Does Canada have high-speed trains?

The Ghost of Speed: Canada’s Forgotten Foray into High-Speed Rail

While images of sleek bullet trains whizzing across continents often conjure thoughts of Europe and Asia, the question of whether Canada has high-speed rail often surfaces. The answer, perhaps surprisingly, is a qualified “it did, once.” Canada’s relationship with high-speed trains is a story of ambition, technological innovation, and ultimately, economic realities.

Unlike its neighbors to the south, Canada currently doesn’t operate any dedicated high-speed rail lines in the contemporary sense. No trains routinely exceeding 200 km/h (124 mph) grace its rails. However, to write off Canada’s involvement with high-speed technology entirely would be to ignore a fascinating piece of transportation history: the TurboTrain.

In the late 1960s, Canada embarked on an ambitious project aimed at revolutionizing passenger rail travel. The TurboTrain, a gas turbine-powered trainset, promised to connect the major cities of Montreal and Toronto with unprecedented speed. Developed and operated by Canadian National Railway (CN) and later VIA Rail, the TurboTrain looked like something out of a science fiction film. Its lightweight construction and distinctive low-slung profile were designed to minimize drag and maximize speed.

And it delivered, at least for a time. The TurboTrain regularly achieved speeds of up to 160 km/h (100 mph) on dedicated stretches of track. This made it one of the fastest trains in North America during its heyday, significantly reducing travel times between Montreal and Toronto. Passengers lauded the smoother ride and quicker journeys compared to conventional trains.

Despite its initial success and promising technology, the TurboTrain era was relatively short-lived. The service was discontinued in 1982, a mere 14 years after its introduction. Several factors contributed to its demise.

One of the primary challenges was high operating costs. The gas turbine engines, while powerful, were notoriously fuel-intensive, making the TurboTrain expensive to run. Furthermore, the train’s unique design required specialized maintenance and repairs, adding to the financial burden. Reliability issues also plagued the service, leading to delays and cancellations that frustrated passengers.

Ultimately, the TurboTrain’s fate underscores the complex interplay of technology, economics, and political will in the realm of high-speed rail. While the train demonstrated the potential for faster travel within Canada, the cost-benefit analysis proved unsustainable.

Today, the TurboTrain is largely a memory, a fascinating chapter in Canada’s transportation history. While its physical remnants are scarce, the dream of high-speed rail in Canada persists. Various proposals for new high-speed lines have emerged over the years, suggesting that the country may one day revisit its past and embrace the future of high-speed travel. For now, however, the ghost of the TurboTrain serves as a reminder of both the allure and the challenges inherent in bringing high-speed rail to the Canadian landscape.