BaltACD Is action really going to happen? https://www.railwayage.com/freight/omnitrax-will-fix-hudson-bay-railroad/
Is action really going to happen?
https://www.railwayage.com/freight/omnitrax-will-fix-hudson-bay-railroad/
The Railway Age article[linked:above], would sort of seem to put the whole project into a stage of "Maybe we will repair it, maybe we won't repair it"?
It seems to indicate that now that the HBR is shut down, they are able to hold the Canadian Federal Govt's position; while 'slow walking' the project, possibly a negotiating gambit to pressure the Government in Ottawa to finding a financial resource. While, basicly, leaving the First Nations deal die on the table, and the Missisnippi Group dangling. (?)
FTA:"...The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) in July said it would hold OmniTRAX responsible for carrying out repairs on the line.[
Omnitrax has announced it will begin repairs to the Churchill rail line.
The action comes after a ruling by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) last month, which stated that Omnitrax would be considered responsible for carrying out repairs on the line.{The operator had refused, saying the process of repairs would and restarting operations would cost approximately C$50-80 million ($40-60 million). Churchill has been cut off from land transport since the shutdown.}In an email, an OmniTRAX spokesman said some engineering work has been completed on the line.{The Hudson Bay Railway has been out of service since May 2017, when overland flooding left several portions of the rail line impassable by train. Omnitrax, the company that owns and operates the line, refused to repair it, citing cost concerns. Churchill has been cut off from land transport since the shutdown. A conglomerate of northern companies, including One North – which the City of Flin Flon owns a small ownership stake in – has been negotiating with Omnitrax to purchase the line and return it to operation.}linked from an internal linked story[https://www.thereminder.ca/news/local-news/ruling-forcing-omnitrax-to-fix-rail-line-1.23409411] in the one posted by BaltACD
Previously, Omnitrax estimated it would cost between $40 million and $60 million to repair the line and restart service.
Do not have any idea what the cycle is in Churchill, as to weather, and Winter, but my guess is that it wi;; nt be long til the weather will be pretty tough along the HBR(?).
Still nothing really concrete. Lot of talking in circles and pointing fingers but things are getting close to a resolution. Maybe, I think, Sort of.
AUGUST 9, 2018 03:28 PM
Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) president Sergio Sabatini told the Canadian Transportation Agency Aug. 1 that his company has begun soliciting bids to repair the section of the line between Gillam and Churchill but doesn’t have the money to pay for the repairs itself.
The report to the Canadian Transportation agency (CTA), which ordered HBR to begin repairs by July 3, said that the process began with an inspection of the track June 11 and June 12 by AECOM, which was retained by HBR to prepare a request for proposals (RFP). The RFP was issued June 28 to six pre-screened contractors with the necessary experience to perform the repairs and four of those contractors sent representatives to a mandatory site visit July 12 and 13. Over the course of July, AECOM responded to technical questions form the contractors, with final answers provided July 31. Bids were due Aug. 3 and AECOM said it was “confident there will be multiple bids and methodologies to consider."
HBR says it believes a substantial amount of the work to repair the line can be done this year and the rest by mid-2019. Its goal is to restore limited service sometime this winter and full services after the repairs are complete.
However, the report took pains to spell out HBR’s position that it doesn’t have money to fund the work, which AECOM estimates could start by the first day of September.
“As the agency is aware HBR does not have the financial capability to undertake the full repairs of the damage to the railway caused by the spring 2017 flood,” Sabatini wrote. “HBR and its shareholders have been in discussion with the federal government and a potential buyer with the objective of ensuring that the necessary funds are in place to fully repair the Gillam to Churchill line and resume operations as expeditiously as possible."
Not trying to bash kalmbach or anything but this really does show that the mods are pretty trigger happy here when it comes to removing posts seems any post has a 50/50 shot of being removed
Above photo showing Ariel view of the Port of Churchill.
Sure as heck look like full size grain cars to me!
Here is a easy to follow map of the line from The Pas ( pronounced The 'Paw'.
Operating 810 miles of former CNR track.
KRC 2403 (nee B&O 3822) GP38 enroute likely to replace one of two MLW M-420's. BNSF Minneapolis, MN diesel shop March 1, 2011 John Hill
Hi All
Looks like the HBR has finally been sold to a consortium of buyers from Toronto in partnership with Northern Manitoba First Nations, according to Vancouver Sun Business Pages yesterday. A very small two column article tucked away on p3 IIRC. Repairs are to start soon, before month's end and are hopefully to be completed by winter.
We'll see, however this to me is the best substantial news in a long time about the line. Churchillian's couldn't be happier according to the mayor.
Charlie
Chilliwack, BC
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