OTTAWA — Improperly adjusted bolts led to the Sept. 19 derailment that has shut down Ottawa’s O-Train Confederation Line, according to a Wednesday report to the city’s transit commission. CTV News reports Rideau Transit Group, which has the operating and maintenance contract for the Confederation Line, said improperly torqued bolts on the train’s gearbox were […]
Zone & Region: Canada
New Ottawa transit chief will face ongoing light rail issues
OTTAWA — The city of Ottawa has a new head of its transit system to deal with the ongoing issues regarding its light rail Confederation Line. The Ottawa Citizen reports Renee Amilcar, who spent almost 20 years with Montreal’s transit agency, began her new duties as general manager of OC Transpo on Monday — the […]
News Photo: Dome-observation returns to VIA’s Churchill train
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Dome-lounge-observation Tweedsmuir Park brings up the rear of VIA Rail Canada’s Churchill-Winnipeg train No. 692 at Roblin, Man., on Oct. 18, marking the return of the Park class cars to the remote-service train for the first time since spring 2020. The train’s nine-car consist — including three coaches, three Chateau-series sleepers, a […]
TSB finds no evidence train caused fire that devastated Lytton, B.C.
GATINEAU, Quebec — No evidence links railway operations to the fire that destroyed the town of Lytton, British Columbia, in June, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in a Thursday news release. This means the TSB’s role in the investigation is complete “unless new information establishes that a TSB reportable event occurred.” The fire […]
TSB finds more evidence Ottawa light rail train operated while derailed
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has documented track and ballast damage resulting from the derailment of an O-Train Confederation Line light rail train on Sept. 19, providing additional indications that the train had derailed prior to leaving the Tremblay Station. The derailment has led to closure of the Confederation Line, while […]
Canadian vaccination requirement for rail passengers to take effect Oct. 30
OTTAWA, Ontario — Following up on a policy announced in August, the Government of Canada has announced COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for passengers on VIA Rail Canada and Rocky Mountaineer trains, as well as those departing from Canadian airports, effective Oct. 30. There will also be a transition period when travelers in the process […]
Activist investor TCI Fund says it’s acting in the best interest of all CN shareholders
LONDON – The war of words continues between Canadian National and TCI Fund Management, its second-largest investor. TCI, which seeks to oust CN CEO JJ Ruest and has nominated four directors to serve on CN’s board, today disputed claims that CN made on Monday. CN yesterday set March 22 as the date it will hold […]
CN sets March 2022 date for shareholder meeting requested by activist investor
MONTREAL – Canadian National has set March 22 as the date when shareholders will vote on activist investor TCI Fund Management’s proposal to oust CEO JJ Ruest and four members of the railway’s board. TCI, which argues that CN has underperformed financially and operationally in recent years, has agreed to the date of the special shareholder […]
Ottawa light rail system faces extended shutdown
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Confederation Line, a 7.8-mile, 13-station light rail operation in Canada’s capital city — shut down since a Sept. 19 derailment — faces an extended closure as repairs from that derailment are made, investigations continue into the cause, and an independent consultant is brought in to develop a return-to-service strategy. The Ottawa […]
Canadian Pacific debuts commemorative locomotive for Truth and Reconciliation Day
CALGARY, Alberta – Canadian Pacific has unveiled a locomotive that commemorates Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which will be observed on Sept. 30. CP ES44AC No. 8757 has been painted in an orange livery that bears the motto “Every Child Matters.” The holiday honors the lost children and survivors of Indian Residential […]
Toronto prepares to open new light rail line in 2022 (corrected)
TORONTO — The next generation of transit in Canada’s largest city is expected to debut in 2022 when the Eglinton Crosstown light rail line begins service. The 19-kilometer (11.8-mile) east-west line will traverse the mid-section of Toronto along Eglinton Avenue, through densely packed residential and commercial neighborhoods both at grade and with 10 kilometers (6.2 […]
News Photos: VIA’s first Siemens trainsets arrive in Canada
TORONTO — The first portion of VIA’s C$989 million order for 32 Siemens Charger trainsets has arrived in Canada. Running in darkness in Michigan and Ontario, it arrived in Toronto early Wednesday. With urgency, the train operated as CN P698 from Chicago to Montreal, arriving in Montreal less than 24 hours after it departed Chicago, […]