I was wondering how rail service is still being provided in souther Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Though I have lived in Nelson B.C. for several years now, I did live in Saskatchewan for many years. I was looking at the proxmity map for rail lines yesterday and it looked as much of the rail lines below the Trans-Canada in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have either been abandoned or sold to short line railways. Have the short lines been able to do well business wise and is it primarly grain they haul?
There is some information in the Canadian Trackside Guide.
I recognized some of the more important grain shipping towns that are still being served, but as to how the shortline companies financial’s are, I have never heard. I was amazed to see in the 2007 Edition that there was still service almost to Val Marie, SK. You’ve heard of the middle of nowhere, that place is south of everything![(-D]
Bruce
Saskatchewan is only Southern Saskatchewan, nobody lives in the North half of the province.
Gee, Tatans, just how far does one go with that? [(-D] Does Saskatoon count? I only spent 23 years of my life. But give me the Kootenays in B.C. anytime. [tup]
Well, The U.S. border is 49°, ‘Toontown’ is 52°, Prince Albert is 53° and Meadow Lake is 54°. Divide the province in 1/2 which is 54.5° which pretty well leaves the southern part of the province well below 54.5°. Looking at a map of Saskabush, there certainly not too many large urban areas above 54°.
Just a little geographical update. Do you mean “Southern” Southern Saskatchewan
You got me on that one. [:D] At least Saskatoon has more rail traffic than what Nelson gets. If it weren’t for the smelter in Trail I’m sure Canadian Pacific would shut this line down or sell it in an instant. [sigh] In this post I was referring to south of the Trans-Canada Highway. I don’t think Moose Jaw was ever an important waypoint for Canadian National.
Moose Jaw was reached from the north by CN predecessor Grand Trunk Pacific. Regina was reached from the north by the Qu’Appelle, Long Lake & Saskatchewan, first leased by the CPR, and then sold to CN predecessor Canadian Northern when CP built its’ own line from the north into Regina. A line was later built by the Canadian Northern running north of the CP mainline for the 30 mile or so connection between the two centres.
Since these two points were only 30 miles apart and the lines radiating south of each of them were served from that centre, neither one of them ever became an “important waypoint” for CN as they were too close together.
Bruce