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Feds announce almost $2B for 45 hybrid battery-diesel Via Rail passenger locomotives
The investment will support 1,200 jobs and bring 36 of the 45 locomotives to Canada for assembly, officials said.
- On July 29, 2026, The Liberal government announced a nearly $2 billion investment to modernize Via Rail's fleet with 45 new hybrid battery-diesel passenger locomotives.
- Switzerland-Based Stadler will manufacture the fleet, with the first nine units built in Spain and the remaining 36 assembled in Montreal by Canadian workers.
- Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced $357 million for a new Montreal assembly plant built by Pomerleau, while ABB will supply batteries from its Saint-Laurent facility in Quebec.
- Supporting 1,200 full-time jobs, the project marks the first time in more than 25 years that passenger rail locomotive assembly has returned to Montreal.
- These trains will become North America's first hybrid-powered passenger locomotives, laying the groundwork for future zero-emission propulsion, with initial deliveries expected by 2031.
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Feds to spend $1.9B to replace Via Rail locomotive fleet, build plant
The federal government says it plans to spend $1.6 billion to replace 45 of Via Rail's aging locomotives. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon is making the announcement today in Montreal, where the federal government is spending another $357 million to build a new assembly plant and maintenance faci...
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources23
Leaning Left12Leaning Right1Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Left
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Left
54% Left
L 54%
C 41%
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