• Mechanical
• Engineering
• Transportation

The Transportation group manages the movement of cars, loaded and empty, to and from customers across the network. It monitors and manages the movement of every car and locomotive, both to track customer shipments and to ensure that rolling stock is in the right place at the right time.

Learn about our initiatives

Initiative	Description	At CN
Distributed Power	With Distributed Power (DP), a locomotive can be placed in the middle of a freight train and remotely controlled from the lead locomotive. DP technology improves fuel efficiency and train handling. DP provides faster, smoother starting, improved braking and lower pulling forces at the head-end of a train. In addition, it significantly reduces the time required to charge a train's air brake system, a major benefit in cold weather conditions that slow charging rates. All of this results in more productive use of assets and manpower, better customer service and safer and more efficient train operations.	At the end of 2009, 268 locomotives in CN's fleet were equipped with Distributed Power. By the end of 2010, 406 locomotives – or one third of CN's high horsepower fleet – are expected to be equipped with the technology. All new locomotives that CN purchases are also equipped with DP capability. Locomotive engineers have received extensive training on DP operation to enhance safety and productivity.
Canadian Rail Operating Rules	Every rail employee in Canada involved in the movement of trains or engines for a federally-regulated railway is trained and tested in the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR). Employees must follow the operating rules with 100 percent compliance 100 percent of the time for their safety and the safety of everyone around them.	In May 2008, Transport Canada authorized a major revision of the CROR to streamline and modernize the rules and provide consistency among railroads. The revision was implemented by all Canadian railways in consultation with their unions and Transport Canada. The revised CROR became effective at CN on May 28, 2008.
Locomotive Simulators	A train simulator provides computer-based simulatation of train driving and rail transport operations. It is a valuable tool in the training of new hires or for refresher courses.	CN recently purchased six new locomotive simulators at a cost of approximately $1.6 million. The state-of-the-art portable simulators replicate exact train handling, train make-up and track profile issues and let users experience control of the latest on-board systems like Distributed Power. Information from the simulators allows us to enhance our operating standards and further develop operations policies.
Locomotive Digital Video Recorders, Wi-Tronix technology	Locomotive digital video recorders (LDVR) capture what our train crews see as their train moves across the network. The information is paired with locomotive performance data from Wi-Tronix technology. The resulting snapshot allows us to monitor locomotive fleet performance anywhere in North America , provide timely response to issues and to rapidly analyze causes of critical incidents.	In 2009 CN had 294 LDVR/ Wi-Tronix recorders installed on locomotives. Authorized personnel can now remotely access the Wi-Tronix data via a website. The information is being used to support fuel conservation, efficiency testing and incident investigation. By the end of 2010, 455 locomotives are expected to be equipped with Wi-Tronix.
Trip Optimizer	CN has invested in Trip Optimizer technology, an intelligent cruise control system that automatically determinmes optimal throttle and brake setting on locomotives.	The technology is being tested on the Kingston Subdivision between Toronto and Montreal. All new GE locomotives are expected to be fitted with the new feature in 2010