CN opens Toronto Automotive Compound to tap Ontario market
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefCanadian National Friday officially opened its new C$14 million (US$13 million) Toronto Automotive Compound at MacMillan yard, north of the Ontario provincial capital. The new facility’s track layout will accommodate the unloading of 60 auto-carrying rail cars at once, compared with CN’s 27 unloading spots at the former compound at Mac Yard, and will have room to park up to 4,500 vehicles.
A planned phase two expansion of the compound will provide parking for 6,000 cars and/or trucks.
In a statement, CN Executive Vice-President, Sales and Marketing James Foote said, "Our Toronto Automotive Compound is a key facility in our vehicle distribution network in Ontario, the largest auto market in Canada. Our new state-of-the-art facility will help CN increase the efficiency of vehicle transportation, accommodate more traffic, improve customer service, and better utilize our valuable real estate assets at MacMillan Yard, the largest rail classification terminal on CN’s network."
The Toronto auto compound is one of 17 vehicle distribution facilities operated by Autoport Ltd. in Canada and the U.S. A member of the CN WorldWide North America family of non-rail companies, Autoport extends CN’s transportation reach beyond its rail network.
CN says it has rail access to all vehicle assembly plants in Canada, as well as to numerous assembly plants in Michigan and one in Mississippi, and taps parts production facilities in Michigan and Ontario.
