Recent content by Trackside_Treasure

I noted in Recommendation 4 (my emphasis in bold): That VIA Rail front-line employees be given the necessary latitude to take unilateral and rapid action in crisis to better manage emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and staff without requiring the approval of the...

The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) issued its list of recommendations to Government in its Seventh Report to the 45th Parliament, presented to the House on November 26, 2025, entitled Putting Passengers First: Improving VIA Rail's Emergency Response...

Supposed to happen a couple of days ago, postponed til today but not happening 100% due to storm and several train cancellations upsetting rotation.

Some key dates and communication: October 15, 2021 - CN's Manager of Signals emails VIA: “CN will authorize the use of the new 24-axle train sets on its routes. A ten-day notification to CN is required before placing these train sets in revenue service on any CN route. CN reserves the right to...

Minor points - the CN crossing supplement was put in effect October, 2024 not October, 2025 as stated in the article. It also doesn't make clear that only Venture trains need to adhere to the crossing speed reductions.

Sorry, meeting extreme with extreme. Oh boy. Ain't we all. One suspicious train-car collision in the US, a few short warning times on the CN Drummondville Sub, paranoia, CYA and risk-aversion. That ain't safety, it's over-reaction. Mixed with a healthy dose of VIAntagonism on CN's behalf.

Maybe we should stop the Ventures at every road crossing. That would be the safest! The facts are that these crossings function in the Corridor thousands of times every day. Where is CN's best proof that there is a problem? No, no, maybe we should give vehicles priority and only let the trains...

Yes, VIA has said that the longer this goes without a bogeyman/smoking gun of CN data, the better the data gets. At the same time, the government has included funding for shunt-enhancers in its most recent budget, though development/implementation/testing will take time. CN's case is built on...

Agreed. So far, the judges have become remarkably conversant in the subject matter per their written judgments. Wouldn't it have been optimal if the discussions had involved Transport Canada, VIA and CN. At one point in his judgment, the judge suggests TC should join the discussion. TC's request...

A just-published post (perhaps more for the Legal Eagles than the Rail Fans) on various pre-hearing examinations, including interrogation of VIA's Mario Peloquin. http://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2026/01/via-and-cn-in-quebec-superior-court_22.html

Thanks for the confirmation. Wouldn't VIA have been all over ON Ventures that arrived with Onboard Shunt Enhancers (OSEs).When VIA OSE implementation goes forward (it's in the government's latest budget), it will involve testing, regulatory approval and a stepwise implementation process. Any...

Interesting MTO comment - thanks for noting it! Shunt-enhancers have not been approved, tested or implemented in Canada. That approval would have to come from Transport Canada, as it did through the FRA in the US. Does Northern Tracks have more proof than an anonymous MTO spokesperson that 'will...

THE F40 add-ons to Ventures as potential HEP backup seems to be on hiatus. FINAL TALLY: 6413 with Set 14 Jan 5-9 6408 with Set 19 Jan 9-12 6405 with Set 26 Jan 12-13 (possibly 6433 with Set 29 Jan 7+) ...and no F40s after Jan 13.

Wonder if he had the presence of mind to phone via 'the blue sign'...

A no-whistle crossing. Also, consider whether the plow was 'stuck' on the crossing and couldn't move. Train speed was about 28 mph per the tracker.