CNR plans to go to much longer trains

In efforts to make freight rail service more efficient from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Fort Frances, Ont. CNR has begun construction of 8 new sidings between the two points.
Jim Feeny of CN Public Affairs said that, “This is part of a program that started three years ago and it is working west to east.”
Construction is now underway at Sleeman, just east of Rainy River, to place one there. Sidings up to 10,000 feet will be constructed which will allow the railway to run trains as long as 10,000 feet long.
“That enables us to run fewer but longer trains to Chicago,” said Feeny.
Previously the longest trains they could run were between 5,000-6,000 feet. The company will not have to add any more locomotives than they use now as, “The newer locomotives are more powerful and pull the longer trains,” said Feeny.
Feeny added that in addition to saving the company money, the new sidings will allow for more efficient scheduling.
Locations for the new sidings were chosen to try and provide the least amount of blockage of crossings.
Another one is scheduled to be put in at Barwick this summer. Feeny said they are hoping the work will be completed by the end of the summer.
Another bottleneck opened
CNR officials also were excited about the announcement by U.S. customs early last week that a new VACIS x-ray machine will be in service at Ranier/International Falls by the end of July.
The machine will allow customs officials to look at the contents of every single rail car as it enters the United States.
While the addition of the equipment is being rationalized by the need for increased need for security since 9-11, the border inspections at Ranier have always been a bottleneck for CNR.
Customs used to pick and choose cars to open and inspect physically. Now they will be able to see in every car without having to slow rail traffic down; at least not unless they see something suspicious.
The VACIS machine at Ranier is the first one of seven along the Canada-U.S. border expected to be installed. Customs officials could not be reached to find out if one will be installed at Warroad where the trains first enter the U.S. before reentering Canada at Rainy River and then head east to Fort Frances/Ranier.