railways

A freight train makes its way over the Black Bridge in Duncan, back when rail was still running on the E&N corridor. (Black Press Media file photo)

New Island rail group envisions cargo and passenger service on the tracks

Island Rail Corporation estimates $1.5-billion price tag to restore rail

 

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is warning about the risks of fires going unnoticed on locomotives, citing dozens of blazes in a report into an incident that triggered a wildfire two years ago in southeast British Columbia. A Canadian Pacific freight train travels on tracks covered with fire retardant in an area burned by wildfire above the Thompson River near Lytton, B.C., on Sunday, August 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Transportation Safety Board warns unnoticed locomotive fires pose wildfire risk

Board says freight locomotives aren’t equipped with real-time sensors to detect fires

 

People walk across the former main street as they take part in a silent march to pay tribute to the 47 victims of an oil-filled train derailment that occurred ten years ago, Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Lac Megantic, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Lac-Mégantic marks 10 anniversary of rail disaster that killed 47 people

Town has planned several days of events to highlight the anniversary

 

A rendering shows what a proposed ultra-light rail unit could look like on the West Shore. ThinkEco Power is pitching the battery-powered train trial to several West Shore municipalities and the CRD, with View Royal and Colwood already putting their support behind the proposal. (Courtesy of ThinkEco Power)

Colwood joins View Royal to support ultra-light train trial

The proposed trial would see a 3-km stretch of land used to prove the battery-powered train concept

A rendering shows what a proposed ultra-light rail unit could look like on the West Shore. ThinkEco Power is pitching the battery-powered train trial to several West Shore municipalities and the CRD, with View Royal and Colwood already putting their support behind the proposal. (Courtesy of ThinkEco Power)
Canadian National Railway Co. says it reaped record first-quarter revenues due a bumper grain crop and higher oil prices. CN rail trains are shown at the CN MacMillan Yard in Vaughan, Ont., on Monday, June 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

CN Rail unveils new continental shipping service in bid to match rival’s vast network

Move comes in a bid to match rival CP Rail’s recent merger with Kansas City Southern

Canadian National Railway Co. says it reaped record first-quarter revenues due a bumper grain crop and higher oil prices. CN rail trains are shown at the CN MacMillan Yard in Vaughan, Ont., on Monday, June 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
An aerial view of a railway terminal port in Ashcroft, B.C. is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Ashcroft Terminal Ltd.

B.C. First Nation sues port firm, others for disrupting ancestral remains

Bonaparte First Nation says Ashcroft railway project on site of burial ground

An aerial view of a railway terminal port in Ashcroft, B.C. is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Ashcroft Terminal Ltd.
Canadian Pacific Railway trains sit at the main CP Rail trainyard in Toronto on Monday, March 21, 2022. Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and Kansas City Southern have officially combined to create Canadian Pacific Kansas City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

CP Rail, Kansas City Southern Rail merger now official

Merger is the continent’s first major one in the industry in more than two decades

Canadian Pacific Railway trains sit at the main CP Rail trainyard in Toronto on Monday, March 21, 2022. Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and Kansas City Southern have officially combined to create Canadian Pacific Kansas City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
In 2015, young volunteers Casey Greggain, left, and Rod Gledhill attach the refurbished bell onto its place of pride on the Two Spot locomotive. (DAVID HOOPER PHOTO)

Iconic brass bell stolen from heritage Two Spot locomotive in Port Alberni

Two Spot was the first steam locomotive to work in the forests of the Alberni Valley

In 2015, young volunteers Casey Greggain, left, and Rod Gledhill attach the refurbished bell onto its place of pride on the Two Spot locomotive. (DAVID HOOPER PHOTO)
A Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive is shown at the main CP Rail train yard in Toronto on Monday, March 21, 2022. Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. says it will officially combine with Kansas City Southern Railway Co. on April 14 under a new name, Canadian Pacific Kansas City.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

CP Rail, Kansas City Southern Rail to combine next month after U.S. approval

$31B U.S. deal creates the only railway stretching from Canada through to the U.S. and Mexico

A Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive is shown at the main CP Rail train yard in Toronto on Monday, March 21, 2022. Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. says it will officially combine with Kansas City Southern Railway Co. on April 14 under a new name, Canadian Pacific Kansas City.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision in Tempe near Larissa city, Greece, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. A train carrying hundreds of passengers has collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece, killing and injuring dozens passengers. (AP Photo/Vaggelis Kousioras)

Greek transport minister resigns over train crash; 36 dead

Passenger train, freight train crash head-on in central Greece

Firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision in Tempe near Larissa city, Greece, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. A train carrying hundreds of passengers has collided with an oncoming freight train in northern Greece, killing and injuring dozens passengers. (AP Photo/Vaggelis Kousioras)
Passengers and military personnel wait on the platform of the Lviv train station in Western Ukraine on Feb. 18, 2023. Ukraine is appealing to Canada for rail parts and expertise to keep the embattled passenger and cargo rail system running as landmines and missile strikes threaten to stall the country's lifeline. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Osman

Ukraine appeals to Canada’s rail manufacturers to repair war-damaged lifeline

Country’s rail system is vital to the war effort, attacks have rendered 20 per cent of it unusable

Passengers and military personnel wait on the platform of the Lviv train station in Western Ukraine on Feb. 18, 2023. Ukraine is appealing to Canada for rail parts and expertise to keep the embattled passenger and cargo rail system running as landmines and missile strikes threaten to stall the country's lifeline. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Osman
The E&N Railway Track along Station Avenue in Langford. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke on track in effort to save Island Rail Corridor

Time running out to save the century-old rail line as court deadline looms

The E&N Railway Track along Station Avenue in Langford. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
The Island Corridor Foundation’s business case for the return of rail on Vancouver Island shows this photo of trains on tracks in Vic West. (Courtesy Island Corridor Foundation)

Capital Regional District continues push to get trains moving again on Vancouver Island

CRD increasing advocacy for passenger, freight services on Island Rail Corridor

The Island Corridor Foundation’s business case for the return of rail on Vancouver Island shows this photo of trains on tracks in Vic West. (Courtesy Island Corridor Foundation)
Orcas: Our Shared Future exhibition continues at the Royal B.C. Museum until March 31. Special orca-inspired events are happening during spring break. (Courtesy Royal B.C. Museum)

COMING UP: Family fun and outdoor events in Greater Victoria

Equinox Market, Visions in Wood, Ukraine fundraiser bake sale and museum special events on tap

Orcas: Our Shared Future exhibition continues at the Royal B.C. Museum until March 31. Special orca-inspired events are happening during spring break. (Courtesy Royal B.C. Museum)
A new survey found strong support for the revival of rail service in the Greater Victoria area. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vancouver Island civic leaders see rail as a solution to Malahat woes

Business plan from Island Corridor Foundation includes rail corridor from Victoria to Courtenay

A new survey found strong support for the revival of rail service in the Greater Victoria area. (Black Press Media file photo)
Damaged structures are seen in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021, after a wildfire destroyed most of the village on June 30. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfire in Lytton, B.C. a ‘wake-up call’ to take precautions: safety board

Rail activity that sets fire to something on the right of way can have serious consequences, chairwoman says

Damaged structures are seen in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021, after a wildfire destroyed most of the village on June 30. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Ken Rutherford, left, and Rick Lord of Port Alberni receive honours from the National Model Railroad Association—Pacific Northwest Region for 40 years of dedication to the preservation and presentation of railroad history. (PHOTO COURTESY PHYLLIS RUTHERFORD)

Model railroaders from Port Alberni honoured for rail preservation

Ken Rutherford and Rick Lord put on annual model railroad meet in Nanaimo for 35 years

  • May 15, 2021
Ken Rutherford, left, and Rick Lord of Port Alberni receive honours from the National Model Railroad Association—Pacific Northwest Region for 40 years of dedication to the preservation and presentation of railroad history. (PHOTO COURTESY PHYLLIS RUTHERFORD)
The Parksville water tower currently located at 600 Alberni Highway will be donated to the EN Division Canadian Railway Historical Association. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Parksville water tower saved from demolition by E&N

‘It has heritage status written all over it, which attracts money’

The Parksville water tower currently located at 600 Alberni Highway will be donated to the EN Division Canadian Railway Historical Association. (Mandy Moraes photo)
The Port Alberni Train Station is located outside the entrance to Harbour Quay, on Harbour Road in Port Alberni. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

QUINN: What makes a building historically significant?

There’s a difference between heritage designation and a heritage register

The Port Alberni Train Station is located outside the entrance to Harbour Quay, on Harbour Road in Port Alberni. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)
The Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose) First Nation is calling for the re-purposing of the E&N Railway Corridor. (File photo)

B.C. Supreme Court dismisses claim against Island Corridor Foundation

Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose) First Nation was seeking return of reserve land as railway sits unused

The Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose) First Nation is calling for the re-purposing of the E&N Railway Corridor. (File photo)