The plan, required by provisions of the Canada Transportation Act and presented to the Minister every year, is an in-depth review of “the many steps CN is taking to prepare for the challenges of operating a railway in a northern climate.” The plan (download below) details “comprehensive, proactive actions, strategies and innovations designed to help meet customer demand safely and efficiently by optimizing operations during the coming winter months.”
Highlights of the 2024-2025 Winter Plan:
- “Leveraging Technology: This year, CN is deploying its 4th generation Autonomous Track Inspection Program (ATIP) which uses ground penetrating radar to provide detailed assessments of ballast and subgrade conditions, allowing for prompt repairs.
- “Enhancing Network Reliability: In 2024, CN invested over $1 million to overhaul 20 of its air cars, replacing air compressors and other major components to ensure reliability. CN has spent $61.6 million on its air car program since 2009, strategically deploying them during the colder months to reduce the need to shorten trains, improving service reliability and protecting capacity.
- “Response Readiness: CN maintains a strategic reserve of locomotives in critical corridors to limit delays caused by weather and deploys backup power generators across the network, allowing operations to continue even during localized or widespread power failures.
- “People: Between April 2023 and May 2024, the number of available CN operating employees grew by 9%.”
“At CN, we know all too well that the winter brings unique operational challenges. Our Winter Plan reflects learnings and feedback from our railroaders, customers, supply chain partners and stakeholders,” said CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson. “This collaborative approach allows us to put in place proactive solutions across the network as we make the operational shift for winter operations. Having this work done in advance ensures our continued ability to deliver safe and reliable service for our customers, supply chains and the North American economy.”
