Handbook aimed at entrepreneurs interested in purchasing branches of the Canadian National or Canadian Pacific to turn into privately run shortlines. It is designed to explain the range issues a prospective buyer should consider before entering the field (e.g., valuation, cost, lease vs. purchase), an extensive list of people to contact for further information, the process of actually acquiring a railway, and a list of regional and shortline railways. Includes the 1996-99 Three Year Plan for rail lines owned by CP and CN as well as other laws and regulations a buyer would need to consider. Undated but circa 1997.