Provinces makes hopper car fleet available to shortline industry

Nov 12, 2010 | 8:39 AM

Saskatchewan shortline railways are being given first dibs on provincial hopper cars.

At the SARM convention in Saskatoon, the provincial government announced it’s giving the railways leasing priorities over CN and CP railways.

“By leasing provincial hopper cars directly to Saskatchewan shortlines, the benefits of provincial ownership of the cars go directly to producers and shortline railways in Saskatchewan,” said Jim Reiter, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation in a news release.

Historically the hopper cars were leased to CN and CP railways to transport western grains, but in recent years the Canadian railways have required fewer cars because of quicker turnaround times.