CPKC
Following 10 months of construction, CPKC has officially opened its new 26,000 square-foot operations center in Monterrey, Mexico, the railroad reported via social media on Feb. 14. It is said to offer employees ergonomic workstations, a fitness center and expanded parking.
“This state-of-the-art, fully accessible building highlights our dedication to operational excellence and employee wellness,” CPKC noted. It is located at Manuel L. Barragan No. 4850, Hidalgo, 64290 Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
The railroad last October celebrated the opening of its new four-story, 46,000 square-foot U.S. operations center at Knoche Yard in Kansas City, Mo. Participating in the ribbon-cutting event were CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who also unveiled a plaque commemorating the driving of the railroad’s ceremonial Final Spike on April 14, 2023, an event that took place where the operations center now stands and marked the merger of Class I railroad as Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) to form CPKC.
It is home to the U.S. Network Operations Center, yard operations, CPKC Police and a new training center. According to CPKC, designers selected artwork and finishes to reflect the heritage of both CP and KCS. Additionally, the track panel used in the commemorative Final Spike ceremony was installed outside the front entrance of the building.
UP
Approximately 100 Houston Independent School District (HISD) police officers on Feb. 14 participated in a Rail Investigation Safety Course led by UP and Texas Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing collisions, injuries, and fatalities at highway/rail crossings and along railroad rights-of-way through public education, enforcement, and engineering initiatives.
Held at HISD’s High School for Law and Justice, the course helped to prepare officers for the real-world scenarios they may encounter when responding to railroad incidents, according to UP. It taught them how to assess railroad environments, interpret rail signage and signals, and navigate emergency response procedures involving trains and tracks. It also included guidance on investigative protocols, legal considerations, available resources for law enforcement, and best practices for emergency response.
“Rail safety is a shared responsibility, and we’re committed to working with local agencies to keep the entire Houston community safe around railroad tracks,” said Clint Schelbitzki, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs for UP. “This training goes beyond just checking a box—giving first responders the tools to prevent tragedies and effectively respond when seconds matter.”
UP and Texas Operation Lifesaver regularly collaborate with first responders, schools, and community groups “to reinforce safe behaviors around railroads,” UP said. Anyone interested in participating in this training can visit www.oli.org for more information.
Separately, UP recently announced that it will unveil a commemorative locomotive this spring. No. 1616 will pay tribute to America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, who, by signing the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, created the railroad.
CN
CN has been officially recertified as a Responsible Care® Partner for the 28th consecutive year, the railroad reported recently on LinkedIn and its website. This achievement, it said, “not only reinforces our dedication to health, safety, security, and environmental stewardship but also reflects the safety-first mindset that drives every aspect of our operations.” Additionally, it is a “testament to the hard work and collaboration of so many CN teams ensuring we meet the program’s rigorous standards,” according to the railroad. Those teams include Environment, Sustainability, CN Police, Stakeholder Relations, Safety, Regulatory Affairs, Dangerous Goods, Industrial Hygiene, I&T, and Training and Development.
The Responsible Care® program began in Canada in 1985, “sparking a global movement dedicated to the safe and sustainable management of chemicals,” CN reported. Today, it spans more than 60 countries and includes organizations committed to sustainability and safety throughout every stage of a chemical’s lifecycle, including its transportation.
CN first became a Responsible Care® Partner in 1997. The recertification process involves a comprehensive audit to evaluate compliance with Responsible Care®’s guiding principles, according to the railroad, which noted that preparing for this audit “requires months of diligent planning and collaboration across departments.”
“Being a Responsible Care Partner is a powerful endorsement that strengthens trust with our customers and the community, demonstrating our commitment to moving goods efficiently and responsibly,” said Jason Valliere, CN Assistant Vice President, Sales and Marketin–Petroleum and Chemicals. “It also enhances our operations, enabling us to deliver superior, sustainable transportation solutions that align with their priorities.”
“Successfully completing our Responsible Care audits demonstrates CN’s commitment to leadership, performance, and continual improvement in alignment with the Responsible Care principles and many of our customers,” noted Anthony Ippolito, CN Director of Dangerous Goods, and the railroad’s Responsible Care® coordinator and audit lead.
In other news, CN announced that it formally ratified a new four-year tentative collective agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and awarded grants to 10 Canadian communities through the CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up program.
