Western Labrador Rail Services
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Two MLW RS-18s pull a freight train in 2013 | |
| Reporting mark | WRLS |
|---|---|
| Locale |
Newfoundland and Labrador Quebec |
| Dates of operation | 2011– |
| Headquarters | Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador |
Western Labrador Rail Services (reporting mark WRLS) is an operation by Genesee & Wyoming created in 2010 by the combination of three short line railways: Arnaud Railway, Bloom Lake Railway, and Wabush Lake Railway. The operation provides services to mining companies operating in the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, Canada.
Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines opened the Bloom Lake Mine, just west of Labrador City, Newfoundland. The 31 km (19 mi) Bloom Lake Railway was commissioned to transport iron ore from the mine to a connection with the Wabush Lake Railway. The Bloom Lake Railway was constructed between 2006-2010. All of the railway, except the first 2 km (1.2 mi), are located in Labrador.
The Wabush Lake Railway began acting as a middle man, taking the Bloom Lake Railway trains, and transporting them to Wabush Junction for the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway to transport to the Chemin de fer Arnaud. The Arnaud then takes the trains to the Consolidated Thompson's dock at Pointe-Noire, Quebec.
Consolidated Thompson was purchased by Cliffs Natural Resources. In 2011, Genessee & Wyoming began control of all of these operations on behalf of Cliffs under the name Western Labrador Rail Services. These operations form an isolated railroad network, as it does not interchange with any other rail lines on the North American network.