Via Rail says train service disruptions east of Toronto are expected to continue into Friday morning after a CN freight train derailed in Brockville, Ont. Thursday, causing massive delays.
The company said Thursday afternoon that Friday morning train service on the Toronto-Montreal, and Toronto-Ottawa routes will be replaced by chartered buses.
"Morning trains for tomorrow (41, 43, 51, 61, 50, 61) will be replaced by bus and we will be announcing when there will be line clearance," Via rail tweeted.
Via Rail spokesperson Mylene Belanger said the company had secured buses to transport passengers on Thursday.
“We don’t expect line clearance by the last departure, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight,” she said.
An estimated 3,600 passengers were affected by the derailment of 25 cars on Thursday, with travellers facing wait times of up to two hours, the company said. Passengers can check Via Rail's website and Twitter feed for updates on the derailment.
Earlier reports from Via indicated that 1,600 passengers were affected by the derailment, but the company updated the estimate later Thursday afternoon.
It is not yet known how long the derailed cars will block the tracks. CN said on Twitter Thursday afternoon that crews were clearing cars in order to start repairs to the damaged rail line.
CN Rail said no injuries have been reported in the derailment, which took place at approximately 4 a.m. Thursday.
There are 13 unloaded fuel cars among the derailed cars, as well as five cars containing carbon powder, CN officials told CTV Ottawa's Lois Lee. The freight train also included two loaded automobile carriers.
CN and the Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the derailment.
With files from The Canadian Press
