Significant GO train delays due to derailed train near Union Station

Extensive train delays continue through the evening along the GO Transit network on Monday due to a derailed train near Union Station , which also led to signal issues.

The issues unfolded during the morning rush-hour commute and continued through the afternoon and evening commute, affecting GO and UP Express users.

“This morning at 08:16, a train departing Union Station encountered an issue that caused the rear of the train to come off the track at low speed and make contact with a track switch. This impact resulted in signal issues and the train has been disabled in place since the incident,” Metrolinx said in an update.

For evening service, Metrolinx said track availability was very limited, leading to “ongoing signal issues, restricted train movement, and significant delays through the evening.”

The transit agency said they are unable to provide exact train departure times and trains will operate as soon as they are able.

“Please follow staff directions, listen for announcements, and watch station screens for the latest platform and service information. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to restore service,” read an alert on the GO transit website.

As of 7 p.m., all seven lines were reporting significant delays. There’s no word on whether service will resume normally for Tuesday morning’s commute.

Although Metrolinx initially said the issue was a disabled train west of Union, visuals from the scene showed the train off its tracks.

No injuries were reported. Metrolinx said passengers were on board the Kitchener-bound train, but they were safely transferred to another train shortly after the incident.

GO said crews are continuing to work on the issue and to return train schedules to regular service. At one point, the transit agency said riders could face delays of up to two hours.

According to an updated notice posted on GO’s website, riders using the Kitchener, Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines “may experience delays, modifications and cancellations until the issue has been resolved.”

For riders on the Barrie and Stouffville lines, GO is running a shuttle train service between Downsview Park GO and Aurora GO and between Kennedy GO and Mount Joy GO. Customers travelling north of Aurora are being advised to consider waiting for a GO bus.

GO says train riders travelling from Downsview Park GO or Kennedy GO to Union Station can take the TTC to get to Union Station.

Click here for the latest GO service updates.

“There may be trip cancellations and modifications until the issue is fixed,” a previous notice on GO’s website stated. “To allow time for the repair personnel to work on the issue, trains will not be able to move through the area until the issue is resolved.”

GO had said that trains would travel as far as possible and hold at stations.

During the height of the delays, UP Express train service was not running to or from Pearson Airport, with express bus service is running between the Union Station Bus Terminal and Pearson Airport. Service has since resumed but UP said riders may experience longer than usual wait times.

GO Transit previously said it was a signal issue at Union Station, but in an update said the issue was a “disabled train” near Union. A TTC spokesperson said GO called them around 8:20 a.m. to inform them of signal problems at Union and requested that the TTC accommodate GO riders at select stations. Metrolinx later confirmed the train had come off the track.

Note: Based on a statement from Metrolinx, a previous version of this story stated the front of the train came off the tracks. Metrolinx issued a correction to say it was the rear of the train.