Two young boys watch New York Central 4-6-0 1290 switch cars at Brigden, Ont., on NYC’s St. Thomas branch in September 1955. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
Ten-Wheeler with an audience
Zone & Region: Canada
Train derailment disrupts Canadian air travel
CALGARY — Wednesday’s derailment of a Canadian Pacific train in Bassano, Alberta, had an unexpected transportation impact— disruption of flight operations in Western Canada, particularly by Canadian airline WestJet. The CBC reports that flights from Calgary International Airport on Thursday were disrupted when a portion of the air navigation system was knocked out by loss […]
Canadian government announces funding for Saskatchewan rail projects
REGINA, Saskatchewan — The Canadian government will provide $18.3 million for four rail infrastructure projects in Regina and southern Saskatchewan, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced Thursday. Projects and funding planned include: — C$13.5 million for a grade stabilization project on the Canadian Pacific interchange near Eston, Sask.; Last Mountain Railway, an 85-mile short line between Regina […]
Two Canadian Pacific trains derail in Canada
BASSANO, Alberta — About a dozen cars of a Canadian Pacific grain train derailed Wednesday afternoon in Bassano, about 85 miles southeast of Calgary, the CBC reports. It was one of two derailments involving CP grain trains on Wednesday. The other occurred in Kamloops, British Columbia. An eyewitness told the CBC about a dozen cars […]
Canadian government, short line combine on improvements at Port of Windsor
WINDSOR, Ontario — The Canadian government and Essex Terminal Railway will combine on a project to expand warehouse capacity and improve transloading at the Port of Windsor, officials announced Tuesday. The government will provide C$5 million in funding for the project, which Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a press release is “critical to maintaining […]
VIA Rail Canada strike averted
MONTREAL — Averting a strike, VIA Rail Canada and the Unifor union reached a tentative agreement just ahead of the latest in a series of deadlines on Monday. VIA said the agreement will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2022 and runs through Dec. 31, 2024. Both sides said details would be released only upon ratification […]
Fourth extension for VIA strike deadline (updated)
MONTREAL — The deadline for a strike against VIA Rail Canada by the Unifor union has received a fourth extension beyond the original time. Unifor says in a Twitter post that the deadline is now 11:59 p.m. tonight (Monday, July 11) as talks continue, and says it will remain at the bargaining table “as long […]
Deadline pushed back for strike against VIA Rail Canada
MONTREAL — With negotiations progressing, the deadline for a strike against VIA Rail Canada by the 2,400 members of the Unifor union has been pushed back to 4 p.m. EDT today (Monday, July 11), VIA said this morning. The strike was originally set to begin at 12:01 a.m. EDT today. “We remain hopeful that a […]
Union issues 72-hour strike notice to VIA Rail Canada
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada has received a 72-hour strike notice from the union representing 2,400 of its workers, creating the possibility the passenger operator will suspend all services as of 12:01 a.m. EDT on Monday, July 11. The Unifor union represents VIA on-board, station, maintenance, administrative, and customer-center employees. Unifor said this week that […]
Alberta government turns down Calgary-Banff rail proposal
CALGARY, Alberta — The Alberta government is not willing to support a proposed Calgary-Banff passenger rail operation in its current form, saying it presents too great a financial risk. The Globe and Mail reports that Alberta Transportation Minister Prasad Panda says the plan underestimates the capital costs and the annual financial contribution from the province, […]
VIA Rail Canada workers vote to authorize strike
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada workers have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, according to the Unifor union. In voting by workers across Canada from June 20 to July 1, members of Unifor Council 4000 were 99.3% in favor of a strike, while Unifor Local 100 members voted 99.4% in favor. “The strike vote result […]
Canada announces fire-prevention rules, launches research program to address rail climate change issues
OTTAWA — The Government of Canada has announced two actions to address the impact of climate change on railroads — one regarding fire prevention, and the other to address efforts to make infrastructure resilient to issues such as flooding and landslides. The fire-prevention rules, effective during the April 1-Oct. 31 fire season, require railroads: — […]
