Canadian Railway Observations : Canadian National

CANADIAN NATIONAL

Motive Power News

On August 16th James Gardiner shot brand new CN ET44AC 3002 at Brantford, ON. CN ET44AC 3002 was the first GE Tier 4 to make the trip to the West Coast of Canada in late August!

CRO has obtained these terrific detailed inside the cab, and exterior shots of the new ET44AC Tier 4 GEVO's. We have included the GE Builders Plate information, and other locomotive labeling details.

Brakeman side inside the cab of CN ET44AC 3000, which is similar to the CN 2800s. CN 3000 was released from GE on 08-13-15, Order # 1841-01 Builder # 63439 with a Built Date of July 2015. It weights 427,000LBS.

GE EVOLUTION SERIES TIER 4 TECHNOLOGY:

Canadian National began to acquire new power and new technology in August 2015. GE ET44AC (CN 3000-3038) are Tier 4 compliant for use in the USA. The order for 39 units are under construction at General Electric's plant in Erie, Pennsylvania with dozens already delivered.

Besides more than 70 percent reduction in emissions from Tier 3 locomotive technology, other key features of the Tier 4 include :

Reduced maintenance costs compared to GE's Tier 3 locomotive;

Advanced air-to-air cooling system for better performance and lower emissions;

Increased cooling capacity by 25 percent to help eliminate engine deration in high ambient temperatures or during tunnel operation;

AC individual-axle traction control for greater hauling power along with reduced slippage on startups, grades and suboptimal track conditions;

Dynamic braking technology to help reduce wheel and brake wear by 20-40 percent; and

Computer controlled architecture for improved diagnostics and simplified operation.

Tier 4 and the"GE store"

Outside the labs, there are 47,000 other engineers working at GE. The real payoff comes when they pool their expertise, cross business boundaries, and come up with innovative ways to crack tough problems. Inventing a U.S. EPA Tier 4 compliant locomotive was only possible thanks to GE Transportation's access to the"GE store."

The locomotive's advanced power, fuel and exhaust systems, turbochargers, and other technology are the result of contributions from six different GE businesses. As a result, the locomotive cuts NOx emissions by 76 percent, particulate matter emissions by 70 percent, compared to previous models. It also means that we are the first and currently the only company expected to produce U.S. EPA Tier 4 technology locomotives for our customers in 2015.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)

Developed a new system to meet Tier 4 Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) standards.

Engine Mainframe

A larger casting (+8"), and increased weight (+7,000 pounds), allows for larger bearings and crank with increased overall cylinder pressure capability for better reliability and performance.

Platform

Increased the length (16") and increased the weight (8,000 pounds)

Cooling System

A two-stage charged air system featuring enhanced heat exchangers (allowing for 50 percent more heat rejection and 25 percent capacity increase compared to GE's Tier 3 locomotive), an additional rad fan and 9,000 pounds of added weight.

Variable Speed Auxiliaries

The Tier 4 design adds auxiliary inverters/motors and six panels while eliminating the need for an auxiliary alternator, contactors and cycle skippers. These improvements allow for better fuel efficiency and reliability compared to GE's Tier 3 locomotive.

Base Engine Improvements

Base engine reliability and performance improvements include: Increased bearing size, longer induction-hardened crankshaft, top feed fuel injectors for easier removal and simplified fuel lines

Turbochargers

Two-stage turbocharging allows for a higher compression ratio, fuel efficiency, reduced thermal stress and a nearly 10 percent improvement in speed through tunnels compared to GE's Tier 3 locomotive.

Fuel System

Increased reliability as a result of new double wall fuel lines, gear driven pumps and lower pump pulsation. Improved ease of maintenance by positioning the injector on top of the power assy.

Engine Control Unit (ECU) & Power Supply

A new ECU with 50 percent more sensors and a separate power supply come together to help provide improved reliability, performance and diagnostics.

Other CN LOCO News:

A rare pairing of GMD1u's 1437 and 1444 are seen entering CN Aldershot Yard on Train 554 on September 19th.

On September 19th, 2015, Mike Garza snapped immaculate CN E9Au 102 sitting outside the new"passenger loading dock" at the Woodcrest Diesel Shop, coupled up to the"Champlain".

On September 18th, Ian Campbell shot CN SD40-3 6020 looking good in fresh paint outside the Transcona Shop in Winnipeg. She received a complete overhaul and belt pack conversion, soon to be released back into yard service.

As we reported last month, a large number of the SD60F's and SD60's continue to be stored at Centralia Shops. Some are getting PTC installation, and paint touch up if needed. Mark Mautner clicked two of them on September 3rd: CN SD60F 5560 ad CN SD60 5428 at Centralia, IL. Taken on CN property with permission.

On September 10th, on SD70ACe-P6 8102 in her new paint was sitting on the Macmillan Yard outbound shop track. All four ex-EMDX Demonstrators have now been repainted into CN colours.

The IC C44-9W 2701 was released from NRE in Dixmoor on August 31st. with new trucks and wheels.

Arriving for work at NRE on August 31st was IC C40-8W 2466. It will likely get repainted into CN colours. Right now her new air conditioning unit really stands out!

One of the many CN"Open House" events over the last two months was at Joffre Yard. (Quebec) to see the new GE Tier 4 ET44AC 3004. They had a lot of visitors in Charny, QC on August 30th, 2015. (Pierre Fournier photo).

On September 24th, IC C44-9W 2700 was the rear DPU on CN 191 at New Lenox, Illinois. Note the old style Teardrop Windshield. This GE was built for the Illinois Central in the summer of 2004, and now has brand new wheel sets and trucks, after some TLC at the CN Woodcrest Shop in mid- September 2015.

That last SD40-2 still painted in the Grand Trunk Western Blue (GTW 5936), was back at Homewood Yard, in Illinois, working the yard. The unit was obtained by CN from the UP many years ago, and for a time wore UP Armor Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray, with a bright red GT"noodle" on the flanks. (Joe Green photo).

CN's SECOND HAND POWER

CN C40-8 Status:

CN 2001, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2033 were the last of the patched Armor yellow C40-8�s to get repainted, with CN 2019 the final unit completed.

Painted CN C40-8's (ex-CREX) in service:

CN 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038, 2039, 2040, and 2041. These former UP C40-8's were purchased by CN from CREX in 2012, with almost all of them now repainted into CN uniform.

One of final C40-8's to get painted was CN 2033. She was shot by Mark Mautner at Centralia, IL on September 2nd, 2015 with permission to be on CN property.

CN 2100-2134 were the first group of ex-UP nee-CNW C40-8's purchased by CN in 2011. All can lead and have had radiator modifications, electrical upgrades, and are fully painted. The following CN C40-8's from the first series are known to have DPU equipment: CN 2100-2102, 2104-2106, 2108-2110, 2113-2118, 2120, 2121, 2123, 2125, 2128-2130, 2132 and 2134.

C40-8:

Compiled below are the ex-UP/ex-CREX C40-8's arranged by their assigned CN number:

     NEW        FORMER NUMBERS                            SERIAL NEW    FORMER NUMBERS     SERIAL

2000:3    CREX 9023; UP 9023; CNW 8501    46085        2100:2    UP 9065; CNW 8553    46781
    2001:3    CREX 9024; UP 9024; CNW 8502    46086        2101:2    UP 9066; CNW 8554     46782
    2002:3    CREX 9025; UP 9025; CNW 8503    46087        2102:2    UP 9067; CNW 8555    46783
    2003:3    CREX 9026; UP 9026; CNW 8514    46098        2103:2    UP 9068; CNW 8556    46784
    2004:3    CREX 9027; UP 9027; CNW 8505    46089        2104:2    UP 9069; CNW 8557    46785
    2005:3    CREX 9028; UP 9028; CNW 8506    46090        2105:2    UP 9070; CNW 8558    46786
    2006:3    CREX 9029; UP 9029; CNW 8507    46091        2106:2    UP 9071; CNW 8559    46787
    2007:3    CREX 9030; UP 9030; CNW 8508    46092        2107:2    UP 9072; CNW 8560    46788
    2008:3    CREX 9031; UP 9031; CNW 8509    46093        2108:2    UP 9073; CNW 8561    46789
    2009:3    CREX 9032; UP 9032; CNW 8510    46094        2109:2    UP 9074; CNW 8562    46790
    2010:3    CREX 9033; UP 9033; CNW 8511    46095        2110:2    UP 9075; CNW 8563    46791
    2011:3    CREX 9034; UP 9034; CNW 8513    46088        2111:2    UP 9076; CNW 8564    46792
    2012:3    CREX 9035; UP 9035; CNW 8504    46097        2112:2    UP 9077; CNW 8565    46793
    2013:3    CREX 9036; UP 9036; CNW 8520    46104        2113:2    UP 9078; CNW 8566    46794
    2014:3   CREX 9037; UP 9037; CNW 8515    46099      2114:2    UP 9079; CNW 8567    46795
    2015:3    CREX 9038; UP 9038; CNW 8516    46100        2115:2    UP 9080; CNW 8568    46796
    2016:3    CREX 9039; UP 9039; CNW 8512    46096        2116:2    UP 9081; CNW 8569    46797
    2017:3    CREX 9040; UP 9040; CNW 8518    46102        2117:2    UP 9082; CNW 8570    46798
    2018:3    CREX 9041; UP 9041; CNW 8519    46103        2118:2    UP 9083; CNW 8571    46799
    2019:3    CREX 9042; UP 9042; CNW 8523    46107        2119:2    UP 9084; CNW 8572    46800
    2020:3    CREX 9043; UP 9043; CNW 8521    46105        2120       UP 9085; CNW 8573    46801
    2021:3    CREX 9044; UP 9044; CNW 8522    46106        2121       UP 9086; CNW 8574    46802
    2022:3    CREX 9045; UP 9045; CNW 8525    46109        2122       UP 9087; CNW 8575    46803
    2023:3    CREX 9046; UP 9046; CNW 8524    46108        2123       UP 9088; CNW 8576    46804
    2024:3    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

C40-8W:

On September 2nd, 2015, Mark Mautner clicked CN C40-8W 2168 riding the turntable at CN's former IC roundhouse in Centralia, IL. She is being repaired at the facility and was taken on CN property with permission.

As we reported last month, CN C40-8W 2191 is now repaired, and"unretired". The GE was wrecked at Slinger, WI back in 2014, when the Wisconsin and Southern, did a back up move over the CN/WSOR Diamond, at Slinger, WI, without authorization, and the CN train ran into it. CN 2191 has been repaired at NRE Silvis in Illinois, and was being painted in September. Erik Rasmussen clicked repaired CN C40-8W 2191 (in the back on the left in this photo), wearing in primer grey inside the NRE shop in Silvis, Illinois. The unit was completed in September and will be back in service in service soon. This photo taken with permission, while Erik was escorted by an NRE employee.

Compiled below are the ex-BNSF C40-8W's arranged by their assigned CN number.

    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

Former LMSX C40-8W STATUS:

Three new ones are to be repainted: IC 2461 was in the paint booth in Centralia in late-September. IC 2457 is currently at Quality Rail for split cooling modifications and other upgrades, and should be repainted into CN colours as well. One �maybe� is, IC 2455 which as of October 1st was showing at Montreal and it is possible this one will getting repainted at a nearby Shop. IC C40-8W 2458 and 2465 the only ones painted in CN uniform that we have photos of so far. IC 2465 was done at the Transcona Shop in Winnipeg, and IC 2458 was painted at the CN shop in Centralia, IL. There other former LMSX C40-8W�s (IC 2455-2457, 2463, and 2466), are wearing (Conrail) blue paint, and patched IC. After operating on CN and Conrail for many years in a co-leasing arrangement in the 1990�s, LMSX 728-736, 738, and 739) eventually had their leases purchased by CN. One is off the roster, IC 2464 was retired in 2012, after being wrecked on the CSX.

CN (ex-GMTX/ex-EMDX) SD60 STATUS:

CN Centralia shop is currently doing PTC installations on a large number of 5400's. CN SD60 5414 is now repaired at Cadrail, and should be returned to CN shortly. It was in a crossing accident with a semi at Young, SK when leading train Q115 on the Watrous Sub, in April 2015.

EMD-built ex-Oakway Leasing SD60 in CN paint at Centralia IL. CN purchased 90 of the second-hand EMD SD60 (3,800 hp) locomotives and all have been upgraded to CN specifications, repainted, and almost all are active on the roster. Two are sidelined with repairs.
� CN SD60 5400-5442 (1st group)
� CN SD60 5443-5489 (2nd group).
CN (ex-Oakway) SD60 Roster:

NEW        FORMER NUMBERS        SERIAL            NEW    FORMER NUMBERS        SERIAL

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

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.

CN NEWS

Major Track Realignments on the MONTREAL SUB through St-Henri, QC.

CN is currently laying new trackage which will realign the main line tracks almost "straight" through St-Henri and directly though the old Turcot Yard. The old famous railfan spot at the busty triple tracked level crossing at De Courrcelle Street is now closed to city traffic for this project, and could return as an underpass. This has not yet been determined. The reason for this major redo is obvious. Track speed through this populated area, with its twists and turns and two level crossings close together has been 10-15 MPH, this new realignment will change that greatly. The other reason for the change us due to the rebuild of spaghetti bowl elevated highway bottleneck interchange of the Decarie, and Ville Marie Expressways with Highway 20.

CN LNG PROGRAM:

Work is now complete on the two CN Fuel Tenders not yet painted at Woodcrest Shop. Mike Garza photographed the pair (CN 700 and 702), beside the shop on September 23rd, and then complete on the 27th. Next comes testing, and CN paint.

CN Suing an Employee over alleged corporate espionage:

An employee of Canadian National Railway Co. shared secret customer information with Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. to help the rival lure clients and win market share, CN says in a lawsuit that sets up a courtroom battle over alleged corporate espionage.

CN alleges it lost revenue and market share to CP after confidential customer contracts, pricing information and the corporate business plan were downloaded by an employee who then quit and accepted a job at CP. In the suit against CP and the former employee, Greg Shnerer, CN is seeking an order stopping CP and its employees from using the information to solicit the business of any of the customers involved, a return of the "unjust gains" CP made as a result of the information and $2-million in damages.

CN alleges that a CP manager named Derek Ackford encouraged or directed Mr. Shnerer to download confidential information from CN"s electronic databases in the days before his departure, in violation of CN"s employment agreement. Mr. Ackford, a managing director at CP"s Toronto-area intermodal business, worked at CN until September, 2014, and is believed to be Mr. Shnerer"s boss at CP, CN alleges.

"Prior to his resignation and while still employed by CN, Shnerer acted in collaboration with Ackford to injure CN through unlawful means," CN said in court filings.

This included "the unauthorized removal and use of confidential and proprietary information belonging to CN for the purpose of soliciting clients of CN," CN alleged.

The allegations have not been proven in court. As of September 18th Friday, CP"s statement of defense had not been filed. Neither CN, nor CP would comment. Mr. Shnerer, who remains a CP employee, could not be reached. Reached by phone on Monday, Mr. Ackford said he was not being sued by CN but could not comment further without first talking to his lawyer.

The lawsuit highlights the intense rivalry between the two companies, which between them control almost all of Canada"s rail freight business. CP is run by Hunter Harrison, a former CN chief who has remade the once-sleepy company into a cost-cutting, aggressive railway. After CP enticed then-CN executive Keith Creel in 2013 to become its chief operating officer and heir apparent to the chief executive officer"s chair, the companies reportedly reached an agreement that would stop CP from recruiting 60 top CN officials. In exchange, CN dropped legal actions against CP over executive departures and benefits.

Toronto employment lawyer Stuart Rudner of Rudner MacDonald LLP, who is not involved in the case, said an employer suing an ex-employee who made off with confidential client data would have to show the court that the breach actually cost the former employer clients and revenue. He said employers often seek to go after former employees who have jumped to the competition. But such suits only succeed, he said, either when the ex-employee is violating a non-compete clause in their contract or is using confidential data from his or her old job to poach customers. Mr. Shnerer, a CN employee since 2007, quit as CN"s national account manager in its Toronto-area domestic intermodal container business on July 3, 2015, to become CP"s director of regional sales and new business, according to CN and Mr. Shnerer"s LinkedIn profile.

According to an affidavit of a CN manager filed in court, an investigation of Mr. Shnerer"s use of his company-issued cellphone and computer found in the month before he quit that he downloaded, printed and forwarded to personal e-mail accounts several documents that contained information on current and prospective CN customers, including price information and contract expiration dates. His phone records indicated he was in contact with Mr. Ackford 52 times in June, the affidavit alleges. "He left the employ of CN, taking with him confidential and proprietary information belonging to CN for the purpose of using it in the business of CP to unfairly compete with CN," the company alleges in a statement of claim. "The information which Shnerer removed from CN was and continues to be commercially and operationally sensitive in that it permits CP to directly compete with the rates and pricing offered by CN to its clients, as well as CN"s overall business strategy and plans in respect of future prospective clients and business," CN said in the statement of claim. CN did not say in court filings which customers" information had been taken. The company said in court documents that it had not been able to read the texts Mr. Shnerer sent because his BlackBerry password is unknown to them. CN is seeking a court order granting access to all computers, smartphones, memory cards and other digital storage devices used by Mr. Shnerer and Mr. Ackford. *The Globe and Mail)

CN TEC Train:

On September 7th, Dave Schauer caught CN 2038 leading a Track Geometry Test train northbound on the Rainy Subdivision near Duluth, Minnesota. This is on the former DW&P. I liked the fairly fresh paint and I haven"t seen this car in this duty before. I couldn"t make out a number as it was very small near the front of the car.

CN "Family Day" events:

CN Family Day Open House events were held at several yards in Canada including Taschereau Yard, MacMillan Yard, Joffre Yard and Thornton Yard. In Montreal, CN 8907 and CN 8954, (both EMD SD70M-2's), welcomed visitors to CN's Family Day at Taschereau Yard. Nicolas Houde snapped this great photo on September 27th!

CN ET44AC 3017 was also at Taschereau Yard, and my friend Nicolas Houde who is a CN Brakeman, had this cute portrait taken of himself, and his young baby boy in the cab.

CN Thornton Yard invited the neighboring community to the annual employee and retiree Family Day on September 13th. A variety of food was served all day and many promotional items were given out by CN including hourly draws for kid"s bicycles. Operation Life Saver, Surrey Fire, BC Transit Police, Employee Assistance, the Toy Train Operating Society, Fraser Valley Heritage Railway and Chilliwack Garden Gauge trains were all on hand for everyone"s enjoyment. CN 2975, IC 2460, GTW 5819 and CN2652 could not have been staged better, even if it was planned. Dave Emmington submitted these two photos.

Goodbye Road-Railers:

The Chicago to Toronto Road-Railer trains are to stop running on CN by mid- November. Our CN colleague spoke to a worker up in Conport at MacMillan Yard where the trains terminate and depart, and was told that everyone there would be out of a job by mid-November. Gone are the good old days when CN ran the Road-Railers from Chicago to Montreal, now it seems to be the end of all Triple Crown to Toronto.

CN Chatham Sub:

It"s difficult to feel complete sympathy for people who choose to buy homes and live within a few meters of a busy railway track, then complain about the noise. Some might call that chutzpah. But the residents who live along CN"s historic Chatham Subdivision on the edge of Lake St. Clair are suffering these days thanks to the company"s surprise scheduling of new, early-morning freight runs. In recent years, the scenic waterfront railway line has been used mostly by VIA Rail, a separate company which rents track time from CN. VIA runs a daily handful of short, rather fast passenger trains on the Windsor-Chatham line.

Freight traffic on that line, according to one report from a Michigan trainspotting club written in 1997, was "minimal" for many decades. That situation has been changing, however, due mostly to a growing North American demand for industrial rail freight service. This is a very good thing, if you call yourself an environmentalist. Business on the line has been increasing, the trains are becoming more frequent, and longer. About a month ago, according to Lakeshore residents, mile-long freight trains suddenly started using the CN Chatham line daily and nightly.

Freight trains are heavier and longer than passenger trains, and at up 100 cars long they take much longer to pass the residential homes which line its right-of-way. To add insult to injury, some of them are scheduled in the wee hours of the night. When contacted with complaints, CN officials say only that the rail business is always 24/7; is required to respond when customers ask for new schedules; and that the complaints are welcome - although unlikely to change anything.

It is also true that the rail line along the shore of Lake St. Clair was built generations before many homes or cottages existed on the water"s edge. The Great Western Railway reached Essex County in 1854. The company was later absorbed by the Grand Trunk Railway Company, which itself was acquired in 1919 and merged into the Canadian National Railway.

Because of their historic value to the economy, federal law gives railways extremely wide latitude in their operations. And 161 years is a lot of seniority. But that should also be enough time for railways to learn how to get along with their neighbours. A minor speed reduction to reduce vibration might go a long way to reducing Lakeshore"s misery. Rescheduling the longest trains an hour or two earlier or later could also reduce the sleeplessness for some residents.

The residents might also want to start learning to read and record the US DOT warning placards on the tanker cars behind their homes to check for crude oil, distillates or other potentially flammable or dangerous materials. Knowing what"s rolling past their yards might give them more leverage with their complaints. (The Windsor Star).

A former CN lounge observation car should be gracing Owen Sound's waterfront by the end of the summer. The 85 foot long rail car was brought to Georgian Bluffs in late July and volunteers are doing exterior restoration work before it is moved to the tracks outside the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre's Marine and Rail Museum on the west side of the harbour.

"We have been working on it getting it ready for three weeks now," said CWHC chairwoman Jan Chamberlain. "It will be arriving before the end of August and put into location." The car has had rusted areas patched, sandblasted, primed and is in the process of being repainted in its original colours.

"It is going to look nice and shiny when it is done," said Chamberlain. "It is going to look as good as new." Chamberlain said she is impressed with the condition of the interior of the car. "We are so thrilled because the chairs are wooden chairs and the tables are really well done," she said. "It seats 40 people and it is really wonderful." The cost to move the dining car from Keswick, Ont., some 170 kilometres away, and to restore its exterior is expected to be more than $30,000. A raffle is being held to help cover the cost. Tickets are $25 with the grand prize a one-week luxury train package for two to Quebec City with accommodations at the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac or $8,000 in cash. Fewer than 500 of the 1,600 tickets that were printed still need to be sold. They can be purchased at the museum as well as at The Ginger Press, Aveda Hair Salon, Hanover Travel and The Runner's Den. The draw will be held on Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. at the dining car.

A history of the car will also be revealed on Sept. 19, which will also serve as its grand opening. There are plans to run water and electrical services to the car next year and turn it into an educational and historic display, with a community space and possibly an ice cream parlour. Chamberlain said the CWHC is working on a final plan. "We have had nothing but positive comments around the whole thing," she added. "This is a nice addition and it is something positive as a destination at the harbor. (Owen Sound Sun times).

CP Morant's Curve by Larry Fisher:

CN PHOTOS

At Schoolcraft, Michigan on September 15th, Stan Sienicki caught

an East Bound on the GTW led by CN ES44AC 2936.

Kim Kafura clicked this impressive all blue GTW lashup on September 16th 2015 as train L533 limps back across the Neenah Channel towards the CN yard in Neenah, WI. The trailing two units (GTW 4921, 4928) are dead, with only GTW 4905 doing all of the work.

Mike Garza caught the new CN ET44AC 3000 leading a northbound train at Joliet today September 4th. I did not get train symbol because the crew only used the engine number on the radio.

OUR OCTOBER COVER: On September 18th, Walter Pfefferle clicked CN 382 with CN 3003, and CN 2864 at Ingersoll, Ontario.

Michael Berry clicked CN 376 is leaving MacMillan Yard and dropping down to the York Sub on a hot and sunny morning. Power is CN 2921 and CN 8926 at the head end and CN 2939 mid-train at Vaughn, Ontario September 2nd.

Dave Schauer photographed CN 2104, 2112 and 2119 prepare to depart Proctor, Minnesota for Duluth on August 15, 2015. CN has been using a trio of former C&NW C40-8s on limestone trains from Duluth to U.S. Steel's Minntac plant. Normally these units are used in pairs to move raw iron ore (taconite) trains between Thunderbird Mine and United Taconite in Minnesota but with the mine and plant temporally closed the C40-8s have been reassigned for use on the Minntac trains.

Walter Pfefferle snapped CN 434 on September 7th, as it blew through Ingersoll Ontario with CN 2531 CN 5678 CN 2537 CN 4785 and CN 7038 as the day was coming to an end.

On September 22nd, Martin Simane caught a visitor from the Algoma Central at Kirk Yard, CN F40PHR 104.

In September 9th, 2015, Stephen M. Koenig clicked a Bessemer & Lake Erie southbound train led by IC SD70 1034, as Norfolk Southern train 310 passed over it (on the NS line between Conneaut and Buffalo), with UP power at Conneaut, Ohio.

RT 110 (Rail transfer) is Ex-CN SW1200RS 1394, and is shown on September 18th at Mac Yard working the transfer facility, inside the former S Yard.

New York to Toronto VIA #98 with Amtrak P42 43, on the point, meets my friends train, X421 at Jordan Station on CN's Grimbsy Sub.

Also from his train, new GO/Metrolink layover facility is taking shape near Grimsby On in his photo taken September 16th. The new yard is part of the GO expansion project towards Niagara Falls, ON, and regular service.

Another ex-GO F59PH, lettered for AMXX 1344 waits at Mac Yard shop track on Sept 16/15. The unit went out on 421 for furtherance to NS at Seneca Yard for overhaul and repaint into the current AMT paint scheme.

On September 2nd, Paul Jenter caught these brand new CN ET44AC's at Fort Erie this week after being dropped by Norfolk Southern.

CN VIGNETTES