(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 2, 2023: Report Synopsis

Loads on Wheels

System loads on wheels increased yesterday (+5%) pushing above the 9,700 car mark for the first time in more than a month.

Both railways seeing higher volumes yesterday although CP continues to track 23% higher than at this time last week while CN volumes are tracking lower (-7%).

Cars Not Moving

Slight relief on the system idle car front yesterday with counts declining to slightly less than 1,500 cars.

Both railways seeing modest gains yesterday although CP counts remain at nearly 10x the levels currently being seen on CN.

Port Unloads

West coast unloads (988) dipping slightly yesterday with lower unloads at Vancouver offset in part by improved unloads at Prince Rupert.

Prince Rupert unloads slightly lower than the available car supply might suggest while Vancouver unloads fell far short given the cars on site.

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.