SHORTLINE RAILWAYS

The rail infrastructure improvement project has nine components, each involving investment in one of Quebec's shortline railways (SLR). The work concerns a total of 1,641 km of track, all located in various parts of Quebec.

Three types of work are involved:

• Restoring tracks and structures: This is necessary when tracks deteriorate to such an extent that the permitted speed is reduced and maintenance costs become excessive.
• Increasing load capacity: This work increases the capacity of track to reflect North American standards for Class 1 railways, i.e. a weight-on-rail of 129,844 kg (286,000 pounds) per car. Currently, the capacity of SLR tracks is approximately 119,402 kg (263,000 pounds) per car.
• Adding sidings: This work allows passing, as well as greater flexibility when assembling trains, making the railway system more efficient.

Details

Chemin de fer de la Matapédia et du Golfe (CFMG)

Owner: Société des chemins de fer du Québec

Work: CFMG's goal is to upgrade the load capacity of its track to North American standards. Both CN and shippers want to see the company improve its infrastructure so that the track can more efficiently accommodate heavier cars. The work will cover a distance of 347 km.

Chemin de fer Charlevoix (CFC)

Owner: Société des chemins de fer du Québec

Work: CFC wants to upgrade track load capacity to North American standards. Also, at several locations where the track runs next to the shoreline, rock fill is needed for protection against tidal action. The work will cover a distance of 145 km.

Ottawa Central Railway (OCRR)

Owner: Société des chemins de fer du Québec

Work: In recent years, the OCRR has lost significant share in the lumber and panel market as a result of the state of its tracks and the associated loss of efficiency. To rectify the situation, the railway will upgrade the load capacity of its track over a distance of 36 km.

Québec Gatineau Railway (QGRY)

Owner: Genesee & Wyoming Canada

Work: This railway's infrastructure has come to the end of its useful life, mainly because of the state of the rails, but also because of the substructure, ties and ballast. The project will not address the load capacity of the rail but will rather rehabilitate the infrastructure over a distance of 483 km.

St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad (SL&A;)

Owner: Genesee & Wyoming Canada

Work: SL&A; needs to upgrade the load capacity of its track to North American standards over a distance of 153 km. With the increasing continental trade, competition to serve the U.S. East Coast is high. A number of the railway's existing clients (Kruger, Domtar, Scott Paper) would like it to improve its infrastructure in order to provide better service. In addition, a number of temporary speed restrictions are in effect on the line, causing delays in the movement of cars and additional switching costs.

Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA)

Owner: RailWorld, Inc., a Canadian subsidiary of Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, Ltd.

Work: The operators of this line want to upgrade the load capacity of the track to North American standards and do major tie renewal work, over a distance of 381 km.

Ottawa Valley Railway (OVR)

Owner: Rail America

Work: The stretch between Mattawa, Ontario and Témiscaming, Quebec includes 64 km in Quebec. Rail and tie rehabilitation work will be done on this section, as well as surfacing work.

Chemin de fer Lanaudière (CFL)

Owner: Bell-Gaz Ltd.

Work: Since CFL carries hazardous materials, investment in the project is mainly to improve safety and reliability of the infrastructure in order to limit the potential for derailment. Siding work is also being planned. The work will cover a distance of 16 km.

Chemin de fer Québec-Central (CFQC)

Owner: Express-Marco

Work: Track and structures will be rehabilitated over a stretch of 16 km between Charny and Saint-Lambert.

July 2007