Rail service in British Columbia halted by flooding (updated)

Railroad and highway washed out by flooding

HOPE, British Columbia — Flooding battering the province of British Columbia has disrupted rail service, as well as forcing evacuations and washing away highways. The CBC reports Canadian Pacific’s line through the Fraser River Canyon has been closed because of flood damage north of Hope, B.C., and that a Canadian National train derailed because of […]

Read More…

Montreal light rail system sees flaws with new railcars

Rail transit vehicle in snow

MONTREAL — Light rail equipment for Montreal’s Réseau Express Métropolitain system shows manufacturing flaws that could put passengers at risk, the Montreal Gazette reported, citing a French-language report by Radio-Canada. The report says the first group of light rail vehicles delivered to Quebec from construction in India shows wiring, assembly, and finishing exhibiting “a breach […]

Read More…

After 54 days, Ottawa light rail service resumes

Ottawa O Train logo

OTTAWA, Ontario — Light rail service on the O-Train Confederation Line resumed Friday morning after a 54-day shutdown triggered by a Sept. 19 derailment. Operations resumed with just seven trainsets in operation, and with the bus route that had replaced the light rail service continuing to operate during the period of partial operation, CTV News […]

Read More…

Winnipeg rail museum faces closure, relocation

Entry of Winnipeg Union Station

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Winnipeg Railway Museum, which has displayed a collection including a landmark steam locomotive at the city’s Union Station for 30 years, is facing closure and relocation from its longtime home. The CBC reports the museum has been told its location at the 110-year-old station requires significant work to be brought up […]

Read More…

Thanksgiving in Toronto

Thanksgiving in Toronto was about to begin. Shortly before noon, two teenagers swung down from the Pacific’s cab. Just as they hit the station platform, two peeps came from the cab communication whistle. The fireman turned around, waving a good-bye, and Canadian Pacific train 326 was in motion — 11 minutes away from its final […]

Read More…

Land negotiations begin for Lac-Mégantic bypass

Map of Lac-Megantic Bypass

LAC-MÉGANTIC, Quebec — Negotiations for purchase of the land needed to build a rail bypass around Lac-Mégantic and the surrounding area have begun, Transport Canada reports. The submission of the first offers is part of an ongoing process of rerouting the Canadian Pacific main line away from the community devastated by the 2013 derailment and […]

Read More…

Amtrak service to Canadian cities remains on hold

People waiting in line inside passenger station

WASHINGTON, D.C. — While Greyhound announced last week that it will resume cross-border intercity bus service between U.S. and Canadian destinations Nov. 8, no firm date has been finalized for restoring Amtrak trains serving Vancouver, B.C., Toronto, and Montreal. U.S. citizens have been able to visit Canada since Aug. 9, but Canadians won’t be able […]

Read More…

CP and KCS project dramatic rise in daily train counts

Map of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern systems with details from merger document

WASHINGTON – Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern say their proposed merger will generate significant traffic growth, with daily train counts on the combined system’s north-south spine projected to more than double within three years. The traffic details were among those included in the railways’ 4,342-page, 1-gigabyte merger application filed with U.S. regulators late Friday. […]

Read More…

CP to build additional hydrogen locomotives, fueling facilities

Frame and cab of locomotive outside shop building

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific will expand its hydrogen locomotive development program from one locomotive to three after receiving a $15 million grant from Emissions Reduction Alberta. The grant, announced Monday, will also allow the railroad to develop hydrogen production and fueling facilities. It matches the $15 million CP had already planned to invest in […]

Read More…

Gaspe peninsula

Passenger train waits at waterside station

Gaspe peninsula Canadian National train 119 is at the division point of New Carlisle, 104 miles into its 202-mile trip from Gaspe to Matapedia in 1975. Bill Linley photo     […]

Read More…