria, most of it is protected farmland and parks or first nation land.
 

80watts

Well-known member
May 20, 2004
3,253
1,194
113
Victoria
There is not much land left for construction in Victoria, most of it is protected farmland and parks or first nation land.
Actually there is lots of land, its to expensive to buy. Metchosin has min 5 acres lots, can't subdivide, but lots are bigger than 10- 20 acres. Saanich has lots of land too. Lots of people sit on large acreages in these areas. Most properties sit on land that have large backyards (the intention of this was so people could grow a garden- which was introduced in certain area during WW1 and WW2). Today those back yards fill swimming pools or a large garage, but not a garden any more. Today new housing is done on smaller lots with hardly any land area, in able to put up more housing. (kinda like the tins cans that get smaller without increasing the price of the item).
Yes there are agriculture areas; these are slowly being overcome by lawyers and owners who want to develop the land for housing (more money to them).
 

johnywalker87

Active member
Nov 27, 2014
227
98
28
Actually there is lots of land, its to expensive to buy. Metchosin has min 5 acres lots, can't subdivide, but lots are bigger than 10- 20 acres. Saanich has lots of land too. Lots of people sit on large acreages in these areas. Most properties sit on land that have large backyards (the intention of this was so people could grow a garden- which was introduced in certain area during WW1 and WW2). Today those back yards fill swimming pools or a large garage, but not a garden any more. Today new housing is done on smaller lots with hardly any land area, in able to put up more housing. (kinda like the tins cans that get smaller without increasing the price of the item).
Yes there are agriculture areas; these are slowly being overcome by lawyers and owners who want to develop the land for housing (more money to them).
Yes Saanich has a some land left but as I said it's mostly protected farmland especially up north peninsula near airport .If people from Lower Mainland want to steal our farmland for residential development, they are free to start with their own farmland in Delta area.
So you support replacing single detached houses with high density high rise buildings. I have seen recently some single detached houses being demolished in Esquimalt and high rise apartments buildings being built there. It looks ugly compared to how those quiet Esquimalt neighborhoods used to be before.
I don't understand why people are complaining of inflation and food prices in Grocery stores when they have a large backyard to grow food.
 

AmethystAngel

Sweet bohemian princess
Jul 31, 2015
19
23
3
46
Victoria
The ones who lived on the island before 2011 probably remember Victoria-Courtney train.
The rail tracks are still there , except Johnson Bridge section that has been removed.
Is there any hope some day this train service would be resume? It would be nice to keep it at least for the scenic ride across the Malahat pass.
I wish the government would get it's act together. It seems every year there is some big plan for development that never happens.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fiona

Fiona

🌸Oceansides Juiciest💦 Voluptuous Milf ❤️
Supporting Member
Jan 27, 2018
691
1,751
93
www.msfiona.com
Such a bridge would be in steps, hopping from island to island.
No property owner on those islands like Saturna or Mayne wants a bridge and all the associated traffic and riffraff.
Nobody wants Vancouver twats in loud stinky diesel pickups or tuner cars racing around here. You made Vancouver a mess and we don’t want you making a mess here.
Tell us how you really feel ! 😂👍🏻
We always want what we don’t have , I agree with you , places lose their charm when too accessible , I know it’s a hassle getting on & off the island but I kinda like that.

Used to ride the train from Langford to Ladysmith when I was a kid to see grandparents, such a gorgeous ride .
scary when a tree falls across the tressle in a ⛄ snow storm.
 

Deguire

Active member
Aug 23, 2018
107
48
28
Kits
Fun fact.
Do you know why the tracks are the width they are? Which is narrow and if wider would allow for so much more stability, speed, etc.
Narrow gauge 4ft - 8.5in was the approx width the romans used for their horse drawn carts, chariots etc. The width carried through the ages based on ruts found in various digs.
No one had the foresight to widen this way back when.
Actually, they did. When Stephenson invented the first steam engine, it is said that he used a gauge the same as existing horse-drawn coal carts. The brilliant Victorian engineer, Brunel, designed the Great Western Railway with a gauge of seven feet. When it became obvious that standardization was necessary, Brunel lost out since there was a lot more 4' 8 1/2" track at the time. Big mistake! We have been paying for it ever since.
 

johnywalker87

Active member
Nov 27, 2014
227
98
28
Used to ride the train from Langford to Ladysmith when I was a kid to see grandparents, such a gorgeous ride .
scary when a tree falls across the tressle in a ⛄ snow storm.
Did they allow little kids to ride the train by themselves at that time?
 

AmethystAngel

Sweet bohemian princess
Jul 31, 2015
19
23
3
46
Victoria
This is not a new development project, the rail tracks are still there. All they need to do is just fix them.
It's so frustrating.
You are right about the width but it is referred to as 'standard gauge'. Narrow is less than that.
I think my family would be rolling over in their graves how we have treated the lines. I know George wouldn't be impressed. Oh how the west has fallen.
 

AmethystAngel

Sweet bohemian princess
Jul 31, 2015
19
23
3
46
Victoria
I want to do a hike of the Vancouver Island trail )*part of the trans Canada trail) from Sooke to Shawnigan. It's only 8k but parts are over bridges and you are in the bush. It's built on old rail lines.
 
Vancouver Escorts