OTTAWA, Ontario — VIA Rail Canada has provided the first detailed look at its new equipment for corridor service, unveiling the first full trainset at the Ottawa station. A total of 32 Siemens-built trainsets will serve the Quebec City-Windsor, Ont., corridor. Testing of the first trainset will begin this month, with the first of the […]
Zone & Region: Canada
Province seeks to amend constitution as a result of tax fight with Canadian Pacific (updated)
REGINA, Saskatchewan — A long-running battle between Canadian Pacific and the province of Saskatchewan is leading to an effort to amend the provincial constitution to remove a disputed tax loophole for the railroad. The Canadian Press reports CP is suing the province for $341 million in taxes it has paid, arguing it is exempt from […]
Canadian government delays grade-crossing requirements
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canadian government has extended deadlines for grade crossing improvements, while removing the lowest-risk crossings from the improvement requirements. Following up on a proposal made earlier this year [see “Digest: Canadian government proposes delay …,” Trains News Wire, June 21, 2021]. Transport Canada will provide a one-year extension beyond the original deadline […]
CN main line in British Columbia shut down again
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian National has shut down service on its route to Vancouver as additional rain, flooding, and landslides continue to plague a hard-hit area in British Columbia’s interior. The CBC reports CN moved seven trains over the weekend before it elected to “proactively close its network” as rain was causing increased debris, […]
Canadian Pacific’s hydrogen fuel cell locomotive to debut before year’s end
NEW YORK – Canadian Pacific’s first hydrogen fuel cell locomotive, a converted SD40-2F dubbed H2 0EL for “hydrogen zero-emissions locomotive,” will roll under its own power by the end of the year and then enter test service next year, CEO Keith Creel says. CP’s homebuilt locomotive test bed, along with its headquarters solar array and other […]
Worker killed on GO Transit maintenance project
PICKERING, Ontario — GO Transit service on a portion of the commuter operator’s Lakeshore East line will be altered for several days following the death of a worker on a maintenance-of-way project Saturday night. The Canadian Press reports a 41-year-old man was killed when a ballast car tipped over, pinning him underneath. The accident happened […]
Canadian publication names CP’s Creel as CEO of the year
CALGARY — Canadian Pacific’s Keith Creel has been named 2021 CEO of the Year by Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail’s Report of Business Magazine. A profile in the magazine focuses on the 53-year-old Creel’s skill as a strategist in efforts to merge CP with Kansas City Southern. The magazine recognized other CEOs for leadership, […]
CP, CN make $100,000 donations for flood relief
Canadian Pacific and Canadian National have each made $100,000 donations to the Canadian Red Cross to support relief efforts in flood-battered British Columbia. CP also said it will match employee donations to the Canadian Red Cross in support of disaster relief. The railroad has also organized food delivery to the Spuzzum First Nation, secured portable […]
CP line in British Columbia expected to reopen today
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific says it expects to have its main line between Vancouver and Kamloops, British Columbia, reopened by midday today as a result of more than a week of around-the-clock work to repair damage from Nov. 14 flooding. The railroad says 30 locations on its Thompson and Cascade subdivisions sustained flood damage […]
Canadian short line rebuilds oldest switcher, restores original paint scheme
WINDSOR, Ontario — The Essex Terminal Railway is celebrating its upcoming 120th anniversary by unveiling a rebuilt SW1200 restored to its original colors. The short line serves industries along 54 km (33.5 miles) of track in Windsor and surrounding Essex County, across the border from Detroit. It commissioned Sarnia, Ont., firm Lambton Diesel Specialists (LDS) […]
CP says it could have British Columbia rail line reopened by midweek
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — With flood damage to road and rail lines still cutting much of the province off from the rest of Canada, British Columbia has begun rationing gasoline and instituted travel restrictions that will prohibit vehicle traffic on some key highways to commercial transport of essentials such as food, water, and medical supplies. […]
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train sets details for online concert (updated)
CALGARY – Canadian Pacific has set the details for a concert to be live-streamed as part of its virtual version of the CP Holiday Train. The Dec. 18 event, dubbed the “CP Holiday Train at Home” concert, will originate from the train’s cars in Calgary. It is part of CP’s continuing charity efforts with the […]