Visiting Rapido – Bus and Train Tour

Visiting Rapido – Bus and Train Tour | When David Popp and Ben Lake recently traveled north of the Canadian Border to explore all that’s new with Jason Shron, President of Rapido Trains Inc., they were treated to a special sidetrack trip. On their way to see what new N and HO scale models Rapido […]

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Canadian Pacific reaches deal with shipping line CMA CGM

Canadian Pacific Railway beaver logo

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific and international shipping line CMA CGM group have reached a multi-year agreement that will see CP become the shipping firm’s primary rail provider in Canada, serving ports in Vancouver, Montreal, and Saint John, New Brunswick. “CP is proud to provide CMA CGM with safe and reliable service that includes the shortest […]

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CN train derails in Saskatchewan (updated)

Canadian National logo

EDGELEY, Saskatchewan — A Canadian National train derailed after striking a road grader near the community of Edgeley on Thursday afternoon, CKRM radio reports. The CBC reports the driver of the vehicle, a 57-year-old man from the rural municipality of Lajord, Sask., was pronounced dead at the scene. Global News reports officers from three detachments […]

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Tornado damages Ontario tourist railway

Wooden train station building with broken glass and other visible damage

UXBRIDGE, Ontario — A tourist railway is among the locations sustaining severe damage from a May 21 tornado that struck the community of Uxbridge in south-central Ontario. The Uxbridge Times-Journal reports the York-Durham Heritage Railway sustained about C$750,000 in damage to its station, equipment, and grounds, and is closed until further notice. “After the railway […]

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Canada to fund expansion at Port Saint John, short line New Brunswick Southern

Container train on bridge

OTTAWA, Ontario – The Canadian government said on Wednesday that it will spend $42 million to help fund capacity expansion projects at Port Saint John, New Brunswick, as well as to upgrade rail facilities in Saint John and McAdam on short line New Brunswick Southern. The New Brunswick Southern and its sister short line, Eastern […]

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MTH SD70ACe, Menard’s switch tower on Bob’s Train Box 81

MTH SD70ACe Menards switch tower

Bob Keller and Classic Toy Trains Editor Hal Miller have a look at the new MTH Trains’ O gauge RailKing Imperial SD70ACe and caboose set. Since the latter is lettered for Canadian Pacific, of course it’s a “van.” This episode also reveals Menard’s new Cripple Creek Switch Tower, and a variety of new books and […]

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VIA’s struggle for relevance at the root of CEO’s resignation: Analysis

Stainless steel dome-lounge-observation car on train stopped at station

MONTREAL — When a passenger operator is forced to survive on a budget insufficient to provide service capable of satisfying its country’s travel needs, while on-time reliability remains hamstrung by host railroads, it is almost impossible for the person in charge to make a difference. The abrupt departure of VIA Rail Canada CEO Cynthia Garneau […]

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CP potash train derails in Alberta

Canadian Pacific Railway beaver logo

FORT MACLEOD, Alberta — Forty-three cars of a Canadian Pacific potash train derailed Sunday morning, CTV News reports. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the incident occurred about 8:15 a.m. east of Fort Macleoad and about 170 kilometers (105 miles) south of Calgary. No injuries were reported and there was no public safety hazard from […]

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Canadian National hires search firm to find French-speaking board member

Woman with shoulder-length blonde hair seated in front of window

MONTREAL — Canadian National has hired a Montreal-based search firm to help find a French-speaking member for its board of directors, the railroad has announced. The announcement came as part of a Friday statement announcing the election of a new board chairwoman and 10 other board members. New board chairwoman Shauneen Bruder said the railroad […]

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VIA Rail Canada CEO Garneau resigns

Woman in black coat and white blouse against black background

MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada CEO Cynthia Garneau has resigned, Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra has announced. The resignation was announced and effective on Friday, May 20. “I would like to thank Ms. Garneau for her service,” Alghabra said in a statement, “and her work over the past three years in contributing to the modernization […]

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Foundation releases new proposal for Vancouver Island rail service

ENRDCsJohnston

VICTORIA, British Columbia — The Island Corridor Foundation, the non-profit organization which owns the former Esquimalt & Nanaimo rail line on Vancouver Island, has proposed a C$431 plan to for a commuter and freight rail service between Victoria and Courtenay, B.C. The Victoria Times Colonist reports the foundation is seeking government support for a business […]

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Canadian rule changes seek to address train runaways

Two derailed locomotives and derailed hopper cars

OTTAWA — Transport Canada has announced regulatory revisions to address issues involving runaway trains and equipment. Changes to the Canadian Rail Operating Rules and Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules will set performance standards for locomotives equipped with rollaway protection, designed to automatically apply brakes when there is unintended movement; requirements before leaving a locomotive, such […]

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