CN unveils 2022-23 winter operating plan

CN yesterday released its "2022-2023 Winter Plan," which describes how the Class I will ensure it has the capacity and resources to respond to customers' needs during the coming winter months.

Initiatives called for in the plan include:

• People. CN’s overall employee count increased by 850 people as of June 30, compared to Jan. 1, primarily in the operating crew ranks. Five hundred additional conductors will graduate through the end of 2022. Rail operating managers who are rules-qualified will be available to protect rail traffic movement and support operations during challenging winter operating conditions.

• Locomotives. CN acquired an incremental 57 high-horsepower locomotives, bringing the inventory of high- and mid-horsepower locomotives to 1,950.

• Rolling stock. Eight hundred new boxcars will be delivered in early 2023 and 500 high-efficiency hopper cars will be delivered during the 2022-23 crop year.

• Planning. CN has implemented scheduled slots for bulk unit trains in key corridors to increase rail capacity and velocity.

• Technology. Acoustic bearing detectors deployed at five locations across the network will reduce failures online. CN’s third-generation automated track inspection program fleet cars were launched in advance of this winter, reducing risks of rail-related incidents.

"Since joining CN in March, I have focused our team on servicing our customers' needs by getting back to basics," said CN CEO Tracy Robinson in a press release. "This means running a scheduled operation, aligning capacity with demand and working closely with our customers and stakeholders to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the full supply chain. This plan reflects that focus."