CN Buying New Hopper Cars

Canadian National plans to buy 1,000 high-cube grain hopper cars over the next two years.

The cars will have 5,431 cubic feet of capacity and replace aging low-capacity equipment used to haul annual crop yields

National Steel Car will build the hoppers at its plant in Hamilton, Ontario.

In an unrelated development, earlier this week Canadian lawmakers passed Bill C-49, the Transportation Modernization Act, which raises the ownership limit in CN to 25 percent from 15 percent.

The legislation also includes new rules governing rail shipping, including the creation of a “long-haul intershipping” system aimed at helping rail customers served by only one line.

CN to Buy New Cars to Carry Lumber

Canadian National Plans to purchase 350 center-beam cars to meet a growing demand from lumber-producing customers.

In a news release, CN said the 73-foot riserless centerbeams will have a maximum load capacity of 286,000 pounds and are expected to be delivered starting in September

The Montreal-based carrier is also considering an option to purchase or lease another 300 centerbeam cars. Neither the purchase price or budget for the cars was not disclosed.

National Steel Car will build the cars in Hamilton, Ontario, and hire more than 250 additional workers to complete the order.

The company has been building new freight cars for CN since 1919 and currently employs more than 1,500.