They'll Be Working on the Railroad?

In a March 9, 2009, letter to Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland, Canadian National's CEO Hunter Harrison stated that beginning March 10, two additional CN trains will begin running from Mundelein to Matteson on the EJ&E tracks. In the following weeks, two more pairs of trains are also scheduled to start running between Mundelein and Matteson. At this time, however, Harrison does not anticipate more trains than this because of the state of the economy. (Nationally rail shipping is down about 15% with a corresponding 14-15% of rail cars sitting idle on sidings.)

Harrison also stated that, although CN--like the American public--is hoping for a quick economic recovery, this slow down will provide extra time for remediation logistics to be clarified and implemented. He did note, however, that the $100 million pledged in infrastructure improvements is tied directly to track usage and productivity. So it sounds like infrastructure improvements will not come until the economy turns around and freight train usage returns to previously levels.

They'll be working on the railroad? I guess we'll have to wait and see...