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| 1962-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2004 |
 
 

1962 - 1969
DATE:
YY/MM/DD
CORRIDOR:EVENT(S):
1962-Ontario Government establishes Metropolitan Toronto and Regional Transportation Study (MTARTS) to study and report on transportation policy and needs in Toronto and surrounding areas
1965, May 19LakeshoreJohn Robarts, Premier of Ontario, officially announces plans for commuter train service project between Ajax-Pickering, Toronto Union Station, Oakville, Hamilton
1965-7LakeshoreCNR and TTR upgrade signaling, switches, add high speed passing tracks between Hamilton and Pickering for GO opening
1966, Aug 15-Sept 02LakeshoreMockup wooden models and sections of first single level commuter cars displayed at CNE - cab car numbered 'D900' (Demonstrator) with destination board marker 'CNE'
1967, Jan-CNR 600, CNR 601 in dark blue paint and CN noodle logo roll out from GMD, London - GO's first power
1967, March-Single level cab cars and coaches begin rolling off Hawker-Siddeley production line
1967, Apr 02LakeshoreGO operates "shake-down" runs between Pickering and Hamilton
1967, May 20LakeshoreLast official operation of Canadian National Railways and Canadian Pacific Hamilton-Toronto commuter trains
1967, May 23LakeshoreGO Transit train service officially opens by the Province of Ontario under leadership of Premier John Robarts, between Pickering, Toronto, Oakville, Hamilton
1967, June 26LakeshoreTrain service increases to hourly between Oakville and Pickering under ETT authority #985 (SECOND ETT graphic soon)
1967, Aug 15-Sept 02-First scheduled GO Transit train stops at Canadian National Exhibition
1967, Sept 05LakeshoreTrain service increased to three trains per hour during rush hour times under ETT authority #1025
1969, Apr 10-. All self-propelled, cab cars, and loconotives equipped with Identra Commuter Train Identification coil mounting arrangements have been removed & will not be replaced
. for added safety vital circuits define maximum length of trains of 10 cars plus locomotive
. signals & crossovers and tracks schmetics modifed at Oakville for smoother operations

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1970 - 1979

1974, Apr 29GeorgetownNew GO Georgetown-Toronto service begins with three trips on weekdays only - station stops: Georgetown, Brampton, Bramalea, Bloor, Malton, Weston, Toronto Union
1974GeorgetownGO Etobicoke North station opens
1974, JulyLakeshoreGO tests borrowed bi-level cars from CPRail Montreal commuter service to test in Toronto on GO train service
1974, Sept 01-GO Transit operations turned over to newly formed Toronto Area Operating authority (TATOA)
1975, Nov 14GeorgetownCNR Guelph-Toronto commuter train service ends
1975-8GeorgetownGO Georgetown-Toronto adds fourth trip
1976, AprilLakeshoreGO leases C&NW bi-levels until 30 single levels car order from Hawker-Siddely is shipped in late 1976 - cars to be numbered 1076-1105 (later sold to Quebec 1994)
1978, March 13-GO introduces first bi-level coaches into service after extensive tests with lease of CPR bi-level coaches from Montreal commuter service
1978, Apr 29Richmond HillOffical opening of new GO Richmond Hill-Toronto train service
1978, May 01Richmond HillRegular train service begins with three weekday trips - stations: Richmond Hill, Langstaff, Old Cummer, Oriole, Toronto Union
1978, Oct-Bi-level cars from first order all operational
1979, AugustAllGO moves into new Union Station concourse with new operational control centre
1979, DecWillowbrook YdPhase 1 Willowbrook Yard shops operational

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1980 - 1989

1980, MarchLakeshoreCNR Burlington Station replaced by new GO station .5 miles to the east
1980, SeptWillowbrook YdPhase II of shops at Willowbrook Yard operational for diesel, cab cars, and coaches
1981, Oct 25MiltonNew GO Milton-Toronto offical opening
1981, Oct 26MiltonBegins with three trips per weekday only - stations: Milton, Meadowvale, Streetsville, Erindale, Cooksville, Dixie, Kipling, Toronto Union - first GO service on Canadian Pacific right-of-way
1982, Aug 23LakeshoreTrain Order issued that T/O Hamilton removed from service & withdrawn - GO trains do not need to obtain clearance at Hamilton Yd & exempt from Register Stn
1982, Sept 07BradfordGO begins service from VIA Rail between Barrie and Toronto with one round trip per weekday - stations: Bradford, Newmarket, Aurora, King City, Maple (Lefroy and Barrie stations cancelled)
1982, Sept 07StouffvilleGO begins service from VIA Rail between Stouffville and Toronto with one round trip per weekday - stations: Stouffville, Markham, Unionville, Milliken, Agincourt, Toronto Union
1983StouffvilleStouffville GO service includes stops at Danforth and Scarborough with Lakeshore trains alternating stops
1983, SpringLakeshoreTTR re-construction of Toronto Union and the unique 'flyunder' open for use
1983, Sept-Seventy-one bi-level Series II commuter cars being added - more than 60 improvements to these cars with better riding trucks, improved door seals, new emergency exit handles and tools and procedures, more reliable AC and heat
1985, Mar 15TTR
Lakeshore
Some GO trains getting stuck using the new fly-under when train length is 10-12 cars account 15mph speed restriction - after construction finished speeds increased to 30-35mph and problem overcome
1986, Oct 27LakeshoreThird weekday Toronto-Hamilton-Toronto round trip added
1988, Feb-GO515 first to receive and test Australian 'Metromizer' a device to improve fuel saving through better engineer operational control
1988, Mar-May-CPRail leases GO power 708, 707, 706 on March 19/20, Mar 26/27, Apr 02/03, Apr 09/10, Apr 16/17, May 07/08 account power shortage
1988, July-GO advertises for sale 500-507
1988, Aug 15-GMD rolls out GO 520 to 535 Series I F59PH units
1988, Sept 19LakeshoreAppleby station opened
1988, Sept-GO accepts delivery of first 16 F59PH units
1988, Nov-GO 500 to 507 sold to AMTRAK and renumbered AMT 192 to 199
1988, Dec 04LakeshoreNew GO subdivision from Pickering to Whitby - first use of concrete ties used in Great Lakes Region
1988, Dec 05LakeshoreRegular train service between Ajax and Whitby, all day, seven days a week begins
1989, Jan 09MiltonGO increases number of trains to five per weekday
1989, May-First three of twenty rebuilt single level cars on ONR 'Little Bear' operating between Cochrane and Moosonee
1989, JuneRichmond HillGO adds four trains, northbound
1989, OctRichmond HillGO adds four trains, southbound
1989, Dec-New bi-level order for sixty cars from UTDC/Lavalin ordered for May 1990 through April 1991
1989, Dec-1990 Jan-GO accepts delivery of GO 536 to 547 Series II F59PH's

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1990 - 1999

1990, Jan 29StouffvilleStouffville-Toronto adds second round trip
1990, Feb 27-Mar 27-GO 545 tested on Chicago's METRA commuter service runs
1990, Aug-GO 548 to 561 arrived in Willowbrook Yard
1990, Sept-GO advertises for sale 720-726, 900-908, 910-911 to close 25 Oct 1990
1990, Sept 17BradfordGO extends train service to Barrie
1990, Oct-GO receives 42 bi-level numbered 2254 to 2295 but GO renumbers to 2300 to 2341
1990, Oct 01LakeshoreOne round trip weekday train service between Oshawa and Toronto added
1990, Oct 28GeorgetownService extended to Acton and Guelph - one train only - offical opening
1990, Oct 29GeorgetownService extended to Acton and Guelph - one train only
1990, Oct 29MiltonGO adds one evening Milton-Toronto round trip and three midday Toronto-Erindale trips
1990, Nov-Dec 21-CP leases leases GO power 720,722,723,726
1991, JanLakeshoreTrain service to Exhibition begins year round stops for all trains - special events annulled in favour of this service
1991, Mar-Apr 30-GO 700-702, 705, 707-708, 720-721, 724-726 leased to CPRail - 720 replaces 721 as failed
1991, May 06StouffvilleGO Unionville relocated to south of town centre
1991, Sept 08LakeshoreGO car #9909 (MARC 7805) set on fire at CNR Danforth Yard where stored
1991, Oct-GO 708 outshopped as CNR 9675
1991, Oct 02-GO bi-levels 2456, 2457 and 2458 renumbered for lease as Tri-Rail 1013, 1014, and 1015 respectively to Miami, Florida
1991, Oct 23-CNR offers to overhaul GO stored single level cars for Montreal-Deux-Montagne commuter service at their Point St.Charles Shops
1991, Oct 23-GO bi-level 2459 removed from roster and made into wheel chair prototype car and renumbered 2499
1991, Oct 26MiltonMidday Toronto-Erindale service reduced to two round trips per day
1991, Nov 01-GO 703, 904 purchased by Tri-Rail, Miami, Florida
1992, Jan-CPRail leases GO 721, 723, 724
1992, Jan 09LakeshoreCab Car 105 destroyed by fire at CNR Danforth Yard where stored
1992, Feb-ONR replaces 'TEE' with retrofit GO single level cars
1992, Feb-Pandrol Jackson purchases eleven GO single level cars
1992, Mar 05-GO 723 off lease from CPRail
1992, Mar 16LakeshoreAnother GO single level car #1043 destroyed by fire while stored at CNR Danforth Yard
1992, Mar 18-Apr 06-GO bi-levels and ACPUs used by VIA Rail account VIA LRC cracked and broken axles
1992, Apr 01-Fare increases account Ontario government held back subsidsy
1992, May 23LakeshoreAll day seven days a week service extended to Oakville, Appleby, and Burlington (Fairview) on hourly service
1992, May 24LakeshoreActual ceremony at Fairview (Burlington) GO station to celebrate offical opening
1992, May 25LakeshoreGO Aldershot station opens by rush hour trains only
1992, June-Seventy of 85 remaining single level cars sold to Lima, Peru rather than Province of Quebec - deal collapses account finances so Quebec gets 80 cars Oct 21 1992 for delivery Feb 1993
1992, Sept 11-GO board approves in principle plan to sell its locomotives, cars, buses to European investors
1992, Oct-GO announces lease of four bi-levels to Tri-Rail Commuter in Miami, Florida
1992, Oct 21-Quebec obtains 80 GO single level cars
1992, Nov 01-GO sends four bi-levels to Miami
1993, Feb 01-Quebec begins accepting delivery of 80 single level GO cars
1993, Apr-GO places new order for 562 to 568 F59PH units for late delivery in 1993
1993, Apr 06-GO562-566 arrive at MacMillian Yard for transfer to Willowbrook
1993, Apr 19-GO 565-6 arrive Willowbrook
1993, Apr 25-GO 568 arrives Willowbrook Yard
1993, June 08-Old Port, Montreal displays GO cars 1081 and 1088 with CP 5557 and CN 6003 as part of demo for joint CN/CP commuter services
1993, June 15-GO 725, 726 transferred to Precision National Corp in Mt Vernon, Ill.
1993, July 02GeorgetownActon, Guelph stops canceled and service returns to Georgetown effective 05 July
1993, July 02BradfordGO operates last train to Barrie
1993, July 03LakeshoreGovernment cutback weekend and off-peak hour trains replacing them with buses to Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Oakville, Appleby, Burlington however regular trains service these stations during weekday rush hour times - all other stations maintain regular scheduled service
1993, July 05BradfordGovernment cut backs return service to Bradford
1993, Dec 15-Province of Quebec finally buys 80 single level cars (some sources show Dec 21)
1994, Feb 01-GO announces lease of bi-levels to California after their major earthquake
1994, Mar 03-Bi-levels start leaving for California for six month lease
1994, Jun 30-GO 801 shipped to Ontario Northland
1994, Dec 18LakeshoreGO Subdivision begins service from Whitby to Oshawa North (Oshawa North designated as GO station and Oshawa for VIA/CNR
1995, Jan-GO sells off last of its five remaining single level cars
1995, Jan 08LakeshoreGO Subdivision officially opens to Oshawa from Whitby
1995, Jan 09LakeshoreRegular service begins Oshawa to Toronto / Oakville West GO station renamed to GO Bronte
1995, Jan 22-Central Puget Sound Regional Transportation Authority (CPSRTA) leases GO equipment operated by Burlington Northern
1995, June-Wheelchair accessibility platforms available starting at fifteen stations with 42, 2300 cars made wheelchair accessible
1995, Oct-GO 800, 802, 900-903, 905-908, 910-11 sold to scrapper in Hamilton - deal falls through so units cut up at Willowbrook
1995, Nov 01-West Coast Express in British Columbia leases GO equipment
1996, Jan 08MiltonGovernment cuts back trains to five round trips per weekday - midday Erindale trains and evening trip from Milton also cutback
1996, Mar-GO unit now CNR9677 in CN paint
1996, March 4Richmond HillSouthbound trains cutback to three trains Monday to Friday
1996, Mar 15-Apr 19Georgetown
Richmond Hill
Georgetown and Richmond Hill trains department Track 12 and 13 during rush hour account asbestos removable at Union
1996, Apr 29LakeshoreHamilton terminal switches from CNR station to Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo (TH&B) station
1996, Apr 30LakeshoreRail service begins at TH&B station
1996, May 16-GO announces and begins advertising on bi-levels first appearing on Lakeshore corridor
1996, May 17-GO unveils advertising on bi-levels
1996, Sept-GO selling 566-8 with bids to close 07 Nov 1996
1997, Mar 21-Former GO single level cars appear in Calgary by Pandrol Jackson
1997, Jun 01-GO transfers maintenance of equipment from CNR
1997, Sept-Upgrades to 2200 series commuter cars completed
1997, Dec 17-AMT begins using GO cars on Montreal-Rigaud commuter line
1998, June 29LakeshoreGO schedules restructured into express and local trips
1998, June 29StouffvilleGO cancels stops at Danforth and Scarborough and Lakeshore returns to normal full schedule
1998, Aug 25-GO announces first over-haul of F59PH locomotives by Alstom on the EMD710 prime mover - work on first ten locomotives (520-529) began approx. Aug 01 and due back by 31 Dec - the remaining six (530-535) due back first half of 1999
1998, Sept 08BradfordBradford to Toronto begins second round trip
1999, Apr 26Richmond HillSouthbound trains returns to four trains Monday to Friday

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2000

2000, Apr 27Lakeshore
Markham
Richmond Hill
GO announces major timetable improvements to Oshawa, Bronte, Appleby, Burlington, all-day weekday Lakeshore trains / also to Markham (2 new trains) / also to Richmond Hill (new weekday evening train)
2000, May 01Lakeshore
Markham
Richmond Hill
New train service beings (see 27 Apr)
2000, May 09Lakeshore
Markham
Richmond Hill
Official opening ceremonies for 27 Apr and 01 May announcements
2000, May 15All Motive PowerGO begins using low-sulphur diesel fuel in locomotives during summer months
2000, June 29All Bi-level CarsBecause of water tragedy in Walkerton account Harris cut-backs, GO tested and discovered high levels of harmless bacteria at drinking fountain stations; GO reacted immediately to seal off all 279 bi-level car drinking water stations as a precaution (it took about 18 hours to complete)
2000, JulyMotive PowerGO installs and testing new cab unit AC on GO538 for headend crew
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2001

2001, MayMiltonCPR is renumbering all their trains to better reflect their priority on their entire system - Galt Sub GO trains on the Milton will be referred to by a two digit prefix and single letter suffix in their ETTs (this currently does not change the GO timetable numbers / conflicts with the CNR nmbering would be extensive) - the system changes 150-159 to 50G-59G (simple, just drop the leading one digit; add 'G' for GO to the end) - interesting note: in the years GO has operated on the Galt, this is only the third major timetable change since beginning operations
2001, 01 JulyAll + CNR, CPR, ONR, VIAToronto Terminals Railway (TTR) the controlling 'centre' for all trains through Union Station has been renamed, effective this date, to Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC)
2001, JulyMotive Power, CarsGO to lease from Tri-Rail in Florida - will be with GO for 18 months
Locomotive F40PH #811
U.T.D.C. coach 1008
U.T.D.C. coach 1009
U.T.D.C. cab car 504 - Tri-Rail 811 was an Amtrak F40PH once
. This equipment now exprected to remain with GO until March 2003
2001, OctGO Uxbridge / Newmarket SubsCANAC is to upgrade track on the GO Uxbridge Sub and Newmarket Sub lasting until June 2002

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2002

2002, JanAll. more people driving to GO stations or being dropped off
. average distance from home to a GO station was 4.2km
. more than 80% of GO passengers have access to a vehicle but choose to use GO Transit for their commute
. top three busiest stations were Oakville, Pickering, and Clarkson (all Lakeshore Corridor)
. Source: GO Transit News, Survey Stats
2002, FebNew Bi-LevelsNew Series VI Bi-level GO coaches are starting to arrive
2002, MarGO Uxbridge / Newmarket SubsThe CANAC contract for CN's Uxbridge and Newmarket sub track upgrading continues and should be completed by June 2002. The GO Uxbridge sub is receiving seven miles of CWR and 13 miles on the Newmarket. Track upgrade includes 15,000 new wooden ties, over 14 miles of CWR, 9,450 tons of ballast
2002, MarCasino TrainsGO now investigating running Casino Trains to Niagara's Casino on weekends in 2004
2002, 29 AprLakeshorenew morning express trains Burlington to Appleby, Bronte, Oakville, Clarkson
2002, 29 AprStouffville, Bradfordsix new stations announced to open over next year or two: Mount Joy, Centennial, Kennedy, York University, East Gwillimbury, and western part of Brampton to open 2004 on Hwy. 7 at Creditview
2002, 29 AprGeorgetownnew morning and mid-day trains between Bramalea GO station and Union Station serving Malton, Etobicoke North, Weston, and Bloor GO stations
2002, May-new station to open Septemebr 2002 for York University
2002, 21 JuneMiltontwo new trains to be added to Milton corridor - one morning and one evening after September Labour Day - first addition since 1989

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2004

2004, JulyAllNew Cab Cars NIS 242, 243, 244, 245 (see pixs under Cab Cars)
2004, JulyAllAll new 2500 series VII bi-levels NIS (see pixs under Car Stats)
2004, OctAllNew 2600 series VIII bi-levels now being delivered and NIS (see pixs under Car Stats)
2004, 01 NovBradfordNew station added at East Gwillimbury, CNR Newmarket Sub Mile 35.5

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