SWAN RIVER, Man. – Efforts to get a short line rolling in the region were sidetracked this month, when CN Rail confirmed it won’t part with one of the branch lines needed for the venture.
Proponents of the short line had approached CN about selling a branch line that runs from Swan River to Preeceville, Sask. They wanted CN to combine that line, known as the Preeceville subdivision, with two others to create a short-line network.
CN reviewed the issue and decided against selling the Preeceville subdivision.
Read Also
Alberta researcher helps unlock the economics of farming
Lethbridge Polytechnic researcher helping agriculture producers with decision-making tools in economic feasibility
“I’m disappointed by what they said, but it certainly didn’t take me by surprise,” said Maxine Plesiuk, a member of the Man/Sask Shortline Initiative. “I think an awful lot of hedging has gone on.”
The initiative group formed earlier this year to save existing rail service in the region. It includes several community groups from both Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Plesiuk said the group had CN’s commitment to consider any proposal it might put forward. She wondered how much consideration was given to the Man/Sask Shortline Initiative.
“If it’s just an exercise in futility, tell us that from the start and we’ll direct our energies at another way to attack the issue.”
Two of the subdivisions needed for the short line are already on CN’s chopping block. The Cowan subdivision runs from north of Dauphin to south of Swan River while the Erwood runs north from Swan River to Bowsman and Birch River, Man.
CN has part of the Erwood subdivision advertised for sale. Meanwhile, the rail company is negotiating with a rural municipality wanting to buy the Cowan.
CN spokesperson Mary Jane Skulski said the rail company honored its commitment to look at whether parting with the Preeceville subdivision made sense. However, she said the short line would result in one viable line subsidizing the other two.
“We did look at it as we said we would. We determined it was not something we want to proceed with.”
CN extended the deadline for others submitting an expression of interest in the Erwood subdivision to July 31.
Plesiuk said her group will try to acquire the Erwood. However, it will also continue with efforts to have CN create a regional short line. That will include more lobbying at the provincial and federal levels.
The Man/Sask group insists that Ottawa should halt further rail line abandonment until a review of the issue by justice Willard Estey is complete. The review of Canada’s transportation and grain handling system should be complete later this year.
“We’re not quitters,” Plesiuk said. “We’ve been in check a couple of times but haven’t quite made it to checkmate yet.”
“We’ve been in check a couple of times but haven’t quite made it to checkmate yet.”
