Two more trains delivered, bringing Ion total in region to eight

WATERLOO — Two more Ion trains have arrived in Waterloo Region, pushing the total to eight.

All the vehicles — produced in Kingston — are now fully-assembled, according to the latest monthly update released Friday on the production and testing status of the 14 Ion trains.

That just leaves the first train, 501, which was built by Bombardier in Thunder Bay, delivered to the region and then sent to the Kingston plant for major production upgrades. It’s close to completion, waiting on back-ordered parts.

“It needs some modifications, but not too many anymore,” said regional Coun. Tom Galloway.

Galloway got a first-hand look at the vehicles in the Kingston plant on Friday at the end of a family camping trip in the area.

“It was great to see all six vehicles completed,” he said. “All 14 vehicles are assembled and factory-complete.”

The latest vehicles were delivered on July 19.

The region finalized an agreement with Bombardier to install GrandLinq’s on-board equipment and make the necessary modifications to accommodate the equipment on each train. It’s anticipated eight vehicles will be retrofitted with the specialized equipment in Waterloo, and six in Kingston.

Retrofitting has begun in Kingston, and the first fully equipped train is expected to be in the region in late summer. Three vehicles here were scheduled for retrofitting starting this week.

The region expects to meet the target of launching the service in December.

“It’s coming along,” Galloway said.

“There’s no room in the schedule for any major hiccups.”