(Regular updates will be available on the Alberta Pulse Growers website.)

Pulse Canada and the CSCA are partners of the Ag Transport Coalition (ATC)*, which tracks performance of the Canadian railway network for the movement of grain.

A new grain network status report has been created to provide stakeholders with comprehensive insight on the performance of the Canadian rail system for the 2020-2021 grain year. The report provides information and data on the status of the rail network as of midnight the previous day.

The railway performance data reported in these reports reflect the performance of rail shipments specifically for grain shippers participating in the Ag Transport Coalition’s railway performance measurement program – estimated to encompass approximately 90-95% of western Canadian originated grain shipments by rail.

December 19, 2021: Report Synopsis

Loads on Wheels

Average daily system loads on wheels finished out last week some 4% lower than the prior week averaging just over 7,800 cars per day, consistent with the pattern seen throughout the week.

We begin week 21 with volumes down sharply for CN and up for CP with system totals beginning the week 3% below last week’s closing levels.

Cars Not Moving

Average daily system idle car counts improved last week for the 3rd straight week averaging 2,156 cars per day, down from 2,674 cars per day the prior week.

The improvement last week was driven by CN while CP numbers changed little.  We begin week 21 with a spike in counts for both railways over the weekend.

Port Unloads

Average daily west coast unloads nearly doubled last week from the prior week averaging 754 cars per day reflecting improved performance at both west coast ports.

Thunder Bay unloads also saw week over week improvement last week averaging 236 cars per day.

For more information, go to www.agtransportcoalition.com* The Ag Transportation Coalition is comprised of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC), Pulse Canada, Manitoba Pulse Growers Association (MPGA), Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Inland Terminal Association of Canada (ITAC) and the Canadian Special Crops Association (CSCA). All daily network status reports are available on the Pulse Canada website.