CN now operating PTC on all required track

CN announced today that it has successfully met the federal requirement to operate positive train control (PTC) on all of its U.S. subdivisions required to be equipped with the safety technology.

The achievement comes 13 months ahead of the Dec. 31 2020, PTC deadline, CN officials said in a press release.

"This milestone is a testament to the tenacious dedication of our railroading family,” said Rob Reilly, CN’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “It has been a tremendous journey, full of challenges, and obstacles we overcame.”

CN now has more than 3,000 route miles in PTC operation.

The Class I is interoperable with Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway, BNSF Railway Co., Canadian Pacific and Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. CN expects to become fully interoperable with all tenant railroads by Dec. 31, 2020, company officials said.

PTC is the largest technology program deployed in the Class I’s history and is a major investment in its network, CN officials said.

Implementation of PTC across the railroad sets the framework and architecture for future technological advancements. PTC is the catalyst that advanced technology, processes, tools and training capabilities, and has fundamentally changed the way CN operates its rail network, they said.