Cando Rail to build new rail terminal in British Columbia

Cando Rail Services has purchased 89 acres in Kamloops, British Columbia, with the intent of constructing a new rail terminal that will have the storage capacity for 1,000 rail cars, the company announced yesterday.

The move also marks the Manitoba-based company's expansion into British Columbia, according to a company press release.

In addition to rail-car storage, the new terminal will provide transloading, material handling, engineering, and track and mechanical services.

"Our long range plan is to build an extensive rail terminal at the location that includes 80,000 feet of track, transload areas, as well as engineering and mechanical servicing areas," said Brian Cornick, chief executive officer of Cando Rail Services. "We'll start with storage tracks first — building to have the first 250 spots ready by this June. This is an important step for us as we expand into the B.C. market."

Currently, the company operates rail-car storage at six other locations across Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

The property was chosen for its ready access to mainline traffic from CN and Canadian Pacific lines running through Kamloops. It is a prime location as the last major center before heading west into the Port of Vancouver. It also provides access to the Port of Prince Rupert, company officials said.

In addition to various rail services, Cando Rail Services owns and operates three short lines.