Edmonton - Roseville at Alford, Oregon , August 2002

CEFX 114 W. Alford, Oregon - August 2002

CEFX 114 W. Alford, Oregon - August 2002
Packaged Canadian lumber, Procor tank cars and grain hoppers.

CEFX 114 W. Alford, Oregon - August 2002, going into the hole.

CEFX 114 W. Alford, Oregon - August 2002

CEFX 114 W. Alford, Oregon - August 2002

Three CEFX SD9043MAC's power the CP/UP Edmonton, Alberta to Roseville, California train. This is the service that was intended for these units, as they were equipped to meet both Canadian and American standards. These locomotives are now scattered around the country on various leases. Driving distance between Edmonton and Roseville is over 1500 miles.

The Spokane International Connection - A Back Door for Canadian Wheat Exports

CEFX 101 S. at Vancouver Center, 2005 - Grain empties from Kalama

A study of old Official Guide maps showed me long ago that the straightest railroad line between two points is not neccessarily the route taken. Railroad alliances, gateway points, terminal congestion, and capacity play a great part in how traffic is routed. CP could presumably send all of its wheat traffic over the Rockies, and Selkirks, and turn Tacoma, or Kalama, Washington bound trains over to the BNSF in Vancouver, B.C. But a back door exists which both CP and UP expolit to their mutual advantage.