MONTREAL — With the province of Quebec walloped by at least 15 inches of snow in the last few days followed by plunging temperatures, VIA Rail Canada management delayed Sunday’s eastbound and westbound Montreal-Halifax Ocean by 13 hours rather than cancel one of the trains.
Additional blowing snow — about 27 inches is now on the ground — and temperatures hovering below 0 degrees Fahrenheit caused numerous cancellations on VIA’s Quebec-Windsor corridor [see “Weather leads Amtrak to cancel…,” News Wire Feb. 17, 2025].
With Sunday’s westbound Ocean already en route across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the decision was made to hold the train overnight at the crew-change point of Campbellton, N.B., until 1 p.m. local time today (Feb. 17) after arriving from Halifax about 10 p.m. Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, eastbound Ocean No. 14 departed Montreal at 7:30 a.m. Monday morning instead of 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Coordinating the schedules in this way allows eastern Quebec operating crews to return to their home bases of Sainte-Foy and Campbellton when the two trains meet between Rimouski and Trois-Pistoles, Que. Reports to News Wire indicate that passengers were allowed to remain onboard, with food service provided.
The rare daytime run through rural eastern Quebec means both trains will reach their destinations around midnight or later, barring any other significant delays. The next departures from Montreal and Halifax are Wednesday, giving shop forces additional time to maintain the equipment.
Earlier today VIA showed all eastern trains on train tracker in the black. ie nothing on time.
A fruend took a Winter trip to Moosonee, Ont. (Arctic tidewater) Snow was forecast so CNR coupled a plow ahead of the lead FP-7. They got there close to on time and next day made their connection to Toronto.
Evidently Canada’s rail industry is crumbling like in the US.
I understand the willingness to adapt the schedule to adverse conditions but it seems that trains are becoming a “fair weather only” means of transport. Back in the day they could be counted on to persevere reliably.
It was an intelligent move brought about by 15-20 inches of blowing snow. The crew-change strategy was brilliant. The passengers were warm and well fed. Good work, VIA; take note Amtrak!
Pretty sorry, CN has no staff to call out in winter and 3 mile freights clogging the single track. But executive stock options are in the money! Hedgies are happy! Sorry customers and the public.
In February 1978 we took a circle trip on the Atlantic to St John, RDCs to Moncton and the Ocean back to Montreal. There was serious snowfall and blizzard conditions. The RDCs plowed through snow drifts. The Ocean ran late, a dozen steam heated cars, all toasty warm. The diner served freshly cooked meals. A few hours late into Montreal, but everything ran! Back home on the Adirondack.
How far we have fallen!