Montreal light rail project will buy right-of-way from CN, revise route

Map highlighting changes on Montreal light rail project

MONTREAL — The organization building the REM de l’Est rail transit project has reached agreement with Canadian National to purchase a section of right-of-way, allowing it to relocate part of its route away from a major commercial corridor. CDPQ Infra, the public-works contracting arm of public pension organization Caisse dépôt et placement du Québec, said […]

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Canadian National reports record financial results for fourth quarter

Canadian National logo

MONTREAL — Canadian National reported record fourth-quarter financial results on Tuesday, despite the impact of severe flooding that shut its main line through southern British Columbia for three weeks. CN’s “Full Speed Ahead” plan to improve the company’s financial results, announced in September amid a proxy contest launched by activist investor TCI Fund Management, gained […]

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CN names former CP official Tracy Robinson as its next CEO

Head shot of woman with short blonde hair

MONTREAL — Canadian National on Tuesday named former Canadian Pacific executive Tracy Robinson as its new president and CEO, and reached an agreement with activist investor TCI Fund Management, which has dropped its proxy contest. Robinson spent nearly three decades at CP — with experience including positions in operations, finance, and marketing — before joining […]

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CN begins major work on intramodal facility

Bilevel passenger train on concrete trestle with construction crane behind it

PHOENIX — The start of construction on of a long-delayed intermodal facility will highlight Canadian National capital work in 2022, after the railroad completed several major projects in 2021. Martita Mullen, the railroad’s senior manager, design and construction, provided a review of the 2021 work and preview of 2022 on Friday at the National Railroad […]

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BNSF Railway leads industry in traffic growth during 2021

orange locomotive and train comes around curve in Wyoming

BNSF Railway led the big six Class I railroads in growth in 2021, a year in which rail volume rebounded from the pandemic-related lows of 2020 yet struggled to overcome kinks in the global supply chain. BNSF’s traffic was up 7.4% for the year, with intermodal surging 8.3% and coal up nearly 11%. CSX Transportation […]

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News Wire Top 10, No. 6: Battery-electric and hydrogen locomotives

Red and black locomotive with full-width carbody to accomodate batteries

The rail industry has long touted its energy efficiency compared to other modes of transport, as well as the parallel environmental benefits. But with railroads and their customers both placing more focus on combating climate change, an increasing number of projects are under way to develop alternatives to diesel-electric locomotives. Making the most progress to […]

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News Wire Top 10, No. 8: Climate challenges

Bridge and cranes at sunset

Few years pass without railroads facing disruptions from natural disasters. This year was no different, with events including flooding that caused a Union Pacific derailment in Utah in July, Hurricane Ida hitting rail operations from New Orleans to New England in August; and devastating tornadoes in December, including one that derailed a CSX train. But […]

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