WASHINGTON — A CPKC freight train was traveling about 45 mph when 29 cars derailed on July 5 near Bordulac, N.D., leading to a fire involving methanol and anhydrous ammonia, the National Transportation Safety Board said in the preliminary investigation report released today (Thursday, Aug. 1). The fire burned for two days, leading to a […]
Railroad: CPKC
CN and CPKC grain plans raise potential capacity concerns for upcoming crop year
MONTREAL – Canadian National is confident that it has the resources necessary to handle this year’s grain harvest in Canada – which is expected to be larger than average – but says it has concerns about several issues that could crimp capacity. In its annual grain plan released today, CN warns that its main grain-hauling […]
Merger-related traffic growth boosts CPKC’s revenue and profits
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a gangbuster second quarter as merger-related traffic synergies kicked in faster than expected and boosted revenue and profits, executives said on Tuesday. Although freight demand remains soft, CPKC has been able to create its own opportunities thanks to last year’s combination of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City […]
A Canadian rail strike is likely in late August, CPKC CEO Keith Creel says
CALGARY, Alberta – With labor negotiations at a standstill, a Canadian rail strike is likely to occur in late August, Canadian Pacific Kansas City CEO Keith Creel said today (Tuesday, July 30). CPKC and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference are still talking but remain far apart on a new contract, Creel said on the railway’s […]
Former Kansas City Southern CEO Ottensmeyer dies
Former Kansas City Southern CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer — who led the cross-border railroad through turmoil over free trade, the transition to a Precision Scheduled Railroad operating model, and its historic merger with Canadian Pacific — died July 26. He was 67. “Pat’s vision and leadership played a monumental role in the great history of Kansas […]
CPKC potash train derails in Saskatchewan
GULL LAKE, Sask. — Approximately 18 cars of a CPKC freight train derailed Sunday evening about a mile east of the town of Gull Lake on Sunday evening. The Regina Leader-Post reports there were no injuries and no hazardous materials involved, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which reported the incident about 7:40 p.m. […]
Canada’s labor minister to resign
OTTAWA, Ontario — Canada’s labor minister, Seamus O’Regan, announced today (Thursday, July 18) that he is stepping down from that position and will not seek reelection to parliament. His resignation from the cabinet position is effective Friday, but he will continue to serve as an MP from the St. John’s South-Mount Pearl riding in Newfoundland […]
Ruling on question delaying Canadian rail strikes expected by Aug. 9
MONTREAL — The Canada Industrial Relations Board aims to make a ruling by Aug. 9 on the question of essential services that has put a potential Canadian rail strike or lockout on hold, Canadian National Railway says. In a Friday update, the railroad said it the board will provide another update in the event another […]
STB calls hearing for Class I railroads to outline plans for growth
WASHINGTON — Federal regulators are summoning executives from the six Class I freight railroads to a rare public hearing to explain how their companies plan to invest in and grow their business amid concern over recent negative volume trends. In a notice published today (Friday, July 12), the Surface Transportation Board said it also welcomes […]
New York begins work to replace aging Albany rail bridge
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York state has begun work on a new rail bridge across the Hudson River in Albany to replace a structure with portions dating to 1865, and also awarded funding to tear down a deteriorating, vacant warehouse that led to interruptions of rail service in 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today. The […]
Operations resume at site of CPKC derailment
BORDULAC, N.D. — All railcars containing hazardous material have been removed from the site of Friday’s derailment of a CPKC train near Bordulac, and operations on the railroad’s Carrington Subdivision have resumed, according to a company spokesman. The cars were safely removed on Sunday, spokesman Patrick Waldron said in an email reported by the Jamestown […]
Norfolk Southern leads railroads in growth during second quarter
Class I railroads’ volume trends in the second quarter varied considerably, with Norfolk Southern traffic up 5.1% and Canadian Pacific Kansas City down 4.2%, according to the railroads’ Association of American Railroads carload reports. Norfolk Southern’s volume was boosted by 8.2% year-over-year growth in intermodal traffic. Its carload volume, less coal, was up 1.7%. Coal […]