News & Reviews News Wire Canadian National releases Winter Plan

Canadian National releases Winter Plan

By Trains Staff | October 9, 2023

| Last updated on February 2, 2024


Annual document outlines operating plans for upcoming season

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Document cover with aerial photo of train operating through forest in snow
The cover of Canadian National’s 2023-24 Winter Plan. CN

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway has released its 2023-24 Winter Plan, a document required by the Canadian Transportation Act in which the railroad details plans for operations during the winter months.

“The plan serves as our compass, providing clear direction and objectives,” CEO Tracy Robinson says in an introductory statement. “It will enable us to make informed decisions, allocate resources judiciously, and maintain a forward‑focused perspective.”

In addition to highlighting overall CN network improvements — including capital projects to increase sidings and double-tracking; purchasing or refurbishing locomotives, and buying new rolling stock — the document notes plans to shorten trains during periods of extreme cold, and measures such as the use of air braking cars.

It outlines measures to deal with specific commodities, such as increased demand for propane shipments, and infrastructure at grain facilities that allow loaded trains to be fully charged with air before locomotives arrive.

It also notes several technological developments the railroad says will help winter operations, including its Autonomous Track Inspection Program, using 11 railcars that operate within regular trains, and the Electronic Track Authority Verification program for hi-rail access to track time.

The full Winter Plan is available here.

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