- Tshiuetin Rail Transportation
Infobox SG rail
railroad_name=Tshiuetin Rail Transportation
logo_size=157
old_gauge=
logo_filename=TRT logo.png
locale=Labrador,Quebec
start_year=2005
end_year=present
hq_city=Schefferville, Quebec
marks=TRTTshiuetin Rail Transportation Inc. is a Canadian short line railway that stretches 134 miles (217 kilometres) through the wilderness of western
Labrador and northeasternQuebec . It connects Emeril Junction, Labrador with the community of Schefferville,Quebec on the interprovincial boundary. The company is owned by theInnu Nation of Matimekush-Lac John, theNaskapi Nation ofKawawachikamach , and the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam.History
The railway formally began operations on
December 1 ,2005 with the conclusion of an agreement between the three owners of Tshiuetin Rail Transportation and the owner of theQuebec North Shore and Labrador Railway , theIron Ore Company of Canada . This agreement, finalized in the fall of 2005, saw QNSL sell its Menihek Subdivision, for the nominal sum of $1.00 (CAD).Tshiuetin Rail Transportation took possession of the Menihek Subdivision "as is, where is". The company provides all passenger rail and limited freight service. The company will also provide passenger rail service on the remaining QNSL-owned line running from the port of Sept-Îles, QC to Emeril Jct, NL (and on to
Schefferville , QC) and from Emeril Jct., NL to Labrador City, NL.The Menihek Subdivision was originally part of the QNSL main line, constructed between 1951 and 1954. After mining activity in
Schefferville ended during the 1980s, QNSL shifted its priority to the Sept-Îles, QC to Labrador City, NL line, and the Emeril Jct, NL to Schefferville, QC line saw limited freight and subsidized passenger service for the remainingFirst Nations communities in the region.The agreement between IOC and the three First Nations who own Tshiuetin Rail Transportation Inc. has resulted in the first aboriginal ownership of a railway line in Canada.
This railway (along with the
Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway line, Arnaud Railway, andWabush Lake Railway ) form an isolated railroad network, as it does not interchange with any other rail lines on theNorth America n network at this time.External links
* [http://www.labradorhuntingfishing.com/maps_canada_labrador.htm Map of the Tshiuetin Rail Transportation line]
* [http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/IOC_colours.pdf Map of the QNS&L and Tshiuetin Rail Transportation lines]
* [http://www.ccnmatthews.com/docs/factsheet.pdf Fact Sheet detailling the transaction]
* [http://www.proximityissues.ca/Maps/RAC-2004-QC_sub.pdf Rail Lines of Northern Quebec]
* [http://proximityissues.ca/Maps/RAC-2004-NF_sub.pdf Rail Lines of Labrador]
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