A U.S.-based company has launched a new railroad that runs through central Alberta to serve energy industry companies.
Genesee and Wyoming Inc. (G&W) celebrated the launch of Red Deer Railway Limited, its first railroad in Western Canada, in a ceremony in Bentley on Monday.
The new railway branches off from the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) line just south of Lacombe and runs nearly 70 km northwest through Bentley and Rimbey to Homeglen in Ponoka County. Through an operating rights agreement with CPKC, the railway also links to Chigwell, a former small farm community, and Prentiss east of Highway 2.
A direct interchange with CPKC in Red Deer provides the company with direct access to the North American rail network. RDR acquired its assets and other rights from CPKC as part of a previously announced transaction between G&W and CPKC.
“With Red Deer Railway, shippers in the booming Alberta Industrial Heartland can now rely on the safe and efficient first- and last-mile service that G&W’s railroads in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec have earned a reputation for,” said Rick McLellan, president of G&W’s Canada operations, in a statement.
“RDR can tailor our service package and operations plans based on the individual needs of area businesses along our 43-mile route.
Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon said the new railroad "marks the beginning of a new chapter for our community and will be critical in providing new opportunities for businesses, enhancing regional connectivity and creating jobs for local residents.”
In addition to its other 10 railroads, G&W’s Canadian operations include Railcare Inc., a railcar maintenance and repair shop in Hamilton, Ont., as well as BMS Locomotive Service Group Inc., a locomotive maintenance and repair facility in Edmonton.
G&W, which has its head office in Connecticutt, owns or leases more than 100 freight railroads and its 4,000 employees serve more than 2,000 North American customers through nearly 21,000 kilometres of track.
