By Alice McFarlane

Short Line railway pilot project announced during rail safety week

Sep 17, 2025 | 2:32 PM

Safety remains a number one concern in the rail sector.

That’s why the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways is allocating $100,000 for a pilot project to enhance safety at a provincially regulated short line crossing.

The Ministry and short line Wheatland Rail will install and test a flashing LED railway crossing sign and broken rail detection system at Highway 41 near Wakaw. It’s the first time this technology has been used at a provincial short line railway highway crossing in Saskatchewan.

The system is expected to detect the presence of a train and provide a signal to trigger flashing LED lights integrated into the railway crossing signs to improve visibility and advance warning for motorists approaching the area. The system is also expected to be capable of detecting broken rails at the crossing to provide notifications to the railway operator to prevent derailments.

The system is anticipated to be installed this month. Wheatland Rail and the Ministry of Highways expect to complete testing by September of 2026 to determine if the pilot project succeeded.

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HIghways Minister David Marit said they are seeking innovative ways to improve safety for motorists as a top priority as we move forward with this short line rail initiative.

“Motorists are reminded regardless of the season, it’s always important to watch for trains, tracks and railway crossings so everyone gets home safely,” he said.

Highways also continues playing a role educating children about rail safety through its partnership with Canadian Safety Train Express Inc. by funding the printing and distribution of railway safety activity books to Grade four students in communities served by Saskatchewan short lines. The books can be downloaded in English and French.

Canadian Safety Train Express Operations and Programs Director Amy Lintick said it also serves as reminder to youth that trains, and track are no place to play and to remember the importance of rail safety throughout their lives.

Highways also invest in upgrading and maintaining short line infrastructure through the provincial cost-sharing Short Line Railway Improvement Program.

In Saskatchewan, 13 provincially regulated short line railways operate on 2,123 kilometres of track. There are currently 45 short line railway crossings on provincial highways in Saskatchewan.

Short lines support Saskatchewan export-based economy by moving grain and other commodities from more rural locations to larger national federally regulated rail lines of CN and CPKC operating on more than 6,000 kilometres of track in the province.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com