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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CN train derails in Manitoba

Canadian National logo

BRANDON, Manitoba — No injuries resulted when 15 cars of a Canadian National train derailed Monday evening in downtown Brandon, disrupting rush-hour traffic. CTV News reports the derailment occurred about 5 p.m., blocking 6th Street between McTavish and Van Horne avenues. The railroad said the derailed cars included one carrying fertilizer, three with potash, and […]

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CPKC container dwell still an issue at Canada’s largest port

Aerial view of island container terminal

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Container dwell times at the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s busiest intermodal hub, continue to be a significant issue since the start of the year. Canadian Pacific Kansas City has been particularly affected, with over 89,000 feet of containers sitting at Deltaport for more than seven days, according to port data. This […]

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Proposed U.S. port fees on Chinese vessels could change intermodal shipping patterns

Locomotive switching at container terminal

WASHINGTON – A Trump administration port fee proposal designed to boost the U.S. shipbuilding industry could potentially scramble international intermodal traffic, shift some container business to ports in Canada and Mexico, and help Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the process. Last month the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative floated a plan […]

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Cleanup continues as CN train derails in Saskatchewan

Canadian National logo

DALMENY, Saskatchewan — Cleanup continues after 13 cars of a Canadian National Railway train derailed Monday night between Dalmeny and Langham, Sask., CJWW Radio reports. No hazardous materials were involved, the Dalmeny Police Service reported. CN said in a statement to the station there were no injuries, and no leaks of cargo or fires occurred. […]

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Canadian ports facing container delays from weather, rail issues

Locomotive switching at container terminal

Delays are hampering intermodal operations at several container ports in North America as weather and rail woes hit gateways on both coasts, according to a DHL port update for March. On the east coast, Canada’s Port of Halifax is seeing significant vessel delays due to harsh North Atlantic weather conditions. Compounding this issue is an […]

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Canadian National acquisition of Iowa Northern is finalized

Canadian National and lease locomotive with Iowa Northern locomotives on bridge

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway and Iowa Northern Railway have officially joined their operations, CN said today (Monday, March 3). “This additional investment in the United States underscores our dedication to delivering outstanding rail service while driving economic growth,” CN CEO Tracy Robinson said in a press release. “CN customers and partners along this network […]

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Rail executives say impacts and timing of tariff rollout are highly uncertain

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Class I railroad chief executives told an investor conference today that their crystal ball is as cloudy as anyone’s regarding the potential impact of the tariffs that President Donald Trump has threatened to impose on Mexico and Canada. The 25% tariffs initially were due to begin this month, but Trump subsequently […]

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CN derailment adds to VIA Rail corridor operating woes

VIA Rail Canada logo

MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada service between Toronto and Montreal, already struggling to cope with a massive snowstorm, was further disrupted today (Feb. 18, 2025) by a Canadian National derailment near Montreal. The 12-car derailment occurred at CN’s Taschereau Yard near Lachine and adjacent to Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport. CN said no leaks or injuries […]

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