The Battle River Railway, a farmer-owned railroad in central Alberta, has begun moving wheat in partnership with Canadian National. 

Battle River Railway has been operating a former CN branch line between Camrose and Alliance since 2010. The railroad regularly moves grain, stores cars, and offers occasional excursions. Earlier this year, the railroad partnered with Westlock Terminals, Ltd., the Port of Westlock, and CN to do a test run of five cars of wheat. Wheat was previously moved by truck 140 miles from an elevator in Rosalind to the terminal in Westlock. But with the purchase of a wheat unloader, it can now go via rail. The inaugural five-car move over Battle River took 11 truckloads off local highways. 

The railroad anticipates moving about five cars of wheat per month. General Manager Matthew Enright told Progressive Railroading that the new traffic is a win for the railroad, its shippers, and the community. 

“When local organizations work together with shared values and community-driven goals, they create lasting opportunities that benefit farmers, rural economies and the future of agriculture in Alberta,” he said. 

—Justin Franz