CN Issues 2021 Sustainability Report Data Supplement

CN on Sept. 14 released a 2021 sustainability report data supplement outlining key performance metrics in the areas of environment, safety, people, community and economy.

CP, CN Salute Queen Elizabeth (UPDATED)

Canadian Pacific (CP) and CN gave brief but “moving” tributes to Queen Elizabeth, who died Sept. 8 at 96.

The CN Customer Safety Handbook is “a key resource that helps our customers identify and correct potential safety issues before they happen,” according to the Class I railroad. (Photograph Courtesy of CN)

CN Releases Updated Customer Safety Handbook

CN has updated its Customer Safety Handbook to include a deeper dive into the foul zone, fouling point and the importance of clearance markers in an aim to keep “employees and customers safe by leaving equipment in the clear.”

FRA Grants CN Comment Period Extension for Virtual Training Software

Following a 45-day public comment period that ended on Sept. 8 on CN’s waiver request to use virtual 3D simulation as an alternative to hands-on training required by 49 CFR 232.203(b)(8), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is extending the comment period for an additional 60 days “to ensure all interested parties have ample time to provide their comments following a demonstration of the software scheduled for the second half of September.”

U.S. Army veteran Ken Killingsworth (left) is heading up Watco's Military Outreach & Hire (MOH) Program.

Small-Road Briefs: Watco, ASLRRA, Mississippi Export Railroad

Watco formalizes military outreach and hiring. Also, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) looks back at Auburn’s “greasy railroad” prank; and the Mississippi Export Railroad (MSE) celebrates its 100th anniversary.

(Photograph Courtesy of NS)

STB: Five Class I’s Revenue Adequate for 2021

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has found five U.S. Class I railroads to be revenue adequate for 2021: BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Soo Line (the U.S. affiliate of Canadian Pacific) and Union Pacific. Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor Frank N. Wilner weighs in.

BNSF's Sustainability Awards are awarded annually in recognition of achievements made by customers in investments in circular economy infrastructure, supply chain efficiencies, sustainable technology, and more.

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CN

BNSF Railway (BNSF) recognizes customers for significant achievement in sustainability. Also, CN replaces propane-powered forklift with electric forklift reducing 7.6 metric tons of CO2 a year from the environment.

CN in November 2021 formally committed to a 2050 net-zero target for carbon emissions by joining the Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the United Nations’ Race To Zero campaigns.

Class I Briefs: CN, UP

CN has joined Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge. Also, Union Pacific (UP) and representatives from the city of Houston, Harris County and Bayou City Initiative in Texas have begun rail yard remediation discussions.

The CN-served Port of Manitowoc is a deep draft commercial harbor located on the west coast of Lake Michigan, about 80 miles north of Milwaukee and 50 miles south of Sturgeon Bay. (Photograph Courtesy of Port of Manitowoc)

Wisconsin Port Secures $900,000 Grant

The Port of Manitowoc will use a $900,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to help construct new rail platform extensions that will support the manufacturing, assembly and shipping of cranes for the U.S. Navy.

TSB issued two safety recommendations following its investigation of the Jan. 3, 2019 CN train collision and derailment near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. (Photograph Courtesy of TSB)

TSB Issues Safety Recommendations Following 2019 CN Derailment Investigation

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is calling for Transport Canada and the Canadian rail industry to expedite the implementation of automated train control systems and to develop and implement formal crew resource management training, following its investigation of the 2019 CN train collision and derailment in Manitoba.

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