Thursday morning rail news:
RCMP begins investigation of fatal Canadian Pacific derailment
The major crimes unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has opened a criminal investigation into the fatal derailment of a runaway Canadian Pacific train near Field, British Columbia, in February 2019. The CBC reports the investigation is being opened after consultation between the RCMP and the provincial prosecutor’s office. RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet told the CBC, “they agreed with us that potentially there could be some criminality here and that it warranted further investigation.” Relatives of the three crew members killed in the derailment had sought an RCMP investigation in the wake of a claim from a former Canadian Pacific Police Service officer that he was prevented from looking into some aspects of the accident [see “Digest: Relatives of those killed in 2019 CP derailment ask for RCMP investigation …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 4, 2020].
Mexico-Canada rail corridor project will involve $1.6 billion investment in Mexico, begin with construction of port
The proposed USMCA Corridor project, which aims to create a rail corridor from Mazatlan, Mexico, to Winnipeg, Manitoba, will involve about $1.6 billion in investment in Mexico, and will begin with construction of a $900 million port in Mazatlan. Mexican conglomerate Caxxor Group announced the project in October [See “Digest: $3.3 billion plan would create Mexico-Canada rail corridor,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 15, 2020]. Mexico News Daily reports that Caxxor CEO Carlos Ortiz told a news conference this week that between $650 million and $700 million will go to rehabilitation of some 104 miles of existing rail lines and construction of 112 miles of new track. Ortiz said the project is backed by 50 institutional investors in the U.S. , and that Caxxor and its U.S. partner, National Standard Finance, will seek environmental approval and other necessary permits later in 2021.
South Dakota agency approves sale of line to D&I Railroad
The South Dakota State Railroad Board has finalized an agreement selling the 68-mile, state-owned Sioux Valley Line to current operator D&I Railroad. The railroad will buy the line from Canton, S.D. to Hawarden, Iowa, for $10 million. “D&I Railroad … has consistently provided excellent service to their shippers, and with this sale of the Sioux Valley line, we are confident that this same service will continue<” board chairman Jerry Cope said in a press release. “The sale will enable additional opportunities for development to occur that just weren’t possible with state ownership – a key to supporting the state’s economy.”
