CANADA: Canadian National announces plan to install Centralized Traffic Control on two line segments in Ontario

Photo: Toronto Star Derailed passenger cars at Thamesville

In a press statement issued on 5 May 1999 Canadian National Railway Company announced it will install Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) on two segments of CN mainline track in Ontario over which passenger trains travel.

CN President and Chief Executive Officer Paul M. Tellier informed The Honorable David Collenette, Minister of Transport, by letter today of CN’s signaling plans for the two Ontario lines.

Rail traffic on CTC-controlled track is governed by line-side signal indications and instructions issued by Rail Traffic Controllers. The signals tell locomotive engineers to proceed or stop by indicating the occupancy and condition of the track ahead, including the position of switches. Under CTC, Rail Traffic Controllers designate routes, remotely operate switches and monitor switch position integrity to ensure safe train movements.

CN will install CTC on its single- and double-track Chatham Subdivision between Komoka, a town located west of London, Ont., and Windsor. CN will also install CTC on its double-track Grimsby Subdivision between Hamilton and St. Catharines. With these installations, CN’s entire Quebec City-Montreal-Toronto-Niagara Falls-Windsor-Sarnia, Ont., corridor will be electronically signaled. CN will be taking other safety related measures in advance of the new system on these lines being fully operational. Details will be announced shortly.