Extreme cold weather damages the pantograph on four Ottawa LRT cars
The extreme cold temperatures blamed for shutting down rail service in Ottawa's east end last weekend damaged the pantograph on four light rail transit vehicles.
The arm that connects the train to the overhead power lines will be replaced on four vehicles before they re-enter service following the disruption on Saturday.
OC Transpo provided an update on the investigation into the issues with the Confederation Line last weekend. Five trains came to a stop early Saturday morning in the east end after experiencing a loss of power in the eastern portion of the line.
R1 replacement bus service ran between Hurdman and Blair stations, while reduced O-Train service ran from Hurdman to Tunney's Pasture stations.
In a memo to council Wednesday afternoon, Chief Safety Officer Duane Duquette said the initial investigation found the extended period of cold temperatures affected the catenary power line.
"As part of further analysis completed after repairs were made on the line, it was found that this condition caused damage to the pantograph – the arm that connects the train to the catenary line to provide power – on four light rail vehicles," said Duquette.
Duquette says all necessary repairs and inspections were completed to the track on Saturday, ahead of the return to service on Sunday.
"Pantographs on the four vehicles are being replaced before they reenter service," said Duquette.
The damage to the pantograph requires OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Maintenance to report the incident to the Transportation Safety Board.
"The TSB has been notified. No further follow-up is expected," said Duquette.
"The City and RTM will be further reviewing this incident for any remedial actions or processes that may be required."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
DEVELOPING Israel says Hamas deal is 'far' from meeting its demands as Rafah offensive looms
Israel said the terms of a ceasefire deal Hamas accepted on Monday remained 'far from' meeting its demands and warned its military operations in Rafah would continue, even as it sent negotiators to talk to mediators.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Concern over speeding in Fredericton neighbourhood grows after 2 teens, young adult killed in crash
Three people – including two teens – are dead, and two others are injured after a crash that has left a greater Fredericton community shaken.