It costs more to make electricity and deliver it to the electric rail then to run diesel. Diesel produces more power and is available on the spot without having to install expensive third rails for electric trains. What about the winder time. It is outside and exposed to rain and snow! Diesel powered trains are also electric, the diesel engines turn electric motors after producing electricity on the spot. How is this different from burning fuel some place else and shipping it by wire to the tracks?

NIMBYism its not. The people who are protesting are asking for MORE trains and MORE stops for a far superior transit system to the airport that will get more people out of their cars and that can only be done with a modern electric system. Metrolinx's own engineers have said publicly that the line can be electric in time for the Pan Am games so why waste money converting it "sometime" in the future when it can be done now? By the way this service with diesel will be a premium service too costly for the average family due to the lack of stops. Nobody builds diesel commuter systems anymore as electric is cheaper in the long run and can benefit from the grid getting greener over time; something that diesel can do. just because there is diesel rolling stock out there doesnt mean go ahead and add more when better technology is out there and built in Ontario by Bombardier instead of by off shore workers in Japan as is Daltons plan. As well diesel trains are moving electric on many levels to reduce the pollution that the WHO has says cause cancer. Why build diesel when you can have a far superior made in Ontario line? It doesnt make sense as transportation policy, health policy, or for taxpayers.