CN, NS quicken the manifest pace

CN’s and Norfolk Southern’s recently launched joint interline service initiative for carload traffic is reducing transit times by one to two days between Western Canada and NS destinations in the Eastern U.S., chiefly through bypassing Chicago.

CN and NS are interchanging two eastbound and two westbound manifest trains daily through greater Chicago, connecting CN’s network in Western Canada and NS’ network in the Eastern U.S. Traffic is interchanging at NS’ major rail yard in Elkhart, Ind., avoiding extra handlings in the Chicago terminal.

“This seamless interline service, established in August, allows freight to bypass traditional interchange points in Chicago, in favor of using the most efficient existing CN and NS routes,” the railroads said in a joint statement. “The service has reduced transit times by up to 48 hours, providing customers more efficient delivery to final destinations.”

“Together, CN and NS have re-engineered our Chicago connections to provide shippers with a new superior-service shipping option,” said Norfolk Southern Chairman, President and CEO Jim Squires. “Customers on both railways are seeing faster and more reliable service, benefitting their supply chains.”

“Through collaboration, CN and NS are bringing more efficiencies to the supply chain as we deliver higher and more reliable levels of service to our customers,” said CN President and CEO Luc Jobin.

CN and NS said they “continue to explore adding traffic to the new interline service.”