CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) updated its three-year network plan as the first step toward discontinuing segments of two low-volume prairie branch lines which have experienced long-term traffic declines and major structural damage.
The lines added to the plan are 18 km of the Cardston subdivision between Raymond and Magrath, Alta. and a 45-km section of the Radville subdivision between Bengough and Willowbunch, Sask.
Both lines suffered serious structural failures this spring. A grass fire in May destroyed a wooden trestle bridge on the Radville subdivision and a washout near the east end of the Cardston subdivision made the track impassable.
Under Canada Transportation Act provisions, lines identified for discontinuance must first be offered for sale to the short line marketplace and then to governments before the railway can take steps to end operations.
CPR continues to evaluate its overall network to monitor the viability of its branch line network. All changes to the railway’s rationalization plans are made public as they occur, or through periodic updates to the railway’s three-year network plan.
Network plans and updates are posted on the railway’s website at: www.cpr.ca.