The Island Corridor foundation has reached an agreement with the Canadian Pacific Railway to aquire their E&N Railway assets for a tax reciept. Including the abandoned 18 mile Lake Cowichan Sub, the 2.5 mile abandoned Crofton Spur, 112.8 miles of the 140 mile Victoria Sub, the Wellcox, Port Alberni, Victoria, and Courtenay yards. They are still in talks with RailAmerica to aquire the trackage owned by RA. Including the 2.5 mile Wellcox Spur, 27.2 miles of the 140 mile Victoria Sub, and the 38 mile Port Alberni Sub and the Parksville yard. ICF Chairman, and mayor of Lake Cowichan, Jack Peake has said they also have an operator for the railroad once the line is aquired from CP and RailAmerica. No word yet on VIA Rail's passenger service, but it will probably continue under VIA Rail.
Sounds like good news to me! Sure hope RA will come to terms without delay. Have there been any hints of what would be used for motive power? Acquire what RA is currently using? Or something else in mind? Boxcab E50
I know the person that's running the new company that is ICF's operator. Originally he wanted to buy 10 GMD-1's. But they lack DB, which they need for the grades to Port Alberni and Victoria. He says he'll probably get GP38(-2)'s.
With the GP38(-2) being higher horsepower, they shouldn't need to get as many units as with GMD-1. Although it would have been neat to see the GMD-1. Any hints on where they'll be shopping for those Geeps? Boxcab E50
Not a clue where the Geeps are coming from. Probably a second hand dealer, they may even be on long term lease from a company like CEFX or LLPX.
Sounds like very good news. I would have liked them to have a bunch of GMD1's, I really love the look of those units But I guess that GP38's woiuld be a better proposition.
Hi, this is my first post on this forum. I am looking forward to seeing more trains on the E&N. I have a long term vision for the railway on the island, seeing the existing railway upgraded and possibly expanded further north and west to connect the major towns and cities on the whole island. Aaron
From what I hear they can Interchange with other Railroads than CP they can go with BNSF, UP Seattle and CN Vancouver or Prince Rebuilt. Also will be nice to see more Trains I need get there some day on the E & N. AmtrakFan
Aaron- Welcome aboard Trainboard! I am one of those people who has a major dislike for losing rail service. Anywhere. I feel there's not enough thought given to future potential, before rails are lifted, and money is wasted on hiking/biking trails. AmtrakFan- If other interchange is available, it would still need to be via barge service. Which is slower. And costly. So perhaps this would be an obstacle to increasing such traffic. Boxcab E50
Not unless fast powered barges were deleveloped. I think the major problem with transportation planning in North America, is every mode is looked at separately. Every different transport mode must be thought of as part of a connected system. The buying back of the E&N from CPR and RA is a major step towards sustainable transportation on our island. I am in the process of developmenting a new rail terminal for Victoria. I would like to submit this to the new operator of the E&N and to city council. Aaron
Best wishes for success! I hope that you, Tyler, or anyone else, will continue to post updates and or photos of what's happening! Boxcab E50
There is a rumor going around right now that the new operator could be Washington Corp(as part of SRY or as seperate operation). Apparently they've been sniffing around the E&N lately. Washington Corp wanted the E&N when CP put it up for sale in 1998 but backed out when they discovered all the restrictions CP wanted to put on them. We all know what happened next, it went to RailAmerica, the runner up bidder, willing to go along with CP's restrictions. So it could very well be possible that they'd be going after the E&N now, as they'd have no restrictions this time. This is just rumor, so we'll have to wait and see...next year seems so far away... [ 28. October 2004, 19:48: Message edited by: E&NRailway ]
Can't say that I've heard much bad comment about their operations. So hopefully, if this passes the rumor stage, they might get it. I'm sure they'd quickly invest in upgrading infrastructure. Boxcab E50
As far as i know, SRY of BC has been very successful in the Lower Mainland. The Green Goat was built in their shops, so they do seem open to positive change in the railway industry. There was a very large section dedicated to CPR fixing the roundhouse in Victoria and the Island Corridor Foundation in yesterdays Times Colonist Paper. There does seem to be a lot of interest in saving and fixing up the E&N. Anyway I hope all goes well. Aaron Long Live the E&N
