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Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Railway recently agreed to make more operational changes into and out of the Port of Vancouver beginning in March. The changes include operating direct-to-destination trains to bypass yards and eliminate railway-to-railway handoffs, and extending the Class Is’ directional running zone in the Fraser Canyon west to gateway ports and terminals.

CPR crews will handle both Class Is’ trains from Boston Bar, British Columbia — about 130 miles from Vancouver — to Vancouver’s South Shore. CPR also will coordinate train moves and switch all traffic into and out of terminals on Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet South Shore; and handle both Class Is’ coal trains from Boston Bar to the Roberts Bank coal port to improve service for coal terminal operator Westshore Terminals.

“By enhancing service as the Pacific Gateway ports and terminals expand, we are sending a powerful message along the supply chain that coordination and cooperation are critical levers for growth,” said CPR President and Chief Operating Officer Fred Green in a prepared statement.

CN crews will handle both railroads’ trains from Boston Bar to Burrard Inlet North Shore, and coordinate all traffic switched into and out of North Shore terminals.

“This is a smart approach to managing rail capacity at a time of substantial growth in Canada’s trade volumes with Pacific Rim countries,” said CN Executive Vice President of Operations Ed Harris. “It will enhance the fluidity and capacity of both railroads in Vancouver and deliver better service to our port and terminal partners, while ensuring healthy rail competition between CN and CPR is maintained at the port.”

In CN’s and CPR’s long-established, 150-mile directional running zone, all westbound trains operate over CN’s line and all eastbound trains operate over CPR’s line.