For all the(self-prescribed) hooplaover the soon to arrive Union Pearson Express train in Toronto, our first actual look at the train itself is a bit underwhelming. Shot by photographer James Gardiner near Brantford on delivery to Toronto, the vehicle doesn't exactly pop out of the landscape (in fact it almost blends in). But I suppose that doesn't matter once you hop on board. Yes, the paint scheme is rather subdued, but the main news is really that,like our flashier-looking streetcar, the arrival of the trains in the city means that serviceis around the corner.

Also good news is that these vehicles can be converted to electric if and when the lines they run on are updated in the coming years. No need to buy new vehicles. What's worse than the paint job, perhaps, is the price of ride on one of these bad boys. We'vealready harped about this, but the estimated $25 one way is steepcompared to other citiesand will probably have at least a few passengers thinking about a cab or the super cheap192 Airport Rocketoperated by the TTC out of Kipling Station.

Photo byJames GardinerofRailway Pictures.