CN Rail’s work train came through Drumheller when the company removed its rail line from Hanna to Lyalta in spring 2014. CN will retain the property and has turned down a second request from the Town of Drumheller to use the land.
CN Rail has put the brakes on any community use of its former rail line through Drumheller.
Mayor Terry Yemen said residents had more questions about possible town use of the land when the company began removing their rail lines earlier in the spring.
The Mayor said the town once again approached CN, this time with a new proposal.
“We did try and sweeten the pot a bit, and say if we were to use it, then we would maintain it.”
The Mayor said the Town has recently heard back from CN, who gave the town an unequivocal “no”, saying the land is not for public use.
“They will not let us use it, they don’t want public on it. And people were asking if they could buy some of the ties - they said no.”
CN told Yemen the ties are being removed for possible reuse on other rail lines.
The Mayor said one of the reasons CN spoke about for not wanting to enter into a right-of-way agreement with the town was liability issues.
