Chicago Multimodal Service Animation
DEC 01, 2020

New Chicago Multimodal Service

Through the coldest winter conditions every year, our CN fleet of Distributed Braking Cars, or Air Cars, keep goods moving safely and with reliable service that customers expect.

The Air Cars are an important part of our CN Winter Plan that outlines the actions and innovations we have implemented to maintain our operations to meet customer needs and to operate safely and efficiently during these challenging months.

During colder months, it’s critical to supply a consistent flow of air through the brake lines of the train, an important concern in keeping our customers’ commodities moving during winter. The Air Cars, modified boxcars that contain air compressors and brake system-associated equipment, do exactly this.

Air Cars

An Air Car is positioned in the train to help supply consistent airflow through the brake lines and efficiently get brakes charged and trains moving in very cold conditions. This enables CN to maintain longer trains, unlocking capacity. CN has a waiver in Canada to run extra-long trains, thanks in part to the increased airflow that our Air Cars provide. In addition, Air Cars can be used instead of adding an additional locomotive, which can significantly reduce fuel consumption.

In 2006, CN started with 10 Air Cars. Today, CN has more than 100 Air Cars that are strategically deployed throughout Canada and the Midwestern U.S. during colder months. CN analyzes data from winter seasons to maximize the effectiveness of these cars, developing standards for air source configuration and location in trains. Our Air Cars have traveled more than five million miles since being put into service.

Combined Advantages of Road and Rail

Our transload facility in Bridgeview, IL is only 16 miles from CN’s Chicago Intermodal terminal. Our rail service to Western Canada runs 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Shipments can originate from a variety of points including Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri or Kentucky. Our intermodal services extend well beyond our tracks with the convenience of road service and value of rail.

  • Cost savings by using both modes of transportation
  • Seamless border crossings
  • Avoid congestion through CN’s rail bypass loop around Chicago
  • 40 ft. containers handle all types of freight - load up to 55,000 lbs
  • Variety of load ratios available depending on your shipment. 1:1 53ft to 40ft or multiple 53’s into multiple 40’s (For example, 3 - 53’s into 4 - 40ft’s)
  • Environmental benefit of rail for the long haul which reduces GHG emissions
  • Short term storage available at our transload facility
  • Offering end-to-end supply chain solutions with final mile deliveries in Western Canada
  • Truckload transloads are available immediately. Complete LTL service will be available by March 2021.
Chicago Multimodal Service

Take advantage of this new service and learn more about how CN can help keep your supply chain agile and competitive.

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