RailNews

VIA Rail Alter Service in Quebec Due to Wildfires

By Railfan & Railroad Staff

The Canadian wildfires that sent smoke drifting south to the United States — putting millions of people under hazardous air warnings this week and making headlines across the country — are now impacting VIA Rail operations in Quebec. 

On Thursday, VIA announced that trains 603 and 606 between Hervey and Senneterre would not run today or this weekend. Train 603 was scheduled to run Friday and 606 on Sunday. There are currently nearly 150 fires burning in the province. Thousands of people have been evacuated because of the blazes. 

Fires are also burning out west and VIA Rail was saying this week that it was monitoring wildfires in British Columbia and Alberta that could impact the route served by trains 1 and 2, The Canadian. 

The fires had not yet impacted rail operations elsewhere, but commuter agencies in the U.S. were warning passengers to be safe. On Metro-North, employees were handing out N95 masks, which can help reduce the amount of pollution someone breaths in. 

This article was posted on: June 9, 2023