RAILYARD OPERATIONS
CPKC Railway is a major North American rail carrier with a critical role in connecting Western Canada’s freight to national and international markets, operating high-volume mainline and terminal facilities in Calgary.
The CPKC railyard in Calgary, known as Alyth Yard, is located southeast of downtown and is owned and operated by CPKC; it serves as the busiest yard in Western Canada, functioning as a central hub for train assembly, locomotive servicing, and regional crew operations, with substantial capacity supported by satellite yards and intermodal terminals.
MAJOR CLASSIFICATION YARDS
Alyth Yard is a major classification yard designed for high-volume processing, handling a wide range of manifest and unit trains with substantial throughput and efficient switching operations.
INTERMODAL TERMINALS
The Calgary Intermodal Facility, located nearby, provides modern container handling capabilities with multiple tracks, high-capacity cranes, and specialized equipment for efficient loading and unloading of intermodal freight.
MAJOR RAILYARD FACILITIES
Inbound trains are received through dedicated arrival tracks, where cars undergo initial inspection for safety, mechanical condition, and documentation compliance before entering yard operations.
Classification operations involve systematic sorting and switching of railcars using multiple tracks and modern switch engines, enabling efficient train building and car distribution for outbound movements.
SPECIALIZED FACILITIES
State-of-the-art automotive loading and unloading facilities designed to handle finished vehicles with care and efficiency. Our multilevel loading ramps and specialized equipment ensure safe handling of automobiles throughout the transportation process.
The yard features comprehensive maintenance facilities capable of performing locomotive servicing, routine inspections, and railcar repairs, supporting both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance needs.
TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT
Advanced yard management systems track car locations, inventory, and train movements in real time, integrating with central dispatch and customer information platforms for operational efficiency.
Safety and communication systems include automated warning devices, radio networks, and digital monitoring tools to ensure safe train movements and rapid response to incidents.
Gate operations utilize electronic processing systems for inbound and outbound vehicles, with secure access control and automated documentation verification to streamline terminal entry and exit.
Storage and stacking operations are managed with modern equipment, allowing for high-density container stacking and efficient retrieval, supported by paved surfaces and designated storage zones.
OPERATIONAL METRICS
The yard processes a substantial volume of railcars and containers daily, with high throughput supported by multiple tracks, modern equipment, and coordinated train movements.
Recent infrastructure investments have focused on upgrading track layouts, expanding intermodal capacity, and modernizing equipment to enhance operational reliability and efficiency.
SPECIALIZED SERVICES
Inspection services are conducted in compliance with FRA and Transport Canada standards, including routine safety checks, mechanical inspections, and regulatory audits.
Transloading facilities enable the transfer of bulk commodities, containers, and specialized cargo between rail and truck, supporting flexible logistics solutions for diverse freight types.
SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
Safety protocols include comprehensive training programs for staff, regular emergency drills, and deployment of automated safety systems to minimize risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
Environmental stewardship initiatives include fuel-efficient locomotives, waste management programs, and ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and noise, supporting sustainable operations.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
