WHO WE ARE

We are an industry association representing 19 short line railways across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba and our rail supplier partners.

Our work supports freight and passenger rail transportation, economic opportunities for rural communities, and rail innovation in Western Canada.

Rail Services

Moving freight and more…

Short line railways have the infrastructure and expertise to provide a wide range of rail services for their shipper and car storage customers.

Our members have a proven record of delivering the rail services that you need. Look for these icons to identify the services available at each member railway.

Car Repair

Car Storage

Dangerous Goods

Fertilizer Storage

Grain Storage

Locomotive Maintenance

Private Cars

Storage

Switching

Tourism

Transloading

Build on a Short Line

There are over 100 small and medium size businesses operating on short lines in Western Canada.

Short line railways offer flexible and customer-oriented rail service that helps businesses transition to freight rail transportation or expand their rail-served operations.

Cost-effective and convenient development sites exist across our member network for new facility and loading site construction. Use our interactive mapping tools to identify development opportunities in your location of interest.

Advantages of shipping freight on a short line railway include:

Significant savings in warehousing and infrastructure costs

Minimizing service disruptions through flexible and attentive service

Providing competitive rates and services not available from Class 1s

Connections to multiple Class 1 carriers (dependent on location, not all lines)

Local-level decision making and service

Links to communities and other companies

Our Work

Communications

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Communications

We share the stories, statistics, and successes of the short line rail industry with media, stakeholders, and the public.

Safety

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Safety

We support rail safety in Western Canada through active collaboration in Transport Canada working groups, participation in and support of railway safety research initiatives, and by hosting safety presentations.

Safety matters to all of us. Learn more about how our member short line railways take additional care to protect their employees and communities.

Regulatory

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Regulatory

We support our railways in meeting intensive safety protocols via the federal and provincial government's Safety Management Plans/Systems, as well as requirements set out in the Railway Safety Act.

Advocacy

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Advocacy

We work on behalf of members to bring issues of importance to short line railways to the attention of regulators, politicians and public servants. It is critical that governments are informed of the particularities of short line rail when forming policy, laws and regulations, as our realities differ significantly from those of CN and CPKC. We work closely with producers and the businesses on our lines to ensure that our needs are reflected in government dealings that have a major impact on our ability to operate.

Business Dev

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Business Dev

We draw attention to the affordability, convenience, and superior service available on short line railways and connect businesses seeking rail service to a short line railway operating in their target area.

Networking

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Networking

We provide members with opportunities to meet and discuss issues of importance to short lines, industrial railways, and rail suppliers. Through day-long triannual meetings and our annual trade show, members have ample opportunity to get to know each other and to discover areas where they can work together.

Communications

Read More

Communications

We share the stories, statistics, and successes of the short line rail industry with media, stakeholders, and the public.

Safety

Read More

Safety

We support rail safety in Western Canada through active collaboration in Transport Canada working groups, participation in and support of railway safety research initiatives, and by hosting safety presentations.

Safety matters to all of us. Learn more about how our member short line railways take additional care to protect their employees and communities.

Regulatory

Read More

Regulatory

We support our railways in meeting intensive safety protocols via the federal and provincial government's Safety Management Plans/Systems, as well as requirements set out in the Railway Safety Act.

Advocacy

Read More

Advocacy

We work on behalf of members to bring issues of importance to short line railways to the attention of regulators, politicians and public servants. It is critical that governments are informed of the particularities of short line rail when forming policy, laws and regulations, as our realities differ significantly from those of CN and CPKC. We work closely with producers and the businesses on our lines to ensure that our needs are reflected in government dealings that have a major impact on our ability to operate.

Business Dev

Read More

Business Dev

We draw attention to the affordability, convenience, and superior service available on short line railways and connect businesses seeking rail service to a short line railway operating in their target area.

Networking

Read More

Networking

We provide members with opportunities to meet and discuss issues of importance to short lines, industrial railways, and rail suppliers. Through day-long triannual meetings and our annual trade show, members have ample opportunity to get to know each other and to discover areas where they can work together.

Become a Member

104 - 502 Cope Way
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
8AM - 4PM

CONTACT
rachel.mackenzie@wcslra.com
(306) 628-8102