Cape Breton rail line owner warns selfie-takers to stay away from tracks

The company that owns an unused rail linein Cape Breton has taken an interest in photography, but apparentlyonly to warnlocals not to get too close to the tracks to take selfies.

The issue has hit a nerve with the Scotia Rail Development Society, which has sponsored aselfiecontest to raise awareness ofthe importance of the line to the future of the island.

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Co-chairPatricia Morrison said thecontestasked people to take photos with the abandoned line in the background,although the group'swebsite, Facebook page andan ad in the local newspaper said "near abandoned rails."

That caught the attention of the rail line's owner, GeneseeandWyoming Inc.A junior communications advisor, Claudine Bois, sent a letterreminding the volunteer group it's very dangerous and illegal to trespass on railway property.

"An abandoned line doesn't mean there is absolutely no activity on it," Blois told CBC. She said itcould have a locomotive or inspection equipment on it.

Bois wanted the warning included in the society'scontest information."It's all about safety," she said.

'Ironic'

Freight hasn't moved on the line for some time. Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway, a subsidiary ofGeneseeand Wyoming,has received Utility and Review Boardapproval to abandonit after arguing it's unprofitable.

Morrison took offence to the company's warning for shutterbugs, and accuses the company of "marking its territory."

"It was a simple contest to create awareness," she said.

Society co-chair Greg MacLeodfindsit ironic, given there are no trains running on the line.

"We would be very happy,if there were trains running, to keep clear of the whole thing," he said.

Morrison saidthe rail company's letter cametoo late to change the contest. A winner will be awardedon Sunday.

MacLeod plans to ask his group to set up a legal fund just in case GeneseeandWyomingsues anyone who may have strayed too close to the abandoned rail line for the contest.