Most of the world is allegedly metric in the transport sphere.....?!!
I sent an e-mail to Mile 77, asking them why the speeds of the trains were expressed in mph - I thought that metric propagandists would have us believe otherwise.
I got a reply from Wayne, who said:
"Hi Frederick,
Thank you for your question.
I cannot tell you about the subways in Toronto or Montreal. However, with
regards to railways in Canada not converting to metric, there are many
reasons.
1. Canadian locomotives spend much time in the United States and visa versa.
Compatibility must be maintained.
2. The cost and logistics of conversion of all locomotive speed and distance
measuring equipment would be a real hassle.
3. Every mile along the right-of-way there is a milepost, and there is a
phenomenal amount of right-of-way. Same situation applies as point number
two, above.
To make a long story short, it would be a nightmare (and excessive money) to
convert; and possible cause confusion for cross-border operators (CN-IC and
CP-SOO to name to main two).
One thing to remember is that the conversion to metric cost the Canadian
taxpayers a very large amount of money. The Canadian Pacific Railway and
other railways would likely not have access to this funding
I remember an incident back when the conversion was under way. A new
state-of-the-art Air Canada passenger jet had to make an emergency
dead-stick landing at a abandoned airstrip in northern Manitoba because is
ran out of fuel. A litre/gallons kg/lbs conversion error was made.
I suppose for motor vehicles the safety factor is not as great as for rail.
That's my spin on it! :)
Take care!
Wayne"
Here we are!!
|