Railways continue to chug along to boost economic development
TERRI EGER
Railway systems have been an economic driver throughout Canada since its inception. Today they continue to serve as vital infrastructure to foster economic development in the communities they connect. Palliser Economic Partnership recognizes that importance and is working to expand services related to railways in the area.
“We are currently in the process of evaluating the movement of goods by rail,” explained Executive Director Walter Valentini.
A study expected to wrap up by the end of April is looking at what additional services could be put in place to create a link between railways and the trucking industry.
“If there was more functionality to the rail system, what would that mean to companies wanting to trans load goods through the area?” said Valentini as an example of one of the questions being asked in the current study.
Many goods could be brought into the general area by
rail and then transferred to trucks and shipped to the appropriate sites if off-loading areas were available. The initiative would have financial advantages for businesses as well as reduce the wear and tear on roadways. Just as products are being brought into the area, so could commodities be shipped out, increasing the benefit of the system.
“We are currently looking at where these facilities would be best situated, what services would be needed and who would use them,” said Valentini.
One such business that has already taken this model to the next level is Transmark Industries. Located near Lethbridge, Transmark is a private rail siding off the Canadian Pacific Railroad mainline.
The business began in 2001 and has expanded over the years to include 27 tracks stretching a total of 11 miles in length. CEO Dallas Sherwood reported that the business will be expanding in phases beginning next year effectively doubling its capacity by adding 24 more tracks.
VISIT US AT OUR NEW LOCATION!
With four employees on staff currently, that expansion could translate into additional jobs in the area.
Transmark serves the rail line and its customers by offering loading, unloading and storage services. Some businesses use the service to trans load from rail to rail while others move from rail to truck as goods are transported through the area. In addition, Transmark has the ability to accommodate customers looking for both long-term and short-term storage whether with raw materials that have been unloaded or through the storage of up to 600 rail cars on site.
“Different rail cars are coming in daily and we shuttle them through our system, storing and sorting them as needed,” said Sherwood. “It makes it very easy for the rail company and our customers.”
Originally built to service the grain industry, the business has expanded its offerings and clientele over the years and now accommodates the needs of several industries. With the land space available on the property, Transmark works with large windmill projects, storing the enormous blades and towers on site and the cranes needed to move them as they wait to be moved to sites for installation.
“We do a lot of windmill projects and work with a lot of crane companies,” said Sherwood.
Crude oil is also moved through the system speaking to the diversity of services available with the company.
“Anything that is moved by rain can be off loaded here,” said Sherwood. ■
521D North Railway Street SE - Medicine Hat 403-526-6475 •
www.desknfi
le.net 23
41248774 • 03/29/16
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100