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How old are go trains?

Created in 1967 as Government of Ontario Transit – many customers today don't realize what the descriptive acronym 'GO' actually stands for – the system was Canada's first interregional public transit system.



The GO Transit rail system in Ontario, Canada, is currently 59 years old, having officially launched on May 23, 1967. It was Canada's first specially designed commuter rail system and began with a single line along the Lake Ontario shoreline (the Lakeshore line) between Oakville and Pickering. In its early days, GO used "Hawker Siddeley" single-deck cars, but the iconic "Bi-Level" coaches (the green and white double-decker trains we see today) were introduced in 1978. As of 2026, the GO train network has evolved into a massive regional backbone with seven lines and over 60 stations. While the "system" is nearly six decades old, the actual trains in service today are much newer; Metrolinx has been engaged in a massive "GO Expansion" project throughout the 2020s, which includes the introduction of electric trains (EMUs) and the refurbishment of the existing diesel fleet to provide 15-minute two-way service. So, while the brand is a "boomer" in age, the technology is rapidly moving toward a high-frequency, modern European-style rail experience for the Greater Toronto Area.

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Metrolinx currently owns 80% of the GO's rail corridors. All GO Transit fares are calculated by the fare zones that the origin and destination of the trip are in, as well as by passenger category (adult, student, senior or child).

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When customers use the bathroom on our newer coaches, it all goes in a chemical holding tank – or a 'retention tank'. And what about the smell? The toilets are flushed with a blue chemical that has a cherry scent. GO Transit estimates an annual usage of 1.2 million litres of the blue stuff from all fleets.

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The Glacier Express is the world's slowest train, taking more than eight hours to travel between Zermatt and St. Moritz in Switzerland at an average of 18mph. Along the way, it passes over nearly 300 bridges, travels through 91 tunnels and takes in endless stunning Alpine views.

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NYC No. 999 4-4-0 was quite the speed demon for its time. The first locomotive to travel over 100mph, 999 hauled the Empire State Express and hit a world record speed of 112mph!

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Trains may run at slower speeds at night for a few different reasons: Safety: Running trains at slower speeds at night can help to reduce the risk of accidents, particularly in areas where visibility is limited or where there are potential hazards such as wildlife or debris on the tracks.

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