The Farmer Rail Car Coalition wants assurances from the federal government that its 13,000 grain cars are in good running order.
The coalition wants to buy the cars for a nominal sum and administer them on behalf of prairie grain farmers.
Some farmers have expressed concerns about the condition of the cars, many of which have been in service for more than 30 years.
Coalition president Sinclair Harrison says his organization shares those concerns.
“Before the cars are transferred to a new owner, they should be brought up to acceptable standards,” he said, adding the coalition has received reports from farmers and grain companies about such things as faulty bottom gates and hatches.
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The railroads have been paid more than $4,000 per car per year for maintenance through the freight rate formula, he said, so there is no excuse for any disrepair.
Officials with the two national railways said there is no reason to be concerned about the condition of the cars.
The cars are maintained to the safety and operating standards required by the Association of American Railroads and equipment is repaired as needed, they say.
“The essential requirement is that they be in safe operating condition and they be fully capable of meeting customers’ shipping needs,” said Jim Feeny of Canadian National Railway. “We have met those conditions.”
Leah Olson of Canadian Pacific Railway said the government cars are more susceptible to breakdown because of their age, but the railway deals promptly with problems that are brought to its attention through regular inspections or complaints from shippers.
She said the government cars have anywhere from five to 10 years of service left in them.
