• Mechanical
• Engineering
• Transportation

The Engineering department and its employees are responsible for the maintenance of CN's physical plant, such as rail, signals, communications and bridges.

Learn about our leading-edge technology

Technology	Description	At CN
TEST Car	CN's high-tech Track Evaluation SysTem (TEST) car is a valuable tool for gathering continuous, real-time printed reports on track condition. CN engineering forces use the reports to address any track irregularities and to plan long-term rail replacement programs. More	CN took delivery of a new state-of-the-art , self-propelled track geometry vehicle for the electronic inspection of track curvature, alignment and cross-level of rail lines across our network. The new Track Geometry Car uses high definition cameras to identify cracks in track joint bars and a video system that records the right-of-way as the car travels along the track. Read the Press Release CN tested over 64,000 miles of track in 2009, a 50 per cent increase over the past five years. We expect to increase testing by 25 per cent to 80,000 miles of track in 2010. Our new, self propelled Track Geometry car with state-of-the-art electronics continues to help meet increased testing goals.
Rail Stress Detectors	identify the state of stress on the rail which, if left unchecked, can lead to track buckles and rail failure.	The addition of Rail Stress Detectors on the system is a new initiative at CN.  The addition of Rail Stress Detectors on the system started in 2009 with the installation of 4,000 detectors. The company continues to selectively install the detectors to prevent track buckles or rail failure and to study the overall benefits of the technology.
Ultrasonic Rail Flaw detectors	Broken rails are among the leading causes of train derailments in the industry. To help reduce the problem at CN, we use high-tech ultrasonic rail flaw cars to catch internal rail defects that could potentially lead to broken rails.	CN tested 158,768 miles of track in 2009. We expect to increase testing 11 per cent to 176,000 miles in 2010, double what CN did five years ago.
Sightline and Surface Inspections	Train crews, wayside operators and maintenance forces have been responsible for the visual inspection of our tracks for as long as trains have been operating. Sightline and surface inspections of grade crossings are also a high priority.	CN inspects all of its rail crossings at least once every year.
Clean steel rail	Clean steel rail is a higher quality rail with few imperfections.
Rail Grinding	In addition to maintaining the rail's profile and controlling defects, rail grinding provides more reliable information to the ultrasonic rail flaw detection cars while they are testing.	CN ground approximately 13,664 pass miles of rail in 2009 and expects to grind 14,000 miles of rail in 2010.
Computerized Track Inspection Logs	The logs systematically generate reports that help supervisors to ensure defects have been corrected on time and to address other issues found during inspections.
Natural Hazard Warning Systems	We have detectors in place to report slides or track hazards in known sensitive areas of our system, such as in key corridors of British Columbia. Slide Fences, for example, activate alarms if rock or debris fall on the track, warning approaching trains of a hazard. Tip Over Posts detect larger movements of debris, such as those from mud slides, and also activate hazard alarms.
Precision Engineering	This is a major initiative to consolidate many separate engineering processes into a single information system. In the next few years, engineering vehicles will be equipped with laptop computers running the new Precision Engineering application. The system will enable employees to access and input critical information in real time, such as plant condition, the completion of inspections, etc. The end result is improved quality and execution of engineering inspections and repairs.	Since CN implemented the Track Inspection System we have been completing visual track inspections on our mainline with 100 per cent compliance. We are now expanding use of the system to monitor inspection of other tracks and turnouts. In 2009 we completed the roll-out of a new Track Inspection System that allows track supervisors and inspectors to electronically record their inspections, defects and follow-up on repairs. The system also automatically alerts supervisors when inspections or repairs are due. The roll-out of a Time and Material reporting system for all CN foremen was also completed, enabling foremen to report all their time and material on work projects. In 2010 our production gangs will be reporting all of their time, material and productivity into the Precision Engineering application. We will continue to make the system more user-friendly and train employees on its use.