Author | Lightnews

OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 17m

Via Rail’s honestly a joke of an operation… another safety briefing done on the exit row and even overheard one passenger say they had to remove a certain amount of weight from their luggage just to board. Are they trying to be an airline? 😂

OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 29m

Morning from Ottawa 🇨🇦

I’m heading back to Montreal this morning on board one of Via Rail’s brand new Siemens Venture sets - I was originally going to be filming this one for the channel, but something in my itinerary changed which means I’ll just be enjoying the ride with this one… 😁

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 29m

Morning from Ottawa 🇨🇦

I’m heading back to Montreal this morning on board one of Via Rail’s brand new Siemens Venture sets - I was originally going to be filming this one for the channel, but something in my itinerary changed which means I’ll just be enjoying the ride with this one… 😁

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 19h

Today I’ve been trying out the Ottawa O-Train, a series of light rail and commuter lines around the greater Ottawa area. My main focus has been on Lines 2 & 4, where extensions opened at the beginning of the year using some rather familiar trains… 🇨🇦

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 1d

That thing looks so cursed 😭

Down On The Stour (DOTS) @downonthestour.bsky.social · 1d

Well this move now makes sense. 196008 is off to Wolverton for relivery into Chiltern Railways Colours 🧐

Have to say I'm not a fan of the Chiltern Livery on these 😅

*Not My Image* Credit Unknown

#DOTS #trainphotography #railwayphotography #class196 #chilternrailways

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 1d

Personally I prefer the older ones having briefly tried them, as much as I love the seats used in the refurb

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 1d

I mean they’re on the verge of being replaced by the new Venture sets anyway, so at this stage it makes no difference.

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 1d

📍 Ottawa, ON

A great trip with Via Rail on these vintage carriages, have to say though Via Rail is too “airline” style for my taste, even going as far as to doing a safety demonstration for the emergency exit row… 😳

Also saw “Lumi”, the first Venture set of Via Rail’s I’ve properly photographed 📸

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 1d

All HEP2 carriages in this consist have been heavily refurbished (with the exception of the very front “Economy” coach). Looking at the interior, you really wouldn’t be able to guess that these trains are almost 80 years old, Via Rail did a good job with their refurbishment 🇨🇦

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 1d

This morning I’m taking Via Rail Train #35 to Ottawa, formed of a P42 locomotive hauling stainless steel HEP2 cars which were built between 1947 and 1955. Crazy to think in 2025 it’s still possible to ride mainline trains dating back to just after WW2! 🇨🇦

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 1d

Bonjour from Gare Centrale Montreal!

I’m taking my first of many rides along Via Rail’s Quebec City-Windsor “Corridor” today, but before then I’m making use of the Business Lounge to kill some time 🇨🇦

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 2d

Ffs now I really want one of these 😭

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 2d

This morning I visited the Canadian Railway Museum in Montreal, which conveniently isn’t far from where I’m staying. A nice selection available, including one of the preserved Mallard locomotives “Dominion of Canada” - a nice continuity for my side quest of railway museums around the world 😁🇨🇦

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 3d

In between settling in and looking around, I gave the fairly new Montreal REM a go today - the network is due to be extended further to Deux-Montagnes on November 17, with further extensions planned from 2026 onwards. All in all, I’m very impressed!

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 4d

📍 Montreal Gare Centrale

Arrived 3 mins early into Montreal - would seem Via Rail staff here aren’t a fan hanging about on the platforms, so no photo of the train on arrival…

An amazing experience on The Ocean and clearing a trip that’s been on my bucket list for years - time to look around!

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 4d

Good morning from Quebec! 🇨🇦

“The Ocean” is now on the home straight to Montreal, meaning it’s time for the last meal of the trip - breakfast…

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 4d

Trenitalia was a real shame as they’re easily one of the best international high speed operators in Europe - the Frecciarossa 1000s are also proven models already authorised for France (and soon further European countries), so part of the work was essentially already done compared to Virgin.

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 4d

No doubt other political factors were at play as well, but 100% correct

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 4d

Many thanks! Only real issue is it only runs 3 times a week, but otherwise the best way to travel!

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 4d

God knows why those “xxx”s are there - was meant to do my classic “…”’s 😅

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 4d

Virgin literally has the worst plan of the lot - another screw up by the ORR 🤦‍♂️

On the other hand, one step closer to the collapse of the Eurostar monopolyxxx

Railway Gazette International @railwaygazette.com · 4d

Breaking: the UK’s Office of Rail & Road has approved #VirginTrains’ application for access to #TempleMills depot, which is needed to launch services through the #ChannelTunnel, and has rejected applications from #Evolyn, #Gemini and #Trenitalia. Details to follow at www.railwaygazette.com

Rail business, industry and technology news from Railway Gazette International

The leading source of news and business information for the global railway industry.

www.railwaygazette.com

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 4d

📍 Moncton

The first of three “smoke stops” of the trip, which provided the opportunity to hop off, stretch my legs and snap some photos 🇨🇦

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 4d

It’s lunchtime on The Ocean, with all meals being included in the cost of my Renaissance Sleeper ticket - the dining car looks absolutely fantastic, a sad reminder of what we could have had as a fantastic travel option from the UK to Mainland Europe…

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 5d

📍 Halifax, NS 🇨🇦

Starting Canada off with “The Ocean” to Montreal that uses sleeper cars originally meant for overnight services through the Channel Tunnel. After the project fell through, VIA Rail bought all for use on their network. Look close and you can even see the former “Nightstar” logo too…

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 5d

📍 Boston South

12 mins late in the end, though that was due to infrastructure issues so can’t really blame Amtrak to a degree.

There’s a lot to say about the new Acela - mostly positive, but major negatives too. This officially ends my detour to the US, off to my final destination this evening 👀

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OM the Rails 🇵🇸 @omtherails.bsky.social · 5d

160mph… welcome to official high speed rail @amtrak.com ✌️🚄💨

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