Canada's High-Speed Rail Dream Becomes Reality: Ottawa-Montreal Line Marks Historic First Step CTV News Renee Rogers talked with Paul Langan, the founder of High-Speed Rail Canada.  After decades of discussion dating back to the Brian Mulroney era, Canada's long-awaited high-speed rail project is finally moving beyond the planning stage. The federal government announced Friday that construction will begin on the first segment connecting Ottawa and Montreal, marking the initial phase of a larger vision to link Quebec City and Toronto. The Ottawa-Montreal corridor was selected as the starting point because officials deemed it "the most logical option" and the easiest segment to complete first. According to Transport Minister's statement, this section offers a unique opportunity to connect two provinces while quickly delivering benefits to travelers, communities, and the regional economy. When fully realized, the high-speed rail line would transport passengers betw...

Estimated travel times along high-speed rail Ontario-Quebec Breaking: Transport Minister Announces Construction Timeline for Nation's First High-Speed Rail Network In a landmark announcement that marks a pivotal moment for Canadian transportation infrastructure, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, has revealed that the Ottawa-Montreal corridor will be the first segment constructed as part of Canada's ambitious Alto high-speed rail project. MacKinnon, joined by Martin Imbleau, President and CEO of Alto, confirmed that construction is slated to begin in 2029-2030. Why Ottawa-Montreal Makes Strategic Sense The selection of the Ottawa-Lavel- Montreal route as the inaugural segment is both practical and strategic. Spanning approximately 200 kilometres, this corridor was selected because it is the shortest and most technically simple segment. It offers the quickest route to getting shovels in the ground and t...

  Renfe AVE high-speed trains - copyright Paul Langan An Educational Guide for Canadians on the Evolution of Railway Track Technology One of the mandates of High-Speed Rail Canada is to educate Canadians on high-speed rail.  I have been at several high-speed rail symposiums and always found the Infrastructure sections of them interesting.  The ALTO/Cadence high-speed rail project between Ontario-Quebec, offers for the 1st time in Canada, true high-speed rail. But what exactly will that look like and what technology will they use? I have been on a number of different high-speed rail trains operators in Europe and have looked at different systems around the world. With ALTO suggesting speed of over 300 km/h in sections, the question of what type of ballast system they will use is just one of many that need to be clarified. As Canada explores expanding its passenger rail network and considers high-speed rail corridors, understanding the fundamental technologies that make mo...

  This screenshot of China's 600 km/h is taken from the CGTB  2022 youtube channel. CGTN is funded in whole or in part by the Chinese government . None show the train travelling at the speeds they suggest. The Hype vs. Reality: Separating Fact from Fiction in High-Speed Rail I have been interested in maglev since the 1986 Expo in Vancouver, BC when Japan's HSST maglev vehicle was showcased. However, maglev never took off as a transit option. In recent years, international media outlets have breathlessly reported that China has developed a revolutionary maglev train capable of reaching 600 kilometers per hour (373 mph). Headlines have proclaimed China's dominance in high-speed rail technology, with some articles suggesting these trains are already operating or on the verge of commercial deployment. However, a closer examination of the evidence reveals a significant gap between the marketing hype and engineering reality. This screenshot from the same CGTB  2022 youtube cha...

  Over 40 Years in the Making: High-Speed Rail Legislation Finally Arrives in Canada The positive momentum to building Canada's first dedicated high-speed rail in Ontario-Quebec continues with the tabling of BILL C-15 An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025 for FIRST READING, November 18, 2025. In it under Part 5 -- Various Measures - Division 1 is the High-Speed Rail Network Act . As a person who has watched the ups and downs of attempts to implement high-speed rail in Canada for over 40 years there is some optimism. The Long History of High-Speed Rail in Canada The Canadian federal government study asking the simple question in 1981 - Is there a future, a potential, for high-speed passenger rail services in Canada? That was then and nothing happened. I remember well in 2000, the ill-fated VIA Fast Study that died during the Chrétien/Martin Liberal feud. Just maybe the 2025 High-Speed Rail Network Act can finally begin ...

  RENFE AVE Atocha Station Madrid - copyright Paul Langan Spain's high-speed rail network is one of Europe's most extensive, offering travelers an efficient and scenic way to explore the country. With multiple operators now competing on the same routes, passengers have more choices than ever. Here's my hands-on experience riding three major high-speed rail trains across Spain. I did not use the RENFE AVLO high-speed trains this trip, as I had rode it on a previous trip. Why You Shouldn't Compare High Speed Train Operators Before diving into my journey, let's address something important: comparing different high-speed rail operators in Spain isn't always fair or useful. You're often comparing trains of vastly different ages (2 years old versus 20 years old), different configurations (single-level versus double-decker), and operating on different routes with varying infrastructure. Instead, I recommend evaluating each operator on its own merits and enjoying...