Richardson International plans to expand rail car spots at eight Prairie elevators on Canadian Pacific Kansas City lines as the railway gears up for longer trains with new higher-volume hopper cars.

Winnipeg-based Richardson has announced expanded rail car spots for its elevators at Lacombe, Carseland, Provost and Olds, Alta.; Estevan, Whitewood and Nokomis, Sask.; and its Dundonald elevator about 20 km north of Portage la Prairie, Man.

At Whitewood, the expansion work will also include upgraded storage capacity, bringing it up to about 44,800 tonnes from its current 31,140.

A company spokesperson said the upgrades will also boost that site’s loading speed to 134 cars in 16 hours.

The expansion work is due to start later this summer for completion by the end of next year.