CANADIAN NATIONAL

 Motive Power News

 

New GE ES44AC locomotives (all now delivered):     

CN 2800-2834 had all been delivered completing CN’s first ever AC order. Two of these, CN 2818 suffered a failure during February and has since returned to service following repairs at GE.  CN 2823 is still being repaired at  Soulanges Industries in Coteau, QC following a collision with a coal loader.  The rest of the fleet are all in service and assigned to trains operating west of Edmonton, AB.    

 

At Mile 233.0 on the Edson Sub, Tim Stevens photographed CN ES44AC 2909 and 2801 grinding their way to Jasper, ON with a heavy coal train, April 5th.  

 


 New EMD SD70ACe locomotives (still to come):

CN’s 30 new SD70ACe locomotives, which are CN’s first Electro Motive-built “AC” locomotives, are to begin construction later this year, and are to be numbered CN 8100-8129.    In total, CN will acquire 65 new high-horsepower locomotives and is splitting the new locomotive order in two, with GE delivering 35 ES44AC 4,400 hp locomotives during 2013 and EMD building 30 SD70ACe 4,300 hp locomotives all equipped with Distributed Power (DPU) technology.

 

CN’s Second Hand Power:

CN Dash 8-40C / C40-8W STATUS as of April 2013

While CREX 9023-9064 are on the property, none of the 42 C40-8s (4000 hp) have entered service, at this time only renumbered CN 2000-2041 in spray paint.  These are ex-UP same numbers, nee-CNW 8501-8542, and the second group of ex-UP, nee-CNW Dash 8’s that CN has purchased.  These are to be painted at Centralia and then completed at either Metro East Industries (MEI) in East St. Louis, IL. or at Quality Rail in Madison, IL.  These CREX C40-8’s were constructed at GE - Erie, PA  in 1989, as CNW 8501-8530, and as CNW 8531-8542 during 1990.  When Union Pacific  acquired the Chicago & North Western Railroad  they got numbered UP 9023-9064, but not in sequence.  When retired by UP during 2008 and 2009, they were sold to Citicorp Railmark and retained their UP livery and road number, with CREX on the cab sides.  Prior to being purchased by CN last year, these had been leased to CSX.

Compiled below are all the most recent ex-CREX and the older ex-UP Dash 8-40C’s and  ex-BNSF C40-8W’s acquired by CN arranged by locomotive model, and their new CN number.  (Our thanks to Earl Roberts for his help)

 

Dash 8-40C: 


    NEW        FORMER NUMBERS                            SERIAL    NEW    FORMER NUMBERS     SERIAL

    2000:2    CREX 9023;  UP 9023;  CNW 8501    46085        2100:2    UP 9065;  CNW 8553    46781
    2001:2    CREX 9024;  UP 9024;  CNW 8502    46086        2101:2    UP 9066;  CNW 8554     46782
    2002:2    CREX 9025;  UP 9025;  CNW 8503    46087        2102:2    UP 9067;  CNW 8555    46783
    2003:2    CREX 9026;  UP 9026;  CNW 8514    46098        2103:2    UP 9068;  CNW 8556    46784
    2004:2    CREX 9027;  UP 9027;  CNW 8505    46089        2104:2    UP 9069;  CNW 8557    46785
    2005:2    CREX 9028;  UP 9028;  CNW 8506    46090        2105:2    UP 9070;  CNW 8558    46786
    2006:2    CREX 9029;  UP 9029;  CNW 8507    46091        2106:2    UP 9071;  CNW 8559    46787
    2007:2    CREX 9030;  UP 9030;  CNW 8508    46092        2107:2    UP 9072;  CNW 8560    46788
    2008:2    CREX 9031;  UP 9031;  CNW 8509    46093        2108:2    UP 9073;  CNW 8561    46789
    2009:2    CREX 9032;  UP 9032;  CNW 8510    46094        2109:2    UP 9074;  CNW 8562    46790
    2010:2    CREX 9033;  UP 9033;  CNW 8511    46095        2110:2    UP 9075;  CNW 8563    46791
    2011:2    CREX 9034;  UP 9034;  CNW 8513    46088        2111:2    UP 9076;  CNW 8564    46792
    2012:2    CREX 9035;  UP 9035;  CNW 8504    46097        2112:2    UP 9077;  CNW 8565    46793
    2013:2    CREX 9036;  UP 9036;  CNW 8520    46104        2113:2    UP 9078;  CNW 8566    46794
    2014:2    CREX 9037;  UP 9037;  CNW 8515    46099        2114:2    UP 9079;  CNW 8567    46795
    2015:2    CREX 9038;  UP 9038;  CNW 8516    46100        2115:2    UP 9080;  CNW 8568    46796
    2016:2    CREX 9039;  UP 9039;  CNW 8512    46096        2116:2    UP 9081;  CNW 8569    46797
    2017:2    CREX 9040;  UP 9040;  CNW 8518    46102        2117:2    UP 9082;  CNW 8570    46798
    2018:2    CREX 9041;  UP 9041;  CNW 8519    46103        2118:2    UP 9083;  CNW 8571    46799
    2019:2    CREX 9042;  UP 9042;  CNW 8523    46107        2119:2    UP 9084;  CNW 8572    46800
    2020:2    CREX 9043;  UP 9043;  CNW 8521    46105        2120       UP 9085;  CNW 8573    46801
    2021:2    CREX 9044;  UP 9044;  CNW 8522    46106        2121       UP 9086;  CNW 8574    46802
    2022:2    CREX 9045;  UP 9045;  CNW 8525    46109        2122       UP 9087;  CNW 8575    46803
    2023:2    CREX 9046;  UP 9046;  CNW 8524    46108        2123       UP 9088;  CNW 8576    46804
    2024:2    CREX 9047;  UP 9047;  CNW 8526    46110        2124       UP 9089;  CNW 8577    46805
    2025:2    CREX 9048;  UP 9048;  CNW 8517    46101        2125       UP 9090;  CNW 8549    46777
    2026:2    CREX 9049;  UP 9049;  CNW 8527    46111        2126       UP 9091;  CNW 8543    46771
    2027:2    CREX 9050;  UP 9050;  CNW 8528    46112        2127       UP 9092;  CNW 8544    46772
    2028:2    CREX 9051;  UP 9051;  CNW 8529    46113        2128       UP 9093;  CNW 8545    46773
    2029:2    CREX 9052;  UP 9052;  CNW 8530    46114        2129       UP 9094;  CNW 8546    46774
    2030:2    CREX 9053;  UP 9053;  CNW 8531    46371        2130       UP 9095;  CNW 8547    46775
    2031:2    CREX 9054;  UP 9054;  CNW 8532    46372        2131       UP 9096;  CNW 8548    46776
    2032:2    CREX 9055;  UP 9055;  CNW 8533    46373        2132       UP 9097;  CNW 8550    46778
    2033:2    CREX 9056;  UP 9056;  CNW 8534    46374        2133       UP 9098;  CNW 8551    46779
    2034:2    CREX 9057;  UP 9057;  CNW 8535    46375        2134       UP 9099;  CNW 8552    46780
    2035:2    CREX 9058;  UP 9058;  CNW 8536    46376                             
    2036:2    CREX 9059;  UP 9059;  CNW 8537    46377    
    2037:2    CREX 9060;  UP 9060;  CNW 8538    46378    
    2038:2    CREX 9061;  UP 9061;  CNW 8539    46379    
    2039:2    CREX 9062;  UP 9062;  CNW 8540    46380
    2040:2    CREX 9063:  UP 9063;  CNW 8541    46381
    2041:2    CREX 9064;  UP 9064;  CNW 8542    46382 

 

Note:  The very first CN 2000 to 2024 number series were GP9’s from 1955 which became CN 4451-4475 a year later. CN 2000:2 to 2024:2 and CN 2025 to 2043 MLW C-630M, so the ex UP are 2000:3 to 2024:3 and 2025:2 to 2041:2.  (Martin Bauman with thanks)  

C40-8W:  



    NEW        FORMER NUMBERS    SERIAL    NEW    FORMER NUMBERS    SERIAL

    2098        BNSF 865;  ATSF 865    46994        2167    BNSF 811;  ATSF 811    46940
    2099        BNSF 866   ATSF 866    46995        2168    BNSF 813;  ATSF 813    46942
    2135        BNSF 800;  ATSF 800    46929        2169    BNSF 815;  ATSF 815    46944
    2136        BNSF 802;  ATSF 802    46931        2170    BNSF 817;  ATSF 817    46946
    2137        BNSF 804;  ATSF 804    46933        2171    BNSF 819;  ATSF 819    46948
    2138        BNSF 806;  ATSF 806    46935        2172    BNSF 821;  ATSF 821    46950
    2139        BNSF 808;  ATSF 808    46937        2173    BNSF 823;  ATSF 823    46952
    2140        BNSF 810;  ATSF 810    46939        2174    BNSF 825;  ATSF 825    46954
    2141        BNSF 812;  ATSF 812    46941        2175    BNSF 827;  ATSF 827    46956
    2142        BNSF 814;  ATSF 814    46943        2176    BNSF 829;  ATSF 829    46958
    2143        BNSF 816;  ATSF 816    46945        2177    BNSF 831;  ATSF 831    46960
    2144        BNSF 818;  ATSF 818    46947        2178    BNSF 833;  ATSF 833    46962
    2145        BNSF 820;  ATSF 820    46949        2179    BNSF 835;  ATSF 835    46964
    2146        BNSF 822;  ATSF 822    46951        2180    BNSF 837;  ATSF 837    46966
    2147        BNSF 824;  ATSF 824    46953        2181    BNSF 839;  ATSF 839    46968
    2148        BNSF 826;  ATSF 826    46955        2182    BNSF 841;  ATSF 841    46970
    2149        BNSF 828;  ATSF 828    46957        2183    BNSF 843;  ATSF 843    46972
    2150        BNSF 830;  ATSF 830    46959        2184    BNSF 845;  ATSF 845    46974
    2151        BNSF 832;  ATSF 832    46961        2185    BNSF 847;  ATSF 847    46976
    2152        BNSF 834;  ATSF 834    46963        2186    BNSF 849;  ATSF 849    46978
    2153        BNSF 836;  ATSF 836    46965        2187    BNSF 851;  ATSF 851    46980
    2154        BNSF 838;  ATSF 838    46967        2188    BNSF 853;  ATSF 853    46982
    2155        BNSF 840;  ATSF 840    46969        2189    BNSF 854;  ATSF 854    46983
    2156        BNSF 842;  ATSF 842    46971        2190    BNSF 855;  ATSF 855    46984
    2157        BNSF 844;  ATSF 844    46973        2191    BNSF 856;  ATSF 856    46985
    2158        BNSF 846;  ATSF 846    46975        2192    BNSF 857;  ATSF 857    46986
    2159        BNSF 848;  ATSF 848    46977        2193    BNSF 858;  ATSF 858    46987
    2160        BNSF 850;  ATSF 850    46979        2194    BNSF 859;  ATSF 859    46988
    2161        BNSF 852;  ATSF 852    46981        2195    BNSF 860;  ATSF 860    46989
    2162        BNSF 801;  ATSF 801    46930        2196     BNSF 861;  ATSF 861    46990
    2163        BNSF 803;  ATSF 803    46932        2197    BNSF 862;  ATSF 862    46991
    2164        BNSF 805;  ATSF 805    46934        2198    BNSF 863;  ATSF 863    46992
    2165        BNSF 807;  ATSF 807    46936        2199    BNSF 864;  ATSF 864    46993
    2166        BNSF 809;  ATSF 809    46938

 

 CN (ex-GMTX/ex-EMDX) SD60 STATUS

 

All 43 second-hand EMD SD60 (3,800 hp) locomotives that CN acquired from GMTX last year, have been repainted, upgraded to CN specifications, and are in service.   As well, the first units from the 2nd group of 47 EMDX Oakway’s are being painted at Centralia, IL with several in service,  A handful in Oakway colours that were CN patched and pressed into service, were shutdown in April, and sent to the Centralia Shop for painting. 

Painted and in service: 


CN 5400-5442 inclusive (from the first group of Ex-GMTX  SD6o’s).

CN 5447, 5448, 5452, 5459, 5467, 5473, 5480, and 5486 (from the 2nd group of ex-EMDX  SD60’s).

Compiled below are the 47 new EMD SD60’s in the EMDX 9000-series that CN recently purchased, along with the previous ex-GMTX units, for a total of 90 EMD SD60’s added to the CN roster.

 CN  (ex-Oakway) SD60 Roster:

                       

     NEW        FORMER NUMBERS        SERIAL            NEW    FORMER NUMBERS        SERIAL

    5400:2    GMTX 9013; OKAY 9013    867150-14            5445:2    EMDX 9002; OKAY 9002    867150-03
    5401:2    GMTX 9020; OKAY 9020    867150-21            5446:2    EMDX 9003; OKAY 9003    867150-04
    5402:2    GMTX 9023; OKAY 9023    867150-24            5447:2    EMDX 9004; OKAY 9004    867150-05
    5403:2    GMTX 9027; OKAY 9027    867150-28            5448:2    EMDX 9005; OKAY 9005    867150-06
    5404:2    GMTX 9030; OKAY 9030    867150-31            5449:2    EMDX 9006; OKAY 9006    867150-07
    5405:2    GMTX 9033; OKAY 9033    867150-34            5450:2    EMDX 9007; OKAY 9007    867150-08
    5406:2    GMTX 9034; OKAY 9034    867150-35            5451:2    EMDX 9008; OKAY 9008    867150-09
    5407:2    GMTX 9035; OKAY 9035    867150-36            5452:2    EMDX 9009; OKAY 9009    867150-10
    5408:2    GMTX 9036; OKAY 9036    867150-37            5453:2    EMDX 9010; OKAY 9010    867150-11
    5409:2    GMTX 9037; OKAY 9037    867150-38            5454:2    EMDX 9011; OKAY 9011    867150-12
    5410:2    GMTX 9040; OKAY 9040    867150-41            5455:2    EMDX 9012; OKAY 9012    867150-13
    5411:2    GMTX 9042; OKAY 9042    867150-43            5456:2   EMDX 9015; OKAY 9015    867150-16
    5412:2    GMTX 9043; OKAY 9043    867150-44            5457:2    EMDX 9017; OKAY 9017    867150-18
    5413:2    GMTX 9045; OKAY 9045    867150-46            5458:2    EMDX 9018; OKAY 9018    867150-19
    5414:2    GMTX 9046; OKAY 9046    867150-47            5459:2    EMDX 9019; OKAY 9019    867150-20
    5415:2    GMTX 9050; OKAY 9050    867150-51            5460       EMDX 9021; OKAY 9021    867150-22
    5416:2    GMTX 9051; OKAY 9051    867150-52            5461       EMDX 9022; OKAY 9022    867150-23
    5417:2    GMTX 9053; OKAY 9053    867150-54            5462       EMDX 9024; OKAY 9024    867150-25
    5418:2    GMTX 9054; OKAY 9054    867150-55            5463       EMDX 9025; OKAY 9025    867150-26
    5419:2    GMTX 9055; OKAY 9055    867150-56            5464       EMDX 9026; OKAY 9026    867150-27
    5420:2    GMTX 9056; OKAY 9056    867150-57            5465       EMDX 9028; OKAY 9028    867150-29
    5421:2    GMTX 9057; OKAY 9057    867150-58            5466       EMDX 9029; OKAY 9029     867150-30
    5422:2    GMTX 9058; OKAY 9058    867150-59            5467       EMDX 9031; OKAY 9031    867150-32
    5423:2    GMTX 9060; OKAY 9060    867150-61            5468       EMDX 9032; OKAY 9032    867150-33
    5424:2    GMTX 9064; OKAY 9064    867150-65            5469       EMDX 9038; OKAY 9038    867150-39
    5425:2    GMTX 9066; OKAY 9066    867150-67            5470       EMDX 9039; OKAY 9039    867150-40
    5426:2    GMTX 9069; OKAY 9069    867150-70            5471       EMDX 9047; OKAY 9047    867150-48
    5427:2    GMTX 9071; OKAY 9071    867150-72            5472       EMDX 9048; OKAY 9048    867150-49
    5428:2    GMTX 9073; OKAY 9073    867150-74            5473       EMDX 9049; OKAY 9049    867150-50
    5429:2    GMTX 9074; OKAY 9074    867150-75            5474       EMDX 9052; OKAY 9052    867150-53
    5430:2    GMTX 9075; OKAY 9075    867150-76            5475       EMDX 9063; OKAY 9063    867150-64
    5431:2    GMTX 9076; OKAY 9076    867150-77            5476       EMDX 9065; OKAY 9065    867150-66
    5432:2    GMTX 9078; OKAY 9078    867150-79            5477       EMDX 9068; OKAY 9068    867150-69
    5433:2    GMTX 9079; OKAY 9079    867150-80            5478       EMDX 9070; OKAY 9070    867150-71
    5434:2    GMTX 9080; OKAY 9080    867150-81            5479       EMDX 9072; OKAY 9072    867150-73
    5435:2    GMTX 9085; OKAY 9085    867150-86            5480       EMDX 9077; OKAY 9077    867150-78
    5436:2    GMTX 9086; OKAY 9086    867150-87            5481       EMDX 9081; OKAY 9081    867150-82
    5437:2    GMTX 9087; OKAY 9087    867150-88            5482       EMDX 9083; OKAY 9083    867150-84
    5438:2    GMTX 9089; OKAY 9089    867150-90            5483       EMDX 9084; OKAY 9084    867150-85
    5439:2    GMTX 9092; OKAY 9092    867150-93            5484       EMDX 9088; OKAY 9088    867150-89
    5440:2    GMTX 9095; OKAY 9095    867150-96            5485       EMDX 9090; OKAY 9090    867150-91
    5441:2    GMTX 9097; OKAY 9097    867150-98            5486       EMDX 9091; OKAY 9091    867150-92
    5442:2    GMTX 9099; OKAY 9099   867150-100           5487       EMDX 9093; OKAY 9093    867150-94
    5443:2    EMDX 9000; OKAY 9000    867150-01            5488      EMDX 9096; OKAY 9096     867150-97
    5444:2    EMDX 9001; OKAY 9001    867150-02            5489      EMDX 9098; OKAY 9098     867150-99

 

Notes: 

  • Providence & Worcester leased two of the SD60’s, GMTX 9014 and 9059.  

  • Six SD60’s GMTX 9016, 9044, 9061, 9067, 9082 and 9094 are leased to NYSW. 

  • Oakway SD60 9041 was wrecked during the 1980’s while on lease to BN.  The locomotive was replaced with (Electro Motive Diesel Division) SD60 Demonstrator EMDX #3.

  • Oakway SD60 9062 was wrecked and scrapped in the 1990’s.    

A line up of SD60’s awaiting their new CN uniform: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/p3subhunter/8874009490/

CN 5429 is seen parked near the Centralia sand tower with next in line for paint CN 5465 nearby on May 9th. 

CN 5476, 5465, and EMDX 9039 plus other SD60’s in various stages of repaint inside the roundhouse in Centralia, IL  on May 9th.

On May 10th, George Redmond click CN 5480 in new paint and complete ate the Centralia Diesel Shop.

 

On May 17th, CN 5448 and 5447 were in new paint at the CN engine facility at Centralia, IL.

 

 

CN Locos Sold or Retired

 

Retired in 2012:

 

CN Hump Slug 508  

CN GP9RM 7024, and 7051.

 

Retired in 2013:

 

CN GP9RM 7211, 7236, 7269,

 

Sold in 2013

 

In late April, former Wisconsin Central heavy weight rear platform observation car “Superior” had been relettered to CP 3 at the CN Woodcrest Shop.  It is still wearing the WC maroon and yellow paint scheme, and is the third business car CP has purchased in two months, In March, the Canadian National Railway sold two cars from their executive fleet to the Canadian Pacific Railway which were renumbered CP 2 and CP 1.   Track inspection theater car CN 1060 “Sanford Fleming” ( “CP2”),  and CN heavyweight platform observation car 1058 (“CP1”)  were then moved  to Quality Rail in East St. Louis, IL for repaint.   The former Wisconsin Central observation, car is seen lettered “CP 3” at the Woodcrest shop April 27th. 

BCOL B39-8E 1700, 3901-3911 (inclusive), were all retired back in 2011 with 3911  retired in December 2009  and stored in the former IC yard at Centralia, IL.  The ex-BC Rail B39-8Es were shipped out the second week of February 2013, some destined to Mobile, AL, and others billed to Baton Rouge, LA.  A few are being prepared for export, with reports suggesting they are destined to FIT in Mexico.

 

A month ago,  Ken Lanovich noted five of the CN 5500-series SD60F`s parked at the CN Woodcrest Shop. He had surmised they may be going into storage, or be going up for sale, as he had overheard they were removing the radios out of them.  CRO has learned  they were NOT sold and the CN 5500`s are simply having some modifications made to them at the Woodcrest Shop. Most of the stored units are out of sight, on the west side of the shop. Ken this photo on May 23rd at the CN Woodcrest Shop.

 

CN Shop Repairs & Repaints

Both less than a week out of the paint shop, CN GP40-2LW 9525 and CN SD60  5473 lead NB train L591 out of  Centralia, IL May 2nd.   George Redmond was first to bag CN 5473 in new paint.

Darren Doss snapped repainted IC GP40R 3137  reflecting in a pool following a rain storm in Dyersburg, TN.

CN GP9RM 7274 at Woodcrest for repairs. 

 

While shooting CN nearby, Ken bagged (Ex-CP)  CF&E SD40-2 5597 is seen at the Indian Harbor Belt (IHB) Riverdale IL April 4th.


Former CN GP9RM 2108 is seen as Savage 8629 at the IHB Riverdale Yard May 14th .

CN News

CN Spotlight: Hot off the press!
May 8, 2013 edition.  http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/cneng.pdf

PLEINS FEUX CN En primeur!
Numéro du 8 mai 2013. http://www.canadianrailwayobservations.com/cnfr.pdf

CN’s new trailers for their domestic temperature controlled product business.

IC E9Au 101 and coaches 800210, 800653 and 800413 were deadheaded on train 199 and were destined to Edmonton, AB on May 5th. Kevin Cameron Took these Photos trackside on the Wainwright Sub.

 

 If you have a story concept, or your latest railfan trip, please submit it to CRO! Send your feature to: editor@canadianrailwayobservations.com

The benefits of CN's natural-gas-powered locomotive

Canadian National Railway Co. is betting that rail is the next stop for natural gas, the plentiful commodity finding new industrial uses across North America.

 Assigned on train between Edmonton and Fort McMurray, Alberta CN continues to test two 3,000-horsepower locomotives retrofitted with engines that run on a fuel mix of 90-per-cent liquefied natural gas and 10-per-cent diesel. The route to the oil sands was chosen partly because of the difficult, rolling terrain and the high-tonnage trains locomotives typically pull on that route.  For rail companies such as CN, the benefits of natural gas engines include reduced greenhouse gas emissions and operating efficiency. According to Energy Conversions Inc., the Tacoma, Wash., company that supplies the inner working of CN’s converted engines, the natural gas engines release 30 per cent less carbon dioxide and 70 per cent lower nitrogen oxide compared with conventional diesel-burning locomotives.

The experiment adds rail to a growing list of expanded uses for natural gas, a low-cost resource in increasingly large supply. Many believe new North American natural gas production means prices are likely to stay flat for the foreseeable future. That is spurring more natural gas use in vehicles such as transport trucks and taxis, as well as in power-generation plants.  Still, a full-on conversion to liquefied natural gas (LNG) would be a major undertaking for rail companies.
“We’re still in the test phase here,” said CN spokesman Mark Hallman. “There are a lot of logistical challenges.”  New locomotives would have to be acquired, along with new tender cars carrying the fuel. New fuelling stations would also have to be built.

CN accelerating US$33-million upgrade of Wisconsin branch line to accommodate ramped up frac sand production

CHICAGO, IL, May 28, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) announced today it is accelerating work on the US$33-million upgrading of its Whitehall Subdivision in Wisconsin to increase car-loading capacity and train velocity for the growing frac sand supply chains of Badger Mining Corporation, Preferred Sands of Wisconsin LLC, Atlas Resin Proppants LLC, and Taylor Frac LLC.

The improvement program will permit the transportation of heavier loaded frac sand freight cars weighing a maximum of 286,000 pounds, thereby increasing the volume per car, generating increased productivity for customer car fleets, and increasing train speed for CN.

CN will improve the 74-mile section of the Whitehall Subdivision between Wisconsin Rapids and Blair, Wis., in three years rather than four to obtain quicker customer gains. Work began in 2012 and the full program should be completed by December 2014.

Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, said: "We are investing in increased rail capacity on the Whitehall Subdivision to help move more frac sand and to develop a more robust supply chain for our customers in Wisconsin to connect with the oil and gas shale basins in North America."

Frac sand is used by oil and gas industries in the hydraulic fracturing process to hold shale fractures open and let natural gas and oil flow out.

Stephen Hart, executive vice-president of Berlin, Wis.-based Badger Mining, said: "We have significantly increased the frac sand production capacity at our Taylor, Wis., facility, and CN's Whitehall Subdivision improvement will enhance our ability to efficiently move this production to both existing and new customers and markets. We are encouraged by this significant investment in our industry by CN. Badger has long understood the benefits gained from using rail to reach markets when compared to other modes of transportation: larger volumes, improved transit times, greater cost efficiencies and improved safety."

Bryan Hurtado, director of Preferred Pipeline, which provides logistics services for Preferred Sands of Wisconsin, said: "Our company has worked closely with CN for several years to build our frac sand and logistics business. CN's move to advance its rehabilitation of the line serving our plants and our partner suppliers' plants will help us to more economically and efficiently move product."

Dan Valiquette, executive vice-president of Atlas Resin Proppants of Taylor, Wis., said: "We appreciate CN's sizable investment in the Whitehall Subdivision, which will improve the effective utilization of our rail fleet, expand our product distribution, and ultimately provide better service to our customers in key shale markets."

Pat McConnell, chief executive officer of Taylor Frac of Green Lake, Wis., said: "Our company values its partnership with CN and sees the acceleration of its upgrading program for the Whitehall Subdivision as key to our plans to continue growing our market share."

CN is a true backbone of the economy, transporting approximately C$250 billion worth of goods annually for a wide range of business sectors, ranging from resource products to manufactured products to consumer goods, across a rail network spanning Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico. CN - Canadian National Railway Company, along with its operating railway subsidiaries -- serves the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the metropolitan areas of Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For more information on CN, visit the company's website at www.cn.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information included in this news release is "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws. CN cautions that, by their nature, these forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the growth of the frac sand market, involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company or the rail industry to be materially different from the outlook or any future results or performance implied by such statements.

Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the effects of general economic and business conditions, industry competition, inflation, currency and interest rate fluctuations, changes in fuel prices, legislative and/or regulatory developments, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, actions by regulators, various events which could disrupt operations, including natural events such as severe weather, droughts, floods and earthquakes, labor negotiations and disruptions, environmental claims, uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation, risks and liabilities arising from derailments, and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by CN with securities regulators in Canada and the United States. Reference should be made to "Management's Discussion and Analysis" in CN's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form and Form 40-F filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators, available on CN's website, for a summary of major risks.

CN assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable Canadian securities laws. In the event CN does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that CN will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.
SOURCE: CN

CN Photos

At old Muskoka Road on April 25th, snow and freezing rain had coated the trees with a thick layer of white overnight, so I thought I'd head out and capture 595 in one last wintery shot for six months or so. By the time the train with CN GP9RM 4115 had approached this spot just north of Mile 138 on the Newmarket Sub the sun had burned off most of the fog and the frosting had all but melted off.

 Spring has returned to the Muskoka Region of Ontario, and along with it so has CN GP9RM 4132, after a rather lengthy absence. Here it is approaching the Bethune Road crossing near Mile 143 of the Newmarket Sub, on its return from Martins after switching the Panolam plant on May 13th.

CN 595 meanders through the curves at Mile 144 of the CN Newmarket Sub  with GP9RM 4132 on its return trip to Huntsville after switching the Panolam plant at Martins. There has been a dramatic increase in loads coming out of Panolam this week, at least double the usual traffic in the region working even  on the "off" days, Tuesdays and Thursdays during their round trip to Longford Mills.  

 

Christopher Bodkin snagged CN C44-9W 2629, ES44DC 2225, BCOL C40-8M #4623, and IC SD70 1009 on a NB coal empty stopped in the hole at Carbondale, IL for a meet with A432 on April 30th.   Moments later, A432 blasts through with IC SD70 1005 and CN C40-8M 2407.

 

On May 8th, CN SD70I 5623 had DOTX 219 in tow at Carbondale, IL.

CN SD60 5415, BCOL C40-8M 4607, and IC GP40R 3117 are stopped with A432 north of Carbondale, IL on May 15th. A brake hose hanger on a car 79 cars back had broken, putting the train in emergency. A quick repair by the crew to put the hose back in place and the train was underway again, but delayed Amtrak #392 by 35 minutes. 

 

CN GP9RM 7044 and CN GMDiMu 1401 switching in Ft. Whyte Industrial Park in Winnipeg, MB May 6th.

 

 On May 10th, Glen Mounk bagged two GTW units SD40-2 5936 and SD40-3 5943 arriving in Canada at Fort Francis, ON. 

 

On May 14th, George Redmond caught CN C40-8W 2629 and BCOL C40-8Mu 4626 between assignments at the CN engine facility at Centralia, IL. 

 

Passing through St-Léonard, QC  westbound May 14th, was a very long CN 310 assisted by mid-train DPU CN 2535 hauling Train 786’s  tank cars, three brand new auto racks for the TTUX,  grain cars, box cars and 20 new mini gon’s waybilled to the QNS&L dragged on the tail end.

Over 20 years earlier near the same St-Léonard, QC location,  Pierre Fournier photographed train 207 (Halifax intermodal), led by immaculate CN M630 2014 on August 3rd 1991.

 CN 8855 and 2598 SB train depart Centralia on A432 April 14th.

IC GP38-2 9626 leads an RWCX weed spraying train NB through Carbondale, IL on May 13th. 

 

Near the end of an otherwise dreary day on May 19th, the sun has finally decided to come out for a while before setting, illuminating BC Rail C40-8Mu 4619 in original paint leading CN train 460. The "u" designation in the locomotive type indicates this is one of a series of these locomotives that was upgraded from 4000 to 4400HP and Dash 9 specs. 

 

CN Vignettes

 

On June 14th, 1991 CN box Cab 6724 arrives with a commuter train at Val Royal Station.

Peter Cox shared these terrific CN photos from his slide collection:

CN FP9A 6500 in Winnipeg MB Sept 12th,  1963.

 

CN FP9A 6501 in Edmonton, AB Mar 21, 1965

 CN FP9A 6514 in Winnipeg, MB July 12, 1962 PHOTO

 

CN NW2 7900 Winnipeg MB Sept 10, 1963

 CN RDC3 Budd D-350 in Edmonton, AB Sept 8, 1963

 CN 9078 leads two Geeps and SW1200RS in  Winnipeg MB Sept 11, 1963.

 

CN No. 64 with GP9 4147 at Winnipeg MB September 12, 1063.  Peter Cox points out this geep had an odd exterior duct. As well, CN 6517 was the only CN cab unit I ever saw with the exterior spark cans.  I believe all the other FP units and certainly all of the F models, had the Farr-Air type which was installed right above the 567 engine and below the roof, so nothing showed outside.  Quite a few Geeps were built with the Farr-Air system, so if you have pix of CN Geeps with no rooftop cans, that is why.  As you know, many Geeps got rebuilt into the 4000 and 7000 series, for other uses.  I have to think that some of those had interior spark arrestors, so if you find one with no cans, take a look inside to see what the Farr-Air arrangement looks like.


Most bizarre is this photo of CN RS10 3087 which has a pair of spark arrestors placed  side by side above the exhaust stack.  This may have been  the only MLW road switcher like this.   

©CRO June 2013