SASKATOON (Staff) – Some CP Rail grain cars are getting a change of scenery.
In each of the next three weeks, 300 of CP’s cars will be traveling through the forests and mountains of northern British Columbia en route to the grain terminal at Prince Rupert, usually the sole preserve of CN Rail.
It’s all part of an effort to balance out elevator space between the two railways on the Prairies.
“There has been congestion on CP lines, so it’s a matter of trying to relieve that,” said Bob Roehle, director of communications for the Canadian Wheat Board.
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As of last week, there was 23.3 percent space in elevators on CP Rail lines, compared with 32.9 percent space in elevators on CN lines.
Roehle said the board wants to provide equal opportunities for farmers to deliver on CN and CP lines and also wants to make sure it can get the right grain to the West Coast to meet export commitments.
Reasons for unbalance
The unbalanced space situation between the two railways has arisen for several reasons: CP did not participate in this year’s winter rail program out of Thunder Bay. Due to a rate dispute, no grain was shipped off CP lines to the U.S. this crop year until recent weeks. Demand has been strong for canola, largely off CN lines.
The program is slated to last just three weeks, but could be extended beyond the March 18 cutoff.
