VIA's Gananoque Junction Station

 

Gananoque Junction is the name of the station located on CN's Kingston Subdivision north of the town of Gananoque. Beginning in 1871, the Thousand Islands Railway (TIR) served the town of Gananoque, running southward from the GTR/CN Montreal-Toronto mainline to the town on the St Lawrence River waterfront, over a 5 mile-long spur. Likely a Keith Hansen photo from an online auction site, CN 3708 approaches the station in October, 1986 (top photo). Keith also shared several photos for this post on CN's Gananoque Spur. A circa 1951 view from aboard a CN mainline train at Gananoque Junction (below - online auction site photo):

This news photo from the Queen's University Archives (V25.5-39-33) George Lilley Fonds, showed a wintry east-end view of the station on February 19, 1970 (below). In January of that year, CN sent a letter to the town Council sharing its intention to remove the agent position and leave only a caretaker position in place. Centralized Traffic Control was about to be installed. The station was initially leased by two 'Gan' businessmen who opened a restaurant in the station building.

Michael Shufelt kindly shared this photo taken of a westbound VIA train at Gananoque Junction in the 1980s:

I hadn't been to 'Gan Junction' for awhile until I made it there in September, 2024. It was a gloomy morning (above and below) and my impression of the station quickly turned gloomy. A model railway club had been using the building, and some of the layout has been removed. A scanner bleeped and squawked happily, audible through the closed operator's window. Here's where the spur to the town of Gananoque originated, behind the station enabling cross-platform connections from mainline GTR/CNR trains:

Some efforts had been made at modern signage and local tourist advertising. The east end of the station sagged and the roof shingles badly needed replacing. Unfortunately, the station does not present an informative window on visiting or investing in Gananoque. In fact, a few business cards for a local taxi service and a one-sheet map of the area, visible through a trackside window are all that guide arriving passengers to town. 

You wouldn't find this in an airport...a schedule nine years out of date? Just visible to the right of the advertising poster, above.

This poster is now gone.

Some of the rails on the spot are positively antique!

Walking westward on the spur as the sun came out to provide illumination facilitation augmentation!

Looking east back towards the station (above) and west (below):

I liked it so much that I visited Gan Junction again in March, 2025. A younger couple dropped off these two older folks who ended up waiting 90 minutes for their train to arrive - VIA No 53. The wind was cold and the train was late. They're from London and needed to connect with their train home at Toronto. They remarked on the lack of facilities here - no indoor seating, current schedule, phone access or basic safety information. Fortunately, they had access to VIA status updates and train location information on their cellphone. That allowed them to at least know their train was coming, albeit late. Twice, other passengers placed their suitcases too close to the track, and one VIA engine crew loudly indicated before departure that was not a good idea for the passengers' safety - CN No 305 was approaching on the south track!

The couple related the status of various VIA stations in Southwest Ontario to me - like Ingersoll and Woodstock - as well as the condition of some of the track VIA operates on. Fortunately, they got to travel in Business Class and would soon be ensconced and warming up!

Boarding one-of-a-kind 3476 'Future' Business Class car where they could warm up - with a hot beverage:

Bonus image - screenshot from a YouTube video taken aboard VIA No 65 this month. The 'chapter' caption is for the entire chapter and did not change very often. Cornwall was miles ago!

I think I've enthusiastically and exhaustively (but not exhaustingly) explored the photographic possibilities at Gan Junction on these two visits. 

Running extra...VIA Rail Canada edition

RDC fans, this Budd's for you. Lion Liu kindly shared these photos taken on July 22 of VIA No 300 taking VIA RDC-4 6251 to CAD Industries bracketed by VIA 6405 and 6401 - like Thomas the Tank Engine's day out - this is 6251's first venture outside of the MMC since November 15, 2017. If 6251 can be put back into Sudbury-White River service, two RDC-4/RDC-2 sets can be operated, allowing one to head to maintenance at Mansour (formerly DES) in Sudbury, and with the option of the RDC-1 or a second RDC-2 added  if required. Update: Really a day out...back at MMC and coupled up to Glenfraser less than two days later!

Cue the VIARailfan rumours! Super Continental expert Elijah Warner Hall's video posted to social media includes ex-BCR Panorama car 1721 deadheading east on VIA No 2 on July 22. Many railfans are telling VIA to use 1721 as well as 1720 and 1722, the latter two at the MMC currently 'being worked on' on the Ocean to Halifax and there'a s a chance VIA is listening!

First past the post...

Lance Brown, railroadiana-dealer and reasonable-pricer extraordinaire, has a CP customer list from Smiths Falls on its way to me. I'm looking forward to finding the information for the ex-Kingston & Pembroke Kingston Subdivision. The year? 1978. It's great to have sellers intent on sharing their material, not over-pricing it!

VIA's Venture Mondays On-Time Performance, November 2024 to Present

Way back in October, 2024 when CN issued its first Crossing Supplement, imposing crossing speed reductions on VIA's Venture fleet, not only was I not sure of what was happening on the nearby CN Kingston Sub and elsewhere in the Corridor, I didn't know why it was happening. Chat text from VIA's 'message us' section of its website (top image).

By the end of October, the full extent of the reductions had become apparent and I began recording how the reductions were affecting VIA timekeeping. Rather arbitrarily choosing Monday due to the higher number of Venture-equipped trains on that day of the week, I've continued to record Ventures' On-Time Performance (OTP) each Monday since, from November, 2024 to the present...and beyond...until these measures are finally removed.

Originally published in this initial post published on October 12, 2024 (containing buffer cars in the URL because it seemed we were going back in time, and perhaps VIA was about to add additional cars to Venture sets to meet CN's rather arbitrary axle requirements), I've since decided it's about time to break out these observations, giving them their very own post. The introduction of the crossing speed reductions should stand as a moment in time, and the effects thereof that have been felt since are in this post.

Remaining in the original post are any developments or news stories directly relating to the imposition of the Crossing Supplement. Here are Venture Mondays' OTP for the last nine months plus!

* * * THE OBSERVATIONS * * *

To measure the Ventures' OTP, I employ a three-step process each Monday:

• Ascertain which trains that Monday will be Venture-equipped using the traincar dot info website. This useful site, hosted by Barry Gettman, harvests reservation information from VIA and presents it for each train giving us a very good indication which are Ventures.
• Throughout the day (and night!) gather departure and arrival times from the asm dot transit docs website. This comprehensive site is populated with VIA (and Amtrak) train arrival and departure times from each station along a given route.
• Create a weekly update including the Number of Venture trains that day, Minutes Late for each train, Average OTP for Toronto-Montreal and/or Toronto-Ottawa trains, and any Notes.

The above methodology has become slightly more specific, and I hope useful and reflective of actual OTP,  as the months tick by. For instance, removing 'doublavay' OTP from the average because those trains are not subject to the Crossing Supplements' provisions. Some have suggested using mean instead of average, and occasionally I do throw out data that unrealistically skews the average, but I've kept the math simple and I believe it's able to reflect operational changes that affect OTP going forward.

MON. NOV.4 UPDATE

(Now) Eleven-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No. (Minutes Late): 40(40), 41(76*), 42(37), 44(116*), 45(18 may not be a Venture), 47(39), 54(30), 59(58), 641(60), 643(60), 644(33). (Symbols: *departed 20-30 minutes late).

Average OTP = 63 minutes late.

MON. NOV.11 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No. (Minutes Late): 40(27), 41(46), 42(27), 44(83*), 45(56), 47(31), 54(107?), 59(62), 641(N/A), 643(39), 644(53). (Symbols: *departed 20-30 minutes late; ?departed 51 minutes late).

Average OTP = 53 minutes late. 

Elsewhere: Quebec-Montreal 40; Quebec-Montreal-Ottawa 25 (though time often made up on Montreal-Ottawa segment); Toronto-Windsor 50.

MON. NOV.18 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No. (Minutes Late): 40(45), 41(44+), 42(25+), 44(135?), 45(44), 47(39), 54(102), 59(46+), 641(32+), 643(47+), 644(47+). (Symbols: ?departed 38 minutes late due to arriving Toronto 47 minutes late as No 643; +on time Brockville-Ottawa portion of trip).

Average OTP = 55 minutes late.

MON. NOV.25 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No. (Minutes Late): 40(19*), 41(42+), 42(39), 44(113?), 45(48), 47(47+), 54(47), 59(58), 641(80+), 643(45+), 644(51). (Symbols: ?departed 38 minutes late due to arriving Toronto 45 minutes late as No 643; +on time Brockville-Ottawa portion of trip; *was 27 minutes late at Kingston).

Average OTP = 54 minutes late.

MON. DEC.2 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture Monday OTP could not be assessed statistically due to Nos 45 and 53 non-Ventures, No 643 J'd with No 43, massive delays over 4 hours near Toronto. VIA Nos 40, 59, 644 departing 20-40 minutes late; No 44 departing 117 minutes late. Continuing schedule and operational turmoil after a weekendus horribilis. Let's try Tuesday....

TUES. DEC.3 UPDATE

...Ten-Venture Tuesday difficult to assess due to Nos 41/68 not Ventures, No 47 J-trained with Legacy equipment (18), No 643 J-trained with Legacy equipment (departed 2+ hours late). That leaves seven Venture-equipped trains for analysis: No 40 (46), 42(36); 45(87); 48(109)?; 59(89)?; 641(59); 644(45). (Symbols: ? departed 25-30 minutes late).

Average OTP = 67 minutes late.

MON. DEC.9 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture (actually nine) Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(69), 41(43), 42(52), 44(67?), 45(not a Venture), 47(61?), 54(not a Venture), 59(89?), 641(31), 643(48), 644(39). 

(Symbols: ? departed 20-30 minutes late).

Average OTP = 55 minutes late.

MON. DEC.16 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture (actually eight) Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(52),  41(not a Venture), 42(78), 44(93?), 45(42), 47(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 54(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 59(59), 641(28), 643(61), 644(48). 

(Symbols: ? departed 30-40 minutes late)

Average OTP = 58 minutes late.

MON. DEC.23 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(not a Venture), 41(104X), 42(91), 44(115?), 45(59?), 47(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 54(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 59(59), 641(31), 643(40), 644(64). 

Unusually Venture-equipped trains: 52(64), 55 (130X), 63(89), 

(Symbols: ? departed 20-30 minutes late; X departed 40-60 minutes late)

Average OTP = 77 minutes late.

MON. DEC.30 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture (actually ten) Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(not a Venture), 41(28), 42(30), 44(134), 45(108), 47(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 54(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 59(39), 641(25), 643(41), 644(34). 

Unusually Venture-equipped trains: 52(46), 55 (39). 

(Symbols: ? departed 15-40 minutes late)

Average OTP = 43 minutes late. (44 delayed by police operation near Brighton - not included in average)

MON. JAN.6, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture (actually ten) Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(44), 41(47), 42(not a Venture), 44(119), 45(88), 47(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 54(cancelled most days Dec 16-Jan 8/25), 59(57), 641(31), 643(482), 644(21). 

Unusually Venture-equipped trains: 52(6), 55(39). 

Average OTP =  43 minutes late - outliers 52, 643 not included in calculation of average. 

MON. JAN.13, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven-Venture (actually nine) Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 40(45), 41(39), 42(56), 44(31), 45(not a Venture), 47(39), 54(not a Venture), 59(58 ?), 641(43), 643(19*), 644(30). 

(Symbols: ? departed 37 minutes late; *Speedster)

Average OTP = 40 minutes late.

MON. JAN.20, 2025 UPDATE

Nine-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(46), 41(55), 42(34), 44(57), 47(38?), 59(40), 641(30), 643(48), 644(13*). 

(Symbols: ? departed 30 minutes late; *Speedster)

Average OTP = 40 minutes late.

MON. JAN.27, 2025 UPDATE

Nine-Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(45), 41(75), 42(24), 44(65??), 47(135?), 59(54), 641(31), 643(40), 644(19*). 

(Symbols: ? departed 117 minutes late; ??departed 17 minutes late; *Speedster)

Average OTP = 54 minutes late.

MON. FEB.3, 2025 UPDATE

**NOW Fifteen! Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(61), 41(44), 42(93), 44(61), 46(47), 47(60), 55(45), 59(163?), 61(113??), 69(92), 641(32), 669(more than 60).

62/52 Venture J-train (22) at Kingston, (24Mtl/11Ott) [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions due to axle count >32]

60/50 Venture/HEP (26) at Kingston, (64Mtl/na) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: ? departed 100 minutes late; ??departed 50 minutes late)

Average Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 67 minutes late. 

Average Montreal-Toronto non-J OTP = 88 minutes late.

MON. FEB.10, 2025 UPDATE

Fifteen (only 11 this Monday) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(18*), 41(not a Venture), 42(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 44(40), 46(38), 47(31), 55(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 59(57), 61(56), 69(60), 641(24*), 669(not a Venture).

62/52 Venture J-train (26) at Kingston, (73Mtl/26Ott) [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

60/50 Venture/HEP (26) at Kingston, (83Mtl/na) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: *Speedster [40 was 30 minutes late at Kingston!])

Average Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 42 minutes late.  

Average Montreal-Toronto non-J OTP = 58 minutes late.

(These average OTP's for each leg will be listed separately. Venture J-trains should be able to operate on time Toronto-Brockville, and Venture trains Brockville to Ottawa. I expect increased Montreal-Toronto Venture-equipped non J-trains will arrive about 60 minutes late.)

TUE. FEB.18, 2025 UPDATE

Major snowstorm over the previous weekend, effects still being felt with huge delays due to 40+ cm snow in Montreal and a derailment at/near CN Taschereau Yard. Fifteen (only 14 this Tuesday) Venture Tuesday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(65?), 41(76), 42(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 44(not operating eqpt. shortage), 47(not a Venture), 55(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 59(not operating), 61(held at Dorval), 69(not operating), 641(93?), 644 (not a Venture), 645(not operating), 669(not operating).

62/52 Venture J-train (98) at Kingston, (360+ Mtl/97Ott) [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

60/50 Ventures running separately (74) at Kingston, (holding at Cornwall/65Ott) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: ? departed 30 minutes late)

Average Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 79 minutes late.

Average Montreal-Toronto non-J OTP = not calculated due to storm-related issues beyond VIA's control.

MON. FEB.24, 2025 UPDATE

Fifteen (16 this Monday) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(55?), 42(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 44(38), 46(48), 47(34?), 53(31), 55(cancelled Feb 10-Mar 2), 59(44), 61(85), 68(145), 69(91), 641(31), 643(32), 669 (95?)

62/52 Venture J-train (1) at Kingston, (40Mtl/8Ott*) [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

60/50 Venture/HEP (25?) at Kingston, (46Mtl/43Ott) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: ? departed 15-30 minutes late; *Speedster)

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  44 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  104 minutes late.

MON. MAR. 3, 2025 UPDATE

Now! Eleven (12 this Monday) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(47), 46(32), 47(39?), 59(48), 61(96), 69(135?), 641(36), 644(61?), 669 (134)

62/52 Venture/HEP not J'd at Kingston, (50Mtl/na) [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

60/50 Venture J-train(24?) at Kingston, (49Mtl/44Ott) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: ? departed 15-40 minutes late)

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  44 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 121 minutes late.

MON. MAR. 10, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven (14 this Monday) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(17), 44(36), 46(32), 47(15), 61(42), 69(61), 641(32), 643(1*),  644(34), 669 (54).

60/50 Venture J-train(5) at Kingston, (43Mtl/20Ott)  [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train ( OT at Kingston, (12*Mtl/OT Ott) [not counted in average either]

(Symbols: *Speedster)

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  24 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 52 minutes late.

MON. MAR. 17, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(40), 46(65), 47(59),  59(58), 61(47), 69(61), 669 (44).

60/50 Venture J-train(3) at Kingston, (34Mtl/18Ott)  [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (31) at Kingston, (48Mtl/38Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  56 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 51 minutes late.

MON. MAR. 24, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven (today Fourteen) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(38), 45(73), 46(57), 47(240?), 53(44), 61(75), 68(59); 69(56), 643(59); 669 (41).

60/50 Venture J-train(7) at Kingston, (25Mtl/23Ott)  [not counted in average due to not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (6) at Kingston, (10!Mtl/16Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  86 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 57 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; ?departed 81 minutes late)

MON. MAR. 31, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(72), 46(44), 47(16*), 59(46) 61(74), 69(91); 669 (28).

60/50 Venture J-train(11) at Kingston, (41Mtl/21Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (47/35) at Kingston, (37Mtl/42Ott) not J'd after Cobourg?[not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  44 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 64 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster)

MON. APR.7, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(36), 46(40), 47(26), 59(29), 61(53), 69(79); 669 (52).

60/50 Venture J-train (3) at Kingston, (Mtl31/17Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (20) at Kingston, (51Mtl/15Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 33 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 61 minutes late.

No significantly late departures!

MON. APR.14, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(36), 46(35), 47(59), 59(35), 61(63), 69(58); 669 (42).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 41 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 54 minutes late.

No significantly late departures!

MON. APR.21, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(54), 46(30), 47(5!**), 59(57), 61(71), 69(56); 669 (30).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (Mtl20/8Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (3) at Kingston, (21Mtl/3Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 44 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 52 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; **arrived 19 minutes late at Guildwood but able to make up 10+ minutes due to Guildwood-Toronto stops 30 minutes apart instead of the usual 20 minutes!)

No significantly late departures.

MON. APR.28, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(46), 46(45), 47(19*?), 59(56), 61(70), 69(69?); 669 (40).

60/50 Venture J-train (7) at Kingston, (Mtl28/13Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (10) at Kingston, (21Mtl/9Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 41 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 59 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; ?departed 20 minutes late)

MON. MAY 5, 2025 UPDATE

Eleven (today Twelve) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(52), 45(??118 was J-trained with No 53), 46(20*); 47(?16*), 59(40), 61(72); 69(46); 669 (27).

60/50 Venture J-train (8) at Kingston, (Mtl31/16Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (8) at Kingston, (26Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 49 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 48 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; ?departed 21 minutes late; ?? departed 78 minutes late)

Re: the speedsters - these vastly-reduced late arrivals into destination stations are - in the words of one VIA engineer, "Good engineers who are comfortable doing their job. You run hard and hit the whistle posts at 45, then right back to throttle 8".

MON. MAY 12, 2025 UPDATE

With the addition of two Venture sets to the Corridor rotation...

Fourteen (today sixteen!)Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(67x), 46(26), 47(15*), 53(17*), 59(57), 61(72); 68(54), 69(46), 641(42), 643(32), 644(34), 669(33).

60/50 Venture J-train (1) at Kingston, (Mtl7*/8*Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (8) at Kingston, (9*Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  36 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  50 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; x=mechanical problems near Smiths Falls)

No significantly late departures.

MON. MAY 19, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today thirteen!)Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(63), 46(31), 47(1*), 53(not a Venture, 6 HEP cars!), 59(56), 61(64); 68(56); 69(87), 643(43), 669(29).

60/50 Venture J-train (8) at Kingston, (Mtl26/21Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (3) at Kingston, (41Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  38 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 59 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster)

No significantly late departures.

MON. MAY 26, 2025 UPDATE

Change of card so changes are afoot.

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(na), 45(42), 46(33), 47(31), 53(47), 59(42), 61(42); 69(59), 643(29), 669(52).

60/50 Venture J-train (36) at Kingston, (49Mtl/23Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (12) at Kingston, (28Mtl/39Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  38 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  51 minutes late.

No significantly late departures.

MON. JUNE 2, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today thirteen) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(?115), 45(40), 46(48), 47(??60), 59(35), 61(59); 69(65), 643(69), 669(26).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (17Mtl/25Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (22Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  56 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  50 minutes late.

(Symbols: ?departed 77 minutes late; ?? departed 27 minutes late since No 33 arrived 91 minutes late)

MON. JUNE 9, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(34), 45(26), 46(27), 47(57), 59(42), 61(59), 68(59). 69(44), 643(50), 669(24).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (16Mtl/19Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (4) at Kingston, (47Mtl/20Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 39 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 47 minutes late.

No significantly late departures.

MON. JUNE 16, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(54), 45(43), 46(22), 47(?44), 59(43), 61(59), 68(62). 69(56), 643(58), 669(26).

60/50 Venture J-train (19) at Kingston, (27Mtl/45Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (15) at Kingston, (Mtl/Ott) [not counted in average either - Sets 26/2 respectively at Belleville (above) image courtesy Railstream, LLC.]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  44 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  51 minutes late.

(Symbols: ?departed 20 minutes late)

MON. JUNE 23, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today seventeen! after last night's operational challenges in SW Ontario) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(48), 44(?147), 45(71), 46(??120), 47(?84), 59(45), 61(?45), 63(87), 68(73), 69(117), 643(51), 668(82), 669(61).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (42Mtl/19Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (14) at Kingston, (119Mtl/49Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 77 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 80 minutes late.

(Symbols: ?departed 20 minutes late, ??departed 40 minutes late)

MON. JUNE 30, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(45), 45(99), 46(33), 47(45), 59(100), 61(59), 68(55), 69(115), 643(56), 669(60).

60/50 Venture J-train (10) at Kingston, (19Mtl/22Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (10Mtl/13Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  63 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  72 minutes late.

No significantly late departures. Additional delays likely due to temperatures above 35 degrees C.

MON. JULY 7, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(44), 45(43), 46(31), 47(53), 59(60), 61(70), 68(54), 69(55), 643(51), 669(26).

60/50 Venture J-train (11) at Kingston, (25Mtl/19Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (11Mtl/1Ott was 14 at Brock!) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 47 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 51 minutes late.

No significantly late departures. 

MON. JULY 14, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Sixteen) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

43(57); 44(39), 45(98), 46(34), 47(49), 59(42), 61(44), 67(?45); 68(61), 69(56), 643(32), 669(27).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (4*Mtl/10Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (20) at Kingston, (53Mtl/11Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  50 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  47 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Speedster; ?departed 28 minutes late)

MON. JULY 21, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(?185), 45(46), 46(?116), 47(148), 59(32), 61(45), 68(??86), 69(48), 643(61), 669(50).

60/50 Venture J-train (10) at Kingston, (30Mtl/16Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (4) at Kingston, (13Mtl/3 minutes early Ott, was 13 minutes late at Brockville) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 43 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 55 minutes late.

(Symbols: ?departed 30-45 minutes late, ??departed 10 minutes late)

Nos 44, 46, 47 delayed west of Belleville due to a crossing accident involving No 65 and not included in average.

MON. JULY 28, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Fifteen)Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(71), 45(88), 46(53), 47(?81), 59(41), 61(88), 67(*92); 68(76), 69(59), 643(71), 669(31).

60/50 Venture J-train (6) at Kingston, (52Mtl/24Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (36Mtl/11Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  66 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  69 minutes late.

(Symbols: ? departed 15 minutes late; *Augmented Set 12)

Only one significantly late departure. Additional delays likely due to temperatures above 35 degrees C.

MON. AUGUST 4, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Seventeen!) Venture Civic Holiday Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(45), 44(52), 45(30), 46(28), 47(?47), 59(42), 61(54), 63(*5), 68(52), 69(78), 643(48), 668(*31), 669(28).

60/50 Venture J-train (9) at Kingston, (15Mtl/16Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (1) at Kingston, (30Mtl/16Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  41 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =   53 minutes late.

(Symbols: ?departed 22 minutes late; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

Additional delays likely due to temperatures above 35 degrees C.

MON. AUGUST 11, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Sixteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(33), 44(106), 45(62), 46(72), 47(59), 59(74), 61(43), 63(68), 67(*143), 68(?87), 69(149), 643(98), 669(62).

60/50 Venture J-train (10) at Kingston, (48Mtl/45Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (6) at Kingston, (67Mtl/14Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  71 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP = 81 minutes late.

(Symbols: ? departed 15 minutes late; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

Additional delays likely due to temperatures above 35 degrees C.

MON. AUGUST 18, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Sixteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(49), 44(38), 45(18!), 46(38), 47(?45), 59(55), 61(48), 63(*9!), 68(48), 69(55), 643(26), 668(55).

60/50 Venture J-train (20) at Kingston, (44Mtl/43Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (9!Mtl/OT Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP = 38 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  51 minutes late.

(Symbols: !speedster; ? departed 18 minutes late; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

MON. AUGUST 25, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Fifteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(36), 45(27), 46(26), 47(45), 59(101), 61(41), 67(*OT), 68(53), 69(84), 643(28), 669(70).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (!13Mtl/!10Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (13) at Kingston, (33 Mtl/14 Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  43 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  62  minutes late.

(Symbols: !speedster; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

No significantly late departures.

On August 28, 2025 CN has made a change in how it has restricted the operating speeds of VIA's Venture equipment. I'll be watching Venture Mondays with relish now, to see if the co-operation that CN and VIA have mustered allow Ventures' OTP to catch up. For any outliers above the new Average OTP, I'll post context when it's available. "CONTEXT:"

MON. SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Fifteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(50), 45(!7), 46(49), 47(!1), 59(25), 61(!11), 66(*3!), 68(14), 69(26), 643(30), 669(OT).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (!8Mtl/!7Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (5) at Kingston, (38Mtl/ OT Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  27 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  12  minutes late.

(Symbols: !speedster; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

No significantly late departures. 

CONTEXT: "44 got caught behind GO trains and it couldn’t access the passing track because train 45 was occupying it so it’s more because of poor scheduling by metrolinx. Also 46 had lots of track congestion leaving Toronto they were delayed about 30 minutes by the time they were at Oshawa similar to 44. So the true delay is skewed for those two trains. (from Redditor cutemario...883)

MON. SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Fifteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(27), 45(?38), 46(22), 47(!OT), 59(20), 61(21), 67(*4), 68(20), 69(29), 643(26), 669(27).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (18Mtl/!9Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (8Mtl/OT Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  22 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  24 minutes late.

(Symbols: !speedster; ?was only 1 minute late Kingston; *Augmented Set 12, not included in average)

No significantly late departures. 

CONTEXT: No 45 was only one minute late at Kingston; it incurred a 25-minute delay between Port Hope and Oshawa. Meanwhile, No 47 arrived 11 minutes late at Oshawa but made up time into Toronto, arriving four minutes early (OT)!

MON. SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen (today Fifteen!) Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

44(33), 45(56), 46(27), 47(16), 59(25), 61(32), 67(*1), 68(18), 69(25), 643(19), 669(13).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (!18Mtl/!6Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (3) at Kingston, (7Mtl/8Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  29 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  22 minutes late.

(Symbols: *Augmented Set, not included in average)

No significantly late departures. 

CONTEXT: Nos 47 and 67 made up 15-20 minutes between Oshawa and Toronto. Tardy No 45 was already 39 minutes late at Kingston, and including it  raises the average from 24 to 29 minutes. No 59 was 14 minutes late at Guildwood, losing 11 minutes into Toronto.

MON. SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 UPDATE

Fourteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

41(32), 45(33), 46(?61), 47, 53, 54(17), 59(26), 63, 668(), 669() - some data deleted.

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (32Mtl/26Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (21) at Kingston, (49Mtl/30Ott) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  34 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  55  minutes late.

(Symbols: ? departed 12 minutes late)

CONTEXT: No 668 slowly built up delays, 50 minutes late at Kingston, 90 at Cornwall and 100 by Dorval! This raised the average Montreal-Toronto OTP from 33 to 55 minutes.

MON. SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 UPDATE

Eighteen! Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(3), 41(18), 44(23), 45(26), 46(26), 47(!OT), 53(!OT), 59(25), 63(48), 67(*17), 69(*OT), 643(11), 668(53), 669(10).

60/50 Venture J-train (1) at Kingston, (20Mtl/44Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (7) at Kingston, (10Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  15 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  30 minutes late.

(Symbols: !speedster; *Augmented set, not included in average; ? departed 27 minutes late)

CONTEXT: No 40 was 17 minutes late at Kingston, only 3 minutes late on arrival in Ottawa. No 47 made up 9 minutes Oshawa-Toronto. No 63 lost 31 minutes between Montreal and Dorval. Two O-T arrivals for Ottawa-Toronto (hey, that must be what O-T stands for! trains. Wow!  (A change in Corridor rotation in early October: No 60/50 are LRC/HEP, No 63 Venture, No 71-->76-->668 means 668 usually departs late.)

MON. OCTOBER 6, 2025 UPDATE

Eighteen! Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(*OT), 41(91), 44(24), 45(55), 46(26), 47(26), 53(**OT), 54(**OT), 59(16), 63(26), 66(*12), 643(25), 668(88), 669(10).

60/50 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (8Mtl/8Ott) [not counted in average; not subject to speed reductions Toronto-Brockville due to axle count >32]

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (6Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  37 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  41 minutes late.

(Symbols: ? departed 56 minutes late; *XL set, not included in average; **DXS set, not included in average.

CONTEXT: No 41 was on time Smiths Falls, 82 minutes late at Brockville. No 668 departed Toronto 56 minutes late, was 77 minutes late at Kingston.

MON. OCTOBER 13, 2025 UPDATE

Giving thanks for Seventeen! Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(OT), 41(14), 43(40), 44(35), 45(9), 46(27), 48(28), 53(**17), 54(**23), 59(?31), 63(14), 67(*OT), 643(17), 668(22), 669(26).

60/50 not a Venture J-train.

62/52 Venture J-train (7) at Kingston, (14Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average either]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  20 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  13 minutes late.

(Symbols: *XL set, not included in average; **DXS set, not included in average; ? departed 12 minutes late)

MON. OCTOBER 20, 2025 UPDATE

Sixteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(4), 41(17), 43(28), 44(65), 46(45), 48(37), 53(*28), 54(*??48), 59(45), 63(25), 64(*?49), 643(16), 668(??67), 669(40).

60/50 not a Venture J-train.

62/52 Venture J-train (3) at Kingston, (14Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  32 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  44 minutes late.

(Symbols: *XL set, not included in average; ? departed 37 minutes late; ?? departed 15-20 minutes late)

CONTEXT: No 53 went from 2 minutes late at Belleville to 28 minutes at Cobourg. No 70 went from 32 minutes late at Oakville to 83 minutes late into Toronto, becoming No 64's equipment. No 44 accrued a 24-minute delay between Oshawa and Kingston. No 48 became 22 minutes late from Toronto to Oshawa.

MON. OCTOBER 27, 2025 UPDATE

Seventeen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(18), 41(26), 43(79), 44(39), 45(41), 46(18), 48(26), 53(**19), 54(**16), 59(!2), 63(58), 65(*20), 643(16), 668(78), 669(!3).

60/50 not a Venture J-train.

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (13Mtl/7Ott) [not counted in average]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  25 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  46 minutes late.

(Symbols: *XL set, not included in average; **DXS set, not included in average either, ! speedster)

CONTEXT: No 43 went from 33 to 80 minutes late between Kingston and Guildwood. No 45 was on-time at Kingston; No 53 was only 5 minutes late at Oshawa; No 63 went from 20 to 46 minutes late between Kingston and Belleville; No 65 was on-time until Cobourg; No 668 departed Toronto 55 minutes late.

MON. NOVEMBER 3, 2025 UPDATE

Nineteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(11), 41(27), 43(14), 44(53), 45(4), 46(13), 48(60), 53(**2), 54(**23), 59(11), 63(16), 64(*48), 641(79), 643(30), 644(12), 668(130), 669(11).

60/50 not a Venture J-train.

62/52 Venture J-train (OT) at Kingston, (5Mtl/OTOtt) [not counted in average]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  26 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  12 minutes late.

(Symbols: *XL set, not included in average; **DXS set, not included in average either)

CONTEXT: No 44 departed Toronto 30 minutes late; No 48 departed Toronto 19 minutes late; No 64 departed Toronto 46 minutes late - arrived as No 70 in Toronto 76 minutes late, 15 minutes later than 64's departure time (detour via Halton Sub for GO construction); No 641 was on time at Smiths Falls then 46 minutes late at Brockville; No 668 departed 62 minutes late (late Toronto departures of Nos 44 and 668 not included in averages - beyond VIA's control).

MON. NOVEMBER 10, 2025 UPDATE

Eighteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(6), 41(15), 43(28), 44(26), 45(19), 46(18), 48(17), 53(**25), 54(**40), 59(17), 63(13), 64(*OT), 65(*17), 643(11), 668(88), 669(20)

60/50 not a Venture J-train.

62/52 Venture J-train (9) at Kingston, (11Mtl/12Ott) [not counted in average]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  17 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  11 minutes late (adding the late-departing No 668 = 30)

(Symbols: *XL set, not included in average; **DXS set, not included in average either)

CONTEXT: No 52 was 26 minutes late at Smiths Falls; No 54 departed 17 minutes late; No 64 was 17 minutes late at Belleville; No 76 arrived in Toronto 60 minutes late - at No 668's departure time - so No 668 departed 54 minutes late.

MON. NOVEMBER 17, 2025 UPDATE

Eighteen Venture Monday's OTP by Train No.(Minutes Late): 

40(1), 41(OT), 43(40), 44(30), 45(15), 46(63), 48(36), 53(**17), 54(**9), 59(3), 63(27), 64(*OT), 641(48), 643(12), 668(58), 669(11)

60/50 not a Venture J-train.

62/52 Venture J-train (17) at Kingston, (49Mtl/2Ott) [not counted in average]

Average non-J Ottawa-Toronto OTP =  25 minutes late.  

Average non-J Montreal-Toronto OTP =  24 minutes late

(Symbols: *XL set, not included in average; **DXS set, not included in average either)

CONTEXT: No 46 departed Toronto 13 minutes late; No 63 departed Montreal 25 minutes late; No 641 was only 5 minutes late at Belleville; No 668 departed Toronto 18 minutes late