View source for Stouffville line

{{Short description|Commuter rail line serving Toronto, Canada}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width       = 300px
| name            = Stouffville
| color           = {{rcr|GO Transit|Stouffville}}
| logo            = {{rint|gotransit|rail|G|x|size=35}}
| logo_width      = 
| logo_alt        = 
| image           = Stouffville GO Train Westbound from Danforth.jpg
| image_width     = 300
| image_alt       = 
| caption         = A southbound Stouffville train west of Danforth GO station.
| type            = [[Commuter rail]]
| system          = [[GO Transit rail services]]
| status          = 
| locale          = [[Greater Toronto Area]]
| start           = [[Old Elm GO Station]]
| end             = [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]]
| stations        = 11
| routes          = 
| daily_ridership = 6,700 (2019) <ref name="daily-ridership">{{Cite web
|url=https://www.metrolinx.com/en/discover/go-transit-ridership-update-%E2%80%93-how-is-your-station-or-line-doing
|title=GO Transit ridership update – how is your station or line doing?
|publisher=Metrolinx
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224234825/https://www.metrolinx.com/en/discover/go-transit-ridership-update-%E2%80%93-how-is-your-station-or-line-doing
|archive-date=24 February 2024
}}</ref>
| open            = {{Start date and age|1982|09|07}}
| close           = 
| owner           = [[Metrolinx]]
| operator        = [[GO Transit]]
| character       = 
| depot           = 
| stock           = [[MPI MPXpress|MPI MP40PH-3C]], [[MPI MPXpress|MPI MP54AC]], [[EMD F59PH]]; [[Bombardier BiLevel Coach]]
| linelength_km   = 49.6
| tracklength     = 
| tracks          = 
| gauge           = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}}
| old_gauge       = 
| minradius       = 
| racksystem      = 
| routenumber     = 
| electrification = 
| speed           = {{convert|90|mph|kph|0}} (max)
| elevation       = 
| website         = 
| map             = {{switcher
|{{Rapid transit OSM map
| frame-width  = 300
| frame-height = 450
| frame-lat    = 43.8
| frame-long   = -79.3
| frame-align  = right
| zoom         = 10
| stations     = y
| single_line  = y
| marker-symbol= rail
}}
|Show interactive map
|{{GO Transit Stouffville}}
|Show simplified route diagram
|{{Stouffville line detailed}}
|Show detailed route diagram
}}
| map_state       = 
}}
{{Infobox rail service
| formeroperator = [[Toronto and Nipissing Railway]] 1868-1882, [[Midland Railway of Canada]] 1882-1884, [[Grand Trunk Railway]] 1884-1923 and [[Canadian National]] 1923-1982
}}

'''Stouffville''' is one of the [[GO Transit rail services|seven train lines]] of the [[GO Transit]] system in the [[Greater Toronto Area]], [[Ontario]], Canada. Its southern terminus is [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]] in [[Toronto]], and its northern terminus is {{stl|GO Transit|Old Elm}} (formerly "Lincolnville"<ref name="Riedner">{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/10487457-200-year-old-elm-tree-at-root-of-name-change-of-new-lincolnville-go-station/|title=200-year-old elm tree at root of name change of new Lincolnville GO Station|last=Riedner|first=Heidi|newspaper=Stouffville Sun-Tribune|publisher=Metroland Media Group|date=September 29, 2021|access-date=September 29, 2021}}</ref>) in [[Whitchurch-Stouffville]]. There are connections from almost every station to [[Toronto Transit Commission]] or [[York Region Transit]] bus services.<ref name="2017Sched">{{cite web |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017015849/https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS02112019/Table71.pdf|archive-date=October 17, 2019|url=https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS02112019/Table71.pdf |title=Stouffville line schedule |date=January 5, 2019 |publisher=[[GO Transit]] |access-date=February 25, 2019 }}</ref>

During peak periods on weekdays, trains operate approximately twice per hour over the entire route, but in the peak direction only. Otherwise, trains operate hourly in both directions seven days a week between either [[Unionville GO Station|Unionville]] or [[Mount Joy GO Station|Mount Joy]] stations and Union, with a small number of trips covering the full line to Old Elm. GO bus routes 70 and 71 provide service in the directions, time periods, and segments not covered by train service. However, buses to and from Union Station bypass all other stations within the City of Toronto.<ref name="2017Sched"/> Weekend service was operated entirely by bus until November 2, 2019, when weekend train service was introduced.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web | url=https://www.gotransit.com/en/travelling-with-us/promotions-and-events/stouffville | title=Stouffville Weekend GO Train Service &#124; GO Transit}}</ref>

Between Union Station and [[Scarborough GO Station]], the Stouffville line shares tracks with the [[Lakeshore East line]]. Stouffville line trains operate non-stop through the shared segment, bypassing [[Scarborough GO Station|Scarborough]] and [[Danforth GO Station|Danforth]] stations.<ref name="2021Sched">{{Cite web|title=Stouffville GO Train and Bus Schedule|url=https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS16102021/Table71.pdf|url-status=dead|access-date=November 15, 2021|archive-date=October 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016233226/https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS16102021/Table71.pdf}}</ref>

==History==

=== Early history ===
Originally laid by the [[Toronto and Nipissing Railway]], the track came into operation in 1871. The T&N merged with the [[Midland Railway of Canada]] in 1882. Only two years later, the [[Grand Trunk Railway]] leased most of the lines in the area as part of a major expansion plan and then purchased them outright in 1893. The Grand Trunk would later merge with the [[Canadian National Railway]] in 1923. CN would provide passenger rail service on the line until the formation of [[Via Rail]] in 1977.

=== Service history ===
On September 7, 1982, VIA Rail service was discontinued and replacement service{{emdash}}then just a single weekday run{{emdash}}was started by GO Transit.<ref name="Garcia">{{cite web|author1= Daniel Garcia|author2= James Bow|title = GO Transit's Stouffville Line|url = http://transittoronto.ca/regional/2110.shtml|access-date = February 22, 2015|publisher = Transit Toronto}}</ref>

On June 29, 1998, GO Transit restored full service to the Lakeshore lines, and terminated Stouffville Line service to {{stl|GO Transit|Danforth}} and {{stl|GO Transit|Scarborough}}, which are shared with the [[Lakeshore East line]].

On December 13, 2007, the government of Ontario announced funding to [[Metrolinx]] for network expansion, which included $20 million to build a second track to enable all-day two-way service between Union Station and Markham.<ref name="trackexpand">{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071213.wtransit13/BNStory/National/Ontario/|title=Ontario to deliver on $100-million it had promised for public transit|last=Gray|first=Jeff|publisher=[[The Globe and Mail]]|date=December 13, 2007|access-date=December 13, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref>

On September 2, 2008, the line was extended northwards from [[Stouffville, Ontario|Stouffville]] to {{stl|GO Transit|Old Elm}}. Lincolnville (now Old Elm) GO Station was built directly over GO Transit's Stouffville Yard, and so it consists of six tracks and platforms instead of the usual one or two.

On February 2, 2015, select trains began stopping at Danforth GO Station as part of a year-long pilot project to increase GO service within the City of Toronto.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kalinowski|first=Tess|date=January 16, 2015|title=TTC-GO fare pilot project launched on Lakeshore lines|work=The Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/01/16/ttc-go-fare-pilot-project-launched-on-lakeshore-lines.html|access-date=July 1, 2021}}</ref> As of June 2017, many peak-period trains continue to stop at Danforth station, and one daily train also stops at Scarborough station.<ref name="2017Sched"/> These extra stops were ended sometime before November 2021.<ref name="2021Sched"/>

All-day weekday service was introduced on June 24, 2017. Trains began operating from as early as 5 a.m. to as late as 11:45&nbsp;p.m. with hourly service in both directions between Unionville and Union Station during the midday and evening. Service in the counter-peak direction continued to be operated by buses.<ref name=2017Sched/>

On April 8, 2019, midday train trips were extended to Mount Joy station, and buses continued the rest of the trip from Mount Joy to Lincolnville.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gotransit.com/en/travelling-with-us/promotions-and-events/april-service-changes|title=New GO Train Service|website=www.gotransit.com|access-date=June 1, 2019}}</ref>

On August 31, 2019, GO Transit began providing bidirectional late-evening service between Union Station and Mount Joy, hourly between 9:30&nbsp;p.m. and 11:30&nbsp;p.m. The final northbound trip continues past Mount Joy and arrives at Lincolnville at 12:29&nbsp;a.m.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS31082019/Table71_ST.pdf|title=Table 71 - Stouffville|publisher=GO Transit|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819171557/https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS31082019/Table71_ST.pdf|archive-date=August 19, 2019}}</ref>

Starting on November 2, 2019, hourly two-way weekend train service between Mount Joy and Union Station began, with some morning and late night trips arriving in Lincolnville.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS02112019/Table71.pdf|title=GO Transit|website=www.gotransit.com|access-date=November 21, 2019|archive-date=October 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017015849/https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS02112019/Table71.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Schedule ==
On weekdays, GO Transit train service on the Stouffville line consists of nine southbound train trips during the morning peak and eight northbound train trips during the afternoon/evening peak, running the entire length of the line. During regular weekday operation, the frequency of peak train service is every 30–60 minutes. During midday non-peak hours, five southbound and five northbound trips are provided between Union Station and Mount Joy. From early to late evening, three southbound and three northbound trips are provided between Union Station and Mount Joy, and during the late night, one northbound trip will depart Union Station and terminate at Old Elm. All non-peak train services are operated with a frequency level of every 60 minutes in either direction.<ref name=":1" />

Bus service is provided approximately every 30 minutes in the direction opposite that of the train trips during peak hours.<ref name=":0" />

Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario|COVID-19 pandemic]], train service on the Stouffville line had been previously limited to three southbound trains from Old Elm to Union Station and three northbound trains from Union Station to Old Elm daily.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS13042020/Table71.pdf|title= GO Transit|website=www.gotransit.com}}</ref> Further reduction of train service began on June 20, 2020, with buses replacing all weekend train service.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Train Schedule Changes {{!}} Service Updates {{!}} GO Transit|url=https://www.gotransit.com/en/trip-planning/go-service-updates/train-schedule-changes|access-date=June 12, 2020|website=www.gotransit.com}}</ref>

On September 5, 2020, Metrolinx began the first step in service restoration on the Stouffville line, with all weekend train trips restored with slight schedule adjustments. On September 8, 2020, the first stage of the restoration of weekday train service commenced, which consists of five southbound trains from Old Elm to Union Station and five northbound trains from Union Station to Old Elm.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS05092020/Table71.pdf |title=Timetable |website=www.gotransit.com |format=PDF|access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref>

Effective January 23, 2021, as a response to diminishing customer demand caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which had been increasing in severity across the province, Metrolinx removed one southbound train from Old Elm to Union Station, one northbound train from Union Station to Old Elm, and all late evening and weekend train service. All removed trains have been replaced by buses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS23012021/Table71.pdf |title=Timetable |website=www.gotransit.com |format=PDF|access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref>

Metrolinx began the second step in Stouffville line service restoration on the Stouffville line on August 7, 2021. One southbound train from Old Elm to Union Station was added to the morning peak service, one northbound train from Union Station to Old Elm was removed from the evening peak service, and two late evening trains from Union Station to Old Elm was added. An additional southbound train operates out of Old Elm each morning but only provides service between Mount Joy and Union Station. Non-peak service, including weekend service, was reintroduced with the same service frequencies as prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>[https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS07082021/Table71.pdf Full schedules] gotransit.com</ref>

On September 7, 2021, the third step of Stouffville train service restoration began. The new service levels for weekday train service match the pre-pandemic schedule more closely. Southbound morning peak service, consisting of eight train trips, is provided under a frequency level of every 30–60 minutes, starting from a 5:20&nbsp;a.m. departure from Old Elm. Northbound evening peak service, consisting of five train trips, is provided under the same frequency level starting from a 3:14&nbsp;p.m. departure from Union Station. All non-peak service will continue to operate between Mount Joy and Union Station, with two late-evening trips and one overnight train trip extended to Old Elm.<ref>[https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS04092021/Table71.pdf Full schedules] gotransit.com</ref>

After the implementation of a mandatory staff vaccination policy led to staffing shortages, and in response to the highly contagious Omicron variant, service across the GO system was once again reduced starting on January 10, 2022. For Stouffville line service, this meant reverting to the schedules that took effect on August 7, 2021.<ref>[https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/10012022/Table71.pdf Full schedules] gotransit.com</ref> Temporary service reductions were put in place on January 19, 2022, which removed most late-evening service to Mount Joy and Old Elm as well as all weekend train service. These temporary service reductions end on May 24, 2022, with the resumption of late-evening train service and the addition of one southbound train from Old Elm and one northbound train to Old Elm.<ref>[https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS21052022/Table71_21.pdf Full schedules] gotransit.com</ref>

On May 28, 2022, weekend train service was reintroduced with the same service frequencies as prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>[https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS21052022/Table71_28.pdf Full schedules] gotransit.com</ref>

==Route==
The Stouffville line operates entirely over railways owned by [[Metrolinx]].  The line begins at Union Station and follows the Kingston Subdivision (GO [[Lakeshore East line]]) to Scarborough Junction, just east of [[Scarborough GO Station]]. It then branches north onto the Metrolinx Uxbridge Subdivision, originally the [[Toronto and Nipissing Railway]].

=== Route description ===
From [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]] to [[Scarborough GO Station|Scarborough GO station]], the Stouffville line's tracks are shared with the [[CN Kingston Subdivision|Kingston Subdivision]] and the [[Lakeshore East line|Lakeshore East]] GO Transit corridor. The first station after Union Station, [[Danforth GO Station]], is therefore shared with Lakeshore East trains. Stouffville line trains no longer serve Danforth and Scarborough stations. The Stouffville GO train switches to the [[CN Uxbridge Subdivision|Uxbridge Subdivision]] at [[Scarborough GO Station|Scarborough]] and begins curving towards the north until the Midland and Danforth Road intersection, at which point the line points straight north. The train then passes through residential neighborhoods up to Eglinton Avenue, and stops at the [[Kennedy GO Station|Kennedy GO station]], which is the terminus for the [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC]]'s [[Line 2 Bloor–Danforth|Line 2]], [[Line 3 Scarborough|the former Line 3]], and [[Line 5 Eglinton|the future Line 5]].

As the train progresses through the route travelling adjacent to the [[Line 3 Scarborough|Scarborough RT corridor]] in between Eglinton Avenue and Ellesmere Road, the train enters several industrial districts. Near the Kennedy GO Station area are several industrial spurs serviced during the overnight hours by the Canadian National Railway, the former Uxbridge Sub owner.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Railpictures.ca - Daniel Odette Photo |url=http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=20808 |access-date=April 15, 2022}}</ref> Continuing north, the train arrives at [[Agincourt GO Station|Agincourt GO station]] next, which is close to Sheppard Avenue.

North of Sheppard Avenue, the train passes through more residential and industrial areas. Just south of Steeles Avenue is the [[Milliken GO Station]]. Past [[Milliken, Ontario|Milliken]], the train crosses Steeles Avenue and the site where the original Milliken station once stood, and enters the [[Markham, Ontario|City of Markham]], continuing north. Past Denison Street, the Stouffville train descends below 14th Avenue and the [[CN York Subdivision]] tracks before making its way back up, going beneath Highway 407 and stopping at [[Unionville GO Station]].

[[File:Markham GO from trackside.jpg|thumb|right|Markham GO Station building]]
North of Unionville GO station, the train begins curving in the east direction, passing through historic [[Unionville, Ontario|Unionville]] (which includes the former Unionville Station building and platform) and residential suburban neighborhoods built closer to the track before arriving at [[Centennial GO Station|Centennial GO station]]. Further along the line to the east is [[Markham GO Station|Markham GO station]], which is located in the historic [[Markham Village, Ontario|Markham Village]].

After Markham GO station, the line curves northward again, passing industrial areas before approaching [[Mount Joy GO Station|Mount Joy GO station]], now a major terminal station for all non-peak trains. As the train departs from Mount Joy GO station, the scenery becomes much more rural as the line continues north, crossing 19th Avenue, exiting Markham, and entering the [[Whitchurch-Stouffville|Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville]].

Suburban development is seen once again as the train enters the historic village of [[Stouffville, Ontario|Stouffville]], stopping at [[Stouffville GO Station]]. Stouffville was once a major [[Junction (rail)|junction]] that connected the Uxbridge Sub with the [[Lake Simcoe Junction Railway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Cooper's Railway Pages - Lake Simcoe Junction Railway |url=https://railwaypages.com/lake-simcoe-junction-railway |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=railwaypages.com}}</ref> Prior to 2020, passengers could see an abandoned track beside the main track where the trains were used to be stored. This track has since been removed.

The train continues until a little northeast, just exiting urban Stouffville, where it terminates at [[Old Elm GO Station]], which is located next to the line's [[Rail yard|GO Train overnight storage facility]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://transittoronto.ca/regional/2110.shtml|title=GO Transit's Stouffville Line - Transit Toronto - Content|website=transittoronto.ca|access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref>

=== Route operation ===
The Stouffville line operates nine trains out of Old Elm every weekday and three trains every weekend in either direction. Additional services dispatched from Union run as far north as Mount Joy GO, and connecting bus services extend north to Uxbridge. Train service is provided in [[Push–pull train|push pull configuration]] with the [[MPI MP40PH-3C]] locomotive at the north end of the train and the [[Bombardier BiLevel Coach|Bombardier BiLevel]] [[Cab car|cab control car]] at the south. The trains are typically six, ten, or twelve cars long, with the fifth car from the locomotive being the door control location.

Service levels have generally been adjusted several times a year with significant cutbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. For a much of the year in 2022 until September, off-peak service was suspended to allow for construction.

As of September 2023, on regular service days (excluding weekends and holidays), the first southbound train departs Old Elm at 5:14&nbsp;a.m. The rest of the trains follow at a service frequency of 30–60 minutes with most frequent service taking place during rush hour. The last southbound train departs Old Elm at 9:17&nbsp;a.m. The first northbound train departs Union Station at 9:12&nbsp;a.m. These mid-day trains turn back at Mount Joy, providing two-way service at 1 hour intervals until evening rush hour for the majority of stations on the line. North bound trains have a service frequency of 30–60 minutes with most frequent service taking place during rush hour. The last northbound train does not depart Union Station until 7:12&nbsp;p.m.

As of November 2, 2019, the Stouffville line operated on all weekends and holidays with three trains departing hourly from Old Elm starting from 7:14&nbsp;a.m. and three trains departing hourly from Union Station starting from 10:15&nbsp;a.m. All non-peak and most weekend/holiday service is provided by buses. Weekend service was cut in early 2023, but resumed with 11 daily trips in each direction in September 2023

=== Train whistle cessation agreement ===
As of December 23, 2021, the entire length of the GO Transit Stouffville line (except for one crossing at the Markham/Stouffville border,<ref>[https://www.markham.ca/wps/wcm/connect/markham/9dc294fd-8e8f-4958-9519-a9fb45723027/Train+Anti-Whistling+-+Second+Implementation+Notice+-+Dec.+22%2C+2021+Final.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&amp;CONVERT_TO=url&amp;CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_2QD4H901OGV160QC8BLCRJ1001-9dc294fd-8e8f-4958-9519-a9fb45723027-nTzgrWa Second implementation notice] markham.ca {{dead link|date=December 2023}}</ref> three crossings in the Town of [[Whitchurch-Stouffville]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Simon|date=October 6, 2020|title='I don't want to live here if the train comes every 10 minutes:' Stouffville mulls silencing train whistles|url=https://www.toronto.com/news-story/10214638--i-don-t-want-to-live-here-if-the-train-comes-every-10-minutes-stouffville-mulls-silencing-train-whistles/|access-date=December 27, 2020|website=Toronto.com|language=en-CA}}</ref> and one crossing in the City of Toronto<ref>{{Cite web|title=GO 659 @ progress Avenue - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w470-Y7UaL0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/w470-Y7UaL0| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=December 27, 2020|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>) has train anti-whistling procedures implemented as the result of [[Protest|public outcry]] regarding the level of [[noise]] to which some residents were introduced as a result of the provision of increased rail service along the line.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/markham-residents-blow-the-whistle-on-horns-1.5332355 |title = 'It's just unbearable': Markham residents blow the whistle on noisy GO train horns &#124; CBC News}}</ref> The [[Canadian Rail Operating Rules]] currently requires trains to begin blowing train whistle warning signals a quarter mile<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/railsafety/CROR_English_May_18_2018_Web_Services.pdf|title=Canadian rail operating rules|publisher=[[Transport Canada]]|date=May 18, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315003041/https://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/railsafety/CROR_English_May_18_2018_Web_Services.pdf|archive-date=March 15, 2020}}</ref> from every [[Level crossing|railroad crossing]] and continue to do so until the train enters the crossing<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpr.ca/en/community/living-near-the-railway|title=Living near the railway|website=www.cpr.ca|access-date=November 22, 2019}}</ref> as a warning to motorists and pedestrians that the train is fast approaching. The [[24/7 service|24/7]] whistle ban prohibits [[Railroad engineer|train engineers]] operating on the line from performing this warning signal.

Every city served by the line had to apply to [[Transport Canada]] individually in order to stop whistling. The railroad authority [[Metrolinx]] worked closely with these cities to implement whistle cessation as quickly as possible provided that all safety requirements are met. To impose a ban on train whistle usage at railroad crossings, several safety upgrades had to be installed at each crossing in order to receive approval from Transport Canada. These safety measures include [[Level crossing signals|flashing lights, bells, and gates]], signs warning the public that trains will arrive without additional warning, and removal of trees to increase sighting distance.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/home/about/city-hall/city-projects-initiatives/current/train-anti-whistling/whats-new/02-whats-new | title=What's New?}}</ref>

Even when train whistling at level crossings is prohibited, there are other requirements in the Canadian Rail Operating Rules which require trains to whistle, such as when encountering a crew of track maintenance workers on or near the [[Railroad right of way|railroad right-of-way]]. As anti-whistling does not extend to these factors, residents living in close proximity to the line may still hear the whistle from time to time.

It should also be understood that the elimination of train whistling at public level crossings causes an increase in [[Legal liability|liability]] against the city where a [[train accident]] causing [[injury]], permanent [[Physical disability|disability]], or [[death]] occurs. As it is a well-established fact that whistle bans will increase both the frequency and severity of accidents, the city where such an accident occurs would have to assume liability to which it otherwise would not be exposed.<ref>[http://www2.markham.ca/markham/ccbs/indexfile/Agendas/2015/Development%20Services/pl150922/Anti-Whistling%20on%20Stouffville%20GO%20Line%20DSC%20September%2022%202015.pdf Anti-Whistling on Stouffville Line] markham.ca {{dead link|date=April 2021}}</ref>

== Stations ==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Station
!Community
!Municipality
!Distance (km)
!Connections
!Notes
|-
!{{stl|GO Transit|Old Elm}}
|[[Lincolnville, Ontario|Lincolnville]]
|rowspan=2|[[Whitchurch-Stouffville]]
|49.6
|{{rint|gotransit|rail}} {{rint|gotransit|bus}}
|Constructed over GO's Stouffville Yard. Renamed from Lincolnville in 2021.
|-
![[Stouffville GO Station|Stouffville]]
|[[Stouffville, Ontario|Stouffville]]
|46.8
|{{rint|gotransit|rail}} {{rint|gotransit|bus}} <br /> {{rint|York|YRT}} [[York Region Transit|YRT]]
|
|-
![[Mount Joy GO Station|Mount Joy]]
|[[Mount Joy, Ontario|Mount Joy]]/<br />[[Greensborough, Ontario|Greensborough]]
|rowspan=4|[[Markham, Ontario|Markham]]
|38.7
|{{rint|gotransit|rail}} {{rint|gotransit|bus}} <br /> {{rint|toronto|bus}} [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC]] <br /> {{rint|York|YRT}} [[York Region Transit|YRT]]
|
|-
![[Markham GO Station|Markham]]
|[[Markham Village, Ontario|Markham Village]]
|36.7
|{{rint|gotransit|rail}} {{rint|gotransit|bus}} <br /> {{rint|toronto|bus}} [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC]] <br /> {{rint|York|YRT}} [[York Region Transit|YRT]]
|Cannot fit 10- and 12-car trains due to platform restrictions<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Markham_GO_Station|title=Markham GO Station - CPTDB Wiki|website=cptdb.ca|access-date=June 1, 2019}}</ref>
|-
![[Centennial GO Station|Centennial]]
|[[Raymerville – Markville East]]
|35.0
|{{rint|toronto|bus}} [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC]] <br /> {{rint|York|YRT}} [[York Region Transit|YRT]]
|
|-
![[Unionville GO Station|Unionville]]
|[[Unionville, Ontario|Unionville]]/<br />[[Downtown Markham, Ontario|Downtown Markham]]
|30.6
|{{rint|gotransit|rail}} {{rint|gotransit|bus}} <br /> {{rint|york|pink}}
|
|-
![[Milliken GO Station|Milliken]]
|rowspan="2" |[[Milliken, Ontario|Milliken]]
|[[Toronto]]-[[Markham, Ontario|Markham]]<br />boundary
|27.4
|{{rint|toronto|bus}} [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC]] <br /> {{rint|York|YRT}} [[York Region Transit|YRT]]
|
|-
!''{{stl|GO Transit|Finch–Kennedy}}''
|rowspan="4" |[[Toronto]] 
|
|{{rint|toronto|bus}} [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC]]
|Station proposed as part of [[SmartTrack]]
|-
![[Agincourt GO Station|Agincourt]]
|[[Agincourt, Toronto|Agincourt]]
|22.9
|{{rint|toronto|bus}} [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC]]
|
|-
![[Kennedy GO Station|Kennedy]]
|[[Ionview]]
|16.4
|{{rint|toronto|subway|2}}<br>{{rint|toronto|subway|5}} (future)<br /> {{rint|toronto|bus}} [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC]]
|
|-
![[Union Station (Toronto)|Union]]
|[[Downtown Toronto]]
|0.0
|{{rint|gotransit|rail|A}} {{rint|gotransit|rail|C|x}} {{rint|gotransit|rail|D|x}} {{rint|gotransit|rail|E|x}} {{rint|gotransit|rail|F|x}}  {{rint|gotransit|rail|B|x}} {{rint|gotransit|bus}}<br />{{rint|rail}} {{rint|us|amtrak}} {{rint|toronto|up}} {{rint|ca|via}} <br /> {{rint|toronto|subway|1}}<br /> {{rint|toronto|streetcar}} {{rint|toronto|bus}} [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC]]
|
|}

==Expansion==
In June 2013, GO Transit held a first "Public Information Centre" of an environmental assessment study for expanding rail service in the Stouffville Corridor. This represented the completion of the second of five stages of work to implement expanded service, and recommended adding double track segments and other improvements between Union Station and Unionville to support increased train service levels.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/Stouffville_Rail_Expansion_PIC_1_EN.pdf |title=Stouffvile Corridor Rail Service Expansion Class Environmental Assessment Study PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE #1|date=June 18, 2013|access-date=February 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221190817/http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/Stouffville_Rail_Expansion_PIC_1_EN.pdf |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Double tracking of the line from Unionville GO station to Scarborough GO was scheduled to begin in 2015. This section is proposed to become part of [[SmartTrack]], a proposal by Toronto mayor [[John Tory]] to improve commuter rail service within the City of Toronto.<ref name=DCN1005880W>{{cite web |url=http://dailycommercialnews.com/Projects/News/2015/2/Construction-of-second-Stouffville-track-rolls-forward-1005880W/ |title=Construction of second Stouffville track rolls forward |author= Richard Gilbert |date=February 25, 2015|work=Daily Commercial News |quote=A tender was issued earlier this month to expand and improve 17 kilometres of corridor on a section of the Stouffville line between Scarborough Junction to Unionville GO Station. |access-date=April 1, 2015}}</ref>

On April 16, 2015, the Ontario government announced a Metrolinx initiative to increase rail service throughout the GO Transit network over the subsequent decade, known as [[GO Transit Regional Express Rail|Regional Express Rail]] (RER). Under the plan, diesel trains would operate on the Stouffville line every 20 minutes from Old Elm to Union Station during peak periods, and hourly or more frequently from Mount Joy to Union Station. In addition, electric trains would operate every 15 minutes between Unionville and Union Station.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ontario Improving GO Transit Service Along All Corridors |url=https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2015/04/ontario-improving-go-transit-service-along-all-corridors.html |website=news.ontario.ca |access-date=October 17, 2018 |date=April 17, 2015}}</ref>

In June 2015, new stations were approved in Toronto at Finch Avenue East and Lawrence Avenue East, to be built alongside the RER electrification.<ref>{{cite web|title=GO Regional Express Rail 10-Year Program: New Stations Analysis|url=http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/board_agenda/20160628/20160628_BoardMtg_Appendix_2_Stations_EN.pdf|website=metrolinx.com|publisher=Metrolinx|access-date=June 21, 2016|archive-date=March 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313054924/http://www.metrolinx.com/en/docs/pdf/board_agenda/20160628/20160628_BoardMtg_Appendix_2_Stations_EN.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In February 2020, Metrolinx hosted a series of Public Information Centres detailing planned expansion and future service levels. On the line, peak direction service from Old Elm will be increased to every 20 minutes, with hourly reverse direction service to Mount Joy. There would also be {{frac|7|1|2}}-minute bi-directional service from Union Station to Unionville. During off-peak times, trains will run in both directions every 10 minutes to Unionville and every 30 minutes to Mount Joy.<ref name="2020-exp">{{cite web |title=Go Expansion OnCorridor Program |url=https://www.metrolinxengage.com/sites/default/files/overview_station_-_go_expansion_feb_2020_-_revised_feb_13.pdf |website=metrolinxengage.com |publisher=[[Metrolinx]] |access-date=February 21, 2020 |page=15 |date=February 13, 2020}}</ref>

There are long-term plans to extend service beyond Old Elm to [[Uxbridge, Ontario|Uxbridge]], over tracks already owned by [[GO Transit]]. Until such an expansion, Uxbridge is served by a GO bus stop at [[Uxbridge railway station (Ontario)|Uxbridge station]], and the only rail service north of Old Elm used to be the [[York–Durham Heritage Railway]],<ref name="Garcia" /> which permanently closed in 2024 due to bankruptcy.<ref name="BT-2024-03-02">{{cite news |first=Conrad |last=Boycen |newspaper=Barrie Today |title=York-Durham Heritage Railway reaches end of line with bankruptcy |url=https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/york-durham-heritage-railway-reaches-end-of-line-with-bankruptcy-8377539 |date=2024-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250614010858/https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/york-durham-heritage-railway-reaches-end-of-line-with-bankruptcy-8377539 |archive-date=2025-06-14 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Grade separation ===
A key component to GO service expansion on the Stouffville line is grade separation. Grade separation is the building of underpasses or overpasses to separate road traffic from rail traffic by eliminating level crossings. Grade separation is one of the infrastructure improvements required to be completed in preparation for the GO Transit Expansion Program. There are several benefits of grade separation, the main one being that vehicles no longer have to stop for trains. By eliminating traffic conflicts, vehicular traffic flow through busy streets is improved once trains become much more frequent. A less important but still noteworthy benefit is that grade separation is the only solution that effectively removes the need for train whistling without compromising public safety.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Stouffville Rail Corridor Grade Separations {{!}} Metrolinx Engage|url=https://www.metrolinxengage.com/en/goexpansion/StouffvilleRailCorridor|access-date=May 8, 2021|website=www.metrolinxengage.com}}</ref>

As of July 26, 2023, the Steeles Avenue East grade separation has completed construction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Toronto bridges now link two malls in two different cities |url=https://www.blogto.com/city/2023/07/toronto-bridges-link-two-malls-two-cities/ |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=www.blogto.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Steeles Ave East Underpass - Projects {{!}} Metrolinx |url=https://www.metrolinx.com/en/greaterregion/projects/steeles-grade-separation.aspx |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=www.metrolinx.com}}</ref> In the near future, six more grade crossings will be grade separated: four in Toronto and two in Markham (right of way acquired for overpass with extension of [[Donald Cousens Parkway]] north of Major Mackenzie to terminate at Highway 48 deferred to 2026).<ref>[http://www2.markham.ca/markham/ccbs/indexfile/Agendas/2016/Development%20Services/pl160906/Main%20Street%20Markham%20Minutes%20April%2020%202016.pdf Minutes from the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on April 20, 2016] markham.ca</ref> There is also another crossing in Toronto that is included in this project that will be closed instead of grade separated since it runs through the middle of a residential neighborhood and underpass or overpass construction is infeasible.<ref name=":2" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS02112019/Table71.pdf GO Transit: Stouffville GO Train & Bus Service Schedule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017015849/https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS02112019/Table71.pdf |date=October 17, 2019 }}
* Daniel Garcia and James Bow, [https://transittoronto.ca/regional/2110.shtml GO Transit's Stouffville Line]
*{{cite web|url=http://www.gotransit.ca/public/en/improve/stouffville/Stouffville_Corridor_Rail_Service_Expansion_ESR-Main_Body.pdf|title=Stouffville Corridor Rail Service Expansion - Environmental Study Report|volume=1|others=R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited|publisher=[[Metrolinx]]|date=July 2014|access-date=September 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615043749/https://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/stouffville/Stouffville_Corridor_Rail_Service_Expansion_ESR-Main_Body.pdf|archive-date=2017-06-15}}

{{GO Transit}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stouffville Line}}
[[Category:GO Transit]]
[[Category:Passenger rail transport in Toronto]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Markham, Ontario]]
[[Category:Passenger rail transport in the Regional Municipality of York]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1982]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Ontario]]