A Member of Parliament from the London area is urging the federal government to instruct CN Rail to reconnect the old London and Port Stanley Railway (L& PS) line with its tracks in St. Thomas, a task that was first mandated over 35 years ago.
Andrew Lawton, the Conservative MP for Elgin-St. Thomas-London South, submitted a petition containing more than 30 signatures to the House of Commons on Wednesday.
The petition asks Ottawa and the transportation minister to implement a 1990 order from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) directing the railway to restore this historic link.
“St. Thomas has always taken pride in its reputation as Canada’s railway capital, valuing the heritage that rail transport holds in St. Thomas, Port Stanley, and London,” stated Lawton.
“A persistent frustration has been that several years ago CN began dismantling tracks connecting Port Stanley and St. Thomas to London,” he explained. “I wanted to bring this issue back onto the government’s radar.”
The government must provide a response within 45 days. CN Rail did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.
The tracks were removed in 1989, extending from the Barwick Street bridge southward toward Talbot Street, according to Dan Vernackt, president of Port Stanley Terminal Rail (PSTR), which operates tourist trains along the former L& PS route between Port Stanley and St. Thomas.
“When we started our operations around 1983, that connection was still there. CN had always been looking to abandon that section of track through town,” he said.
In spring 1989, CN made a determined effort to do so; hearings were conducted by CTA’s predecessor, the National Transportation Agency. The agency instructed CN not to remove any track until a decision was reached, Vernackt shared.
“CN disregarded that directive and proceeded with removing the track. When we finally received our determination stating PSTR should have access to CN … unfortunately by then… there was no track left,” he remarked.
After nearby Canada Southern Railway (CASO) subdivision tracks-running east-west through St. Thomas-were sold off and taken away, central parts of Canada’s “Railway City” ceased being part of Canada’s rail network alongside PSTR and the Elgin County Railway Museum.
Lawton mentioned that if either PSTR or the museum needs to move train cars on or off their lines now, they have no choice but to use a crane. There’s about 700 meters separating PSTR’s line from its previous connection with CN.
“It would be extremely beneficial if this reconnection could happen practically for moving rolling stock in and out of our community,” he said while noting it could also create opportunities for potential tourist rail services.
The L& PS opened in 1856 as one of Ontario’s first railroads and served as an essential economic driver for Port Stanley by transporting coal and other goods both in and out of its busy port while providing passenger service across Lake Erie.
PSTR notes that London took over running this railway in 1913 and electrified it; passenger numbers peaked during World War II before declining due to car travel’s rise. Passenger service ended in 1957 when CN acquired ownership of it as a Crown Corporation in 1965.
A washout occurred near Union between Port Stanley and St. Thomas severing tracks in 1976. With freight traffic already declining at that time, CN chose against making repairs leading them ultimately abandoning part of this route altogether.
PSTR bought some sections of those tracks back in 1982 restored them with volunteer help starting operation on heritage trains since then according to their organization statement.
Failed attempts There have been earlier efforts aimed at restoring connections along L& PS’s route once again too: The City Of St. Tomas owns land where missing tracks were located previously received approximately $166K funding coming directly from federal government back In2015 intended towards rebuilding connections adding parkland trails too! “We’d met various representatives across all levels within cn – including engineering operations approved their proposed connection but eventually last minute legal intervention blocked progress! We’ve continued discussions sporadically ever since,” said Vernackt.
“CN has done everything possible against establishing those connections,” asserted Mayor Joe Preston who assumed office only recently taking charge after serving local MP role between2004-2015.”He noted having engaged numerous governmental relations personnel offered through company relations teams.”
“I’ll give Andrew some credit though recently he’s played important role helping us connect better with cn particularly regarding necessary repairs needed concerning level crossings too”, he added further mentioning how hesitant they tend act even completing required tasks efficiently!”
The NTA ruling states PSTR had envisioned operating short-line freight services benefitting businesses needing supplies like grains fertilizers yet tragically said proposals seem stalled indefinitely today explains Vernacht further lamenting missed opportunities!
Cn claims lack sufficient demand exists currently supporting viable business model given limited capacity anticipated carrying cargo traffic via ports anymore hence declaring forced links as unlawful expropriations instead turning down suggestions entirely!
This situation worsened additionally when realizing port stanley’s harbor depth isn’t enough facilitate larger cargo vessels at present either creating hurdles ahead onwards meanwhile cn continues utilizing existing st. thomas-london routes regularly maintaining daily freight activity ongoing without interruptions seen affecting availability options here.”
“Certainly establishing connection would suggest utilization possibility becoming feasible soon however factors surrounding moving railroad memorabilia remain critical considerations worth addressing seriously besides practical benefits sought overall,” stressed Preston emphasizing need protecting local interests amidst current challenges faced collectively facing communities navigating forward together beyond traditions upheld across generations past!”
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Failed attempts There have been earlier efforts aimed at restoring connections along L& PS’s route once again too: The City Of St. Tomas owns land where missing tracks were located previously received approximately $166K funding coming directly from federal government back In2015 intended towards rebuilding connections adding parkland trails too! “We’d met various representatives across all levels within cn – including engineering operations approved their proposed connection but eventually last minute legal intervention blocked progress! We’ve continued discussions sporadically ever since,” said Vernackt.
“CN has done everything possible against establishing those connections,” asserted Mayor Joe Preston who assumed office only recently taking charge after serving local MP role between2004-2015.”He noted having engaged numerous governmental relations personnel offered through company relations teams.”
“I’ll give Andrew some credit though recently he’s played important role helping us connect better with cn particularly regarding necessary repairs needed concerning level crossings too”, he added further mentioning how hesitant they tend act even completing required tasks efficiently!”
The NTA ruling states PSTR had envisioned operating short-line freight services benefitting businesses needing supplies like grains fertilizers yet tragically said proposals seem stalled indefinitely today explains Vernacht further lamenting missed opportunities!
Cn claims lack sufficient demand exists currently supporting viable business model given limited capacity anticipated carrying cargo traffic via ports anymore hence declaring forced links as unlawful expropriations instead turning down suggestions entirely!
This situation worsened additionally when realizing port stanley’s harbor depth isn’t enough facilitate larger cargo vessels at present either creating hurdles ahead onwards meanwhile cn continues utilizing existing st. thomas-london routes regularly maintaining daily freight activity ongoing without interruptions seen affecting availability options here.”
“Certainly establishing connection would suggest utilization possibility becoming feasible soon however factors surrounding moving railroad memorabilia remain critical considerations worth addressing seriously besides practical benefits sought overall,” stressed Preston emphasizing need protecting local interests amidst current challenges faced collectively facing communities navigating forward together beyond traditions upheld across generations past!”Source link
