Local groups seek meetings with Watco on Algoma Central passenger service

Passenger train on trestle

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario — The chief of a First Nation group is planning a meeting with Watco management to discuss possible resurrection of passenger service on the transportation company’s newly acquired Algoma Central Railway. Missanabie Cree First Nation Chief Jason Gauthier tells the Sault Star newspaper that he is “confident” the new owner of […]

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News photo: Ontario Northland acquires locomotives

Black locomotives with Norfolk Southern logo crossed out

BURLINGTON, Ontario — The Ontario Northland Railway has acquired two locomotives currently en route to the Canadian railroad. A pair of former Norfolk Southern  SD70M units, Nos. 2631 and 2642, sold to PRLX (Progress Rail Leasing), are shown in transit on Canadian National train A422 in Burlington, Ont., on Feb. 15, 2022. They are destined […]

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New Montreal commuter car damaged in delivery accident (second update)

Railcar against twisted metal on bridge

MONTREAL — At approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, a loud impact called to the attention of those in the vicinity, including at least one rail enthusiast, that something had gone quite wrong with the delivery of a new bilevel commuter car for Montreal-area commuter operator EXO. The new car, built by China’s CRRC […]

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Conservationists express concern over Calgary-Banff rail project

Rendering of three-car passenger train at station in mountains

CALGARY — Canadian conservation groups are expressing concerns over a proposed Calgary-Banff rail service, saying they’re concerned the project is ignoring wildlife and environmental issues. Global News reports that the local chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is concerned there isn’t enough transparency in the planning process, while the Yellowstone To Yukon Conservation […]

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Teamsters vote on Canadian Pacific strike in Canada

Teamsters_Canada_logo

MONTREAL — The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference is holding a vote among its 3,000 Canadian Pacific employees over a potential strike against the railroad. The union, which represents engineers, conductors, crew members, and yardpersons, says it is in a dispute in which wages, benefits, and pensions are the main issues. Results of the strike vote […]

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Canadian amendment to address Canadian Pacific tax break advances

Canadian Pacific Railway beaver logo

OTTAWA — The government of Saskatchewan’s effort to remove a tax break for Canadian Pacific from the law that created the province has advanced at the federal level, with the amendment to the Constitution of Canada passing the House of Commons. CTV News reports the legislation now moves to Senate, where it could be proclaimed […]

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Canadian government announces intent to implement PTC

UP_PTC_Hawk_Lassen

OTTAWA — The Canadian government has announced plans to require its own version of positive train control, which it is calling Enhanced Train Control. Transport Canada has published a Notice of Intent to implement the safety system, which is intended to ensure trains comply with trackside signaling and speed limits and avoid collisions. In the […]

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Failure of coupler part led to 2021 CN derailment in New Brunswick

Aerial photo of derailment site

GATINEAU, Quebec — Failure of a key component caused a coupler to fall from a rail car, triggering a 22-car derailment in New Brunswick in January 2021, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in a report issued Tuesday. The board also cautioned that if design of such components is not reassessed based on changes […]

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Canadian government plans task force, infrastructure projects to address supply chain issues

Transport Canada logo

OTTAWA — The Canadian government will create a Supply Chain Task Force to address issues that have developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will make C$50 million available for projects to address congestion at ports following a national Supply Chain Summit held Monday. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and five other government ministers hosted the summit, […]

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Toronto museum offers online talk on film ‘Iron Road’

Logo of Toronto Railway Museum

TORONTO — The Toronto Railway Museum will host an online lecture “Trains in the Movies: Behind the Scenes of ‘Iron Road’” on Feb. 17. Producer Anne Tait will be the featured speaker for the event, set for 7-8:30 p.m. EST, on the movie Iron Road, described as “the building of the Canadian Pacific’s transcontinental route, […]

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Effort seeks to revive Edmonton-Calgary passenger service

Logo of Alberta Regional Rail

EDMONTON, Alberta — An effort has begun to relaunch rail service between Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta, a route last served by RDCs in 1985, the Edmonton Journal reports. The Alberta Regional Rail proposal estimates it would cost about $2.2 billion to upgrade infrastructure on the 185-mile route between the cities, improving existing Canadian Pacific right-of-way, […]

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Head of Montreal transit agency resigns, calls for changes in governance

Head-and-shoulders portrait of man with glasses in suit

MONTREAL — The head of Montreal’s transit agency, the Société de transport de Montréal, has announced his resignation effective April 4, calling for changes in the current structure of the transit system. The Montreal Gazette reports that Luc Tremblay, the STM director general, announced his resignation last week, decried problems with the authority overseeing transit […]

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