The remainder of the CN Cowan subdivision is now known as the Swan River spur, extending south 13.3 miles from Thunderhill Junction to the Louisiana Pacific OSB mill, and 1.7 miles north to the wye in Swan River. It connects to the CN Preeceville subdivision at Thunderhill Junction.
| Mile | Station | Siding |
|---|---|---|
| 83.5 | Start of track (Louisiana Pacific OSB mill) | – |
| 87.3 | MINITONAS | 1,440 |
| 96.8 | THUNDERHILL JCT Junction with CN Preeceville subdivision | – |
| 97.5 | Steelgas | 490 |
| 98.5 | SWAN RIVER Erwood spur 7.1 miles north to Pioneer grain elevator. Former junction with CN Erwood subdivision | – |
There was a serious washout around Pine River and Sclater on the night of July 1, 1993 and it was never repaired.
The Cowan subdivision was initially listed in CN’s July 3, 1996 three-year plan for discontinuance, from mile 0.0 to mile 83.5.
There was an attempt to form a shortline (the Great Northern Railway) to take over operation of the former Cowan and Winnipegosis subdivisions but that fell through in late 1999. In early 2000 Omnitrax expressed interest but the line was sold to Cando in June 2000, who dismantled it. More information here.
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