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The United States' soft housing market is being felt hard by the Southern Railway of British  Columbia Ltd. (SRY) in Canada. So much so, the short line plans to convert a lumber transload facility in Chilliwack, British Columbia, into a multi-commodity transload center.

SRY is seeking a qualified operator interested in entering into a long-term (five-year) agreement to operate and/or manage a rail/truck transload and/or distribution facility on seven acres of SRY-owned land. The facility, which the short line developed and opened in 2006 as a lumber transload center, is paved and features two tracks and offices.

"The severe downturn in the U.S. housing market has resulted in required changes to this [facility]," SRY officials said in a request for proposals. "A main objective of the transload operation is to retain existing customers that previously used the facility and attract new business that is sustainable at profitable levels for all parties involved."

SRY will accept proposals until June 20. For more information, log onto the short line's Web site at www.sryraillink.com or contact Director of Business Development Gerald Linden at  604-521-1966.

Owned by the Washington Cos., SRY owns more than 125 miles of track (including 62 miles of mainlines), and interchanges with Canadian National Railway Co., Canadian Pacific Railway, BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad.