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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Some Class I railroads take a fresh look at mergers

It’s been two years since CPKC CEO Keith Creel drove the ceremonial final spike at Knoche Yard in Kansas City to celebrate the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern. The symbolic event marked what rail executives, regulators, and analysts all expected would be the last merger involving two Class I railroads. But now […]

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Canada Supreme Court turns away bid to halt new CN intermodal terminal project

OTTAWA – The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an appeal request that sought to halt construction on Canadian National’s new intermodal terminal in Milton, Ontario. The justices gave no reasons for their May 8 decision, The Canadian Press reported. The $180 million Toronto-area terminal cleared a legal hurdle in October, when a panel of […]

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Class I railroads maintain their optimistic outlooks despite uncertainty over trade and the economy

Train with yellow locomotive on curve through surburan community

Despite mounting uncertainty over tariffs, trade policy, and the economy, most major railroads held firm on their 2025 outlooks — contrasting with a wave of guidance cuts across other industries. Among the five publicly traded Class I railroads, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific kept their guidance intact, while Canadian Pacific Kansas City and […]

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CN’s first quarter earnings grow despite impact of severe weather

MONTREAL — Canadian National reported stronger first-quarter earnings today despite the impact of harsh winter weather across its system, which crimped train length and the railway’s ability to meet demand for intermodal and merchandise service. “We are very pleased today to be reporting strong first-quarter results,” CEO Tracy Robinson said on the railway’s earnings call, […]

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Fight over freight delays could hit Amtrak’s wallet: Analysis

Passenger train passes freight

Ride Amtrak outside of the Northeast Corridor and there’s a good chance you’ll arrive late because freight traffic delayed your train — despite the law that gives passenger trains preference. Amtrak is challenging host railroads Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern with a pair of high-profile on-time performance cases that aim to put teeth into the […]

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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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STB asks CN, Amtrak for more information regarding contract dispute

Passenger train stops at station

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board is seeking more information in the long-running dispute between Canadian National Railway and Amtrak over a new operating agreement. In a decision issued on Tuesday (April 8), the board asked for information on 14 separate aspects of topics including scheduling and on-time performance; incentives and penalties; host-responsible delays; and […]

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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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