Montreal Quebec - Ian Barry Scott, former Chairman and CEO of Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), died in Montreal 17 Apr 2020.
 
He was 90.
 
Born 2 Feb 1930 Scott had a 45 year career with CP, culminating in being named chairman and CEO in 1985.
 
He retired on 2 Feb 1995 and was succeeded by Robert J. Ritchie.
 
In retirement he pursued his railroad interests as a partner in various shortline railway ventures.
 
He served as a director of a number of Canadian and U.S. corporations, and served most recently on the board of the McGill University Health Center in Montreal.
 
Under Scott's tenure, CP significantly expanded its presence in the United States.
 
In 1989 it moved to acquire 100 percent control of the Soo Line, after an employee leveraged buyout attempt failed to gain financing in 1989.
 
With no other buyers, CP decided to take total control.
 
In April 1990 CP acquired the remaining 44 percent of Soo stock that it hadn't already owned.
 
Today the former Soo routes, including the ex-Milwaukee Road Chicago-Twin Cities main line, provide CP with a shorter route than rival CN from western Canada into the U.S and Chicago.
 
In 1991 CP completed the acquisition of the bankrupt Delaware & Hudson Railway (D&H), giving it a foothold in the Northeastern U.S.
 
CP's offer to buy the D&H for US$35 million beat out five other bidders.
 
CP gave the property a needed infusion of investment.
 
One of CP's biggest accomplishments on Scott's watch was the construction of the 9 mile Mount McDonald Tunnel, the longest in North America, in Canada's Selkirk Mountains.
 
Construction commenced in 1984, and the first revenue train passed through in 1988.
 
Official inauguration ceremonies took place 4 May 1989.
 
When it opened, Scott said, "This is the biggest thing the railway has done since the building of the transcontinental."
 
Scott is survived by his three children and two grandchildren.
 
Author unknown.