CN seeks to end lease on ex-BC Rail route north of Vancouver

SQUAMISH, British Columbia — Canadian National Railway has announced its intention to abandon operations on 214 miles of former BC Rail tracks north of Squamish that it began leasing from the province of British Columbia in 2003. The scenic route through the province’s interior from North Vancouver to a connection with CN’s Prince Rupert line […]

Read More…

CN names Drysdale as interim chief commercial officer

Woman standing in front of window with office building in background

MONTREAL — Janet Drysdale will become Canadian National Railway’s chief commercial officer on an interim basis, the company announced today (July 21, 2025). The appointment is effective immediately. Drysdale, who has been at CN for nearly 30 years, fills the position vacated by the departure of Remi G. Lalonde. She spent her first decade with […]

Read More…

Unifor members ratify new contract with VIA Rail Canada

MONTREAL — Members of the union representing about 2,500 VIA Rail Canada employees have ratified a new three-year contract with the passenger operator. Unifor announced Thursday (July 17, 2025) that members of its Council 4000 and Local 100 ratified the tentative agreement reached in June [see “VIA Rail Canada, Unifor announce …,” Trains News Wire, […]

Read More…

VIA Rail Canada marks ‘Ocean’ anniversary (updated)

Passenger train with stainless steel dome-observation car

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — VIA Rail Canada is marking 120 years of continuous operation of the Ocean, Canada’s oldest named passenger train, with ceremonies today (July 15, 2025) in Halifax. The event includes unveiling of restoration work at the Halifax station and public tours of the train’s equipment. “This isn’t just a train, it’s a […]

Read More…

News Wire recommended reading: Inside the Ames Monument

Stone pyramid-like building under threatening skies

Our wide-ranging latest installment of News Wire Recommended Reading includes articles on a Wyoming landmark; a massive space under San Francisco built for currently nonexistent train service;, and how things went wrong for a deal to involve German’s Deutsche Bahn to remake Toronto’s GO Transit commuter rail operations. — You may be familiar with the […]

Read More…

Vancouver’s SkyTrain introduces new Mark V trainsets

Blue and black transit train on elevated right-of-way

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The first new Alstom-built Mark V trainset for heavy-rail transit system SkyTrain entered service today (July 10, 2025), transit operator TransLink has announced. The 47-trainset order was placed in December 2020 and represents the largest single rolling stock order for the SkyTrain system, which debuted in 1985 and now covers three […]

Read More…

Premiers of Alberta, Ontario call for construction of rail routes, pipelines for natural-resource development

Two people posing with government documents

CALGARY, Alberta — The premiers of Alberta and Ontario have signed agreements to pursue construction of more rail lines and pipelines to tap into natural resources including Alberta oil and Ontario’s “Ring of Fire” mineral region. At a Monday press conference in Calgary, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario’s Doug Ford announced the signing of […]

Read More…

Montreal light rail begins six-week shutdown

Light rail train crossing bridge at sunset

MONTREAL — The Réseau express métropolitain light rail line between downtown Montreal and the North Shore community of Brossard, Que., has begun a six-week shutdown today (Saturday, July 5) for testing in preparation of opening of most of the rest of the system later this year. Service on the 10.3-mile first phase between Central Station […]

Read More…

VIA Historical Association trainset makes debut

Yellow and blue passenger train next to current VIA Rail Canada equipment

TORONTO — The VIA Historical Association’s heritage train of VIA Rail Canada equipment made its public debut this week, appearing at a June 25 event marking the 40th anniversary of VIA’s Toronto Maintenance Centre. The train — restored FP9 No. 6539 and three former Canadian National cars — baggage car No. 9604 and Dayniter coaches […]

Read More…

Control of long-delayed Toronto light rail line transferred to TTC

Black and white light rail trainset on track with construction work visible in background

TORONTO — The Toronto Transit Commission, operator of the city’s subways and streetcars, has officially taken control of the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown light rail line, the head of regional transit agency Metrolinx said on Tuesday (June 17). Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay said the TTC would begin controlling train movements no later than today, June 18. […]

Read More…