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CN Winnipeg to Edmonton

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  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Valparaiso, In
  • 5,921 posts
CN Winnipeg to Edmonton
Posted by MP173 on Thursday, May 4, 2023 1:04 PM

Looking at the CN map it appears that they have 2 routes from Winnipeg to Edmonton.

Does CN run directional or as a secondary route?  Or is their thru trains routed on one main route?

Ed

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,269 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Thursday, May 4, 2023 2:33 PM

The former Grand Trunk Pacific route through Melville, Saskatoon and Wainwright is the mainline.  It's CTC with many sections of double track and long sidings.  

The 'Prairie North Line' is the former Canadian Northern route through Dauphin, Humboldt and North Battleford.  It's dark territory and has few places to meet long trains, and most sections see only one or two trains each way per day.

The PNL is sometimes used for reroutes during disruptions on the mainline (work blocks, derailments, etc) but this is only occasional and on an as-needed basis.  As far as I know CN has never tried complete directional running out here.  

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Valparaiso, In
  • 5,921 posts
Posted by MP173 on Friday, May 5, 2023 5:37 AM

Thanks for reply.

That would provide some operational issues, plus considerable investment to bring that up to standards (PNL).  Looked like a good idea on the map to address their congestion on the line.

Ed

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