WELLAND, Ontario — A Canadian National “funeral train” of 18 Dash 8 locomotives, part of an auction and sale in June 2023, arrived in Welland, Ont, on July 29, concluding a trip from Iowa. The locomotives will be handed off to the GIO Rail Trillium operation, which will deliver them to SLM Recycling of Welland. […]
Zone & Region: Canada
Canadian government set to intervene in port labor dispute
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Canadian government is prepared to impose a settlement in the labor dispute at British Columbia ports after dock workers again rejected a tentative deal on Friday night. Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan wrote in a statement today (July 29) that he has directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to determine whether […]
Montreal’s REM light rail makes debut
MONTREAL — With Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier François Legault taking part in the inaugural run, Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail network made its debut with ceremonies on Friday. The first trips Friday on the 16.6-kilometer (10.3-mile) segment between Central Station and Brossard were a prelude to open-house events and free […]
Return of Ottawa light rail line pushed back at least 10 days
OTTAWA, Ontario — Return of Ottawa’s light-rail Confederation Line has been pushed back at least 10 days to allow for additional track work, city officials were informed on Friday. Aug. 10 is now the earliest the system could resume operation. CTV News reports Renée Amicar, the city’s general manager of transit services, told the city […]
Canada’s Cando Rail to develop battery switcher
EDMONTON, Alberta — Cando Rail & Terminals — the Canadian company which operates shortlines, terminals and transload facilities, and handles industrial switching, among a wide variety of rail services — will develop a battery-electric switcher. The company announced Thursday that it plans to retrofit a legacy, non-tier compliant diesel with a lithium-ion propulsion system for […]
Toronto subway line to remain closed at least three weeks following derailment
TORONTO — The Toronto Transit Commission said Thursday that service on the Scarborough line of its subway system will be suspended at least three more weeks as an investigation continues into a derailment on Monday. CityNews Toronto reports a TTC representative said a decision on restoring operation on the Scarborough RT line, also known as […]
Genesee & Wyoming Canada acquires BMS Locomotive Services
EDMONTON, Alberta — Genesee & Wyoming Canada has completed acquisition of BMS Locomotive Service group, the company announced Thursday. The firm based in Edmonton has offered locomotive inspection, maintenance, refurbishment, and repair services in Western Canada for more than 20 years. It has 10 employees. “The addition of BMS enhances G&W Canada’s suite of services […]
Rodriguez sworn in as Canada’s transport minister
OTTAWA, Ontario — Pablo Rodriguez has been named Canada’s Transport Minister as part of a large-scale reshuffling of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet announced Wednesday. Rodriguez replaces Omar Alghabra, who departed after announcing he would not seek reelection to Parliament [see “Canadian Transport Minister Alghabra to step down,” Trains News Wire, July 25, 2023]. Rodriguez […]
Canadian Transport Minister Alghabra to step down
OTTAWA — Omar Alghabra, Canada’s transport minister since January 2021, will not run for reelection and will step down from his cabinet position as a result, Alghabra announced in a Twitter post. “I was first elected in 2006 and have had the journey of a lifetime,” Alghabra wrote. “I’m grateful for every minute of it.” […]
Ottawa light rail line to remain shuttered until at least July 31
OTTAWA, Ontario — Ottawa’s light rail Confederation Line will remain closed at least another week, city officials said Monday, and a long-term fix for the bearing problems that plague the system could take a year. The Ottawa Citizen reports that Renée Amilcar, Ottawa’s general manager of transit services, said service could gradually resume beginning July […]
Five require treatment after Toronto subway derailment (updated)
TORONTO — Five people were sent to the hospital with injuries Monday evening after a Toronto Transit Commission subway car separated from the rest of its train and derailed, the CBC reports. None of the injuries were critical, according to Toronto Fire Services. The accident was reported about 7:30 p.m. on TTC’s Scarborough Line near […]
Canadian union rips state of high-frequency rail project
MONTREAL — Canada’s largest private-sector union has criticized the latest step in the high-frequency rail project, calling out the selection of two European companies to participate in the Request for Qualifications while also questioning the slow development of the plan. “The federal government continues to ignore the voice of workers throughout this process,” Lana Payne, […]