C.N. locomotives causing sleepless nights in Lavington

Apr 29, 2021 | 6:00 AM

The District of Coldstream has written to Canadian National Railway, Tolko and Drax (new owner of Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc) and Member of Parliament Mel Arnold, after residents complained about locomotives being left idling near homes in Lavington.

A resolution passed by council asked C.N. to keep the locomotives as far from homes as possible, and look at expanding the siding where the trains come in to service Pinnacle and Tolko.

C.N. responded that there are a variety of reasons that locomotives might be left idling.

The rail company noted that locomotives are not designed to be turned on and off in the same way as an automobile.

“Because locomotive engines use water rather than antifreeze as the coolant, engines cannot be shut down when temperatures are expected to reach 5 degrees Celsius or lower,” the company explained.

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The engines are left idling in order to maintain important safety functions such as engine temperature, air pressure for the brake system, battery power, the electrical system, and to provide heating or cooling for the crew.

C.N. added that the local operations department is sensitive to the fact that there are residences in close proximity to the tracks. The crews are currently following instruction to park as far away as possible from homes.

Crews may need to park in a manner that is closer to the residences so not to block crossings in the area and obstruct local traffic. C.N. stated that there is not enough space at the siding location to do any expansion.

Councillor Doug Dirk expressed concern that there is likely to be more train traffic, if Drax Group, which recently purchased Pinnacle, ramps up production.

“We should ask what would be their future plans for an expansion and see how they respond” Dirk said. We aren’t demanding anything, we can’t hold them to anything, we are just keeping the dialogue open.”

by Kevin Rothwell

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