This spring, residents of Drumheller and those living along the rail line from Hanna to Lyalta will see crews tearing out the tracks.
    In 2008, rail service on this track ended.  Since then, the fate of the track sat in limbo. In 2010, rails were taken out from Hanna, east to Alsask. This spring more will be coming out.
    “Beginning in April, weather permitting, CN crews will begin the process of removing the rail infrastructure, this process is expected to take between 5-6 months,” said a statement from Warren Chandler, senior manager for CN public and government affairs.
    “For the time being CN intends to keep ownership of the right-of-way for this corridor.”
    A conglomerate of regional municipalities worked on a bid to purchase the track with ambitions of hauling grain and expanding tourism possibilities. Palliser Regional Services took up its campaign but it never came to fruition.  Palliser sent notice in February of last year that the municipal group withdrew its intention to purchase the Drumheller subdivision.
    CN did not respond to the notice until December 27. In correspondence from John Brayley, manager of network strategies, the delay was for CN to have certainty with respect to the future of the line. While the track will be coming out, new track may eventually be coming in.
    “CN entered into discussion with a third party on new business opportunities that would require the use of the railway line,” states the letter from Brayley. “Given the uncertainty of an expected start-up date for the project, the parties concluded that the installation of new tracks would be more economical than upgrading existing track infrastructure.”
    CN has officially sent notice to the Canadian Transportation Agency that its operation has been discontinued.

The Badlands Community Facility was packed for the 11th annual Memories of Christmas concert held Sunday, January 11.  Vocal groups from Drumheller, Morrin and Rosebud were joined by a handbell choir from Three Hills and the Peacock sisters on harp and flute. The crowd enjoyed a variety of musical numbers, which culminated in a combined choir rendition of “Silent Night” in four languages. The grand piano was supplied by the Drumheller and District Music Festival Association. Vance Neudorf, Executive Director of the Passion Play, addressed the crowd and expressed appreciation for all the support the local community has given the Passion Play. “We are stepping out in faith this coming year by holding three weekends of performance. This will be good for the Passion Play and for Drumheller, but we will need many volunteers on stage and out front,” said Neudorf.  Laverne Erickson, the founder of the Passion Play,  unveiled a fund raising campaign aimed at paying off the debt incurred when the Passion Play had to buy the ski hill property which had gone into receivership. The goal of the campaign is to raise $60,000 by August 31. At the concert, $4,805 was donated or pledged toward this goal. Other events will be held in the next 8 months, and those wishing to donate to this project can drop off their donations at Harper’s Tire, The Drumheller Centre of Natural Healing, Sears, or The Brick.