CN’s $3B Winter Plan: Rail Resilience & Innovation in Canada

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Introduction

Canadian National Rail (CN) has unveiled its 2025-2026 Winter Plan, a strategic initiative backed by a $3 billion investment, predictive technologies, and collaborative partnerships, designed to bolster operational resilience and ensure dependable service during the winter months.

Resilience Measures

CN’s 2025-2026 Winter Plan emphasizes the integration of winter readiness into its operational model, with year-round planning. The plan incorporates predictive analytics and automated inspection technologies to proactively mitigate potential disruptions. Furthermore, workforce levels are being fortified to minimize delays and maintain operational fluidity throughout the network.

Strategic Investment

CN has allocated over $3 billion in capital expenditure for 2025, of which approximately $1.5 billion is designated for Western Canada. These funds will facilitate the expansion of key rail corridors, the addition of double-tracked sections, and upgrades to major rail yards, thereby enhancing overall capacity. Recent fleet modernization, including the introduction of modern locomotives and additional rolling stock, is intended to enable CN to respond effectively to extreme weather conditions.

Collaborative Initiatives

CN is actively collaborating with various stakeholders, including ports, shippers, receivers, governmental bodies, and other railway operators, to optimize supply chain performance. A notable partnership with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has already resulted in increased weekly train movements to and from North Vancouver. Moreover, direct collaboration with customers is aimed at improving winter safety and preparedness at their facilities, thereby reducing delays and facilitating smoother trade flows.

Plan Availability

The complete Winter Plan is accessible on CN’s website.