Transport Canada has sent a cease operations order to the Canadian National (CN), effective immediately, and extending for a period of 48 hours as of July 9, 2021 00:01 Pacific Time between Kamloops and Boston Bar, British Columbia. All rail operations, excepting those required for emergency fire response or maintenance and repair work, will cease in this area. In conjunction with the cease of operations, CN will also be suspending hot car and shutdown process during this time period. These updated network operations in Western Canada are in relation to the wildfires in the Lytton, BC area.
In the interim, CN is also working to detour limited traffic where possible in order to decongest the network, and is working with all stakeholders to reopen the Lillooet line which runs from Vancouver to Prince George via Squamish, Lillooet, Exeter, and Quesnel for limited traffic (not exceeding approximately 80 cars per day) primarily for BC North. A reminder that at this time an embargo has been issued preventing traffic to be billed Westbound to Vancouver from northern BC and east of Kamloops and from the BNSF, UP and Vancouver area towards the East. The BNSF and UP traffic into Vancouver area is permitted. The CN will not be issuing permits until the cease to operate order is lifted.
Intermodal traffic is not impacted by this embargo, it is strictly focused on carload traffic. The following information applies to Intermodal:
Domestic Intermodal
CN will continue to honor in-gate movement at all terminals across the network during the localized operating pause. This includes originating and destined traffic to Vancouver. CN will also continue to closely monitor terminal fluidity, and equipment capacity over the next 48 hours. Originating and destined domestic traffic to and from Vancouver should expect 72 to 96 hour delays on train departures, and travel time.
International Intermodal
CN is continuing to load import traffic at the Ports located in BC South to the extent the current car supply can accommodate. Acceptance of Export loads and empties destined to Ports in Vancouver continue to be restricted, CN is reviewing the in gate acceptance of traffic on a case by case basis and will continue to keep clients updated should the situation change.
