CN continues work to expand capacity and fluidity in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian National aims to squeeze as much capacity as possible out of the Port of Vancouver, where a combination of water, development, and terrain make it difficult to physically expand. CN CEO Tracy Robinson says coordination is essential to getting the most out of the British Columbia port, which last year […]

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TSB of Canada to investigate CN sideswipe incident

Canadian National logo

EDSON, Alberta — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is sending investigators to a collision of two Canadian National Railway trains described by the railroad as a sideswipe incident. The CBC reports the incident occurred about 7:15 a.m. today (May 18, 2025) near Edson, Alberta. A CN spokeswoman said several cars of grain derailed because […]

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CN sets 2025 capital spending plan

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway plans to spend Ca$3.4 billion ($2.43 billion U.S.) under its capital spending plan for 2025, including Ca$2.9 billion ($2.07 billion) for maintenance and infrastructure improvements. “At CN, we believe investing in our network is investing in the future of North American supply chains,” CEO Tracy Robinson said in a press […]

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Freeland remains Canada’s transport minister as cabinet is reshuffled

Head shot of woman with dark hair in black clothing

OTTAWA, Ontario — Prime Minister Mark Carney has reshuffled Canada’s cabinet following the Liberal Party’s victory in the April 28 national election — but the transport minister position is one of the few unchanged. Chrystia Freeland — who was Carney’s primary rival to lead the Liberals in party elections in — remains in the transportation […]

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Cando adds Duncan as new chief operating officer

Man with short dark hair in suit and tie

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Paul Duncan is joining Cando Rail & Terminals as its new chief operating officer, the company has announced. Duncan, most recently chief operating officer at Norfolk Southern, has more than 22 years with Class I railroads. Prior to joining NS in 2022, he spent more than 19 years in roles of increasing […]

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TSB to investigate CPKC derailment in British Columbia

CPKC logo

FIELD, British Columbia — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada will investigate the derailment of a CPKC train early this morning near Field, the agency has announced. The TSB said it will send a team of investigators to gather information and assess the occurrence, which occurred about 4:30 a.m. today (May 1, 2025) about 12 […]

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VIA’s Canadian turns 70, operating with equipment from when it began

TORONTO — April 24,1955, was what Canadian Pacific publicity mavens characterized as a “Red Letter Day,” because that was when its new silver flagship, the Canadian, debuted with daily departures from Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Seventy years later, VIA Rail Canada commemorated the occasion with a high-profile sendoff of its version of the train — […]

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Little rail content in platform of Canada’s Conservative Party

Two men walking in front of tank cars

OTTAWA, Ontario — Rail projects and the rail industry get little attention in the 30-page policy platform released Tuesday by Canada’s Conservative Party ahead of national elections to be held April 28. The platform for the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, highlights a promise of a 15% cut in income taxes, cutting the federal budget […]

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As Canadian election nears, Liberals’ platform renews support for high-speed rail

Via Rail Canada locomotive no. 6433

OTTAWA, Ontario — Expansion of high-speed rail in Ontario and Quebec, infrastructure projects to support trade, and efforts to simplify approval for major construction are part of the party platform released Saturday (April 20) by Canada’s Liberal Party and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Saying Canadian sovereignty is “under threat,” the platform calls for nearly Ca$130 […]

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Loads for a fertilizer blend plant

Color photo showing portion of three-bay covered hopper painted light orange.

Q: I have a question about one of the articles in your special issue Best of Industries. On page 16, Rich Cobb wrote about a fertilizer blend plant. Can you tell me what kind of loads a plant like this would receive? — Markus Russ A: We released that special-interest publication in 2021, so I […]

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Northwest Territories seek federal action to restore CN service to Hay River

Map of northern Alberta and Northwest Territories

HAY RIVER, Northwest Territories — The Government of the Northwest Territories has asked Canadian federal regulators to examine Canadian National Railway’s decision not to repair its damaged rail line to Hay River, which had been the northernmost point on the North American rail network. Vince McKay, infrastructure minister for the Northwest Territories, said on Monday […]

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Arbitrator awards 3% raises for CN employees represented by TCRC

CN intermodal train stopped in mountain setting

TORONTO — Canadian National train service employees represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference will get a 3% annual raise under an arbitrator’s contract decision. Arbitrator William Kaplan released his decision today on the three-year contract, which runs from Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2026. When CN and the TCRC were unable to reach […]

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