Canada commits $1.95B to VIA Rail hybrid locomotives

The Government of Canada has announced a C$1.95 billion investment to modernise VIA Rail’s passenger locomotive fleet. The funding will purchase 45 hybrid battery‑diesel locomotives, the first such passenger engines to operate in North America, and will see final assembly of up to 36 units in Canada by Swiss manufacturer Stadler. A new assembly and maintenance facility will be built in Montreal by Pomerleau, supporting long‑term upkeep of the fleet. Battery systems for the hybrids will be supplied by ABB from its Saint‑Laurent plant. The project is projected to support roughly 1,200 full‑time jobs across manufacturing, construction, engineering and maintenance, and is intended to lower fuel consumption and emissions while revitalising Canada’s rail supply chain.