It wasn’t the best news for farmers around Outlook, Sask., but nor was it the worst.
CP Rail said last week it wants to transfer to a short-line rail company its Outlook subdivision, a 177 kilometre branch line that provides service to 13 elevators at 10 communities.
“This is good news, when you consider the other alternative is abandonment,” said Larry Hubbard, administrator of the rural municipality of Rudy at the northern end of the line. “We are very excited that they have at least given us the opportunity (to keep the line) by allowing for a transfer.”
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It was much the same reaction from farmers in Alberta who deliver grain to elevators along the Willingdon subdivision, a 229 km line running from Elk Island, near Edmonton, to Lloydminster.
“I guess it’s sort of bad news, but not worst news,” said Pat Gordeyko, who farms near Two Hills, Alta., who added he thinks the line would be an ideal candidate for a short -line operator.
CP also wants to transfer the Arborg subdivision in Manitoba, a 112 km line running from Rugby to Arborg.
Back in the Outlook area, local government and business groups were ready for last week’s news. Joan Corneil, regional economic development officer for the area, said about 20 municipalities have been working for the past two months on plans to keep the line going and hope to meet with CP Rail this month to discuss the various options.
The line runs through some highly productive farmland, including irrigated land near Outlook, and also serves a dehydrating plant at Broderick. It has heavy steel track and a good rail bed.
“It certainly is an ideal candidate for short-line operation,” said Corneil, adding the local authorities have had preliminary discussions with short-line companies about the line.
CP spokesperson Barry Scott said the railway will first try to strike a deal with its unions to take over the lines and operate them as internal short lines. If that fails, it’s prepared to talk to any short-line company or other group that makes a “sound business proposal.”
Ron Gleim, chair of the Southwest Transportation Advisory Council, which wants to see a short-line operator take over a network of branch lines in southwestern Saskatchewan, said the railways hold all the cards in negotiating an arrangement.
“They have all the say in whether a rail line will be viable,” he said. “It all depends on what they sell the rail for and the revenue they give the short-line operator.”
