CN makes use of longer trains to help alleviate 'bottlenecks' at western terminals, including Prince Rupert

Volume through the Fairview Container Terminal is up
as of July figures with CN taking additional measures to
ensure that cargo reaches its destination
(image from PRPA CN DP World info item)

With shipping volumes remaining somewhat volatile between North America and Asia, the quest to reduce trade congestion at shipping terminals has made for some changes in how railways transport goods as they come ashore in BC and Western American ports.

The topic of how the congestion issues were being address was relayed following a request from the US Surface Transportation Board, and American government agency which oversees American rail and road transportation, with CN Rail among those who provided briefing notes for the Board in earlier this month.

From the correspondence from CN Rail President JJ Ruest the Canadian based railway which takes freight from Prince Rupert to New Orleans and all points in between, provided a snap shot of how CN has addressed the many challenges coming from the COVID pandemic and other global incidents of the last year.

Of note from the Prince Rupert gateway was how the railway has addressed those challenges, efforts which made use of longer train deployments and diversions of freight through Prince Rupert.

The full correspondence to the US Board is available for review here.

The most recent data provided by the Prince Rupert Port Authority shows that YTD volumes through the Fairview Container Terminal are now above levels from 2020.

You can review all of the data for all of the PRPA terminals here. 

In addition to their logistical changes, CN is also adding to the amount of rail line between Prince Rupert and Prince George, with CN currently working to extend the siding near Burns Lake.

It's a rail infrastructure a project that will add close to another 10,000 feet in rail siding to the existent location to assist in reducing transit times on the CN Northwest main line.

In June the railway outlined some of the details towards a $460 million dollar investment in railway infrastructure in British Columbia.

As part of the maintenance program, CN noted the following:

Replacing 101 miles of rail
Installing approximately 252,000 new railroad ties

Rebuilding 38 road crossing surfaces

Maintenance work on bridges, culverts, signal systems, and other track infrastructure

More notes on CN operations across the Northwest can be explored here.