VIA Rail train to Toronto left passengers stranded for 13 hours

Passengers stuck on board a Toronto-bound Via Rail train for 13 hours have finally been released this morning. 

VIA Rail Train 669 from Ottawa to Toronto suffered a mechanical failure near Brockville on Dec. 10, which left passengers stranded from around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday overnight until 10:30 a.m. Thursday. 

This breakdown had a slight domino effect, as two other trains, 48 and 54, heading to Ottawa from Toronto, were also significantly delayed. 

Earlier this morning, Via Rail posted an update on X, apologizing to all passengers and offering a full refund and 100 per cent travel credit.

Overnight, trains 669, 48, and 54 were significantly disrupted after train 669 experienced a mechanical failure near Brockville. We sincerely apologize to all customers who are affected. All affected customers will receive a full refund and a 100% travel credit.

Safety is always…

— VIA Rail Alerts | Alertes VIA Rail (@VIARailAlerts) December 11, 2025

VIA Rail confirms multiple attempts to repair the disabled train on site were unsuccessful. The operator calls this incident "very rare"; however, a similar incident in which VIA Rail passengers were stranded for 10 hours without power, air conditioning, or flushing toilets occurred just last year, in August 2024, as reported by CBC News. 

"After several attempts to restore the disabled train were unsuccessful, our crews safely transferred all passengers from train to train, without any injuries," the statement reads. "Our teams worked throughout the night to support customers under challenging weather conditions."

One passenger who was stuck on the 669 train to Toronto described their experience on Reddit, explaining how the engine lost complete power.

"We started off not being able to charge electronics, finished in the dark with flashlights and the emergency thermal blankets being handed out to keep people warm," they wrote. They go on to explain it wasn't until 1 a.m. that passengers were finally able to transfer onto another train to continue their trek to Toronto. 

The Reddit user also says they arrived in Toronto seven hours late. 

An X user says he was stuck waiting to pick up passengers at Smith Falls station for six hours. 

This delay would have been a dream! My daughter has been stuck on a train in Brockville since 9PM! She left Toronto at 17:30! I waited at the Smiths Falls station for six hours before I gave up! ⁦@VIA_Rail⁩ ⁦@CBCOttawa⁩ . No word as to when she will get home pic.twitter.com/JK2qFLRZCE

— alan drummond (@alandrummond2) December 11, 2025
 

Toronto's not having much luck with trains as of late. In addition to Via Rail trains being significantly delayed, the newly opened Finch West LRT has also experienced major delays and even a full-line shutdown, causing an uproar in complaints from riders.