The Government of Canada announced a $1.9 billion investment to replace 45 of Via Rail’s aging locomotives and to construct a new assembly and maintenance facility in Montreal.
The federal budget allocates $1.6 billion for the locomotive replacement and $357 million for the new facility, aiming to enhance operational reliability and reduce emissions across Canada’s rail network.
Locomotive Production and Assembly
The replacement locomotives will be built by Switzerland-based Stadler, with the first nine constructed in Spain. The remaining 36 will be assembled in Canada by Canadian workers who will be trained by their Spanish counterparts.
These locomotives are expected to be the first
hybrid trains in North America. The batteries powering the hybrid systems will also be produced in Canada.
Current Fleet Challenges
Via Rail’s existing fleet comprises 52 General Motors F40PH-2 locomotives that entered service in the late 1980s. Maintaining the fleet has become increasingly difficult due to wear and extreme weather conditions along routes.
Via Rail CEO Mathieu Paquette highlighted temperature variations from 10 degrees Celsius in London, Ontario, to minus 35 degrees Celsius in Quebec City during winter, which complicate maintenance efforts.
Via Rail spokesperson Karl Helou noted that while the current locomotives remain safe, maintaining them requires significant expertise and increasing effort
as they age.
Benefits and Impact of the New Fleet
The new hybrid locomotives are expected to improve performance, reliability, and reduce fuel consumption and emissions, according to Paquette.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon stated the investment will lead to better rail services for Canadians and create 1,200 new full-time jobs in Canada.
Official Statements and Operational Context
MacKinnon emphasized that locomotive assembly is returning to Canada as part of the project. He also acknowledged reliability challenges on shared rail routes with cargo trains, aiming to improve customer service and on-time performance.
Canada’s auditor general reported a 30% on-time performance rate for Via Rail in the first quarter of 2025.
The replacement plan
excludes the Windsor-Quebec City corridor, where Siemens Charger locomotives, introduced in 2022, currently operate under a separate federal investment.
Via Rail plans to announce soon its passenger car replacement strategy, but details remain undisclosed.
