Emerson Manitoba - If it seems busier than usual in CP Rail's office at this border point, there are a couple of good reasons why.

On 1 Jul 1983, the Emerson office took over the administration of interchange traffic for the Soo Line that had previously been done at Noyes, Minnesota, the move came just as traffic began to pick up, a signal that the North American recession is ending.

"It's quite a different setup we have now," said Phyllis Rempel, an interchange clerk. "There's more paper work for the cars coming north."

CROSS-BORDER WORK

Every day one or more trains travel the 64 miles (103 kilometres) from Winnipeg. CP Rail drops off lumber, potash, chemicals, piggyback units, and other U.S.-bound cargo for the Soo Line and Burlington Northern railways and picks up the inbound traffic in return.

Mrs. Rempel and the other five staff members at Emerson do the paper work involved for the Soo Line. Although the BN (Burlington Northern) still has its own staff in place at Noyes.

Mobile Supervisor Gene Latour, who is in charge of the interchange operation, is pleased that the consolidation of cross-border work has been so smooth.

"I think the transition has gone exceptionally well," Mr. Latour said. "The staff has covered everything. They've adjusted very well to the changeover."

Recently there has been a surge of lumber traffic, and the number of potash unit trains has begun to rise. This in turn has resulted in more inbound traffic, much of it empties.

Six employees, clerks Phyllis Rempel, Greg Gerolamy, and John Baier, and operators Don Smith, John Rosnoski, and John Kehler, comprise the Emerson station staff.

Mr. Latour isn't alone in his glowing assessment of their work.

"It's worked so well I can't believe it," says Soo Line Supervisor Darrell Zimmerman. "After the third or fourth day you could see it falling together. They're professionals. They're good people that are willing to work."

Mr. Zimmerman's staff has since left, but he remains as a troubleshooter.

Ready to Roll:  Terry Rempel, locomotive engineer on the Winnepeg to Emerson run, prepares to take a load of cars back to Winnipeg.

This CP Rail News article is copyright 1983 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and is reprinted here with their permission. All photographs, logos, and trademarks are the property of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company.