Latest News

Brandon Sun - ONLINE EDITION

Railroad offers new shipping possibility

By: Carol Sanders

Friday, Aug. 3, 2012 at 8:25 AM | Comments: 0

GIMLI -- Interlake farmer Wayne Bracken won't have to truck his grain 50 kilometres to Winnipeg anymore thanks to a new railway line. He won't even have to leave home.

"I'm hoping I can load cars right in my yard," the 72-year-old Clandeboye producer said, standing next to the new Lake Line Railroad, which passes through his property.

The 50-kilometre stretch of track between Gimli and Selkirk was purchased from Canadian Pacific Railway by community users such as Bracken with $1.25-million help from the province.

When area grain elevators shut down more than a decade ago, farmers were forced to truck their grain into the city, said Bracken, who's been farming since he was 10.

Bracken never thought he'd see the day when grain transportation came to him, he said after a press conference in Gimli next to the railway line and a bright blue engine.

The short-line Lake Line Railroad will serve close to 2,000 producers, said Keystone Agricultural Producers president Doug Chorney.

The Lake Line Railroad has already begun freight rail service to shippers along the railway line and to Hudson Cement in Selkirk. It also has an agreement to provide freight services to Diageo Distillery's plant in Gimli, which makes Crown Royal whisky, said Gimli MLA Peter Bjornson, standing next to tanker cars on the line hauling booze to bottlers.

The Lake Line Railroad gives farmers more options to haul their grain and gets heavy truck traffic off local and provincial roads, said Randy Penner, the president of the railway line.

It also opens up the possibility new businesses that are rail-dependent will locate in the Gimli area, Penner said.

Under the terms of an agreement with the province, the railroad is required to operate the short-line railway for at least 10 years or repay the funds.

The province also provided the Lake Line Railroad with $20,000 in late 2010 to complete a feasibility study on the purchase of the rail line.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Rate this
This article has not yet been rated.

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments

You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

There are no comments at the moment. Be the first to post a comment below.

Post Your Comment

The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.