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28 June 2024
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Canadian National launches firefighting trains to protect supply chains from wildfires
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Canadian National (CN) announced the addition of two new firefighting trains along with two additional railcars to its fire mitigation and suppression fleet. With wildfires underway across Canada, this specialised fleet, the Trident and the Neptune trains will join CN’s existing firefighting train, Poseidon. Together, these three trains will provide support in combatting wildfires along CN’s right-of-way, bringing a significant amount of water and fire suppression capacity to isolated areas, helping to ensure the fluidity, safety and security of goods on CN’s network and surrounding communities.
As extreme weather events increase in frequency and duration, CN recognises the critical importance of taking proactive measures to safeguard its role in powering the economy, supporting supply chains and transporting goods and materials to and from markets. Poseidon, Neptune and Trident are operated by specially trained employees and contractors and are purpose-built to strengthen CN’s rail network against the impact of wildfires.
“Our priority is to maintain the integrity of the supply chain so that we can continue to serve our customers and power the economy. By deploying these new firefighting railcars, we’re not only reinforcing our commitment to securing the supply chain, but also helping to support the safety and security of our neighbours in communities along our network”, said Matthew McClaren, assistant vice-president, Safety, at CN
CN works closely with federal, provincial and municipal wildfire management authorities, along with Indigenous communities, to strategically deploy these assets where they can be safely and effectively used in response to wildfires. CN is committed to the safety and well-being of its employees, customers, and the communities through which it operates.
About CN’s firefighting railcars
Poseidon, CN’s proof of concept and first firefighting railcar is a 66-foot bulkhead flat railcar equipped with two 3 500-gallon tanks, three water pumps, fire hoses, and a diesel-electric generator. Two tank railcars, each with a capacity of nearly 21 000 gallons, are attached to either side of the flat railcar. The railcar can safely emit various forms of fire prevention and suppression substances, including water, foam and fire retardant.
CN’s Trident and Neptune firefighting railcars are similar in design to Poseidon but with some key improvements, such as additional 360-degree cameras placed at both ends for real-time visibility. Other new features include a separate 20-foot container to hold pumps, hoses and generators, as well as a 40-foot container with a built-in staircase and crow’s nest. The crow’s nest has two additional water cannons and provides greater visibility for crews.
About CN
CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20 000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the US Midwest and the Gulf of Mexico, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919.
Photo1: The Trident and the Neptune trains will join CN’s existing firefighting train, Poseidon
Photo2: Canadian National has turned a flatcar, two tank cars, and a track maintenance vehicle into a firefighting train, dubbed “Poseidon,” fighting Alberta wildfires
Sources: Financial Times
As extreme weather events increase in frequency and duration, CN recognises the critical importance of taking proactive measures to safeguard its role in powering the economy, supporting supply chains and transporting goods and materials to and from markets. Poseidon, Neptune and Trident are operated by specially trained employees and contractors and are purpose-built to strengthen CN’s rail network against the impact of wildfires.
“Our priority is to maintain the integrity of the supply chain so that we can continue to serve our customers and power the economy. By deploying these new firefighting railcars, we’re not only reinforcing our commitment to securing the supply chain, but also helping to support the safety and security of our neighbours in communities along our network”, said Matthew McClaren, assistant vice-president, Safety, at CN
CN works closely with federal, provincial and municipal wildfire management authorities, along with Indigenous communities, to strategically deploy these assets where they can be safely and effectively used in response to wildfires. CN is committed to the safety and well-being of its employees, customers, and the communities through which it operates.
About CN’s firefighting railcars
Poseidon, CN’s proof of concept and first firefighting railcar is a 66-foot bulkhead flat railcar equipped with two 3 500-gallon tanks, three water pumps, fire hoses, and a diesel-electric generator. Two tank railcars, each with a capacity of nearly 21 000 gallons, are attached to either side of the flat railcar. The railcar can safely emit various forms of fire prevention and suppression substances, including water, foam and fire retardant.
CN’s Trident and Neptune firefighting railcars are similar in design to Poseidon but with some key improvements, such as additional 360-degree cameras placed at both ends for real-time visibility. Other new features include a separate 20-foot container to hold pumps, hoses and generators, as well as a 40-foot container with a built-in staircase and crow’s nest. The crow’s nest has two additional water cannons and provides greater visibility for crews.
About CN
CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20 000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the US Midwest and the Gulf of Mexico, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919.
Photo1: The Trident and the Neptune trains will join CN’s existing firefighting train, Poseidon
Photo2: Canadian National has turned a flatcar, two tank cars, and a track maintenance vehicle into a firefighting train, dubbed “Poseidon,” fighting Alberta wildfires
Sources: Financial Times