O-Train network

O-Train network map

Rail service alternatives

O-Train explained

Winter ready

Let’s peek behind the scenes to see how OC Transpo prepares and adapts to severe winter weather.

Transcript and text description

Time On-screen text On-screen animation
00:00 O-Train Explained Title appears
00:03 Winter ready. Large red O animates to reveal O-Train travelling left to right along track with winter downtown view of Ottawa in background.
00:07 Planning for the winter season on the O-Train starts months in advance and many teams are involved. Scene changes to O-Train travelling left to right with trees in fall colours in the background; the background changes to winter with snow on the ground and falling.
00:14 There are plans and procedures for winter to ensure the O-Train system is prepared to deal with inclement weather and to reduce delays caused by winter conditions. The scene changes to the O-Train garage showing trains parked inside.
00:25 When the forecast calls for snow or freezing rain, winter operating plans are put in place and weather conditions are closely monitored. The scene changes to the O-Train travelling left to right in a winter landscape; an inset of a person in an OC Transpo control room appears as precipitation falls.
00:34 Additional resources are also brought in, including specialized equipment and extra staff, to ensure service continues to operate for customers. The scene changes to overhead to show the O-Train travelling along the tracks from left to right; then zooms in closer on the same scene.
00:44 Depending on the weather conditions, trains can run overnight to prevent the build-up of snow on the tracks. The scene changes to the O-Train travelling left to right at night with snow falling.
00:51 Switch heaters are in place to help keep switches operating by melting ice and snow before it can build up. The scene changes to overhead to show a closeup view of the tracks with ice building up at the switch; the track turns red, heating up to melt the ice.
01:02 Crews may also need to manually clear snow and ice from switches under certain conditions. The overhead view zooms out further to show a worker removing ice from between tracks.
01:08 Snow fencing is installed at areas along the line to prevent snow drifting and protect the tracks from snow blown by passing snowplows. The scene changes to bird’s eye view of O-Train travelling from bottom left to top right with a snow fence in the background.
01:19 The O-Train system is designed to withstand winter conditions. In winter months, staff work around the clock and across the system to keep the O-Train running for you. The scene changes to a night view of the O-Train travelling left to right.
01:25 OC Transpo octranspo.com The OC Transpo logo and web address animates on-screen.

Which switch?

The O-Train tracks include switches so trains can cross over from one track to another. See how OC Transpo’s control centre communicates ensures that they are properly aligned.

Transcript and text description

Time On-screen text On-screen animation
00:00 Title appears O-Train Explained
00:03 Large red O animates to reveal O-Train travelling left to right along track with downtown view of Ottawa in background. Which Switch?
00:08 The scene changes to a wide view of the O-Train travelling left to right with the sun in the sky. The O-Train tracks include switches so trains can cross over from one track to another.
00:15 The scene changes overhead to follow the O-Train travelling left to right along the track; the train switches from the top track to the bottom track. OC Transpo’s control centre must be able to communicate with all switches to ensure that they are properly aligned for safe train movements.
00:27 The view zooms in on a track switch; the switch moves and a passing O-Train moves to other the track; the switch moves again and another passing O-Train moves to the opposite track. There are 7 locations on O-Train Line 1 where trains can use switches and are able to cross from one track to another.
00:37 The scene changes to a side view of the O-Train travelling left to right; the train slows down. Trains have to slow down when crossing over at a switch to ensure safe train movements.
00:41 The scene changes to an overhead view of a switch being impeded by rocks and debris. Sometimes rocks, debris and ice can damage or stop switches from working.
00:48 The view zooms out to show a stopped train and a worker approaching the tracks, then zooms in to show the worker removing the debris. When this happens, trains will come to a stop so the switch can be manually moved.
00:54 The scene changes to a side view of the O-Train travelling left to right in winter conditions, then to an overhead view of the rails turning red and melting ice build up. Switches have heaters to melt snow and ice and help prevent switch problems in the winter.
01:04 The scene changes to a wider overhead view of the tracks and switch with an exclamation mark representing a problem on the top tracks; the switch routes the train to the lower track, around the problem. Use of switches can allow trains to continue in service even when there are maintenance activities or service disruptions. The switches allow trains to operate on a single track and move around the affected area.
01:19 The scene changes to a night view of the O-Train travelling left to right with an inset of a person at a monitoring station. Staff carefully monitor switches and switch heaters at all times to avoid delays whenever possible.
01:25 The OC Transpo logo and web address animates on-screen. OC Transpo octranspo.com

Flashes of light

Sometimes, you may notice flashes or sparks above the train. These sparks pose no risk to customers and occur because the O-Train is powered by 1,500 volts of electricity delivered through overhead cables. Watch the video to learn more!

Transcript and text description

Time On-screen animation On-screen text
00:00 O-Train Explained Title appears
00:03 Flashes of Light Large red O animates to reveal O-Train travelling left to right along track with downtown Ottawa in background.
00:08 The O-Train is powered by 1,500 volts of electricity, delivered by overhead cables called the Overhead Catenary System (OCS). The scene changes to a view of the O-Train travelling left to right; showing the overhead catenary system.
00:18 Sometimes you may see a flash or sparks on the pantograph, which collects power from the OCS. The scene changes to a bird’s eye view of the O-Train travelling from bottom left to top right; a spark appears where the train attaches to the overhead catenary system.
00:27 This arcing is common and can happen in all systems. Arcing is more common during inclement weather, such as rain and snow. The scene changes to a side view of the O-Train travelling left to right during daytime; the background turns to night with rain falling and then with snow falling in winter conditions.
00:36 The trains have safety measures to keep customers safe. The scene changes to a view of the front of the O-Train travelling toward the viewer along the tracks with sparks on the overhead catenary system.
00:43 The observed sparks pose no risk to customers because trains have high-speed breakers that shut off power to the O-Train’s motor if there’s a problem. The scene changes to a night view of the O-Train travelling left to right.
00:54 During inclement weather, when arcing occurs, trains may operate at reduced speed. The view zooms in on the O-Train and overhead catenary system; the train slows down.
01:02 OC Transpo octranspo.com The OC Transpo logo and web address animates on-screen.

Sun kinks

When the temperature is high and the sun is beaming down, steel tracks become extremely hot, causing them to expand and buckle due to the heat. Learn how we keep the O-Train system safe during these times.

Transcript and text description

Time On-screen text On-screen animation
00:00 Title appears O-Train Explained
00:03 HOT with a chance of sun kinks Large red O animates to reveal O-Train travelling left to right along track with downtown Ottawa in background.
00:09 It happens on rail systems around the world: when the temperature gets extremely hot and the sun is beaming down, the steel tracks can expand and cause buckles – in the train world these are called "sun kinks". The scene changes to the O-Train travelling left to right along track, hot sun rises overhead.
00:22 If a track gets a sun kink, it can bend the track slightly out of alignment and can cause problems for trains trying to pass by. The scene changes to overhead of O-Train travelling from top right to bottom left of screen. It clears frame to reveal the tracks; the view zooms in on the tracks which turn red and warp.
00:32 For everyone’s safety, when temperatures get really high, we may temporarily slow down trains on the O-Train system. The scene returns to O-Train travelling left to right with hot sun overhead; the O-Train slows down.
00:39 This may cause longer travel times…but slowing down reduces the impact on trains and helps decrease the chances of sun kinks expanding and becoming worse. The scene changes to overhead following the O-Train along the tracks from left to right.
00:50 OC Transpo constantly monitors the weather and makes adjustments to speeds as necessary throughout the day. The scene changes back to the O-Train travel from left to right with hot sun overhead, then turns to night time with the moon overhead.
01:00 When the temperature cools down and tracks are no longer impacted by the heat, trains return to normal speeds. Views zooms in closer on O-Train travelling left to right at night.
01:06 OC Transpo octranspo.com The OC Transpo logo and web address animates on-screen.