VIA Rail Canada to begin testing fuel-saving software in train operations

Passenger train on multi-track main line

MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada will extend a pilot program using artificial intelligence to reduce fuel consumption, following a six-month trial that showed potential fuel savings of up to 15%. VIA, in a collaboration with Transport Canada and Innovative Solutions Canada Testing, originally started working with start-up company RailVision Analytics to test EcoRail software that […]

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Canadian legislation includes new rail security mandates

Transport Canada logo

OTTAWA — The Canadian government would gain new abilities to require railroads to create security management systems, and to grant or cancel transportation security clearances, under a proposed set of legislative amendments introduced last week by Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra. Those authorities and others are part of the Strengthening the Port System and Railway […]

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Hitachi Rail will build, maintain, operate equipment for new Toronto subway line

Rendering of subway train in station

TORONTO — Hitachi Rail and its consortium partners will build, maintain, and operate driverless subway trains for Toronto’s 15.6-kilometer (9.7-mile) Ontario Line project under a C$9 billion agreement, Hitachi announced this week. The agreement with Infrastructure Ontario and regional transportation agency Metrolinx covers rolling stock, and well as related systems, and operations and maintenance for […]

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Permanent garden railroads you can visit

Closeup of large-scale steam locomotive passing by a village and florals.

From simple elevated loops to railroading empires through a floral oasis, consider these permanent large-scale displays and garden railroads you can visit: Both across the United States and around the world. Please note that the status of any location can change, which is why it’s recommended to contact prior to a planned visit. If you […]

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Analysis: Canada’s 60-foot container will likely stay north of the border

Red oversized container on train in mountains

CHICAGO — It’s been five years since Canadian Pacific and retail giant Canadian Tire Corp. unveiled North America’s first 60-foot intermodal container, and intermodal analyst Larry Gross says the larger container type is probably going to remain exclusive to Canada for the foreseeable future. CP and Canadian Tire launched service with the larger container in […]

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Regional Rail acquires Canada’s Great Sandhills Railway

Logo of Great Sandhills Railway

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. — Regional Rail LLC, a holding company with 10 U.S. short lines and other rail-related companies, has announced it will expand into Canada with acquisition of the Great Sandhills Railway, along with interests in three other freight rail assets in western Canada. The new companies, acquired from grain firm 3G Canada Limited, […]

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Canadian government to help fund transload project at Port of Hamilton

Ship at dock

HAMILTON, Ontario — The Canadian government will invest up to C$5 million in transloading facilities at the Port of Hamilton, aiding the transfer of steel products between marine, rail, and road transport. In all, the project by the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority will cost almost C$10 million and will address supply-chain congestion at the port. “As […]

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Strike begins by GO Transit workers

Commuter train equipment in yard with one train passing on main line

TORONTO — A strike by 2,200 GO Transit workers began at 12:01 a.m. today (Monday, Nov. 7) after talks broke down over the weekend, halting bus service by the Toronto-area transit agency. The seven GO rail lines and UP Express service to Pearson Airport continue to operate. The strike is by Amalgamated Transit Union Local […]

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Workers for Toronto’s GO Transit vote down contract offer, prepare to strike

Toronto GO Transit logo

TORONTO — The union representing 2,200 GO Transit workers says they have rejected the latest contract offer from parent transit agency Metrolinx and will strike on Monday. Global News reports Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 said 81% of those voting rejected the contract offered last week. The union represents bus trivers, station attendance, maintenance workers, […]

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CN, CP set single-month records for Canadian grain movement (updated)

Canadian National and Canadian Pacific logos

Canadian National set a single-month record for movement of Western Canadian grain in October, the company said, moving more than 3.23 million metric tons. Canadian Pacific also set a grain-movement record for the month, moving 3.14 metric tons. This surpassed its previous best month by 100,000 metric tons. CN’s figure exceeded its previous best month, […]

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