Monthly Archives: September 2026

The Halifax Grain Elevator

As Atlantic Canada’s last and only ocean grain elevator, “Inside the Halifax Grain Elevator” looks at what it takes to make such an unusual facility operate on a 24/7/365 basis, and some of the unique issues presented by its setting in Halifax. Filmed during the summer of 2026, the timely documentary includes interviews with the people who work in the heart of the facility and highlights the daily inner workings that keep the 102 year old facility functioning as it handles commodities between trucks, railcars, vessels and an extensive dry bulk storage network across provinces. This is all during a time when pressure on trade is high, and the future of our global community is uncertain.

Long referred to as the ‘abandoned grain silos’ the documentary highlights that the Halifax Grain Elevator is neither abandoned nor haunted. The film daylights the talented people and the actual operating importance of the elevator which serves farmers and producers of products such as milling wheat, barley and soybeans. The facility also serves an important supply chain role as a domestic connection to Western Canadian wheat as well as an export conduit for Canada’s international trade to Europe.

New VIA long distance fleet announced.

The feds announced today they are spending $4.7 billion for VIA Rail to acquire and maintain 313 new passenger rail cars from Alstom Canada for its long-distance, regional and remote services. These cars will be manufactured in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and La Pocatière, Québec, with design and engineering taking place in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Québec.

Sleeper cars78
Coach cars58
Panorama cars38
Baggage cars29
Accessible sleeper cars26
Dome cars25
Dining cars20
Prestige sleeper cars20
Berth cars19
Total313

The new cars will be used on the Ocean, Canadian, and 6 other non-corridor routes. the 313 cars and new locomotives previously announced will enable service expansion The first passenger cars are expected to enter service in 2031, with full deployment expected by 2035.