CN shatters grain delivery record in October

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 11/2/2020 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
The Class I also announced that it will receive its first shipment of 1,500 high-capacity grain hopper cars.Photo – cn.ca

As of Oct. 30, CN was on track to exceed the 3 million metric tons (MMT) mark of Canadian grain hauled during October, which would break the Class I's previous record of 2.88 MMT moved in October 2019.

The "unprecedented" Canadian grain haul follows seven record months of performance from March through September, CN officials said last week in a press release.

The Class I also announced that it will receive its first shipment of 1,500 high-capacity grain hopper cars, with 100 cars already received and another 500 expected to be in service before the end of 2020. The new jumbo grain cars can carry about 10% more grain than older generation cars, CN officials said. The order follows the railroad's 2018 order of 1,000 grain cars that remain in service.

"Our devotion to moving the North American economy remains unwavering and this new unprecedented record is further proof of the essential role we play in the global supply chains," said Rob Reilly, CN's executive vice president and chief executive officer. "The expedited delivery of the new hopper cars also reiterates our commitment to being ready for 2021 and beyond."