A network of branch lines in west-central Saskatchewan has been taken off CN Rail’s hit list, at least for now.
The 300 kilometres of rail lines serving an area from just west of Saskatoon to near the Alberta border have been moved out of the “discontinue” category and put into the “retain” category in the railway’s latest three-year plan.
“We’re operating the line for the time being,” said CN spokesperson Jim Feeny.
“What the ultimate future will be, we’ll wait and see.”
Since February 1998, local farmers and communities have been negotiating under the name West Central Road and Rail Ltd. to buy the track and set up a short-line company.
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But almost since those discussions began, they have been delayed and extended numerous times.
The federal government’s review of grain transportation policy, including branch-line abandonment, and ongoing uncertainty over rules governing net salvage value of abandoned branch lines contributed to the delays.
Another wild card was thrown into the game this spring when one of CN’s unions, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, told the railway it wanted to develop proposals to work with local groups to take over operations of some CN lines.
Feeny said given all that, there seemed little point in continuing to negotiate with WCRR.
“We felt there was no value to either side to resuming discussions with West Central until we figure out what the new rules are going to be and see what kind of proposals the union comes up with.”
WCRR president Rob Lobdell said while he was surprised by CN’s decision, he was also “guardedly optimistic” about the line’s future.
The main objective of West Central all along has been to retain rail service, whether that is done by CN, WCRR or some other entity, he said, adding that West Central will work with anyone to maintain and build grain traffic on the line.
