Key Points
- VIA Rail cancelled eight trains entirely on the Ottawa-Montreal-Toronto corridor on Monday, February 9, 2026, due to “operational constraints.”
- Affected trains include: 31 (Montreal-Ottawa), 38 (Ottawa-Montreal), 53 (Ottawa-Toronto), 54 (Toronto-Ottawa), 61 (Montreal-Toronto), 68 (Toronto-Montreal), 641 (Ottawa-Toronto), and 644 (Toronto-Ottawa).
- This follows cancellations on Sunday, February 8, 2026, of three trains serving Ottawa: 38, 44, and 54, also due to operational issues.
- VIA Rail’s website notice states for each service: “This has been cancelled end to end with alternative transportation due to operational constraints.”
- Broader context includes ongoing issues with new Siemens Venture trainsets in cold weather, leading to planned cancellations throughout the week of February 7, 2026.
- February 7 cancellations: trains 38 and 633.
- February 10: trains 31, 38, 53, 61, 68, 641.
- February 11: 31, 38, 53, 54, 61, 68, 641, 644.
- February 12: 31, 38, 53, 61, 68, 641.
- February 13: train 31.
- These measures aim to reduce last-minute disruptions ahead of busy periods like Family Day and university breaks.
- VIA Rail contacted by CTV News Ottawa for clarification, but no further details on exact nature of constraints released as of reporting.
- Past issues include equipment failures, CN derailments, speed restrictions on new trains by Canadian National Railway, and weather-related woes.
VIA Rail Cancels Eight Trains on Ottawa-Montreal-Toronto Corridor
Ottawa (Manchester Mirror) February 09, 2026 – VIA Rail has cancelled eight trains along the bustling Ottawa-Montreal-Toronto corridor today owing to unspecified “operational constraints,” disrupting thousands of passengers on one of Canada’s busiest rail routes. The cancellations, listed on VIA Rail’s website, affect services connecting major cities in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor, with no immediate timeline for resumption provided. This latest disruption follows three additional cancellations on Sunday involving Ottawa services.
What Trains Were Cancelled on February 9, 2026?
The cancelled trains encompass both directions on the corridor. As detailed in VIA Rail’s service alerts, train 31, departing Montreal at 6:20 a.m. bound for Ottawa, was scrapped entirely. Train 38, scheduled to leave Ottawa at 5:55 p.m. for Montreal, also faced full cancellation.
On the Ottawa-Toronto leg, train 641 from Ottawa at 6 a.m., train 53 leaving Ottawa at 11:43 a.m., train 54 from Toronto at 5:38 p.m., and train 644 departing Toronto at 1:23 p.m. were all terminated end-to-end. Montreal-Toronto services saw train 61 from Montreal at 6:45 a.m. and train 68 from Toronto at 5:08 p.m. cancelled.
For each, VIA Rail’s notice reads uniformly: “This has been cancelled end to end with alternative transportation due to operational constraints.” CTV News Ottawa reporter Adam Beauchemin highlighted these specifics in coverage, noting VIA Rail has been contacted for more details.
Why Did VIA Rail Cite ‘Operational Constraints’ for Cancellations?
VIA Rail provided no granular explanation beyond “operational constraints” in its public notices. However, context from recent reports points to persistent challenges with the new Siemens Venture fleet. As reported on Reddit’s r/ottawa by user Rail613, the cancellations stem from “significant issues in cold and snowy conditions” affecting the new trains, prompting proactive annulments to avoid last-minute chaos.
Transport Action Canada detailed planned cuts linked to “Siemens failures,” listing identical trains for February 9 among others through February 13. This aligns with prior equipment woes forcing schedule trims in the Ottawa-Toronto segment until March, as noted by the advocacy group.
CTV News Ottawa’s coverage echoes that VIA Rail aimed to “reduce last-minute cancellations” ahead of peak travel like Family Day and Valentine’s Weekend.
Which Previous Cancellations Preceded the February 9 Disruptions?
The February 9 actions build on Sunday’s scrapping of three Ottawa-related trains: 38 (Ottawa-Montreal), 44, and 54 (Toronto-Ottawa), all due to operational difficulties. Saturday, February 7, saw trains 38 and 633 cancelled.
These form part of a weekly pattern: February 10 lists 31,38,53,61,68,641; February 11 mirrors February 9’s eight; February 12 has six; and February 13 just train 31. Rail613 on r/ottawa attributed this to weather-vulnerable new fleet performance.
What Ongoing Issues Plague VIA Rail’s Corridor Services?
VIA Rail’s Quebec City-Windsor corridor, shared with freight operator Canadian National (CN), faces recurrent hurdles. Historical disruptions include a February 2025 CN derailment at Taschereau Yard near Montreal-Trudeau Airport, causing 14 cancellations on one day and 19 the next amid snowstorms dumping nearly 30 inches. VIA cited “complete shutdown of rail infrastructure west of Dorval” from weather and derailment.
New Siemens Venture trains endure CN-imposed speed restrictions to 32 axles for safety at crossings, leading to up to one-hour delays on Montreal-Kingston-Toronto routes, as per Reddit’s r/ViaRail user burnabybc citing CTV. CN warned VIA in 2021 of axle issues, proven in 2024.
Equipment shortages previously suspended daily trains 42 and 55 Ottawa-Toronto. A separate mechanical failure stranded Montreal-Toronto passengers overnight. VIA also postponed a direct Montreal-Toronto pilot skipping eastern Ontario stops amid local backlash.
How Are Passengers Affected and What Alternatives Exist?
Impacted travellers receive alternative transportation, per VIA notices, though specifics vary. CTV News Ottawa reports no injuries or further incidents tied to these cuts.
VIA urges checking its arrivals/departures tool or alerts for real-time updates. Past disruptions offered refunds and credits, as in weather cases. With Family Day looming, proactive planning is key.
What Has VIA Rail Said About Future Reliability?
VIA Rail monitors closely but has not elaborated publicly on February 9 constraints beyond the generic term. In prior statements, like the pilot postponement, it apologised to “inconvenienced” passengers and allowed fee-free modifications via customer service.
Advocates like Transport Action Canada track these as symptoms of deeper fleet and infrastructure strains. No official response to CTV’s queries as of Monday morning.
When Might Services Resume on the Corridor?
No resumption date given for February 9 trains, listed as full cancellations. Weekly plans suggest ongoing selective cuts through mid-February to stabilise ahead of holidays. VIA’s tracker and FAQ recommend alerts for delays.
Longer-term, VIA reaffirms corridor efficiency goals despite setbacks. Passengers should verify via official channels.
