The Saskatchewan government says it has secured commitments from three shortline railways in the province to buy its fleet of nearly 900 hopper cars for 9.7 million dollars.

A statement issued by the government says Big Sky Rail Corporation will purchase 663 units from the Saskatchewan Grain Car Corporation.

Another 150 will be sold to Great Western Railway Limited while the remaining 85 will go to Great Sandhills Railway.

Saskatchewan's 13 commercial shortline railways were given first priority to purchase the hopper cars when the sales process was started in late March.