Canpotex Maintenance Facility Opens

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Canpotex Limited (Canpotex) announces completion of construction and commencement of operation of its state-of-the art Railcar Maintenance Facility in Saskatchewan. 

Canpotex invested CDN $60 million in the new facility to ensure that its railcars are efficiently maintained for the safe and timely transportation of Canpotex’s Saskatchewan potash to export terminals for shipment onwards to offshore markets. This new facility provides Canpotex with greater control over its railcar maintenance, thereby enhancing the performance of its fleet. 

Located approximately 12 kilometres southwest of Lanigan in the Rural Municipality of Usborne, this facility provides all-weather inspection and light repair, automated railcar wash and wheel maintenance services for Canpotex’s 5,000 railcars. 

This new facility is part of a railcar logistics’ strategy initiated in 1996 when Canpotex partnered with National Steel Car Limited of Hamilton, Ontario to build the world’s first railcar designed specifically to carry potash. The new design, combined with greater load capacity, allows Canpotex to operate longer trains that carry more potash. By exclusively running longer trains, Canpotex is one of the first Canadian shippers to support the railways’ move towards a ‘drop and lift’ operating system. 

“The movement of our potash from Saskatchewan to our export terminals on the West Coast is the life-line of our logistics, and this facility allows Canpotex to remain the world’s premier potash exporter. With the addition of a Railcar Maintenance Facility here in Saskatchewan, we are able to stimulate capital investment, construction and long-term job opportunities here at home, while ensuring Canpotex continues to meet the growing demand for potash overseas, and drive our reputation for quality, service and reliability,” stated Mr. Steve Dechka, Canpotex’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

The NSC Potash Service 3 Bay Covered Hopper

The National Steel Car Potash Service 3 Bay Covered Hopper just keeps on growing in numbers. Introduced in 1999, this car is seen in large numbers across Canada and the United States. The new Canpotex facility just underscores how many of these cars are now in use. And the demand for them, and use of them just keeps growing. Even with 5,000 cars, Canpotex is hard pressed to keep up with demand. This new facility will allow Canpotex to more quickly and efficiently service their cars and keep them moving.

Even with the new facility, Canpotex is still working to keep up with demand. As some modelers have noted, some Canpotex unit trains are now seen with PotashCorp cars in the consist. This reflects an agreement by Canpotex and PotashCorp to use PotashCorp cars in Canpotex unit trans when necessary. And with increasing demand, this likely will occur more often in the future.

These cars are currently operated in large numbers by both Canpotex and the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, and in smaller numbers by other operators. To date, over 7,000 have been produced in five versions. These cars are seen on a daily basis traveling across the Canadian Pacific, Canadian National, BNSF, CSX, NS and Union Pacific rail networks.

North American Railcar Corporation will produce the Canpotex and Potash Corporation cars in the first release of this new model in HO Scale.

Feature:

• Modern model accuracy of this modern prototype, fully researched and featuring prototypically accurate details
• 5 different versions of the model consistent with road name and road number of prototype car
• Accurate painting including variations in shade consistent with production date and owner of prototype car
  
• Accurate lettering, including correct graphics, fonts and locations per prototype scheme
  
• Many separately applied detail parts, including photo etched brass and lost wax metal castings
• Body mounted Kadee couplers
  
• NARC High Performance Low Friction trucks and metal wheelsets for reliable operation
• Properly weighted for smooth tracking and superior performance

Click links for information about each of the cars:

Canpotex Hopper Page