Thunder Rail Ltd.

Board of Directors             Safety Award             Brief History

With OmniTrax’s encouragement, Thunder Rail was formed in March of 2005. OmniTrax ceased operating on this line due to the short length of this track combined with the distance from OmniTrax's Prince Albert office and maintenance department. All this made the line too cumbersome for OmniTrax to continue to operate. Thunder Rail was created to ensure that our rail-line would continue to be available for the shipment of cars from CanPro Ingredients Ltd., Arborfield Grain Producers and any farmer that wished to load producer cars on this line. OmniTrax supported the implementation of Thunder Rail, working with them for a smooth transition. CanPro Ingredients Ltd., Arborfield Grain Producers and producers from Zenon Park have provided some start up financing for Thunder Rail as well as numerous local individuals. Since inception, Thunder Rail has purchased a locomotive as well as the necessary equipment to accomplish the maintenance of this track. Having the proper track maintenance equipment ensures our line continues to be well-maintained. Currently, Thunder Rail has one full-time, one part-time and one seasonal employee who are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the track focusing on safety as well as day-to-day business operations. Many individuals have helped with the maintenance of the track, both with supplying additional machinery and manual labor. Our 19.5 miles of track is predominantly used for grain products like wheat, oats, barley, alfalfa pellets and more recently canola products. Thunder Rail also provides railcar storage on our many seldom used spurs. OmniTrax assumed operation of our shortline railroad from CN. The Arborfield shortline railroad proved to be a viable operation, however, the short length of this track combined with the distance from OmniTrax's Prince Albert office and maintenance department made the line too cumbersome for OmniTrax to continue to operate. OmniTrax then suggested that this line would be better served by local operators. Therefore, Thunder Rail, was formed in March 2005.

Thunder Rail was created to ensure that our rail-line would continue to be available for the shipment of cars from CanPro Ingredients Ltd., Arborfield Grain Producers and any farmer that wished to load producer cars on this line. OmnitTrax supported the implementation of Thunder Rail, working with them for a smooth transition. CanPro Ingredients Ltd., Arborfield Grain Producers and producers from Zenon Park have provided some start up financing for Thunder Rail.

Thunder Rail has purchased a locomotive as well and has the necessary equipment to accomplish the maintenance of this track. Each summer, continual maintenance is done on the track. Currently, Thunder Rail has one full-time, one part-time and one seasonal employee to responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the track focusing on safety. Many individuals have helped in the maintenance of the track, both with machinery and manual labor.

During the week of November 21st, 2005, the first Locomotive Operation class was presented. Six local people completed the class and are now qualified to operate the locomotive. Since that time, Thunder Rail as run additional classes to ensure an ample supply of people trained to operate the locomotive

This site has been funded by Arborfield CAP through Industry Canada.