CN
CN on Nov. 5 reported setting a new all-time monthly record for grain movement in October. The Class I railroad transported more than 23.4 million metric tons of grain from Western Canada, higher than the previous record set for the month by 110,000 metric tons and the best individual month record ever by CN.
“At CN, our customers count on us to deliver, and our team of railroaders continues to meet that challenge,” said Janet Drysdale, who last month took on a new role at CN: Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “This performance shows what’s possible with good customer collaboration, thoughtful planning and strong execution. We’re proud to move Canadian grain safely and efficiently to deliver for farmers, supply chain partners, and the economy.”
The railroad set a grain movement record in September, too.
CN’s report on grain movement in Western Canada for week 12 of the grain calendar. (Courtesy of CN)
Following are highlights from the railroad’s 2025–2026 grain plan, which was released this summer:
- Capacity to Meet Demand: CN anticipates moving 27.0 MMT to 29.5 MMT of grain and processed grain products during the 2025–2026 crop year. The railroad said it has “sufficient resources in place to meet demand under normal operating conditions.”
- Supply Chain Coordination: CN said it is changing the way it distributes empty hopper cars originating from West Coast ports to improve visibility and planning with customers. Instead of distributing cars from major rail hubs in the Prairies, CN said it will distribute cars as they depart Vancouver. Customers will also have “enhanced visibility” on tracking their rail shipments through CN’s rail shipment tracking tool.
- End-to-End Transparency: According to CN, stakeholders will have access to weekly updates on car orders, supply chain conditions, and system fluidity through the railroad’s Western Canadian Grain Report and operational dashboards.
CN on Nov. 5 also reported that it continues to execute its winter operations plan across the network as the colder months begin; the 2025-2026 Winter Plan was released in September.
Separately, CN has expanded the capacity of its Harvey Grain Facility, one of the largest agricultural transload operations on the railroad’s network, which is located within CN’s Chicago Intermodal Terminal.
Further Reading:
- CN’s Harvey Grain Facility Expands Capacity
- CN on UP+NS Merger: ‘Our Customers’ Voices Must Be Heard’
- CN Delivers ‘Strong’ 3Q25
- BNSF, NS and CN SMART-TD Members Ratify New Five-Year Agreement
CSX
CSX is working with Pittsburg, Kans.-based Watco—operator of 46 short lines and 75 ports and terminals—to deliver value for customers, the Class I railroad reported Nov. 5, upon release of a special video (above) addressing how they are teaming for growth.
“We’re having a lot of conversations with the Marketing and Sales team at CSX about how we can deliver more value to the customer,” Marc Massoglia, Senior Vice President of Watco’s Commercial Group, said in the video. “The CSX Marketing and Sales teams have tremendous knowledge of their customers and markets, while we bring deep expertise in our local customer base. Together, we’re able to create solutions that deliver value in ways we couldn’t achieve separately.”
According to Massoglia, the collaboration has already driven growth across several regions, including Michigan, Illinois, Alabama, and Savannah, where Watco operates railroads with CSX. In addition to rail, Watco’s transload terminals, marine operations, and logistics services “provide seamless final-mile solutions that extend beyond the rail network,” CSX reported.
In a related development, Anacostia Rail Holdings’ Northern Lines Railway and Jaguar’s Columbia Basin Railroad have joined BNSF’s Shortline Select™ program, bringing the total number of members to nine. The goal of the program, which launched last fall, is to provide shippers “with proven performance, shared data, and integrated solutions that can support an efficient supply chain capable of growing with their business,” according to the Class I railroad.
Further Reading:
UP
“Over the past month, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with many of you at our customer forums and industry meetings, including conversations with American Chemistry Council and National Grain and Feed Association members,” UP’s Kenny Rocker wrote in an Oct. 31 online customer message. “These interactions are valuable opportunities to strengthen our connections and explore new ways to support your success in the marketplace.”
As part of a UP status report, Rocker provided service metrics for the week ending Oct. 24, 2025:
- Freight Car Velocity – 239 miles per day.
- Train Velocity – 21.1 miles per hour.
- Terminal Dwell – 19.9 hours.
The railroad’s performance, he said, “continues to showcase the strength of our service and high-quality experience our customers receive from Union Pacific.” These “steady results,” he noted, “reflect our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering the service we sold you.”
UP this summer launched its new Customer Portal to carload customers, and Rocker reported that the portal will be available to intermodal customers in mid-November. The portal features “an interactive map, easy access to our most used tools, and enhanced visibility into shipment exceptions, enabling you to proactively address potential issues before they affect your operations,” he said. It can also be personalized; for intermodal customers, they will be able to include preferred intermodal facilities, for example.
Also in November, UP will be debuting additional portal enhancements for carload users. “These new benefits will include the ability to view inbound and outbound shipments across multiple facility locations on one screen and gain improved visibility into both processed and unprocessed waybills,” Rocker reported. “The new updates allow customers to proactively manage their logistics to prevent delays and improve operational efficiency.”
Further Reading:
- UP 3Q25: ‘Continued Improvements in Pursuit of What’s Possible’
- IBEW Ratifies Agreement With UP
- SMART-MD Ratifies Agreement With UP
NS
NS on Nov. 4 joined civic leaders, community partners, and educators to celebrate the National Center for Civil and Human Rights’ 24,000 square-foot expansion in Atlanta, Ga. The project added interactive galleries, classrooms and community spaces. This long-awaited event, the railroad said, included a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly named Freedom Room, made possible through a $500,000 commitment from NS, which was announced earlier this year.
“The Freedom Room, one of three new learning spaces in the Center’s Shirley Clarke Franklin Pavilion, symbolizes the power of education and dialogue to create lasting change,” NS said. “The room will serve as a dynamic classroom where students, teachers, and community groups can explore the stories and lessons of the civil and human rights movements—and connect them to the challenges and opportunities of today.”
“As the Freedom Room opens its doors,” the railroad continued, “it stands as a testament to what’s possible when organizations come together around shared values: progress, human dignity and the belief that history’s lessons can light the way forward.”
Commented Kristin Wong, Director NS Foundation and Community Impact: “This partnership embodies what Norfolk Southern stands for. By supporting spaces like the Freedom Room, we’re helping to create environments where learning sparks empathy, understanding and action.”
With the expansion project complete, the Center will reopen to the public on Nov. 8.
