Rail

Rail transport is all about capacity.

Railways have been a focus of economic development in countries around the world for centuries and represent one of the safest modes of land transport. When it comes to mass, rail operations provide a cost-effective means of transporting large amounts of product between markets.

Intermodal containerization is a key feature of rail value, offering limited freight handling requirements between modes of transportation. The introduction of standardized intermodal containers was a revolution in trade and transportation services involving rail. However, bulk transportation remains the key advantage for rail transportation. Through tanker cars or other equipment, liquids, gases, ore, grains and other product can be moved far more effectively and economically than other land transportation.

Alberta has access to two major Class 1 rail systems: Canadian Pacific and CN. Both companies continue to invest in their transportation infrastructure, with CN’s Western Canadian Network Operations Centre in the city of Edmonton, and Canadian Pacific’s head office in Calgary. Both rail carriers see Alberta as an important link in managing the increased traffic to and from Canada’s west coast ports and throughout their extensive North American networks.

With rail access to Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and other important provincial energy centres, Port Alberta is well positioned to ensure that Alberta’s most in-demand materials will continue to be transported efficiently. CN’s rail infrastructure investments in Alberta’s Capital Region, improving connectivity to both west coast ports, and Canadian Pacific’s new intermodal facility, which is relocating to land near the Edmonton International Airport, present significant advantages for Alberta business.

Port Alberta will identify, support and expand the potential for export market growth, utilizing the available capacity on the railway networks to create a competitive advantage for the marketplace.