2009

8 October 2009 CP Railway Line on the Market Kamloops Heritage Railway excursion to Armstrong - 2008 Photographer unknown.     Armstrong British Columbia - Anybody want to buy a railway?   Canadian Pacific has announced plans to discontinue and not resume operating the 32-mile stretch of line between Armstrong and Sicamous if a buyer is not found before 7 Dec 2009.   In accordance with the Canada Transportation Act, CP has officially put the line up for sale.   "Parties interested in acquiring one or both of these railway lines for the purpose of continuing a railway operation must make their interests known by 3:30 PST on 7 Dec 2009", wrote Marc Shannon, legal services for Canadian Pacific Railway.   There are two stretches of rail between the communities, one totalling 16.1 miles, the other just more than 15 miles.   If there are no expressions of interest received by 7 Dec 2009, or no agreement to acquire CP's interest in the railway has been entered, CP can offer to transfer the railway lines to the province or municipal governments whose territory the railway lines pass through.   Spallumcheen Mayor Will Hansma said at Monday night's regular council meeting said there's an opportunity for private enterprise to buy the lines.   "But if there's nobody that comes through and purchases the railway at CP's price, the line will go through a salvage process, and that will be the value of the land as it currently is from Armstrong to Sicamous," said Hansma.   It's believed the asking price for the rail lines is in the ballpark of between $1.5 million and $4 million, depending on whether land and rail tracks are sold separately or together.   The line has been shut down since 1 Sep 2009, affecting such North Okanagan businesses as Grindrod's Sure Crop Feeds, Enderby's Okanagan Fertilizer, Spallumcheen's Rogers Foods, and Okanagan Aggregates. All four companies used the rail lines to ship and receive materials.   "We are interested, but the pricing that has been offered or we think is out there on the table is far, far too high for us to justify at this point," said Dave Pringle, general manager of Sure Crop Feeds. "We will likely show some interest or intention, or at least ask a question to see where they're at to get to a more reasonable rate."   Hansma said continual pressure from local governments on CP Rail has helped to try and maintain the rail service.   "Whether or not we'll be successful at the end of the day is unclear, but we will be given an opportunity at least to participate in what actually happens to the rail at the end of the day," said Hansma.   Roger Knox.

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