While it is longer in distance and time to route via Edmonton and south, doing so eliminated the need to do some major upgrades to the more direct line. There was very little on-line business since the elevator companies had closed nearly all the traditional ones in favour of inland terminals on other lines. In particular, the line was cursed with something like 100 bridges in the Drumheller area, especially up the Rosebud valley. Many of those included timber pile trestles on the approaches. Some of the steel truss bridges were second hand of pin-connected construction. Some rail had been upgraded but lots of it was well worn jointed 100# rail. There is grain coming out of the area east of Oyen, which will route through Saskatoon. Out of Calgary the line remains in place to the big Louis Dreyfuss elevator about 15 miles east at Lyalta. I believe CN has retained ownership of the empty right of way.
John
There used to be two or three trains between Saskatoon and Calgary some years ago. Now I hear that part of this route has been abandoned. Why was this? I guess there is still grains trains running from Saskatoon westbound. Can someone fill me?
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