Freight train service returns to CASO rail line

Regular freight-train service will be returning to a 12.9-kilometre (8-mile) section of the long-dormant Canada Southern (CASO) rail line west of Welland, Ontario, as of May 9.

CPR and Canadian National jointly own CASO, but the eastern end is under the operational management of the CPR.

Officers from regional detachments of the CPR Police Service are telling motorists to be on the lookout for trains, especially as none have been present for several years, and signs warning that railway traffic will resume have been posted at 16 public level crossings on the CASO line.

New lights, bells, gates and electronic equipment have also been installed to replace outdated safety equipment at six of those crossings.

Six trains per week will be rerouted to the CASO line via Welland as a result of the CPR’s decision to transfer or discontinue the 15.4-kilometre (9.5-mile) northern half of its route from Smithville to Port Maitland. There is not enough traffic along this segment of the line to generate sufficient revenue for needed bridge repairs.

A new connecting track has been installed between the east-west CASO line and the southern portion of the CPR line to Port Maitland.

Freight service to and from Port Maitland will not be affected, and there will be no impact on CPR employees.