Changes

'''Canadian railways''' tie [[Canada]] together through a large and well developed [[railway]] system that today primarily transports freight. The railways have great political and symbolic significance in uniting the far-flung provinces.

'''Canadian railways''' tie [[Canada]] together through a large and well developed [[railway]] system that today primarily transports freight. The railways have great political and symbolic significance in uniting the far-flung provinces.

==System in 21st century==

==System in 21st century==

There are two major privately owned transcontinental freight railway systems, the [[Canadian National Railway|Canadian National]] and [[Canadian Pacific Railway]]. Nationwide passenger services are provided by the federal crown corporation VIA Rail. Commuter trains serve Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Smaller railways such as Ontario Northland and Algoma Central also run passenger trains to remote rural areas.

There are two major privately owned transcontinental freight railway systems, the [[Canadian National Railway|Canadian National]] (CN) and [[Canadian Pacific Kansas City]] (CPKC). Nationwide passenger services are provided by the federal crown corporation VIA Rail. Commuter trains serve Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Smaller railways such as Ontario Northland and Algoma Central also run passenger trains to remote rural areas.

Canada has 49,422 km total trackage, of which only 129 km is electrified. Canada uses standard gauge track, except for small narrow gauge lines isolated from the main North American rail network used in mining or forestry, and the broad-gauge streetcar and subway lines of Toronto.

Canada has 49,422 km total trackage, of which only 129 km is electrified. Canada uses standard gauge track, except for small narrow gauge lines isolated from the main North American rail network used in mining or forestry, and the broad-gauge streetcar and subway lines of Toronto.