As half of its name suggests, Canadian National is no stranger to the harsh winter season that descends onto Canada every year.
The Canadian railway (Class I railroad) prides its operations for being prepared to handle the country’s typically low temperatures and heavy snowfall throughout the winter months.
However, this season, the railway is warning stakeholders that new regulations could burden its ability to satisfy shipper-customer demand and steward supply chain fluidity. CN recently submitted an outline of grievances to the Canadian government through its 2023-2024 winter plan.
Regulatory measures will require operational adjustments, says CN
Within the 52-page document, CN implored regulators to be aware of how certain measures can limit the railway’s operating decisions.
CN voiced foremost concern over the expansion of interswitch distances. The railway argued extending these distances from say an 18-mile radius to a 100-mile radius “forces railways to dedicate resources to inefficient movements”.
The railway went on to raise potential workforce pains from new duty and rest period rules.
“CN’s operating crew base has increased steadily over the past 18 months in anticipation of federal regulations. However, the full impact of the new federal regulations on CN’s rail operations remain unclear and is a wild card heading into the 2023-2024 winter,” CN stated in its winter plan. “Experience has shown us that tough winter conditions burn capacity since shorter, slower trains still need locomotives and employees to operate them, which significantly reduces productivity.”
The railway essentially forewarned regulators that these changes will require operational adjustments this winter in order to keep with existing customer service levels.
Such adjustments likely mean “hundreds of additional personnel” in Western Canada to perform “the same amount of work as was done prior to the implementation of the regulations”.
CN assures readiness for winter operation
While it’s clear that CN harbors angst over these regulations, the railway also assures stakeholders it won’t rollover.
CN stated it’ll work with customers and ensure dwell time is minimal, network velocity is fluid, and operations remain safe.
What this mission statement means from a service standpoint, CN details: running shorter trains when temperatures drop below negative 13 F (requiring more locomotives and available crews); adjusting volumes of local feeder lines to match mainline capacities; advisories and customer forecasts to ensure there are enough crews and equipment available; and performing proactive maintenance on assets and infrastructure.
Final Thoughts
In the plan, CN labeled winter as “a defining feature of Canada’s character”. As the northernly-most Class I railroad in North America, CN has had over 100 run-ins with the Canadian winter through its operating history.
While the railway voices concern over regulatory measures, CN remains determined for another operational battle against Mother Nature.
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