Nova Scotia Railfan Information

Nova Scotia has 3 active railways. Canadian National (CN) is the only class I railway in the province, while Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia (CBNS), and the Sydney Coal Railway (SCR) are the other active lines. The Winsdor & Hantsport Railway (WHRC) has been out of service since 2011. VIA Rail Canada also provides passenger service.

CN operates 3 subdivisions in the province which are the Bedford, Dartmouth, and Springhill Subdivisions. CN enters the province near Amherst and stretches into the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) via Truro. In Truro CN interchanges with the CBNS in the Truro Yard.

CBNS is owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) and extends from Truro to St. Peters Junction via the Hopewell and Sydney Subdivisions. Track is still in place beyond St. Peters Junction to Sydney, but out of service. There is currently a subsidy in place to keep the rails from being ripped up.

The SCR is a unique operation in that it hauls only coal. The line operates between the International Coaling Piers in Sydney and Lingan Generating Station. Since CBNS discontinued service to Sydney, the SCR is completely disconnected from the rest of North America’s rail network.

In regards to the WHRC, most rail is still in place, and there is hope that one day the line may open again to service the gypsum mines in the area. The line has however has had the switches removed at its connection to CN in Windsor Junction.

VIA Rail Canada also operates in the province. “The Ocean”, trains 14 and 15, run between Montreal and Halifax with stops in Nova Scotia at Halifax, Truro, Springhill Junction, and Amherst.