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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VIA Rail awards contract to modernize maintenance centers

VIA yellow and silver train on track

MONTRÉAL – VIA Rail Canada is awarding two contracts for the modernization of its maintenance centers in Toronto and Montréal. VIA awarded the contract for construction at the Toronto Maintenance Center to Buttcon Limited, based in Concord, Ontario. Pomerleau Inc., based in Montréal has been awarded the contract for work at the Montréal Maintenance Center. […]

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Responding to inquiries, Transport Canada adjusts, clarifies High Frequency Rail process

Transport Canada logo

OTTAWA — More than 50 parties have made initial inquiries regarding the High Frequency Rail project, the plan to build a passenger-only right-of-way for VIA Rail Canada’s Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal-Quebec City corridor, Transport Canada said Monday in announcing the next step in the government’s procurement process to develop that corridor. The initial step, the Request for Expressions […]

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Government order requires extensive inspections, tests for VIA heritage fleet

Side view of passenger train with coach behind observation car

  OTTAWA — The Safety Order issued Thursday by Transport Canada appears to require VIA Rail Canada to continue to use unoccupied end-of-train buffer cars through 2023, and recommends “operational measures and additional analysis” until VIA undertakes “a structural reinforcement and repair program” of its entire heritage fleet of stainless steel, head-end-power rolling stock. The […]

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Rapido Trains General Motors Diesel F40PH-2D

N scale model of passenger diesel locomotive in VIA Rail paint scheme

Rapido Trains recently released their General Motors Diesel F40PH-2D diesel locomotive. Associate Editor Bryson Sleppy hosts a Product Review video of this new N scale passenger locomotive. He demonstrates the details on the locomotive as well as lighting and sound effects from the dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder. Finally, he takes passengers on the […]

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Rapido Trains General Motors Diesel F40PH-2D

N scale model of passenger diesel locomotive in VIA Rail paint scheme

Rapido Trains recently released their General Motors Diesel F40PH-2D diesel locomotive. Associate Editor Bryson Sleppy hosts a Product Review video of this new N scale passenger locomotive. He demonstrates the details on the locomotive as well as lighting and sound effects from the dual-mode ESU LokSound 5 sound decoder. Finally, he takes passengers on the […]

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Interview with Industry Leader Jason Shron

Interview with Industry Leader Jason Shron | Earlier this summer, Trains.com staff finally had the opportunity to resume post-pandemic travel into Canada. The first destination for Director David Popp and crew would be the world headquarters of Rapido Trains Inc, located in the Toronto, Ontario, metro area. That’s where Jason Shron, one of the hobby […]

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Visiting Rapido Trains Inc

Visiting Rapido Trains Inc | As part of their venture north of the U.S. border, Director David Popp and crew were treated to the world headquarters of Rapido Trains Inc, located in the Toronto, Ontario, metro-area. With company founder Jason Shron leading the way, Trains.com cameras captured the office spaces, plus the very employees responsible […]

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Interview with Industry Leader Jason Shron

Interview with Industry Leader Jason Shron | Earlier this summer, Trains.com staff finally had the opportunity to resume post-pandemic travel into Canada. The first destination for Director David Popp and crew would be the world headquarters of Rapido Trains Inc, located in the Toronto, Ontario, metro area. That’s where Jason Shron, one of the hobby […]

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