Source Link: globeandmail.com

As the federal government hammers out a forthcoming economic-stimulus package, it should think seriously about helping passenger railways across Canada to follow the example of southern Ontario’s GO Transit by buying up train tracks from CN and Canadian Pacific. This week, GO announced plans to acquire a good chunk of the Toronto area’s network.

The freight operators’ ownership of the vast majority of the country’s tracks is a severe headache for commuter authorities in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, as well as VIA Rail, and the greatest obstacle to public investment in Canada’s rail system.

Mere tenants of companies whose business is moving cargo, not people, passenger railways operate at the mercy of freight traffic. The consequences are many.

Passenger trains in Canada often have to pull on to sidings to let freight pass. Switches owned by CN have failed repeatedly in Ontario, inconveniencing tens of thousands of commuters, not to mention periodic freight derailments, one of which completely shut down VIA service between Toronto and Montreal last summer.

The freight railways’ ownership of the tracks makes public investment in upgraded infrastructure less attractive, since riders may not enjoy their full benefits, and transit planners must get private-sector approval for service improvements.

If train travel is to be a viable alternative to driving within and flying between Canada’s metropolitan areas, this situation is unacceptable.

Rectifying it should be part of a comprehensive plan to improve Canadian railways. Not only is this the only G8 country without high-speed trains, but the intercity network depends on 20-year-old diesel locomotives, now being refurbished by VIA for decades more in service. Of the four busiest Canadian airports, three have no rail links, and no trains connect Calgary and Edmonton, just 300 km apart.

Although the Conservative government has pitched in for some limited upgrades to commuter networks and released enough funds to halt VIA’s long decline, much more is needed. Happily, rail agencies already have detailed but largely unfunded investment plans.

A modern rail system should be a principal goal of the infrastructure spending in January’s federal budget. That means making sure that people, not cargo, take priority on the tracks.

Press release submitted by Churches United

The twenty six local food pantries of Churches United of the Quad Cities are about to receive a train load of support when Canadian Pacific Railroad rolls into town on Friday with their Holiday Train – a decade long tradition of Canadian Pacific that supports local food banks in areas that they service and helps raise awareness in the fight against hunger during the Holiday season.

The Quad Cities was selected as one of only 11 communities in Canadian Pacific’s newly acquired Midwest DM&E (Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern) territory to host the Holiday Train, with the city of Davenport acting as host city. In total, 100 communities in North America will benefit from Canadian Pacific’s efforts. “The Holiday Train is North America’s largest rolling fundraiser and a cherished tradition for our employees and the communities where we operate,” said CP President and CEO Fred Green. Since 1999, the Holiday Train program has helped to raise more than $3.5 million and 1.8 million pounds of food.

The Holiday Train is about 1,000 feet in length with 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of energy efficient LED lights, including a modified box car that has been turned into a traveling stage. This year, award-winning performers will be on hand bringing holiday cheer and an important message supporting food banks; multi-award winning blues rocker Shaun Verreault of Wide Mouth Mason fame and Juno award-winning singer songwriter Melanie Doane. Their live 30 minute performances are free at each event. In return, non-perishable food items or a cash donation in support of Churches United are requested. All money and food items collected at the event stays in the Quad Cities.

The City of Davenport, along with DavenportOne, are sponsoring the event which will take place in the Florian Keen parking lot next to Modern Woodman Stadium beginning at 7PM on Friday, December 5. Local festivities include blues artist Ellis Kell and singer/songwriter Andrew Landers, a warming area with hot chocolate and cookies along with other activities for the entire family.

For those wishing to watch the arrival of the beautifully decorated Holiday Train, it is scheduled to arrive at 7:45PM, on the tracks at River Drive and Western, at which time one of the boxcars will transform into a stage where dignitaries will offer greetings and donations will be made to Churches United. At the end of the formalities the entertainment begins with Melanie Doane and Shaun Verreault taking the stage.

People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. There will be a drive-through area for those who wish to drop off food or cash donations while getting a view of the train.

Parking is available at Union Station, the downtown parking ramps, along Gaines Street, at the Scott County Court House and in the Community Health Center parking lot.

For more information, phone Anne Wachal at 309-786-6494.