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On Aug. 18, Hudson Bay Railway (HBRY) eliminated passenger-rail service from Lynn Lake to Pukatawagan, Manitoba. The railroad plans to continue providing passenger service from The Pas to Pukatawagan Monday through Thursday and from Pukatawagan to The Pas Tuesday through Friday.

"Unfortunate economic circumstances will not allow us to continue operating this passenger service," said HBRY General Manager Darcy Brede. "The Leaf Rapids mine closure created a substantial decline in freight traffic and revenue, which dramatically increased the cost of subsidizing passenger service from Lynn Lake to Pukatawagan."

HBRY is negotiating with Indian tribe First Nations Bands to sell the Lynn Lake-to-Pukatawagan line. A transaction might be finalized within the next few months.

Owned and operated by OmniTRAX Inc., the 810-mile HBRY provides passenger-rail service in northern Manitoba under a contract with VIA Rail Canada and freight-rail service on former Canadian National Railway Co. track.