Four months after forging a joint plan with Norfolk Southern Corp. to improve rail operations in the U.S. Northeast, Canadian Pacific Railway has reached a series of co-production agreements with Canadian National Railway Co. to speed Port of Vancouver traffic in British Columbia. Today, the Class Is announced plans to share capacity in the Vancouver area to improve transit times.
Under the co-production agreements, CP will use a shorter CN route to access intermodal facilities at Fraser Surrey Docks, and both Class Is will gain reciprocal access to north and south shores, with CP potash trains obtaining direct access to Neptune Terminals and CN sulphur trains gaining direct access to Pacific Coast Terminals. In addition, CPR will be able to move longer, heavier trains to Vancouver's north shore under existing access agreements, and both roads will obtain a reciprocal interchange at CN's Thornton Yard and CPR's Coquitlam Yard to replace a "less efficient" interchange arrangement.
"These agreements demonstrate the commitment by CP and CN to provide the level of service and efficiency that will help shippers take advantage of the significant growth in trade with Pacific Rim nations, strengthen Canada's vital import-export economy and bolster the competitiveness of our key British Columbia port," said Fred Green, CPR executive vice president of operations and marketing, in a prepared statement. "By working cooperatively to make rail service more efficient, we will also improve network and equipment utilization, and increase productivity on existing infrastructure."
CP and CN also plan to improve interchanges for north shore freight traffic involving BC Rail Ltd., which CN is integrating into its system per an agreement with the province of British Columbia.
"This is a remarkable example of two highly competitive railways cooperating to solve a pressing demand for more efficient rail operations for shippers brought about by a rapid expansion in North American trade," said Jim Foote, CN EVP of sales and marketing, adding that the agreements will enable CN and CP to leverage their successful directional running zone through the Fraser Canyon.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News
