Railroad

Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 11:30 AM

2015 RAILROAD FACTS

DID YOU KNOW?

• The port of Ranier is the busiest rail port in the US. 19% of all rail cars entering the US pass through the Ranier Port of Entry.

• In 2014, approximately 640,000 rail cars entered through the Ranier Port of Entry. Many of the “inter-modal” trains passing the Ranier are more than 2 miles long. In 2005, approximately 250,000 rail cars passed through the Ranier Port.

• In 2014, the Spruce Street/CSAH 20 rail crossing was blocked more than 8 hours per day, every day. Approximately 24 trains pass through the Ranier Port daily.

• In 2015, the rail traffic at the Ranier Port has increased by 15% from 2014.

• In 2014, approximately 21,000,000 barrels of crude oil entered the US through the Ranier Port.

• Prince Rupert, BC is the primary point of origin for CN RR intermodal trains destined for the US through the Ranier Port to Chicago. The current capacity of Prince Rupert is approximately 850,000 containers per year. With the current expansion to be completed in 2017, the Prince Rupert capacity will increase to 1,350,000 containers and 2,500,000 containers per year by 2019. Increased capacity for Trans-Pacific shipping at Prince Rupert will likely result in increased rail traffic at the Ranier Port of Entry. CN RR is the sole rail provider for the port.

• The city of Ranier and Koochiching County are in the process of establishing a “quiet zone” in order to minimize the train horns. The several steps involved in establishing the “quiet zone” which is regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration are: (1) installation of active warning devices (flashing lights, bells and crossing gates), (2) submit risk analysis application to FRA, (3) if approved, construction of Supplemental Safety Measures at the grade crossing (e.g., raised center median in roadway, bollards along centerline of roadway), (4) if approved, Notice of Quiet Zone Establishment provided to FRA, CNRR, MNDOT, (5) FRA works with CN Railroad to implement stoppage of train horns 21 days following receipt of notice of Establishment of Quiet Zone, (6) install NO TRAIN HORN signs at crossing, (7) quiet zone is implemented unless the train engineer dictates that the horn usage is required for safety reasons. UPDATE! 11/2015 KOOCHICHING COUNTY AND THE CITY RANIER HAVE FILED THE NOTICE OF INTENT TO ESTABLISH THE QUIET ZONE WITH THE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION!