CN Expands Firefighting Fleet with New Assets and Upgrades to Existing Trains

Executive Summary

• CN introduced two new independent firefighting railcars, Oceanus and Amphitrite, each carrying 25,000 gal of water with cannons, pumps, and hose support.
• A pilot fire‑trailer program was launched; each trailer holds 350 gal of water and features a fixed cannon for off‑track wildfire response.
• CN added eight additional 30,000‑gal tank cars in British Columbia and upgraded existing Neptune, Trident, and Poseidon trains to more than double their water capacity.

Key Details

• New Railcars: Oceanus and Amphitrite – 25,000 gal water capacity per unit; equipped with cannons, pumps, hose support; can operate independently or coupled with larger trains.
• Fire‑Trailer Pilot: Small‑scale trailers for right‑of‑way fires – 350 gal water capacity each; fixed water cannon; designed for rapid off‑track deployment.
• Additional Tank Cars in BC: Eight new tank cars positioned strategically – each holds 30,000 gal of water to augment supply in water‑scarce regions.
• Upgraded Existing Fleet: Neptune, Trident, and Poseidon fire‑suppression trains (first used during 2024 Jasper wildfires) upgraded to increase water capacity by >100 % (more than double original).
• Purpose & Benefit: Enhances CN’s ability to protect rail infrastructure, maintain supply‑chain continuity, and support local emergency responders during severe wildfire seasons.

Notable Quotes

“At CN, our priority is to safeguard the critical rail infrastructure and supply chains that communities and businesses rely on every day. These new assets strengthen our ability to defend our network, protecting supply chain corridors from the threat of wildfires while also supporting emergency responders.”
— Mark Grubbs, Vice‑President, Safety and Environment