Via

Freight derailment affecting Via Rail service from Toronto to Winnipeg

TIMMINS, Ont. — A CN freight train derailment in northern Ontario is affecting Via Rail’s passenger train service between Toronto and Winnipeg.

The freight train carrying crude oil derailed and caught fire in a remote, wooded area about 80 kilometres south of Timmins, Ont., just before midnight Saturday.

Via Rail says the freight train derailment is blocking the main line northwest of Sudbury and as a result, its eastbound and westbound passenger trains are not operating between Toronto and Winnipeg.

The passenger train’s Tuesday night departure out of Toronto has been cancelled and Via Rail says service will resume once CN confirms the line has been reopened.

Service between Winnipeg and Vancouver is not affected.

Via Rail says affected customers will be allowed to cancel their trip or change their date of travel at no additional charge.

A CN spokesman said no one was injured in the weekend derailment, in which 29 cars in a 100-car train derailed, with seven catching fire.

CN says it has sent crews and equipment to help clear the site and is working with the Transportation Safety Board and Ontario’s Environment Ministry as it continues to deal with the incident.

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