An empty Via Rail train scheduled to leave Halifax Friday afternoon was sent to Truro early to avoid an Idle No More railway blockade.
The Montreal-bound train was scheduled to leave Halifax at 12:20 p.m. and then carry on to Truro, where it was scheduled to arrive at 1:48 p.m.
However, members of the Millbrook First Nation planned to block a Canadian National rail line between Halifax and Truro around 1 p.m. which would have held up the train.
Via Rail caught wind of the protest and instead sent the empty train to Truro two hours before it was scheduled to leave town to avoid the blockade.
Roughly 53 passengers in Halifax were then bussed to Truro to catch the train there.
They arrived in Truro around 1:25 p.m and the train left the station for Montreal around 2:15 p.m.
About 20 people from the Millbrook First Nation placed wooden palettes and a car on the track in Truro around 1 p.m,
The railway blockade - which affects passenger and freight trains travelling through the reserve’s land - was planned as part of the Idle No More protests across the country.
Chief Bob Gloade says the blockade is planned to take place until 5 p.m.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Rick Grant and The Canadian Press
