VIA Rail warns of ‘significant delays’ on Ottawa-Montreal-Toronto routes following CN train derailment

Ottawa road crews will be working long hours to clean up after nearly 70 cm of snow was dumped on the capital in less than a week. CTV’s Tyler Fleming reports.

Despite some rail traffic resuming, VIA Rail is warning of significant delays on trains in the Ottawa-Montreal and Toronto corridor following a train derailment in a Montreal suburb Tuesday.

The Crown corporation said all rail traffic had “completely stopped” in Dorval following a derailment of a CN Rail train Tuesday morning.

“This situation, beyond our control, is causing significant delays,” VIA Rail said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

“VIA Rail is closely monitoring the situation, and cancellations or schedule changes may be announced during the day. Passengers affected will be informed directly.”

In an update Tuesday afternoon, VIA Rail said rail traffic through Dorval had partially reopened but was still delayed.

“VIA Rail and CN are working together to prioritize VIA Rail trains and get passengers moving again. Although the track is now partially accessible, this situation, beyond our control, will continue to cause significant delays,” a statement on social media said.

The delays caused VIA Rail to cancel some trains, including the following trains serving Ottawa on Tuesday.

• Train 31: Montreal to Ottawa. VIA said alternative transportation will be provided by bus or on later trains.
• Train 44: Toronto to Ottawa. VIA said alternative transportation will be provided by bus or on later trains.
• Train 53: Ottawa to Toronto.

According to the VIA Rail website, trains that departed Ottawa for Montreal Tuesday morning were delayed for several hours.

VIA Rail said due to the delays near Dorval, trains scheduled to subsequent routes were cancelled, including:

• 84, and 87: Alternative transportation will be provided by bus or on later trains.
• 63, 72, 82, 668: No alternative transportation available.

In an update Tuesday afternoon, VIA said it was experiencing delays of 15-45 minutes on certain trains on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor due to “unexpected speed restrictions” imposed by CN, the railway infrastructure owner.

CN Rail says the derailment at its Taschereau Yard in Montreal involved 12 railcars.

“No fires, leaks, or injuries to report. We are working closely with VIA to prioritize their traffic as soon as possible,” CN Rail said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

• VIA Rail warns of train delays, cancellations on Ottawa-Toronto-Montreal, Quebec City corridor following storm

The delays in the Ottawa-Montreal-Toronto corridor come after severe weather forced delays on Sunday and Monday.

VIA said severe weather caused “multiple frozen switches” on the tracks between Toronto and Montreal on Sunday, creating delays and a lack of availability of equipment and crews for trains on Monday. VIA cancelled 16 trains on Monday, including Train 37 from Montreal to Ottawa, Train 44 from Toronto to Ottawa, Train 53 from Ottawa to Toronto, and Train 26 from Ottawa to Montreal.