The union representing about 340 VIA engineers says members will strike at noon ET on Friday unless a deal is reached in their dispute over wages, benefits and scheduling. (Aaron Harris/Canadian Press)

Some travellers are considering changing their travel plans in case Via Rail's engineers walk off the job on Friday.

The union that represents about 340 locomotive engineers said Tuesday its members would strike at noon on Friday unless a deal is reached in their dispute over wages, benefits and scheduling.

Via said on its website that it has entered into discussions with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union through a mediator.

Luis Martens, who is from Brazil, was at the Ottawa train station on his way to Montreal — a trip he hopes to return from after the strike deadline has passed.

"They told us that probably on Friday the trains will be on strike," he said.

"Well, it's up to Via Rail to provide another way of travel for us."

If an agreement isn't reached in time, said Via, passenger routes will be cancelled and tickets refunded for the period of the strike.

Kelly Schultz went to the same station to buy tickets for a trip to Kingston she planned to take with her daughter.

"It was supposed to be a trip with my daughter for the first time. She's nine. That was the whole idea, for her to experience the train," she said.

Schultz said she learned about the possibility of a strike at the ticket window, but still plans to take her trip even if she has to change her mode of transportation.

"I'm going to have to drive, I guess — somehow. Not that I was looking forward to doing that."

Ashley Doyle, who works for Via, said the company is still hopeful a strike can be averted, but as a precaution it has cancelled some departures even before the strike deadline.

"We have had to cancel some of our long-haul departures that would depart prior to the Friday deadline, but would arrive afterwards," she said.

Doyle said all passengers with tickets will have the option of getting a refund or rescheduling their journeys.