I've been following with interest the progress of G7G for awhile now (the proposed new rail line connecting Alberta Canada with the port in Valdez, Alaska). More on that line here...

[opinion.financialpost.com]

One thing I rarely see mentioned in these articles about shipping oil via rail vs. pipeline is versatility. What can you ship in a pipeline? Oil? Maybe gas? What can you ship on rail? Almost anything.

Even if this is built to haul oil, a whole new layer of economic opportunity will emerge. How about export grain shipments from Canada to Valdez, instead of B.C.? Valdez puts Asia-bound ships something like 2 days closer to their destination than if they sail from B.C.

Or what about all the oil producing infrastructure that normally get trucked into the oil fields? I'm sure some of that could go by rail easier and cheaper. Then there are other potential natural resources in those remote areas. Mining? Timber? Who knows. Maybe other areas outside of this proposed G7G rail line would see similar benefits?

It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out. As far as the G7G line, having the Alaska Railroad connect to the rest of North America's rail network by rail, rather than barge, would be a fascinating in itself. The AKRR's Northern Rail Extension, under construction now, is already bringing the railroad to Delta Junction, Alaska. This is all going to be very interesting.

[www.northernrailextension.com]