Water surrounds the railway tracks near the Dunmore vehicle inspection station.

25 March 2011

CP Rail Ready in Case of Washouts

Dunmore Alberta - Melting snow has the water level of impromptu lakes in the countryside between Dunmore and Irvine almost level with Canadian Pacific Railway tracks. Any additional runoff has the potential of impacting railway traffic.
 
CPR has stepped up patrol of the area, said Mike Lovecchio, spokesperson for CPR in a telephone interview with The News on Thursday. One of the biggest concerns is the water eroding the soil and rock that provides support for the tracks. The company has equipment they may need at the ready and stockpiles of riprap and crushed rock to shore up any track that is under threat of erosion due to flood water.
 
The determination of whether the water level is too high to operate the trains would be made locally, said Lovecchio.
 
"We could by-pass Medicine Hat if we need to," said Lovecchio. "Our main line splits at Moose Jaw with some trains going on to points further east in Canada or down to the U.S."
 
Last June CPR was significantly affected when the base of their line in The Flats was washed away. They had crews working around the clock in an effort to restore service. The company was reluctant to reveal just how significant and costly that situation was.
 
If there is any need to close a line due to flooding this year the decision would be made locally and traffic would simply be rerouted over its northern line, Lovecchio explained.
 
Typically between 20 to 27 CPR trains go through Medicine Hat everyday.
 
According to Statistics Canada the railway industry carries about 19 million metric tonnes each month. Products being transported through our city includes potash, which is the heaviest load, grain, and other mixed commodities.
 
Gillian Slade