(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.

March 31, 2022: Report Synopsis

Loads on Wheels

System loads on wheels reversed course yesterday rising slightly on the heels of three consecutive days of steep declines.

The increase seen yesterday, while nominal on a system basis, reflects a 4th straight day of decline for CN offset by higher volumes for CP.

Cars Not Moving

The downward trajectory in system idle car counts resumed yesterday declining 15% and returning below the 1,300 car threshold.

The improvement yesterday reflects lower counts for each of CN and CP although more notable improvement seen for CN.

Port Unloads

West coast unloads (677) saw their best day in a month yesterday with significantly improved unloads at Vancouver offset in part by lower unloads at Prince Rupert as anticipated.

Thunder Bay unloads (238) declined from the prior day but remained above the 200 car mark for the 4th straight 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.