Most eastbound moves will also see a day shaved from transit times.

“With the introduction of our boldly redesigned schedules, CN offers shippers for the first time a transcontinental rail intermodal service that’s fully competitive with expedited, transcontinental services,” said chief operating officer E. Hunter Harrison, announcing the new schedules. “We’re putting a premium on efficient terminal operations and offer the latest possible cut-off times at origin and early-morning delivery at destination.

“More intermodal improvements across our system are coming,” he added.

There will be three westbound departures from Toronto every weekday, two daytime moves on Saturdays and a daytime move on Sundays. Traveling east, trains will leave from Vancouver and Calgary every day, while those two trains will serve other Western Canadian cities with loads heading for Toronto.

CN vice-president, intermodal William Berry said the changes will help the railway make inroads into the world of expedited freight and Just-In-Time schedules.

The railroad will particularly target retail stores, parcel deliveries, and LTL freight.

“Shippers based in Eastern Canada can use this new service to ship stock on Monday to reach outlets in Western Canada in time for weekend sales,” he said.

The intermodal service accommodates 20- to 53-foot containers and highway trailers, as well as refrigerated units. n