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Canadian Government to Invest $50 Million in Remote Tshiuetin Rail

Money will help upgrade track, locomotives on the railroad that connects remote Labrador and Quebec. Creative Commons Photo. 

Canadian Government to Invest $50 Million in Remote Tshiuetin Rail

By Railfan & Railroad Staff

SCHEFFERVILLE, Que. — The Canadian government will spend $50 million to modernize the remote Tshiuetin Rail Transportation, Inc., in Quebec and Labrador. The money will pay for track upgrades, new fuel-efficient locomotives, improved employee housing and a new station. 

Tshiuetin is North America’s first First Nations-owned and operated railroad. It owns 135 miles of track between Schefferville, Que., and Emeril, Labrador, and has trackage rights south to Sept-Îles, Que, on the Quebec North Shore & Labrador. The railroad moves freight and passengers and is considered an essential service in that remote part of northeast Quebec and western Labrador. 

“Through our contribution under the renewed Remote Passenger Rail Program, the goal is to ensure passenger rail service is maintained for Indigenous and remote communities located in northeastern Quebec and western Labrador,” said Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra. “This passenger rail service represents an important lifeline to access health care, education and employment opportunities for isolated Indigenous communities.”

Tshiuetin began operations in 2005. The world Tshiuetin means “North Wind.”

This article was posted on: July 14, 2021