CN Rail is expecting to move a large crop this winter after some above average yields.

The company's director of marketing for grain David Przednowek, speaking at the Grain World Conference in Winnipeg, says they've done a lot to enhance their network capacity.

David Przednowek

"CN reinvests about 20 per cent of its overall revenues every year in terms of capital projects," he explained. "That could be the acquisition of higher horse power AC locomotives. I think we've acquired over 500 over the past number of years, and we just acquired another 22 that just came online here this fall that we've integrated into our fleet. And then it comes to increasing network capacity, which is double-tracking, increasing the number of sidings in western Canada, and passing tracks, lengthening sidings to accommodate longer trains."

Przednowek notes they've run into a few challenges in recent weeks including a bridge derailment in Alberta and some unloading issues at the Port of Prince Rupert.

He adds the company is also seeing an increase in other commodities being shipped including frac sand, coal and intermodal.