From the TRAINS Newswire: IslandRail to take over RailAmerica's E&N Railway VICTORIA, B.C. – The Vancouver Island Railway Co., operating as IslandRail, expects to take over operations of RailAmerica’s E&N Railway by July 1. A group of investors say they have a deal with RailAmerica for a long-term lease of E&N Railway’s key rail assets, according to Canadian press reports. The lead investor is A&B Rail Contractors Ltd. of Edmonton, which does railroad construction and maintenance in Canada, including some work on the E&N. IslandRail grew out of the Vancouver Island Rail Development Initiative, a consortium including municipalities and customers interested in preserving the line, which is urging community ownership of the rail right of way. IslandRail would lease the line from the community partnership, build up the freight business, especially on the Port Alberni-Nanaimo leg, which RailAmerica owns. Canadian Pacific owns sections of track north and south of that piece. At least $10 million worth of deferred maintenance is required on the line, and another $1 million annually in ongoing work. It's the only railway in Canada with wooden trestles and 85-pound rail.
I was wondering what had been happening with this situation. It sort of slipped quietly out of sight! I certainly hope they can do good things. Boxcab E50
