VIA reports increased ridership, revenue in 2024

MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada saw a 6.6% gain in ridership and an 11% increase in total revenues during 2024, according to the company’s annual fiscal-year report. Revenues for the calendar year were Ca$480.2 million (U.S. $353.8 million), while ridership reached 4.4 million. The company recorded an operating loss of Ca $385.2 million (U.S. $283.7 […]

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TSB of Canada releases final statistics on rail accidents for 2024

Pie chart braking down types of Canadian rail accidents

GATINEAU, Quebec — Canada’s reportable rail accidents and other occurrences were down slightly in 2024, according to the Transportation Safety Board’s final 2024 statistics. The final count of 1,198 occurrences — including 896 accidents and 302 incidents — was down 3% from 2023. Accidents which includes events with fatalties, those in which rolling stock is […]

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Manitoba wildfires threaten remote Keewatin Railway

Smoke and fire along railway

THE PAS, Manitoba — Keewatin Railway Co. employees are part of a continuing effort to save the bridges on the remote Manitoba railroad from the wildfires ravaging the province, the CBC reports. Manitoba is under a state of emergency as 29 wildfires, 10 of them out of control, continue to burn, forcing evacuations of 27 […]

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Ballard to provide hydrogen fuel cell engines for Sierra Northern

Blue, green, and yellow locomotive moving two freight cars

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Ballard Power Systems will supply 12 hydrogen fuel cell engines to Sierra Northern Railway for Sierra Northern’s hydrogen locomotive project, Ballard announced on Thursday (June 5). The engines, capable of generating 1.5 megawatts, will be used to convert three diesel switchers to hydrogen power. Sierra Northern held the initial test for […]

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Worker killed at Metrolinx rail yard in Ontario

Metrolinx logo

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — A worker in a Metrolinx rail yard in Mississauga was killed Monday (June 2) after becoming trapped in a machine at the facility, CityNews Toronto reports. Police were called to the incident about noon. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Additional details have not yet been reported. Canada’s Ministry of […]

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4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotives

4-6-4 Hudson type steam locomotive on turntable outside roundhouse

  While growing up in Cleveland and Buffalo after World War II, a close encounter with a 4-6-4 Hudson-type locomotive was just a train ride away. My first memory was as a four-year-old. My family had taken the New York Central to Chicago, and as we walked forward at La Salle Street Station, I was […]

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