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    Canadian National Railway

    Canadian National Railway: North America's Leading Freight and Logistics Network

    Revenue:$12.0B
    Canadian National Railway logo
    Canadian National Railway global carrier services and logistics operations

    Company Overview

    Canadian National Railway (CN) is a Canadian Class I freight railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, and is the largest railway in Canada by both revenue and network size. CN operates a rail network of approximately 20,000 route miles, spanning Canada from coast to coast and extending into the Midwestern and Southern United States, transporting over C$250 billion worth of goods annually. Founded as a government-owned corporation in 1919, CN was privatized in 1995 and now serves as a critical backbone of North American transportation and logistics.

    Key Leadership

    Executive Team:

    • CEO: Tracy Robinson
    • CFO: Ghislain Houle
    • COO: Patrick Whitehead

    Employee Demographics:

    • Global Workforce: 24,671

    Equipment & Infrastructure

    Specialized Equipment:

    • Locomotive Fleet: Operates a fleet of over 1,500 locomotives, primarily from General Motors (EMD) and General Electric, including recent additions like GE Tier 4 Evolution Series units.
    • Freight Car Fleet: Manages a large fleet of freight cars for various cargo types, supporting extensive rail operations across Canada and the United States.

    Technology Platforms:

    • Google Cloud Platform: Provides cloud infrastructure, AI, and machine learning tools for digital scheduled railroading, customer experience enhancements, and modernization of CN’s technology systems

    Warehouses & Logistics Hubs

    Major Facilities:

    • Montreal Headquarters: CN's main office and administrative hub located in Montreal, Quebec, serving as the central command for operations across its 20,000-mile network
    • Prince Rupert Intermodal Terminal: Major intermodal facility in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, providing high-capacity container handling and direct access to Pacific shipping routes

    Certifications:

    • ISO/TS 22163: International standard for quality management systems specifically designed for the railway industry, based on ISO 9001, and recognized as the most applicable and important certification for railway organizations.

    Operational Capabilities:

    • Operating Ratio: 63.4% in Q1 2025
    • Revenue Ton-Miles (RTMs): 60.049 billion in Q1 2025
    • Car Velocity: 189 car miles per day in Q1 2025
    warehouses and logistics hubs showcasing modern distribution centers, automated facilities, and supply chain infrastructure

    Global Locations & Network

    Extensive global network connecting businesses worldwide with reliable logistics solutions.

    Geographic Scope:

    Canadian National Railway operates the largest rail network in Canada and the only transcontinental network in North America, spanning approximately 20,000 route-miles across Canada and the United States, connecting the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts. Its network links major Canadian ports with the U.S. Midwest and Gulf of Mexico, and through alliances and overseas interests, it extends its reach to Mexico, the U.K., and Australia, supporting global freight movement at scale.

    Strategic Hubs:

    • Montreal, Canada: Headquarters and strategic administrative center for Canadian National Railway, overseeing network operations and serving as a major freight hub for Eastern Canada.
    • Vaughan, Canada: MacMillan Yard is the largest rail classification yard in Canada, handling extensive freight sorting and distribution for the Greater Toronto Area and supporting national logistics.
    • Brampton, Canada: Brampton Intermodal Terminal is the largest intermodal hub on CN’s North American network, operating 24/7 to transfer containers between rail and truck for the Greater Toronto Area and Southwestern Ontario.
    • Vancouver, Canada: Key Pacific coast port hub facilitating international trade, bulk cargo, and intermodal freight movement between Canada, Asia, and the United States.
    • Prince Rupert, Canada: Major Pacific gateway port specializing in containerized cargo and bulk exports, providing rapid access to Asian markets and supporting Western Canadian resource industries.
    • Thunder Bay, Canada: Important Great Lakes port hub for grain and bulk commodities, connecting Western Canadian producers to international shipping routes.
    • Halifax, Canada: Atlantic coast port hub handling containerized and bulk freight, serving as a primary gateway for imports and exports to Europe and beyond.
    • Chicago, USA: Principal U.S. hub connecting Canadian National’s network to major Midwest and Southern U.S. markets, supporting high-volume intermodal and bulk freight operations.

    Partnerships:

    Canadian National Railway has established strategic partnerships and alliances with CSX for new intermodal rail services, Union Pacific and Grupo México for the Falcon Premium intermodal network connecting Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, and Google Cloud for digital modernization of its supply chain.

    Carrier Partners & Alliances

    Strategic partnerships and alliances that enhance our global reach and service capabilities.

    Strategic Partnerships:

    PartnerType
    CSX CorporationAlliance
    Union PacificAlliance
    Grupo México-FerromexAlliance
    Canadian Rail Equipment Works & Services (CREWS)Service Partner
    BNSF RailwayAlliance

    Service Portfolio

    Comprehensive range of logistics and transportation services tailored to meet diverse customer needs.

    Core Services:

    • Rail Freight Transportation: Movement of bulk commodities and manufactured goods across North America using an extensive rail network, offering reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally efficient shipping solutions.

    Value-Added Services:

    • Logistics and Supply Chain Solutions: Comprehensive management of freight movement, warehousing, and distribution, enabling customers to streamline operations and improve efficiency across their supply chains

    Digital Offerings:

    • Digital Logistics Platform: Cloud-based platform using AI and machine learning to provide customers and supply chain partners with real-time visibility into planning, shipping, tracking, and payment

    Industry Reputation & News

    Recognition and achievements that demonstrate our commitment to excellence and innovation.

    Awards & Recognition:

    • S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025: Recognizes CN as one of the top sustainability performers in the transportation industry based on the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment.

    Recent Developments:

    • 2025 Capital Investment Program: Canadian National Railway is investing approximately C$3.4 billion in 2025 to expand and maintain its rail infrastructure, with a focus on growing capacity, enhancing safety, and supporting sustainable growth across its North American network. This includes over 225 miles of new rail installation and eight major capacity-building projects in Western Canada, as well as more than $500 million allocated to upgrading and expanding rolling stock.

    Analysis & Future Outlook

    Strategic vision and future initiatives that will shape the next generation of logistics services.

    Strengths:

    • Extensive Network Coverage: Canadian National Railway operates the largest rail network in Canada, spanning approximately 20,000 route-miles and connecting ports on three coasts, which enables efficient transportation across North America.

    Weaknesses:

    • Trade and Tariff Volatility: Canadian National Railway is exposed to shifting U.S. tariff policies and trade volatility, which disrupt intermodal and merchandise volumes and create uncertainty in earnings growth.

    Opportunities:

    • Network Expansion and Capacity Building: CN’s C$3.4 billion capital investment in 2025, including over 225 miles of new rail and multiple capacity-building projects, presents an opportunity to expand network capacity and improve service reliability, positioning the company for future growth.

    Risks:

    • Economic Recession Risk: A heightened risk of recession in both Canada and the U.S. could negatively impact demand for freight transportation, directly affecting Canadian National Railway's volumes and revenue.

    Strategic Initiatives:

    • Network Capacity Expansion: CN is investing approximately C$3.4 billion in 2025 on maintenance and strategic infrastructure initiatives, including over 225 miles of new rail installation and multiple capacity-building projects to strengthen resilience, efficiency, and sustainability across its North American network.