A VIA Rail train bound for Ottawa was forced to return to Montreal due to a mechanical problem

A VIA Rail train bound for Ottawa was delayed for several hours due to a mechanical problem at the start of the Thanksgiving long weekend, before the train returned to Montreal late Thursday.

VIA Rail train 37 departed Montreal for Ottawa on Thursday at 4:29 p.m., according to the VIA Rail train tracker. The train arrived in Ottawa at 6:40 p.m

“The VIA Rail train from Quebec City to Ottawa was unfortunately canceled approximately 10 minutes after leaving Central Station in Montreal due to mechanical problems on the bridge outside of Wellington Street,” VIA Rail said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa Thursday evening.

“When the rescue train was dispatched, the emergency brake failed to pull the train away. Passengers could not be removed from the train because VIA Rail could not guarantee a safe evacuation due to its location on the bridge.”

At 9:45 p.m., VIA emergency services boarded the train to assist passengers, and by 10:20 p.m., crews were able to release all emergency brakes.

The train returned to Central Station in Montreal.

One passenger said at X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, three-and-a-half hours after its departure, there was no movement on the train. Passenger officials said the train would be towed by another train, “but we haven't had any progress or updates for over 50 minutes.”

VIA Rail says 100 percent fare credit and 100 percent refunds will be offered to all passengers aboard the train. VIA Rail will also reimburse hotel bills for passengers who decide to stay in Montreal and has offered a later train option to get passengers to Ottawa, according to the Crown corporation.

“Passengers were regularly updated by the crew on board. We certainly apologize for any inconvenience caused to passengers on this train,” VIA Rail said.