CN invests in extended sidings to improve system velocity, productivity

Canadian National has made plans to construct two more extended sidings on its Northern Ontario main line this year, bringing its investments in seven long sidings in this corridor to more than C$30 million. Two additional extended sidings, costing a total of C$10 million, are planned for this main line in 2012. "CN's main line through Northern Ontario is a critical link in our transcontinental network connecting Central, Eastern and Western Canada," said Keith Creel, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at CN. "The strategic investments in longer sidings will help to further increase our ability to process freight trains efficiently across this line, enhance network velocity and productivity and improve the safety of operations." CN's longer sidings program is creating sidings of 12,000 to 13,000 feet long from sidings that were previously 6,000 to 7,000 feet in length. CN's main line through Northern Ontario sees an average of 14 freight trains daily, including intermodal trains between Toronto, the principal cities of Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary and the west coast ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. The corridor also hosts two transcontinental passenger trains three days a week. Extended sidings allow CN to maximize the benefits of its longer-train operating plan in main-line corridors across its system. These more efficient trains are equipped with distributed power technology, which permits remote control of a locomotive or locomotives throughout a train from the lead control locomotive. DP provides faster, smoother train starts, improved braking and lower pulling forces at the head-end of a train and improved safety. With more optimum matching of motive power to train weight, DP locomotives also allow CN to reduce fuel consumption and reduce emissions.