Village destroyed by wildfire sues CN, CPKC, Transport Canada

View of railroad track from locomotive

LYTTON, British Columbia — The village of Lytton and its local regional district have filed suit against Canadian National, CPKC, and Transport Canada over a 2021 fire that destroyed the village, accusing the railroads and the government agency of negligence. The CBC reports the suit was filed by Lytton and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District in […]

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Rail accidents increased in Canada in 2022, TSB reports

Pie chart breaking down Canadian rail accidents in 2022 into seven categories

GATINEAU, Quebec — Rail accidents and other incidents in Canada increased in 2022 from 2021, but remain below the level of the 10-year average, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in its annual review of transportation statistics released on Wednesday. The review of events reported to the TSB across all modes of transportation also […]

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Remembering the Sandfly Express

High-contrast black-and-white image of two locomotives

Sandfly Express Go ahead, talk about the glitzy Orient Express. Or the extended run of the Trans-Siberian Express. But what about the Buffalo & Fort Erie Ferry & Railway Co.? This early 1900s Canadian railroad, born antiquated, ran a 3-mile course in Fort Erie, Ontario, which is across the Niagara River from Buffalo, N.Y. Its […]

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Vancouver’s West Coast Express expands service

Blue, yellow, and white locomotive at station

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Commuter rail service West Coast Express has expanded service to and from Vancouver as of Monday, June 19, thanks to introduction of a trainset with a newly refurbished locomotive. It marks the first time WCE has offered five weekday round trips since 2020. The new equipment will make two round trips […]

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Ontario government awards contract for eastern GO Transit extension

Map of proposed extension of GO Transit line east of Toronto

WHITBY, Ontario — The Ontario government announced Thursday it has awarded a contract for planning to extend GO Transit’s Lakeshore East line to Bowmanville, Ont., an extension of nearly 20 kilometers (12 miles) eastward from the current terminus in Oshawa. Bowmanville Construction Partners has received the early-stage contract for advance infrastructure planning on what is […]

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Canadian government approves land expropriation for Lac-Mégantic bypass

Map of Lac-Megantic Bypass

LAC-MÉGANTIC, Quebec — Transport Canada’s request to expropriate land for the planned rail bypass around Lac-Mégantic has been approved, the Canadian government announced Wednesday, setting the stage for the government to take possession of the land on Aug. 1. “We understand how this may be difficult for some,” Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a […]

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Transportation Safety Board of Canada remains concerned about uncontrolled rail movements

Transportation Safety Board of Canada logo

GATINEAU, Quebec — Matters regarding unplanned or uncontrolled movements of trains or equipment are the primary unresolved matter in the rail industry for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, which this week issued its annual assessment of responses to the board’s outstanding safety recommendations. Across air, marine, and rail transportation, the TSB issued 62 recommendations […]

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CPKC intermodal train derails in Alberta

CPKC logo

CLUNY, Alberta — “Multiple cars” of a CPKC intermodal train derailed Thursday afternoon in Alberta, a CPKC representative told CTV News. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in a statement today to CTV that 14 cars had derailed. No injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were involved. The TSB is investigating and assessing […]

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Saskatchewan announces grants for short line railways

Two red locomotives

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — Thirteen provincially regulated short line railways will receive a total of C$530,000 in grants through Saskatchewan’s Short Line Railway Improvement Program, the provincial government announced Thursday. Grants are determined by the trackage of each railway, with the smallest lines, of less than 80 kilometers (50 miles) receiving $25,000. Seven lines — Thunder […]

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Twenty cars of CN train derail in Saskatchewan

Canadian National logo

FORT QU’APPELLE, Saskatchewan — No injuries were reported after a locomotive and 20 cars of a Canadian National train derailed Wednesday evening near the town of Fort Qu’Appelle, CKOM Radio reports. CN said in a statement to the station that no hazardous materials were involved and no fires occurred as a result. Cars were expected […]

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Western Maryland group seeks donations for relocation of S2

Yellow end-cab switcher with some body rust

The non-profit Western Maryland Rail Heritage Foundation is seeking donations to relocate the last remaining Western Maryland Railway Alco S2 locomotive, currently located in Capreol, Ontario. The foundation is partnering with a museum in Capreol to move the locomotive from its current location, a siding slated to be torn up, to the museum. The long-term […]

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