8 times O-Train Line 1 experienced issues around Lees Station

Damaged overhead wires are seen above a stopped train on O-Train Line 1 near Lees Station in Ottawa. March 11, 2026. (Leah Larocque/CTV News Ottawa)

O-Train Line 1 has experienced problems with the overhead catenary system around Lees Station eight times over the past four years, including four times for weather-related issues.

OC Transpo resumed full O-Train Line 1 service on the east-west line on Sunday after issues with the overhead catenary system (OCS) disrupted service for four days last week.

The problems started during a freezing rainstorm last Wednesday, when staff noticed “arcing” on trains operating between Hurdman and Lees stations.

It was the third time since 2022 that freezing rain caused issues on the line around Lees Station, which is located near the Rideau River. Coun. Riley Brockington noted the Lees Station area is a “unique area compared to other points” on O-Train Line 1.

“The overhead catenary system…we know from past investigations there is a special microclimate that exists between Lees Station and the (Rideau) River,” Brockington said during last Thursday’s transit committee meeting. “There’s additional humidity, that condensation freezes on the line.”

Transit Services interim general manager Troy Charter said Sunday that an “investigation into the root cause” of the incident is underway after the issues at Lees Station and at Blair Station last week.

OC Transpo said Rideau Transit Maintenance introduced several measures to keep the train running ahead of the freezing rain event, including applying de-icing fluid, called glycol, to the overhead wires to help reduce ice buildup and run trains with special pantographs to help scrape ice off the wires as the vehicles pass by.

CTV News Ottawa looks at eight times the O-Train Line 1 has had an issue around Lees Station.

March 11, 2026

O-Train Line 1 service was halted after the overhead catenary system was damaged near Lees Station during a freezing rainstorm.

Charter said staff reported “observing arcing on trains” travelling between Hurdman and Lees stations, “and subsequently, damage to the overhead catenary system was also reported in the same corridor.”

Rideau Transit Maintenance completed repairs to the OCS on Thursday evening, and service was scheduled to resume on Friday, but a section of the O-Train line snapped at Blair Station and partial service continued until Sunday morning.

Charter says an investigation into the incident is underway.

Feb. 14, 2024

O-Train Line 1 service was disrupted for more than seven hours on Feb. 14, 2024, after damage was discovered on the wires that power the train near Lees Station.

Officials said there was a “gouge” in the overhead catenary system. A train with approximately 50 customers onboard stopped outside of Lees Station.

“Preliminary indications are that the power loss may have been due to a mechanical fault with the pantograph which subsequently caused minor damage to the overhead catenary wire,” OC Transpo said.

Rideau Transit Maintenance completed a splice repair to the OCS near Lees Station, allowing train travel to resume.

April 5, 2023

The O-Train was shut down for 33 hours in April 2023 after two trains stopped just east of Lees Station during a freezing rainstorm. Five trains were immobilized during the storm due to power issues.

Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) says the five vehicles stopped when the onboard systems detected power fluctuations from the overhead catenary system.

“When the overhead wire that supplies the power has ice on it, the pantograph on the vehicle is not making good contact, and we see big fluctuations in voltage. When the vehicle sees that, it shuts down to protect itself,” RTM officials said.

Officials said crews had to manually remove built-up ice on the overhead wires and re-energize the system.

Feb. 10, 2023

An arm that supports the overhead catenary system broke on Feb. 10, 2023, causing a train to stop near Lees Station.

The incident shutdown O-Train service between St. Laurent and Rideau stations.

OC Transpo said a parafil – the arm that supports the wire in the Overhead Catenary System – broke, and trains came to a stop.

Jan. 4-10, 2023

O-Train Line 1 was out of service for six days after the overhead catenary system was damaged and two trains stopped between Hurdman and Lees stations during a freezing rainstorm.

Crews spent several days clearing ice off the wires and then fixing the system.

Officials said freezing rain caused ice buildup on the overhead wires that power the trains. The transit commission was told a “unique combination of factors” led to two trains getting stuck, including a warmer-than-usual start to January, high levels of humidity and freezing rain.

Dec. 17, 2022

A section of the overhead catenary system experienced a mechanical failure near Lees Station on Dec. 17, 2022, causing a train to stop.

July 24, 2022

A lightning strike damaged a section of the overhead catenary system between uOttawa and Lees stations during a storm on July 24, 2022.

Full service resumed on July 29.

Feb. 12, 2022

O-Train service was shut down for several hours after a wire on an LRT car broke, causing it to stop near Lees Station.

Officials said a train experienced a loss of power just outside the station. A parafil, which supports the overhead catenary system, broke, causing the loss of power to the train.

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