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SYDNEY, N.S. — An advocacy group dedicated to reviving local railway service remains optimistic that trains will once again roll across Cape Breton.

Charlie MacLean, chair of the Scotia Railway Development Society, said he was not surprised to learn that potential investors in a Sydney Harbour container port and logistics park are concerned about rail transport.

“It’s just a very practical state of fact that without rail there is no port,” said MacLean.

Earlier this month, following his return from a trade mission to China, CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke said that Cape Breton rail service, or lack thereof, is an issue of concern to potential investment partners in Port of Sydney development.

“It’s really the connectivity by train that is really critical and that piece is being worked on in greater detail in commercial terms,” he said.

“And, while the railway is not active at this time, it has not been abandoned.”

In September, the province and railway operator Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway Ltd., owned by American-based Genesee & Wyoming, reached a one-year agreement that preserves the Cape Breton (St. Peters Junction to Sydney) portion of the line. In return, Nova Scotia government is paying the railroad company $60,000 a month to reimburse operational expenses.

MacLean said the society believes that rail service is feasible in Cape Breton with or without a more developed harbour.

“We still believe there is a business case to be made, although it would less of a case if there was no port, but we think there is a viable option for rail based on discussions we’ve had with local companies in the past, so I think rail could be profitable even without the port, given the right circumstances,” he said.

“Everybody is waiting for the port announcement before the next step is taken — if it’s announced that port is going to happen, then I think the green light will be given to repair and rejuvenate the rail system and then it will be full speed ahead.”

Meanwhile, MacLean said the society is still awaiting the report of a cost analysis study into how much money it will take to bring the Cape Breton portion of the railway up to operational standard.

The last freight cars rumbled across the island in late 2015.

david.jala@cbpost