The abandoned railway at Carleton Place - 6 Sep 2011 Richard McGuire.

16 July 2012

CP Must Stop and Rethink its Rail Removal Plan

Ottawa Ontario - Despite letter-writing campaigns, discussion forums, high-level communication with Canadian Pacific (CP) executives, and even a 1,000-plus signature petition in the Pembroke-Deep River area, the need for retained rail infrastructure and its embedded economic stimulus potential through part of Renfrew County and Nipissing District has once again fallen on the deaf and disinterested ear of CP.
 
"CP maintains there are no business volumes along the line between Pembroke and Mattawa to justify keeping it on the ground" says Terry Gibeau, Co-Chair of the upstart Transport Pontiac-Renfrew (TPR). "They are either passing it off as insignificant or outright not listening."
 
Operated by CP from 1881 to the late twentieth century, connecting service from Mattawa to Smiths Falls via Pembroke was subsequently contracted to RailAmerica and its division, Ottawa Valley Railway. "OVR provided a link for mostly unit trains with some regional pick-up and delivery, but it was never contracted or committed to mine and market new business in the first place," says Mr. Gibeau. "Therefore saying there is "no business on the line" is an inaccurate deflection and excuse." CP is in the final stages of rail removal on the south-eastern leg of the line from Pembroke to Smiths Falls.
 
The decision to discontinue service was made near the end of the 2008 recession. Since then, the area's resource-based and struggling manufacturing industries have been searching for cost-efficient shipping options, especially for the long-haul. Rail is proven cost-efficient and environmentally preferable.
 
"CP has indicated it needs the physical rail for use elsewhere in its system. In theory, it makes sense, but it's a costly process to remove and replace the rail elsewhere," says Mr. Gibeau. "Keeping the line on the ground would avoid those removal and replacement costs while adding an opportunity for some fresh new revenue by way of a shortline connecting service. It would also create good will with the region's community and industrial base."
 
Meanwhile, across the Ottawa River, the Pontiac Quebec-based TPR accurately read the signs and in 2009 began its own process to acquire the Canadian National (CN) line from Pembroke to Ottawa via Portage-du-Fort, Quebec. The line was also on CN's abandonment list. By way of a commissioned feasibility study, rail retention with a retained freight service will benefit employment growth and help jump-start a new era of economic development in the region. In addition, the Study showed a strong need and encouraging potential for a new heavy-rail commuter service from Pembroke into Ottawa.
 
Mr. Gibeau also clarifies that while the evolving TPR initiative and CP's pending removal of the Pembroke to Mattawa line may seem to adversely affect TPR, it shouldn't. "TPR is developing attractive strategies for customers within its own framework of operation, from Pembroke to Ottawa." He adds, "We are appreciative for CP to at least listen to the concerns of rail removal from the Ottawa area."
 
If the Mattawa to Pembroke line stays in place and TPR acquires the Pembroke to Ottawa line, then an alternate national east-west-east rail connection around Toronto will be maintained. At present both CP and CN have one line each across the country running south of Ottawa through the Winchester and Prescott areas respectively.
 
However, Mr. Gibeau reiterates that CP must stop and rethink its rail-removal plan for Pembroke to Mattawa before another group determines rail must be re-laid resulting in a grossly unnecessary expenditure. "Hindsight is 20-20 and now is the time for action while the immediate vision is abundantly clear."
 
Dave Watts.