RailState

This blog post is an update of a similar one we did in 2022, as the US rail strike was looming (but was eventually averted). Network fluidity models can simulate the impact on rail networks of a possible Canadian rail strike. For real-time data, connect with RailState and John Schmitter and Jamie Heller. Railstate offers the best data on rail network volume and movements.

The trains are rolling back. With a flurry of activity between the government, railways, and union groups over recent days, it has been hard to know what’s happening on the ground without an independent source of data. RailState provides that true understanding of what's happening across the rail supply chain. CN started running trains on Friday and significantly increased train volumes over the weekend. On Sunday, CN’s system-wide train movements were 74.8% of their volume before the work stoppage. CPKC’s traffic on Sunday was just 12.1% of its average volume. There's a long way to go before we get back to regular service and we'll continue to share updates as things progress. Check out the link in the comments to see more about the impact on exports and different industries.

What a difference a week makes. A week ago RailState captured more than 700 train movements across the Canadian rail network. In the last 24 hours, almost none. The work stoppage may have been brought to an end but the rail network is not a light switch. Things don't start back up immediately. It takes time and choices that may not work out in your favor. If you want to know how your supply chain could fare during this recovery, please reach out to [email protected].

What does it look like when C$1 Billion worth of goods stops moving? At 12:01am this morning, the work stoppage on CN and CPKC began and RailState’s network captured the immediate impact. Over the first 15 hours, train movements across the entire CN and CPKC Canadian networks dropped from more than 725 train movements on an average day to about 60 total across the network. A system that normally moves an average of C$1Billion worth of goods each day fell off a cliff.  The recent announcement of forced arbitration and return to work will change this picture but as of this posting, RailState has not captured new train movements. We'll be monitoring the network in real-time to understand what shape a return to work takes and how quickly. Stay tuned here to understand how your supply chain may be impacted. And check the link in the comments to see a full report on the early impact of this strike.

RailState's Chief Commercial Officer, John Schmitter, joined Container News to talk about how the looming rail strike in Canada could impact container movements in North America. With a work stoppage slated for 12:01am Thursday, stay tuned to RailState for active coverage of what's happening on rail in Canada. https://lnkd.in/efAkByHf

John Schmitter, RailState's Chief Commercial Officer, joined FreightWaves to talk about the network disruptions caused by the Jasper Fire and the importance of real-time rail network intelligence.

**New report - Canada Ports, July 2024** Freight volume to the Western Ports fell in July due to the temporary shutdown of CN's main line from the Jasper Fire. Port of Vancouver Overall freight volume westbound to the Port of Vancouver dropped 7.4% compared to June. The biggest % changes came from Grain Unit trains, which dropped 20.3%.   Other train types showed mixed performance:    📈 Automotive: +7.7% 📉 Coal Unit: -4.3% 📉 Manifest: -11.6% 📈 Tank Car Unit trains: +8.8% 📈 Potash trains: +5.4% ⬆ Sulphur Unit: +116.7% https://lnkd.in/ezh4V6vB Read the full report for more and reach out here to find out how we can help put data into action for your rail operations.

**New report - Canada Intermodal, July 2024** Total container volume through the western Canada ports dropped to 80,724 containers in July, down from 87,500 in June. CN: Container volume out of the Port of Vancouver and out of Prince Rupert declined as a result of CN's temporary main line shutdown in Alberta. 📉 Port of Vancouver: Container volume -19.0% from June 📉 Prince Rupert: Container volume -23.4% from June   CPKC: 📈 Port of Vancouver: Container volume +17.3% from June Read the full report for more and reach out here to find out how we can help you put data into action for your rail operations. https://lnkd.in/esdd3cbq #RailIndustry #Logistics #SupplyChainManagement #Transportation #CanadaRail #intermodal

CN is working hard returning service through the Jasper area and is getting closer to matching volumes seen before the shutdown. Over the past 6 days, average daily volume is about 23% lower than average volume before the shutdown. Daily train volume over the past 6 days: ➡ Eastbound: 17 trains ⬅ Westbound: 12 trains Average daily train volume in the 30 days before the shutdown: ➡ Eastbound: 19 trains per day ⬅ Westbound: 19 trains per day Subscribe to RailState's blog to learn more about this recovery and the latest issues that could impact your rail supply chain: https://lnkd.in/gmP6wYg8

Service returns through Jasper. After the significant disruptions from the devastating fires around Jasper, service has started to return to levels seen prior to the shutdown of CN’s main line.    For the first two weeks of July, an average of 19 trains per day moved eastbound and 17.5 moved westbound through the Jasper area. Train volume dropped to zero last week.   On Sunday, July 28, RailState sensors captured 18 eastbound trains and 15 westbound trains through this area. Impact at the Ports: Port of Vancouver 📉 Weekly westbound CN train volume - Down 46% 🕜 Eastbound travel time - Up 204% Port of Prince Rupert 📉 Weekly westbound train volume - Down 42% 🕝 Eastbound travel time - Up 266% Read our latest report to get the full picture on the early recovery: https://lnkd.in/e-8De7jz