Esquimalt and Nanaimo RailwayReporting marks: EN, ENR, SVI

The Equimalt and Nanaimo Railway (E&N) was formed in 1883 as part of the treaty made by Prime Minister John Macdonald to bring British Columbia into Confederation. Although the railway was 10 years overdue, Macdonald kept his word and was on hand to drive the last spike in 1886.

This railway was not part of the new Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). Traffic was projected to be low and consequently this section was not of high priority to the CPR, which was severely cash strapped at the time. Eventually the contract was awarded to Robert Dunsmuir, a coal baron and politician in the provincial government.

Dunsmuir was likely more interested in the land grants than the railway. The grants were generous and amounted to 10 per cent of Vancouver Island along with mineral rights and all known coal deposits. The railway was completed in 1886 with two further extensions in 1887 and 88, when it was extended to Victoria.

Following Dunsmuir's death in 1889, his empire was taken over by his son James. The railway was sold to the CPR in 1905. Apart from passenger service which was turned over to VIA Rail in 1978 the CPR continued operating the railway until 1999. In 1998 they sold the route from Nanaimo to Port Alberni to RailAmerica, who also leased the remainder of the railway.

The railway's future lay in doubt for a number of years. Shortly after the railway changed hands, freight traffic took a sharp decline. The two main factors were the closure of a major paper mill, and the reconstruction of the main highway, which made it far more attractive to use trucks. Other factors included deferred maintenance problems that were left behind by the CPR. RailAmerica wanted out.

The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF), a non-profit charitable organization, was formed in 2003. Its mission is to preserve, maintain and enhance the railway, as well as explore future opportunities for expansion. The foundation is comprised of local and First Nation communities situated along the right-of-way.

In 2006 the ICF negotiated agreements with the CPR and RailAmerica for donation of the 234 km CPR right-of-way and ownership of the RailAmerica line. In exchange the CPR received a $236 million tax credit and RailAmerica received around $1 million in cash plus tax credits valued at around $5 million. The ICF also received $2.3 million in "seed money" from the CPR. Operation of the railway was then turned over to the Southern Railway of British Columbia.

Due to low traffic, the CPR let track maintenance slide. RailAmerica had already cited "deferred maintenance" as one of its reasons for leaving the island. As a result of serious safety concerns, the line between Courtenay and Victoria was shut down in March 2011, putting a stop to both freight and passenger traffic. The cost of repairs was estimated at $15 million. Fortunately the IOF was able to obtain a $7.5 million grant from the province which was later matched by $7.5 million from the federal government. Repairs are now underway and service is scheduled to resume in the spring of 2013.

The railway's original reporting mark of EN was retained when it was under CPR ownership. Following the takeover by RailAmerica, the reporting mark was changed to ENR. Operation of the railway was turned over to the Southern Railway of British Columbia. The railway is now known as the Southern Railway of Vancouver Island (SVI). In addition to freight, SVI also runs passenger service on behalf of VIA Rail.

Unfortunately the railway's revitalization has suffered a few setbacks. Nonetheless, the foundation has built a strong business case and continues to persevere. Once the infrastructure repairs are complete, the foundation will be in a better position to explore new areas for growth in freight traffic.

In 2006 the ICF negotiated agreements with the CPR and RailAmerica for donation of the 234 km CPR right-of-way and ownership of the RailAmerica line. In exchange the CPR received a $236 million tax credit and RailAmerica received around $1 million in cash plus tax credits valued at around $5 million. The ICF also received $2.3 million in "seed money" from the CPR. Operation of the railway was then turned over to Southern Railway of Vancouver Island (SVI). SVI also took over passenger service, operating on behalf of VIA Rail.

Due to low traffic, the CPR let track maintenance slide. RailAmerica had already cited "deferred maintenance" as one of its reasons for leaving the island. As a result of serious safety concerns, the line between Courtenay and Victoria was shut down in March 2011, putting a stop to both freight and passenger traffic. The cost of repairs was estimated at $15 million. Fortunately the IOF was able to obtain a $7.5 million grant from the province which was later matched by $7.5 million from the federal government. Repairs are now underway and service is scheduled to resume in the spring of 2013.

The railway's original reporting mark of EN was retained when it was under CPR ownership. Following the takeover by RailAmerica, the reporting mark was changed to ENR. Operation of the railway was turned over to the Southern Railway of British Columbia. Today the railway is known as the Southern Railway of Vancouver Island and uses the reporting mark SVI.

The railway's original reporting mark of EN was retained when it was under CPR ownership. Following the takeover by RailAmerica, the reporting mark was changed to ENR. Today the railway is known as the Southern Railway of Vancouver Island and uses the reporting mark SVI.

Unfortunately the railway's revitalization has suffered a few setbacks. Nonetheless, the foundation has built a strong business case and continues to persevere. Once the infrastructure repairs are complete, the foundation will be in a better position to explore new areas for growth in freight traffic.