Comments on: Just over a month ago, in January 2026, the Société du Chemin de Fer de la Gaspésie resumed freight service on its railway between New Richmond and the Port-Daniel cement plant. Since 2013 when the railway shut down, the tracks were completely overhauled, many bridges and crossing signals were replaced, new retaining walls were built, the Port-Daniel tunnel was enlarged and the track even was relocated slightly at some places, to fight coastal erosion. Here we see the westbound trip as it just got out of the tunnel, which features some new concrete portals. For the time being, trains only run up to 15 miles per hour, stopping at a few unactivated railway crossings and making the round trip between New Richmond and Port-Daniel over the course of 2 days.

By: Ian Malenfant-Picard

Ian Malenfant-Picard — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 23:34:44 +0000

Thanks John! It seems like the phase 3 of the line’s refurbishment between Port-Daniel and Gaspé isn’t as much as a priority as the previous 2, and if Murdochville’s mine is not reactivated following Horne smelter’s possible closure, it could complicate things further. I am not very hopefull for the return of the VIA train.

By: railwayguy

railwayguy — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:02:32 +0000

Very nice picture, love the locomotive colours. Also, very gratifying to see a photo of this part of the Gaspe railway line back in operation. Now, if we can only see a VIA diesel pulling a passenger train in this same location – hopefully one day not too far. Thanks for sharing, John

By: Ian Malenfant-Picard

Ian Malenfant-Picard — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:37:40 +0000

Thanks guys! It’s a bit of a bummer that they don’t run the RS18s lead every day but it is sure nice to see the line re-opened!

By: terry.oshell

terry.oshell — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:47:18 +0000

Very nice.

By: awmooney

awmooney — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:05:18 +0000

No disputing this is one gem of a shot along a railway many of us will be wanting to see this year.