Confederation Line East LRT Extension (Stage 2) [Blair to Trim] | U/C

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by AuxTown

What is the delay here??? The many return to work mandates for downtown workers has resulted in terrible traffic coming in from the east (luckily I come from the west). This would be a perfect time to roll out our shiny new trains from the far depths of Orleans right downtown but it's radio silence regarding a testing schedule :-(

In my experience, the West is FAR worse than the East.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by AuxTown

What is the delay here??? The many return to work mandates for downtown workers has resulted in terrible traffic coming in from the east (luckily I come from the west). This would be a perfect time to roll out our shiny new trains from the far depths of Orleans right downtown but it's radio silence regarding a testing schedule :-(

Originally Posted by pattherat

And also zero detail on the deficiencies they said remained to be addressed. WHy not provide those details to the public? It’s what, over a month now since they said that? The line and stations have looked pretty sparse of workers every time I drive through there.

They have a bad habit of being less than transparent. I personally don't think they'll even achieve substantial completion and start testing in Q1. And testing always goes better in warmer weather. Maybe they'll try to have it in service by Canada Day. But I would guess more like Labour Day.

[J.OT13]

Sutcliffe somehow managed to be far less than transparent than the already opaque Watson years.

[sseguin]

Stage 2 East is coming fast! Rail Fans Canada’s latest February 2026 update covers Ottawa’s O-Train Eastern Extension (Trim ➝ Blair) with station progress, trackwork, and what’s next as trial running approaches.

Watch here:

• Video Link

[J.OT13]

Let's hope it opens by September at the very least.

[FrostyMug]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Let's hope it opens by September at the very least.

I have to believe that the current issue with the number of units out of service has delayed testing on the extension. You'd think with past challenges that have surfaced during winter months that this would've been a high priority yet nothing is happening and nothing is being said about when testing might start.

I'd like to see it operational much sooner than September.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by FrostyMug

I have to believe that the current issue with the number of units out of service has delayed testing on the extension. You'd think with past challenges that have surfaced during winter months that this would've been a high priority yet nothing is happening and nothing is being said about when testing might start.

I'd like to see it operational much sooner than September.

So would I, but September seems somewhat realistic considering the current issues.

[Richard Eade]

The fact that there have been so few trains running along the new eastern track (Have there even been any, recently?) convinces me that there are deficiencies that need correcting. And that the work to fix them likely can’t be done in the cold of winter. If these were only station issues, then the trains would have still been able to run their tests.

This is not an issue of not having vehicles because of the Cartridge Bearing Assembly problem. This has been evident since before the spalling was discovered. Besides, many of the pulled vehicles are likely still close to the 100,000 km limit. RTM and Alstom insist that the vehicles are still safe. If it is just for testing the tracks, some of the ‘marginal’ vehicles could be used – since they are not in revenue service. If there is a great worry about the operators, bypass the requirement for pressing the ‘dead-man’ switch and run them autonomously – which those vehicles are capable of.

The serious deficiency that is keeping test-trains off that section of track must be either a track, signaling, catenary, or power supply problem.

If it is power, then that could be remedied during the winter. A catenary problem could be corrected during the winter. Signaling can be worked on during the winter. The majority of track is fairly straight and laid on the ground, and could be reset during the winter. This leaves me thinking that there is a concern about the fly-over structure. Concrete work is one of the few things that would need warmer weather to do.

We are not seeing much work happening, to get train movements on the east extension up and running – and it seems that that has been the case for a while now. To me, this points to a problem with something structural – likely the fly-over. I hope that I’m wrong, as that could require serious time and disruption to remedy.

[Edison53]

Occasionally drive the 174, sometimes as far as Tenth Line, and have yet to see any serious work (ie number of people) working on *anything* related to the east extension. I think we all deserve a clear explanation of what’s causing the delay (and it isn’t the current Alstom issues, as the delay pre-dates that).

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Sutcliffe somehow managed to be far less than transparent than the already opaque Watson years.

Given those that whisper in the ears of both are the same, not surprising.

[Catenary]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

The fact that there have been so few trains running along the new eastern track (Have there even been any, recently?) convinces me that there are deficiencies that need correcting. And that the work to fix them likely can’t be done in the cold of winter. If these were only station issues, then the trains would have still been able to run their tests.

This is not an issue of not having vehicles because of the Cartridge Bearing Assembly problem. This has been evident since before the spalling was discovered. Besides, many of the pulled vehicles are likely still close to the 100,000 km limit. RTM and Alstom insist that the vehicles are still safe. If it is just for testing the tracks, some of the ‘marginal’ vehicles could be used – since they are not in revenue service. If there is a great worry about the operators, bypass the requirement for pressing the ‘dead-man’ switch and run them autonomously – which those vehicles are capable of.

The serious deficiency that is keeping test-trains off that section of track must be either a track, signaling, catenary, or power supply problem.

If it is power, then that could be remedied during the winter. A catenary problem could be corrected during the winter. Signaling can be worked on during the winter. The majority of track is fairly straight and laid on the ground, and could be reset during the winter. This leaves me thinking that there is a concern about the fly-over structure. Concrete work is one of the few things that would need warmer weather to do.

We are not seeing much work happening, to get train movements on the east extension up and running – and it seems that that has been the case for a while now. To me, this points to a problem with something structural – likely the fly-over. I hope that I’m wrong, as that could require serious time and disruption to remedy.

I get out to the East end a couple times a week, and passed a train operating last Thursday night. Today, there was an excavator which appeared to be removing snow, I spotted it behind the Costco and then later in the middle of the highway at the bottom of the flyover. A couple weeks back, I would see a train fairly regularly but they seemed to stop when the bearing issue cropped up.

I regularly see vehicles parked outside stations, so there is definitely work ongoing there. If there are station issues, I can see why they aren't wasting vehicle kilometres.

[Richard Eade]

Thanks for the update. Perhaps most track/signaling/train testing is happening at night.

If station issues involve the interface with the trains, then No, they shouldn't waste the kilometres. But otherwise, trains could be tested, while station deficiencies are being worked on. This should be as parallel a process as possible.

[rocketphish]

Line 1 eastern extension delayed, trials expected in spring
Current shortage of train cars isn't helping, Ottawa's transit committee told

CBC News
Posted: Feb 12, 2026 2:40 PM EST | Last Updated: 34 minutes ago

Transit riders in Ottawa's east end will have to wait a little longer for OC Transpo's Line 1 LRT extension.

The 12.5-kilometre extension will add five stops from Blair station all the way to Trim Road in Orléans.

On Thursday, councillors on the city's transit committee heard trial running on the extension won't start until April at the earliest, or as late as June.

That's later than previously hoped. Last November, OC Transpo said opening the extension by early 2026 was "definitely achievable."

Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney called the latest delay "a major blow" for east end residents.

"We have to have a more honest discussion about the realistic timelines," he said. "I'd be shocked if it's done in the next year. And that's just reality."

OC Transpo officials said Thursday the project is currently in the "substantial completion" phase — the second of five stages leading to its launch.

Staff say at least 46 train cars are required for the next phase, trial running, which will simulate real service.

But since a new problem with their wheel assemblies was discovered last month, many of those Line 1 cars have been pulled from service. On Thursday, only 21 cars were available — five short of the 26 needed during peak hours.

Troy Charter, Ottawa's interim general manager of transit services, said that shortage has limited OC Transpo's opportunities to "practise" on the eastern extension.

Staff have promised to provide another update before trial running commences.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...ring-9.7086419

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Line 1 eastern extension delayed, trials expected in spring
Current shortage of train cars isn't helping, Ottawa's transit committee told

CBC News
Posted: Feb 12, 2026 2:40 PM EST | Last Updated: 34 minutes ago

Transit riders in Ottawa's east end will have to wait a little longer for OC Transpo's Line 1 LRT extension.

The 12.5-kilometre extension will add five stops from Blair station all the way to Trim Road in Orléans.

On Thursday, councillors on the city's transit committee heard trial running on the extension won't start until April at the earliest, or as late as June.

That's later than previously hoped. Last November, OC Transpo said opening the extension by early 2026 was "definitely achievable."

Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney called the latest delay "a major blow" for east end residents.

"We have to have a more honest discussion about the realistic timelines," he said. "I'd be shocked if it's done in the next year. And that's just reality."

OC Transpo officials said Thursday the project is currently in the "substantial completion" phase — the second of five stages leading to its launch.

Staff say at least 46 train cars are required for the next phase, trial running, which will simulate real service.

But since a new problem with their wheel assemblies was discovered last month, many of those Line 1 cars have been pulled from service. On Thursday, only 21 cars were available — five short of the 26 needed during peak hours.

Troy Charter, Ottawa's interim general manager of transit services, said that shortage has limited OC Transpo's opportunities to "practise" on the eastern extension.

Staff have promised to provide another update before trial running commences.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...ring-9.7086419

Its ok guys, Jimmy just texted me on WhatsApp and assures me it'll be on time and on budget.

[J.OT13]

Wonder if the City will get sued by KEV for delaying the delivery because of train availability.

If anything, KEV should sue RTM and Alstom.

[OTownandDown]

Wait just so I understand, there's an issue with the trains. There are 21 trains right now available. There are 26 trains needed during peak hours. There are 46 required for the lengthened line. Where are the 25 additional train sets? Are they in the shed? Is there another shed somewhere? Do they just blindly have the same wheels? Are they delayed because they're waiting for well-designed parts?

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

Wait just so I understand, there's an issue with the trains. There are 21 trains right now available. There are 26 trains needed during peak hours. There are 46 required for the lengthened line. Where are the 25 additional train sets? Are they in the shed? Is there another shed somewhere? Do they just blindly have the same wheels? Are they delayed because they're waiting for well-designed parts?

https://www.railfans.ca/traintracker/index.php
This section: Last Reported In-Service Location of All Trains

That'll help you know where some are (though this cant be sorted by line)...there's alot of red.

News article today

https://ottawa.citynews.ca/2026/02/1...lesser-service

[DarthVader_1961]

I recall that the LRT was supposed to be taken over by Metrolinx. Would that mean that RTG will be out of the picture?

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by skyscraperaccount

https://www.railfans.ca/traintracker/index.php
This section: Last Reported In-Service Location of All Trains

That'll help you know where some are (though this cant be sorted by line)...there's alot of red.

News article today

https://ottawa.citynews.ca/2026/02/1...lesser-service

Glen Gower posted on their substack
https://glengower.substack.com/p/wha...rt-line-1-east

[OCCheetos]

Originally Posted by DarthVader_1961

I recall that the LRT was supposed to be taken over by Metrolinx. Would that mean that RTG will be out of the picture?

No. Metrolinx would take the same role that the city takes on today. They would be the ones interacting with RTG/RTM/Alstom.

It would be the same contract structure as what's happening in Toronto with Finch West and Eglinton. TTC operates, Metrolinx owns, all maintenance is privatized.