RENFE AVE Atocha Station Madrid - copyright Paul Langan Spain's high-speed rail network is one of Europe's most extensive, offering travelers an efficient and scenic way to explore the country. With multiple operators now competing on the same routes, passengers have more choices than ever. Here's my hands-on experience riding three major high-speed rail trains across Spain. I did not use the RENFE AVLO high-speed trains this trip, as I had rode it on a previous trip. Why You Shouldn't Compare High Speed Train Operators Before diving into my journey, let's address something important: comparing different high-speed rail operators in Spain isn't always fair or useful. You're often comparing trains of vastly different ages (2 years old versus 20 years old), different configurations (single-level versus double-decker), and operating on different routes with varying infrastructure. Instead, I recommend evaluating each operator on its own merits and enjoying...

The long-promised book by High-Speed Rail Canada founder Paul Langan, on the history of Bombardier's JetTrain, will now be released on December 2nd, 2024.  What can we learn from the failed attempt to have high-speed trains in Canada and USA in the early 2000's? What has changed and what challenges still remain in 2024? Author Paul Langan, does a historical review of newspaper accounts from that time as well as an interview with Lecia Stewart, who was Bombardier’s Vice-President of High-Speed Rail at the time of the JetTrain project. It will be available worldwide on Amazon.  

It is hard to believe that VIA Rail’s $4billion dollar passenger rail plan has gotten this far in the process of consideration by Transport Canada and the federal Liberal government. The Liberal’s pre-election budget is being presented March 19th, and it is judgement day for VIA Rail’s flawed plan. New readers to our site should read the previous articles linked at the bottom of this page to learn more about this plan and why it is problematic. This 4 billion dollar debacle has VIA trains travelling at 1975 era speeds through sparsely-populated areas on an abandoned Ontario-Quebec Railway line. (Toronto - Peterborough - Ottawa). Then the line travels on to Montreal - Trois-Rivières - Québec City. Sadly, taxpayers who would fund it, cannot comment or see the proposal before the Liberal government potentially approves it. Here are some facts that should alert the public and the government to the fact that this plan is seriously flawed. FARES NOT KNOWN Amazingly VI...

Paul Langan, Founder High Speed Rail Canada Interview on February 6th, 2018 with CJOB Radio Winnipeg.

Paul Langan, the founder of High Speed Rail Canada will be a guest on 680 CJOB radio in Winnipeg on Tuesday February 6th, 2018 at 7:35 AM eastern time​. He will talk high speed rail with show hosts Greg Mackling and Brett Megarry. Here is a link to the station. https://globalnews.ca/radio/cjob/

Another VIA RAIL CANADA ACT is proposed in Parliament Irene Mathyssen , NDP MP for London—Fanshawe, ON on October 16th, 2017 has moved for leave to introduce Bill C-370 , An Act to continue VIA Rail Canada Inc. under the name VIA Rail Canada, to amend the Canada Transportation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. NDP MP for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Philip Toone had previously tried to have a VIA Rail Canada Act Bill C-640 passed unsuccessfully in 2015.  This was after other unsuccessful attempts By MP Olivia Chow Bill C-577 and Philip Toone C-614 . We appreciate the effort the NDP has put into this sensible idea to help solve the continuing downward slide at VIA Rail. The attempts to get a VIA Rail Act passed are not new. Former Liberal Federal Minister of Transport David Collenette also tried to have Bill C-26 passed in 2003. All eyes are on the Trudeau government to see if VIA Rail we will be revived or if other options to provide pas...

This is the best article on the current state of high speed rail lobbying in Canada. Unfortunately to view it, you have to sign up for a two week free trial subscription to the Lobby Monitor. Well worth the little effort needed. http://www.lobbymonitor.ca/2015/11/15/high-speed-rail-players-waiting-for-clear-signs-before-beginning-canadian-lobbying-efforts/14196

Paul Langan, President of High Speed Rail Canada will speak at a luncheon hosted by the International Right of Way Association, June 3rd, 2015. Location is the Harbour Banquet & Conference Centre, 2340 Ontario St, Oakville, On.L6L 6P7.Non -Members tickets are :$45.00 (HST included). For more information: http://www.irwachapter29.org/#!information/vstc1=luncheons To order tickets go HERE:

It was December 2014 when VIA Rail Chief Executive Yves Desjardins-Siciliano gave an interview with the Globe and Mail that probably made his political masters happy but rail fans and High Speed Rail Canada highly criticized the interview. Now it seems Desjardins-Siciliano is starting to realize the extent of VIA's problems. Although he still refuses to acknowledge the need for a VIA Rail Act and Regulations he has stated that the current situation with CN and CP sharing existing track does not work and dedicated track is needed. The news from Desjardins-Siciliano about the need for dedicated commuter track ($3billion) in the Toronto-Montreal corridor was released on March 12th, 2015 . It seems to have gotten limited media hits. According to Google News Alerts only the Saskatoon Phoenix picked the story up and it was largely ignored everywhere else. Perhaps the most insulting part of the article is CN's response to the problems they cause for VIA Rail. It reads, CN ...

Lets Talk Trains OTTAWA, February 26th, 7-9pm Lieutenants Pump British Pub, 361 Elgin Street with HSRC Founder Paul Langan. Come on out high speed rail supporters!

MEDIA ALERT: High Speed Rail Canada (HSRC) Founder Paul Langan in Toronto February 7th, 2015 What : HSRC are having a social at The Overdraught Pub,Toronto, ON. Who : High Speed Rail Canada started in 2008. It is the only national advocacy group educating Canadians on the benefits of modern passenger rail service. Paul Langan has been doing passenger rail advocacy for over two decades. Why: To raise awareness on high speed rail and to form a network of people interested in the topic. Who Should Attend: Anyone who is interested in improving passenger rail service in Canada. When: 2 to 4pm, Saturday, February 7th, 2015 Where: The Overdraught Pub, 156 Front Street West, Toronto, ON. Right near Union Station. It is a transit friendly location. Media Contact: Paul Langan Founder High Speed Rail Canada (2008) 519-654-0089 http://www.highspeedrail.ca @HSRCanada

High Speed Rail Canada will be having a social for all supporters of high speed rail in Toronto February 7 th , 2015 from 2pm to 4pm at The Overdraught Irish Pub. WireService.ca Press Release ( 02/02/2015 )  - High Speed Rail Canada Social in Toronto February 7th 2015 :: Wire Service Media  High Speed Rail Canada (HSRC) is Canada's only advocacy group dedicated to promoting the modernization of passenger rail in Canada. On Saturday February 7 th  2015 Paul Langan, founder of HSRC, will be in Toronto to meet with supporters of high speed rail and socialize at  The Overdraught Irish Pub  at 156 Front Street West Toronto from 2-4pm. The pub is conveniently located one block from Union Station for people to be able to arrive by transit. High Speed Rail Canada's mandate is to educate people on the benefits of modern passenger rail. They do it through their website, Youtube channel, Facebook, Twitter ;@HSRCanada, public educational sessions and informal ses...

On February 7th, Saturday from 2-4pm, I would like to invite anyone interested in high speed rail for a social at The Overdraught Pub   in Toronto at 156 Front Street West. I look forward to meeting everyone on Saturday. Please share this blog.

Here is the interview with Amanda Lang and High Speed Rail Canada Founder Paul Langan on the CBC Lang and O'Leary program. http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/TV+Shows/Lang+%26+O%27Leary+Exchange/ID/2479800267/

High Speed Rail Canada founder Paul Langan talks to CKNW Radio show host Phil Till in Vancouver about Toronto's high speed rail idea and also the situation in Vancouver.

Paul Langan, Founder of High Speed Rail Canada will appear on Morning News with Philip Till on CKNW Newstalk980AM radio in Vancouver. Monday 9:20am (ontario time) http://player.cknw.com

It does get depressing hearing the same old diatribe espoused from people who suggest non-solutions to our current, abysmal, passenger rail situation in Canada. A recent poorly written article by Gary Mason in the Globe and Mail forced to me to wait, not 24 hours, not 48 hours, but 5 days after it was written to respond. Mr. Mason starts off with the usual rant that high speed rail is too expensive and the province cannot afford it. What he fails to realize is that every large infrastructure project would also include the federal government and high speed rail projects would involve a public-private partnership. Mr. Mason ignores this basic fact. Can the federal government afford it? It is all about priorities. Somehow they found $20 billion to fight a war in Afghanistan or the recent $25 billion for ship building in Nova Scotia. The federal government spent $1.6 billion to build the Confederation Bridge in PEI and will pay a shocking $44 million subsidy to the company running...

by Simon Kent - Toronto Sun - Canada is a nation built on steel. Big, steel wheels. As early as 1836, when the first public train began running between Saint Jean sur Richelieu and La Prairie near Montréal, rail travel helped Canadians conquer the tyranny of distance.Somehow these mechanical marvels reflected our famous capacity for boundless energy, optimism, hope and sheer hard work. For 150 years and more, tracks were laid east, west, north and south carrying passengers and freight into the farthest corners of Canada.Then we seemed to gradually fall out of love with traveling on ribbons of rail. Permanently. The last effort to try and re-engage train travellers saw the launch of Canadian National’s Turbo Train in 1968. Read the whole article CLICK HERE .

GuelphMercury - Valeriote blames Via Rail cuts on Ottawa