Cargill says it is ‘working diligently’ to repair track
Cargill says it is working to fix the damage after a single car derailed at its terminal near Balcarres, Sask., last month.
However, at least one customer said it’s taking too long.
The company said the car derailed Feb. 13 at the elevator, resulting in a short-term impact to its business.
“We are sympathetic to the inconvenience this may have caused for our customers and are working diligently to repair the damage as soon as possible,” it said.
Richard Rumancik, who farms in the area, said he had contracted half his wheat to move through the facility in February but didn’t haul a bushel. He finally got the call to deliver March 6.
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He said the problem occurred when Canadian National Railway was picking up cars and one derailed, hitting the tower that holds the overhead restraining system. The two centre tracks of the four at the siding were also damaged, he said.
CN spokesperson Brent Kossey said the tracks are owned by the customer and he was not aware if the company had asked CN to fix or pay for damages.
Rumancik said these kinds of situations are frustrating for farmers who have bills to pay.
“I was really ticked off,” he said.
“Everything is overdue. I haven’t hauled anything all of February. There’s lots of guys in the same boat. As far as I’m concerned, this winter is no better than last winter because there’s lots of grain that’s not moving.”
He hopes to haul all his contracted wheat this month. He said deliveries to other companies for other commodities have also been slow, and he blames the railways for that.
