Canada’s two railways moved a record volume of grain during the last three months of 2019.
Combined, Canadian Pacific and CN Rail moved 15.4 million tonnes of grain from elevators to port.
By year end Canadian Pacific had increased volume 2.1 per cent to 12.17 million tonnes for the 2019-2020 crop year that began in August.
Of that, 7.5 million tonnes was shipped in the last three months, turning in three of the best months for volume.
December was the best ever at 2.5 million tonnes while October and November, both second best ever volumes, were 2.66 million tonnes and 2.74 million tonnes respectively.
CP officials said the company’s High Efficiency Product (HEP) trains were a significant factor in the record movements.
The HEP trains, which service about 15 per cent of grain elevators, can carry 44 per cent more grain than previous trains. CP hopes to have one-quarter of elevators HEP certified by the end of 2020.
CP is also increasing grain car count to 3,300 by the end of the year from 2,710.
CN Rail, which services mostly northern routes, moved 7.5 million tonnes in the last quarter of 2019, setting an all-time record of 2.79 million tonnes in October and the second best month ever in December, even with a strike that delayed shipments.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
