CP logged record-breaking grain haul in October

Canadian Pacific announced yesterday that in October it broke its own record for Canadian grain and grain products moved in a single month, delivering 2.66 million metric tons (MMT).

The Class I's previous grain-haul record was reached in April, when CP moved 2.64 MMT of Canadian grain and grain products.

"This record is a testament to ongoing collaboration with our customers and innovation within the grain supply chain," said Joan Hardy, CP vice president sales and marketing, grain and fertilizers, in a press release.

CP also attributed the record-breaking haul to new high-capacity grain hopper cars now serving in CP's fleet, which increased the amount of grain carried in each rail car.

CP now has more than 1,900 new high-capacity hopper cars in its fleet, with plans in place for another 1,400 cars by the end of 2020. The fleet will continue to grow in the years ahead as part of CP's $500 million investment in 5,900 new hopper cars.

Shippers are able to load up to 10 percent more grain by weight and 15 percent more by volume in these cars compared to the older, less-efficient hoppers they are replacing, CP officials said.

To learn more about CP's grain line of business, read this cover story in Progressive Railroading's November issue.