Thursday, July 9, 2026

VIA VENTURES IN SERVICE, PART 6

Back in January, 2024 and with the delivery of the twelfth Siemens Venture set, I split my very first Siemens Venture post first published on September 21, 2021, spawning VIA Ventures in Service, Part 1. Then a subsequent Part 2, then Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5. We're now splitting it again, resulting in this post - Part 6, because it's hard for you and me to find 'news' in a post buried back in January, 2026! VIA's Siemens implementation has so far spawned a blog-busting 36+ Trackside Treasure posts on the topic - and counting!  Here are the Venture-centric posts:
Starting off with my observations - a snapshot of how many Ventures are in service on a weekly basis, and the fleet's OTP. I've been tracking the latter since November, 2024. Here are the Venture sets observed in service from the week of November 10, 2025 up to the week of July 5-11, 2026 (below). Set numbers are along the left/vertical axis and weeks on top/horizontal axis. Coloured cells indicate sets out of service for multiple weeks. Into July, there are only three sets not observed for multiple weeks. Click for a larger version:
Here is the Venture fleet's observed Monday OTP from the week of January12 to June 15, 2026:
Here are the latest Venture adventures:

July 1 - No 75 was severely delayed into Windsor and it was reported as mechanical issues and was recovered by No 79 to get to Windsor. 75 becomes 70 and was J’d with 72 operating on 72’s schedule which caused the delay into Toronto on July 2.

July 2 - VIA No 70 Engs 6427-909 J-trained with No 72 Engs 914 and 913! VIA No 64's arrival was delayed 3+ hours, eventually being J-trained with VIA No 66, resulting in two of VIA's longest Corridor consists and 92 axles! The consist: 6401-6427-3305-3469-3471-3371-3338-3368-3313-3335-3468-909/914-3455-3460-4004-3340-3367-3352-3307-3337-34xx*-913 (*no car numbers visible on either side).

July 6 - Set 18's 2218 has been removed from LUMI and is in the MMC shop.

July 9 - An ONR Set 1 operating as train P301 was on a crew-onboarding run and hit a truck at High Falls Road crossing in Bracebridge, Mi 125.27 Newmarket Sub, at 1345, reportedly minor damage. On July 14, ONR Set 2 was dispatched to haul Set 1 back to Toronto from North Bay. In the accident report, the lead unit is referred to as SIIX 930 (Siemens reporting marks). Lion Liu photo taken on the way to TMC shows the damage to the nose, cut lever and fittings above the coupler on both sides, compared to a 'before' video capture: 


July 11 - Siemens-equipped No 24 (likely Set 31) experienced a major mechanical problem in Lemieux, QC, at 1500, blocking CN Nos 120, 401 and 709. VIA No 39 Engs 915-7 LRC-6443 arrived 1630 to tow the train to the Lemieux siding, approximately one mile to the east, completing the move at 1930. Buses arrived to pick up passengers from both trains, but CN 121 had to pass through before the transfer.  No 24 annulled, Nos 26 and 28 arrived 2-3 hours late.  VIA No 39-24 equipment departed Lemieux at 2330 for the MMC behind Set 13, arriving 0115 July 12. A new issue this time, ran out of fuel and fuel sensor stuck at full position!

July 13 - Posted to social media - the first bike-on-a-Venture adventure. "I was quite excited when VIA Rail announced earlier this summer that they reintroduce bike services on some trains in the Quebec City - Ottawa corridor. Yesterday (Sunday), I finally did my first trip! I travelled on Train 26 from Ottawa to Montreal after riding my bike from Montreal to Ottawa on the Prescott Russell Trail the day before. I didn't know about the process, but it was quite smooth [albeit a pilot project and lots of rules on the VIA website]:

July 21 - Set 1 operated as test run No 656 Toronto-Montreal and No 657 Montreal-Toronto the next day. Four unexpected emergency applications eastbound and one westbound. Looking west, 2201 stopped at Beaurepaire (below - Lion Liu photo) as the crew does a roll-by inspection after a train-initiated emergency brake application.
Could this mark a return to service for this shop queen set and signal the best serviceability for VIA's Venture fleet so far. Cab car 2301 with no cab side numbers leading at Trenton (Andrew Ferguson photo posted to social media):
July 24 - Reportedly, CN is now installing trackside signage to indicate the beginning and end of VIA Venture crossing slow orders, suggesting that CN believes these slow orders are permanent. VIA Venture equipment speed restriction sign, yellow triangle is 1 mile before, yellow square for start and green square for end”. VIA had indicated that CN would eventually post trackside signage to denote the Venture speed zones already listed in its employee timetables. From VIA's System Notice No. VN25-018 Venture Crossing Restrictions Update issued August 28, 2025: VIA and CN are working to install new signs marking the beginning and end of each Venture-specific restriction, with advance signs to help crews prepare. "Q: When can we expect operating signs to be installed? A: This effort is complex and requires input from multiple parties. We will keep you informed as new updates are available. Rest assured that VIA is pursuing this as a top priority, and we expect signage to be in place as soon as possible, likely in the coming weeks or months." 

Shunt Enhancers! A tidbit found on this Transport Canada page of updates/briefing notes:
Budget 2025 additionally provided $15M to VIA Rail to run a pilot project, testing the usability of shunt enhancers on its new corridor fleet in the harsh Canadian winter environment. VIA Rail is working with Siemens, the manufacturer of the shunt enhancer, and other partners to undertake the pilot project and run testing as soon as possible.

July 25 - This week marked the highest number of Venture sets in service since January = 26. Not the least of which was Set 1 on its test run, the first time Set 1 has been out on the mainline since August, 2022 having been kept at the MMC until being towed to the MMC in November, 2024.

July 26 - A J-train in Southwestern Ontario: VIA No 83/87 operated with Set 24/2206-2319 (I'm going to start referring to that set as Set 20 powered by 2206).

July 28 - Set 20 powered by 2206 reportedly broke down at London station, 'arriving' at Windsor five hours late and with its corresponding eastbound run as No 78 cancelled.

TMC Siemens maintenance buildings drone view by Lion Liu on July 19 shows tracks leading to the new buildings at right, plus Rapido's collection at left, stored at the TMC:

Posted by Tim Hayman on Canadian-Passenger-Rail groups dot io:
On Monday August 3, VIA has added what appear to be a pair of extra trains between Montreal and Toronto, though it seems that they are in fact going to be a second Venture set (Set 12) attached to an existing train as a way to expand capacity without using a longer trainset. Also not subject to CN-imposed speed reductions, so arriving 'on time'. Westbound MTL-TOR No 665 - Dep. 10:49, Arr. 16:18 same schedule as No 65; 
and Eastbound TOR-MTL No 656 - Dep. 18:08, Arr. 23:04 same schedule as No 668:
Test booking on either of these trains, the cars are shown as 11-12-13-14-15. On 665 only cars 11 and 12 (Business Class) are available, while on 656 only the Economy cars (13-14-15) are available. These trains are also only available if you're booking from and to any of Montreal, Kingston, and Toronto. suggesting this extra set will only be opening doors at Kingston en route.

August 3 - VIA hospital train No 303: 6458-8613-Chateau Levis-6408 on the rear, ran west from Montreal to Belleville to rescue VIA 50, arriving after 1700 hrs there, back through Kingston at 1930 (below - Zack Migneault and André Gerow posted to social media - video captures). No 50 was separated from No 60 at Belleville and passengers transferred to buses. Today's No 26 was bustituted, planned as a Venture.
André was at the west end of the platform:
August 6 - VIA No 46 had a mechanical issue near Guildwood. No 48 J-trained and took the crippled set eastward, arriving at Kingston 282 and 104 minutes late, respectively and likely delaying No 68 as well. Type of equipment on both trains unknown, although they were planned as Venture and LRC, also respectively.

August 7 - Ontario Northland's third Siemens Venture set 950-959 is nearing Chicago, eventually arriving at Aldershot thence TMC on August 12.

August 11 - No 62 (Set 23) ran 15 minutes ahead and separately from No 52 (set 15).

* * * * *
August 14 - (Update plus Commentary) 
Nos 42 and 55 are expected to return by September 7 or October 19 (various reports), with Nos 644 and 645 regaining a daily schedule. This after an 18-month hiatus. This is the $64,000 question: when will the Venture fleet be allowed to run and meet its full potential? And a follow-up question: what factors are standing in the way?
 
We know VIA is facing a hard-date just over five months away when LRC consists will be no more. That, the donation of 3308 to Exporail and the portended scrapping of five P42s have suddenly awakened everyone who maybe hoped things would just 'stay the same for a while' to the realization that we are on the cusp of radical change of Corridor equipment.
 
There is one HEP2 consist operating now, two full LRC and four LRC/HEP2 consists. All but one of those will disappear in just over five months. The number of Ventures in daily service has constantly been increasing, but has reached a plateau of 21-23 sets that I have been able to consistently document. In reality, this may be up to 25 sets in use. Reinstating runs that have been off the schedule for 18 months is either a foolhardy wish by VIA, or an indication that they are ready to embrace radical change and full Venture fleet implementation. 
 
Operationally, in the last week there was only one Venture set in the shop long-term: Set 6 since December 10, 2025. (Not counting the plagued Set 1 that even had a test run recently!) Despite the statements of many that 'the Ventures are sh**' they are almost all in use on a consistent basis. They are almost all available for service.
 
Yes, there are problems with Venture-equipped trains being late on an arriving run that makes their next departing run late.  Interestingly, in case anyone thinks that all the problems in the Corridor are due to Ventures, I can attest that last Monday, non-Venture on-time performance through Kingston was an average of 28 minutes late, worse than all but three Toronto-Ottawa Venture-equipped trains. 
 
Frequently mentioned contributing causes: dispatching delays around Toronto by Metrolinx, CP delays at Smiths Falls, and the ever-present Venture mechanical issues that still crop up. And the dreaded prospect of another Venture Winter!
 
Yes, CN's speed tables and emerging trackside signage have entrenched their crossing speed reductions as timetable-official. Judicial relief sought by VIA may not come until 2027 or 2028 at the earliest. This action by CN has been the biggest single roadblock to VIA's Venture implementation. Bigger even than the Ventures' mechanical issues. Ventures will continue to run late as a result. Onboard shunt-enhancers and additional Venture cars are on the horizon. The distant horizon.
 
As my dentist once told me, the treatment he suggested for a problem tooth would either 'cure it or kill it'. He cured it! My prediction based on all the above....January-February 2026 will either cure or kill VIA's Corridor Venture implementation. It's going to be a heck of a ride.

* * * * *

August 25/26 - Set 1 made another test run from Montreal to Ottawa on August 24 then made its four final acceptance trips between Ottawa and De Beaujeau as VIA No 631 and 636 over two days.

During VIA's annual public meeting for 2026 posted to YouTube, the Acting CEO noted that VIA is working with Siemens to develop a true comprehensive plan for winter operations of its Ventures to make sure that VIA is not in the same position for the coming winter of 2026-27 as it was last winter. He also praised the full commissioning of the 32-set Venture fleet on budget and on time, despite mechanical challenges and a demanding transition. Again, en route reliability was touted as 98% while on-time departures continue to be a challenge as is getting the full value out of the new trainsets. Completion of TMC construction is expected before the end of 2026. Quoting from VIA's public meeting webpage:

With the commissioning of the new Corridor fleet now complete, our focus has shifted fully to stabilization, performance optimization and continuous improvement. In 2025, negotiated speed tables helped mitigate the impacts of operating restrictions, and we continue to work with infrastructure owners and Transport Canada to improve on-time performance and identify a long-term solution that would allow VIA Rail to resume regularoperations in the Corridor.

August 27 - Set 1 operated as No 41. (Michael Judge photo at Brockville posted to social media - below) Notice how clean this set is, unsullied by trips up and down the Corridor!
August 28 - Set 9 was hosting VIA engineer Dave Megee's last run on VIA No 69, going back to the pre-LRC era of 1975 (Lion Liu photo):
August 30 - Set 17 operating as VIA No 40 collided with a car near Fallowfield station. Set 9 operating as No 647 was sent to its rescue. As a result, several Ottawa trains were delayed by up to three hours. 

Sept. 2 -  VIA No 50 reported losing all HEP Power. At Brockville after the passengers disembarked the Venture set deadheaded to Montreal.

Sept. 3 - After yesterday's storm, No 87 terminated in Kitchener. Its Set 25 went to the TMC, then J-trained with No 71 to London and a short origin in London. We're talking about VIA awarding the LDRR fleet contract to Alstom and this graphic is on-screen:



 
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