Via Rail says it doesn't expect to resume its train service east of Toronto on Thursday and some Friday morning trains will not operate after a CN Rail freight train derailed near Brockville.
The company said six Friday morning trains (41, 43, 51, 61, 50, 60) will be replaced by buses.
Via Rail deployed charter buses all day Thursday to accommodate about 3,600 passengers who are stranded because of the service disruption.
The derailment, which occurred at 4:10 a.m., has affected trains running from Montreal through to Toronto, affecting passengers travelling along Ottawa, Kingston, Brockville and Toronto, according to Jacques C. Gagnon, Via’s senior manager, media and community relations. Passengers are being told to expect heavy delays.
At first, trains leaving from Toronto heading towards Kingston were not affected but Via Rail spokesperson Mylene Belanger said charter buses are also heading east from Toronto.
Passengers leaving from Toronto are being told to go to the waiting area at Union Station as they would normally do. However, authorities are leading people from that area to Maple Leaf Square, where buses will be waiting to take them to their destination.
No one was injured when the 26-car freight train derailed but officials say the resulting mess will take a while to clean up. Authorities say the train was carrying automobiles, carbon power and unloaded fuel tank cars.
There is no risk to the public or to the environment, Belanger told CP24.
"There is no immediate effect to the community right now and of course, we are always monitoring that," she said. "That is our number one priority."
Via Rail says affected passengers can get refunds online with no services charges until 7 p.m. Thursday.
