Railways

Railways are an important part of Port Moody’s history and continue to support local industry, jobs and the movement of goods across Canada.

A Canadian Pacific-Kansas City (CPKC) railway line runs east-west through the City. A spur line connects the main railway to the IOCO Terminal at the end of Ioco Road. Both railway lines are active.

Port Moody is also served by public transit rail services. Residents can access SkyTrain at Inlet Centre and Moody Centre stations. The West Coast Express provides weekday commuter rail service between Moody Centre Station and downtown Vancouver.

The City hosts a City – CPKC Community Advisory Panel to discuss railway operations and rail-related concerns in the community. The panel includes residents; industry representatives from IOCO Terminal, Suncor, PCT, and CPKC; and City Council members and staff.

Railway safety

Safety around railways is the highest priority.  When near railway tracks:

• use designated crossings only;
• obey railway signals;
• stay off railway property and tracks except at authorized crossings; and
• take extra care round all active rail lines.

Operation Life Saver provides rail safety information and resources to increase awareness about rail safety.

Railway regulations

CPKC is a federally regulated railway, governed by Transport Canada and the Canadian Transportation Agency. City bylaws do not apply to railway operations because railways fall under federal jurisdiction. The City is not able to impose requirements such as noise restrictions or hours of operations on these rail operations. However, municipal land use planning and zoning requirements can help mitigate conflicts in the design and siting of new developments.

Port Moody has 11 public road and pathway railway grade crossings. These crossings must comply with the federal Grade Crossings Regulations and Grade Crossings Standards. These standards set safety requirements for road and pedestrian crossings at railways, outline railway and municipal obligations, and set out requirements and a process for whistle cessation.

Railway noise

Railway operations generate noise from train movements, engines, wheel squealing, shunting activities, crossing bells, and train whistles. Whistling and crossing bells are required per federal regulations which set parameters on when and how they should be sounded.

Reducing train whistle noise

Municipalities may request that train whistles be stopped through a federally prescribed process. Stopping train whistles can only happen once safety improvements are completed to meet federal requirements and are approved by both the City and railway company. Council must also pass a resolution in support of the change.

Even where ending whistle noise is approved, train crews may still use whistles when safety concerns exist, such as people trespassing on the tracks. Transport Canada may also require train whistling to resume if safety standards are not maintained.

The City has looked into reducing train whistle noise several times. In July 2026, Council received a summary of these studies and directed staff to apply for grant funding to support required safety improvements at the Murray Street and Trasolini Field crossings. Future work on this initiative will be dependent on the outcome of the grant application. 

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