I was joined at the event by Harry Gow and David Jeanes, both past presidents of Transport Action / Transport 2000 who have been involved in advocacy for long enough to recall the introduction of the LRC trains in the summer of 1981, and together we were able to discuss the new corridor fleet and some of the other achievements, opportunities and challenges facing VIA Rail with VIA board members and senior management.

The federal government was represented at the event by the Hon. David McGuinty MP.

We are particularly pleased to see VIA Rail's recently increased emphasis on accessibility and inclusion taking shape in this new fleet, including power operated lifts and enough spaces for passengers using mobility aids to travel together. See our full story below for further details.

The media has legitimately highlighted the fact that these trains aren't currently intended for use outside the favoured Quebec-Windsor corridor, pointing out that the rest of Canada has been "Grinched" on passenger rail for the past several decades. However, even with healthy order books for Amtrak and state supported services in the USA, we have been told that Siemens Mobility has the capacity, if called upon, to deliver even more of these trains quite quickly. This would be an interesting possibility if calls for the restoration of intercity passenger rail corridors in western Canada are finally heeded.

Wishing you a happy holiday season,

Ontario Northland operated a test train south to Toronto November 22nd, leaving North Bay at 05:55 and returning north in the evening, marking one more step toward the eventual resumption of regular train service to the Muskokas and northeastern Ontario.

Corina Moore, CEO or Ontario Northland and Tracy MacPhee, Director of Passenger Services, greeted long serving advocate and Northeastern Ontario Rail Network co-chair Lucille Frith at the stop in Huntsville.

The updated business cases for the service is still being worked on, but the Ontario government has already announced its intent to choose Timmins as the northern terminus of the service. There is dismay in Cochrane over the lack of consultation on this question!